ONCE UPON A NOW WORKSHOP

Part of Leeds Lit Fest 2026. See the full programme at https://www.leedslitfest.co.uk/

'Once Upon a Now' is a creative poetry and storytelling workshop led by F R Kesby, author of 'Here Be Monsters'. In this session, participants will explore myths, fairytales and legends from across cultures and history, then rewrite and reshape them for a modern age. Using prompts, discussion and guided exercises, you'll experiment with retelling familiar stories in ways that reflect contemporary concerns, perspectives and voices. Whether you're drawn to poetry, prose or spoken storytelling, the workshop invites you to play with tradition, challenge old narratives and create something new that speaks to the world we live in today. No prior writing experience is required.

F R Kesby is a poet, performer and linguist from Leeds who aims to challenge the status quo with their work. Their pamphlet 'Shul' was published by Maytree Press and their collection 'Here Be Monsters' is out now from Stairwell Books.