Thanks so much, and good luck!
Margaret
--
Margaret Graham
www.margaret-graham.com
www.wordsforthewounded.co.uk
www.wordsforthewounded.blogspot.co.uk
www.margaret-graham-author.blogspot.co.uk
Sunday, 23 February 2014
Words for the Wounded
I hope you don't mind me reminding you that Words for the Wounded Writing Prize (raising money for the recovery of wounded troops) closes to entries on 11 March. Up to 400 words of fiction, memoir and poetry. Prize money totalling £400 and publication in Writers' Forum. Entry fee £4.50. Details can be found on www.wordsforthewounded.co.uk Remember - 100% of your entry fee goes to the wounded.
Thanks so much, and good luck!
Margaret
Thanks so much, and good luck!
Margaret
New website
I have started a website which I think will be of interest to you. I would be hugely grateful if it was possible for to have a look at the site and provide me with some feedback, good or bad.www.readerswriters.ie is a new website for grass roots writers. Readers Writers is a simple idea. The plan is to offer everyone from the writing enthusiast to the budding journalist a platform to demonstrate their literary talents to the general public and in turn the written media. Readers Writers will provide a platform for individuals to write on their chosen topic, a well informed and authentic piece that reflects their knowledge and interest in that particular area. We welcome contributions in all areas, be they short stories, prose, opinion pieces, articles or reports.We already have one Irish National newspaper, and One Local Newspaper on board and they will dip in and out, and take recommended articles.We also have secured an agreement with a UK publisher for the provision of quality material.We would appreciate it if you could forward this e-mail or link to anyone you think this website would be of interest to.If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.Regards,James Lee-GearyReaders Writers Ltd.
Co. Limerick.Republic of Ireland.
E-Mail: james@readerswriters.ie
Web: www.readerswriters.ie
Meeting report - at last!!!
It has happened twice now. Both times the near 2,000 word
‘files’ have corrupted for some unbeknown reason. This is a shorter report
which I hope will suffice – and be saved...
Felixstowe
Scribblers Meeting Report for 18th February 2014.
In
attendance: Dick, Les, Liliane, Jane, Susie H, Beryl,
Tony, Martin, Richard, Barry, Dave and a new member, Derek.
Apologies
were received from Caz, Carolyn, Cathy, Clive, Suzy G and Katy.
It was nice to welcome Derek
to the fold. His passion is travel writing but has been a member of other
writing groups before coming along to Scribblers. He has also attended a
creative writing course with Martin.
It was good to see such a
healthy attendance despite all the call-offs. We send our wishes to those who
are unwell and hope to see you back at Scribblers very soon.
The Lost Sock will be shown
at the Felixstowe Book Festival on 28th June from 5.pm. This will
also include time for the public to meet the Scribblers. The cost will be three
pounds which will go to Festival sponsorship funds. We will try to prepare an
anthology and will try to have copies of the film available for sale. An email
will be sent to those who have offered help with the anthology and also their
presence at the event.
Tony has requested more
stories to be provided for the radio spots, ICR broadcast the Scribblers work
on Tuesdays at 15.30 on 105.7FM and Felixstowe Radio Wednesdays at 21.00 on
107.5FM.
Our advertised meeting plans
altered this time with members allowed to bring a piece of their favourite
work, an extract from a story, perhaps a poem or even a completely new piece of
work. Here’s how it went:
Susie
H: Shackled and Tethered: Money shoved in my slot. I’m sprung
free, the early starters always rushing to get the job done. Next come the
elderly, the pace leisurely and slow then the lunchtime punters on a quick
mission of acquisition. Afternoons are long. I make them angry and frustrated.
BOGOF deals, booze, ready meals fill me to the brim. Your soul on wheels, the
supermarket trolley.
Barry:
Thumping in the Dark: Darkness and the thump, thump thumping even
when I am asleep. I have the same thumping inside me but not so loud. My space
is gets smaller as the walls close in. The water around me drains away; I look down
and see the dim light in the darkness. Falling into the land of giants; the
high pitched noise is replaced by, ‘Hello. What shall we call you then?’
Richard:
All the Time in the World: Twenty eight and a half minutes to go.
Time for a cup of tea. Mugs neatly stored, tins, labels facing out. You need
discipline, like the twenty girls in packing. They respected me. Power, that’s
what women like. Early retirement and my wife left home. Seven minutes past.
Not good enough. The girl on their switchboard was rude, hung up the little
hussy did. They just don’t know how to behave these days.
Martin:
The Talk Show: In his inimitable style Martin took us to an
American Talk Show where the horrors of the Holocaust were discussed, and how a
young girl born in Frankfurt, a German national, lost her citizenship. Along
with her family they fled to Amsterdam and went into hiding from the German
occupation of the Netherlands and persecution of Jews but were betrayed. Anne
Frank and her sister Margot died in Bergen-Belsen concetration camp of Typhus.
