Open to the LGBTQ+ community and allies, Write Queer is a monthly collective who share and progress their writing, while connecting with other writers in a supportive environment – online, or at Nottingham Central Library. We speak to organiser Richard Gidlow about the sessions, zines, Notts Pride, and the unspoken heroes of pigeons.
ell us about the origins of Write Queer…
Write Queer began in 2022 as a project tied with Derbyshire LGBT+. David Beer and Georgina Wilding from Nottingham Central Library invited us to launch a writing group for LGBTQ+ individuals. Their advice and support helped Write Queer grow. It now includes a popular monthly session that often sells out, plus an online option.
How can people get involved with the writing sessions, both online and in-person?
You can find links to join on our Instagram, QR codes, and posters across Nottingham. We offer concessions for those unemployed or on low incomes, but full-price tickets are also available. We have a Write Queer manifesto of respect, openness, creativity and encouragement in a judgement-free space. Our in-person sessions include delicious bakes – big thanks to Ives for those!
What is the writing process and format for each session?
I structure sessions around themes and requests from the group; metaphors, genres, power dynamics, approaching intimate scenes. We’ve tried scriptwriting, monologues, and duologues. I’ll lead with a group discussion to spark ideas, followed by dedicated writing time and sharing. For June, we’re focusing on Pride: what it means and how to celebrate it, while exploring themes like Queer dystopia and utopia.
Tell us about your fabulous zine collections (and your upcoming spooky-themed zine!)...
The zine started because of our work with Greebo. For those who don’t know, a zine is basically a DIY magazine – it’s all about punk creativity, and giving people a chance to share their voices, feelings, and experiences.
Our first zine, Write Queer Collection, was a general collection, edited by the writers themselves, and was crowdfunded to cover printing costs – any money we make goes straight back into the community. Our incredible designer, Alicia Turner, put it all together. For the second edition, we had funds to offer free submission opportunities, opening it up to writers beyond Write Queer – even from America! Our third, Hauntings, launches in October, just in time for spooky season! It explores themes of fear, ghosts, and what haunts us. We’ll even judge submissions blind. If you’ve got something to share, definitely apply…
I’ve often felt like an outsider, so I thought, why not create something where I can find my people? There wasn’t really anything like Write Queer out there, so that’s how it started
You’re a writer yourself. How has organising the Write Queer workshops helped you shape your personal writing journey?
I’m an English teacher. It all started with First Story – an organisation that placed a writer-in-residence at my school. I studied English Lit with Creative Writing, but I struggled with insecurity about my writing. The intense workshop styles felt intimidating, and my relationship with writing faded for a while.
Then, First Story gave me chance to join workshops myself – even offering a scholarship to study Creative Writing at Cambridge ICE. A guy who didn’t do brilliantly in his A-Levels was now doing a third of a master’s there!
But I wanted to give back. As a Queer person, I’ve often felt like an outsider, so I thought, why not create something where I can find my people? There wasn’t really anything like Write Queer out there, so that’s how it started. Right now, I’m doing a part-time master’s at Nottingham Uni – writing poetry responding to Section 28.
How does Write Queer support each writer’s progression and writing growth?
It’s all about making the space feel safe, and humorous. A lot of it is about really seeing people, then suggesting something that might nudge them forward.
There was a writer terrified of performing at the Derby Traveller’s Count of Poetry 2026. They were shaking, honestly. We talked it through, I gave some tips, watched them smash it, and they won! And it wasn’t just about winning. It was about trying and owning it – still standing there, still writing, still showing up.
Last year, I stood on the Nottingham Pride acoustic stage, reading one of my poems – a sad one. I paused mid-reading and looked around. There were ten local writers up there before me, all sharing their work. The room was packed, people listening outside the doors because there wasn’t enough space. And I thought, ‘This. This is it. This is exactly why we do this’. It’s not about me. It’s about us. It’s enough to make me emotional.
Speaking of Notts Pride, do you have anything exciting planned for this year?
We’ve got so much planned! We’re at Sneinton Festival on Saturday 11 July with a slot in the afternoon. Then, on Thursday 23 July, we’re hosting open mic night at Central Library. It’s open to everyone – no experience needed. I’m reaching out to local Queer groups and organisations for a mini market to bring everyone together.
And on Saturday 25 July, we’re at Nottingham Pride! We’ll have a stall with zines, accessories, and because we love pigeons, some feather-themed bits. Plus, we’re back on the acoustic stage again!
Tell us about Write Queer’s mascot: Marvin the Pigeon!
Pigeons are so misunderstood. Politically, they’ve served a purpose with carrier pigeons delivering messages, only to be discarded when they were no longer ‘useful.’ It’s like an allegory for how society treats Queer people. But pigeons always come back. No matter how many you try to get rid of, more appear. We’re still here, and we’re not going anywhere.
Write Queer Writing Sessions take place in-person at Nottingham Central Library 4:30-6pm every third Monday of the month and online 6-7:30pm every fourth Monday of the month. Issue 1 and Issue 2 of Write Queer Collections are now available.
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