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spread-the-word.bsky.social
Spread the Word
@spread-the-word.bsky.social
180 followers 60 following 190 posts
Supporting London’s writers with workshops, networking, prizes and development opportunities. We run the London Writers Awards, Deptford Literature Festival & much more!
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spread-the-word.bsky.social
Join us this weekend at Lewisham Shopping Centre for two festive drop-in creative workshops with poet Helen Bowell!

🗓 Fri 5 - Sat 6 Dec, 11am-1pm
📍 Lewisham Shopping Centre
Free to attend, no booking needed.

Donations warmly welcomed as part of our @biggive.bsky.social #ChristmasChallenge
Cover image - Red Christmas wrapping paper background. Bold white text at the top reads ‘Join us at Lewisham Shopping Centre for a free festive craft session.’ Beneath reads ‘Friday 5 & Saturday 6 December 11am - 1pm, free.’ Below is an image of a craft table with paper cutouts and printed paper. Below is the ‘Spread the Word’ logo on the left and on the right is the ‘Christmas Challenge, Big Give Logo. Image 2 – Black background with snow. An upside down red triangle with Helen Bowell in front. Above in bold, white text is ‘Get creative with poet Helen Bowell.’ Below is the ‘Spread the Word’ logo on the left and on the right is the ‘Christmas Challenge, Big Give Logo.
December 4, 2025 at 4:55 PM
spread-the-word.bsky.social
Lewisham is home to people from 75 nationalities, each carrying stories that deserve to be heard.

Help us to make this a reality. Donate to our @biggive.bsky.social campaign today:

bit.ly/boroughoflit...
December 4, 2025 at 2:56 PM
spread-the-word.bsky.social
Every child deserves to tell their own story.

Help us to change the narrative and make #Lewisham a Borough of Literature.

Donate to our @biggive.bsky.social campaign today:

bit.ly/boroughoflit...
December 3, 2025 at 3:39 PM
spread-the-word.bsky.social
We’re aiming to raise £10,000 in 7 days towards our campaign to make #Lewisham the UK’s first Borough of Literature.

Every donation made from 2 December- 9 December will be doubled.

Donate now!
bit.ly/boroughoflit...

#GivingTuesday
December 2, 2025 at 12:42 PM
spread-the-word.bsky.social
The countdown is on! In just one week, we’re going live with our @biggive.bsky.social #ChristmasChallenge to make #Lewisham the UK’s Borough of Literature 📚

Donations made during 2-9 December will be doubled.

Pledge today: spreadtheword.beaconforms.com/form/3d91d809
November 25, 2025 at 6:09 PM
spread-the-word.bsky.social
📣 Work with Us - #DeptfordLiteratureFestival

Are you a London-based writers, poets, artists, arts and community organisations with exciting ideas? Apply to be part of our #DeptfordLiteratureFestival 2026 programme.
🔗 More info : tinyurl.com/4mjm3b67

Deadline: Monday 1 December, 10am
Image of four people around the table in a workshop. In the top right corner is the spread the word logo. Beneath is a yellow bar that has written in it: ’Be part of Deptford Literature Festival 2026.’ Underneath in white text is ‘Work With Us!’ On the right is the Deptford Literature Festival Logo and 2026 in yellow on the corner of the logo.
November 24, 2025 at 1:00 PM
spread-the-word.bsky.social
🎉 We are partnering with @roundtablebooks for our 30th anniversary party.
🎟️ Last few tickets remaining – www.tickettailor.com/events/sprea...

Books from their inclusive range will be available to purchase on the night!
Cover image – The top third of the image is a deep purple. In the top right is the Spread the Word’s blue logo. Beneath reads in white writing ‘30th Anniversary Party’ and ‘Wednesday 26th November.’ The text is separated horizontally by a short white line. Beneath in bold, yellow font reads ‘Celebrating with us...’ There is an image of the Roundtable books’ bookshelf, the logo on the left and an image of the three co-directors outlined in yellow. There is a small arrow in a circle (white) which appears on all but the final image.
November 21, 2025 at 10:00 AM
spread-the-word.bsky.social
📢 New programme alert

@spread-the-word.bsky.social and @evewhiteagency.bsky.social present: 'There Is Only Narrative: Non-Fiction Demystified'

