The Good Egg Project events and opportunities round-up 🐣 October 20-November 2
Events and open calls for writers of all levels and genres 🍳
Hi! Hello, and welcome to The Good Egg Project newsletter!
Our top links from last week’s prompt newsletter:
Poetry Lab with Victoria Chang: Come play! at Push the Boat Out Festival on Saturday, November 22, get tickets on the PTBO website
The Chicken Coop Writing Group is back on Tuesday, October 28, grab your tickets on Eventbrite
Pentlands Book Festival is starting next month on Thursday, November 6, browse the programme on their website
Our listings submission form also made it into our top links, we’re now open to submissions for our next events and opportunities round-up from November 3
Writing news
Ireland Makes Universal Basic Income for Artists Permanent
The Irish Government’s basic income scheme for artists will become permanent from 2026. The pilot launched in 2022 and provided basic income support to 2,000 artists, creatives, and arts workers across Ireland, with positive results.
According to RTÉ, the pilot programme ‘aimed to support the arts sector’s recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, during which many artists experienced significant income loss due to restrictions on live performances and events.’
The Irish Government’s press release for the report on the pilot scheme states ‘for every €1 of public money invested in the pilot, society received €1.39 in return’ and Outdoor Arts UK highlighted that ‘Basic Income recipients invest €550 a month more on their creative practice and their life satisfaction has increased’.
RTÉ reported that ‘Minister for Culture Patrick O’Donovan has secured agreement with other Government departments to continue and expand the initiative … [with p]articipants in the scheme receive a weekly payment of €325.’
Learn more about the campaign for Universal Basic Income in the UK with Basic Income Conversation
Open Letter on the Future of Small Press Publishing in the UK
On Friday, October 10, 23 UK-based publishers shared their open letter about the future of small press publishing in the UK.
The Bookseller reported that ‘the letter call[s] for the trade to ‘work together to ensure the longevity of the UK’s independent presses’’.
Independent presses including 404 Ink, Bad Betty Press, Broken Sleep Books, The Emma Press, Galley Beggar and Prototype have signed the letter which lays out the challenges facing the industry.
These challenges range from rising costs of energy and paper, Brexit custom fees and the US trade tariffs, and significant arts funding cuts by both Conservative and Labour governments, to the the data-driven retail landscape, delayed funding from Arts Council England and Creative Scotland, and unsustainable workloads.
You can read the open letter on The Bookseller website
The Scottish International Storytelling Festival begins this week
This year’s Scottish International Storytelling Festival begins this week on Wednesday, October 22.
The 2025 festival ‘explores Scotland’s northern identity, sharing tales, songs and myths from the world’s northern arc, which bridges Finland to Iceland and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland in between.’
‘Over 11 days, some of the North’s most celebrated storytellers will join leading voices from Scotland to bring a feast of world-class storytelling, music, workshops, and shared experiences to Edinburgh and venues across Scotland.’
SISF has festival passes available to help you see as much as possible and you can browse the programme brochure on the SISF website
The Radical Book Fair is open to applications for volunteers
Lighthouse Bookshop’s Radical Book Fair is back at Edinburgh’s Assembly Roxy from Wednesday, November 5, until Sunday, November 9. They’re looking for volunteers to help deliver this year’s RBF.
To volunteer at RBF 2025, Lighthouse is open to volunteers who can commit to 4-5 hours on at least 2 days of the fair. This year, they are unable to take on volunteers under 18. The deadline for applications is midnight on Tuesday, October 21.
Get more information on how to apply on the Lighthouse website
Community events
Words and Friends
Monday, October 20, 6 pm, The Roastery, George Square Lane, Edinburgh
Writers of all levels and genres are welcome at this collaborative event by Orémi and The Good Egg Project - and you don’t need to bring a friend to join us! I’ll guide you through open-ended, multi-disciplinary writing exercises while you make friends. From short stories and poetry to creative non-fiction and copywriting, or everything in between, you’ll find something to spark your creativity at Words & Friends.
