Margins: Queer Lit Social
Margins is a new quarterly literary social for Exeter’s LGBTQ+ readers and writers, creating space to read, write, talk about books, and connect with one another.
Join them on Tuesday 29 September 2026, 6:30–8:30pm at the Devon & Exeter Institution for the first ever Margins session - part of Out There Fringe Fest ‘26
What is Margins?
Margins is a new quarterly literary social for Exeter’s LGBTQ+ readers and writers, creating space to read, write, talk about books, and connect with one another.
Inspired by literary ‘salons’ and built in response to community feedback, sessions will combine guest speakers, book discussion spaces, creative writing workshops, and a healthy dose of socialising!
Whether you read constantly or want to get back into books, scribble poems for fun or have a novel under your belt, or simply fancy meeting other LGBTQ+ people somewhere a little quieter, Margins is for you.
There’s no set book to buy or read beforehand, no expectation to be “well read” or A Proper Writer (whatever those things even mean!), and plenty of ways to take part.
Why is Margins?
The idea for Margins began with a simple feeling: Exeter has a thriving literary community and plenty of welcoming cultural spaces, but no regular literary space specifically for LGBTQ+ people, where queerness is simply the default.
Our small team began exploring what such a space might look like, but rather than assuming what people wanted, we asked!
A community survey told us people wanted a dedicated queer literary space in Exeter: something broader and more flexible than a traditional book club, somewhere to discover and talk about books, hear from guest speakers, try creative writing, share ideas, and meet other people with similar interests - all without needing to continually come out or think about self-censoring.
We want Margins to be somewhere that stories in all their forms can lead to conversation, recognition, discovery and joy, giving Exeter’s LGBTQ+ readers and writers a genuine, ongoing creative and social home.
When and where is Margins?
Join us on Tuesday 29 September 2026, 6:30–8:30pm at the Devon & Exeter Institution for the first ever Margins session - part of Out There Fringe Fest ‘26!
The evening will start with a brief word from us, before our guest speaker takes the stage. After a short Q&A we’ll take a break - with plenty of time for chat - then you can choose from a gently-led book discussion space or a relaxed writing workshop.
Entry is free, but booking is required so we can safely manage space - reserve your spot here!
We’ll be sharing more details on socials soon, including guest speakers, a ‘run of show’ so you know what to expect, and future dates - so follow us on Instagram @margins.queerlit for all the latest info!
How is Margins?
Margins has been made possible thanks to the advice, encouragement and financial backing of local people, organisations and funders.
We thank Out There Together CIC for the funding to make this first session possible, and we are delighted to be part of Out There Fringe Fest ‘26!
We are incredibly lucky to have the most gorgeous venue for Margins, and are enormously grateful to our friends at the Devon & Exeter Institution for making this happen.
We’re also delighted to have received a Community (City) Grant from Exeter City Council, providing valuable financial support for the project.
Thanks to everyone across Exeter’s literary and cultural community who has helped us so far!
Who is Margins?
Margins is run by a small team of local folk with experience across bookselling, teaching, marketing, events, and cultural programming.
While Liv, Mollie, and Max are the core team, many others have been part of the journey and helped Margins get to this point. We won’t name names in case we miss anyone, but hopefully you know who you are as we say a huge thank you.
Ultimately - if you’ll forgive us a cheesy moment - Margins is everyone who filled out our survey, or shared a thought or anecdote with us, and will be everyone who joins us: Margins is you!