A free programme for non-fiction writers from underrepresented backgrounds launches this month! Discover more ⬇️
www.spreadtheword.org.uk/eve-white-li...
Blue promotional poster titled ‘There Is Only Narrative: Non-Fiction Demystified,’ featuring six author headshots arranged in two rows. The top row shows three people against different backgrounds; the bottom row shows three more individuals outdoors and indoors. Each portrait is labeled with a name: Eve White, Ludo Cinelli, Damien Le Bas, Rae Earl, Eleanor Bruce, and Lucilla Gray. Logos for Eve White Literary Agency and Spread the Word appear at the top. A white text box at the bottom announces ‘An Eve White Literary Agency x Spread the Word Non-Fiction Programme,’ with small photo credits beneath. Promotional graphic for a writing programme titled “There is Only Narrative: Non-Fiction Demystified,” featuring a bright blue background with taped-on white notepaper listing programme details. Logos for EW and Spread the Word appear at the top. The notepaper includes green check-mark icons beside bullet points outlining offerings such as a survey on barriers to writing non-fiction, a free online editors’ panel on Tuesday 9 December at 7pm, free online craft and career masterclasses and seminars in 2026, and a competition for unagented and unpublished writers. A note at the bottom reads, “Visit the Spread the Word website for more details.”
November 19, 2025 at 5:45 PM
spread-the-word.bsky.social
Want to know how to create distinctive, active language for your characters?

✍️ This workshop is part of the
@cripticarts.bsky.social & @spread-the-word.bsky.social Writers Salon.

Event info:
📅 Mon 1 December, 6.30pm
📍Online
🎟️FREE
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/writers-sa...
Want to know how to create distinctive, active language for your characters? ✍️ This workshop is part of the @cripticarts & @spreadthewordwriters Writers Salon. Event info: 📅 Mon 1 December, 6.30pm 📍Online 🎟️FREE - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/writers-salon-dynamic-dialogue-with-kaite-oreilly-tickets-1963460759988?aff=oddtdtcreator The image has an orange background with a photo of two people dancing. A white presenting male holding crutches and woman wearing a black dress in a backbend. At the top of the image is the Spread the Word, CRIPtic arts and City Bridge Foundation logo in white. Below is the title ‘connect through creativity’ in white. On the bottom right of the poster reads ‘1st December. Creating distinctive, active language for your characters’ with Kaite O’Reilly.’ in white writing.
November 19, 2025 at 5:30 PM
spread-the-word.bsky.social
We're taking part in the Big Give #ChristmasChallenge this year to raise £10,000 in just 1 week! The vision? Make #Lewisham the UK’s first Borough of Literature.

All donations made from 2 – 9 December will be doubled. Find out more and get involved:
www.spreadtheword.org.uk/spread-the-w...
November 13, 2025 at 7:26 PM
spread-the-word.bsky.social
We’re joining the Big Give #ChristmasChallenge

Help us make Lewisham the UK’s Borough of Literature!

From 2–9 Dec, every £ you give will be matched. That’s one donation, double the difference.

Pledge now, pay later: spreadtheword.beaconforms.com/form/3d91d809
The background image is a young, black woman reading at a microphone. Behind her is an upside-down red triangle. There are small snowballs on top of the image. At the top of the image are the words ‘Make Lewisham a Borough of Literature’ in red and white colour. At the bottom of the image is the white ‘Spread the Word’ logo and the red and black ‘Christmas Challenge’ and ‘Big Give’ logo. The background of the image is red with a tree and reindeer print. At the top of the image reads ‘Get ready to have your Christmas donations doubled!’ Beneath in white font ‘Save the date: 2 – 9 December #ChristmasChallenge’ There is a picture of man performing with a microphone with a lady in the audience. At the bottom of the image is the white ‘Spread the Word’ logo and the red and black ‘Christmas Challenge’ and ‘Big Give’ logo.
November 11, 2025 at 5:01 PM
spread-the-word.bsky.social
🎉 See who is joining us for our 30th celebration!

📅 Date: Wednesday 26 November 2025
🕖 Time: 7pm until late
📍 Venue: The Department Store, Brixton, SW9 8FR
Tickets: £10
Post 2 - Purple background. Top right blue spread the word logo. Underneath in white writing ‘30th Anniversary Party.’ White line underneath. Italics, white font - ‘Wednesday 26th November.’ Yellow font - ‘Introduction from Founders...’ There is an image of Bernardine Evaristo and Ruth Borthwick with their name's underneath. Post 3 - Purple background. Top right blue spread the word logo. Underneath in white writing ‘30th Anniversary Party.’ White line underneath. Italics, white font - ‘Wednesday 26th November.’ In yellow font ‘The commissioned poem’ and an image of Momtaza Mehri with her name underneath. Post 4 - Purple background. Top right blue spread the word logo. Underneath in white writing ‘30th Anniversary Party.’ White line underneath. Italics, white font - ‘Wednesday 26th November.’ Yellow font ‘In Conversation...’ Picture of Malika Booker, Diana Evans and Oisin McKenna. Post 4 - Purple background. Top right blue spread the word logo. Underneath in white writing ‘30th Anniversary Party.’ White line underneath. Italics, white font - ‘Wednesday 26th November.’ In yellow font ‘DJ Set.’ Below is a picture of Tice Cin and her name below.
November 7, 2025 at 10:00 AM
spread-the-word.bsky.social
What would the world look like from the POV of rivers, street signs or mosquitos?
Join Saskia as she leads a workshop on 'Writing the more-than-human.'

