Saturday, 30 November 2024

The Cambridge (UK) writing scene

Writers new to Cambridge can take a while to find out what's on. Here's a list of starting points. I've mentioned web sites though often it's better to follow on social media.

  • Literary Festivals - The Cambridge Literary Festival site gives news about their 2 annual festivals and some one-off events too. There are plans for a Cambridge Poetry Festival in 2026.
  • Performance -
  • Bookshops - Heffers and Waterstones organise events. Secondhand bookshops like Amnesty International (Mill Road - it has a short story section which is always a good sign) and Oxfam offer interesting collections. Bodies in the Bookshop specialises in crime fiction.
  • Public Libraries - readings and regular writing events
  • Evening Classes and Clubs - Cambridge writers etc. There's also a budding Mill Road Poetry Group
  • Cambridge University - student societies; readings; writers in residence, etc. Varsity offers some info. You can apply to browse in the University Library.
  • ARU - Cambridge Writing Centre is a recent development that promotes many events
  • Local periodicals/publications -
  • Environs - Ely has Toppings - a bookshop which runs many events. Also at Ely there is Fenspeak (open-mic and readings). At Norwich there's the National Writing Centre.

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