Join us for our weekly Reading Round, led by Brian McAvera, celebrated playwright, art historian, critic and curator!
Sessions run every Friday from 10.30am -12.30am at the Golden Thread Gallery during term time, with breaks on national holidays. All sessions are free, with complimentary refreshments available each week.

What is The Royal Literary Fund ‘Reading Round’ and why is it different from other Reading Groups?

The Royal Literary Fund ‘Reading Round’ is a network of reading groups across the UK. Each group is run by former Fellows, all published authors of literary merit. The group leaders (the RLF calls them Lectors) may be playwrights, poets, or writers of fiction or non-fiction, and all are able to offer a unique, writerly perspective on the texts under discussion.

There is no preparatory reading or homework. Instead, each week you will listen to at least two different pieces of writing (such as short stories, poems, short plays or non-fiction such as art or theatre reviews and articles). Photocopies of these texts will be given to you for free. The text is then discussed at length and in depth. Guided by the ‘Lector’ you consider the texts in detail, looking at tone, choice of words, viewpoint, the effect of a certain image or turn of phrase, and so on.

Although anyone can come to the group, as the Lector is both a playwright and an art critic/historian/curator, there will be an emphasis on theatrical texts and texts on the visual arts so this Belfast group will be of particular interest to those of you who are working in, or stimulated by, both the visual arts and the theatre. Brian McAvera will be running the sessions as Lector and is a playwright, director, art critic, curator and art historian.

Applicants will be sent further information once they confirm their interest in the scheme.

How do I sign up?

– Email [email protected] marking it ‘Reading Round for the attention of Catherine.’

– Confirm that you are happy to sign up for thirty 90 minute sessions.

– Give us a contact address, phone number and email.