The Writers' Circle

The Writers' Circle is Penwoman’s quarterly eight-week writing programme, bringing together eight women to read, write, reflect and develop their work in a small, supportive group.

Each week, participants share their writing aloud and receive thoughtful, constructive feedback from the same group, allowing both their work and their relationships with fellow writers to develop over time.

The Writers' Circle is for women who have something to say, whether they are finding their voice, returning to writing, or finally ready to tell a story that has been years in the making.

We are particularly interested in removing the barriers that have historically kept women out of literary and cultural spaces, whether those barriers are financial, social, political, linguistic, or personal (such as health or a difficult marriage). We especially welcome women with experiences of displacement, conflict, and/or trauma, and those from communities underrepresented in publishing and the arts.

We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to tell their own story, in their own words and on their own terms. Not every story needs to be painful, extraordinary, or destined for publication; what matters is the freedom to write it, the opportunity to develop it, and a community willing to take it seriously and support it.