David
Hartley
The Worldbuilder Workshop
~ Leeds Lit Fest, 6th June 2026 ~
~ The Carriageworks Theatre, Leeds ~
I'm bringing my Worldbuilder Workshop to Leeds Lit Fest in early June. Craft your own island realm across two hours and then write stories and poems of the people & creatures who live there. All materials provided, and you get to take your creations home with you.
A writing workshop that emphasises fun, play, and imagination. Creative Writing beginners are absolutely welcome, as are those who are more experienced with the craft of literature. We go from a blank page to a fully realised island world, and you'll be amazed what you'll end up creating.
Who knows where this could lead? Come and awaken your inner Tolkien and let's make worlds together!
N.B.; This is the 'Worldbuilder' one-off workshop in Leeds. If you're looking for the three-part version in New Mills, taking place in July & August, click here!
Writer, Performer, Artist, Editor, Tutor
I write strange stories about strange things for strange people. I am preoccupied by animals, neurodiversity, folklore, and untapped possibilities of storytelling forms. I've performed my work within bus stations, ancient libraries, decaying edgelands, a Swedish train station, and among a forest of tattooed bodies. I have collaborated with spectral musicians, Estonian performance artists, and a plant orchestra. I'm always interested in creative partnerships. Get in touch with me below.
~ PhD Creative Writing, University of Manchester
~ Fauna (Fly on the Wall Press) - short story collection
~ Incorcisms (Arachne Press) - short(er) story collection
~ Writer-in-Residence: Tartu, Estonia, 2024: 'The Forest of Ink & Skin'
~ Lead artist: 'The Embassy of Utopia', Festival of Libraries 2024 & 2025
~ Workshop Tutor for 'Beyond the Spectrum' with Writing East Midlands
~ Editor: Obscura: New Uncanny Tales (Comma Press)
~ Former lecturer in Creative Writing, The University of Manchester
Picture: Nic Chapman
Sample Stories
