A request from Ruth

When my novel The Woman Before Me was published last year I asked you to help me `beat Goliath`.... I think we managed it, so a big thank you! The Woman Before Me is now ranked in the top 1000 Amazon books, rights have sold internationally and it is a finalist for the People’s Book Prize.

This proves that good old-fashioned word of mouth can beat the big guns.

Last Saturday my new novel The Sacrificial Man was launched. Would you help me spread the word again please, by sending an e-mail to 6 friends & asking them to forward it to 6 of their friends.

** As Featured on Radio 4 Woman’s Hour**
“Utterly chilling and enthralling from the first line to the last” Karen Maitland“An unflinching journey, chilling and insightful, into the darker reaches of the human mind” Michelle Spring
For a limited time THE SACRIFICIAL MAN is just £4 on Amazon.com. Here’s the URL:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sacrificial-Man-Ruth-Dugdall/dp/1908248009/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1309200065&sr=8-3

The Sacrificial Man

Order the book online from Amazon - including free delivery, the special offer costs just £4.00.

Don't forget the book launch....

www.ratemystory.net

A new website has been created for writers to gain quick and easy feedback on their work. The website can be viewed at www.ratemystory.net

Geraldine's debut at the London Met Uni...

Geraldine Rose, one time Scribbler and author of 'Feeding Strawberries to Pigs" says that if you would like to hear her session at the London Met Uni Irish Writers Summer School then you will need to register on Drop Box. Geraldine will then be able to provide access to the recording.

Caz on air

Caz has a slot on Radio Felixstowe 107.5 FM on Thursday 30th June at just after 11.30. She'll be talking about the latest book of poetry, annecdotes and essays, with regard to the funny aspects of getting old, written by Local Author Eric Vanlint OBE.

Listen in if you can and buy a book too, every penny of the proceeds going to charity. Eric always says "by helping others you help yourself" and Caz has personal experience, that this is very true.

Don't forget to tune in....

Meeting report

First of all I would like to say thanks again to all members attending last night's meeting (21st June). Once again the scope and quality of the writing should not but always does, amaze. The members present were:

Beryl, Sandy, Liliane, Caz, Ray, Tony, Dave, Les, Carolyn, Cathy, Stephen, Martin and yours truly.

The homework subject was Monte Carlo and we had the full spectrum of pieces covering tears and sorrow, through to heartfelt laughter.

A brief run through of the stories are as follows.

Beryl gave us 'Never more Alive.' A factional piece about Grace Kelly.

Sandy had us giggling as she read a letter from an elderly? mother to her children, from her retirement in Monte Carlo, called 'Cheerio.'

Liliane had obviously spent many hours researching 'Monaco-The Grimaldis and the Casino.' Anything we need to know about the place, just ask Liliane.

Caz had us moved to tears with part of her memories of her beloved Jack in 'Monte Carlo or bust' including a charity cycle ride from London to Monte Carlo.

Ray, on the other hand, had us living today in a resulting alternative history, (No second world war and everything steam powered) called Bounty Hunters.

Tony created more laughter lines with his resume of plans for a holiday called 'We're all going on a...' Wanting to visit Monte Carlo but financial and travel sickness problems force a drastic change of plan.

Dave would have us believe that if he picked up a high value chip in a Casino he would hand it in !!! This was called 'Had my Chips'. The folly of gambling.

Les tried to convince us that his work was fact but we all know Joan would not have put him through the pain of needing many expensive holidays.

Carolyn related her story of a friend called Paula who seemed to be constantly picking the wrong paramour. Usually one who desired the finer things in life. This was called simply 'Paula and Jake'.

Cathy gave us the pleasure of her company but had brought nothing written. Her attendance (as she said) was simply to give herself and her husband a bit of relief and time to think of things other than his recent by-pass operation.

Stephen gave us 'Never the Twain-A dream within a dream' the beginning of a maybe book about a recently purchased Country Pile with a resident ghost.

Martin as usual gave us 'The Gambler'. Another tale with the underlying message that gambling is not the answer.

My humble piece was entitled 'Complete Accord' where I gave the twins from my last homework, a weekend in Monte Carlo.

After Belinda's flying visit Dave read her contribution to the theme - 'Midnight Delights', about a delicious biscuit made in Australia by Arnotts's Biscuit factory.