Anne’s diary chronicles her life from 1942-1944.
Dick:
Shocks in the Shop: Author of a booklet on the ghosts of
Landguard Fort, this chapter was omitted from the publication. It tells of the
gift shop volunteer who saw a soldier appear, smile and wave to her then faded
away. Another volunteer was scared witless when five Airfix kits suddenly took
off from a shelf and landed a good distance away. Dick himself witnessed the
strangest thing of all when a customer asked for evidence of haunting and
suddenly a heavy Oerlikon shell fell from the top sheld and landed with a
deafening crash in an empty ammunition box. Proof enough?
Dave:
Predicament: Boing, boing, boing! Widower Kenny had
fancied neighbour Tracy for ages. She used to help round the house and then
more intimately. Suddenly two springs broke, one protruding from the mattress
and the other agonisingly disappeared to where the sun never shines. Unable to
remove the spring from his derrière, Judy called 999. The mirth of the
operator, the ambulance crew, nursing staff and the doctor hardly helped.
Eventually the inner spring was removed much to Kenny’s utter embarrassment.
Beryl:
Wedding Day: This is the final chapter of Beryl’s book,
the end of the story Roma has been telling Beryl, her daughter. Sam Samuels,
Ru’s father wanted to break up their relationship and threatened to be at Roma
and Ru’s wedding with a shotgun. The preparation for the wedding began early in
the day, with hairdressing, make-up and wedding dress before the cars arrived
to take Roma to the synagogue. There was no Sam, so the wedding ceremony went
ahead despite all the stress and worry caused.
Liliane:
In the Peace of the Evening: Kitty and Bobby were in
reflective mood as they had their nightcaps. They had had a good life, both
would be seventy on their next birthdays. They recalled Lea who died in a motor
accident, the lunatic who shot Steven and killed Bee. How their home had been a
‘Welcome House’ for the family. Now having emigrated to Sydney they looked
forward to enjoying the peace. Then the doorbell rang loudly...
Jane:
Getting Away: Holidays are good for you I told my son Paul
again. He said talk to Michelle who gave me that tight lipped look. She
recalled Habib in Turkey who took a liking to me then took her daughter for a
walk. She told the police he’d kidnapped her. And it wasn’t my fault when the
tent blew away when we went camping. They are doing a staycation this year Michelle
said with twitching eye. It only happens when I visit, Paul said. Wonder if
there are mental health issues in her family.
Derek:
I Saw Her Standing There: A story showing the passing of time. I
first saw her four years ago, sobbing in grief, a good looking woman, black
hair laced with invading grey. Passed her in Michaelmas then spoke on the Ides
of March. The year passed through hot August, October and Christmas. At spring
drilling we chatted then on May Day shared a jug of ale. She accompanied to the
Midsummer Ball and by Harvest Supper we found it hard to keep our distance.
Les:
Three Poems: It’s always difficult summarising poetry but
Les’s three are terrific. Caesar’s
Farewell – Beware the Ides of March.. et tu Brutus.. the brutal pain of
treachery as I face my Gods. Romance in
the Dordogne – A line of poplars, dappled sunlight telling the story of a
long lost love. Distant Hills, Bordeaux cafes... Hotel Vouvre... I wonder where
she is now. Dreams to Treasure – I dreamed
a dream of nymphs cavorting in a stream, beautiful women begging for more, to
wake alone on the floor! Body like a Grecian God, but I’m just a flabby old
sod!
Tony:
A Walk in the Green Forest: This comes from Chapter Three of Tony’s
‘Sword of the Kings.’ In this, Hunions is off in search of Blind Eye MacPherson.
He survived an unsuccessful attack on his life by Lieto and Uriah. Eventually
he met Knott and told him he was looking for Blind Eye MacPherson who had a
female companion. Knott gave directions in strides, left turns and right that
eventually took him to his quest but after discussion, Blind Eye MacPherson
shut the door in his face.
So another excellent evening of entertainment and creative genius...
Good luck to Susie who is moving
into her new home next week.
Our next meeting is on
Tuesday 4th March when the homework assignment is to write up to
1,000 words on your husband, your wife or your partner. Obviously this can be
complete fiction or as truthful as you dare to be...!
Keep Scribbling!
Dave.
Tuesday, 18 February 2014
Tonight's meeting
Despite a number of call-offs through illness and travel commitments there was a very healthy turn out for tonight's meeting.
With an open subject allowing writers to bring in favourite or older work or even something new, it was an enthralling meeting with some wonderful words from the very start to the end. It was well worth attending just to listen and so those who were unable to attend missed out on a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
Our next meeting is on Tuesday 4th March when the homework assignment is for ladies to write up to 1,000 words on their husbands whilst husbands write the same amount on their wives! It can be fictional or as true as you want it to be!
