Formed over forty years ago, our Writers Circle is based in Felixstowe, Suffolk. Meetings are held in The Room at the Top in Felixstowe Library, normally on the first and third Tuesday of each month commencing at 7.30pm and finishing by 10.00pm. Check this weblog for details of meetings.

There is an annual November to November fee of £30, April to November is £20 and June to November £15. For members preferring to pay at each meeting the charge is £5 per meeting. To contact Felixstowe Scribblers simply email scribblers.1@btinternet.com or the Secretary, catherine.stafford1@ntlworld.com

Thursday 26 August 2010

Ruth's book signing.


After many months of hard work, Ruth finally has her new book available.
You will be able to meet her at Magpie Books in Felixstowe from 10.30 until 12.30 on Saturday 4th September where she will sign copies of her physcological thriller, ' The Woman Before Me. '




Did you hear him?

Barry, our secretary, was interviewed on BBC Radio Suffolk this afternoon by Stephanie McIntyre. Revealing some of the background research his book 'Strictly a Family Affair' Barry also gave a nice insight into the Scribblers meetings.

If you haven't got it yet, then get a copy! It's a great read. It can be obtained from Amazon or direct from Barry - email scribblers@btinternet.com

BBC writersroom newsletter

Cheryl Taylor
-------------
Cheryl Taylor, the Controller, Comedy Commissioning for the BBC, answered questions earlier this year at Nottingham's ScreenLit festival.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/insight/cheryl_taylor.shtml

Rebecca Lenkiewicz and Sebastian Baczkiewicz
--------------------------------------------
Read the transcript of our recent radio drama Q and A.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/insight/rebecca_and_sebastian.shtml

New Scripts
-----------
Our scripts are in PDF format - if you can't read them, download Adobe Reader from http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/categories/plug/acrobat/acrobat.shtml?intro

People Snogging in Public Places by Jack Thorne
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/insight/downloads/scripts/people_snogging_in_public_places.pdf

Don't forget you can browse through all of the scripts in our script archive.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/insight/script_archive.shtml

Submitting your script to BBC writersroom
-----------------------------------------
Want to write for the BBC? Find out what to send us on our script submissions page.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/writing/submissions_writersroom.shtml

Blog
----
Joy Wilkinson talks about rewrites, Micheál Jacob talks about The Inn Mates and the College of Comedy, and Dan Tetsell tells us about the curse of being a good straight man.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/writersroom/

Opportunities
-------------
First Sparks / Sparks Plus
Deadline: 3 September 2010
Funding for writers and mentors/script editors in the Yorkshire and Humber region.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunity/first_sparks_plus.shtml

South West Screen Lottery Funding
Deadline: 8 September 2010
Up to £5,000 of lottery funding available for writers in the South West to write a feature script.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunity/south_west_screen_lottery.shtml

We Are Here
Deadline: 29 October 2010
Pentabus Theatre are looking for new plays for their 2012 season.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunity/we_are_here.shtml

International Student Playscript Competition
Deadline: 30 November 2010
£1,000 cash prize and a rehearsed reading at the National Student Drama Festival for new play written by a student
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunity/international_student_playscript_competition.shtml

Writers' Projects
Deadline: 30 November 2010
Grants of up to £3,250 for writers from or living in Scotland to help their writing development
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunity/writers_projects.shtml

Ruth's book signing

After many months of work, our Ruth has now published her second book and will be at Magpie Books on Saturday September 4th for a book signing.

Wednesday 25 August 2010

AESTHETICA CREATIVE WORKS COMPETITION

FINAL CALL FOR ENTRIES!

There's been a fantastic response to the Aesthetica Creative Works Competition this year, which is no doubt due to the Scribblers help in spreading the word!

There's just one week left to enter the Aesthetica Creative Works Competition now and this is a final reminder about the upcoming deadline.

There is a brilliant set of prizes to offer our winners including:

£500 prize money for the winner of each category. Publication in the Aesthetica Creative Works Annual (A beautiful coffee-table style book released annually in December).

Complimentary copy of the Aesthetica Creative Works Annual

The poetry winner will receive a selection of poetry books from Bloodaxe Books.

