Upcoming events
I run a range of in-person creative writing classes in Somerset, as well as online writing workshops. I host a monthly social for writers, attend regular ‘meet the author’ events and create immersive murder mystery events. Get in touch if you’d like me to create a workshop or host a mystery event for your group or workplace.
Advanced creative writing - seven week course
October - December - The Albemarle Centre
Develop your creative writing skills over seven weeks in a small group setting. Includes character development, editing and peer review sessions.
Through Bampfylde’s eyes – a writing walk
Tuesday 3rd November - 10.30am to 12.30pm - Hestercombe Gardens, TauntonHestercombe’s landscape gardens were designed as a sequence of carefully composed views - a form of storytelling through place. In this immersive writing walk, you’ll explore the gardens as intended, stopping at selected viewpoints to take in the scenery and respond through guided exercises.
Monthly writing group
Thursday 5th November - 10am - 12pm - Stacks Lounge, Weston-Super-Mare
This monthly creative writing group is a welcoming, supportive space to focus on your own creativity and get into the habit of writing regularly. Each two-hour session offers a mix of guided writing exercises, playful prompts and time to write, think and explore ideas without pressure or expectation. New themes every month - come as little or as often as you like!
Taunton writers’ social
Thursday 5th November - 7pm to 9pm - The Library, TauntonFriendly, informal social group for writers. Come and join us for a drink and a chat about writing and books. First Thursday of every month at The Library, Taunton. (The pub, not the actual library!)
Murder at the Bookshop
Friday 6th November - 7pm - The Community Waffle House, Axminster
An author event with a difference! What if, instead of hearing an author talk about writing a mystery, you could solve one yourself? Join cosy crime author Jo Middleton for an interactive mini mystery, written especially for bookshops, featuring the characters from her latest novel, Bah Bloody Humbug. Search for clues, examine the evidence and see if you can uncover the culprit before the final reveal.
Murder at the Bookshop
Friday 13th November - 6pm - 7.30pm - Liznojan Books, Tiverton
An author event with a difference! What if, instead of hearing an author talk about writing a mystery, you could solve one yourself? Join cosy crime author Jo Middleton for an interactive mini mystery, written especially for bookshops, featuring the characters from her latest novel, Bah Bloody Humbug. Search for clues, examine the evidence and see if you can uncover the culprit before the final reveal.
Creative writing workshop
Thursday 19 November - 10am to 12pm - The Princess Theatre, Burnham-on-SeaThis monthly creative writing group is a welcoming, supportive space to focus on your own creativity and get into the habit of writing regularly. Each two-hour session offers a mix of guided writing exercises, playful prompts and time to write, think and explore ideas without pressure or expectation. Come as often as you like!
Murder at the Bookshop
Thursday 19th November - 6pm - 7.30pm - Waterstones, Wells
An author event with a difference! What if, instead of hearing an author talk about writing a mystery, you could solve one yourself? Join cosy crime author Jo Middleton for an interactive mini mystery, written especially for bookshops, featuring the characters from her latest novel, Bah Bloody Humbug. Search for clues, examine the evidence and see if you can uncover the culprit before the final reveal.
Murder at the Bookshop
Monday 23rd November - 6.30pm - 8pm - Waterstones, Barnstaple
An author event with a difference! What if, instead of hearing an author talk about writing a mystery, you could solve one yourself? Join cosy crime author Jo Middleton for an interactive mini mystery, written especially for bookshops, featuring the characters from her latest novel, Bah Bloody Humbug. Search for clues, examine the evidence and see if you can uncover the culprit before the final reveal.
Murder at the Bookshop
Thursday 26th November - 7pm - 8.30pm - Waterstones, Taunton
An author event with a difference! What if, instead of hearing an author talk about writing a mystery, you could solve one yourself? Join cosy crime author Jo Middleton for an interactive mini mystery, written especially for bookshops, featuring the characters from her latest novel, Bah Bloody Humbug. Search for clues, examine the evidence and see if you can uncover the culprit before the final reveal.
Monthly writing group
Thursday 3rd December - 10am - 12pm - Stacks Lounge, Weston-Super-Mare
This monthly creative writing group is a welcoming, supportive space to focus on your own creativity and get into the habit of writing regularly. Each two-hour session offers a mix of guided writing exercises, playful prompts and time to write, think and explore ideas without pressure or expectation. New themes every month - come as little or as often as you like!
Taunton writers’ social
Thursday 3rd December - 7pm to 9pm - The Library, TauntonFriendly, informal social group for writers. Come and join us for a drink and a chat about writing and books. First Thursday of every month at The Library, Taunton. (The pub, not the actual library!)
