Writers' Hub Programme — Word Kitchen

Pass Holders: join us in the Writers’ Hub at Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival - it’s going to be amazing! Scroll past the programme to see who is in the Hub throughout the two days.

WRITERS’ HUB PROGRAMME WEDNESDAY 17th September

10 – 10.45 – writing breakfast with prompts

11.45 – 1pm – finding time & space to write and progress your work in a busy world

The role of writing retreats, courses and MA’s – Mary Morris from Arvon, Carla Jenkins from Raw Writing, Grace Palmer of Fresh Fiction and David Lloyd of Word Kitchen will be in discussion with Pippa Marriott.

Arvon is a charity that has been supporting writers at every stage of their journey since 1968. They offer inspiring courses and retreats – both in-person and online – led by leading authors in a variety of settings including Totleigh Barton, Devon. Grants and concessions are available to keep courses accessible to all.

Mary Morris worked as an editor at Bloomsbury Publishing, Gerald Duckworth and Faber & Faber before moving from London to Devon to run Totleigh Barton, Arvon’s writing house in the south west. She is now Artistic Director for Arvon, overseeing the artistic programme across the organisation’s three residential locations and its online offer, Arvon at Home.

Carla Jenkins is an author and teacher and the founder of Raw Writing. Raw Writing is a growing community of over 500 members. With face-to-face and online courses, author masterclasses, live events and gatherings that celebrate creative writing at every stage, Raw Writing is about more than just writing — it’s about finding your voice, building confidence, and being part of a warm, creative community. While Exeter is the home of Raw Writing, they also host social events in London, Bristol, and Falmouth, connecting readers and writers across the UK.

Grace Palmer writes, teaches, and organises events for writers. Her second novel is on submission and she’s editing a short story collection drawing on Somerset Folklore. Grace set up Novel Nights and runs Fresh Fiction in South Petherton where writers read new stories based on the evening’s prompt.

David Lloyd was born and educated in Cardiff and Coleg Harlech. He has written about Wales in a series of memoir essays Going Back published online. David completed a part time MA in Creative Writing in 2018. His short story The Cormorant was published online in 2021 by Birkbeck’s Mechanics Institute Review. He has attended several writing retreats, and recently completed the Faber Advanced Fiction Workshop.

At the beginning of 2024 he set up Word Kitchen with Pippa Marriott, which recently took on the hosting of The Exeter Novel Prize.

Lunchtime

networking circle starring all of you – go and grab some food or whip out your packed lunch, and then join us to share news, publication and ideas together in the hub

2.00 – 3.15

What’s the Point of Prizes? Getting your work out in the world.

Cathie Hartigan, Fiona Williams and Rob Schofield will be in conversation with Word Kitchen talking about prizes, submitting work and how seeking out opportunities to compete, submit and share work can shape and encourage your writing. As the Exeter Novel Prize moves into a new era with Word Kitchen, what can we learn?

Cathie Hartigan is the author of 3 novels, her latest being The Luthier’s Promise. Bestselling Secret of the Song was shortlisted for the Dorchester Literary Festival Prize in 2018 and Notes from the Lost was recently shortlisted for the 2020 Selfies Awards. A teacher ofc reative writing for many years, Cathie founded both www.CreativeWritingMatters.co.uk and the Exeter Novel Prize with Margaret and Sophie Duffy.

Fiona Williams won the Bridport Prize and the Peggy Chapman-Andrews First Novel Award in 2021. Her ‘heart-catching’ novel The House of Broken Bricks was Faber & Faber’s superlead debut in 2024. Originally from South London, she now lives in the West Country, and is currently completing a PhD in creative writing at Exeter University. We are delighted that Fiona is an ambassador for the Exeter Novel Prize.

Rob Schofield has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Exeter. An early draft of his debut novel, which is now in submission with agents and publishers, won a Northern Writers’ Award for debut fiction in 2021. His short stories have been published in anthologies, journals, and online. Like many writers, Rob has entered many competitions, has enjoyed a few hits and suffered many, many misses.

