Blog

Writing:

Here you'll find notes on what I'm working on and organisations I'm working with, as well as some of my thoughts on writing and resources for other writers.

Dec 31, 2019

All the things I didn't Instagram in 2019

It's the end of a decade and I've been quiet on social media this year. Here are my thoughts on 2019.

Nov 1, 2019

The Future is Back Reading at Gay's The Word

I joined other participants in the programme for a reading at Gay's the Word bookshop.

Jun 9, 2019

Poem anthologised in Pale Fire

I've made no secret of the fact that I am a little obsessed with the moon, so I'm thrilled to be included in this new anthology.

Jun 5, 2019

Selected to take part in The Future is Back

I'm pleased to have been accepted to join The Future is Back, a programme of workshops for a group of ten LGBTQ+ writers.

Apr 18, 2019

Guest blog post published by The Arts Development Company

The lovely people over at The Arts Development Company asked me to write a guest blog post for them about my time at Gillingham Library....

Mar 24, 2019

17 photographs of Gillingham Library's Book Windows installation

The Book Windows installation follows a programme of creative writing workshops.

Mar 24, 2019

Memory Book entries from Gillingham Library

A collection of first hand accounts of early visits to libraries, presenting a positive case for libraries in society.

Mar 15, 2019

Meeting Gillingham: the first few creative writing workshops at Gillingham Library

Delivering creative writing workshops at Gillingham Library, Dorset - the inside story.

Mar 7, 2019

Writing Dorset: from Weymouth to Gillingham and back

Teaming up with poet Sarah Acton, writer in residence at Weymouth Library, we talk about our experiences in Dorset.

Jan 22, 2019

Full list of Gillingham Library creative writing workshops and events

Booking is now open for all of the events I'm hosting as part of This Library is Yours at Gillingham Library in Dorset.

Jan 14, 2019

This Library is Yours: becoming Gillingham Library (Dorset) writer in residence

Starting the year on a positive note, I've been invited to deliver a new community engagement project in Gillingham, Dorset.

Jan 4, 2019

Short story published and illustrated in Popshot magazine

A short story of mine, Invitations, has been illustrated and published in Popshot magazine.

Nov 15, 2018

Highly commended in City of Stories competition

A piece of flash fiction of mine, Sweet Memory, has been highly commended in the Spread the Word City of Stories competition.

Oct 1, 2018

Two poems published in The Frogmore Papers

I've two poems published in the September issue of The Frogmore Papers.

Sep 26, 2018

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers course with Spread the Word

A video post talking about the Self-Editing for Fiction Writers course I'm taking with author Sarah Parry through Spread the Word.

Aug 15, 2018

Guest blog post published on the Libraries Taskforce blog

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to record some of my learnings as writer in residence at Hastings Library on the Libraries Taskforce

Aug 8, 2018

Poems published in South Bank Poetry magazine

Two poems of mine were picked up for publication in South Bank Poetry magazine, a magazine I'm very familiar with.

Jul 24, 2018

Final round-up of Hastings residency

My work at Hastings Library started out as a three-month project, but later extended to six. Here's a final round-up.

Jun 6, 2018

Returning to Hastings Library

Last Saturday saw me return to Hastings Library for the first time in a while.

May 30, 2018

What I learnt delivering over 40 creative writing events in less than three months

Between 23 January and 31 March I delivered over 40 creative writing events as part of my work as writer in residence at Hastings Library.

May 23, 2018

What makes a piece of writing strong?

This is a question I asked many groups of various ages while I delivered workshops as writer in residence at Hastings Library. Here's wh

May 9, 2018

Recurring themes in one-to-ones with writers

At Hastings Library I offered one-to-one feedback sessions with local poets and authors. These are the things we talked about most.

Apr 29, 2018

Six months since I left full-time work

A post in which I remind myself of some of the things I've achieved and what (a lot) I've still got to do.

Apr 18, 2018

Finishing up at Hastings Library

Over three months I worked as writer in residence at Hastings Library, delivering over 40 events to more than 400 participants.

Apr 11, 2018

Work in schools: example workshop

A rundown of creative writing workshop activities I led with a school group.

Mar 8, 2018

What are the top loans from Hastings Library?

I've been learning about the top books Hastings Library sees checked out.

Feb 23, 2018

What to expect from a Creative Storytelling session at Eastbourne Library

This post is for young people who are thinking of coming along to the Creative Storytelling workshops at Eastbourne Library.

Feb 22, 2018

10 things you might not know about Hastings Library

The library is for everyone, all ages and backgrounds, and specialises in a lot more than just the printed word.

Feb 20, 2018

Hastings workshop feedback starts to come in as some groups have their final sessions

I’ve reached a point in the project where I’ve had the final sessions with a few groups I’ve been working with since early on.

Feb 16, 2018

Hastings residency: the stories so far

We’ve now forged partnerships with 11 organisations to plan almost 40 creative writing workshops.

Jan 17, 2018

Hastings: try your hand at some creative writing

Try your hand at some creative writing from home with this stimulus material.

Jan 17, 2018

Hastings creative writing workshop schedule

Dates and times of creative writing workshops organised in my capacity as Hastings Library's writer in residence.

Jan 17, 2018

Settling in at Hastings Library

This week is the third week of my residency at Hastings Library, where I've been welcomed warmly by staff, the public and local organi

Dec 14, 2017

Becoming writer in residence at Hastings Library

I’m pleased to announce that I’ve been appointed by East Sussex County Council to be Writer in Residence at Hastings Library.

Nov 17, 2017

How's it going so far? Five things I've learned since leaving my job to write

It's lovely to be asked how it's going, but at this stage it's a hard question to answer.

Oct 28, 2017

Publishing a few poems on my website

I'm making available a few of my poems (and a short essay to manage your expectations).

Oct 23, 2017

Shortlisted in the Oxford Brookes International Poetry Competition

The Oxford Brookes International Poetry Competition has announced its winners and I'm lucky enough to appear on the shortlist.

Sep 23, 2017

Leaving work to write

I might come to look on this as a reckless decision: in less than a month I'll leave a full-time job to write.

Aug 27, 2017

So, yes, I have a blog – welcome!

It's not without a lot of thought that I've set up this website, and in particular this blog.

ALAN

WARD

WRITER

Writing:

Blog

ALAN

WARD

WRITER

Writing:

Blog

​