From my home in Ipswich, I run a variety of creative writing courses on Monday evenings, 7.30-9.30pm.

The next one is aimed at people currently working on a novel or a short story who would like a bit of extra motivation, support and feedback on their writing.

Here is the course outline.

A typical evening

• Introduction of the week’s topic
  
  
• Discussion of a published extract or the participants’ own writing

• Structured writing activity with feedback.

• Time to write and reflect on your work in progress.
  
  
• Final work share and feedback

The course costs £50, payable in advance. (Tea, coffee, and cakes are included in the price).

To book your place and/or ask any questions, please email suffolkwritersgroup@gmail.com.

Angry Ghost Competition

Click here for the results of the 2022 Angry Ghost Poetry Writing Competition. (This is also the link for donations to the actors and ‘Cuppa’ event information).

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, CGP Publications for schools, Suffolk Magazine, The Telegraph and The Fens.

I recently published my first poetry collection, Thirty Angry Ghosts, which features poems in the voice of William Shakespeare, Pocahontas, Boudicca and Tutankhamen.

Click here to view the book on Amazon.

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

Two examples of my work

Short Story in the Fens Magazine.

Travel piece in The Telegraph.

Comments I’ve received from group members

Cat Weldon

The feedback and support I received from Suffolk Writers Group was invaluable in my decision to submit my manuscript to agents. I was ultimately successful and my Viking trilogy, beginning with ‘How to Be a Hero’ was published by Macmillan Children’s Books.

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.

Some 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

• 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.