Neurodivergent writer Claire Thomas-Hawnt covers the strengths often exhibited by Autistic writers-worldbuilding, research and attention to detail-and the advantages they bring to writing. She then examines the difficulties they may experience and the benefits of working with these challenges, rather than against them.

This workshop will touch on rejection sensitivity, overwhelm and fatigue, and options for writers at risk of these.

Thursday 26th March, 1 - 2 pm

Online Workshop

£5 session/£3 concessions

Claire Thomas-Hawnt is an ex-participant and current Shadow Writer at Beyond the Spectrum. She was a Writing East Midlands Momentum mentee 2023-24 and writes fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Claire's work has been published by The Guardian, Heroica, t'Art, Sirens Call and others, and her debut novel The Dagger's Reckoning has been shortlisted for two literary awards. Claire writes about memory, identity, ghosts, lies, and salvation. And love, which is in all of those things.

'Words Unwound' is Beyond the Spectrum's 2026 online festival, a week-long series of workshops and talks for writers who want to slow down, reflect, and create in their authentic voice.

The festival runs from Monday 23rd March until Saturday 28th March 2026.

You can explore the full programme of talks, workshops and panels here:

https://beyondthespectrum.uk/product/online-festival-2026/ - Words Unwound: Beyond The Spectrum Online Festival 2026 - Beyond The Spectrum

£30 full-week tickets/£15 concessions

£5 individual sessions/£3 concessions

Note: If you are a participant of our Beyond the Spectrum workshops, please book via the ticket link sent directly to your email.