Pride from Prejudice
Past Event
June 2026 at Chesham Library
GAW Member and prolific award-winning author Peter Scott-Presland talked about the local queer history and paid tributes to pioneers Ray Saitch and George Broadhead.
He also be read from his recently-published The Best of Enemies, the third volume of his history of the Campaign for Homosexual Equality. The talk captured the courageous spirit of the founders of our modern LGBT who created the climate for our 21st century gains. Refreshments available.
Readers and Writers Zine Fair
Past Event
June 2026 at Brixton Library
Members of Paradise Press took part in the Readers and Writers Zine Fair at Brixton Library. It was a massive success, and thanks to everyone who attended and purchased items.
See the range of books published by Paradise Press.
Amiable Warriors Book Launch
Past Event
June 2026 at Canada Water Theatre
Amiable Warriors III: The Best of Enemies got off to a flying start at this well attended gala launch.
The book is the third in a series about the history of the Campaign for Homosexual Equality. CHE was the largest ever LGBT+ organisation in the UK.
Amiable Warriors is available for purchase.
Lambeth Local Author Book Fair
Past Event
May 2026 at Upper Norwood Library
Members of Paradise Press took part in the Lambeth Local Authors Book Fair at Upper Norwood Library which is just round the corner from the dinosaurs of Crystal Palace Park.
Seated left to right: Jeff Doorn, Peter Scott-Presland and Micky Silver, presiding over a selection Paradise Press books.
Lost Places Book Talk
Past Event
April 2026 at City of Westminster Archives
Writer and editor Jeffrey Doorn gave an introduction to Gay Authors Workshop followed by a PowerPoint presentation and readings from the LGBT+ anthology, Lost Places leading to a discussion of writing and attendees' memories of former LGBT+ venues.
Sunday 1 March 2026 at Pimlico Library, Lupus Street, London SW1V 3AT from 2pm to 4pm.
Nearest station: Pimlico tube.
Free admission and refreshments provided.
Book Now
Mayfair Mini Book Fair
Past Event
Gay Authors Workshop were promoted and Paradise Press books for sale were displayed.
On Shifting Sands: Moments of Change, Exploration and Discovery
Past Event
November 2025
The launch of On Shifting Sands, its new anthology of exploration and discovery, was on target with the assistance of Homo Promos. It is now available to buy on this website, and on Amazon.
Out in Southwark
Past Event
July 2025
Members of the Creative Writing Course read selections from the work they'd produced, plus other projects, at the delightful LGBTQ+ centre at Blackfriars.
Everyone was impressed by the light, airy atmosphere of the building, the buzz of activities available, and of course the riverside setting.
The centre manager Daniel Gould Loftus was very accommodating, and we had a collection for the centre's funds. We would love to go there again.
Photos from Event
Creative Writing Workshops
Past Event
February 2025
Another series of Creative Writing Workshops took place at Maida Vale Library.
The workshop was designed for individuals who identify as LGBT+ or as straight allies, and want to express themselves through writing.
There was also an opportunity for the best work from the workshop to be published.
Readings at Care Home
Past Event
February 2025
GAW/PP members Jeff, John and Micky read from recent Paradise Press publications at this monthly LGBTQ+ Coffee Morning held at Wandsworth Common Care Home.
Readings in Haringey
Past Event
July 2024 at Hornsey Library
Following our readings in February, GAW was invited back to Hornsey Library for another round.
Members Jeffrey Doorn, David Flybury and Richard Thompson read a selection of works in progress and passages from Paradise Press.
Attendees, who are budding writers, were invited to bring and share their own work and consider joining Gay Authors Workshop.
Readings from Flash Dances
Past Event
July 2024 at Camberwell Library
This was a special invitation to hear readings from Flash Dances to be given in the presence of the Mayor of Southwark, Cllr Sunny Lambe.
Editors Peter Scott-Presland and Stephanie Dickinson introduced the evening; they were joined by Richard Thompson, Philip Inglesant and Bodicea Bactawar reading a variety of short pieces.
