Leicester Writers' Club Newsboard

Agent Ed comes to Leicester

2010-11-11T11:26:00.000Z

On Thursday December 2nd, literary agent ED WILSON will be speaking at the Club.

Ed is part of Johnson & Alcock, a small but highly-regarded London literary agency whose clients are as diverse as Dick Francis, Beryl Bainbridge and Joan Collins. Ed will speak generally about the agenting process, including the impact digital technology is having on the publishing industry, and will be happy to meet new and budding authors. This is a FREE EVENT sponsored by Creative Leicestershire. So spread the word. 7-9pm. Room 3, Leicester Adult Education College, Wellington Street, Leicester.

National Short Story Week

2010-11-11T11:21:00.000Z

Most of us probably weren't aware of this, but 22nd-26th of November is National Short Story Week. The Club intends to celebrate this at our meeting on November 25th by dedicating the evening to ... the short story. We'd like to have as many people read a story as possible. So if you can keep your story lengths to around 1200 words, we should be able to get quite a few in. Doesn't matter if it's a story you've read before or it's one you've edited down. If there aren't enough stories to read on the night we'll cover the remaining time with normal manuscripts, but priority will be given to stories. Enjoy.

Adjudication of the Article Competition

2010-11-11T11:15:00.002Z

A little bit late in the day, perhaps, but tonight is the adjudication of the article competition, judged by a Leicester Mercury editor, no less. Good luck to all concerned!

Garden Party

2010-08-01T11:28:00.001+01:00

And don't forget the garden party at Jean Chapman's house in Peatling Magna next Sunday, August 8th. 2pm onwards, I believe. Bring a bottle and some food, perhaps. Jean has a beautiful garden, perfect for a social gathering. Directions available at the Club and from Jean. This will also be a mini-fundraiser for the Club. If you have any second hand books you don't want, bring them along - and buy some more! All proceeds to LWC. I will be providing all three Stieg Larsson novels, which are pristine. Snap them up!

Article Competition

2010-08-01T11:22:00.001+01:00

Jayne has been hard at work recently sorting out competitions for the forthcoming year. The first of them will be to write a factual article linked to Leicester or Leicestershire. The word count must be between 1000 - 1500 words. Closing date for entries: 14th October 2010. Adjudication: 11th November. Normal Club rules apply.

The adjudicator for this will be an editor from the Leicester Mercury. So it's not beyond the realms of possibility that this might create an opening for someone within the Mercury's pages. Get writing, folks.

Events a-plenty

2010-07-23T16:40:00.001+01:00

An impressive list of forthcoming events for you to savour, compiled by Siobhan following on from the latest committee meeting. Most of these will probably have a separate entry in due course, but for now just read and drool.

LWC Garden Party 8th August at Jean Chapman's house - bring food + drink, secondhand books for stall if you wish and garden chairs also welcome.

Book Launch Thursday 19th August for Glynn Iliffe's new book, Waterstones Market Harborough

Everybody's Reading 2nd - 9th October = a city-wide festival to celebrate the written/ spoken word - various members participating and poss. a club event - watch this space ...

LWC Competition - Article Writing - early in autumn term - details to follow. Usual rules of entry. See Jayne Stanton.

LWC Speaker Event - Graham Joyce 14th October - supported by Creative Leicestershire

Poetry Comp Details

2010-03-06T22:06:00.000Z

Yes, it's here again. The annual poetry competition. This time with the theme of STILL. Closing date May 20th. Adjudication June 24th, by John Gallas. Get to it.

Short Story competition

2010-02-12T17:42:00.000Z

It's competition time again. The next one comes up fairly quickly with a closing date of March 18th. So get scribbling. It's to write a short story between 1000-2000 words on the theme of 'Metropolis'. Adjudicator is Polly Tucket, and the result will be announced on April 15th.

Volunteers required...

