Our Quay Words and Libraries Unlimited writer-in-residence, Tolu Agbelusi, has been in post since the beginning of February and we’re pleased to reveal her full residency programme, providing a range of free opportunities to get involved.

The theme of Tolu’s residency is ‘Exploring the stories of Exeter’s women.’ Tolu is asking for you to share your stories of inspirational women from the city, past or present. Tolu is also running four one-to-one meet-the-writer sessions on 26th February and 5th March. This will be an opportunity to share your stories of remarkable Exeter women with Tolu or ask her your writing-related questions via Zoom.

If you’d like to spend some time working on your craft, why not book a free place on Tolu’s online workshop, ‘Telling our stories without apology’? During this session, Tolu will use poetry, the Unfinished Business exhibition and stories from her research into city archives to explore ways in which women can tell their stories in the written form. The workshop will take place on Friday 19th March, 6 pm – 7.30 pm. Spaces are limited to 10, book here. Participants of this workshop may be invited to share their work at a public reading on 31st March. Tolu’s residency will close with a Quay Voices event on 31st March, will be live streamed to you at home. Tolu will introduce the talented writers she’s been working with across the residency and will read alongside them. Save a seat, here.

We’re delighted to announce that acclaimed travel writer Philip Marsden will be coming to Exeter Custom House in April for a special two day programme of travel-writing themed events.

He’ll be reading from his latest book, The Summer Isles: A Voyage of the Imagination on Friday 23rd April at 6.30 pm. This event will be live streamed from Exeter Custom House to you at home. Save your seat, here.
We are monitoring Government guidance and, subject to easing of national restrictions, there may be an opportunity to be part of socially distanced in-person audience at Exeter Custom House. If you’d like to register your interest in being part of the audience, do so here.

Masterclass: Travel writing with Philip Marsden

On Saturday 24th April, Philip will be conducting a masterclass in the travel book which he believes can combine all the best elements of literature. Whatever your particular interests, a journey has an enormous capacity to reveal and entertain, and travel writing requires all the skills of any writing project – from research to plot and structure, from descriptive writing to character.
We are aiming for this course to take place at Exeter Custom House, Coronavirus restrictions allowing. We will be following Government guidance to ensure the experience is Covid-19 secure. If it is not possible to go ahead in person due to ongoing restrictions, we will be ready to offer this course online on Zoom. There are a range of ticketing options including concessions and limited number of bursary places. Book your place with confidence, here.