The meeting finished with a ten minute chat about this and that and Martin gave us the two word subject for our next meeting on the 5TH OF JULY.

The subject (1000 words or less) will be 'THE JURY'. Hopefully the verdicts will all be favourable.

Finally I would like you all to read and inwardly digest the e mail I received today from Robyn Daniels. There are items in the mail that will be of interest to all of us no doubt and as Robyn says at the end, she would appreciate the views of the Scribblers membership. So your comments will be appreciated.
For now I will say Goodbye.
Barry.

Subject: Scribblers on Felixstowe Radio
Hi Barry and all at Scribblers

I’m sorry to see that I missed one of your meetings last night. My name is Robyn Daniels (author name Robyn Free). I am writing to invite the Club to participate in a new programme called ‘My Word’ on Felixstowe Radio. I have just mooted the idea of a literary programme to the Committee and they have agreed in principle. The proposed slot will be on a Sunday between 6 and 7pm – the first half will be for young people, the remainder for adults – depending on content this could extend to an hour for adults (till 7.30pm). It will look at all forms of the written and spoken word (ie, poems, plays as well as books (fiction and non-fiction – including audiobooks and ebooks), newspapers and magazines – local that is). I have been aware of Scribblers for some time as I used to live in Felixstowe a decade or so ago and attended a couple of meetings at the library. I have now been back in Felixstowe for a year or so.

I have worked as a sub-editor on a nursing journal and did a year’s training on HND Journalism at Harlow before switching to the BA Writing and Publishing degree course at Middlesex University. I did modules on Broadcast Journalism (placement at TalkTV as researcher) and Writing for Radio. A serious motorbike accident put paid to my studies as it took me over a year to recover physically and more mentally – the accident left me with a severely mangled right leg and body image issues.

Over the past decade I have been working on a children’s book called ‘Angel-Kat’ which is set in Felixstowe. It is difficult to place with mainstream publishers as it is essentially a therapeutic work (for children who’s families have broken up) with an accompanying journal which children can use to work through their own feelings/situation as they read each chapter. You can see the book on my website http://angel-kat.com. (Take a Look page – click on chapter nos 1>12 at bottom of page to go to illustration heading up each chapter.) I took the book to the Bologna Book Fair this year and was fortunate enough to have some time/guidance from Julia Ferguson, Head of BBC Worldwide Licensing who thought it might fit a gap in their animation scheduling for 7>12-year-old girls. It is currently under consideration/appraisal at Ragdoll Productions (should hear from them by next month one way or the other). It may well be that an animation series will precede the book/merchandising. I am working on a sequel for teenagers and also a series called The Eliza-Bears (Elizabethan characters and events – I write mainly faction). I also have two adult fiction books on the back-burner. I will be promoting the book this summer at open air venues such as the Triangle and at the Carnival (the book has a multicultural theme that fits with the carnival theme this year) and ‘Art on the Prom’ (illustrations etc) alongside promoting Turkish Van cats (I have two). Felixstowe Futures are keen to have events at the Triangle and the Scribblers might want to consider an event there - ?regular open-air storytelling sessions or short plays? I would also like to see a Literary Festival at Felixstowe some time soon.

Back to the proposed programme – I have already contacted all the book retailers in Felixstowe and the library who have agreed to take part in the programme on a monthly basis. We will be running a competition for young writers on the youth slot along the lines of the recent competition run by BBC Radio 4/Chris Evans. There will also be opportunities for local writers to read from and talk about their work. I hope I may come along to your next meeting to talk about this and whether the club would like to participate regularly either by personal appearances at the studio or via recorded interviews. Perhaps you could canvas members views by email before your next meeting. Your comments would be appreciated.

Regards
Robyn

Short Story Prize

Closing Soon: July 1st
Email submissions must be received by July 1st - midnight your local time. Postal entries must be post marked by July 1st.
Spilling Ink Short Story Prize
1500 word max / £425 in Prizes / Publication Free Anthology
1st Prize – £250, publication, 1 free copy of annual print anthology
2nd Prize – £125, publication, 1 free copy of annual print anthology
3rd Prize – £50, publication, 1 free copy of annual print anthology
Shortlisted Entries* – publication, 1 free copy of annual print anthology
Entry fee £5

http://trk.cp20.com/Tracking/t.c?LdAH-IqHB-dK4j22

Returning from Monte Carlo....

