A life-writing workshop for LGBTQ+ people using prompts from queer archives.
Kick-start your writing with archival lesbian newsletters, gay mags, transgender support group leaflets and helpline logs, do writing exercises, listen to each others’ stories, and learn techniques from the best queer writers today. This hands-on writing workshop will be led by Adam Zmith and Tash Walker, authors of The Log Books: Voices of Queer Britain and the Helpline That Listened (Faber, 2026).
This workshop will focus on listening to and sharing stories across generations – especially important for LGBTQIA+ people who usually don’t grow up with elders like them. Facilitated by award-winning author Adam Zmith and published poet Tash Walker, this two-hour workshop will include: free-writing exercises, Adam and Tash’s writing process, archival records, and discussion of exemplary queer non-fiction from pioneering writers.
If you require BSL interpretation for the workshop, please book a ticket by Friday 6 March, and request BSL interpretation as you book.
Deptford Literature Festival takes place each March and celebrates the diversity and creativity of Deptford and Lewisham through words, stories and performance. It is run by London Writers Centre in a collaboration with independent producer Tom MacAndrew, with support from the Albany, Deptford Lounge and Lewisham Libraries. The festival is part of our campaign to make Lewisham the UK’s first Borough of Literature. You can find out more about Deptford Literature Festival and see the full festival programme at: deptfordlitfest.com
Adam Zmith is a writer and multi-format producer; his book Deep Sniff: A History of Poppers and Queer Futures won the Polari First Book Prize. He writes theatre shows, talks and podcasts, including Press Play Turn On which won Podcast of the Year at the British Podcast Awards 2024.
Tash Walker is a writer, poet, audio producer and community organiser who has worked with institutions such as the Barbican, The National Archives, BBC, The Charles Causley Trust and Queer Britain; they were a member of Switchboard’s board for eight years. In 2021 they were named one of the top 101 LGBTQ+ Trailblazers by Attitude Magazine, and in 2022 were included in Stonewall and DIVA’s Pride Power List.
This year, the festival is running with limited public or charitable support. We have brought in a ticket price of £3 for the majority of the events to help cover some of the festival costs.
Children’s and family events are free for parents, guardians and carers. Tickets must be purchased for children. Parents, guardians carers must stay with their child/ children during the event.
Carers can attend for free. When booking your ticket, you can add a free carers ticket to your basket.
Six of the festival events are free to attend: Lewisham Libraries Celebrates Local Writers (Saturday 21 March), The Goldsmiths Prize Presents: Kate Briggs In Conversation (Wednesday 25 March), Poetry in the Library (Thursday 26 March) and on the festival day – Saturday 28 March: Lewisham Writers’ Link Up, Lewisham Writes: Writing the Seasons, and CRIPtic x London Writers Centre Salon.
As far as possible, by booking a ticket we ask that you commit to attending, as places for in-person events are limited. If you can no longer attend, please cancel your ticket so someone else can come along. Refunds on paid for tickets will be given up toTuesday 24 March 2026.
You can manage your ticket/s by clicking on the ‘manage tickets’ link at the end of your booking confirmation email.
Three of our in-person events on the festival day (Saturday 28 March) will have BSL Interpretation in-place for audiences that require it: South London in Fiction; Mother Tongue: Poetry, Family and Inheritance; and Navigating Culture: Black Male Writers on Britain Today.
BSL interpretation is available on request for all other festival day (Saturday 28 March) events. If you require this, please book a ticket by Friday 6 March, and request BSL interpretation as you book. We will then arrange for this to be put in place.
All festival venues are wheelchair accessible, with accessible toilets.
The festival hub on Saturday 28 March, Deptford Lounge, has Changing Place facilities, an induction loop and assistance dogs are welcome. For more information: deptfordlounge.org.uk/access
If you require additional access provision in order to attend or take part in the festival, for example, larger print handouts at workshops, or a scribe, please get in touch before the festival day at: festival@londonwriterscentre.org.uk
If you require assistance on the festival day itself, Saturday 28 March, please come to the Festival Hub in the foyer of Deptford Lounge where we will be happy to help you.
Support Deptford Literature Festival
Deptford Literature Festival celebrates local talent and introduces exciting new writers from Lewisham and nearby boroughs. We want to be able to continue to offer our workshops, readings, events and community projects at a low cost. We do not want finances to be a barrier to anyone taking part. If you are in a position to make a donation, please give a gift today. Anything you give will help more people come to future festivals.
We are continuing our Developing Tutors programme to offer London-based writers a paid opportunity to teach their first creative writing workshop in 2026-27. Please sign up for the seminar to be eligible to apply.
