A collaborative event between our two writers-in-residence Olive and Billy will perform and read from their work, followed by a conversation and Q&A to discuss shared themes that have arisen during their time in residence at Exeter Custom House. They will explore the season theme of heritage in relation to their work, the individual, and wider…

Speech and verbal forms are often an under-appreciated aspect of creative writing and sacrificed for formal written register. In this workshop Billy Kahora discusses strategies to enhance the sense of the spoken in your fiction to anchor it in the specific rhythms of place and setting. About the author Billy Kahora has written a non-fiction…

We’re thrilled to welcome Fiona to the Custom House to celebrate the launch of her debut novel The House of Broken Bricks. Fiona will read from her novel, followed by a Q&A chaired by memoirist and past writer-in-residence Davina Quinlivan. Lyrical and powerful –  a tender debut about family, loss and life in the countryside….

Not a run-up to midwinter, but a slow-down. Poet Caleb Parkin and Electroacoustic harpist Scarlett Smith present an interactive event focused on rest, recovery and stillness. We’ll keep in mind nature’s rhythms and the need for recuperation at the time of year when days are shortest. Around a ‘campfire’, Caleb will share a selection of…

 “On the role of love in our connections to the natural world.”   Bookended by the sunset and sunrise, writer-in-residence William Henry Searle will guide participants on a reflective weekend workshop, foregrounding the role of personal emotion and love in our nature writing practice.   Over a series of walks, personal time to write and guided workshops…

From seals’ frisky behaviour to red squirrels making their last stand in the battle against the greys, here are the mammals of Britain as you’ve never seen them before. Wild boar that don’t exist – at least officially. Eccentric hedgehog behaviour. Mines inhabited by greater horseshoe bats (along with cavers, ravers and teenagers smoking unusual…

Quayside Walk and Creative Writing Workshop  Join writer-in-residence William Henry Searle for an introductory nature writing workshop. The workshop will start with an accessible walk around the quayside to gather inspiration followed by a workshop at Exeter Custom House.   This workshop is perfect for beginners to the form or for people who are looking to…

We’re pleased to welcome A.K. Blakemore to the Custom House to celebrate the launch of her new book The Glutton, with reading and Q&A. Sister Perpetue is not to move. She is not to fall asleep. She is to sit, keeping guard over the patient’s room. She has heard the stories of his hunger, which…

“When we looked out our bedroom window, there was Pearce rag stores, with all the rabbit skins hanging in the window.  If I had a stick I could have poked them!” The People of the Quarter lived cheek by jowl with the industries of the river and Quay. JoJo Spinks dives into their testimony in…

Get ready for Commotion on the Ocean! Stories from the seven seas to be taken with a pinch of salt told by Globetrotting Storyteller Clive PiG. Clive will be telling tales over three slots, the event is free, and no booking is needed, just turn up! This free event is part of a season of…