Keep Scribbling!!!
With an open subject allowing writers to bring in favourite or older work or even something new, it was an enthralling meeting with some wonderful words from the very start to the end. It was well worth attending just to listen and so those who were unable to attend missed out on a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
Our next meeting is on Tuesday 4th March when the homework assignment is for ladies to write up to 1,000 words on their husbands whilst husbands write the same amount on their wives! It can be fictional or as true as you want it to be!
Keep Scribbling!!!
Monday, 17 February 2014
Tuesday 18th February...
Tuesday is all but with us... and it's our meeting in The Room at the Top Felixstowe Library. Starting at 7.30 the meeting is open to any of your favourite, or new work... short stories... poetry... extracts from your ongoing work... the choice is yours! Pleas ensure the work contains no more than 1,000 words. Thank you.
Hoping you'll be able to join us!
Dave
ps... three ads follow...
88888888888888
A lively and informative 'how to' on writing erotica by a published author Kelly Michelle Lawrence, with a focus on plot and crafting integral erotic scenes, with practical exercises for the reader.
Published in March by Compass Books as part of the Compass Points series, Passionate Plots is a book aimed at new and emerging writers, or existing writers looking to expand their skills, younger writers and fans of the erotica genre and readers of erotic literature interested in writing their own stories.
Please see press release included and request your review copy, preferably PDF. Please also contact for articles, excerpts and interviews.
Book Title: Compass Points: Passionate Plots
Author: Kelly Michelle Lawrence
John Hunt Publishing (Compass Books) announces the new title
Publication Date: March 2014
KD Grace, bestselling author of 'The Initiation of Ms Holly'
New and emerging writers, existing writers looking to expand their skills and readers of erotic literature interested in writing their own stories will find this book a lively and informative 'how to' on writing erotica. Written by a published author, Passionate Plots focuses upon plot and crafting integral erotic scenes, with practical exercises for the reader.
Kelly Lawrence is a writer, creative writing teacher for the Writers Bureau and mother from Coventry, West Midlands.
Publisher: office1@jhpbooks.net
Review copies available on request
Distributors:
Orca Marston in Europe tradeorders@orcabookservices.co.uk
NBN in US customercare@nbnbooks.com
Review copies available on request
Distributors:
Orca Marston in Europe tradeorders@orcabookservices.co.uk
NBN in US customercare@nbnbooks.com
978-1-78279-430-1 Paperback (93PP) $11.95 | £7.99 March 2014
Kind regards
Maria
888888888
This is a practical, no nonsense guide, full of advice for writers, and yet fascinating for readers of poetry.
Published in March by Compass Books as part of the Compass Points series, A Practical Guide to Poetry Forms is a book aimed at the beginner poet and is stimulating enough to interest the more experienced poet.
Please see press release included and request your review copy, preferably PDF. Please also contact for articles, excerpts and interviews.
Book Title: Compass Points: A Practical Guide to Poetry Forms
Author: Alison Chisholm
Kind regards
Maria
John Hunt Publishing (Compass Books) announces the new title
Alison Chisholm
Publication Date: March 2014
Stephen Wade
A Practical Guide to Poetry Forms is a practical handbook on poetry forms, giving informative details on the construction of the major set forms. It also includes exercises, all within the scope of the beginner, yet stimulating enough to engage the more experienced poet.
Alison Chisholm has been writing poetry for over 40 years, and has had ten collections published, (nine by specialist poetry publishers and the most recent self-published), as well as ten textbooks on the craft of writing. She lives in Southport, UK.
Publisher: office1@jhpbooks.net
Review copies available on request
Distributors:
Orca Marston in Europe tradeorders@orcabookservices.co.uk
NBN in US customercare@nbnbooks.com
Review copies available on request
Distributors:
Orca Marston in Europe tradeorders@orcabookservices.co.uk
NBN in US customercare@nbnbooks.com
978-1-78279-032-7 Paperback (109PP) $14.95 | £9.99 March 2014
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Friday, 14 February 2014
Our next meeting
Our thoughts are with all those unfortunate people affected by the flooding in this terrible period of adverse weather.
With whistling wind and lashing rain outside it is best I try and catch up on some of the emails I need to answer etc. So I have to start with a reminder that our forthcoming meeting is on Tuesday next 18th February start time 7.30pm. It is a change to the original programme and means that there is no specific homework but you may bring along a favourite piece of your work, a short story, poem, extract from a book, etc., the choice is yours... but please remember, a maximum of 1,000 words.
At last I have updated the weblog with Jane being added to the Roll of Honour - sorry for the delay folks!
Hope to see you at the meeting on Tuesday so until then, keep safe and...
Keep Scribbling!!!
The trophy presentation...
At long last... the photo of Jane receiving the Bill Budner Trophy from Les....
Well done Jane...
Well done Jane...
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