Murder at the Bookshop
Saturday 5th December - 7pm - 8.30pm - Books on the Hill, Clevedon
An author event with a difference! What if, instead of hearing an author talk about writing a mystery, you could solve one yourself? Join cosy crime author Jo Middleton for an interactive mini mystery, written especially for bookshops, featuring the characters from her latest novel, Bah Bloody Humbug. Search for clues, examine the evidence and see if you can uncover the culprit before the final reveal.
Murder Behind the Curtain
Thursday 10th December - 6.30pm - 8.30pm - Great Western Hotel, Taunton
Take a trip back to the 1930s to solve this cold case! A body has been found dead in the theatre ahead of the Christmas show, but can you figure out whodunnit? Bring a team of friends or family and use the evidence and clues provided to build a case that will put the killer behind bars.
Coastal Crime Presents: Watching the Detectives
Saturday 12th December - 11am - 12pm - Southampton Central Library
From amateur sleuths and private investigators to professional detectives, crime fiction gives writers countless ways to uncover not just a mystery, but the world surrounding it. Join AJ Hill, Jo Middleton and JS Morton for a lively conversation about the detectives at the heart of their stories and how crime fiction can shine a light on contemporary social issues, overlooked experiences and voices that aren't always heard.
Murder Behind the Curtain
Saturday 12th December - 6.30pm - 8.30pm - Great Western Hotel, Taunton
Take a trip back to the 1930s to solve this cold case! A body has been found dead in the theatre ahead of the Christmas show, but can you figure out whodunnit? Bring a team of friends or family and use the evidence and clues provided to build a case that will put the killer behind bars.
Murder Behind the Curtain
Tuesday 15th December - 7pm - 9pm - Nottingham Central Library
Take a trip back to the 1930s to solve this cold case! A body has been found dead in the theatre ahead of the Christmas show, but can you figure out whodunnit? Bring a team of friends or family and use the evidence and clues provided to build a case that will put the killer behind bars.
Murder Behind the Curtain
Friday 18 December - 7.30pm to 9.30pm - The Bridgwater Arts CentreTake a trip back to the 1930s to solve this cold case! A body has been found dead in the theatre ahead of the Christmas show, but can you figure out whodunnit? Bring a team of friends or family and use the evidence and clues provided to build a case that will put the killer behind bars.
Monthly writing group
Thursday 7th February - 10am - 12pm - Stacks Lounge, Weston-Super-Mare
This monthly creative writing group is a welcoming, supportive space to focus on your own creativity and get into the habit of writing regularly. Each two-hour session offers a mix of guided writing exercises, playful prompts and time to write, think and explore ideas without pressure or expectation. New themes every month - come as little or as often as you like!
Taunton writers’ social
Thursday 7th January - 7pm to 9pm - The Library, TauntonFriendly, informal social group for writers. Come and join us for a drink and a chat about writing and books. First Thursday of every month at The Library, Taunton. (The pub, not the actual library!)
A Vintage Murder Mystery Workshop
Tuesday 2nd February 2027 - 10.30am to 3.30pm - Hestercombe Gardens, TauntonSpend the day immersed in the world of classic crime, using Hestercombe House as the inspiration for your own vintage-style murder mystery. Through a series of guided, practical exercises, you’ll begin to build the foundations of a compelling whodunnit, from intriguing characters to cunning methods and motives.
Monthly writing group
Thursday 4th February - 10am - 12pm - Stacks Lounge, Weston-Super-Mare
This monthly creative writing group is a welcoming, supportive space to focus on your own creativity and get into the habit of writing regularly. Each two-hour session offers a mix of guided writing exercises, playful prompts and time to write, think and explore ideas without pressure or expectation. New themes every month - come as little or as often as you like!
Taunton writers’ social
Thursday 4th February - 7pm to 9pm - The Library, TauntonFriendly, informal social group for writers. Come and join us for a drink and a chat about writing and books. First Thursday of every month at The Library, Taunton. (The pub, not the actual library!)
Words in Watchet Festival
Saturday 20th February, 7.30pm - 9.30pm, Chives Cafe, WatchetIf you always find yourself shouting at the TV watching Death in Paradise then this is for you! The Friday Murder Club is an interactive, escape-room-in-a-box style murder mystery evening where participants become detectives for the night.
In this mystery you’ll need to grab your best team of detectives to solve the mystery of a missing painting and a death!
