Erotic Fiction Workshop

Did you read Fifty Shades Of Grey and think you could write something better? Most people who picked up EL James’ bestseller did.

The most famous publishers for getting you hot and steamy under the collar, Mills and Boon, are running these erotic fiction workshops to teach aspiring novelists the essentials to set them off on a road to narrative titillation.

It will also be celebrating the release of famed conservative-southern-seminary-drop-out-turned-dominatrix-and-BDSM-erotica-author Tiffany Reisz’s new novel, The Prince.

Nov 20. 6.30pm-8pm, free
Harmony, 103 Oxford Street, W1D 2HF 
Tube | Oxford Circus 
millsandboon.co.uk/events

 

The Art of Silver

Bentley and Skinner have been buying and selling the best jewellery for over 100 years.

They’re hosting the latest work from esteemed artist Jocelyn Burton, the UK’s premier silversmith, whose work can be seen in places such as the Victoria and Albert Museum, St Paul’s Cathedral and Goldsmith’s Hall. Sounds sterling!

Until Dec 8. 10am-6pm, free
55 Piccadilly, W1J 0DX 
Tube | Green Park 
bentley-skinner.co.uk

Unhinged Arts Festival

This travelling arts and clubbing experience showcases live music, visual arts, fashion and film. Neo-Giallo horror film Yellow will be screened, along with live street art by Blam and performances from Ghostpoet, beatboxer Schlomo and Gomez’s Ben Ottewell, in a touring night that fuses clubbing with art straight from Berlin.

Nov 23. 8pm-3am, £12+
Town Hall Parade, SW2 1RJ 
Tube | Brixton 
electricbrixton.com

Modern Panic III

This eclectic and willfully diverse and provocative exhibition at Apiary Studios, from the gleefully weird Guerrilla Zoo, features live body art, Bat For Lashes’ stylist Natasha Lawes, artwork by (in)famous prisoner Charles Bronson, modern taxidermy, neo-Victorian illustration and insect-flower sculptures. Unique stuff.

Nov 23-Dec 2, 11am-8pm, free
E2 9EG 
Station | Cambridge Heath
guerrillazoo.com

Underwire Festival

The UK’s only short film festival celebrating the work of women filmmakers has grown emphatically since its 2010 inception.

The five-day fest’s intentions are twofold: to showcase upcoming female talent in the film industry and to shine a light on what is still a most patriarchal of industries.

How many of the top 10 grossing films of all time are directed by women? Includes UnderWire Awards across all filmmaking disciplines, giving out gongs such as best director and producer.

Nov 20-24, various times, £5+
Brixton Ritzy, SW2 1JG 
Tube | Brixton 
underwirefestival.com

 

Hyper Japan

Revel in J-culture in all its guises at this three-day festie. Learn how to put a Japanese twist into Christmas, roll some sushi, take a look at the latest from the world’s tech leader that will be rocking your 2013, as well as indulge in the pop culture that has taken the world by storm, Hello Kitty and all.

Nov 23, 2pm-8pm; Nov 24, 9.30am-8pm; Nov 25, 9.30am-5pm, £12+
Earl’s Court, SW5 9TA
Tube | Earl’s Court 
hyperjapan.co.uk

Fashion Rocks

Does the idea of indulging in retail therapy make you giddy with anticipation?

If so, get down to Seven Dials and St Martin’s Courtyard in Covent Garden for this 20 per cent-off extravaganza at more than 100 shops, bars and restaurants.

There’s even a pop-up Courvoisier bar and in-store parties, too.

Thurs 29, 5pm-9pm
WC2H
Tube | Covent Garden
sevendials.co.uk;
facebook.com/stmartinscourtyard

 

Photos: Markus Staas, Getty