The fiction winner will also receive a selection of great fiction from Granta and Portobello, along with a subscription to Granta magazine.

Aesthetica is keen to see writers from across the UK well-represented in this international competition so please pass on information about the competition to anyone with a liking for writing.

There are three categories in the competition: Artwork & Photography; Short Fiction; Poetry.
Entry is £10 for two submissions.
DEADLINE FOR ENTRY: 31st AUGUST 2010

For more information about the Competition please visit the website at www.aestheticamagazine.com.
Bryony Byrne, Marketing Officer, Aesthetica Magazine, PO Box 371, York. YO23 1WL.
phone 01904 479168

bryony@aestheticamagazine.com
www.aestheticamagazine.com

Tuesday 24 August 2010

Spilling Ink Review

Spilling Ink Review is a new, quarterly e-journal and friends of Unbound Press publishers. Although SIR is a recent addition to the e-ranks we aren’t going to let that deter our search for quality prose. We’re a troupe of professional writers and readers that shares a passion for the written word as well as compassion for new and established writers looking for an innovative platform. The aim is to create an environment where the unexpected can thrive, where the serious and the humorous can sit comfortably side-by-side, and where we can celebrate both the process and the product of creative writing. Please help us welcome ISSUE 2 - 1st September.

Spilling Ink Review Competition Updates!

There's still just time to enter the Spilling Ink Review Short Story Competition
3000 Word Max
Close Date: 31st August 2010
£5 Entry Fee - Accepted via Paypal or GBP (£) Cheque/Money Order via Post

1st Place £100, publication, free anthology
2nd Place £50, publication, free anthology
Shortlisted - publication, free anthology

For more information: http://bit.ly/dxRUpf

MORE Spilling Ink Review Competition Opportunities

Flash Fiction / Prose Poetry Competition:
1000 Words Max
Close Date: 31st October 2010
£5 Entry Fee
1st Place £100, publication, free anthology
2nd Place £50, publication, free anthology
Shortlisted - publication, free anthology

Creative Nonfiction Competition:
3000 Words Max
Close Date 31st January 2011
£5 Entry Fee
1st Place £100, publication, free anthology
2nd Place £50, publication, free anthology
Shortlisted - publication, free anthology

Also!! Don't forget to visit us 1st September for the release of Issue 2 Fall 2010
http://spillinginkreview.com/

Amy Burns, Editor
Spilling Ink Review

--
Visit the Official Home of Spilling Ink Review http://spillinginkreview.com/
Enter to Win Prizes & Publication: http://spillinginkreview.com/competitions/
Follow us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/cN8tQp
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/spillinginkling

Sunday 22 August 2010

The Unbound Press Literary Competitions 2010

Flash Fiction & Poetry competition – NOW OPEN!

· Flash Fiction
Prizes: 1st Prize: £30
2nd Prize: £15
Length: up to 400 words
Entry fee: £3

· Poetry
Prizes: 1st Prize: £30
2nd Prize: £15
Length: up to 40 lines
Entry fee: £3

Closing date: 31st October 2010

All Winners and Runners-up in the competitions will be published in the Competition Anthology and will each receive a free copy of the book. Go to the Competitions page at www.unboundpress.co.uk for full details.

Good luck!

Barry to be interviewed on BBC Radio Suffolk




We hear on the grapevine that Barry, our secretary, will be interviewd on BBC Radio Suffolk by Stephanie McIntyre around 2.25pm Thursday afternoon, 26th August. Barry will talk about his book and may even get to mention the Scribblers!

Friday 20 August 2010

Report of Meeting

Meeting report 17th August

Present: Barry, Tony, Peter, Dick, Stephen, Liliane, Beryl, Les, Ally, Simon, Rosie, Trish and Dave (chair)

Welcome to our new member Beryl who came along for the first time.

It’s amazing how such a diverse group of people keep coming up with such a variety of writing contributions. The meeting was a first for us in a new format for a creative exercise:
the first paragraph from a book selected at random (by Dave this time) and the group had to spend thirty minutes of their time trying to create a middle and a conclusion to those few words.

