Events
We host many literary and career-focused events for students interested in all areas of writing and publishing, both physical and digital.
As Exeter is now a UNESCO City of Literature, many exciting literary events and initiatives are coming up in the future, and the University is closely linked with that events programme. Internally, the Creative Writing Team are committed to bringing in brilliant and diverse contemporary writers to speak to students about their writing and to answer questions.
Literary soundwalk
Ellen Wiles has created a literary soundwalk as part of her new creative research project to engage audiences imaginatively and immersively with place, landscape, and nature. ‘Pebbled Heights, Mossy Depths’ was commissioned by the East Devon AONB and the Double Elephant Print Workshop.
You can access it here: https://www.ellenwiles.com/literary-soundwalks/
The Hexagon
Dr. Ellen Wiles hosts this video podcast in which invited guests, including Exeter academics, share their top arts and culture tips.
View The Hexagon video series.
Working in Publishing and Writing
This regular series of panel events features Exeter alumni speakers, who have included:
- Oliver Gadsby, UK Director at Rowman & Littlechild
- Anna Bonet, Features Writer & Books at Editor Hearst Magazines
- Beth Wright, Publicity Manager at Little, Brown Book Group
- Cat Walker, Director of The Researchery (own research consultancy for the voluntary and community sector) / Debut novelist / Published poet
- Morwenna Blackwood, Author and Cat Care Assistant at Cats Protection
- Rebecca DeLozier, Commissioning Editor at Oxford University Press
Creative Dialogues
This series of ‘in-conversation’ events showcases a range of high-profile speakers who are leaders in their respective fields across the creative industries and Humanities.
Languages in a Global World
This annual event brings together local teachers, students, alumni, and people interested in global cultures, literatures, and languages.
Quay Words
Dr Ellen Wiles was writer in Residence for Quay Words this spring on a theme of Science, which has included a walking-writing workshop for families, a panel conversation event on climate science and creativity with three leading scientists and three creative writers at Custom House, and on Saturday 30th April an immersive listening event – a sound installation of Dr Wiles' new literary audio story commissioned by Literature Works and narrated by a Devon beaver.
Red River projects
Dr John Wedgwood Clarke gave readings from his new poem and showcase a film, a poetry sound piece, and other artworks made as part of the project at the Tate St Ives.
Speaking of Writing
In 2020, Dr. Ellen Wiles curated this series of events featuring women writers of colour, including Vahni Capildeo, Rowan Hisayo Buchanan, Dina Nayeri, Jessica J. Lee, Amanda Thomson, Maya Chowdhury.
G7 conference
Dr Ellen Wiles and Dr John Wedgwood Clarke represented the University at the G7 conference, in an event discussing the contribution of arts and humanities to climate change and ecological decline.
Bookseller's Marketing and Publicity Conference
Dr Ellen Wiles appeared at The Bookseller’s Marketing and Publicity Conference 2021, discussing the future of author events.
Crazy book launch
Dr Sam North hosted former Creative Writing Lecturer Jane Feaver at The Bookbag for an event to launch her new novel, Crazy (2021).
Quay Words
Dr John Wedgwood Clarke appeared at the Quay Words event series, reading from his Red River poem, and discussing his current creative research project.
'Speaking of Children's Writing'
Dr Wendy O’Shea Meddour curated a series called ‘Speaking of Children’s Writing’, featuring women writers and editors of colour including Catherine Johnson, Jasmine Richards and Patrice Lawrence.
In the Company of Insects
An 18-month collaboration between award-winning poet Fiona Benson and sound artists Mair Bosworth and Eliza Lomas. Uncovering the fascinating world of insects, the commission culminated in a stunning series of sound poetry pieces split into three parts.