About Me

Hello, I’m Mai Black.

I’m a poet, novelist, and founder of Suffolk Writers Group. In February 2025, I was a finalist for the Norwich City of Literature Award for my contributions to the creative culture of East Anglia.

In 2021, I published Thirty Angry Ghosts, a collection of poetry inspired by famous figures from the past. My debut novel, The Women Who Saved Shakespeare, telling the story of the Shakespeare Ladies Club of 1736, will be available from 28th May 2026. To order a copy, click here.

Inspired by the women of the eighteenth-century Shakespeare Ladies Club, I have a modern-day version on Facebook.

I have also created a Shakespeare Gentlemen’s Club on Facebook and Instagram. The focus is on men and masculinity, but people of all genders are welcome to visit and discuss their views with an open mind and good manners.

Testimonials

‘I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in Mai’s ghost walk and art exhibition. Both were very well organised and great fun for both participants and audience.’

Vivia Bamford, Manager of Framlingham Library

‘We really valued all Mai brought to our festival. I’m really keen to blur the edges between storytelling and the written and spoken words, and Mai really helped us do that.’

Marion Leeper, Organiser of the East Anglian Story-Telling Festival

The Wild Writing sessions were fun, engaging, interactive, and supportive. Those of us who hadn’t written poetry before still produced something we were proud of, and amazed ourselves at how much we enjoyed the process.

Jo Feely, Learning, Knowledge and Library Manager, Eastern Education Group

Mai has been instrumental in spreading the word about the group and often promotes it on her social media pages. She recently recited Sonnet 18 to the group from memory and taught us to sing “It Was a Lover and His Lass” from As You Like It. Turns out she’s not a bad musician either!’

Peter Turner, Founding Member of Colchester Shakespeare Society

‘What I loved about Mai’s talk was hearing about the variety of projects she has worked on. I had never come across a haiku before, and now I’m a little obsessed with writing them!’ 

Clare Lucas from The Suffolk Tourism, Hospitality and the Arts Network

‘Mai is so welcoming to the new writer venturing into the unknown. She is reassuring, encouraging, and really constructive.’

Jacqui Martin, Participant in Zoom 20th Century Poetry Course