Writers & Readers

Listed below alphabetically are groups and organisations of interest to writers or readers and story tellers in the West Midlands. If you would like us to include details of additional groups please click here or e-mail: info@lit-net.org click here for writer and reader groups

Daytime Museum Admission: Adult Ł3.25*, Student, OAP Ł2.25*, Childen Ł1.75* (under 3 free of charge)
* includes 25p refundable deposit on entrance badge
For details of group bookings please contact us by phone or e-mail

Further details about the Storytelling Cafe from Graham Langley or Katrice Horsley at 0121 441 4514

writers and readers groups

Birmingham - Rhubarb & Digbeth - New Writing
*Contact*	Adrian Johnson		*Location*	Birmingham

*Addresses*	Hennessey's 1st Tuesday 8 -10pm 123 Digbeth Allison Street Birmingham			Waterstone's 3rd Sunday 2-4pm level 4 24/26 High Street Birmingham (30 seconds walk from the Rotunda, and next to Pavilion Shopping Centre)
	poor access for disabled			excellent access for disabled, and good pa system
*Telephone*		*Fax*		*Email*
*Meetings*	Monthly, see in blue above		*Time*	8.00 - 10pm 1st Tuesday evenings: 2 - 4pm 3rd Sunday afternoons
*Description*	The new monthly venues for writers who'd like to perform their work - or simply listen to some good new writing. Now extended to Waterstones - each a snip at Ł2.50 on the door "Birmingham's brightest monthly space for prose, performance poetry,humour, very short stories and sketches starts a new season from April 2000. You can sign up on the door to join in and read some of your own work. Or, simply sit back, listen and enjoy. Tuck into some delicious cakes and sample some wise words from the city. Bring a favourite quote or book recommendation for the Words of Wisdom Wonderwall."

(Birmingham) Two Green Club
*Contact*	Mike Byrne & Mike Reed		*Location*	Birmingham

*Address*	Acocks Green Library, Shirley Road, Acocks Green and Hall Green Library, 1221 Stratford Road, Hall Green

*Telephone*	0121 706 1738 or 0121 777 6633	*Fax*		*Email*
*Meetings*	Friday afternoons and other times		*Time*	various
*Description*	Author visits, talks on literary or media themes, creative writing sessions

Birmingham Central Library Science Fiction Readers Group
*Contact*	Jonathan Davidson		*Location*	Birmingham

*Address*	c/o Central Library Chamberlain Square Birmingham B3 3HQ

*Telephone*	0121 303 4606	*Fax*	0121 233 9702	*Email*	jonathan.davidson@dial.pipex.com
*Meetings*	Monthly, Thursday evenings		*Time*	5.30 - 6.30pm
*Description*	A new reading group for those interested in reading and discussing science fiction and fantasy writing.

Black Literature Reading Group
*Contact*	Handsworth Library		*Location*	Handsworth Library

*Address*	Handsworth Library, Soho Road, Birmingham

*Telephone*	0121 554 1185	*Fax*	n/a	*Email*	n/a
*Meetings*	8/10, 5/11, 3/12/98		*Time*	6 - 7.30pm
*Description*	A reading group led by Roi Kwabena and looking at new and old writing from the African Diaspora.in an informal atmosphere.

Brandhall Library Readers Group
*Contact*	Chris Dickenson		*Location*	Sandwell

*Address*	Brandhall Library Sandwell

*Telephone*	0121 422 5270	*Fax*	n/a	*Email*	n/a
*Meetings*	1st Thursday of the month		*Time*	10.30 a.m.
*Description*	The group meets to talk about what they have been reading lately.

Burton Poets and Writers Society
*Contact*	Society Secretary		*Location*	Burton, Staffordshire
				Burton-on-Trent Library, High Street
*Address*

*Telephone*	01283 845250	*Fax*	n/a	*Email*	burtonwriters@bigfoot.com
*Meetings*	Every Second Wednesday		*Time*	7.15pm to 9.15pm
*Description*	Creative writing group. Further details, hit the Burton Writers' Group own web page, though still under construction where you can find full details of workshops and guest events, links to other sites of interest www.geocities.com/bpws2001 .

Cannon Poets
*Contact*	John Alcock/Martin Underwood		*Location*	Birmingham

*Address*	Midlands Arts Centre Cannon Hill Birmingham

*Telephone*	01564 793 826 (JA) 0121 426 6413 (MU)	*Fax*	n/a	*Email*	n/a
*Meetings*	1st Sunday in the month		*Time*	2 - 5.30pm
*Description*	Creative writing group.

