Margaret Cavendish Mind Lab
For young writers in Bolsover
The Margaret Cavendish Mind Lab Project
In partnership with the English Heritage Trust, Junction Arts and the University of York.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The Margaret Cavendish Mind Lab Project is designed to be a true celebration of imagination and self-expression, inviting young writers aged 10-25 to delve into the creative legacy of its titular duchess.
Once a month, participants join Lead Writer Tyler Turner and Shadow Writers Ellie Sharpe and Emma Birdie for creative writing workshops filled with joy, wonder and exploration. Young writers are invited to respond to Margaret Cavendish’s bold ideas and reimagine them for themselves. Through these sessions based at Bolsover Castle, the story of this historical figure, whose views resonate with creatives to this day, has been reintroduced to and revitalised in the imaginations of young people.
Scroll down to find out about the Lead and Shadow Writers working on this project. Or click the button below if you know a young person in Bolsover who’d be interested in signing up.
Tyler Turner
LEAD WRITER
Tyler Turner is a writer and PhD student researching poetics and identity in the British coalfields. Find her work via: tylerturnerwrites.wordpress.com
Ellie Sharpe
SHADOW WRITER
Ellie Sharpe is a writer, poet, musician, and comedian. Her work explores themes of identity, gender, and sexuality through a fundamentally queer and trans perspective. She dives deep into the intimacy of single moments and the truths that are exposed when we struggle to connect with one another. She is based in Nottingham where she lives with her girlfriend, son, and a cat named Griffin who hates her.
Emma Birdie
SHADOW WRITER
Emma is a young writer based in North Derbyshire, who is a past member of Writing East Midlands’ WEMterns Programme. After graduating from the University of York, she is continuing to develop her creative practice with a focus on the natural world. Her work is rooted in a sense of place, with an interest in queerness and folklore in all of their definitions. As well as having work featured in Hardwick Hall and the Reddihough Galleries she is also working to develop as a workshop facilitator, as she hopes to help everyone to explore their creativity whatever their background.
