What Makes Horror Tick?
Sunday 13 December 2026 / 5–7pm / On Zoom
Ages 16–30 / £6 standard / £4 concession / Booking essential / places limited
Hive Meet the Writer & Spark Ideas online workshops are a chance for new, young and emerging writers to meet accomplished writers, hear about their creative journeys and pick up insights and advice. Ask questions, get inspired and put pen to paper yourself through short writing exercises.
What Makes Horror Tick?
Exploring the sinister side of storytelling with Simon Bestwick
What makes a story truly frightening? How can we turn an ordinary situation into something terrifying? And why are we drawn to the dark and disturbing?
Join acclaimed horror writer Simon Bestwick (aka Daniel Church) to explore the answers to these questions as we dig into the dark world of horror writing. Drawing on his journey to becoming one of the UK’s most prolific horror writers, Simon will share what keeps drawing him back to the genre, alongside some tips and tricks of the trade. From turning a frightening idea into a compelling story to getting under a reader’s skin, he’ll offer a glimpse into the craft of creating truly effective horror.
There’ll also be the chance to ask questions and kick-start some dark imaginings of your own (bring a pen!) through short writing exercises and horror extracts. Come away with some wonderfully wicked insights into what makes great horror tick, and why it’s about so much more than blood and gore.
Who’s it for?
Hive Meet the Writer & Spark Ideas workshops welcome young writers of all experience levels, from those just starting out to those looking to develop their craft. We’re particularly keen to hear from young writers in South Yorkshire and across the North of England who have limited access to opportunities like this.
When, where & booking
Sunday 13 December 2026 / 5–7pm / Zoom
Ages 16–30 / £6 standard, £4 low-income concession / Booking essential
To book: Email [email protected] with your name, age, town, postcode and writing interests. We’ll get back to you with booking and payment details. We’ll get back to you with booking and payment details.
Zoom: The workshop will take place via a secure Zoom link, sent to confirmed participants. You’re welcome to listen and take part at your own pace. There’s no pressure to speak or share your writing, and cameras can be off during the workshop after an initial welcome and check-in.
This workshop is subsidised through Word Honey, celebrating 10 years of Hive, with support from Arts Council England.
“Simon Bestwick’s horror stories are perhaps the most engaged with ordinary British life of any horror writer working today.” — Damien Walter, The Guardian, 29 January 2016
Simon Bestwick is an acclaimed British horror writer, described as ‘brilliant’ by The Guardian and ‘among the most important writers of contemporary British horror’ by celebrated horror novelist Ramsey Campbell.
Writing since 1997, Simon published his first short story collection, A Hazy Shade of Winter, in 2004, followed by his debut novel, Tide of Souls, in 2009. He has since written 11 novels and four full-length short story collections, with work published by Solaris, Tor and Angry Robot, among others. Writing under the name Daniel Church, his novels include The Hollows (2022), shortlisted for the 2023 British Fantasy Award for Best Horror Novel.
A five-time British Fantasy Award nominee, Simon co-hosts the horror podcast No Darkness But Ours with award-winning Canadian author Gemma Files. Originally from Wolverhampton, he now lives on the Wirral with his wife, fellow writer Cate Gardner.