Ipswich Writers' Group

02/11/2026

Shortlist for the East Anglian Book Awards 2026...

📚 Introducing… the East Anglian Book Awards 2026 shortlist!

We’re delighted to partner with the Eastern Daily Press to announce the shortlisted titles for this year's East Anglian Book Awards, the East of England’s leading celebration of writing and publishing talent.

BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR
'The Make-Believe' — Hannah Murray (Hutchinson Heinemann)
'Andrew Dodds Reporting' — Elly Robinson (Jardine Press)
'John Henry Gurney: A Passion for Birds' — C. A. Slater, P. J. Mundy, and R. B. Williams (John Beaufoy Publishing)

CHILDREN’S BOOKS
'Project Human' — Pen Avey (UpLit Press)
'Tiger’s Last Roar' — Harriet Howe (Bonnier Books)
'The Wood Where Stories Sing' — Andy Shepherd (Bonnier Books)

DEBUT NOVELS
'Venus, Vanishing' — Rebecca Birrell (Picador)
'The Leveret' — Anna Goldreich (Hamish Hamilton)
'Prairie Oyster' — Sophie Robinson (Little, Brown)

FICTION
'Family Friends' — Chloe Ashby (Fig Tree)
'About to Fall Apart' — Ashley Hickson-Lovence (Faber)
'Almost Life' — Kiran Millwood Hargrave (Picador)

GENERAL NON-FICTION
'This Wild Dream' — Nick Acheson (Propolis)
'Wetland Wings: The History of Holkham Marsh and its Birds' — Andrew Bloomfield (Holkame Estate)
'Thoughtlands: Walking in Writers’ Suffolk' — Jacky Colliss Harvey (Haus Publishing)

HISTORY & TRADITION
'The Path More Travelled: The Secret History of Britain’s Footpaths' — Nicholas Crane (Orion)
'The Archaeology of Norfolk’s First World War Airfields' — Gary Rossin (Poppyland Publishing)
'The Dark Black Days of War: The Great War Diary of Honor Elwes' — Juliet Webster (Poppyland Publishing)

POETRY
'55 Devotionals (Against Erasure)' — Andrew McDonnell (Broken Sleep Books)
'A Place to Get Better' — Imogen McHugh (Erbacce Press)
'Later Life Letter' — Luke Wright (Little, Brown)

Also announced today: the shortlist for the City of Literature Award. This award celebrates those making an outstanding contribution to the region’s literary life — from community engagement and publishing innovation to literary advocacy. The winner will be chosen by public vote!

Find out more: https://buff.ly/4m73msd

12/10/2026

Open for submissions: the Deborah Rogers Award is designed for writers of literary talent who need financial support to complete their first book.

An award of £10,000 will be presented to a first-time writer whose submission demonstrates literary talent and who needs financial support to complete their work.

21/09/2026

Oooh, a new festival in Norwich for people reading / writing in the horror genre:

Set within a city world-renowned for its medieval atmosphere and haunted heritage, Darkest Chapter is a festival of dark, uncanny & horror storytelling.

14/09/2026

This looks like a brilliant event!

02/09/2026

These workshops look great!

31/08/2026

If you are interested in joining Ipswich Writers' Group, please get in touch by email. We look forward to hearing from you.

23/08/2026

The Henshaw Press Short Story Competition is open for entries. Profits raised go towards books for schools:

Henshaw's creative writing competition for short stories on any topic. A four times a year writing competition with prizes for first, second and third of £100, £50 and £25 in each competition.

25/07/2026

The Kindle Storyteller Award is a competition for self-published authors - first prize £20,000.
Publish your book by 31 August:

Online shopping from a great selection at Storyteller UK Store.

07/07/2026

Tickets are now on sale for the Ipswich Book Festival !

2nd–4th October 2026 2026 Line Up. Tickets on Sale. Tickets are sold via the New Wolsey Theatre and free tickets via Ticket Tailor. You will be transferred to these websites to book tickets. FRIDAY 2ND OCTOBER 2.00 pm - Creative Writing: Historical Fiction Host: Dr. Amanda Hodgkinson, University o...

27/04/2026

The Bicycle Shop in Norwich has shared this great-looking event with us:

"On Wednesday 6th May, The Bicycle Shop Norwich is hosting a Poetry Workshop & Performance evening.

We'll be starting with a creative workshop in the Old Piano Shop Gallery, focused on generating ideas and drafting pieces - followed by a performance showcase at The Bicycle Shop.

We are excited to have award-winning writer and creative James Mc Dermott hosting - bringing his expertise, insight and humour to the evening - as well as performing his own work.

It's open to all ages and abilities, and combined or performance-only tickets are available.

Event: Word for Word poetry workshop + performance
Location: Old Piano Shop + The Bicycle Shop, St Benedicts St, Norwich
Date: Weds 6th May
Find out more and buy tickets from £10: https://dice.fm/event/l8dy6p-word-for-word-poetry-with-james-mc-dermott-6th-may-the-bicycle-shop-norwich-tickets