There were a few reservations about this exercise but I think on the whole it was received with enthusiasm when the meeting ended. It certainly was an entertaining and jovial time when the results were read.Most had a twist in the tail which had us guessing. Apart from Dave throwing his toys from the pram (silently of course) when the basic premise for his piece seemed to have been plagiarized by Dick, and Rosie’s brave effort while suffering greatly from hay fever, the mix was as varied as usual and as I said the exercise proved to be a success, one that we will no doubt use at other meetings.

Thanks go out to everybody, although some suggested that they had little time to write convincingly, every piece was enjoyed by all.

The next meeting is on the 7th September when the homework subject of up to one thousand words is HAT. Good luck on that.

A reminder to those not present that there is an Art on the Prom event on Felixstowe seafront on Sunday 5th September and on 19th September the Jack Wilkinson Memorial walk will take place. Details are on the weblog.

Once again Scribblers, a good meeting and hope to see you all next time.

Barry

Congratulations Rosie

Our Rosie celebrating in this Evening Star picture after receiving her exam results! Congratulations Rosie! Well done.

Wednesday 18 August 2010

Coming soon :

Felixstowe's sixth Art on the Prom













Art on the prom is a contemporary Art Fair where professional and hobby artists display and sell original work. It takes place on Felixstowe's popular sea front promenade where the setting adds an extra dimension. Last year's event featured over 80 artists covering a wide range of media and attracted an estimated 20000 people.

As well as the opportunity to browse or buy original artworks, the Art in the Gardens workshops which run throughout the day, provide young and old with the opportunity to have a go at creating their own piece in one of the many media available. A variety of professional bands and entertainers perform throughout the day to add to the enjoyment of the occasion. Following last year's successful innovation, there will again be the opportunity to hear live, acoustic bands showcasing local and regional talent.

Art on the Prom will be held on Sunday September 5th from 10am to 4pm and is free to the public.

Art on the Prom is supported by grants from local councils and organisations as well as sponsorship from local businesses. It is a non-profit making organisation which aims to promote economic well-being, provide cultural and leisure opportunities and foster a pride in our community.

Prole Issue Two launched

Prole

is a journal of writing to engage, challenge and entertain.

It is open to submissions all year round.

Issue Two has just been launched.

To submit or purchase, visit: http://www.prolebooks.co.uk

Tuesday 17 August 2010

Creative Writing Evening - a real experience!

Using the first paragraph of a novel as a starter, then writing for 30 minutes, the Scribblers created some fascinating story lines with lots of plots and twists, not forgetting all the laughter which was the order of the day.

One of the very best meetings of the year - so far!

If you would like to come along to a meeting for the first time or are, perhaps, a Scribbler who has missed a few meetings then come and join us and savour the special "Scribblers Experience" provided by our superb writers.

Sunday 15 August 2010

Remembering Jack

JACK WILKINSON MEMORIAL WALK - FELIXSTOWE

On Sunday the 19th September, in memory of our lovely son Jack, there is a walk in aid of Cancer Research UK. You can walk 1.5 , 5 or 9 miles. Sponsorship forms are available or make a donation on the day. The walk starts at 9.30am.

We usually have a lovely day. Please come along and join us, to remember our special ...boy, helping to raise funds, for this important charity.

For more information please contact Wendy on 01394 275751 or e-mail wendycrampton@btinternet.com

Friday 13 August 2010

Our next meeting

Coming up

7.30pm Tuesday 17th August, The Room at the Top, Felixstowe Library.

Creative Writing Evening.

Bring along pen or pencil and paper to scribble on.

All will be revealed at the meeting!

Thursday 12 August 2010

Prole Laureat - the first competition

Search for Prole Laureate

We’re looking for entries that represent the editorial ambitions of Prole: to make writing engaging, challenging, entertaining and accessible.

All forms of poetry welcome.

FIRST PRIZE :£100, publication in Prole and showcase on our website.

2 runners up, £30 each and showcasing on our website.

Entry fee £3 for first poem, £2 for subsequent poems.

DEADLINE: December 24th 2010

Entry by post or email.

Full details are on our website: www.prolebooks.co.uk

Click on the competition link.