Book tickets on Eventbrite
Trying Together
Monday, October 20, 6.30 pm, Glasgow Zine Library, Albert Road, Glasgow
Trying Together is a peer support group that gives creatives space to reflect on the highs and lows of their month. Using six open questions attendees have the chance to open up on what’s on their mind - from demanding clients to looming imposter syndrome, alongside life’s everyday stresses. Hosted by Ophelia and Phoebe, Trying Together is a safe peer support space where all are encouraged to share what feels safe and comfortable amongst peers.
Get tickets on the GZL website
The Material Mill
Monday, October 20, 7 pm, Blackfriars of Bell Street, Bell Street, Glasgow
The Material Mill is an open comedy writing group to share ideas and meet other comedians. You can network, get feedback, make pals, write new jokes, and refine your material at The Material Mill. All welcome - from brand new acts to seasoned pros and all styles of comedy.
Book tickets on Eventbrite
Poetry Party: Curler’s Cosy Corner Third Anniversary
Monday, October 20, 7 pm, Curlers Rest, Byres Road, Glasgow
Curlers Cosy corner is turning 3! And to celebrate Ross Wilcock has invited some incredible featured acts to take the stage for an evening of poetry and prose after which we will celebrate with cake and drinks! Open mic slots will be very limited this night as Ross wants the evening to be more of a poetry party. Bring yourself, bring your words and bring your boogie shoes.
Find out more from this Instagram post
Collage and Conversation: Comfort and Disturb
Wednesday, October 22, 1 pm, Glasgow Zine Library, Albert Road, Glasgow
Join The Joon Project for a Collage and Conversation workshop responding to the theme of this years Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival, Comfort and Disturb. You’ll be invited to consider the role of art as a tool of both resistance and liberation in times of grief, rage and uncertainty.
Get tickets on Ticket Tailor
The Wonder Salon
Wednesday, October 22, 6 pm, Abode Café Bar, Leith Walk, Edinburgh
Join The Wonder Concierge at the Wonder Salon - where the community comes together to share some inspiration & nourishing conversation. This month’s topic spark is a short talk with Alan Watts featuring plenty of tasty themes.
Book tickets on Eventbrite
Edinburgh Creative Connection
Wednesday, October 22, 6.30 pm, Shandon Pool & Sports Bar, Slateford Road, Edinburgh
You’re invited to join the Edinburgh Creatives Connection Launch Night, a relaxed evening to chat, create and connect. It’s the beginning of a new community, a network initiative to support each other in your creative endeavours. Free, friendly and open to everyone. You’re also welcome to bring your own hobbies or creative projects to work on or share.
Find out more through this post on Instagram
SWAPS x Chloë’s Magic Mic
Wednesday, October 22, 6.30 pm, MF Coffee Shop, Summerhall, Edinburgh
Edinburgh University’s Spoken Word and Poetry Society is collaborating with Chloë’s Magic Mic this week. They’re offering an opportunity to come and immerse yourself in the work of fellow poets and to share your own writings. Sign ups to speak begin at 6.15 pm, so drop in early to secure one of the nine 5-minute slots.
Get tickets through the SWAPS page on the Edinburgh University Students’ Association website
Hollie McNish’s Brand New Book Tour with Michael Pedersen at Porty Town Hall
Thursday, October 23, 7 pm, Portobello Town Hall, Portobello High Street, Portobello
A Sunday Times bestselling author, chatter and poetry lover, expect strong language and adult content, gift-wrapped in her much-loved poetry as she reads from this brand-new collection about love, loss, wolves and warm morning croissants. Here, she will be joined by fellow poet, performer and lover Michael Pedersen reading from his magical brand new novel, Muckle Flugga.
Book your tickets on Eventbrite
Edinburgh Horror Festival
Multiple dates starting Thursday, October 23, Banshee’s Labyrinth, Niddry Street, Edinburgh
The Edinburgh Horror Festival is back this week for its tenth edition. You can catch a bunch of horror shows including Gorelesque, Bird - a comedy horror show about a sinister underground bird sanctuary, Beth Macdonald’s Something Wicked This Way Comes, and so much more!
