Processing Queer Shame in Fiction: Writing Steps Towards Queer Joy with Kingsley Pearson

This workshop draws on clinical psychology to help writers understand shame as a narrative and psychological force, offering tools to portray it without reducing characters to trauma. You’ll learn to avoid common pitfalls – such as trauma dumps or unintentional heteronormativity – and explore how internal conflict can shape character growth and behaviour. This will include space to reflect on your own work and connect with other writers.

What will you do in the workshop? 

You can expect a short, accessible overview of key psychological models, discussion about queer shame in life and literature, guided writing exercises, and reflection.

You can best prepare by having an idea, story or character you’d like to work on.

What can participants expect? 

We’ll work through and discuss exercises focused on identifying origin stories, influential plot points, and character reactions. We’ll reference examples such as Young Mungo (Douglus Stuart), Deviants (Santanu Bhattacharya), Rejection (Tony Tulathimutte), and Black Water Rising (Sean Watkin). A handout will summarise the psychological models and their implications for writing.

Who is this opportunity for? 

Writers of all experience levels who are exploring and including LGBTQ+ characters and themes in their writing. You don’t have to have started your story, but it will be helpful if you have some knowledge about your queer character(s).

Bursary places

We have 5 free bursary places available for writers on a low income. We define this as either earning on or below the London Living Wage and/or in receipt of benefits (e.g. Universal Credit). If you would like to request a bursary place, please email [email protected] with details of your eligibility for a bursary by 24 January 2026.

Access

If you require BSL interpretation, and/or have other access needs please email [email protected] so we can accommodate you.