Do you want to work alongside other creative people?

Do you want to try new things and develop your writing skills?

Would you like a bit of friendly encouragement to help achieve your goals?

If so, you might like to come along to one of our Suffolk Writers Group meet-ups, work with me one-to-one or sign up for one of the creative writing courses on Zoom. Most people live in Suffolk (England) but you don’t need to.

Click here to email me: suffolkwritersgroup@gmail.com.

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. Examples of my work can be found at the bottom of the page including details about my new poetry collection – Thirty Angry Ghosts.

Besides from writing and co-ordinating activities with Suffolk Writers Group, I also work as a Creative Mentor and workshop leader for the Inside Out Community.

Creative Writing Courses on Zoom (Autumn 2021)

New Creative Writing Courses on Zoom (January 2022)

One to One Support (On Zoom or in-person)

I am also available to work with you one to one. This is a good option for people who want to work on a specific project or for those who would like to gain confidence before trying one of the groups. Contact me to discuss availability and pricing options. I typically charge £30 per hour but discounts are available for people on low incomes and for block bookings.

Group Sessions (Face-to-Face)

Weekly face-to-face group sessions take place in Ipswich on Wednesday evenings 7.30-9.30pm. We are currently full, but please contact me if you’d like to go on the waiting list.

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.

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.

Examples of Group Activities

Sometimes we have a competition to see who can write the most words in a week. Here’s a recent winner with his well-earned prize.

Sometimes we try out the famous ‘cut up technique’ as used by David Bowie and TS Eliot-

If you want to be kept up to date with all the new Suffolk Writers’ courses, and other opportunities, email me and ask to go on the mailing list.

suffolkwritersgroup@gmail.com.

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

It’s a really lovely group and it would be great to ‘see’ you there.