Browse the full programme on the Edinburgh Horror Festival website
Postcard Collage Lab
Friday, October 24, 6.30 pm, Leith Makers, Leith Walk, Edinburgh
As part of the Postal Exchange exhibition at Leith Makers, a collaborative group exhibition of collage, photography and mixed-media curated by Miriam Morris, the Edinburgh Collage Club is holding a bespoke collage event run by Laura Garrudo. You can collage your own postcard, freestyle collage, or contribute to a living collage wall as part of the exhibition.
Book tickets on Eventbrite
Authors in Conversation with Tom Brogan and Andy Bollen
Friday, October 24, 7 pm, Bothwell Community HUB, Main Street, Bothwell
Join Bothwell Futures for a lively discussion with Tom Brogan and Andy Bollen in conversation with Elissa Soave. Get ready to hear firsthand about their writing process, inspirations, and latest projects. This in-person event is a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow book lovers and dive deep into the world of literature.
Book tickets on Eventbrite
Pitch to Page: How do you make a comic?
Saturday, October 25, 11 am, Fruitmarket, Market Street, Edinburgh
The Tabletop & Graphic Storytelling Festival is back at the Fruitmarket, with talks including this one on comic making. Scripting, compositions, pencilling, inking, colouring, lettering, printing; so much goes into every comic you’ve loved reading. Sit in with veteran comic creators Gustaffo Vargas and Jenny Mure as they chat about the comic-making process. Moderated by La Belle Adventure.
Browse the TAGS programme on their website
Queer Zines with Community in Cupar
Saturday, October 25, 5.15 pm, The Old Parish Centre, Kirkgate, Cupar
Forgan Arts Centre is running a drop-in zine session with Cupar’s regular LGBTQ+ Community Hub. This monthly session is a chance to socialise with other LGBTQ+ people from all ages and backgrounds. At the workshop you’ll have a chance to make your own magazine about queer life in Fife, and head away with copies of it to share too.
Find out more about the event on Facebook
North Bridge: Where We Travelled Book Launch
Saturday, October 25, 5.30 pm, Greyfriars Charteris Centre, Pleasance, Edinburgh
Join a whole host of Edinburgh writers at the Charteris Centre to celebrate the launch of North Bridge: Where We Travelled, a multi-genre anthology by local Edinburgh writers. Part of the North Bridge Legacy Arts programme. The event will feature readings by Elspeth Wilson, Sandy Bennett-Haber, Catherine Wilson Garry, ABS, Zain Rishi, Nazaret Ranea, Lesa Ng, Leilani Taneus-Miller, Sonny, Rachel Gorry and Jeda Pearl, sharing poetry, fiction, SFF, memoir, script and a game!
Book your tickets on Ticket Tailor
Typewronger Open Mic
Sunday, October 26, 7 pm, Typewronger Books, Haddington Place, Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s anarchic open mic is open to artists of all backgrounds and welcomes storytelling, poetry, music, clowning, prose, and whatever your imagination can come up with! The only rule is stop if you hear the gong! Sign ups are open on the door and slots are decided by dividing the 90-minute run time between performers.
Get more information on Eventbrite
The Chicken Coop Writing Group
Tuesday, October 28, 6 pm, Lost in Leith, Commercial Street, Leith
The Chicken Coop Writing group is back at Lost in Leith! This month I’ll be guiding you through open-ended, multi-disciplinary writing exercises and exciting and supportive sharing sessions on a spooky theme. We’re also starting our book swap again, so bring along any books you’d like to donate and discover your next favourite read!
Book tickets on Eventbrite
Flourish Writer’s Playtime
Tuesday, October 28, 7 pm, The Volley, Leith Walk, Edinburgh
Join Flourish Creative Writing Community for the first in the series of ‘Writer’s Playtime’ workshops! The purpose of these workshops is to create a fun, safe environment for you to experiment with your craft and let your imagination roam freely. With a variety of writing games, activites and prompts, you’ll be sure to beat any writer’s block and get back into a writing groove!
Get tickets on Eventbrite
Muted Minds: Transitions
Multiple dates starting Tuesday, October 28, 7 pm, Typewronger Books, Haddington Place, Edinburgh
Muted Minds returns to Typewronger Books for a series of four stand alone sessions that will focus on the theme of Transitions. The sessions will embrace transitions as both tender and transformative, from an angle of discovering what lies ahead, without neccessarily rejecting what no longer resonates with the present. Through a guided process of collaborative writing that will be focused on documentarty poetry, we will seek new ways of seeing ourselves, one another, and the world in flux. No prior writing experience is needed. You will only need to bring yourself and an open mind.