Another excellent evening of pure creativity on the most part, with factual work from others featuring the homework topic, Monte Carlo.

Absorbing, emotional and entertaining work from our group of superb writers.

Now another two weeks before our next meeting when "THE JURY" is the homework. Can't wait!

The Scribe.

Woman's Hour

This was received from Ruth with a link to her interview on Woman's Hour, last Wednesday. If you were visiting 'Monte Carlo' and missed it you can live the experience from the link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b011vg8z#p00hl91j

Ruth's book launch is on June 25th (Waterstones, Ipswich at 6.30)

See you all Tuesday.

Barry

Coaching for writers

I wanted to make The Felixstowe Scribblers aware of a new service I am offering - Coaching for Writers - and wondered if you would mind bringing this to the attention of the Scribblers?

Earlier this year, I became an accredited coach, having successfully completed the Arvon Foundation/NAWE Coaching Skills for Writers course. Details of my practice can be found on the coaching page of my web site at www.andrewcburton.co.uk/coaching.html

The aim of coaching is to provide a safe, supportive and challenging space in which writers and aspiring writers can explore what they want to achieve, and identify the steps needed to turn these goals into reality. My sessions usually cost £35 per hour for waged people and £28 per hour for unwaged people, but I would like to offer members of Felixstowe Scribblers an introductory discount of 20% on each of these prices, effective until the end of September 2011. Anyone who is not satisfied after an initial consultation with me will be offered a full refund.

I have been working with writers for over 25 years; as a director, a programmer of theatre writing workshops at the New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich, a script reader, a judge on the East Anglian Daily Times Short Story competition, host of the Ipswich Writers' Cafe and, most recently, as Creative Programme Manager for Writers’ Centre Norwich.

The sessions usually take place at my home in Ipswich, but I also travel throughout the region to deliver this work - some of it via Writers' Centre Norwich, for example, and on 3 July I will be holding a day-long series of one-to-one coaching sessions at Menagerie Theatre's Sparks Festival in Cambridge. So if any Scribblers were interested, I would be happy to travel to Felixstowe.

Do let me know if this is something you think the Scribblers may be interested in.

Kind Regards

Andrew Burton
Arts Consultant / Project Manager / Accredited Coach

www.andrewcburton.co.uk
andrewcburton@hotmail.co.uk

AESTHETICA CREATIVE WORKS COMPETITION

I was in touch with you recently with information about the Aesthetica Creative Works Competition and I just wanted to remind you of the opportunity in the hope that you could pass the details on to your members at Felixstowe Scribblers. Many thanks if you have already done so and perhaps you could just remind your writers about the call for entries with a Tweet or Facebook? You can find us at www.twitter.com/aestheticamag

The competition is a fantastic opportunity for established and aspiring writers to develop their reputations on an international scale and it would be great to see more work from UK writers in the competition this year. I've included further information below.

CALL FOR ENTRIES: AESTHETICA CREATIVE WORKS COMPETITION

The 2011 Aesthetica Creative Works Competition is now open for entries! Aesthetica Magazine is inviting all artists, photographers, writers and poets to submit their work into the Creative Works Competition. Now in its fourth year, the competition is dedicated to celebrating and championing creative talent across the disciplines and welcomes entries from writers working in both poetry and short fiction.

The Competition has three categories, Artwork & Photography, Poetry and Fiction.
Winners and finalists are published in the Aesthetica Creative Works Annual.
Winners of each category receive £500 prize money plus other prizes.
Entry to the Creative Works Competition is £10.
The entry fee allows the submission of 2 images, 2 poems or 2 short stories.
The deadline for submissions is the 31st August 2011.
More guidelines on how to submit can be found online at http://www.aestheticamagazine.com/submission_guide.htm

Many thanks for your time and I do hope that your contacts will be interested in the opportunity.

Bryony Byrne
Marketing Officer
Aesthetica Magazine
bryony@aestheticamagazine.com
http://www.aestheticamagazine.com/

Connect with Aesthetica on Facebook MySpace Twitter

Keep up to date with arts and culture news on the Aesthetica blog at aestheticamagazine.blogspot.com

Ruth's interview on Woman's Hour

Interviewed by Jenni Murray on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour, Ruth explains her reasons behind some of her 'darker' writing. A good interview which can be heard on the following link (approximately 12 minutes into the broadcast).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b011vg8z/Womans_Hour_15_06_2011/

Now you've listened to her you have to agree that Ruth comes over very well on radio. She is not only a good author but very knowledgeable on her subject (of course).

