“When I first started writing, I found joining a supportive writing group invaluable. Friends and family tend to be less objective when it comes to venturing an opinion of your work.”

In the summer of 2018, Blackman gave a talk about her writing journey. She described how she received over eighty rejections before her first publication. She finished her speech - more of a call to action - with the words: “Don’t give up”.

Over 80 rejections! What kept her going? I’m pretty confident that there are multiple answers to that question, but one I am absolutely sure of is that taking part in a supportive writing group was a key factor in her resilience and tenacity.

Commonword Novel Writers’ Group meets twice a month to share their writing and give and receive constructive feedback on their novels.

It is facilitated by Mickela Sonola and funded by Commonword, Manchester. The group is open to underrepresented writers across the North-West. We are currently welcoming new writers.

The meetings are twice a month and are currently taking place online via Zoom. This ‘online’ space is supportive, safe and confidential.

There are no more than six writers in the group at any one time. The workshops are not genre specific.

The Novel Writers’ Group helps you hone your writing craft and gives you a supportive and safe place to build the tenacity and resilience whilst you work towards publishing your work. This group is free to attend but donations to support Commonword’s work are welcome.