HBC x The Courtyard Writing Pop-up

Tonight, HBC tried something a little different and it turned out to be something really fun! In collaboration with The Courtyard, we hosted our very first Writing Pop-Up which brought together readers and writers alike for an evening centred around getting words down on the page (laptop, or notebook!).

Book clubs are, of course, built around stories. We spend so much time discussing the works other people create, but this event shifted the focus slightly. Some were writing for pleasure, some writing for purpose but everyoe was there to get something done in a shared environment.

The idea behind the Writing Pop-Up was simple in that we wanted to create a relaxed, welcoming environment where people could come together socially, chat over a drink, and then settle into some dedicated writing time. No pressure. No expectations. No requirement to share work aloud. Just space that can be surprisingly hard to find in everyday life.

And that simplicity really worked as there was no ‘right’ way to take part, and that felt important. We did discuss whether we shoudl share our goals or intentions and it was decided that was down to the individual and that actually, it wasn’t about goals, just space to work.

One of the nicest parts of the evening was meeting people who identify as writers as well as readers. HBC has always been about building community through books, but this event reminded me that reading and writing are so deeply connected. Readers often become writers. Writers are almost always readers. Bringing those groups together created a different kind of conversation and it was one full of shared creativity.

The atmosphere at The Courtyard helped enormously too. Relaxed and welcoming, it felt like the perfect setting for an event like this. We’re so grateful to them (and to James for hosting and the staff on the night supporting in particular!) for collaborating with us and helping bring the evening to life.

What stood out most was how refreshing it felt to slow down. We constantnly have to be productive and ‘on’ there was something quietly powerful about a group of people simply writing. Heads down. Drinks and pizza nearby.

It also felt exciting to see Harborne Book Club continue to evolve. While our monthly book discussions remain at the heart of what we do, events like this show that there are so many ways to build meaningful literary communities. Not every gathering has to look the same and sometimes trying something new opens the door to entirely new connections. This was my thought when I first begain the Chapters Unfold part of HBC which is the space and events beyond those monthly meetings.

Judging by the response, this definitely won’t be the last Writing Pop-Up.

A huge thank you to everyone who came along, wrote with us and made the evening what it was. I certainly left feeling inspired and already looking forward to the next one.