Verse: creative writing group

Verse is a queer-led creative writing group with award-winning poet and playwright Toby Campion, based at Opificium in East London and online.

Verse follows a 3-term structure (Verse 1, Verse 2, Verse 3) but you can join for any term, you don't need to have attended previously to join a term. Sessions take place on Wednesday evenings. Each term is 7 weeks, comprising of 6 writing workshops and 1 group trip to a live literature event. There is also a weekly feedback document where you can get feedback on your current work from group members.

Verse 1
Wednesday 22nd October - Wednesday 10th December 2025

Verse 2
Wednesday 28th January - Wednesday 25th March 2026

Verse 3
Wednesday 6th May - Wednesday 24th June 2026

Who is Verse for?
For complete beginners & experienced writers looking to re-invigorate their practice. Workshops often use poetry as a springboard but you may be a writer of any medium; memoir, novel, scripts, prose, diary etc. You also may have never tried creative writing before! Open to all, allies very welcome.

Why join Verse?
Nourish your creativity, improve your writing craft, overcome writer’s block and meet like-minded people. Verse is a series of relaxed writing workshops with a small group of friendly peers; each week you'll read and discuss work from leading authors and take part in carefully curated writing exercises designed to develop your writing craft, spark inspiration and get you writing new work.

What happens in the workshops?
During each session, you will:
- discover new authors & texts
- improve your writing craft through guided exercises
- develop at least one new piece of your own writing
- utilise writing as a technique for reflection & creative wellness
- get to know a group of friendly peers in a relaxed environment
- take further reading/optional writing task to complete at home
- refreshments & two screen-free hours dedicated to yourself
- advice & feedback (note: these are generative writing sessions not feedback workshops) and more detailed group feedback via weekly sharing document

What if I miss a workshop?
If you miss a workshop, you will receive the materials in a PDF to participate in your own time

What time does Verse happen?
There are three different Verse groups, two in person on a Wednesday and one online on a Tuesday:

TUESDAYS - ONLINE (ZOOM)
6:30pm - 8pm

WEDNESDAYS - IN PERSON (N16 9DA)
5:30pm - 7:10pm
7:30pm - 9:10pm

Where does it happen?
Online courses are on Zoom, in-person courses happen at Opificium, Newington Green, N16 9DA
Nearest tube: Canonbury
Busses: 141 & 341 (stop: Petherton Road) 476, 73 & 236 (stop: Newington Green)

Who leads the workshops?
TOBY CAMPION is an award winning poet, playwright and educator. Winner of the Aesthetica Creative Writing Award 2024 and shortlisted in the Forward Prizes 2024, Toby is a former UK National Poetry Slam Champion and his debut play WRECK won the Fifth Word Theatre award for Most Promising Playwright. Toby has been running creative writing workshops for over 10 years with groups of all ages and abilities, working with organisations like the Financial Times, Roundhouse, NHS and The Diana Trust.

Where can I get more information?
Please email [email protected] for more information.