HWS workshop: Writing for Change

Some of us write purely to entertain but often we want to make a positive difference in the world.

Author and founder of the Green Stories project and Habitat Press, Denise Baden talks about her research into storytelling what works to engage readers, what doesnt and why.In this session Denise Baden shows how storytellers are the ultimate influencers, how this can be used for good or bad.

She will draw on psychological theories to help you maximise your positive impact.

Denise will do a deep dive into writing craft and show examples of how issues can be woven into engaging stories in a way that avoids preachiness and enriches the readers experience.

Denise will give examples from the Climate Characters project she did with Bafta, and what Habitat Press looks for in the books they publish.

The tips however do not just pertain to eco-fiction but will be useful to any writer who aims to tackle a cause in their writing whether it be about gender, race, equality or injustice.

Attendees will be encouraged to engage in writing exercises themselves and share ideas for general discussion if they wish.D.A.

Baden is Professor of Sustainability at the University of Southampton and has published numerous book chapters and articles in the academic realm, and several novels.

Her eco-themed rom-com Habitat Man was published in 2021 and was shortlisted for a Radio 4 adaptation in 2023.

This was followed by The Assassin and No More Fairy Tales: Stories to Save the Planet in 2022.

Her play Murder in the Citizens Jury was staged in 2023 and 2024.

An adaptation won the 2024 Writing Climate Pitchfest and was developed into the novel, The Philosopher and the Assassin which was published in 2025.

Denise set up the series of free Green Stories writing competitions in 2018 to inspire writers to integrate green solutions into their writing.

She runs Habitat Press which specialises in eco-fiction and fiction with purpose and has worked with BAFTA and other organisations on the Climate Characters project and is listed on the Forbes list of climate leaders changing the TV and film industry.