Pike Ward was an extraordinary Devonian who became a hugely important figure in the history of modern Iceland. His story had been forgotten until his diaries and photographs were discovered by Katherine Findlay in 2016. At this event, Katherine and Westcountry writer and actor Edward Rowe will give an insight into their project to dramatise…

To celebrate International Women’s Day and the beginning of Quay Words and Poetry Africa’s programme we are offering this free networking event. This is a chance for women writers from the UK and South Africa to meet, discuss their work and issues that matter to them. The event will be facilitated by Quay Words Writer-in-Residence…

Philip Marsden will  be reading from his most recent book The Summer Isles: A Voyage of the Imagination,the account of a single-handed sailing trip up the west coasts of Ireland and Scotland. As well as chronicling the challenges of keeping the boat afloat in tricky waters, Marsden explores wider themes of mythical islands and the more…

Join us as acclaimed novelist and writer Nikesh Shukla explores themes of personal heritage and identity in his memoir, Brown Baby. More details about this event will be released soon – book now! **** Nikesh Shukla is a novelist, short story writer, editor, film writer and has written for the Guardian, Esquire, Buzzfeed, Vice and BBC…

Poet Richard Skelton will read from his new book-length poem Stranger in the Mask of a Deer set in the Late Palaeolithic, with dreamlike evocations of landscape, community, the deep past. ***** Richard Skelton is a writer, musician and publisher from Lancashire in northern England. His work is deeply focused on landscape and our relationship with the natural…

Join us as poet John Wedgwood-Clarke treats us to a reading from his project Red River. More details about this event coming soon, book your place now! ***** John Wedgwood Clarke is an award-winning poet. His poetry collections include Ghost Pot (2013) and Landfill (2017), both of which explore place, ecology and science. He presented…

Join us as we celebrate the launch of poet and academic Elizabeth-Jane Burnett’s next collection, Of Sea, published by Penned in the Margins.   This event will be live-streamed on Crowdcast. Save your seat today! ***** Elizabeth-Jane Burnett is an author, academic and founder of Grow Your Own Creativity. A writer of English and Kenyan heritage,…

Don’t Build Fires on the Backs of Big Fish.  We all know the story, right? Sailor meets island. Island turns out to be a big fish. Fish drowns sailor. It’s a tale as old as time, recurring throughout the ages in different cultures and countries across the world, including ‘The Whale’ of the Exeter Book….

Following on from World Book Day we’ll be welcoming Tom Mclaughlin to the Custom House to celebrate with an event that’s suitable for the whole family.In his event Tom will be talking about his journey as a dyslexic kid, to best-selling author, reading from his books, as well as demonstrating live illustration and giving drawing…

Quay Words is joined by Exeter City Supporters Trust and sports writer David Goldblatt to discuss the importance of Exeter City FC being a supporter owned football club. Join us for a discussion on the importance of democratic ownership in sport, how communities can be involved with their club and how football supports the wellbeing…