Monthly writing group
Thursday 4th March - 10am - 12pm - Stacks Lounge, Weston-Super-Mare
This monthly creative writing group is a welcoming, supportive space to focus on your own creativity and get into the habit of writing regularly. Each two-hour session offers a mix of guided writing exercises, playful prompts and time to write, think and explore ideas without pressure or expectation. New themes every month - come as little or as often as you like!
Taunton writers’ social
Thursday 4th March - 7pm to 9pm - The Library, TauntonFriendly, informal social group for writers. Come and join us for a drink and a chat about writing and books. First Thursday of every month at The Library, Taunton. (The pub, not the actual library!)
Previous events
If you’ve missed any of these but would like something similar for your own group or organisation, just get in touch. I can create bespoke creative writing workshops and mystery events in Taunton and surrounding areas and am always happy to speak at events.
Creative writing workshop
Thursday 22 October - 10am to 12pm - The Princess Theatre, Burnham-on-SeaThis monthly creative writing group is a welcoming, supportive space to focus on your own creativity and get into the habit of writing regularly. Each two-hour session offers a mix of guided writing exercises, playful prompts and time to write, think and explore ideas without pressure or expectation. Come as often as you like!
What’s so cosy about crime?
Saturday 17th October - 2pm - Princess Theatre, Burnham-on-Sea
Why do we find comfort in murder?
Jo Middleton talks about her cosy crime novels, and why having comedy in her books is important to her. She considers why we turn to the predictability of a good cosy crime in difficult times, how we like to see the baddies get their comeuppance, and how to balance comedy and crime in writing.
Editing boot camp
Saturday 10th October 10.30am - 3.30pm - Brewhouse Theatre, Taunton
Got a draft that’s just not quite there yet? This intensive one-day bootcamp is designed to take you through the full editing process, from big-picture redrafting to the finer details of line edits. We’ll break down what actually makes a story work, looking at structure, pacing, tension and character, so you can spot what your writing needs and fix it with confidence.
Flash fiction masterclass
Thursday 8th October - 6.30pm - 8.30pm - Brewhouse Theatre, Taunton
How do you tell a complete, compelling story in just a few hundred words? In this focused and practical masterclass, you’ll explore the craft of flash fiction, where precision, structure and suggestion do the heavy lifting.
The art of words
Tuesday 6th October - 10.30am to 12.30pm - Hestercombe Gardens, TauntonStep inside Hestercombe House and discover how art can unlock new ideas in your writing. In this relaxed, practical workshop, you’ll respond directly to pieces from the collection, using guided exercises to explore character, voice, and atmosphere.
The Art of Murder
Friday 2 October, 6.30 - 8.30pm, The Purplespoon, TauntonIf you always find yourself shouting at the TV watching Death in Paradise then this is for you! The Friday Murder Club is an interactive, escape-room-in-a-box style murder mystery evening where participants become detectives for the night. Each event centres around a bespoke crime dossier packed with witness statements, clues and evidence. There will be a fresh case to solve each time and stamps to collect for every crime you solve.
Taunton writers’ social
Thursday 1 October - 7pm to 9pm - The Library, TauntonFriendly, informal social group for writers. Come and join us for a drink and a chat about writing and books. First Thursday of every month at The Library, Taunton. (The pub, not the actual library!)
Creative writing workshop
Thursday 24 September - 10am to 12pm - The Princess Theatre, Burnham-on-SeaThis monthly creative writing group is a welcoming, supportive space to focus on your own creativity and get into the habit of writing regularly. Each two-hour session offers a mix of guided writing exercises, playful prompts and time to write, think and explore ideas without pressure or expectation. Come as often as you like!
The Friday Murder Club
Friday 18 September - 7pm to 9pm - The Brewhouse, TauntonIf you always find yourself shouting at the TV watching Death in Paradise then this is for you! The Friday Murder Club is an interactive, escape-room-in-a-box style murder mystery evening where participants become detectives for the night. Each event centres around a bespoke crime dossier packed with witness statements, clues and evidence. There will be a fresh case to solve each time and stamps to collect for every crime you solve.
Hestercombe haiku - an autumn poetry walk
Tuesday 15th September - 10.30am to 12.30pm - Hestercombe Gardens, TauntonThink you can’t write poetry? You can definitely manage 17 syllables. This gentle, guided walk through Hestercombe’s formal gardens invites you to slow down, notice the details, and capture them in words.
Writing from art
Friday 11th September, 10.30am - 12.30pm - The Bridgwater Arts CentreWhat happens when you let a painting tell you a story? In this masterclass, you’ll explore how art can unlock new ideas, images and voices in your writing. Using the gallery at Bridgwater Arts Centre as our starting point, we’ll look closely at selected artworks and use them as inspiration for a series of guided writing exercises
Taunton writers’ social
Thursday 3 September - 7pm to 9pm - The Library, TauntonFriendly, informal social group for writers. Come and join us for a drink and a chat about writing and books. First Thursday of every month at The Library, Taunton. (The pub, not the actual library!)
