The Future is Back is the second round of a free creative writing workshop series for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) emerging writers wishing to deepen their writing practice, with particular invitation to aspiring LGBTQ+ writers of colour.

12 participants will receive a series of creative writing workshops led by Olumide Popoola, an invitation to attend two special guest sessions: ‘Writing for Performance’ with Namita Chakrabarty and ‘From Activist Poetry to Eco Poetics’ with Saradha Soobrayen. Participants will also be invited to attend 1 zine making workshop, access to expert sessions (covering publishing, university and funding), feedback on their work and the opportunity to share their work at a live showcase.

There are also access grants available for writers in need.

The workshops will be held at Islington Central Library (2 Fieldway Cres, Highbury East, London N5 1PF) from 6:00-7:45pm. Please only apply if you are able to attend these workshops. NB. There is one more Wednesday session that is yet to be confirmed.

Deadline 

Wednesday 1 May. We will notify all applicants of the outcome on Tuesday 14 May.

Workshop dates

Wednesday 5 June
Wednesday 12 June
Wednesday 17 July
Wednesday 31 July
Wednesday 4 September
Wednesday 18 September
Wednesday 2 October
Wednesday 16 October
Wednesday 30 October

To enter, you must:

• be 18 years or older
• submit a piece of prose between 500 – 1000 words
• submit a short paragraph (max 500 words) why you want to be part of the scheme at this particular time in your writing life
• self-identify as LGBTQ+
• be available to attend the 10 sessions held on Wednesday evenings (see dates below)
• You can have some publishing experience but this is a scheme for emerging writers who want to develop and who would like some direction on how to take their writing to the next level.

Please note, that you are not eligible to apply if you:

• have had a book published (chapbook or full-length)
• been widely published in anthologies, journals, magazines, or newspapers
• have had your work broadcast or performed
• have a publishing contract or agent
• are currently enrolled in a creative writing programme at a university.

https://www.spreadtheword.org.uk/the-future-is-back/