Welcome to Tentacles
Disabled writers collective
What we do/Why we exist
Tentacles was born from a need for safe, inclusive writing spaces for disabled people in the UK. What began in 2015 as an idea in Neal’s mind has grown—through collaboration, community, and creativity—into a thriving project.
With support from Nottingham City of Literature, Nottingham Playhouse, and Arts Council England, Tentacles now runs accessible writing workshops both in-person and online. All sessions are BSL interpreted, and the 2025-26 programme will culminate in a published anthology and a live showcase event.
Tentacles is a space where disabled writers can connect, create, and be heard—always welcoming, always inclusive.
Our Team
Neal
Neal Pike (he/they) is a writer, theatre-maker, and workshop leader from Nottingham. They began writing in 2012 and joined the Mouthy Poets collective in 2013, an experience that helped shape their creative voice and personal exploration.
Neal’s work often draws from lived experience, including themes of disability, education, masculinity, and grief. They have written three plays exploring subjects such as life in a SEN school, music and toxic masculinity, and intergenerational loss.
August
August Stone (they/she/he) is a queer, disabled activist, facilitator and writer from the Black Country. They specialise in working with marginalised groups to create safe, accessible spaces for expression and joy. August is passionate about community creative practice and he has written and directed plays, and published essays and poems.
August currently works with books and planning literary events, and has previously worked across a range of sectors internationally including charities, schools, theatres and universities.
Chan
Chan Hyacinth Fagan (they/he) is an Artist, Arts programmer and DJ based in Nottingham. Their practice explores speculative futures and fictions, games, more-than-human hybridity and transsexuality. They’ve worked as an Artist and Producer across multiple organisations including Junction Arts, Spike Island, Nottingham Contemporary and New Art Exchange.
Chan hosts Wyrd Wide Web radio show on Swing Dash and co-runs Trancesexuals; events for Trans+ people in Nottingham. They are driven by community and local identity, ensuring that cultural hubs stay alive and thriving.