Creative writing workshop
Thursday 27 August - 10am to 12pm - The Princess Theatre, Burnham-on-SeaThis monthly creative writing group is a welcoming, supportive space to focus on your own creativity and get into the habit of writing regularly. Each two-hour session offers a mix of guided writing exercises, playful prompts and time to write, think and explore ideas without pressure or expectation. Come as often as you like!
Taunton writers’ social
Thursday 6 August - 7pm to 9pm - The Library, TauntonFriendly, informal social group for writers. Come and join us for a drink and a chat about writing and books. First Thursday of every month at The Library, Taunton. (The pub, not the actual library!)
The Friday Murder Club
Friday 31st July - 6.30pm - 8.30pm - The Great Western Hotel, Taunton
If you always find yourself shouting at the TV watching Death in Paradise then this is for you! The Friday Murder Club is an interactive, escape-room-in-a-box style murder mystery evening where participants become detectives for the night. Each event centres around a bespoke crime dossier packed with witness statements, clues and evidence. There will be a fresh case to solve each time and stamps to collect for every crime you solve.
Creative writing workshop
Thursday 30 July - 10am to 12pm - The Princess Theatre, Burnham-on-SeaThis monthly creative writing group is a welcoming, supportive space to focus on your own creativity and get into the habit of writing regularly. Each two-hour session offers a mix of guided writing exercises, playful prompts and time to write, think and explore ideas without pressure or expectation. Come as often as you like!
Writing the seven deadly sins
Seven weeks exploring the timeless themes of pride, greed, lust, envy, wrath, gluttony and sloth as inspiration for new writing. Drawing on everything from classic literature and poetry to contemporary culture, participants leave with fresh ideas, new techniques and a deeper understanding of how complex emotions can drive compelling fiction.
May - July 2026 - The Albemarle Centre, TauntonTaunton writers’ social
Thursday 9 July - 7pm to 9pm - The Library, TauntonFriendly, informal social group for writers. Come and join us for a drink and a chat about writing and books. First Thursday of every month at The Library, Taunton. (The pub, not the actual library!)
Creative writing workshop
Thursday 25 June - 10am to 12pm - The Princess Theatre, Burnham-on-SeaThis monthly creative writing group is a welcoming, supportive space to focus on your own creativity and get into the habit of writing regularly. Each two-hour session offers a mix of guided writing exercises, playful prompts and time to write, think and explore ideas without pressure or expectation. Come as often as you like!
How to plan a murder - one day
Saturday 6 June - 10.30am to 4.30pm - The Brewhouse, TauntonHow to Plan a Murder is a one-day masterclass designed to help you build the bones of a compelling crime story. By the end of the day, you will leave with a clear working outline for your own crime novel or short story, plus a toolkit of practical techniques you can keep using as you continue to develop it.
Creative writing workshop
Wednesday 28 May - 10am to 12pm - The Princess Theatre, Burnham-on-SeaThis monthly creative writing group is a welcoming, supportive space to focus on your own creativity and get into the habit of writing regularly. Each two-hour session offers a mix of guided writing exercises, playful prompts and time to write, think and explore ideas without pressure or expectation. Come as often as you like!
The Friday Murder Club
Friday 22 May - 7pm to 9pm - The Brewhouse, TauntonIf you always find yourself shouting at the TV watching Death in Paradise then this is for you! The Friday Murder Club is an interactive, escape-room-in-a-box style murder mystery evening where participants become detectives for the night. Each event centres around a bespoke cold case crime dossier packed with clues, evidence files, character profiles, maps, and timelines. There will be a fresh case to solve each time and stamps to collect for every crime you solve.
Reading Retreat guest author
Saturday 9 May - Evening - The Somerset Reading RetreatI will be the guest speaker at the Somerset Reading Retreat, sharing the story of my career to date and reading from my latest book. Find out more about the Reading Retreats throughout the UK below.
Taunton writers’ social
Thursday 7 May - 7pm to 9pm - The Library, TauntonFriendly, informal social group for writers. Come and join us for a drink and a chat about writing and books. First Thursday of every month at The Library, Taunton. (The pub, not the actual library!)
Creative writing workshop
Wednesday 23 April - 10am to 12pm - The Princess Theatre, Burnham-on-SeaThis monthly creative writing group is a welcoming, supportive space to focus on your own creativity and get into the habit of writing regularly. Each two-hour session offers a mix of guided writing exercises, playful prompts and time to write, think and explore ideas without pressure or expectation. Come as often as you like!
