Join poet Janette Ayachi for a creative writing workshop exploring fire as both a literal & metaphorical force – destruction & renewal, love & loss, desire & transformation – while creating a safe, creative space for participants to reflect on their own inner fires. 

What to expect

An intimate and life-affirming creative writing workshop. We will have pens and paper but feel free to bring your own writing material.

Introduction & Reading (15 mins): A short reading from QuickFire, Slow Burning to set the tone — fire as illumination, resilience & sacred responsibility.

Guided Discussion (15 mins): On how fire, heat & light manifest in our emotional lives & creative processes — how we sustain warmth in community & art.

Writing Exercises (45 mins):

Ignition: writing from spark — what lights us up?

Burning: writing through intensity, transformation or conflict.

Ash: writing from aftermath — what remains, what renews.
Sharing & Closing Reflection (15 mins): A chance to read excerpts & discuss how we can carry creative heat through the winter.

Booking
We only have capacity for a limited number of people in the archive, so please book in advance. If you are unable to attend, please let us know so we can offer your place to someone else.

Venue & Accessibility
The event is located at the Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive in Edinburgh Palette. There is information on how to get to us on public transport and by car, along with access information, on our location and accessibility page.

Any other questions
Please email us: themenaces@lavendermenace.org.uk