Century Poets
*Contact*	Kopan Mahadeva		*Location*	Birmingham

*Address*	99-101 Sutton Road Erdington Birmingham

*Telephone*	0121 382 0109	*Fax*	n/a	*Email*	n/a
*Meetings*	1st Sunday in the month		*Time*	2 - 6pm
*Description*	Creative writing group.

Coventry Asian Literary Circle
*Contact*	Mehru Fitter		*Location*	Coventry

*Address*	Foleshill Library Broad Street Foleshill Coventry CV6 5BG

*Telephone*	02476 687562	*Fax*	n/a	*Email*	info.follib@covnet.co.uk
*Meetings*	1st Sunday of the month		*Time*	n/k
*Description*	Recitations of members own and favourite poetry in Bengali, Gujerati, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu in a very relaxing atmosphere

Coventry Avid Readers Group
*Contact*	C.Jones or J.Bobby		*Location*	Coventry

*Address*	Earlsdon Library Earlsdon Avenue North Coventry CV5 6FZ

*Telephone*	02476 675359	*Fax*	n/a	*Email*	info.follib@covnet.co.uk
*Meetings*	2nd Thursday of the month		*Time*	8.00 p.m.
*Description*	A friendly and informal group of readers who have become adventurous, reading books they never would have done in the past.

Coventry Central Library Readers Group
*Contact*	Steve Palmer, Mark Williams or Dave Lloyd		*Location*	Coventry

*Address*	Central Library Smithford Way Coventry CV1 4FY

*Telephone*	02476 675359	*Fax*	n/a	*Email*	info.follib@covnet.co.uk
*Meetings*	Monthly on Thursdays		*Time*	2.30pm to 4.00pmp.m.
*Description*	A monthly meeting to talk about books taking a new theme or genre each time. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal, the chat is lively and engaging.

Coventry Live Poets Society
*Contact*	C.Jones or J.Bobby		*Location*	Coventry

*Address*	Earlsdon Library Earlsdon Avenue North Coventry CV5 6FZ

*Telephone*	02476 675359	*Fax*	n/a	*Email*	info.follib@covnet.co.uk
*Meetings*	1st Wednesday of the month		*Time*	7.00 p.m.
*Description*	A friendly, motivated group of active poets and people who enjoy reading poetry.

Droitwich Readers Group
*Contact*	Ms Val Booler		*Location*	Droitwich

*Address*	Droitwich Library Victoria Square Droitwich WR9 8DQ

*Telephone*	01905 773 292 01905 779 970	*Fax*	01905 797401	*Email*	n/a
*Meetings*	Monthly as arranged		*Time*	Tuesdays, 7.15pm
*Description*	Meets to discuss a previously agreed book and to share enjoyment and experience of literature generally. No charge. Forthcoming books include "Captain Corelli's Mandolin" by Louis De Bernieres (11th August), "Ladder of Years" by Ann Tyler (8th September), "The Woman in White" by Wilkie Collins (13th October) and "Birdsong" by Sebastian Faulks (10th November).

Erdington Library Crime Club
*Contact*	Kevin Duffy		*Location*	Birmingham

*Address*	Erdington Library Orphanage Road Birmingham B4 9HP

*Telephone*	0121 464 0798	*Fax*	n/a	*Email*	n/a
*Meetings*	Monthly, Wednesdays		*Time*	7.30
*Description*	Meets to discuss all types of crime fiction, from Agatha Christie to James Ellroy

Erdington Library Writers Group
*Contact*	Jan Alderidge		*Location*	Birmingham

*Address*	Erdington Library Orphanage Road Erdington Birmingham

*Telephone*	0121 382 6238	*Fax*	n/a	*Email*	n/a
*Meetings*	1st Wednesday in month		*Time*	1.30 - 3pm
*Description*	Creative writing group.

Frankley Library Reading Group
*Contact*	Marion Chute		*Location*	Birmingham

*Address*	Frankley Library Birmingham

*Telephone*	0121 457 7676	*Fax*	n/a	*Email*	n/a
*Meetings*	Monthly		*Time*	Wednesday mornings
*Description*	Frankley's reading group has a variety of speakers, sometimes book related.

Harborne Library Reading Group
*Contact*	Library Staff		*Location*	Birmingham

*Address*	Harborne Library High Street Harborne Birmingham

*Telephone*		*Fax*	n/a	*Email*	n/a
*Meetings*	29th September, 1998 (1st meeting, then monthly)		*Time*	7 - 8.30pm
*Description*	A new group for readers of fiction, starting by talking about books people have read on holiday.