Register for free on Eventbrite
Nature writing for city folks
Wednesday, October 29, 10 am, Calton Hill, Royal Terrace, Edinburgh
Are you a city dweller or visitor looking to (re)connect with nature? Join writer Aileen McKay at Calton Hill to do just that. Gathering from 9.45 am at Greenside Path (where Royal Terrace and Blenheim Place meet), you’ll set out at 10am to explore the nature on and around Calton Hill — guided by prompts and exercises designed to deepen your connection to this beautiful place, on your own terms.
Book tickets on Eventbrite
Sad Song Club
Wednesday, October 29, 7 pm, Sketchy Beats, Great Junction Street, Leith
Songwriters, poets, performers and any artist who wants to share sad work, join the Sad Song Club for an evening of celebrating sadness. Sign ups are open on the door, so pop down early to secure a spot.
Find out more on Facebook
Drafted! The Slam
Wednesday, October 29, 7 pm, The Canons’ Gait, Canongate, Edinburgh
Edinburghs hottest new arts night brings you Drafted! The Poetry Slam! Go see ten poets at the top of their game duke it out for place in the Scottish National Championships, and a paid feature at Drafted’s next show. It’ll be a war of words with everything to fight for! Go cheer on your favourites and find out which poet prevails!
Book tickets on Eventbrite
The Poetry Experiment
Wednesday, October 29, 7 pm, The Alchemy Experiment, Byres Road, Glasgow
Hosted by queer Glaswegian poet Ross Wilcock, The Poetry Experiment is a monthly poetry and storytelling open mic for writers and performers of all stages of the craft. Featuring special guests and collaborations with Scottish arts organisations, The Poetry Experiment is a great space for poets and writers! Bring your pals and enjoy a cosy night of performances!
Get tickets on Humanitix
Write Like A Grrrl Ignite Online
Multiple dates starting Wednesday, October 29, 7 pm, Online
Whether you want to write poetry, fiction, non-fiction or plays then Ignite is for you!
Join Write Like A Grrrl to kickstart your writing journey or reignite that creative spark. During the course, you’ll learn how to tackle that blank page with confidence, develop vivid characters, dialogue, sense of place and make your sentences sing, develop a consistent joyful writing habit—without pressure or need to share writing, and learn in a safe, inclusive space.
Book a space on the Write Like A Grrrl website
Resist to Exist
Thursday, October 30, 7 pm, Online
Join Out-Spoken Press for a workshop and presentation by Shaymaa Elhaloul as she teaches everyone about the evolution of Palestinian poetry from 1948 onwards, exploring symbols and poetry of resistance, diaspora poetics and the birth of new poetry in an ongoing genocide.
Book a space on Eventbrite
Auchterarder Book Festival
Friday, October 31-Saturday, November 1, Auchterarder Picturehouse, Townhead, Auchterarder
The Auchterarder Picturehouse CREW is hosting the Auchterarder Book Festival at the end of this month. There are panels and workshops for writers, including this Poetry workshop from 10.45 am and Gothic writing workshop from 11.45 am, both on Saturday, November 1.
You can browse all of the ABF events on Eventbrite
Howl Prose and Poetry Open Mic Slam
Sunday, November 2, 3 pm, Osteria Baubau, South St John’s Place, Perth
Slam fever is taking over Scotland. Go along to Howl Poetry and Prose’s first spoken word and poetry slam to support more writers and creatives making spoken word magic! The line up is still to be revealed, but I’m pretty sure it’ll be spectacular!
Stay up to date with Howl on Instagram
Open calls for writers and writing
Women Who Submit Call for Submissions: Rain
Women Who Submit are open to submissions of poetry, flash fiction, and essays that explore rain in all its forms. They want work that understands rain as both weather event and emotional landscape. The deadline for submissions is Friday, October 24.