Congratulations

to the happy couple, author Morag and husband John on their wedding last weekend. Here's to their long and happy future together.

Kindle owners

Our friend Geraldine Rose's anthology of short stories is now available to down load to your Kindle.

She is off to the London Metropolitan University (thanks to Ann Rossiter) this week as a guest author on their Irish literature studies course.

Geraldine is very grateful for the support she has received from everybody and recommends the Listowel Writers' Week festival to all, Ireland needs your support!

Anyone watching the Injustice series?

A really good series this Injustice, especially with its local flavour set in places like Southwold, Framlingham, Ipswich and Felixstowe. Wonder how many shots of these places were imported from other locations? Makes a very good story though - just wonder what the conclusion will be?

The original FTV wishes to remind folk that The Lost Sock was shot entirely in Felixstowe using local settings and local folk who encompassed that all important Suffolk dialect ...

TV Drama - The Writers' Festival 2011

Bookings are coming in fast but there are still a few places left for this year's TV Drama - The Writers' Festival, which will be held at Leeds College of Music on July 6th 2011 - July 7th 2011.

There will be a fantastic line-up with seminars headed up by the country's best writing, producing, and commissioning talent. Guest speakers include Jimmy McGovern (Cracker, The Street, Moving On), Frank Spotnitz (The X-Files), Paula Milne (Small Island, The Night Watch, Endgame), Toby Whithouse (Being Human, Doctor Who, Hotel Babylon), Hugo Blick (The Shadow Line, Sensitive Skin, Marion & Geoff) to name a few.

It is an opportunity to be inspired, challenged, and to have your say!To find out more information please visit: http://bbc.in/i590Nq

The deadline for applying for a place at the festival has been extended to June 23rd. Places are limited to writers with a broadcast credit or commission.

To download an application form please follow the link: http://bbc.in/ly1gi

UIf you do not have a credit or commission in television as yet but would like to attend you can make an enquiry briefly detailing your writing experience to writersroom.events@bbc.co.uk please title your email Writers' Festival Query.

We look forward to seeing you in Leeds!
Best wishes,BBC writersroom
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom

Breaking news

Spotted on Facebook - our Ruth is going to be interviewed on Radio 4's Woman's Hour next Wednesday (15th June). She says: "Yikes! Exciting & scary..."

Don't forget to tune in folks....

Secretary's report of our meeting held on 7th June.

I have a confession to make.

Each time I write one of these reports I find it more and more difficult to describe the talent that exists in our small group. If each writers group around the country enjoys the same standards as set by our members then it's no wonder there are not enough publishers to go round. I often think it would be an idea for a Channel Four reality programme. Instead of the Secret Millionaire, we could have the Secret Publisher, search for hidden talent. What do you think?
Back to business.

There were apologies from Dick, who at present is supping Guinness in Ireland, Trish and Les, who by dint of a memory lapse, found he was entertaining friends on the day of the meeting. Never mind, I received his homework over the ether from Joan and his poem was received in awe by the group, as was all work presented last night.

There was news of two impending nuptials, Morag on this Saturday and Ally who will be hitched on the Island of Mauritius, on the beach under a palm tree with the sea lapping at her feet..... enough! We all send them both our best wishes for an enjoyable day.

Belinda Janz appeared with a badly missed member, Caz, Belinda is visiting from Oz and staying with Caz. We have Belinda to thank for Caz's repatriation and those who know Belinda from a while ago will be sorry to have missed her. She is one other we extend our congratulations to for her forthcoming wedding on the 1st of October this year, those who cannot attend will be sent photographs.

We also greeted Keith last night, a new member (hopefully) who turned up hoping no doubt to find a completely serious and head down attitude to writing from the group. Sadly he had to go home and dream on.

The members attending who greeted both him and our friend from the other side of the world were, in no particular order; Ray, Tony, Belinda, Caz, Martin, Carolyn, Beryl, Liliane, Keith, Dave, Barry, and by proxy, Les.

