Pens & Friends

09/01/2025

"You want [books]?! Come and get [books]!" - Leonidas I of Sparta

We've just received 45 boxes of books, currently being opened and priced and put on our shelves.

08/01/2025

In our last workshop we performed an exercise to write a 200 word piece using only 50 words. Since then I discovered this by Rudyard Kipling published in 1903. I'm not sure if it meets the criteria of our exercise, but it is a powerful piece where the repetition is heavy and meaningful. I thought I'd share if anyone feels like commenting.

03/01/2025

Happy new year everyone! As it's my first day back from a lengthy stay in the UK, I wanted to say thank you to everyone who took part in the workshop given by Anthony Balkwill. I felt that the discussion and workshop was a success, despite the cold creeping in. The exercises we undertook felt challenging, but brought about some interesting results. We are currently booked with a private presentation tomorrow 4/1/2025, but I'm looking forward to hosting some more events following that. With that in mind, if anyone is interested in presenting a workshop or event, please get in touch with me and we can make arrangements.

14/12/2024

Our Reading Garden is looking plush and ready for our creative writing workshop this afternoon! Looking forward to seeing everyone that signed up at 14:30!

21/11/2024

Creative Writing Workshop! On Saturday the 14th of December author Antony Balkwill is hosting a workshop on how to get motivated and start writing. Tony is a long time visitor and friend of the bookshop and has published multiple books including "Benny and the Dead Scientists" and his latest "The Teratsia Experiment" which has just been released. This event will be hosted at the bookshop and places will be limited so please contact me by message here or on [email protected] to reserve your place. Attendees are asked to arrive at about 14:30 with the workshop starting at 15:00. The session should last between 2 and 3 hours. Remember to bring your preferred writing tools!

18/11/2024

I just wanted to throw out a massive THANK YOU to everyone that attended and responded to our event on Saturday! Although some could not attend we still appreciated your support and we hope to see you at future events. Currently I am talking to our member Anthony Balkwill about a workshop we are planning in December (date to be confirmed) around how to get started with creative writing. If you're like me, I find it easy to drop myself in the middle of a story but the opening words feel like a mountain made of broken glass. This event will include activities and a workshop on how to get over that initial hump and motivations to write. If you are interested in taking part please let me know, but I will be confirming all details and setting up an event and announcement once everything is clearer.

16/11/2024

On the 29th of November we will be hosting Antonios Noxis who will be presenting the incredible culmination of his journey to becoming a published author and illustrator. The Illustrated Bestiarium is a gorgeously illustrated compendium of the animals, creatures, beasts and ecosystem of the planet Rhaea, with over 170 colour pages detailing their anatomy and behaviour. We have been unable to stop turning the pages of this book since we first had it in our hands. It has excited our inner child and curiosity, and we hope you'll join us to listen to Antonios talk about how he started this as a child himself and grew with it into the talented and recognised artist he is today.
Tickets to the event are free, but places are limited.

15/11/2024

Good afternoon everyone! Just confirming that tomorrow's Creative Writing meeting is on for 15:00. We look forward to meeting and seeing everyone. Just a little note, everyone is welcome to bring their own drinks such as coffee and tea, though some refreshments and snack items will also be available. Anyone that wants to is also welcome to enjoy a glass of wine however you must bring your own and your own glasses in that case as we are not allowed to serve alcohol. As we'll be using the garden at the bookshop, please also be aware that we will be outside so please be mindful of the weather.

18/10/2024

We've created a page for the Creative Writing Group, please join Pens & Friends at the link below for announcements and news!
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567173477535

The Literary and Creative Writing group around the Academic & General Bookshop in Larnaca

15/10/2024

Our first event is taking place on the 16th of November at 15:00 at the Academic and General Bookshop at 41 Ermou Street in Larnaca. This will be a meet-and-greet with very loose structure for everyone interested to meet other members and discuss ideas and how the group may progress.

12/10/2024

Welcome to the page for the creative writing club started by the Academic & General Bookshop in Larnaca. Here we'll be publishing information regarding events including presentations, discussions, workshops, book clubs and other social and online events.