Writing Experts E.L. Norry and Mark Rutter join the Bournemouth Writing Sanctuary
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- Aug 18
- 5 min read
Get away from the distractions of home and focus on improving and progressing your writing journey in our nurturing environment.
Author E.L. Norry and creative writing lecturer from the University Of Winchester will be the experts leading workshops at the next Bournemouth Writing Sanctuary.
They will join creative writing mentor and lecturer Emma Scattergood and Bournemouth Writing Festival director for a three-day writing retreat in the centre of Bournemouth on 16th, 17th and 18th January 2026.
Whether you're just starting out, in the middle or nearing the end of your manuscript, this three-day writing escape offers a dedicated space to write with intention, get expert guidance from industry professionals, and connect with fellow writers.
To help you along the way, we’re providing formal and informal workshops, writing professionals on tap, food, drinks and snacks and networking opportunities – all within a fresh and funky writing environment.
Together with a group of like-minded writers, we’ll guide you through our three-phrase process to get your book to the next level.
Located at Patch – on the first floor of Bobbys with large windows overlooking the gardens and square – you can fully immerse yourself in your writing at Bournemouth’s newest creative space.
Catherine, an attendee from the June sanctuary, said, “The fizz of creativity generated during the workshops and in-between with all the amazing authors has inspired me to keep going and stay connected. I couldn't have asked for a better weekend.”
Day One
Set the groundwork for your writing with expert-led workshops on the important foundations of writing your story. Whether you are just starting out or need to step back to refine what you’ve written.
Friday 16th January 2026 from 9:30am
Expert-led workshops on a range of topics to help you with your writing.
Led by author E.L. Norry with Emma Scattergood
Focused writing time
Lunch, refreshments and snacks
Group Dinner
Day Two
Dive deeper into your work with hands-on exercises to improve specific areas of your writing for greater impact.
Saturday 17th January 2026 from 9:30am
Drop-in, practical workshops with exercises to enhance specific elements of your story.
Led by Mark Rutter with Emma Scattergood
Focused writing time
Beach walk for creative inspiration
Lunch, refreshments and snacks
Entry to our evening networking event.
Sunday
A quiet space to get your word count up, reflect, and refine with expert support when you need it.
Sunday 18th January 2026 from 9am until 5pm
A quiet space to write
Lunch, refreshments and snacks
Expert support and advice on tap with Emma Scattergood and Dominic Wong
Spaces are limited to create a personalised experience, so you get the most out of your time with us.
Pricing
£399 includes:
The full experience of the Bournemouth Writing Sanctuary for all 3 days to hone and improve your writing and get your word count up
Expert support from four writing professionals
Buffet lunch, drinks and refreshments during the three days
Friday night dinner
Guaranteed entry to the Saturday networking event
Pay in full or contact us about spreading payments or buy a gift voucher.
Add accommodation to the package and really immerse yourself in your writing. Optional accommodation can be organised depending on your budget. Please let us know at the time of booking if you require this.
Only want to write?
Join us in the sanctuary where you can focus on your writing in the fresh and funky open-plan area in Patch. You can write without the distractions of home with drinks, snacks and lunch provided – surrounded by other writers.
Choose whether to write on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Spaces are limited.
£65 per day and includes a buffet lunch, drinks, snacks and a manuscript critique of your first three chapters or synopsis.
PLUS: book in an optional 1-2-1 with E.L. Norry or Mark Rutter to get personalised feedback on your words.
About Emma Scattergood
After many years working as a writer/author and editor for some of the UK’s biggest publishing companies in London, Emma moved to the coast, became a freelance, and took a part-time role as Senior Lecturer in Writing, Editing and Publishing at Bournemouth University.
At BU, she designed and launched the MA Creative Writing & Publishing, Fresher Publishing Press and The Bournemouth Writing Prize, supervised Masters students as they developed their novels or short story collections, and ran Design, Editing and Publishing.
After leaving BU, Emma continues to educate, support and facilitate writers at all stages of their journey – especially through her Creative Path workshops and mentoring.
She is trained in facilitating creative workshops for personal & professional development and wellbeing and currently works part-time as a lead facilitator for ArtfulScribe on an Arts Council-funded community project.
About Dominic Wong
Dominic Wong is the Festival Director of the Bournemouth Writing Festival and Romance Writing Festival, where he connects and inspires writers at all stages of their journey. A passionate advocate for storytelling, he has self-published two books and engages with hundreds of writers and authors each year through festivals, networking events, and writing groups he organises.
Beyond the literary world, Dominic is an award-winning marketing consultant specialising in theme parks, attractions, and tourism. He served as the first Marketing Director of the Harry Potter Studio Tour, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. His consultancy work has earned industry recognition, with award-winning campaigns for his clients including Man City Stadium Tours, Up at The O2, Blenheim Palace, and Zip World.
About E.L. Norry
E.L Norry is an author, mentor and screenwriter. She currently publishes fiction and non-fiction for 8-13 year olds. She has also written for the BBC 1 soap opera, Eastenders.
She is the author of Fablehouse and Fablehouse: Heart of Fire, the first of which was nominated for a Carnegie Medal. She has written biographies on Lionel Messi and Nelson Mandela and worked on Alison Hammond's Black in Time and Adam Rutherford's Where Are You Really From?
About Mark Rutter
Dr Mark Rutter is Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing. He holds an MA from the University of York and a PhD from the University of Southampton. His doctoral thesis is titled Poetry, Art and the Book in Modern Britain. Mark has taught English and Creative Writing at the University of Maine at Machias, the University of Maine at Orono, and Southampton University. At the University of Winchester Mark teaches Writing and the Environment, Writing Comics and Graphic Novels, Science Fictions and Fantasies, and Poetry Now.
In addition to publishing collections of his poetry Mark has also published artists' books and illustrated broadsides. His poems have appeared in literary journals throughout the English-speaking world and his paintings, prints and artists’ books have been exhibited in the UK and USA.
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