We must be doing something right in the writing workshops, judging from the success of a couple of alumni.

Craig Binch, who has been attending the workshops almost from the start two years ago, has been accepted onto a Masters course in creative writing at Trinity College Dublin, starting in September 2026.

Craig contributed several stories to Flash Dances (2014) and will have more in Hot Flashes to be published later in 2026.

Meanwhile, Scot Douglas (pen-name) has just negotiated a contract with the Book Guild to publish his first novel, which is part of a trilogy.

Out in Oxford is a sharp and funny contemporary novel about middle-aged reinvention. Returning to Oxford as a mature student, Russell pursues sex and love amid academic politics, online hook-ups and tangled friendships. 

As scandals unfold and relationships falter, he confronts the gap between instant gratification and genuine connection, learning that love, like education, is unfinished business. Out In Oxford is a witty take on midlife experience, blending campus satire with emotional honesty.

It will be out in September 2026 (in both senses!). 

Come to the writing workshops and you too can be a literary star! The next series starts on 23 March 2026.

Gay Authors Workshop has provided fellowship, mutual support and development for LGBTQ+ writers since 1978.

Looking ahead to 2028, we aim to celebrate our 50th (golden) anniversary with special events and activities, including publishing themed anthologies.

Jeff Doorn will co-edit a poetry anthology bringing together some members’ poems not previously published in book form plus contributions by current and new members. 

The former will give an idea of the range of work written over previous decades, while the latter should be inspired by the theme of ‘gold’.

Interpret the theme as loosely as you like. Think metal, medal, star, bar, paint, saint, way, lamé, crown, gown, dawn, morn, sands, bands years, tears. You get the picture. No host of golden daffodils, please since that’s been done.

Entry date has now closed. Further calls will be sent as we go along. 

Not a GAW member? How about joining?

Not a poet? There may be a short story anthology with the suggested theme of ‘The next 50 years: Dreamy paradise or nightmare dystopia’. Editor awaited.

Women and men of Paradise Press and the Gay Authors Workshop, plus their dogs, turned out in force on 17 November 2024 to celebrate the triumphant launch of the Flash Fiction anthology, Flash Dances.

Out of 32 authors featured in the anthology, 14 appeared and read some of their work from the book to an enthusiastic audience. 

Not a bad percentage considering two of the authors are dead and some of the others are scattered as far as Chicago and the far North of Scotland, in Wick.

The launch had been bedevilled with crisis. First a mix-up over ISBN numbers, which are unique identifiers of books, delayed printing and caused postponement.

Then the original venue, the Glitch, claimed first that they had no record of any booking and then that they were double booked with another book launch.

However, with less than 48 hours’ notice we moved to The Walrus, a hostel down the road, which was full of character and had a wonderful manager, Holly.

So ‘All's Well That Ends Well’ - where do I know that phrase from?!

Photos by James Linton

Ivor C Treby (always with a C) was writing queer poetry from the late 1960s onwards. 

He became a founder member of Gay Authors Workshop along with Mike Harth in 1978.

It became a natural home for him, along with The Performing Oscars, a poets' roadshow of the early 1980s which also appeared on the Cabaret Stage at Pride. 

This memoir, which is not complete, shows his racy opinionated style, and references many of his poems. He wrote four volumes which are now only available in archives.

Ivor himself was very conscious of creating a legacy, was meticulous in his record-keeping, and has a small but very well organised archive collection at the Bodleian Library.

Whilst ferreting around I discovered that he also turns up on IMDB as a scriptwriter for a 1972 series, But Seriously, it's Sheila Hancock. He was in good company since other writing credits went to Harold Pinter, John Betjeman, Michael Frayn, Germaine Greer, Ogden Nash and Roger McGough.

Like so many older lesbians and gays, he had a fascinating history and hinterland, if only anyone could have bothered to ask. I'm hoping this will encourage other GAW veterans to put their memories to paper for this archive section while there is yet time.

If you have memories you'd like recorded, please:

Contact Us

Paradise Press

Send

Peter Scott-Presland