The offerings were as follows.

Ray gave us 'The last run', a wartime story about the sinking of the Bismark.

Tony; well Tony gave us a part of Chapter 17, his odyssey of strange and wonderful people and places.

Belinda read a terrific, prize winning story in letter form of a woman describing the last, and last, and once more, last days of their mother. It introduced most of us to the Lazarus Syndrome. (Look it up). This was called A last Wave.

Caz gave us all a trip down memory lane (those old enough to remember Radio Caroline etc) about the pleasure she has derived over the years from the radio, entitled
Radio Waves.

Martin had us near to tears with Minnie Mouse with a broken heart, his short but extremely powerful poem of a young mothers grief when her baby dies.

Carolyn, our next newest member from USA, Australia, Far East, has seemingly adapted to the quirky ways of the Felixstowe Scribblers, provided us with her memories, again in letter form to her sadly departed father, of her first visit to the Suffolk Show.

Beryl gave us another tear jerker called He waved to me. Another story of the joy and pain brought by young life.

Liliane's Venture into Fantasy was another fictional family story. (she really must collate all the stories and present them to a publisher)

Keith, our new attendee vied for the post of fantasist in chief with Tony, when he read Grateful (Mark Two?) A nine eyed hairy monster that impinged on a spliff smoking group of young people in a cemetery, before deciding which of them to consume and which to put in his new Zanussi Freezer.

Dave extended a story read a couple of meetings ago about Pauline a young girl who was almost killed by a reckless young man on a wooded country road. This was a sobering story of life and death and the young man's sense of 'not my fault'. This was called Deliberations.

My offering was a story born of an idea from Eunice, my other half. The Royal Wedding. It sent my mind in it's usual meandering fashion to construct a story of two girls, twins, who lived in Catherine's home village but did not get an invite to the Wedding. This was called A day out in the big city.

Finally, I read, hopefully in the right tone, Leslie's entry, sent to me by Joan, as he had worked so hard on it. This was a beautifully put together poem called
Wave the flag. Memories of an old soldier on Remembrance Sunday.

Well, my friends. This is the end of the report, and as someone once said, 'you had to be there' to experience a really great evening.

Our next meeting is on Tuesday 21st June with the homework subject to create a story involving Monte Carlo.

Keep it up people.

Barry.

As an addendum here is a copy of an email from Caz:

We just wanted to say ‘thank you’ to all those present at Felixstowe Scribblers last evening. I personally haven’t attended the meetings since early 2007 and when I walked in last night, in the company of Belinda, visiting from Australia, it was as if I had never been away. Members old and new, welcomed us both, like old friends and made me realise, if I needed to be assured, that I am blessed with lovely friends who have missed me too.

Now this first tentative step has been taken, I hope to continue to attend on a regular basis. Looking forward to seeing other Scribblers, that were unable to attend last evenings meeting.

Take care and see you in Monty Carlo!! Oh of course, that’s the ‘homework’ theme not a holiday destination. Unless of course there is a substantial lottery win and we’ll go via Australia, to Belinda and Geoff’s Wedding on the 1st October in Brisbane!! I can dream can’t I?

Thank you one and all for a very interesting and enjoyable evening.

Caz and Belinda.

Blast from the past

A real blast from the past when our 'old' friends Caz and Belinda arrived at tonight's meeting armed with completed homework.

It was lovely to see them both and they were warmly welcomed in the traditional Scribblers way. Shame that some of the regular members could not attend to meet up with Belinda again.

Belinda is on a flying visit to England with her fiance Geoff from their Queensland home and 'persuaded' Caz to come along as well.
A good night was had by all!

People's Book Prize

Ruth Dugdall , seen here collecting the Bill Budner Trophy, needs our help again. Remember how we voted for her book 'The Woman Before Me' to win People's Book Prize (and if you didn't, here's your chance!)? Well Ruth's in the final so voting is now open until July 20th. You need to register to vote, and if you've already voted they'll send you a reminder of your password... Only takes a minute to do. Ruth will really appreciate your help. http://www.peoplesbookprize.com/finalist.php

It's a brilliant read and well worthy of the title so come on Scribblers! Vote for Ruth!

Correction!

New technology

leaves our mature friends in a world of their own ... which reminds me that's why my computer screen is covered with white streaks ....

