An Outdoor Writing Workshop with Mandy Ross

Birmingham's urban ponds, orchards and meadows are wild, green, secret spaces. How will climate change affect city-dwelling plants, insects, animals and humans?

Come and discover what it is like to write creatively amongst the newts and damselflies at the Martineau Gardens - a green oasis, hidden away in Edgbaston.

Mandy Ross is a writer and editor. She has written over forty children's books, and her work for adults includes short stories and editing the forthcoming anthology Crowning Glory: Women and Hair. She combines writing with environmental education work.

Using examples of radio drama and drama documentaries produced at BBC Radio 4 in Birmingham, playwright Stephanie Dale will run a fun, participatory workshop exploring radio writing techniques. During the second half of the workshop there will be an opportunity for people to write, in pairs, a short radio scene.

The workshop is suitable for beginners.

'Write about what you know' is familiar advice to novelists, but we often write to find out about what we don't know. This workshop looks at how the process of discovery can enhance your writing. It will look at what research is and how you do it. This is an ideal workshop for those who have an idea, but don't know how to turn it into a book. Will Buckingham's first novel, Cargo Fever, drew upon his experience of working as a researcher at Pattimura University in Indonesia. He is now researching his second novel in Bulgaria.

Poetry Writing with Roz Goddard

This poetry workshop will explore how we can let go of our daily concerns and distractions and find a place within ourselves that offers us the opportunity to write poetry without being over concerned with ideas and agendas. In other words: letting go in order to find the rich seam of creativity within each of us. The workshop will begin with a short meditation.

With Jo Ind

This workshop looks at the opportunities available for journalistic writing and gives advice on how to make the best of your skills and interests. Including advice on how to get commissioned and structure a feature; the key facts on how a newspaper is made, understanding copyright, getting paid and looking after yourself in the process.

With Mil Millington

Comic Fiction is acknowledged as the most important, valuable and skilled art form by everyone who isn't some kind of big-nosed fool. For the sake of all humanity, then, we will explore the hard practicalities of writing it, and also give a flinty glance at how to improve your chances of getting it published. Hats optional.

Novelist Helen Cross leads this workshop offering an introduction to writing fiction. Short stories and novels offer wonderful opportunities for writers but are not without their challenges. Helen will share her experience of turning great ideas into fine prose and enjoying the process. Helen's most recent novel is The Secrets She Keeps.

Walk the mean streets of Birmingham and join Mick Scully who The Long Firm author Jake Arnott described as 'a dark new talent' and who is the author of this year's much acclaimed collection of linked crime stories set in Birmingham, Little Moscow.

The session will focus on plot, character and the creation of atmosphere. Neither writing experience or a criminal record are necessary to enjoy and benefit from this workshop - though both may be helpful!

With Nicola Monaghan

Last year ten aspiring writers proved their mettle by remaining awake all night at our first ever all night writing workshop. This year we have upped the ante, removed the plush surroundings and offer instead the questionable luxury of a 17-seater minibus.

All we know for sure is that we will start and finish in Birmingham city centre. The rest of the details are open to whim. Our journey may or may not include ten stops at potentially inspiring places, and will probably feature a nutritious celebratory breakfast. Bring a notebook, a torch, warm clothing and a sense of adventure. If you like a creative challenge, this is the writing workshop for you.

Nicola Monaghan is the course leader for the National Academy of Writing's new Creative Writing Degree at UCE. She is also the author of The Killing Jar, and an experienced workshop leader with only a moderate need for sleep.

With Philip Monks

Does the daily grind get in the way of your writing? Do you always find something more pressing to do? Is your inspiration whittled away by the commute to work or the day's to-do list? If so, join us before work for an hour of stimulation and inspiration, then take the day to mull over some ideas and join us again on your way home for another hour of writing.

Philip Monks is a Birmingham-based playwright and poet.

Supported by BBC Birmingham

Aimed at creative and innovative writer/performers with something to say, this workshop will help you lift your work off the page. It will range from the basics of the writing process to understanding how your words, ideas and feelings can connect with your audience. It will use a series of energising techniques and exercises to show how posture, projection and personality can make all the difference. There will be an opportunity for you to share your work*.

The workshop will be lead by Lorna Laidlaw. Lorna's extensive theatre credits include work for Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham REP, Theatre Foundry and Redditch Palace. She is also a regular contributor to BBC Radio Drama.

Presented in association with Apples & Snakes

Apples & Snakes stretches the boundaries of poetry in education & performance, aiming to give voice to a diverse range of challenging and dynamic poets.

*If you would like to share some work (poetry or prose) please bring something no longer than 3 minutes.