Question 1

How much does it cost to become a member?

Accepted Answer

We encourage you to attend two sessions as a guest, free of charge, to see if you like it.   If you do, then you are welcome to join us. The cost is £30 per annum, pro rata. This means that if you join halfway through the year, you will pay half.   Our AGM and fee renewal is in October.

Question 2

Can anyone join?

Accepted Answer

For various safeguarding reasons, we only accept members over 18 years of age.   Apart from that, everyone is welcome :)

Question 3

Can I join if I don't live in Leeds?

Accepted Answer

Anyone from anywhere in the world is welcome to join, and we do have several members who live on the other side of the country, or even abroad. However, be aware that half of our meetings will now be taking place in person, so you will only have access to the Zoom meetings (unless you really love commuting!).   You will still be able to take part in the competition and anthology.

Question 4

Where do you meet?

Accepted Answer

Half our meetings are via Zoom, the other half are in person at venues in and around Leeds.

Question 5

When do you meet?

Accepted Answer

On the 2nd Thursday of the month (in person) and the 4th Thursday of the month (on Zoom) at 7:30pm.

Question 6

I've never done critique before, help!"

Accepted Answer

Here's a brief summary of how our critique sessions work:   Members are invited to submit work for critique, the deadline being one week before the session. Pieces are encouraged to be no more than 2000 words for prose, or 40 lines for poetry.   The submissions are read in advance by all members planning to attend the session.   During the session we take turns to give feedback. Feedback is limited to about two minutes, but you are not required to fill the two minutes. It is totally okay to simply say you have nothing to add.   Feedback should be about general high level things - whereas line edits (e.g. spelling and grammar errors) should be marked on the piece and given to the writer afterwards.   While they are receiving feedback, the author is not permitted to speak, because the feedback should be based on the writing only, not any extra explanation.   Once all the feedback has been given, the author has two minutes to answer any questions or respond.   Feedback should be constructive but encouraging. This means that we're not here just to tell each other how amazing we are, but equally it's important to be tactful and sensitive.   Please remember, we don't expect new members to know exactly how to give critique. All we ask is a willingness to read all the pieces in advance and say generally what you liked an didn't like. Everything else we can help with, and you'll get the hang of after watching for a few sessions.

Question 7

Do I have to submit writing in order to attend?

Accepted Answer

No, members don't submit to every session they attend, it's perfectly okay to just give feedback.

FAQ