Get more details on the Women Who Submit website
New Writing Scotland is open to submissions for its 44th issue. They’re looking for work from writers based in Scotland or who consider themselves Scottish by birth, upbringing, and inclination. They’re welcoming prose up to 3500 words, check the post for specifics. The deadline to submit is midnight, Friday, October 31.
Get the guidelines and submit on the NWS Submittable
Radical Bookshop Short Story Submissions
Blow the dust off your short stories and send them to RAD. They’re accepting submission for short fiction up to 8,000 words. Rad is a paying market and they want to read your work! The submissions deadline is Friday, October 31.
Get the guidelines on the RAD website
SICK publishes work from folks who are sick/chronically ill/mentally ill/disabled. They’re looking for writing & artwork that thinks through the experience of illness and disability in new ways, or explores a topic that is framed by this experience. While contributions are only accepted from chronically ill and disabled people, your work does not have to explicitly be about illness or disability, but informed by it in some way. The submissions deadline is Friday, October 31.
Read the guidelines on the Sick website
Golden: An ESEA creative and cultural treasury
Golden is a limited edition hardback annual magazine created by and for ESEA communities by MilkTea, Resonate and Juniper by the Sea. Golden captures a year in review, reflecting on the moments, movements, and voices that shape define ESEA communities. Submissions may take the form of essays, interviews, reportage, visual art, creative writing, or other mediums that embody the spirit of Golden: bold, nuanced, and luminous. The deadline for submissions is Friday, October 31. Please note: this opportunity is for East and South East Asian creatives.
Find the guidelines on the MilkTea website
Applications are open for Summerhall Arts Studios! The SAS programme includes a 5-day dedicated creative space, a £3,000 budget, technical support, creative advice, and peer-to-peer or industry sharing. The application deadline is Sunday, November 2 for the February 2026 Studio Week.
Get more information about Summerhall Arts Studio on the Summerhall Arts website
The Edwin Morgan Trust has launched the Open the Doors Fund – a new small grants scheme inspired by the words of Edwin Morgan: ‘Open the doors! Light of the day, shine in; Light of the mind, shine out!’ With grants of up to £1000 available, the EMT aim to open doors for poets and translators based in Scotland by offering financial support towards activities that contribute to their creative or professional development. The deadline for applications is Monday, November 10, at 5 pm.
Get more information on the EMT website
Broken Sleep Books Poetry Pamphlet Submissions
Broken Sleep Books is open to poetry pamphlet submissions until the end of November. They have no definitive preference for submissions, and they enjoy a variety of genres and styles. They’re fine with previously published work in a book, but it isn’t essential, and should preferably not be more than 50% of the full MS. They do accept translations - but please note they do facing-page and would require both the original language and the translated language. The deadline for submissions is Sunday, November 30.
Find the guidelines on the Broken Sleep Books website
The Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize 2026
Now going into its sixteenth year, the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize is renowned for championing and launching the careers of exceptional women writers. With a prestigious legacy spanning 15 years, the prize attracts a wealth of literary talent and is actively seeking submissions that seamlessly blend literary merit with captivating storytelling.
The winner will receive a £1,500 prize, and all shortlisted authors will benefit from a one-on-one consultation with a literary agent at prize sponsor WME, including editorial feedback and invaluable publishing advice. Include a one-paragraph pitch, a one-page synopsis, and the first ten pages of your novel in your PDF file. The submission fee is £12 but some sponsored entries are available. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
Submit to the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize on the Lucy Cavendish College website
Thanks for reading!
Woah, every fortnight this newsletter gets bigger! I hope you all find something fund to do or a place to submit your work in the next couple of weeks.
I’ve been enjoying getting back into workshops and writing groups, hosting A Nice Way With Words and a Spooky Poet Club special last week. I even managed to get some words on paper myself!
I hope to see some of you in the next couple of weeks at Words and Friends, the Chicken Coop Writing Group or the Vulva Monologues Creative Writing Workshop. It’s going to be great to catch up and hear all about your writing!
Until next week, take care of each other,
Naomi
P.s. If you know someone looking for a curious, creative, hilarious and supportive community of writers, share this newsletter with them so they can start writing today!