Writing cosy crime
Tuesday 21 April - 7pm to 8.30pm - Online with Writers & ArtistsWhether you want to be the next Richard Osman or Janice Hallett, I will guide you through the key things you need to know to write successfully in the genre in this evening masterclass with Writers & Artists. The session will include top tips on creating believable suspects, clues, and motives and will end with a Q&A.
Taunton writers’ social
Thursday 2 April - 7pm to 9pm - The Library, TauntonFriendly, informal social group for writers. Come and join us for a drink and a chat about writing and books. First Thursday of every month at The Library, Taunton. (The pub, not the actual library!)
Editing: Make your writing shine
Feb - March 2026 - The Albemarle Centre, TauntonA seven-week course covering the full editing process. From redrafting early ideas to capture their essence, through to polishing individual lines so they really shine, this course will guide you every step of the way. Strengthen your writing by understanding the key ingredients that make it work.
Creative Writing Workshop
Wednesday 27 March - 10am to 12pm - The Princess Theatre, Burnham-on-SeaThis monthly creative writing group is a welcoming, supportive space to focus on your own creativity and get into the habit of writing regularly. Each two-hour session offers a mix of guided writing exercises, playful prompts and time to write, think and explore ideas without pressure or expectation. Come as often as you like!
Introduction to comedy writing
January 2026 - OnlineLaughter is one of the most beautiful - and powerful - tools in a writer’s toolkit. Whether you're inspired by the sharp wit of stand-up, the clever twist of sketch, or the heartwarming hilarity of sitcoms, this four-week course is your backstage pass to learning how to make people laugh on the page.
Raw Writing live writing club
Tuesday 9th December 2025 - OnlineJoin us for a light-hearted hour of laughter and creativity in this intro to comedy writing session. We’ll warm up with a few playful, imaginative exercises to get your funny bones firing, explore what makes great comic writing work and you'll have time to share your own witty words with the group. Perfect for anyone who loves to make people laugh or just wants to have a fun, confidence-boosting hour of writing
The seven story archetypes
October - November 2025 - The Albemarle Centre, TauntonA seven-week exploration of the classic story archetypes, this course invites writers to play with the building blocks of narrative, from quests and comedies to tragedies and rebirths. Each session focuses on a different archetype, using a mix of inspiring texts, discussion and imaginative exercises to help you understand how these timeless patterns shape the stories we tell. Whether you’re starting something new or looking to strengthen a work in progress, you’ll leave with a clearer sense of structure, fresh ideas and the confidence to experiment with form in your own writing.
Exploring genre
July - August 2025 - The Brewhouse Theatre, TauntonA six-week course exploring genre as a playground rather than a set of rules, this series invites writers to experiment with different styles and forms, from vivid travel writing and personal memoir to playful interactive fiction. Each session offers a fresh lens on how stories can be told, combining practical exercises with discussion and examples to spark ideas and stretch your range. Whether you’re discovering what suits you or shaking up your usual way of writing, you’ll come away with new techniques, greater versatility and a stronger sense of your own voice.
Improv your way to a killer story
February 2025 - Words in Watchet Festival, WatchetUnlock your inner detective and unleash your creativity in our two-hour Murder by Improv workshop. Whether you're a seasoned writer or just looking for some spontaneous fun, this session is for all abilities. You'll be given props and intriguing prompts to help craft a murder mystery story on the spot. With no preparation required, the only limit is your imagination. Collaborate, improvise and solve as you explore the twists and turns of a whodunnit that unfolds in real time. Come for the mystery, stay for the laughs and leave with a story idea that’s killer.
Writer in residence
Jan - March 2024 - Bridgwater Arts Centre, BridgwaterI was Writer in Residence for three months at the historic Bridgwater Arts Centre, the first ever arts centre to receive Arts Council funding in 1946. The residency explored the idea of community and identity in Bridgwater and included a short series of workshops and a weekly drop-in session for local writers.
Write every day
July - August 2023 - The Brewhouse Theatre, TauntonA six-week course designed to help you build a joyful, sustainable writing habit, Write Every Day is all about taking the pressure off and getting words on the page. Through playful, imaginative exercises and low-stakes prompts, each session encourages you to write little and often, discovering that consistency matters more than perfection. Whether you’re starting from scratch or trying to get back into a rhythm, you’ll leave with a toolkit of ideas, renewed confidence and a daily practice that feels creative, flexible and genuinely enjoyable.