Romance Writing Festival. Saturday 3rd October, Marsham Court Hotel. Details here.
Local Writing Groups
We often get asked about writing groups that are in Dorset, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Below is a list of groups you can join.
Together with BCP Libraries, we've formed Writers' Havens - informal groups hosted by volunteers who write - to create friendly groups of like-minded writers at a library convenient to you. Please be kind and supportive to your hosts and get in contact before the date in case there are any changes.
Watch the free seminar "What Makes a Successful Writing Group" here! with Emma Scattergood.
Writing Havens in Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and Dorset
Please contact the organiser in advance of the group.
Our organisers are volunteers. Please only contact them regarding the writing groups below.
Christchurch Library
Online Writing Group
8:30pm on the 2nd Wednesday of every month
Hosted by Fiona Gowenlock
Contact Fiona to register your interest and receive the online link
Parkstone library
10am on the 2nd Friday of every month
Hosted by Nigel Harding
Contact the library for more information
Parkstone / Alexandra Park
9:30am, every Saturday at Alexandra Park Cafe.
Contact Hannah for info.
Bournemouth library
Branksome library
Westbourne Bookshop
St Catherine's Hill Community Centre
Saturdays 10-12 noon and Tuesdays 11.45 - 1.45pm. Alternating months
Hosted by June McLeod
Contact June for more information
Flirt Cafe
Queer Writing Group
Alternate Sundays, 2pm
Hosted by Callum McKelvie
Wimborne Library
Fortnightly on Fridays at 11am.
CURRENTLY FULL
Want to add your writing group? Email us the details.
The Bournemouth Writing Festival is in no way responsible for the running of these groups or if they are running. This is simply a notice board informing you of local writing groups that were emailed to us. Please contact the organiser before you go to the groups.
Other Writing Groups in the Area
Sturminster Newton library
2.15pm to 5pm on the fourth Wednesday of every month.
Contact Tracey for more information. Small fee applies.
Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre
2pm to 4pm on the first Tuesday of the month at Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre. Free. Email for more information.
Jurassic Coast Writers
8:00 to 9:30pm every Tuesday (online) critique group for short stories and novel chapters (up to 8,000 words). Free
In-person events in Poole for special events and challenges. Free
Contact via website
The Old School House, Boscombe
6pm to 8pm every Tuesday at The Old School House, Boscombe. Free.
Run by The Outsiders Project, for people sidelined from society, whose voices have not been held. Email for more information.
Children's Writing - online
Children's creative writing sessions via Zoom for home-educated children. Various days throughout the week. £3/£4. Check Chasing Driftwood's website for details or email Chantelle.
Highcliffe Poetry Group
Every third Wednesday at 10:30 at Greystones House Community Association. £1.
Contact Maria for details.
Junior Writers - Lighthouse Poole
Creative writing sessions at Lighthouse Poole for teenagers (7-10 years) with ArtfulScribe. Every Saturday morning in term time. Free.
Young Writers - Lighthouse Poole
Creative writing sessions at Lighthouse Poole for teenagers (11 to 18, split into two age categories) with ArtfulScribe. Every Saturday morning in term time. Free.
Adult Writing - Lighthouse Poole
Creative writing sessions at Lighthouse Poole. Weekdays during term time. £5.50.
Bournemouth Writers' Circle
Held at Kinson Community Centre.
7-9pm on the 2nd Tuesday of every month.
First session is free. £5 thereafter.
Email Shirley for more info.
Eco-Verse Collective
Held online
Email Louisa for more info.
Speakeasy Wimborne
Salisbury Poetry Stanza
Third Friday of the month
6.30-8.30pm.
Salisbury Arts Centre
£5 per session. Book here.
Contact Francis for details.
About the groups listed here
Bournemouth Writing Festival is pleased to promote local writing groups as part of our aim to support and connect the writing community.
Unless explicitly stated otherwise, groups listed on this website are independently organised and run and are not managed or supervised by Bournemouth Writing Festival. Each group is responsible for its own meetings, guidelines, processes, membership and decisions regarding participation.
Inclusion on this website does not mean that Bournemouth Writing Festival is responsible for the day-to-day operation of an individual group. However, we ask all groups we promote to share our ambition to create a welcoming and inclusive writing community for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.
If you have a concern about a listed group, we encourage you to raise it with the group organiser in the first instance.