Open to the LGBTQ+ community and allies, Write Queer is a monthly collective who share and progress their writing, while connecting with other writers in a supportive environment – online, or at Nottingham Central Library. We speak to organiser Richard Gidlow about the sessions, zines, Notts Pride, and the unspoken heroes of pigeons.
Please could you tell us the origins of Write Queer?
Write Queer began in 2022 as a project tied to events I did with Derbyshire LGBT. David Beer and Georgina Wilding from Nottingham Central Library invited us to launch a writing group for LGBTQ+ individuals. Their advice and supportive spaces helped Write Queer grow. Starting with one monthly session in Nottingham, it now includes a popular monthly session that often sells out, plus an online option.
We do lots of collaborative events, partnering with local DIY punk zine Greebo, Writing East Midlands’ conference, Nottingham Pride’s acoustic stage, the Nottingham Queer Arts Collective. Many initiatives come from community requests or networking. The big thing about Write Queer is that it wouldn’t exist without the community that we’ve got in the East Midlands and the sense of support we have for each other.
How can people get involved with the writing sessions, both online and in-person?
You can find links to join on our Instagram, QR codes across Nottingham, and posters everywhere. We offer concession tickets for those on low incomes or out of work, but full-price tickets are also available. It is very much a case of grab a pen, grab some paper, or if you prefer your laptop and just come and join us! We have a Write Queer Manifesto of respect, openness, creativity and encouragement in a judgement-free space.
I know how intimidating new groups can feel (I’ve been there myself!) What I love about Write Queer is how welcoming everyone is. Regulars always greet newcomers, creating a warm, comfortable atmosphere. Even our in-person sessions include delicious bakes – big thanks to Ives for those!
What is the writing process and format for each session? Is there a specific focus point on certain writing techniques or genres, or is it more randomised writing prompts according to suggestions from the group?
I try to have a theme that links what we're doing together. I structure sessions around themes and requests from the group; like metaphors, different genres, power dynamics, how to approach writing intimate scenes. We’ve also tried scriptwriting, monologues, and duologues, and we’re always open to suggestions!
I will lead with a twenty-minute group discussion to spark ideas, followed by dedicated writing time and sharing. I always include a (terrible) pun during sharing, which (sometimes) gets a laugh! The goal isn’t just writing in a room; it’s also giving participants something to take away from the session. That’s why I start with input to add to their ‘writer’s toolbox’. For June, we’re focusing on Pride: what it means and how to celebrate it, while exploring themes like Queer dystopia and utopia.
I’ve often felt like an outsider, so I thought, why not create something where I can find my people? There wasn’t really anything like Write Queer out there, so that’s how it started
Tell us about your fabulous zine collections (and your upcoming spooky-themed zine!)
The zine started because of our work with Grebo. For those who don’t know, a zine is basically a DIY magazine; it’s all about punk creativity, giving people a chance to share their voices, feelings, and experiences. As a group, we really wanted to get our work out there and publish something, but we weren’t ready to approach a traditional publisher. So, we decided to do it ourselves!
Our first zine, Write Queer Collection, was crowdfunded to cover printing costs. It was a general collection, with pieces proofread and edited by the writers themselves. Any money we make goes straight back into the community, like paying for low-income tickets. Our incredible designer, Alicia Turner, put it all together. She’s done an amazing job with both the first and second issues.
For the second zine, we had enough funds to offer free submission opportunities, opening it up to writers beyond Write Queer - even someone from America contributed! The idea was to give everyone a platform to share their work.
Our third zine, Hauntings, launches in October, just in time for spooky season! It’s a metaphorical call for submissions, exploring themes of fear, ghosts, and what haunts us. We’ll even judge submissions blind to keep it fair. Write Queer is all about giving everyone a voice and a chance to be heard. If you’ve got something to share, definitely apply - we’d love to see what you create!
You’re a writer yourself; how have the Write Queer sessions help shape your own personal writing journey from organising the workshops?
I’m an English teacher. It all started with First Story, an organisation that placed a writer in residence at my school. I was running it as a newly qualified teacher, passionate about giving young people a chance to have their work published. My degree was in English Lit with Creative Writing, but I struggled with insecurity about my own writing. The intense workshop styles sometimes felt intimidating, and my relationship with writing faded for a while.
