Writer’s Bloc: Patrice Lawrence

Liverpool-based arts organisation Writing on the Wall have announced award-winning author Patrice Lawrence as writer in residence for their next edition of The Writer’s Bloc, a series of online gatherings and workshops dedicated to writing in all its forms.

Patrice Lawrence is an award-winning writer for children, teenagers and adults. Her books include Orangeboy, (shortlisted for the Costa Children’s Book Award and winner of the Bookseller YA Prize and Waterstones Prize for Older Children’s Fiction), Indigo Donut (winner of Bristol Crimefest YA Prize), Rose, Interrupted and Eight Pieces of Silva (Winner of Woman and Home Teen YA). She has also worked for more than 20 years in the not-for-profit sector promoting social justice and equality.

Patrice will join Writing on the Wall (WoW) for four Writer’s Bloc events, starting with ‘In Conversation’ on Monday 25 January, when she will introduce her work and lead into the workshops and ‘Bloc Socials’ as part of her residency. On Thursday 4 February, Patrice will lead a discussion about diversity in publishing with advice on how to get published and work in the industry.

Writer’s Bloc was launched as a virtual space for writers and artists from working class, diverse and underrepresented backgrounds to come together, gain support from professional writers, and build a creative community.

The third public event, ‘Open House’ on Thursday 11 February will give writers the opportunity to share their work with like-minded creatives in a virtual setting and get some feedback to develop their ideas. The final ‘Bloc Party’ session on Friday 12 February will be a closing celebration and a time for Patrice to respond to her WoW residency and hear from participants who have taken part along the way.

Writing on the Wall has played a critical role as one of the longest running writing and literary organisations in the UK. Throughout May, the annual WoWFest literature festival presents an eclectic mix of local, national and international writers, spoken word performers, commentators and artists.

Writer’s Bloc was inspired by two visits by WoW’s co-Directors, Mike Morris and Madeline Heneghan, to the writing centres 826 Valencia, in New York and San Francisco, founded by novelist Dave Eggers, and Fighting Words in Dublin, founded by Booker Prize winner Roddy Doyle. The project was launched as a virtual space for writers and artists from working class, diverse and underrepresented backgrounds to come together, gain support from professional writers, and build a creative community.