Writing Wrongs was founded in 2016 by a group of writers who wanted to stay connected after completing a series of creative writing courses. Since then, it has grown into a vibrant, supportive and inspiring group with its members achieving success in publishing, performance, and competitions. The group’s greatest achievement, however, is that it has helped empower each of its members to grow in confidence and skill.
Several founding and long-standing members are still actively involved, and from time to time, Writing Wrongs welcomes newcomers who bring fresh ideas and perspectives, creating a dynamic mix of experience and innovation that enriches the work of all involved.
About us
Latest News and Events
Writing Wrongs at the 2026 Byres Road Book Festival
Following the success of its all-day programme at last year’s Byres Road Book Festival, Writing Wrongs was invited to stage an even more ambitious event for the 2026 festival. Once again, this year’s event took place at the University of Glasgow’s Byres Community Hub in the Clarice Pears Building on Saturday 26th September.
Workshops, special guests and readings
After registration, coffee and an introduction to the day, the packed programme featured workshops on Self-Publishing with Lorraine Queen, author of Just One Little Pill; A Guide to the Landscape of Writing Improvement led by Terry Brennan; Writing a Memoir led by Michael Goodman, and Hints on Finding Inspiration led by Keith Moore.
Special guests included author Karen Campbell, who discussed her bestselling novel Paper Cup and latest release, This Bright Life in an interview with Lorraine Queen, and actor Colin McCredie chaired a panel discussion and audience Q&A.
Two Open Mic sessions were among the day’s highlights, giving attendees the opportunity to read stories and poems submitted in advance. The readings were well received, with particular praise for participants from the Memoir and Inspiration workshops who shared pieces they had written spontaneously on the day.
A complimentary buffet lunch gave everyone time to meet fellow writers and exchange experiences and ideas in the spacious, comfortable and conducive surroundings of the Byres Community Hub. Information on Creative Writing Courses at Glasgow University was also available.
The inaugural flash fiction competition
Actor Colin McCredie hosted the announcement of the winners of the inaugural Denis Robertson-Sullivan Flash Fiction Competition. We were delighted by both the number and quality of the submissions, and our judging panel faced the challenge of reaching its final decisions, the details of which are available below.
As the winner and two runners-up were unable to attend, members of Writing Wrongs read their entries aloud. You can read the stories and listen to a recording of the award-winning Trick or Treat by Kate Sloan, read by the author by clicking on the link below.
In the final session of the day, Colin McCredie also hosted the Q&A with our distinguished panel: Dr Katy Hastie, University of Glasgow Subject Coordinator for History, Politics, Philosophy, Literature, Creative Writing and Film; author Linda Duncan McLaughlin; Rani Dhanda, founder, consultant and trainer at Inclusive Junction; and Frank Chambers, author, co-founder of Battlefield Writers and editor of its renowned anthologies.
Thanks and acknowledgements
Our thanks go to everyone who helped make the day such a success. We could not have delivered such an ambitious event without the stellar support of:
-
Deborah Murray, Eleanor Plackett and Mac Spencer at Visit West End
-
The Byres Community Hub’s indefatigable Susan O’Donnell, ably supported by Callum Sinclair and Lorraine Waddell, and assisted by Zone 1 Facilities and Shaofen Xu
-
Orangery Group Caterers, Regis Banqueting and Rani Dhanda for coffee break refreshments and buffet lunch
-
The Pears Foundation Byres Hub Community Fund for their financial support
-
All our special guests, and all who attended the event, submitted a competition entry or read at the Open Mic.
-
And of course, members of the Writing Wrongs group
It's hard to imagine how we can improve on such a memorable day in 2027, but we fully intend to try.
You can read the three winning Flash Fictions and hear Kate Sloan read her winning entry here
See photos and feedback on the Writing Wrongs Event here
Denis Robertson-Sullivan Flash Fiction Competition
We were delighted by the overwhelming response to the first ever Denis Robertson-Sullivan Flash Fiction Competition, and truly enjoyed reading all the submissions.
Entries were sent to the judging panel identified only by the title of the entrants’ work. The volume of high-quality submissions made the final decision incredibly difficult for our judges.
For those who did not place in the first three, please know that this outcome reflects the intense competition and limited slots, rather than the merit of your writing. Condensing a narrative into flash fiction is a unique art form, and we very much appreciate the time, creativity, and effort everyone put into their submissions.