Hereford Poetry Group
*Contact*	Amanda Attfield		*Location*	Hereford

*Address*	n/k

*Telephone*	01432 370066	*Fax*	n/a	*Email*	n/a
*Meetings*	n/k		*Time*	n/k
*Description*

Hill Poets (The)
*Contact*	Janet Palmer		*Location*	Malvern

*Address*	n/k

*Telephone*	01684 576 445	*Fax*	n/a	*Email*	n/a
*Meetings*	n/k		*Time*	n/k
*Description*	See web site http/ourworld@compuserve.com/homepages/c_change

Ludlow Writers Group
*Contact*	Bryn Ffynnon Chris Chedgey		*Location*	Ludlow
*Address*	Livesey Road Ludlow SY8 1EZ			British Legion Hall Mill Street Ludlow

*Telephone*	01584 877013	*Fax*	n/a	*Email*	cchedgey@yahoo.co.uk
*Meetings*	every other Wednesday		*Time*	from 7.30
*Description*	Started 9th February 2000 "A NEW GROUP BEGINNING ON FEB. 9TH. STIMULUS, SUPPORT & RESPONSE TO ASPIRING WRITERS AN ESCAPE FOR WORKAHOLICS AND A CHANCE TO EXPLORE SELF-EXPRESSION" A range of writers and genres

Keele Writers
*Contact*	Roger Strapenhill		*Location*	Keele

*Address*	Keele Village Hall, Nr. Newcastle under Lyme

*Telephone*	01782 627034/01782 750029	*Fax*	n/a	*Email*	writers@yewtree.freeserve.co.uk
*Meetings*	2nd, 4th & 5th Tuesday in month		*Time*	7.30 - 9.30pm
*Description*	Creative Writing Group with writers from all genres from poetry to plays and short stories to novels

Kidderminster Readers Group
*Contact*	Ron Hoggarth		*Location*	Kidderminster

*Address*	Kidderminster Library Market Street Kidderminster Worcester DY10 1AD

*Telephone*	01562 824 500	*Fax*	01562 512 907	*Email*	n/a
*Meetings*	Variable		*Time*	7.30pm
*Description*	Meets to discuss literature and books. Sometimes has joint meetings with Droitwich Readers Group. Programme of meetings from contact.

Kingshurst Library Readers Circle
*Contact*	Jenny Huxley		*Location*	Kingshurst

*Address*	Kingshurst Library

*Telephone*	0121 770 3451	*Fax*		*Email*
*Meetings*	Last Monday of each month		*Time*	2 - 3pm
*Description*	This small group talks about books they have read the previous month.

Knowle Library Readers Group
*Contact*	Catherine Basket		*Location*	Knowle

*Address*	The Gallery Knowle Library

*Telephone*	01564 775 840	*Fax*		*Email*
*Meetings*	First Friday of each Month		*Time*
*Description*

Langley Poetry Appreciation Society
*Contact*	Suzie Drew		*Location*	Sandwell

*Address*	Langley Library Sandwell

*Telephone*	0121 552 1680	*Fax*	n/a	*Email*	n/a
*Meetings*	Monthly, Wednesdays		*Time*	7.30pm
*Description*	The group meets to talk about poetry

Leominster Library Readers Group
*Contact*	Peter Holliday		*Location*	Leominster

*Address*	Leominster Library 8 Buttercross Leominster Herefordshire HR6 8BN

*Telephone*	01568 612 384	*Fax*	n/a	*Email*	n/a
*Meetings*	Monthly		*Time*	Tuesdays, 7.15pm
*Description*	Discussion of all types of reading material: novels,poems, non-fiction etc
Knowle Library Readers Group Catherine Basket First Friday of each Month 01564 775 840 The Gallery Knowle Library

Lichfield & District Writers
*Contact*	Phil Franks		*Location*	Lichfield

*Address*	136 Sutherland Road Cheslyn Hay Walsall WS6 7BT			meet at Cruck House, Stowe Street, Lichfield

*Telephone*	01922 416109	*Fax*	n/a	*Email*	phil@dumb.screaming.net
*Meetings*	1st & 3rd Thursdays		*Time*	7.30 to 10.00 (8.00 after 6th April 2000)
*Description*	Support group for writers in the Lichfield area. Membership 23-40. For full details of their programme and activities, visit their excellent website http://members.tripod.co.uk/sooty_3/index.htm