Poetry Evening
Past Event
March 2024 at Camberwell Library
Founded in 1978, Gay Authors Workshop is a cooperative of LGBT+ creative writers who meet regularly to discuss and develop their work.
Members presented a variety of their published and unpublished poems as well as examples by other members. Budding LGBT+ poets attending were also be invited to share their original work.
Read Writing!
Past Event
March 2024
To celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month 2025, members of GAW read items from published and unpublished pieces including a chapter from a novel, flash fiction, poetry and monologues.
Writing on Health And Mental Health
Past Event
March 2024 at Westminster Reference Library
An evening of readings about LGBT+ health and mental health, headed up by Hastie Salih's presentation. Hastie is a semi-retired doctor who has specialised in this area.
She's also a member of GAW, a poet and author of the romantic lesbian thriller, Dahlia and Carys.
Other GAW members read related stories and poems. Members of the audience were also invited to bring along their work and read short extracts from it.
Readings and Promotion of Paradise Press
Past Event
February 2024 at Hornsey Library
Jeffrey Doorn has been involved in the gay community for over fifty years. He was a regular at the Stonewall Inn before it became a world-wide symbol of resistance. He's edited several PP anthologies.
Attendees were encouraged to bring along a short sample of their own work to share with everyone.
Photos from Event
Lost Places
Past Event
February 2024 at Shoe Lane Library
A Lost Places presentation evening with V G Lee, Stephanie Dickinson, Jeffrey Doorn and Micky Silver.
Photos from Event
Readings from Flash Dances
Past Event
February 2025
Several authors, featured in Flash Dances along with new members of Gay Authors Workshop, gave readings from the book at Lambeth's Minet Library to a crowd of readers.
There is a queer reading group based here which had chosen Flash Dances as the subject for that month’s meeting, and we hope to go back there in the future. The staff were really supportive, plus we had wine! The event was organised by Susan Miller.
Photos from Event
Launch of Lost Places: An LGBT Anthology
Past Event
February 2024 at Carnegie Library
We all have places which hold special significance in our lives, places which often have disappeared, remaining only in our memories.
Reading from the collection were writers Ian Townson on Railton Road, John Dixon on public conveniences, Jeffrey Doorn on The Biograph, Peter Scott-Presland on The Cape of Good Hope, Oxford, and poems by Beth Lister and Stephanie Dickinson.
This was the first airing of this haunting collection.
Lost Places is a collection of bitter-sweet recollections of such places by LGBT authors, published by Paradise Press.
Lost Places Presentation
Past Event
April 2024 at Somerset Day Centre
Jeffrey Doorn presented Lost Places to Older & Out, a meet-up group of 50+ LGBTQ+ folk.
Special focus was the writings of Jill Gardiner, who lived in Brighton and to whom the book is dedicated.
Associates of Jill read her poems and sections of her prose piece Finding and Losing Lesbian Spaces in Brighton and Hove, and Beyond.
Adrian Risdon's Old Steine set poem One-way Transaction was also read and V G Lee join them from Hastings with a reading from The Last Gold Star Lesbian.
Creative Writing Workshops
Past Event
October 2024 at Maida Vale Library.
After three successful series, leading to a forthcoming anthology, Homo Promos and Gay Authors Workshop joined forces for an autumn series of workshops.
Authors were invited to explore their creative side, use their imagination, and play with words within a safe environment with other interesting creative people.
The latest series of workshops took place in October 2025.
Lost Places: GAW at South London Group
Past Event
May 2024 at Bread and Roses
Lost Places is a collection of memories of such places by LGBT authors, published by Paradise Press.
Poems, celebrations of collective endeavours, toilets, cinemas, bars ranging from Oxford to Paris.
Writing Proud
Past Event
June 2024 at Hammersmith LIbrary
Various members of Gay Authors' Workshop read from stories, poems and essays around the themes of Pride, self-respect and discovery.
This was associated with an anthology called SHIFT_, about moments of change.