As is customary, the winners were announced in reverse order at the Writing Wrongs all-day event at the West End Book Festival on Saturday 26th September by popular Scottish actor Colin McCredie.
In 3rd position, receiving:
* A Book Token
* Their story to be published in the 2027 Writing Wrongs Anthology and the Writing Wrongs website
Julie Heron “Rain Check”
As Julie was not present, “Rain Check was read out by Writing Wrongs member Michael Goodman, and her book token will be sent to her with our congratulations.
In 2nd position, receiving:
* A Book Token
* Their story to be published in the 2027 Writing Wrongs Anthology and the Writing Wrongs website
Kate Sloan “Agnes Speaks Her Mind”
As Kate was not present, “Agnes Speaks Her Mind” was read out by Writing Wrongs member Keith Moore, and her book token will be sent to her with our congratulations.
And in first place, the winner of the 2026 Denis Robertson-Sullivan Flash Fiction Award
Kate Sloan “Three Sheets” (aka “Trick or Treat”)
Who receives:
* A Book Token
* Their story to be published in the 2027 Writing Wrongs Anthology
* Their story to be published on Writing Wrongs website
AND the 2026 Denis Robertson-Sullivan Flash Fiction Award.
As Kate was not present, ““Three Sheets” was read out by Writing Wrongs member Terry Brennan, and her award and book token will be sent to her with our congratulations.
Special thanks to Colin McCredie for hosting the award ceremony, the Open Mic and Guest Panel on the day and to all who entered the competition.
You can read the three winning Flash Fictions and hear Kate Sloan read her winning entry here
See photos and feedback on the Writing Wrongs Event here
Lorraine Queen's debut novel
Howard Odoms is just one of the virile American servicemen stationed thousands of miles from home. They find themselves in a sleepy holiday destination in Scotland,which has become a strategic submarine base during the Cold War. The sailors don't want to fit in, and the locals don't want to make room for them. The exceptions are young women, who ache for some fun and excitement - which the Americans are happy to provide.
Of all the bars in Dunoon, the Anchor Bar is one of the few that will serve Americans- and the only one that will admit coloured servicemen like Howard. Amid the girls flocking to town to bag themselves American boyfriends, the barmaids in the Anchor have prime position, with a clientele all to themselves.
Howard likes sex. He's good at it and is happy to practice his talent whenever the opportunity arises. It's the one pastime that makes it bearable to be stationed in a place where he's persecuted for the colour of his skin.
He intends to return to America the instant this posting is up. He's not going to let anything get in the way of that - not his besotted girlfriend nor her plan to keep him for herself. Any mistakes will remain behind in Scotland.
But the best-laid plans are subject to human error. And as Howard discovers, the past is a hard thing to bury...
Just One Little Pill by Lorraine Queen. Available online at Amazon.co.uk, Waterstones, and all good bookstores
2025 Byres Road Book Festival
Click on the image to see photographs and a full 'flipbook' report on the Writing Wrongs full-day event at the Byres Road Book Festival (including what happened when the fire alarm went off!).
Thanks to everyone who attended. Going by the feedback (which you will see on the report), we will certainly be back again next year, and may even announce another event before that.
Links to some of our members' writing
Our members submit work to the group throughout the year. Here are some examples, including pieces which have been published.
Other News and Events
Goodbye to a founding member
Denis Robertson Sullivan 1945-2026
Every individual is multi faceted and no matter how long or how well we know someone, there will always be parts of their lives and personality that are unknown to us.
Today we say a final goodbye to Denis, who to our writing community over the past eleven years has been a friend, colleague and mentor. We who have been lucky enough to enjoy his company during those years miss him enormously.
To us he was a creative and prolific writer, always keen to give helpful feedback to others and someone with boundless energy whose enthusiasm could pick you up, dust you down and send you off with a spring in your step.
Of the four novels he wrote during the years with Writing Wrongs, each were clever and entirely different from each other. The first and to us the best known is The Accidental Patriot. It is a stunning epic that is with a professional editor right now. We very much look forward to reading the finished book and are only sorry that Denis won’t be here to enjoy the success of one of the final accomplishments of this facet of a truly remarkable life.
Writing Wrongs 17th January 2026