🦇Do you love bats and enjoy writing? Join us in celebrating bats in creative writing through our Bat's Laureate Competition! Submissions should be received by the end of 28 February 2026. Check this page for more details and how to take part: www.bats.org.uk/our-work/con...

Unsolicited writing advice, no. 65: Sometimes a simple word has more impact than an unusual one. Unusual words are great when you want to attract attention (to a sound, a texture, etc), but they also slow things down. Do you want your readers to stop and think? Or do you want them to move on?

Unsolicited writing advice, no. 156: When we write a first draft we often introduce stuff that gets cut at the second stage, either because it's unnecessary, or repetitive, or doesn't contribute anything. Don't think of it as wastage; more as scaffolding, in place until you don't need it any more...

Thank you to everyone who came along tonight, it was an amazing first session. And a special call out to the Bard of Pittenweem, thank you! youtube.com/shorts/MXZ-d...

Meeting up tomorrow! This will be the only open drop in session, so I don't know how many people will be turning up. Please be kind to me while I switch between contingency plans!

Meeting up next Wednesday in Pittenweem Library

Unsolicited writing advice, no. 6: Having a day job doesn’t mean you’re not a proper writer. Writing for children doesn’t mean you’re not a proper writer. Being unpublished doesn’t mean you’re not a proper writer. Oh, and there’s no such thing as a proper writer. Only writers, and those who don’t.

Our first session is on Wednesday! I look forward to seeing you. Here's a loose outline I've pulled together to guide us.

Start the year by upskilling for your dream career: Introduction to Proofreading Our Proofreading course for beginners, with Publishing Scotland's regular tutor Denise Cowle. (Earns 3 CIEP upgrade points) Online 10 & 12 Feb 2026 Get your tickets here: www.tickettailor.com/events/publi...

Unsolicited writing advice, no. 13: Wrting a short story is no easier than writing a novel. In fact, it's somewhat harder, because the form is less forgiving: you can get away with a certain amount of bagginess in a novel, but a short story needs to be perfectly structured; not a word out of place.

The poetry group meets up in the library TOMORROW (Wednesday 14th January) It's not too late to join in. Contact [email protected] to register your interest.

Our sister group starts next Wednesday (14th January). If you're interested in focusing more on poetry, it's not too late to sign up!

Unsolicited writing advice, no. 383278: Your characters need to eat, sleep, play, and do things that don't serve the plot. Characters that exist only to serve the plot seldom come across as convincing.

Want to meet writers in the local area? Why not come along to the first meeting of Pittenweem Pens in Pittenweem Library at 6.30pm on Wednesday 2st January?