Masterclass Sunday: Memoir writing

Name: Masterclass Sunday: Memoir writing
Start: 2026-03-01T09:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-03-01T11:00:00+00:00
Location: The Bookseller Crow

Join Karen McLeod for an inspiring, interactive and fun workshop that dives into the art of writing about your life. Karen will discuss approaches to memoir writing while discussing the issues (and the many liberations) that can come from writing about the past.
Through writing exercises you will explore how to uncover material, dig into the important stories of your life, then hone in on an idea for a story. Whether you're already working on a memoir project, or wish to begin writing about your life, by the end of the session whatever your experience, you will leave with new material and be equipped with tools to continue. Bring a notebook and pen, plus an open mind and heart.

You will be introduced to:

What is memoir?
Writing exercises to access buried memories
How to focus in on a particular subject/time/person/place
And a chance to ask questions

In honour of Jonathan Main, our bookseller at Bookseller Crow who sadly died in September, we are offering one free scholarship place for someone who would be unable to attend due to financial constraints. This is aimed at the unemployed, the unwaged carers or those on a low income. To apply for this scholarship please do not book below and instead send your details, including a short description of your circumstances, including where you live, with MEMOIR WRITING SCHOLARSHIP in the email title to: scribblingcrow[at]hotmail.com The deadline for scholarship applications is 6pm, Monday 9th February 2025. Applications sent after this deadline cannot be considered.

London Events Workshop Experience

The Lineup

Karen McLeod

Karen McLeod is an author, writing mentor and tutor, and performer. She is published in both fiction and non-fiction. With over fifteen years’ experience in teaching adults creative writing (which all began at The Bookseller Crow), Karen tutors for the National Centre for Writing in Norwich, Arvon Foundation and the National Centre for Writing Scotland.

Karen's memoir, Lifting Off, is about the twelve years she worked for British Airways as long-haul cabin crew and how, after going into freefall, creative writing brought her back in to land. Lifting Off was longlisted for The Pat Kavanagh Award at Goldsmiths University and the Polari Prize 2025.

In Search of the Missing Eyelash, her debut novel, was published by Jonathan Cape, won the Betty Trask Award and was shortlisted for the Best First Novel Award by the Authors’ Club.