Ludlow Poetry Cafe
*Contact*	Gill Mortimer (Ludlow Library) Sally Ford (Assembly Rooms)		*Location*	Ludlow

*Address*	Ludlow Library 10 Old Street Ludlow Shropshire SY8 1NP		*Meet at*	The Assembly Rooms Ludlow

*Telephone*	01584 872619 (Gill) 01584 873229 (Sally)	*Fax*	01584 872019	*Email*
*Meetings*	1st Wednesday each month		*Time*	7.30pm
*Description*	Bring along any poems to read - your own or those you like. To a theme - April is the Seven Deadly Sins - which you can also ignore.

Malvern Readers' Group
*Contact*	Keith Barber, Helen Ladd or Catherine Lees		*Location*	Malvern

*Address*	Malvern Library, Graham Road, Malvern, WR14 2HU

*Telephone*		*Fax*		*Email*
*Meetings*	3rd Thursday in every month (except December)		*Time*	7.30pm
*Description*	The Group is open to everyone who enjoys talking, in an informal way, about the books they have read. By following a set programme, compiled annually by members, it is hoped that participants will be tempted to try authors or types of book they may not have experienced before, rediscover old favourites and increase their enjoyment and appreciation of their reading through informal discussion with others in the Group.

(Market Drayton) Clive Library Reading Group
*Contact*	Kate Woodward		*Location*	Market Drayton

*Address*	Clive Library, 51, Cheshire Street, Market Drayton, Shropshire TF9 1PH

*Telephone*	01630 652105	*Fax*	01630 657688	*Email*
*Meetings*	Last Wednesday of each month		*Time*	7.30 pm
*Description*	An informal group which meets to discuss a 'book of the month' and favourites old and new.

Meriden Library Readers Circle
*Contact*	Jen Harrison		*Location*	Meriden

*Address*	Meriden Library

*Telephone*	01676 522 717	*Fax*		*Email*
*Meetings*	2nd Wednesday of each Month		*Time*
*Description*	.

Olton Library Readers Circle
*Contact*	Alison Cartmale		*Location*	Olton

*Address*	The Meeting Room - Olton Library

*Telephone*	0121 706 3038	*Fax*		*Email*
*Meetings*	First Friday of each Month		*Time*
*Description*

Redditch Poetry Workshops
*Contact*	Charles Johnson		*Location*	Redditch

*Address*	41 Buckleys Green Alvechurch, Birmingham B48 7NG

*Telephone*	0121 4452110 01527 63291	*Fax*	01527 68571	*Email*	flare.stack@virgin.net
*Meetings*	2nd Tuesday each month		*Time*	7 p.m.
*Description*	A welcoming mutual-criticism group of poets, some published here & there, some immensely shy.

Ross Rural Writers
*Contact*	Hilary Jayne		*Location*	Ross on Wye

*Address*

*Telephone*	01594 543 940	*Fax*	n/a	*Email*	n/a
*Meetings*	n/k		*Time*	n/k
*Description*

Saint Johns Library Poetry Workshops
*Contact*	Charles Johnson		*Location*

*Address*	41 Buckleys Green Alvechurch, Birmingham B48 7NG

*Telephone*	0121 4452110 01527 63291	*Fax*	01527 68571	*Email*	flare.stack@virgin.net
*Meetings*	Saturdays, approx. bi-monthly		*Time*	1 p.m.
*Description*	A friendly but tough-ish mutual-criticism group of poets trying not to be pretentious or precious.

Saint Johns Library Reading Group
*Contact*	Phil Adams		*Location*	Worcester

*Address*	St John's Library, Glebe Close, St John's, Worcester, WR2 5AX

*Telephone*	01905 - 420400	*Fax*		*Email*
*Meetings*	1st Wednesday of each month		*Time*	7.15 p.m.
*Description*

Shirley Readers Circle
*Contact*	Maureen Rudge		*Location*	Shirley

*Address*	Shirley Library Church Road Shirley B90 2AY			Junior Reference Area of Shirley Library

*Telephone*		*Fax*		*Email*
*Meetings*	Every two weeks on a Monday.		*Time*	2pm-3pm
*Description*	Our discussions usually cover themes or a single author rather than a single book. So far we have discussed, Margaret Atwood,Humour in books, Childhood and Science Fiction

Shirley Writers' Circle
*Contact*	John George		*Location*	Shirley

writers and readers - and story tellers