About the course
This series of four independent workshops will explore queerness in nature i.e. the glorious and surprising variations in the sex & gender characteristics & behaviours that exist in the animal and plant worlds.
We’ll read prose and explore interesting facts to develop our own writing prompts.
We’ll also read poems that explore specific species as their overall conceit or jumping-off point leading elsewhere.
Week One: Mammals & Animals
Week Two: Underwater World / Sea Life
Week Three: Plants
Week Four: Little Creatures
Suitable for Intermediate or Advanced writers.
Genres: Poetry, Prose, Flash Fiction, Short Stories
About the tutor
Simon Maddrell is a Manx poet, editor, educator and wellbeing facilitator.
His poems have appeared in numerous anthologies and publications including & Change, AMBIT, Acumen, Gutter, Magma, MODRON, Poetry Wales, SAND, Southword, Stand, The Gay & Lesbian Review, The London Magazine, The Moth, The Rialto, Under the Radar.
Simon has had seven pamphlets published: Throatbone (UnCollected Press, 2020); Queerfella (The Rialto, 2020); Isle of Sin (Polari Press, 2023); The Whole Island (Valley Press, 2023); a finger in derek jarman’s mouth (Polari Press, 2024); Patient L1 (Polari Press, 2025); Jo & Ni Go Cruising (Septum Press, 2025).
Out-Spoken Press publish Simon’s debut collection, lamping wild rabbits, in Feb 2026.
Simon is a queer gay man, living with HIV and autism in Brighton & Hove.
Who is it for?
All underrepresented writers—those who face barriers to opportunities due to mental health issues, physical health/disability, sensory impairment, learning disabilities, neurodivergencce, substance misuse, survivors, carers, working class backgrounds, and those from the LGBTQIA+ community, Black, Asian, traveler, mixed heritage or other global majority backgrounds.
Dates & Time:
Tuesdays: 20 January – 10 February
6 – 8pm
This course takes place online via Zoom. Links will be sent seven days prior to the first session, and again the day of the first session.
Access:
You can see our full access commitments here.
- When you book, you can let us know about any access needs you have and we will do our best to accommodate them.
- Workshops will not be recorded, as we wish to ensure a safe and open space for all participants attending.
- Presentations and course handouts will be provided.
Cost:
£50 / £25 concessions
In order to make our resources stretch further, we have to subsidise some workshops with nominal fees well below most online courses. The more who book at full price, the more we’ll be able to offer.
Concessionary places are available for those on benefits, pensioners, unemployed/underemployed or on low wages. We do not ask for proof that you qualify.
If concessionary spaces aren’t displayed below, they are fully booked. We can add you to the waiting list if you e-mail info@creativefuture.org.uk.
Other workshops
We are offering as many workshops and as many places as our resources allow—they are heavily subsidised by our limited funding.
You might also want to have a look at other workshops on offer elsewhere.
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