Let's wave goodbye to old ways and join us at Scribblers TONIGHT!

Our next meeting....

Don't forget tomorrow's meeting (Tuesday 7th June) at the Room at the Top - start 7.30pm. The homework theme - WAVES!

See you tomorrow!

June 6 issue of WritingRaw.com

Writing Raw is a FREE weekly literary magazine dedicated to new and emerging writers. Our goal at Writing Raw is simple - to serve the literary community with the opportunity to have their work online and out in the world. In this world of disappearing literary magazines, Writing Raw is providing the blank pages for writers to fill. New in this issue:

FICTION:
All in the Mind by Ken Sieben
At Number Twenty Two by Amanda Sington-Williams
Chaoins by Ria Falkner
D-117, Spark-Songs by Daniel J. Pool
It's All About the Numbers by Jamie Littlefield
My Rump Hurts Disorder by Heath Corlew
Rabbit Hole by M. Robert Fisher
Sally's Games by Chris Castle
Sienna Island by Chris Castle
Strays by Murielle Cyr

SERIAL:
Destiny Diverted: Chapter 4 by Don Clifford
Panes of Blue: Segment 4 by Jason P. Henry
really BAD Shakespeare Season 2, Episodes 5 and 6

POETRY:
Carl Sandburg, Idols in the Sand, and Galesburg Shacks by Michael Lee Johnson
Down by the Seaside by Peter Yates
God of the Amoebas by Caroline Joanne Merrill
God's School Of Excellence by Una Clarke
Life by Blaze
My Man by Rose E. Grier
No Regrets by Jane Robertson
Paean To His Wife by Christopher Nagle
The Gate of Hell by Kristina Arrambide
We by Blaze
Words by Elaine Rosenberg Miller

ASSORTED:
A Wolf By The Ears by Mattie Lennon
And All His Songs Were Sad (A Full-length Play) by Mattie Lennon
Death Squad by Christopher Nagle
Silence with the Storm, End: A Life's History by Rattan Mann
Window Onto A Windowless World by Tony Culver

INTERVIEWS:
Lee Martin
Gary William Murning

ART:
Vincent Davis

REVIEWS:
Allbooks Review
Between the Sheets: A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
FLASH REVIEW by Weeb: The School of Night by Louis Bayard
Rib Reads

Some announcements:

· Good News/Bad News - Well, the good news is that we are back! May was a very busy month for us and now we are back stronger and better than ever. Seems that this thing called LIFE interfered with WritingRaw this month - what with Weeb being in a play (Play On! with the White River Valley Players) and all. But that's all behind him now (until July, when he will be part of the Chandler production of Boys in the Band… we think he's infected with the acting bug. Doctors have been notified.) so now he can devote his time back to his first and true love - WritingRaw…. Now, the BAD news… After much thought and consideration, WritingRaw is going back to every 2 weeks. There is a positive side to this - longer exposure for the pieces on the site. The reason we are doing this has nothing to do with product or material, it just has to do with time. We tried the experiment and realized that it would work out best for everyone if we went back to 2 weeks, but still sticking to those Mondays.

· Full-Length Play - In this issue, WritingRaw is proud to present a full-length play by Mattie Lennon called: And All His Songs Were Sad.

· How to Use the Wall - Let everyone know how you feel about a particular piece on WritingRaw. This is YOUR space to give feedback, recommendations, or just self-promote something that you want to bring further interest too.

· Calling for all artists – If you would like your artwork showcased on WritingRaw.com – please send 5 pictures, along with a short bio (hot links and other information accepted) to Weeb at weeb@writingraw.com

· Click HERE to visit our NEW WritingRaw Conferences Page: Listing upcoming conferences and workshops from all over the world. If you would like to have your conference or workshop listed, please contact Weeb at weeb@writingraw.com

· NEW books in the bookstore - Use the Writing Raw Book Store to promote your novel or poetry collection: If you have a novel or collection that you would like to place in our store, we would be more than happy to do so – for FREE. Just send us a copy of the cover of the book (jpeg, bmp, etc. – please don’t send pdf), a brief synopsis, and a link as to where the material can be purchased.

· really BAD Shakespeare starts with repeats this week - starting with Season 1. Two expanded episodes will appear in each issue for 12 weeks... building to the start of Season 3.

