Join us for Extinct, see new writer opportunities and studio bookings just got easy

See what's coming up in February from Marine Studios and the Writers' Room

Marine Studios hot desk and meeting room bookings now online!

Booking your space at the studio just got easier! You can now check availability, book and pay online – whether you’d like a hot desk in the writers’ room or main co-working space, or a small or large room for a meeting or event.

Prices are from £10 for a hot desk (tea and coffee included) to £100 for a large sea view meeting room with big screen, flip chart, and seating for up to 15 people. Please book online. Any questions? Get in touch at info@marinestudios.co.uk

First Friday: Extinct

Join us on Friday 7th February from 6 to 9pm for an evening digging deep into the theme of Extinct at Marine Studios.

The activities and discussion will be around the re-introduction of species to our countryside and re-wilding of the land. What are the implications of bringing a plant or animal back, how does it fit into the eco-system and what are the knock-on effects?

This event is FREE. And, as always, there’s a welcoming, engaging and encouraging atmosphere. BYO refreshments and curiosity.

Accessibility: find out about this event and space by reading our online access statement.

This activity is funded by Social Enterprise Kent and the UK Government through the Social Enterprise Boost Fund.

Ellen Jones: Outrage

January has started with a bang in our writers' room with resident author and advocate Ellen Jones publishing her book with Pan MacMillan, Outrage Why The Fight for LGBTQ+ Equality Is Not Yet Won and What We Can Do About it.

LGBTQ+ people still face discrimination, danger and deprivation of their rights on a daily basis. In her essential new book Ellen lays out the practical actions we can all take to combat these many inequalities, celebrating those who are already doing the work to affect change.

For details of Ellen’s Margate book launch, see events below.

Writing opportunities

Freelance Writing Jobs New Directions Bursary

You’ll need to be a paid subscriber to the Freelance Writing Jobs newsletter for this one. Join online.

The Freelance Writing Jobs New Directions Bursary has been created for freelance writers looking to make a change and move towards a new writing format, niche, or project. It was launched to help with one of the most important elements of a career shift: time.

The bursary will award one writer a £400 voucher for a stay at Gladstone's Library in Hawarden – the UK’s only residential library. The bursary winner will also receive a lifetime subscription to the Freelance Writing Jobs newsletter. Three shortlisted writers will be awarded annual subscriptions to the newsletter. For details and a link to the entry form see Sian Meades-Williams’ Substack post.

The Independent Publishing Awards

The IPG set up the Awards in 2007 to celebrate the amazing achievements of the independent publishing sector in the UK and Ireland. It’s free to enter, and winning or making the shortlist will raise your profile in the industry (plus you get a nice lunch and a trophy). Entries close on the 29th February, see their website for details.

What’s on?

For details of all the monthly Marine Studios Writers’ Room groups (Margate Fiction Writers; Margate Stanza; Writer’s Block; Where to Start Writing; Quiet Reading Group…) please see the events page on the Marine Studios website.

For information about accessibility at any of our Marine Studios events see here.

Kent Poetry Championship Slam: THE FINAL BATTLE
Thursday 6th February / The Venue, Canterbury
Kent's biggest night of poetry is back on the road, with ten poets battling it out to get their shot at the Kentish Poetry Championship Belt. This final night of the slam tour is in Canterbury, headlined by the sensational Vanessa Kisuule. Not only is Vanessa the winner of The Roundhouse Slam and Hammer and Tongue National Slam, she's also travelled to the illustrious Nuoryican Poetry Slam and won over there, too. Her poem Hollow on the toppling of Edward Colston's statue in Bristol racked up over 600,000 views in three days and her show SEXY toured nationally.
£5 / Tickets available online§

Book launch: Outrage
Thursday 6th February / Fort Road Hotel
Join author, advocate and local icon Ellen Jones for the Margate launch of her new book Outrage, a bold treatise on the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ equality, in conversation with writer and educator Milly Evans.
Free to attend / Join waitlist

First Friday: Extinct
Friday 7th February, 6–9pm / Marine Studios
Join us for an evening digging deep into the theme of Extinct at Marine Studios. BYO refreshments and curiosity.
Free to attend

Brighter Days Academy: Know Your Customer
Wednesday 12th February, 1–3pm / Marine Studios (more sessions in March)
Are you a maker, artisan, craftsperson, artist? Join Brighter Days Academy in practical sessions that will introduce you to the press, build your customer service skills, help you firm up goals and objectives, prepare you to sell to the public, shops and galleries and reach out to expand your network and customer base.
Free for Thanet businesses / £5 for those outside Thanet. Sign up online

Dan Thompson’s Seaside History Club
Thursday 7th March, 7pm / Marine Studios
A monthly event for Marine Studios, with guest speakers, performers, and exhibits that explores the history of seaside towns and just what makes them special. No need to book.
Pay What You Want (suggested £5)