3.45pm – 4.45pm

Truth or Dare – the challenges of writing memoir in a post The Salt Path world

Helen Garlick will talk about the experience of writing No Place to Lie, and the complexities and responsibilities an author needs to take on board when they choose to write from life. Whose story is it anyway?

Helen Garlick is an author, trainer and speaker who worked for many years as a lawyer in family mediation. No Place to Lie, published by Whitefox in 2021, was Helen’s debut memoir. This immersive, uplifting page-turner explores corrosive family secrets, the truth behind her younger brother’s death in 1981 and the extraordinary secret her mum took to her grave.

5 - 6pm wine, nibbles - Happy Hour with guest drop-ins and chat, and music!

THURSDAY 18th September

10 – 10.45 – writing breakfast – with prompts

11.30 – 1.00

Getting Published – new pathways for new times

An interview with author Tom Cox, who has experienced a whole range of publication methods! Originally a journalist, then published by Sphere, then by Unbound, he now writes a Substack and his latest novel – Everything Will Swallow You - is published by Swift Press. What has he learnt along the way?

We will be joined by author Carryl Church who has taken a digital route into publishing, and Jonathan Posner, author and founder of Winter & Drew publishers. Rachel Payne of Libraries Unlimited will offer thoughts on how libraries can help with publishing and sharing your work, meeting your audiences and getting your book out there. Denise Thomas from Winstons Bookshop will talk about their relationship with local writers and the pressures on booksellers.

Tom Cox is a wonderfully inventive Nottinghamshire-born author who now lives in Devon. Bestselling author of fifteen books of fiction and non-fiction. His debut short story collection Help The Witch won a Shirley Jackson Award and his 2017 book 21st-Century Yokel was long listed for The Wainwright Prize. His most recent books are Villager and 1983 and now Everything Will Swallow You.

Carryl Church writes historical fiction with a focus on the 20th Century. Her debut novel The Forgotten Life of Connie Harris is a dual timeline story set against the immersive backdrop of cinema and draws on her experience as a film archivist. Her second novel – Secrets at the Ambrose Café is a sapphic romance set in 1920s Exeter. Both novels are published by Joffe Books. Originally from the Isle of Wight, Carryl now lives in Devon with her family.

Jonathan Posner writes action adventures set in the 16th century. He has two series; The Mary Fox Adventures, featuring a swashbuckling heroine who cuts a swathe through the male-dominated world of the 1530s, and The Witchfinder’s Well Chronicles, a time-travel saga about a woman from 2015 who falls back into 1565. After indy-publishing several of his own novels, he decided to turn his imprint Winter & Drew into a ‘hybrid’ publisher, offering services and expertise to other authors wanting the flexibility, control and income potential of self-publishing.

Rachel Payne from Libraries Unlimited and Denise Thomas from Winstons Bookshop, Sidmouth, will talk about the part that local libraries and booksellers can play in fostering local writers.

lunchtime networking circle - a chance to sit together and have a few minutes each to offer news, share initiatives, raise questions

2.30 – 4.00

Getting Published – the conventional route: a panel discussion covering the route from agent to publisher to bookseller.

We are delighted to have author Elizabeth Delo in discussion with Euan Thorneycroft (Literary Agent at AM Heath), Katie Ellis-Brown (publisher turned author who recently secured a seven-figure three-book deal!) and Anthony Shapland, whose debut novel A Room Above a Shop was published by Granta in March.

Euan Thorneycroft is an agent at A M Heath and a former committee member of the Association of Authors Agents. He helps to judge the Peggy Chapman First Novel Award as well as the Bridport Memoir Prize, and represents the estate of Flann O’Brien.

Katie Ellis-Brown is an author and editor based in Cornwall. She has worked for Orion, Bloomsbury and Penguin Random House where she published Sunday Times and New York Times bestsellers. She is one half of writing duo Ellis Hunter, and her debut fantasy novel BLOOD BOUND will be published in May next year.

