From my home in Ipswich, I run a weekly creative writing session on Monday evenings, 7.30-9.30pm. We are currently seeking new group members.

A typical evening consists of:

• Twenty minutes spent sharing work and receiving feedback. Sometimes this is done in pairs and sometimes as a whole group.

• Formal input and paired or group discussion about an aspect of writing, such as planning, dialogue or scene-building.

• A structured writing activity with feedback.

• Free time to write and reflect on your work in progress

Each session costs £10. Tea, coffee and cakes are included free of charge.

To ask for more information, please email suffolkwritersgroup@gmail.com.

Facebook Group

For daily writing challenges and to become part of the wider local writing community, you might like to join ‘Suffolk Writers Group’ Facebook site.

About Me

I have a degree in English Literature from Kent University, am a trained teacher and have been running writing groups in Suffolk for the past ten years. I’ve won competitions for short stories, travel writing and poetry with my work appearing in Best Magazine, Let’s Talk, Suffolk Magazine, The Telegraph and The Fens.

Here are some examples of my own work:

I recently published my first poetry collection which is available on Amazon. It features poems written in the voices of various historical figures including Henry VIII, Boudicca and Tutankhamen.

Click here to view the book from Amazon.

Click here for details of the book plus suggested educational activities.

Short Story in the Fens Magazine.

Travel piece in The Telegraph.

Contributed to CGP’s range of Primary History, English and Geography resources

Comments I’ve received from group members

Jacqui Martin

Mai is so welcoming and, as a new writer venturing into the unknown, everyone is reassuring, encouraging and also really constructive.

Barry Eley

I wholeheartedly endorse Mai as a tutor. She has taken my writing from a series of official-sounding reports to a fully furnished novel, rich with descriptions and interesting characters. All done with gentle prodding and always a smile.

Megan Musgrove

I joined the Writer’s Group as a way to improve my writing skills. I stayed because the encouragement is fantastic; it has inspired a lot of new ideas and the people are just lovely.

Graham Cleaver

The combination of a friendly group of like-minded people and expert, supportive tuition is just what I needed.

Achievements of Group Members

• Cat Weldon has gained a literary agent and secured a three-book deal with Pan MacMillan

• Kelly was a joint runner-up in the Felixstowe Short Story Competition one year and, on another occasion, had a story shortlisted. She also won our concept competition and received very encouraging feedback from literary agent Meg Davis.

• Timothy Howard has published several novels including The Buried Man and Clockwork Hearts.

• Lesley won two hundred euros and had her travel piece published in The Telegraph.

• Aaron won our synopsis competition to receive feedback on his work from literary Meg Davis

• Teresa had a story published in Your Cat magazine.

• Megan Musgrove has had several novels published. Click here to take a look.

• William won a competition to be one of Suffolk’s Young Poets of the year and read his work alongside Allan Ahlberg

Cathy Grant had her poem ‘In the Care Home’ featured on Radio Suffolk.