The Dark Art of Storytelling is a new experiment in creative writing. We want to demystify the process, deconstruct the reasoning, and disrupt the industry to bring story-writing and story-telling back to the alchemy of it all.
We're here for absolute beginners looking for a way in, and for seasoned writers feeling jaded and creatively unfulfilled. We'll do this through playful workshops, dynamic mentoring, experimental events, and live-streamed communities. To keep up to date with all our offerings, sign up to the mailing list above.
It's an unstable, uncomfortable era.
Let's meet it head on with stories that mean something.
Welcome to D.A.O.S.
Upcoming Workshops
Click on the poster for tickets
& full details
Wordsmiths
A Day of Guided Creative Writing in a Peak District Mill Town
3rd Oct | MakeSpace, New Mills | £120
--> dedicated writing time <--
--> like-minded small group of creatives <--
--> escapism & immersion <--
--> creative experimentation <--
A one-day immersive creative writing workshop experience in the Peak District. We'll warm up with some simple creative exercises, then head out on a short hike around New Mills to seek out the stories & poetry carved in the walls & tucked in the shadows (and, if the weather's bad, on the shelves of the charity shops...).
After lunch, we'll discuss our ideas then create the optimum atmosphere for some focused creative writing. We'll share, polish & perfect our work, and by the end you'll marvel at the new piece of genius that you've summoned from thin air. We'll wind down with a chat about the writing life, discussing good writing habits, how to find inspiration, and how to forge writing communities.
A Headful of Words:
Neurodivergent Creative Writing
Buxton or New Mills | Oct & Nov 2026 | £20
--> low key & low pressure <--
--> led by an ND-trained tutor <--
--> safe & supportive space <--
--> for diagnosed & self-diagnosed <--
Are you neurodivergent and interested in creative writing? Are there worlds and words inside your head that need to find their way to the page? Whether you’re a seasoned writer or a complete newcomer, this playful, low-pressure workshop is designed for you.
This 2-hour workshop will give you the time and headspace to write flash fictions and/or poetry inspired by neurodivergent ways of thinking and being. We'll read examples written by published ND writers, and creatively explore ideas like sensory sensitivity, stimming, intense interests, and patterns.
A carer, parent and/or support worker are welcome to attend as part of your ticket. Self-diagnosed neuro-curious folks are also very welcome.
Choose your date and click below for tickets:
Click on the poster for tickets
& full details
Short Story Bootcamp
Online | November | £130
--> productivity-focused <--
--> like-minded online community <--
--> encounter brilliant short stories <--
--> get 1-1 feedback on your work <--
Write a whole short story over the course of one month. We'll look at how to get started, how to hook your readers, how to strike the right tone and pace, how to develop the drama, and how land the endings.
In each 2hr session we'll set aside quality quiet time for focused writing, and help each other through the knotty problems we stumble across along the way. We'll also read some of my all-time favourite short stories and spend time picking them apart to see how they work. At the end of the course, each attendee gets a 1-1 session with me to receive constructive feedback on a draft of 2500-3500 words.
This one is best for writers who are already making progress with their craft and need the time, headspace, and expertise to get a full short story written. Let's do this!
Mentoring
Creative writing is a wild and wonderful thing. It's an ancient, mercurial, & playful endeavour, but it can also be frustrating & bewildering, and somewhat lonesome at times. I think I can help with that...
I'm offering mentoring for creative folks who feel they need a bit of a boost. I can be a mind to bounce ideas off, a companion for significant creative steps, and/or a firm but friendly critic of your wordsmithery. My offering here is flexible, so get in touch and we'll shape a mentoring package that works for you.
My specialisms:
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Short Stories - ideas, drafting, & refining
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Short Story Collections - collation & pitching
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Live performance skills - confidence, delivery & theatricality
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Experimental literary endeavours - i.e.; immersive shows, residencies, collaborations with other art forms, etc
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Creative writing tutoring - designing workshops & running classes
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Neurodiversity - it was the topic of my creative PhD
Get in touch and we'll start things off with a free 30-minute Zoom call to make sure we coordinate well with each other. From there, we'll shape a mentoring package that works for you and agree on the cost.
As a guide, I'd typically charge £100 for a 90-minute meeting, and £50 for written feedback on a draft of around 3K-4K words of writing. So, for example, we might expect to meet four times, with feedback on one or two pieces of writing, which would total £450-£500. This mentoring is bespoke, however, so we might come up with something different that better fits your budget.
I've had a long career of successful teaching and tutoring with stints at The University of Manchester, Writing East Midlands, Arts University Bournemouth, Comma Press, and Queen Mary, University of London. I've also taught many workshops independently under this D.A.O.S umbrella, and worked closely with organisations including Melbourne City of Literature, Tartu City of Literature, Manchester City of Literature, Manchester Festival of Libraries, Leeds Lit Fest, Bradford Libraries, & many more.
Feel free to scuttle around the rest of my website to get a taste of what I'm about. And if that doesn't put you off, then get in touch. It's best to email me directly: davidhartleywriter@gmail.com
Photo credits, top to bottom: Nic Chapman in Todmorden; me at home; Andrus Liivamae in Tartu; a restless spirit on Glastonbury Tor
Testimonials
"I loved David's facilitation. He was so encouraging, gave us lots of learning to take away, and generated such a creative space."
~ Kathy, Worldbuilder Workshops, New Mills, Summer 2026
"What I liked about your class is that I could do lots of writing around the actual story, building the mythology. That really worked for me."
~ Wayne, Worldbuilder Workshops, New Mills, Summer 2026
"David is a truly wonderful teacher. He provides excellent feedback, his lessons are always well organised and engaging. David goes above and beyond to provide help to his students."
~ Mae, University of Manchester 2nd year Student, 2024/2025 term
