Mental illness is on the increase and particularly common among creatives.

At the BFS we want to help you look after yourself, so this quarter’s BFS Online event is dedicated to protecting your mental health, finding ways to keep writing and creative safe spaces. Join us on Saturday 16^th November for panels, interviews and readings.

Introduction & Welcome (10–10:10am)

Panel 1 (10:10–11:10am): Mental Health & A Writing Career. Being a creator can be stressful, especially if it’s not your only job. How do you keep your mental health in check while slogging away at the writing desk? How do you handle lone working and negative reviews? And where do you turn when you need help? Join moderator E.M. Faulds and panellists V. Castro, Kirby Ezekiel, and Lucy A. McLaren to answer these questions. Find out more about our panel here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/bfs-online-writing-and-mental-health-mental-health-and-a-writing-career/.

Readings (11:15–11:40am):  Eugen Bacon (11:15–11:25am),  Tom Johnstone (11:30–11:40am)

Break (11:40–12:10pm)

Author Interview (12:15–1:15pm): BFS Chair Shona Kinsella interviews author and mental health champion Dave Jeffery. Find out more about our interviewee here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/bfs-online-writing-and-mental-health-interview-with-dave-jeffery/.

Reading (1:20–1:30pm): Helen Claire Gould

Lunch (1:30–2pm)

Reading (2:15–2:25pm): Marie Sinadjan

Panel 2 (2:30–3:30pm): Writer’s Block. At one time or another, almost every writer stumbles over writer’s block. Is it caused by doubt, plot problems, external factors like stress or depression? Why do we struggle to overcome its nefarious grasp on our psyche? How can we turn a barrier into productivity? Join moderator Eleanor Pender and panellists Beth Barany, Villimey Mist, and Phil Williams to examine this frustrating ailment and see if we can’t find a way through. Find out more about our panel here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/bfs-online-writing-and-mental-health-writers-block/.

Reading (3:35–3:45pm): Catherine McCarthy

Break (3:45–4pm)

Panel 3 (4–5pm): Writing Grief, Sex & Violence. Grief, sex and violence are a part of the human experience, for good or for ill. As a writer, how do you take care of yourself while writing characters and scenes exploring these themes? What can you do to ensure you’re handling these topics respectfully on the page? Join moderator PS Livingstone and panellists Gretchen Felker-Martin, Virginia McClain, and Scott J. Moses for an in-depth discussion. Find out more about our panel here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/bfs-online-writing-and-mental-health-writing-grief-sex-violence/.

Reading (5:05–5:15pm): James Marshall

Open mic (5:20–6pm): A get-together at the end of the day and an opportunity to catch up with all your writing community pals.

For more information on our fabulous readers and where to buy their books, click here.

Please note: You should receive a confirmation email when you buy your ticket, plus a second email with the Zoom link to join. If you don’t, please contact Pam via email: onlineevents@britishfantasysociety.org