About

Grace Palmer directs and runs Novel Nights, organising open mics and story nights for writers. The current flagship event is Fresh Fiction.

After a move from Bristol, Grace set up Fresh Fiction short story nights in Somerset.  This in-person event has the aim of showcasing writers’ stories and building an audience who enjoy listening to short stories.

Writers are invited to submit their work, based on the theme of the evening.  The most entertaining eight stories are chosen by a reading panel and the writers read their work aloud to an appreciative audience. To get involved visit our submissions page. Based at The David Hall in South Petherton, the event has a loyal and enthusiastic following with audience members becoming regulars. 

 See Fresh Fiction events to buy tickets and submit your story to take part. 

In 2026  Novel Nights is publishing its first publication, Fresh Fiction Somerset, based on the first two years of Fresh Fiction. Sign up to our mailing list to keep updated with release news.  

Grace writes novels and flash fiction. She has an MA in Creative Writing from Bath Spa. Her flash fiction is published in Magma, Riggwelter, Flashback Fiction, National Flash Fiction Day, Flash Fiction Anthologies, BBC Radio Bristol and ezines. She teaches  face to face  classes in South Somerset and Bridgwater. Previously she taught at Bristol Folk House and was the national creative writing tutor for The Joy Club. 

Just a nod to the history of Novel Nights. That began in 2013 in Bristol with the aim of educating writers about the craft and business of getting a novel published. The format was to interview authors alongside three readings from local novelists. The Novel Nights community grew and events took place in Bath and Exeter with arts council supported funding in 2019. When Covid came we limped through the pandemic years, still organising online events for writers. When Grace moved to Somerset a new phase began.