WritingRaw also supports other sites that help writers: www.WritingRaw.com believes in reaching out to other sites, writing groups, forums, and organizations. Contact us on how you can place a FREE banner, announcement or link on our site! Or, perhaps you would like to partner in some way with WritingRaw (column, monthly essay, writing tips, etc.). We are open to ideas…

Or, use the Writing Raw Book Store to promote your novel or poetry collection: If you have a novel or collection that you would like to place in our store, we would be more than happy to do so – for FREE. Just send us a copy of the cover of the book (jpeg, bmp, etc. – please don’t send pdf), a brief synopsis, and a link as to where the material can be purchased.

We are also looking for people to write weekly columns, such as – book and publishing news, exercise and tips, or… well, we are always open to suggestions to help make the site one of the most informative and innovative out there. Let us know if you would like to help in this aspect. All columns will have your byline, your bio information (with hot links to your site), and you will retain all copyright.

The archive has been somewhat purged (after 2 years of material, we needed to clean up some) but, if your material was on WritingRaw.com before the purge and is no longer listed in the archive, we will be more than happy to place it back. Just contact me at weeb@writingraw.com and let me know.

Stop in and discover a new and emerging voice today.

Weeb
WritingRaw.com

Scribblers deliberations

Matt Barclay is a care worker who wishes to produce a film to help carers discover there is a 'life' outside their profession. He is looking for a ghost writer for the film script but there will be very little or no return at all. Anyone interested should contact scribblers@btinternet.com for contact details.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

I would like to draw your group's attention to an online writers' forum, Great Writing. The site has existed since 2005 and has just been rebuilt to improve its speed and user-friendliness.
You can explore it as a guest, without joining, but registration enables you to post and to review work. We would be very happy to see any of your members taking part.
Sue Millard http://www.suemillard.f9.co.uk/

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Dear Scribblers,
My name is Leslie Tate. I have an MA in Creative Writing, two published novels (cover and blurb of the latest attached), have run festival workshops and FE writing classes, appeared at Hackney Empire, Goldsmiths College and 40+ writing groups/U3As.

My partner, Sue Hampton, has 10 books published. She has visited 150 schools inspiring children/staff/parents with a love of children’s literature. Michael Morpugo praised three of her novels as: 1. ‘An enthralling account of the Roman occupation of Britain. A powerfully written debut in a novel that lingers long’ 2. ‘Teriffic’ 3. ‘Beautifully written’.

I'm appearing at the 14th Great Writing Conference June 18/19th, Imperial College, London University to present on 'What Goes into a Great Novel?' I wondered if your writing group would like me to bring along the presentation? It goes like this:

In How Do We Recognise Great Writing? Leslie Tate will describe how two authors present the characteristics of quality writing and the purposes of authorship. A number of reflective activities about writing will be showcased ─ Leslie’s for adults and his partner’s, Sue Hampton, for schoolchildren.

Firstly, Leslie will introduce Sue and himself through poster-size metaphors, then demonstrate, using printed cards and call-and-reply, Sue’s thirteen answers to “Why write?”.

Secondly, using his ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ U3A talk aid (which is pictorial and applies the dancing skills each judge is looking for to a quality book), Leslie will:
· contrast language-led/character-led fiction with plot-driven/issue-led/author-centred stories
· explain the importance of rewriting, as well as ‘blue-eye’, ‘red-eye’, in fully-realised writing
· talk about the 5 main elements that go into a great novel:
a) technique/innovation
b) soul/deep meaning
c) form/tradition
d) passion/expression
e) humour/self awareness.

Finally three readings will exemplify ‘substantiation’ in stories and how quality writing grows unpredictably from character and language and incorporates multiple genres.
Throughout the presentation Leslie will answer questions and incorporate ideas from the audience.

Websites: http://www.leslietate.com/ http://www.suehamptonauthor.co.uk/
If the group could buy a collective copy of my debut Aphrodite’s Children and my latest Frontliners (£8.99 each = £17.98 total) I'd be happy to take that as payment.
Best wishes
Leslie Tate

Scribblers should let Barry know if they are interested in Leslie's offer.

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Anyone who remembers Felixstowe's (in)famous film 'The Lost Sock' might recall mention of the Thorpeness Monster - Could this be it, the same Thorpeness Monster which was spotted at on the Mere 1st June?