WORKSHOPS

As an acclaimed author of history and memoir, Yves teaches several writing workshops. To bring these to your venue, please enquire at yves.rees@pm.me.

history writing 101

Time: 2hrs

History matters. The stories we tell about the past shape the present and future. We should therefore write histories that people want to read. History is also an artform in its own right. We can and should be creative and push the boundaries of that artform—for political and aesthetic reasons. Yet histories are also true stories that must remain true to the archival record—a record that is frustratingly incomplete and which itself serves the interests of power. Historians hence face a unique creative challenge: how to write histories that are compelling, artful but also true? To dive into this question, join award-winning historian Yves Rees to explore practical strategies to bring the past to life on the page.

“It was an absolute joy to have you run that workshop yesterday. All reviews were five stars” — Monica Cronin, Kingston Libraries

MEMOIR & ETHICS: WRITING TRUTH WITH CARE

Time: 3hrs

Memoir is a powerful genre, it can illuminate hidden truths, challenge dominant narratives, and offer profound personal insight. But writing about real lives, including your own, raises important ethical questions. How do we balance honesty with respect? What happens when your truth may cause harm? Where is the line between storytelling and betrayal?

In this thought-provoking workshop, acclaimed memoirist Yves Rees will guide you through the ethical complexities of life writing. You will explore key questions around consent, responsibility, truthfulness, and the consequences of sharing personal or sensitive stories - both for yourself and the people in your life.

Through discussion, case studies, and writing exercises, you will begin to develop your own ethical framework for memoir. Whether you're just starting out or deep into a draft, this session will give you the tools to navigate the grey areas of truth-telling with greater confidence, clarity, and care.