️🗓️ ️Tuesday 2 Dec, 6.30pm
📍Deptford Lounge
🎟️ £9* (concession prices available)- book : www.tickettailor.com/events/sprea...
Request access.
The image is of Saskia Marisha Fischer. She is a white presenting woman with short brown hair and glasses. In the top left corner is the white ‘Spread the Word’ logo. Beneath the photo is a blue panel with information on the event. Line 1- ‘Tues 2 Dec 2025, 6.30pm | Deptford Lounge.’ Line 2- ‘Writing the more-than-human' in yellow font. Line 3 - ‘with Saskia Marisha Fischer’ in black writing. On the right, in yellow font is ‘TICKET £9*’ in a hand drawn circle.
November 5, 2025 at 5:38 PM
spread-the-word.bsky.social
📣 FREE feedback sessions for mystery, romance and horror writers!
We are partnering with @colwillandpeddle to offer up to 8 free, short feedback sessions to underrepresented writers.

D/L 2nd Dec, 5pm

More info: tinyurl.com/2p5kc8v2
Cover image – The background is blue. At the top is the ‘Colwill& & Peddle’ logo and on the right is the ‘Spread the Word’ logo. Beneath is a side-by-side picture of Charlotte Colwill and Donna Greaves. Underneath reads ‘Agent Feedback Opportunity’ in white writing and beneath that in yellow writing reads ‘Mystery, Romance and Horror writers.’ Image 2- The background is blue. At the top is the ‘Colwill& & Peddle’ logo and on the right is the ‘Spread the Word’ logo. Yellow title ‘Are you a Mystery, Romance or Horror writer?’ Beneath in bold white text is information about the call-out. Underneath in black reads ‘Deadline 2nd December, 5pm and beneath in italics ‘More info on our website.’
November 3, 2025 at 1:00 PM
spread-the-word.bsky.social
October has been full of successes for our programme and award alumni. Check out their achievements 🏆

You can read more about each writer via the 'News' section on our website.

Head to our instagram to see the post!
October 31, 2025 at 3:02 PM
spread-the-word.bsky.social
APPLICATIONS CLOSED: #LondonWritersAwards 2026

Thank you to all those who have taken the time to submit an application. We have received a record number of applications and cannot wait to start reading all the exciting submissions.
In the top right corner is the black ‘London Writers Awards’ and ‘Spread the Word’ logo. There is an image of two women facing each other. Against a blue background reads ‘London Writers Awards 2026’ and beneath that is ‘Applications Closed’ in black, underlined text. In the bottom right corner reads ‘Deadline 30 October, 5pm.’
October 30, 2025 at 7:00 PM
spread-the-word.bsky.social
We’re turning 30 and you’re invited! 🎉
Join us for an unforgettable evening of celebration, conversation and performances.

📅 Date: Wednesday 26 November 2025
🕖 Time: 7pm until late
📍 Venue: The Department Store, Brixton, SW9 8FR
Tickets: £10
The post has a dark purple background. In the top left corner is the spread the word logo in blue. In the centre is an image of people gathered around listening to a speaker who is looking onto the crowd. The lighting is dark with a purplish-pink glow. Under the image in bold, yellow font is 'YOU'RE INVITED!' Underneath that is '30th Anniversary Event' in white. Finally, underneath that is a white line with the text 'Wednesday 26th November.'
October 30, 2025 at 5:00 PM
spread-the-word.bsky.social
👀 ✨ Short Story Preview

Read commissioned piece ‘Family Heart Troubles’ by Leone Ross (@leoneross.bsky.social) in the Mouth Mek Fi Nyam Anthology.

The anthology is available to collect from Lewisham borough Libraries this October, and a digital version: www.spreadtheword.org.uk/read-the-mou...
Cover post – Blue background with yellow dots in the top left corner border and bottom right corner boarder. In the top left is the black spread the word logo. Beneath in bold, black text reads ‘Mouth Mek Fi Nyam Anthology’ and beneath that reads ‘Leone Ross.’ There is a picture of Leone. She is a black woman with blonde-brown hair and is wearing red glasses. Post 2- A blue background. In the top left is the black spread the word logo. At the top reads ‘Family Heart Troubles’ and beneath is ‘by Leone Ross.’ There is a yellow line and two paragraphs from Leone’s story. Post 3 - A blue background. In the top left is the black spread the word logo. There is a picture of the Mouth Mek Fi Nyam Anthology in the centre. Beneath it reads ‘Anthology out online now’ and there is a link to the spread the word website.
October 29, 2025 at 1:41 PM
spread-the-word.bsky.social
Open Call 📣

#DeptfordLiteratureFestival 2026
Are you an artist or organisation based in Deptford/Lewisham*? We are looking for people with exciting ideas to shape our 2026 programme.

