hire a writer : workshops, shows and panel discussions

Written Off was founded by an ex-English teacher, and lots of our artists are not only fantastic writers and poets, but also experienced workshop facilitators, public speakers and performers. Take a look through our bank of writers below, and if you’d like to work with any of them, hit the button to send us a personalised email outlining your requirements.

Please note: none of our artists work for free. Fees can be negotiated, but please have a budget in mind before contacting us.

Rebecca Kenny

Rebecca Kenny is a former secondary English teacher and is experienced in delivering workshops and creative writing sessions covering many subjects for ages 3-adult. She has a sound understanding of the National Curriculum and can draw on this in workshops.

Rebecca’s workshops often focus on creative poetry composition, oracy skills, using nature to provoke creative composition and tackling emotions and feelings through writing. Most recently, she facilitated a workshop for the Northwich Festival of Arts on the topic of Found Poetry.

Rebecca is also an experienced public speaker, having taken part in panel discussions with Chapel FM and City Lit’s Mental Wealth Festival. Her panel talks are often focused on processing traumatic events, building resilience, tackling toxic positivity and crafting community.

You can read her interview with Exposed Magazine here, and her interview with Bold Journey Magazine here.

Watch her panel discussion with Charlie Parker for Chapel FM here.

Alex Callaghan

Alex Callaghan is an experienced workshop facilitator, having delivered creative sessions across North Yorkshire for adult groups on various topics.

Alex is also an experienced compere and open mic facilitator, running events across Leeds and online. They most recently presented a showcase for Chapel FM’s Writing on Air Festival, in which they helped amplify a range of writers from Written Off’s Ey Up 3 anthology collection.

They also run the popular Leeds event Bone Down, in which poets perform their work in reclaimed public spaces.

You can watch Alex’s work as MC for Rebuilding a Body for Chapel FM here.

Charlie Parker

Charlie Parker is an experienced podcaster, journalist and panel discussion facilitator. He does freelance work for Sheffield’s Exposed Magazine, interviewing artists and engaging in meaningful discussion about their craft and personal lives.

Charlie is also a renters’ rights activist, and has worked extensively with ACORN to help vulnerable people fight for their rights and understand their responsibilities.

Most recently, Charlie facilitated a panel discussion for Chapel FM’s Writing on Air Festival in which he interviewed Written Off’s Rebecca Kenny. His next project is a series of podcasts for Written Off’s Patreon subscribers.

In addition to this, Charlie is a published poet, and is available for interviews, panel talks and presentations on the topics of social justice, rights and politics.