Preview: Stop Write Hear presents Festival of Words

Stop Write Hear brings its Festival of Words to Darlington Library on Saturday 12th September, offering a full day of workshops, panels and performances that celebrate writing in all its forms. The morning begins with the Children’s Puppet Story Workshop (10–11:30am), where poet and facilitator Julie Easley leads young storytellers through designing their own superhero stick puppets and building characters from scratch. At 11:15am, Open Up The Poetry Toolkit invites attendees to explore what makes a poem tick, as local poet Ann Cuthbert breaks down how poets craft voice, rhythm and meaning in an accessible, hands‑on session.

The festival’s centrepiece arrives at 1:30pm with the Author Panel & Book Signing, featuring three award‑winning North East writers: H.F. Askwith, a YA gothic fantasy storyteller; Matt Wesolowski, a crime‑driven horror innovator; and Françoise Harvey, a weird‑fiction short‑story specialist. Hosted by Sarah Wilson, the panel digs into inspiration, horror and strange fiction, writing journeys and the realities of publishing, with a Drake the Bookshop pop‑up and signing session rounding things off.

At 3pm, Making Dialogue Work offers a practical, craft‑focused session led by local crime writer Pam Plumb. Designed for prose writers of all genres, the workshop explores techniques for sharpening dialogue, developing character and propelling plot, with time to try out new approaches that participants can take into future writing.

The day closes with a welcoming Open Mic (doors 6:30pm), a warm, community‑driven evening where poets, storytellers and first‑time performers can share new work. The event also marks the launch of Stop Write Hear Magazine Issue 3, rounding off the festival with a celebration of local voices and grassroots creativity.