🔗 More info : tinyurl.com/4mjm3b67

Deadline: Monday 1 December, 10am
Image of two participants holding a piece of paper. In the top right corner is the spread the word logo. Beneath is a yellow bar that has written in it :’Be part of Deptford Literature Festival 2026.’ Underneath in white text is Open Call and beneath that is ‘Are you a creative or arts organisation?’ On the right is the Deptford Literature Festival Logo and 2026 in yellow on the corner of the logo.
October 28, 2025 at 10:00 AM
spread-the-word.bsky.social
Save the date 📅 #DeptfordLiteratureFestival

The festival is back on Saturday 28th March 2026. Look out for our open call this week, to find out how you can get involved.

Full programme to be announced early in the new year.

📸: Kashif Haque
Background image of a black man holding a microphone with his left arm in the arm in a performance space. On the top right corner is the blue spread the word logo. In the centre of the image, partially covering the performer is the Deptford Literature Festival logo with 2026 in yellow on the bottom right corner. In yellow writing beneath reads ‘SAVE THE DATE’ and beneath that is ‘Saturday 28 March 2026
October 27, 2025 at 5:26 PM
spread-the-word.bsky.social
🚨4 days left to submit to #LondonWritersAwards 2026!

Have a look at what our agent judges are looking for.

⏰ Applications for the #LondonWritersAwards close at 5pm on Thursday 30 October – happy writing!
Slide 2– Black London Writers Award logo and black spread the word logo at the top of the page. In black writing ‘Juliet Pickering’ and beneath in white writing ‘Literary Fiction.’ An image of Juliet is on the left – she is a white woman with wavy brown hair. On the right is information about what she is looking for as a judge. Slide 3– Black London Writers Award logo and black spread the word logo at the top of the page. In black writing ‘Liv Maidment’ and beneath in white writing ‘Literary Fiction.’ An image of Liv is on the left – she is a white woman with long brown-blonde hair. On the right is information about what she is looking for as a judge. Slide 4– Black London Writers Award logo and black spread the word logo at the top of the page. In black writing 'Kerry-Ann Bentley’ and beneath in white writing 'Commercial Fiction.’ An image of Kerry-Ann is on the left – she is a black woman with curly brown hair. On the right is information about what she is looking for as a judge. Slide 5– Black London Writers Award logo and black spread the word logo at the top of the page. In black writing -'Christabel McKinley’ and beneath in white writing 'YA/Children’s Fiction.’ An image of Christabel is on the left – she is a white woman with long, dark brown hair. On the right is information about what she is looking for as a judge.
October 27, 2025 at 3:23 PM
spread-the-word.bsky.social
Something spooky this way comes... 🕯️

Join Alan Gray for ‘Vacant Possession: Creating a Haunted World Without Any Ghosts’, a creative workshop featuring extracts from Dan Chaon, Andrew Michael Hurley, Shirley Jackson 👻

🗓️ Tue 28 Oct, 6.30pm | 📍 Deptford Lounge
🎟️ £9* (concs) – tinyurl.com/b34pcw7t
October 21, 2025 at 4:05 PM
spread-the-word.bsky.social
📣 10 days left to apply #LondonWritersAwards!

⏰ Applications for the #LondonWritersAwards close at 5pm on Thursday 30 October – happy writing!

📹 Featured in video - Daniel Culpan (current #LondonWritersAwards cohort)
October 21, 2025 at 2:26 PM
spread-the-word.bsky.social
🤗 Sharing is caring. Do you have a writer friend who should apply to the London Writers Awards?

📩 Share this post with them.

⏰ Applications for the #LondonWritersAwards close at 5pm on Thursday 30 October – happy writing!

📹 Featured in video - @laila_obeidat current #LondonWritersAwards cohort
October 20, 2025 at 4:23 PM
spread-the-word.bsky.social
Join Melissa as she leads a workshop about strategies employed by authors to represent sex in literature, which will provide prompts for a final collaborative poem!

✍️ This workshop is part of the Writers Salon with @cripticarts.bsky.social.
📅 Mon 3 Nov, 6.30pm
📍Online
🎟️FREE - tinyurl.com/ypzu34cj
The image has an orange background with a photo of facilitator Melissa Wan. She is a white-presenting young woman with short black hair sits on her walker in a bookshop and laughs at the camera. At the top of the image is the Spread the Word, CRIPtic arts and City Bridge Foundation logo in white. Below is the title ‘connect through creativity’ in white. On the bottom left of the poster reads ‘3rd Nov. Salt & Heat: Writing Sex. with Melissa Wan.’ in white writing
October 20, 2025 at 2:45 PM