Beyond These Shores: Exploring the Historical and the Speculative

Panel discussion (with Myna Chang and Sharon Telfer)

What is the lure for a storyteller in exploring the historical or the speculative? What are the things to consider when writing in these genres? What strategies are useful in bringing such stories to the page? And what are the pitfalls to be aware of?

Date(s)

Tuesday 5th August 2025 (19:00-20:30 BST)

What we'll cover

Genre definitions and the historical-speculative connection.
Why write in these two genres?
Genre fusion.
World-building.
Voice and form.
Possibilities and pitfalls.

What to expect

In-depth Q&A with two flash fiction superstars.
Readings of example stories.
Audience questions.

Facilitated through

Google Meet

Price

Pay What You Can (Pricing options - (A) £10, (B) £8, (C) £6)

Free places

There are ten free places available for low income writers who wouldn't otherwise be able to attend. These will be allocated via a lottery system. To be eligible, please apply before the 30th June.

Additional information

Closed captions will be available during the event.

Following the event, participants will have access to a recorded version as well as a transcript of the discussions in PDF form.

Facilitator

Matt Kendrick is a writer, editor and teacher based in the East Midlands, UK. His short fiction has appeared in various journals, and has been included on the Biffy 50 list for 2019-20, in Best Microfiction 2021, Best Small Fictions 2022 and the Wigleaf Top 50 2022.

Book

Apply for free place