Anthony Shapland is an artist and writer from South Wales. His debut novel The Room Above A Shop was published by Granta in March this year. He was one of the ten 2025 debut novelists featured in The Observer.

4.40 – 5.40 Happy Hour drink + Kev Payne, the new Bard of Exeter, is joining us!

Kev Payne is an author, illustrator and poet. He was a primary school teacher for 17 years and still loves to develop children’s love of words and art. He travels the world with his writing and illustration workshops, has written many books including the ‘Gross & Ghastly’ series and is the current Bard of Exeter.

Followed by our Open Mic Event at Brook Kitchen 6.30 – 8.15pm

Tickets are sold out and reader slots filled. Please book food in advance.

People/Organisations in the Marquee: throughout the 2 days we have a wonderful array of organisations and projects represented.

Library Corner: open to all – this is a chance for you to put a copy of your book/s or pamphlets here for other folk to browse –insert a note with more info about you!

Exeter City of Literature – some banners and printed material/info - not mannedExeter was awarded a UNESCO City of Literature designation in 2019 in recognition of “outstanding contributions to culture and creativity” and the wealth of literary heritage in the city, thanks to a multi-partner bid.

Exeter City of Literature believes in the power of words to imagine new possibilities for our world. As a charity, we champion stories and storytellers locally and globally, working with partners in the community and with UNESCO Cities of Literature around the world.

Ink & Page: Kim and David Squirell from Bridport – a mixture of offered activities – including an introduction to letterpress – and some beautiful things on sale – Poetry Pharmacy (own card reader etc). Kim is an author and poet… David is a bookbinder and musician…

University of Exeter Heritage collections: find out more about the unique treasures in the University of Exeter's Archives, Rare Book Collection and Cinema Museum. Talk to staff about using our collections to inspire your own writing, take a look at facsimiles of some of our material, consider how your own archives might live on, and don't forget to pick up a free bookmark. THURSDAY ONLY

Libraries Unlimited: Rachel Payne there both mornings – and will join in on the authors publishing panel re information on all the things that Devon libraries can offer to writers from events to research to networking

Raw Writing: Raw Writing, founded by author and teacher Carla Jenkins, is a growing community of over 500 members. With face-to-face and online courses, author masterclasses, live events and gatherings that celebrate creative writing at every stage, Raw Writing is about more than just writing — it’s about finding your voice, building confidence, and being part of a warm, creative community.

While Exeter is the home of Raw Writing, they also host social events in London, Bristol, and Falmouth, connecting readers and writers across the UK.

Exeter Cathedral – Lis Spencer will provide some information – not in person though – about the Cathedral’s contributions to the literary scene both as an archive and venue, and host of the Riddler.

Literature Works, Quay Words -will send information, not a person though. The home for creative writers in the South West, Literature Works. uses words and stories to support creativity and wellbeing. They connect people and communities, nurture talent and break down barriers, championing the power of storytelling, writing and reading in all forms. Quay Words, at Exeter Custom House, is their live literature programme.

Grace Palmer – Fresh Fiction/creative writing support

Grace is a writer, creative writing facilitator, writing events organiser and skilled interviewer. Passionate about helping writers discover writing and craft their stories, Grace offers teaching sessions, resources, and runs Fresh Fiction nights.

Founder of Novel Nights, providing events and support for novelists, Grace is now based in South Somerset and run FRESH FICTION, a short story night that takes place at The David Hall, South Petherton, South Somerset. The Novel Nights team choose submissions from writers on a given theme; successful contributors are invited to read.

The Jawbone Collective – based in the Wessex Region of the UK, Jawbone is a not-for-profit voluntary arts organisation, independent small press publisher, workshops and events organiser. Issue 1 of the Jawbone Journal is now available.

Plus, there will also be lots of interactive things in the marquee, including writing prompts and discussion boards – e.g. What are your thoughts about, and uses of, AI? What networks or events are missing in the South West? etc.