Then First Story gave me the chance to join those workshops myself. They even offered a scholarship to study Creative Writing at Cambridge ICE. So here I am, a guy from Derby who didn’t do brilliantly in his A-levels, now doing a third of a master’s there! It was incredible. I learned so much about interrogating creativity and started applying those skills in school, running poetry slams and writing groups.
But I wanted to give back to the wider world. As a Queer person, I’ve often felt like an outsider, so I thought, why not create something where I can find my people? There wasn’t really anything like Write Queer out there, so that’s how it started. I still write myself, though not as much as I’d like. Right now, I’m doing a part-time master’s at Nottingham Uni, focusing on writing poetry in response to Section 28 and its social impact. Talking to people like CJ De Barra and David Edgley has been amazing. The more you network, the more you connect.
Running Write Queer has reignited my own creativity. I spend two nights a month running writing groups and planning, but I thrive on it. It’s so exciting to see these incredible writers build their confidence and go on to do amazing things.
How does Write Queer support each writer’s progression and writing growth?
It’s all about making the space feel safe. I use humour - bad puns, little jokes, to take the edge off. It’s not a classroom, or a lecture. It’s a room where people can breathe. A lot of it is about really seeing people. Like, really knowing them. And then, when the moment feels right, suggesting something that might nudge them forward.
There was a writer who was terrified of performing at the Derby Traveller’s Count of Poetry 2026. They were shaking, honestly. We talked it through, I gave them some tips, and then I watched them stand up there, absolutely smash it and they won! And it wasn’t just about the winning. It was about trying and owning it. Celebrating the stumbles too, not just the successes. The moments when it doesn’t quite land, but you’re still standing there, still writing, still showing up. That’s part of the journey too.
Then there’s the WhatsApp group, our little digital hub where people share ideas, vent frustrations, and we cheer each other on. We’ve got a writing feedback group tucked inside it, too, where people can workshop things without the pressure. And one of our writers? They just went and did it - set up an Instagram page to collate all the writing events and competitions happening around. It’s wild how things grow when you give people space.
Last year, I stood on the Nottingham Pride acoustic stage, reading one of my poems. It was a sad one. I’ve read it so many times now that I can do it on autopilot. But this time, I paused mid-reading and looked around. There were ten local writers up there before me, all sharing their work. The room was packed. People were even listening outside the doors because there wasn’t enough space inside. And I just thought, ‘This. This is it. This is exactly why we do this.’ It’s not about me. It’s about us. About the group. It’s enough to make me quite emotional, honestly.
Speaking of Notts Pride, do you have anything exciting planned for this year?
We’ve got so much planned for this year! In July, we’re at Sneinton Festival on Saturday 11 July with a performance slot in the afternoon. Then, on Thursday 23 July, we’re hosting an open mic night at Nottingham Central Library. It’s open to everyone - no experience needed. Comfortable vibes, community, and good energy. I’m reaching out to local Queer groups and organisations for a mini market to bring everyone together. It’s going to be emotional, funny, with maybe a few tears (especially with people practising their Pride performances.)
And on Saturday 25 July 25, we’re at Nottingham Pride! We’ll have a stall with zines, accessories, and because we love pigeons, some feathered-themed bits. Plus, we’re back on the acoustic stage again. It’s going to be magic!
Tell us about Write Queer’s Mascot: Marvin the Pigeon!
It all started in our first session when we wrote haikus about Nottingham. I accidentally used a Derbyshire photo (I’ve learned to hide my roots now!) but one of the pictures was Market Square with all the pigeons which really inspired everyone to write pigeon-themed haikus. Suddenly, our mascot Marvin was born!
Pigeons are so misunderstood. Politically, they’ve served a purpose with carrier pigeons delivering messages, only to be discarded when they were no longer ‘useful.’ It’s like an allegory for how society treats Queer people: we’re wanted when convenient, discarded when not. But pigeons? They always come back. No matter how many you try to get rid of, more appear. We’re still here, and we’re not going anywhere. And that’s Marvin! Plus, he’s just adorable.
Write Queer Writing Sessions take place in-person at Nottingham Central Library 4:30-6pm every third Monday of the month and online 6-7:30pm every fourth Monday of the month. Issue 1 and Issue 2 of Write Queer Collections are now available.
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