Winners will be announced April 2nd 2011

Thursday 5 August 2010

Writing Weekend

From: "maureen blundell"

Subject: writing weekend 15-17 October 2010

For those who know, here is the agenda for the above weekend...
For those who don't, I'm running a course at The Castle Lodge Hotel in Felixstowe between 15-17 October which I'm hoping you will be interested in! The attached agenda will hopefully explain the weekend, but please contact me if you need further information.
Residential B&B with full course (2 nights) costs £175 for room with shared bathroom, £132.50 for double room sharing (per person) or £205 for single room with en-suite.
MS crits and one-to-one sessions and the workshops can be taken separately for those who live near or in Felixstowe - prices I hope are self-explanatory on the agenda.

AGENDA

Writing Weekend, 15-17 October 2010
The Castle Lodge, Felixstowe, Suffolk, IP11 7EY
Tel: 01394 282149

Friday 15 October

12 noon – 5.30pm Half-hour one-to-one sessions (to be arranged individually)
These will concentrate on manuscripts (max 2000 words) sent in before the course. An in-depth written critique will be sent to each participant prior to the weekend

(MS critique and one-to-one sessions cost £20 for participants taking the full course, £25 if not on full course)

Saturday 16 October

9.30am-12.00 noon Workshop – plot/character
Plot will be the driving force behind this workshop. We will look at how plots are created, how tension can be built into the narrative, how plot affects character – and vice versa. There will be a tea/coffee break of 15 minutes and a short exercise with feedback (optional)

1.30pm-4.00pm Workshop – dialogue/viewpoint
Everybody speaks dialogue, so why is it so difficult to write? In this workshop we will look at the art of writing natural but relevant dialogue, bringing in viewpoint to illustrate how we can use dialogue to explain each character’s innermost thoughts. Again, there will be a tea/coffee break and short exercise with feedback (optional)

Sunday 17 October

9.30am-12 noon Workshop – Painting Pictures in Words
This workshop will concentrate on the placement and choice of words so that they ‘come alive’ – they paint pictures in the reader’s mind rather than remaining words on the page. Be warned that there will be a longer exercise with feedback which will not be optional!

(All workshops cost £25 each for participants taking full course, £30 per workshop if not on full course)

A deposit of £20 secures your place, cheques made payable to Maureen Blundell. Residents pay for bed and breakfast accommodation to The Castle Lodge direct. Evening meal available at the hotel for £15 (to be booked prior)

Maureen Blundell
Writing as Roz Colyer
Liberato Writing Courses and Editing Service
01376 551379
mobile: 07718 339636
www.liberato.co.uk
liberato@talktalk.net

Please note
The deposit cheque (£20) must be made out to Maureen Blundell and the balance can be paid on the course itself. Accommodation charges should be paid direct to the Castle Lodge Hotel.

Wednesday 4 August 2010

Coast to Coast Competitions


Click on image to enlarge

Aesthetica Creative Works Competition : One month to go

Click on image to enlarge

Call for Entries: One Month Left to Enter the Aesthetica Creative Works Competition!

Aesthetica Magazine is looking for artists, photographers, writers and poets to enter the Aesthetica Creative Works Competition. Now in its third year the competition is dedicated to celebrating and championing creative talent across the disciplines.

Winners receive £500 as well as a selection of other prizes including art books from Prestel & books from Bloodaxe.

Winners and finalists are published in the Creative Works Annual.

Entry is £10 for the submission of two short stories or poems.

Deadline for entry is 31 August 2010

Visit www.aestheticamagazine.com for more information and to enter now.

Meeting Report

Felixstowe Scribblers Meeting held 3rd August 2010

Those attending: Dave, Trish, Gemma, Rosie, Tony, Ally, Stephen, Liliane, Les, Dick, Peter, Barry.

