Help us to haunt Bensham Grove’s historic library by sinking into the chilling traditions and techniques of the classic Christmas ghost story. We’ll consider the tension in Victorian tales of haunted houses and restless spirits along with more modern supernatural stories of wintry unease, and explore what makes a ghost story truly frightening. We’ll question why the festive season – including the dead days – has such a long and fascinating association with the supernatural.

We’ll examine how to create a ghostly atmosphere and build suspense and consider the shadow that binds the protagonist to the ghosts they conjure. We’ll dream up intriguing mysteries and revelations to create a haunting that stays with the reader long after the final page.

Through discussion, creative exercises and practical writing activities, you’ll create your own ghost story for Christmas, experimenting with chill winter landscapes, isolation, odd visitors, family secrets and things that perhaps should have remained buried.

Whether you love ghostly tales from Charles Dickens, M. R. James, Algernon Blackwood and Shirley Jackson or contemporary supernatural fiction, this writing course will help you to develop the skills to create your own eerie festive tale.

This course is suitable for beginning and emerging witch-lit writers.

This Yuletide, gather close. The dead have stories to tell.

Address: Bensham Grove Community Centre, Sidney Grove, Gateshead, NE8 2XD

Where is Ghost Stories for Christmas taking place?

Ghost Stories for Christmas is taking place in the old library at Bensham Grove Community Centre on Saturday 12th December at 13:00.

Who is Ghost Stories for Christmas suitable for?

This course is best-suited to beginning and emerging writers, as well as people looking to try their hand at something new.