The Worldbuilder Workshop

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

A Creative Writing Workshop with David Hartley

Create an entire world in two hours with this playful creative writing workshop. Join writer David Hartley as he guides you from a blank page to a fully-realised island realm, discovering stories and legends along the way. You'll write about your islanders; their hopes and fears, their dreams and destinies, their songs and fables. At the end of the workshop, you can take your island home to use as the basis for more creativity.

All materials provided, but feel free to bring notepads, pens, and any manner of colourful stationery that you have to hand. Suitable for ages 16+.

David Hartley is a short fiction writer and creative writing tutor based in the Peak District. His short story collection Fauna was published by Fly on the Wall Press and was shortlisted for the Edge Hill Prize. He gained a PhD in Creative Writing from the University of Manchester, and was cohost on the Autism Through Cinema podcast. He can be found on Instagram at @DHartleyWriter and at davidhartleywriter.com.