Writing retreats and communities

Discover ways to join the growing community of writing practice at Oxford Brookes 

Write Space writing retreats

Write Space writing retreats create a supportive, structured environment within which writers can meet a writing goal.

Whether face-to-face or online the format is the same: writers of any style and level create a sense of community containing plenty of quiet space to make progress with your writing. The group reflects together on the writing process at intervals, and there will be a Centre for Academic Development tutor available for you to talk through your work.

In participants' words, Write Space is a stimulating, calm, good-spirited, constructive and productive place to work; you might also get ideas for how to start a writing group yourself, as some have.

Dates for the next series of Write Space writing retreats will be available soon! 

Who is it for? 

  • All Brookes students and staff

Writing mornings and afternoons for HSS

These monthly writing events provide HSS staff and postgraduates with a dedicated space for writing. The events will alternate between Friday mornings, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm and Wednesday afternoons, 12:00 - 3:30 pm. Join in for as little or as much as you are able.

Dates for these events will be available early in semester one.

Contact Susannah Wright susannahwright@brookes.ac.uk for the Zoom link or with any queries.

Who is it for? 

  • Postgraduates and staff in HSS

Dates:

  • These sessions will resume in semester 1. 

Centre for Nursing and Midwifery academic writing community

This regular online writing group is for any member of staff, either highly experienced, intermediate, or a novice who wants to meet regularly in a supportive and nurturing environment to work on current writing projects which are not limited to journal articles alone. The group is also open to master's dissertation writers, professional doctorate students, and PhD students.

Please contact Dr Marion Waite mwaite@brookes.ac.uk if you would like to receive the invitations and links. All that is required of you is to show up to write.

Who is it for? 

  • Nursing and Midwifery staff and postgraduate students.

Dates:

  • First Wednesday of each month, 5.00-6.30pm
  • Third Friday of each month, 10.00-11.30am

Shut-Up-and-Write (HSS postgraduates)

Postgraduate students in HSS are invited to these Shut-Up-and-Write sessions which take place during semester time. These are quiet hours to write in a distraction-free environment with regular breaks to check in with others. Think of it as your writing oasis and as a way to connect with other students.  Sessions take place online. 

Contact Nicole Pohl  npohl@brookes.ac.uk for more details.

Who is it for? 

  • HSS postgraduate students.

Dates:

  • These sessions will resume in semester 1. 

Writing Retreats for DNurs Students

The final writing retreat in a series of 3 has been planned for students enrolled on the DNurs programme: 

  • Endgame Thesis Workshop: This is aimed at doctoral writers within 6-12 months of submission of their PhD thesis. Places are limited, but everyone who attends will be offered individual feedback on their writing.  
    • Saturday 23 September 2023, 9.00am-4.00pm, Gypsy Lane Campus, room TBC

For more information, please contact Dr Marion Waite mwaite@brookes.ac.uk

Who is it for? 

  • DNurs students in years 3,4 & 5

Dates:

  • Saturday 23 September 2023, 9.00am-4.00pm

Media, Journalism and Publishing Society

For students wanting to explore developing their skills in writing for a variety of media and meet others with simlar interests.

External writing communities you may wish to explore...

Shut Up and Write!

Meet up online with people from all over the world and then get some writing done.