Autistic author, naturalist and TV presenter Chris Packham hosts our keynote speech as part of Beyond the Spectrum's online creative writing festival of 2026, Words Unwound.

A celebration of Autistic writing but open to all, the festival explores writing for joy over productivity. Words Unwound will touch on writing as rest, stories as a source of connection, slowing down to reflect and creation in your authentic voice. As such, Chris Packham's keynote speech will touch on some of these elements and more.

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.