When the word 'Chicken' was chosen at the last meeting by Gemma, our latest member, it was looked at with puzzled frowns but as the meeting last night night proved, we have a membership able to manufacture, invent, conjure up, many diverse applications of the word, from the obvious about eating the bird to an amusing limerick from Les about a Chicken in the kitchen, performed with a convincing Louisiana accent. A dear John letter from Ally and the usual off the wall contribution from our Sci-fi come fantasy writer Tony then Randy roosters and ghost stories were mixed with another family saga from Liliane. All in all it was an enjoyable two and a half hours. I have listed the titles of each offering below.

Thank you all for coming and don't forget, there is no set homework for the next meeting on the 17th, just bring along a pen and some paper for another writing exercise.


DAVE: OFF THE MENU
TRISH: UNTITLED
GEMMA: THE DIARY OF ASHLEY WRIGHT
ROSIE: A BAD PRESENT
TONY: A SHORTCUT TO HUMBUG
ALLY: DEAR JOHN
STEPHEN: PLAYING CHICKEN
LILIANE: THE COMING OF SPRING
LES: THERE'S A CHICKEN IN THE KITCHEN
DICK: A BLAST FROM THE PAST
PETER: RANDY ROOSTER
BARRY; BRINKMANSHIP

We had an offer from Maureen Budner (The Budner Competition) to sponsor a writing competition for schools. Rosie and Gemma have offered their services as possible liaison between themselves and their school so we shall await developments.

We had some sad news: one of our overseas members, Denise Cougan has informed us that her mother passed away a few days ago. We all extend our best wishes to the family at this sad time.

We hope the Summer De-clutter weekend at the Showground raises many pounds for the EACH appeal, £1 per adult entry and children under 14 will get in free.

There was one other request from Caz concerning a booksigning at the Officers Mess at Wattisham Airfield. I have attached the relevant details and hope we can provide some support for the worthy cause.

As you may already know Wattisham Flying Station is the home of the 'Apache' helicopter that is doing so much in support of our ground troops in Afghanistan. Now Wattisham is giving its support in another way, by generously allowing the Officer's Mess to be used on Saturday August 14th, to raise funds for the Army Benevolent Fund, The Soldiers Charity', with the launching of a new book about the British Army, albeit one very different from that of today.

The book of some 218 pages with photographs, printed by Lavenham Press, covers the period leading up to the end of the 2nd World War and then to the policing of occupied Germany by the BAOR, from the end of the war until the Berlin airlift and the commencement of the cold war.

Autobiographical, it has already been taken up by the Imperial War Museum Library of Printed Books and tells the story of young soldiers who never fired a shot in anger, leaving bankrupt Britain to relieve war weary veterans in a devastated country peopled by old men, women and children.

Major General Graham Fawcus in his 'Foreword' uses the word spellbinding.

The book, "When Pigeons Come Home To Roost" has been written by Suffolk author Eric Vanlint MBE, and after the launch, at which all proceeds will be for the Army Benevolent Fund Soldiers Charity, it will be available from other charities, including most of our local hospice shops. Those of Farleigh, St Elizabeth, Tapping House and the three Children's hospices, as well as other venues, priced at £5, all of which goes to the charity, or by telephoning 01394 212259.

If you are able to publicise this event, the cause could not be bettered and your assistance will be much appreciated.

Thank you all again for a really good meeting. See you on the 17th August.

Barry

Tuesday 3 August 2010

The Big Summer Declutter - EACH Treehouse Appeal

The Big Summer Declutter @ Trinity Park, Ipswich.
Sunday 8th August 7am - 3pm.
Adult £1 entrance Children under 14 free.
Mega Car Boot Sale ( from 7am)
and
Family fun day out (from 10am) including Farmers market, Lifestyle area,an auction of the last Ashes to Ashes script signed by all the actors, Quaser inflatable competitions, Landrover challenge and much more entertainment including bouncy castles, orbs and trampolines. All proceeds to EACH Treehouse appeal.

Our Caz will be there selling her wares...well cakes and pickles anyway!

Keep on Supporting EACH - it's such a worthy cause.

Our Next Meeting

It's TONIGHT!!!!

Monday 2 August 2010

TUESDAY 3rd AUGUST

Some members may have received an email with an incorrect date for the next meeting. It is, of course, tomorrow TUESDAY 3rd August. Hope to see you there complete with your 'Chicken' (homework assignmnet).