Do you remember your first act of rebellion? The first time you stood up for something you believed in? The first time you said ‘no’?

In this workshop- based on Yara’s practice writing political novels that incorporate her mothers’ experiences fighting Brazil’s military dictatorship- we’ll swap stories of rebellion, resistance, and political awakenings from across generations and write them up as short stories, poems or monologues. Together, we’ll create a small archive of socialist resistance across places and times, and learn about each others’ experiences.

Come to this workshop with your mum, daughter, father, auntie or friend – or come alone and we’ll pair you with someone of a different generation.

This event is free to attend / Pay What You Decide on the day, but spaces are limited, so we recommend saving your seat in advance by booking a ticket here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/burnley-words/t-zzyalqn

We’ll end with a small sharing for all who’d like to.

Yara Rodrigues Fowler is a writer from South London. Her first novel, Stubborn Archivist, was longlisted for the Desmond Elliot and Dylan Thomas Prizes and shortlisted for the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year 2019. there are more things was shortlisted for the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction 2022 and the Goldsmiths Prize 2022. Yara was chosen as a Granta Best of Young British Novelist in 2023. Yara is also a part-time organiser.

English PEN is one of the world’s oldest human rights organisations. The founding centre of PEN International, a worldwide writers’ association with 147 centres in more than 100 countries, it protects freedom of expression whenever it is under attack, supports writers facing persecution around the world, and celebrates contemporary international writing.