“Mel is an incredibly hard-working and thoughtful researcher who generates original ideas and supports work with an international reach. She is highly professional, a confident project manager and has published extensively in the arts, social sciences and humanities. Mel is a fantastic and distinct writer who is skilled in a range of styles and genres and this expertise informs her workshop facilitation which is always ethical, sensitive and inspiring. I would highly recommend Mel as a colleague, collaborator and consultant – she has been absolutely invaluable on our creative projects and I look forward to working with her again very soon.”

— Dr Jess Moriarty, University of Brighton

“Mel puts so much thought and imagination into each workshop that, whether you're just starting out as a writer, getting back into it or you're a published pro - you always come away having learnt and created something new. I've attended lots of writing courses over the years and Honeyleaf is head and shoulders my favourite. Mel's classes have a gentle vibe that yields surprising results.”

— Tamara O’Brien

I really look forward to Mel's Workshops. They are always stimulating and I always learn from Mel and the others in the group. Although we joke that it is not a "Therapy Group" I started attending Mel's workshops after a series of difficult life events. The creative writing has really helped me find a voice to get through some very challenging times. They are also great fun! They have also encouraged me to re-engage with a lot of literature that I haven't read since school (a long time ago). I am really enjoying reading poetry and new (to me) authors, which in turn inspire my writing. I am relatively new to writing and my style is perhaps a bit different to others, but I have never felt out of place in the workshops or feel that I cannot contribute.

— Carol O’Driscoll

“I have been part of numerous workshops with Mel over many years. The thing that encourages me to return to the workshops is Mel. I have been able to stop my inner critic and fear of my dyslexia making writing an impossible task. Her gentle, non-critical, supportive, imaginative way of teaching enables me to learn and enjoy writing in a fun environment.”

— Elizabeth Morgan

"Mel creates a warm and engaging atmosphere in her classes, in which everyone is encouraged. Her prompts for creative writing are varied, encompassing published fiction and nonfiction, poetry, pictures, and objects. Her own expertise means her feedback is always valuable, and it's so beneficial- and fun- to be part of a group where sharing our own writing is encouraged but not compulsory. Taking part in Mel's classes has woven warmth, creativity and magic into my life!"

— Alison Abedelmassieh

“Mel's workshops are gentle yet thought provoking. Her knowledge and experience of writing plus her skill as a workshop leader combine to provide, me at least and I'm certain others, a really useful guide along our varied creative writing journeys. Most of all they are so enjoyable, I love attending each one.”

— Lyn King

“A course with our Mel is productive and fun
at the end of 2 hours I feel like I've won
the prize of achievement, arrived at with ease;
Would I attend again?  Of course - yes please!!”

— Jan Mercy

I thoroughly enjoy Mel’s class! Each time she invites us to simply explore and play with words, prose and imagination. At the end of two hours, I leave with greater connection to my own creativity and replete with inspiration drawn from the work of my fellow students. There is always some turn of phrase that just lights up my imagination. Mel naturally creates a very safe relaxed atmosphere in which we can literally arrive and wait for what wants to come to form on the written page. I’d definitely recommend her classes - and have done!

— Beverley McMaster

“'I've attended several Honeyleaf courses run by Mel Parks and have always found they've helped me creatively, given me thoughtful feedback and always offered a lovely group of people to share work with, and one of my poems which started life in Mel's workshops has been published in MsLexia magazine!'”

— Alex Bridgland