Paradise Press
Fine writing by lesbians and gay men since 1999
Paradise Press is a collective of LGBT+ writers and editors produces novels, short stories, poetry, memoirs and non-fiction. All our authors are members of the Gay Authors Workshop.
You will see from the Books section there is a wide range, from the wit of Mike Harth and John Dixon to memories of lost queer spaces (Lost Places) to serious pioneering history in Amiable Warriors. There is also passionate women's writing, e.g. We Want to Tell You How.
Work submitted by members of GAW is read by at least two established writers in the group. If accepted for publication by Paradise Press, editorial and formatting assistance may be provided, but authors are expected to make their own arrangements with a printer and handle their own marketing and publicity. No financial support is available except when a short contribution is included in a GAW Anthology.
The Gay Authors Workshop (GAW) is an association of LGBT+ creative writers – poets, dramatists, essayists, fiction and non-fiction writers. Their aim is to support writers by providing opportunities for them to meet, to read, discuss and develop their work.
See About GAW and Our History for more information.
The Gay Authors Workshop (GAW) was founded 1978 and is an association of LGBT+ creative writers – poets, dramatists, essayists, fiction and non-fiction writers.
The aim is to support writers by providing opportunities for them to meet, to read, discuss and develop their work.
We hold monthly meetings via Zoom for members to read work in progress and receive constructive feedback. There are also occasional in-person meetings at different places around London and the South-East or further afield. Some meetings are accessible to wheelchair users, and all Zoom meetings can be accessed by phone call.
Although London-based, GAW is a national organisation and welcome members from all over the country and abroad. We give what help we can in enabling members to set up local branches of GAW.
The GAW Newsletter is circulated to members four times a year and contains:
In 1973 a Gay Writers Group was founded within The Campaign for Homosexual Equality (CHE) by Michael Harth (1926–2016), then Convenor of the Stepney CHE Group, together with Peter Robins, who had also been heavily involved in the London CHE scene, and went on to write a number of novels.
In 1978 the Group ceased to be part of CHE, and was re-founded as the Gay Authors Workshop. Michael Harth continued as one of the main organisers of GAW, alongside others including Elsa Beckett and Kathryn Bell.
Michael Harth continued as a leading member of GAW until his death in 2016. Our anthology, A Boxful of Ideas, is dedicated to his memory.
Gay Authors Workshop, BM 5700, London WC1N 3XX
GAW and Paradise Press are members of the LGBT Consortium and the International Lesbian and Gay Cultural Network.
Membership is open to all LGBT+ writers, whether beginners or published authors.
If you would like to become a member, it is recommended that you first attend one or two trial monthly meetings to experience what GAW can offer you and how you will benefit from being a full member.
Complete the Membership Application to obtain your invitation.
The annual subscription is £8 (£5 unwaged).
Forthcoming Zoom and live meetings for GAW members.
If you're not a member, why not join us.
The next Zoom meeting for GAW members is on Sunday 8 November 2026 at 3pm.
These meetings are held regularly at 3pm on the second Sunday of each month.
Please note that these meetings are for GAW members only. If you are not a member and wish to attend, see How to Join or use the hashtag #join_GAW_to_join_in
Gay Authors Workshop and Homo Promos Theatre Group jointly organise FREE writing classes for young and fledgling LGBT+ writers, and those struggling to find ideas or transition to fiction.
These happen in seasons of four to five weeks, and we ask people to sign up for the series. For details about the next series:
Out in Oxford is a sharp and funny contemporary novel about middle-aged reinvention by Alaster Douglas.
It is a witty take on midlife experience, blending campus satire with emotional honesty.
Read More about this and other amazing books.
In 2028 GAW is celebrating its 50th anniversary with special events and activities, including publishing themed anthologies.
You are invited to send your work.
Read More
