The start of 2021 offers an exciting selection of up-and-coming authors, free and paid-for courses to kick start your writing practices, and inspiration in variety of forms. Check out the upcoming January events below.

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An Evening with Helen Monks Takhar

12th January, 6:30 – 8:00pm | Free Online Entry

Join Helen Monks Takhar as she discusses her debut novel Precious You. Takhar’s thriller explores themes of power and revenge in the workplace through female-centered characters. This Trafford Libraries event will be hosted by Helen Nugent.

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Poetry and Everyday Sexism

13th January, 7:30 – 9:30pm | Tickets from £2.74 – £5.98

This audience directed talk will use, ‘choose your own adventure style polls’ that allow you to actively participate in the direction the discussion takes. Dr Kim Moore is a PhD candidate at Manchester Metropolitan University. She will be discussing the ways in which lyrical poetry allows for a unique in-depth look at everyday sexism and female desire. The event is hosted by the Manchester Game Studies Network and will be chaired by Manchester Met’s own Dr Nikolai Duffy. It is sure to be a unique format for a discussion that deals with evocative and relevant issues.

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An Evening with Rosie Garland

14th January, 7:00 – 8:29pm | Free Online Entry

Another event hosted by Trafford Libraries, An Evening with Rosie Garland will see the author reading from her latest collection of poetry, What Girls Do in the Dark. The poet will be tackling audience questions on writing, the writing process, and publication. The event is free and will be hosted on Zoom.

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Shared Reading Live with The Reader

Ongoing until January 26th | Free Online Entry

Based in Liverpool, The Reader at Calderstones and The Reader are now hosting this weekly online reading event which is open to all. Each week, Shared Reading Live will look at poetry and texts that inspire, and hold an open discussion. The weekly readings take place every Tuesday at 1:00 pm, and every first Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm. This is a great opportunity to join a community that is excited about literature.

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Cafe Writers with Sarah L Dixon and Tom Sastry

11th January, 7:30pm | Free Online Entry

Join poets Sarah L Dixon and Tom Sastry as they discuss their latest work. Dixon is the author of a poetry pamphlet The sky is cracked (Half Moon), and a book Adding Wax Patterns to Wednesday (Three Drops Press). Sastry’s debut poetry collection A Man’s House Catches Fire, was shortlisted for the Seamus Heaney Prize, and his pamphlet Complicity was a Poetry School Book of the Year in 2016. This event is hosted by Cafe Writers and will take place on Zoom. Tickets will be available for reservation on January 1st.

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Comma Press Online Short Story Course with Michelle Green

January 21st – April 21st | From £75

This online short story course is hosted by Comma Press and will be led by short story author Michelle Green. Green’s short story collection Jebel Marra (Comma Press) was nominated for a number of awards, and they are currently working on a digital audio map of short stories called Hayling Stories. Join Green for a discussion around the ins and outs of the short story, how to craft interesting characters, narrative voice, and dialogue. The course will be run over Zoom in six workshops.

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Cranford for Beginnners Online Talk with Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

27th January, 7:00 pm| Tickets £4

Join Libby Tempest as she discusses Elizabeth Gaskell’s classic Victorian novel, Cranford. For those who are interested in this literary classic, this is a great opportunity to learn more about the author, the novel, and the Elizabeth Gaskell House. The novel has been adapted into a BBC drama as well.

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Northern Lights Writer’s Conference 2020

Ongoing until January 31st | Free Entry

We may have said goodbye to 2020, but we don’t need to end the chapter just yet. There are still opportunities to catch up with pervious events online, such as the Northern Lights Writer’s Conference. The 2020 NLWC offered digital talks, events, and broadcasts on a range of subjects related to writing, publishing, and the industry. All events will be streamed on their website until January 31st, 2021. Take a look and see if there is anything that sparks your interest.

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Got an event to add? Get in touch and join the conversation over at @aAh_mag