2010-02-11T17:38:00.000Z

Hi all. On Saturday March 20th, De Montfort University is hosting an Independent Publishers Day, organised by Ross Bradshaw of Five Leaves Press. LWC will have a stall there and we are looking for volunteers to help throughout the day, basically to advertise ourselves and hopefully draw in a few new members. If you think you can lend an hour or more, drop Maxine a line.

Sally Vickers

2010-01-22T19:44:00.000Z

Now that the snow has hopefully left us we can look forward to some interesting events in the months to come, not least the visit of novelist Sally Vickers on March 25th. Entry free! So encourage your friends. Sally's first novel, Miss Garnet’s Angel, became an international word-of-mouth bestseller and a favourite among book clubs and reading groups. She now writes full time and lectures widely on many subjects, particularly the connections between, art, literature, psychology and religion. The acclaimed actress Dame Eileen Atkins will be reading Sally's latest book, Dancing Backwards on BBC Book at Bedtime, Spring 2010.

Getting Published

2009-09-15T10:24:00.003+01:00

A new season, a new speaker. LWC kicks off its latest crop of events with a visit from Elizabeth Cochrane, a rights manager at London literary agency Greene and Heaton. She is also a freelance editorial consultant and has worked in the publishing industry since 2003. Elizabeth will speak about the reality of representation and the publishing process for writers, giving an insider’s view of the industry and offering honest advice about how to improve your chances of success.

This event is sponsored by Creative Leicestershire and is FREE to enter. 7-9pm. Thursday December 3rd. Leicester Adult Education College. Wellington Street, Leicester.

We wuz robbed!

2009-05-19T22:47:00.002+01:00

Sadly, LWC did not win the best anthology category at the David St John Thomas awards today, held at the Society of Authors, in London. To make matters worse, we were beaten by a club with an unpronounceable name: Wingerworth Wordsmiths. Try saying that several times over, quickly. In the post-ceremony discussion, we were very much of the opinion that we did not lose on the quality of our writing, but more that our decision to publish a book of selected wordbites was not quite what the judges were looking for. Nevertheless, we all agreed that we would not have done the anthology any other way and therefore we lost nothing in defeat. Members will be pleased to know that a grand day out was had by all. It didn't rain, and we got a stroll through a bit of Hyde Park. We send our congratulations to the winners. It was genuinely a pleasure to see how excited they were to receive their cup. Maybe another year for us.

Reminder!

2009-05-06T08:34:00.002+01:00

Don't forget that this Thursday, May 7th, David Belbin, Claire Tulloch and Dan Tunstall will be at the Club to talk about writing fiction for young adults. This is sponsored by the excellent Five Leaves Press. This is a FREE open evening. Bring a friend! Please note that the event begins at 7:30pm, to give time for people attending the BBC Writersroom event at DMU to arrive.

Berlie Doherty at LWC

2009-05-06T08:25:00.002+01:00

On Thursday July 16th the Club is host to one of the most prolific authors of young adult fiction in the UK, Berlie Doherty. Twice a winner of the Carnegie medal and with a string of plays for TV, radio and stage to her name, this is an event not to be missed. The talk is open to all and is sponsored by Creative Leicestershire.

I walked about a bit on my own

2009-04-25T10:06:00.001+01:00

Fancy yourself as a budding Wordsworth? Don't miss the next Club competition, which is to write a poem of 40 lines or less on an open theme. Usual rules and entry rates apply.

Closing date 28th May, adjudication 11th June 2009 by poet and writer Alison Dunne, who will also speak about her work.

Enter stage left...

2009-04-25T10:03:00.001+01:00

Congratulations to the winners of our drama comp:

There were 10 entries in all.

1. Water for the Guru, Mahsuda Shah

2. Being Nobody, Going Nowhere, Maxine Linnell

3. Cruise to Egypt, Dana Bagshaw

Commended: Broken Icicles, Dana Bagshaw

Sharp's Launch

2009-04-09T09:05:00.003+01:00

No, absolutely nothing to do with Sean Bean or Bernard Cornwell, but our very own Andrew (Sharp), keep up, who will be launching his first novel, Ghosts of Eden on Thursday 28th May. Not only that, Corinne Souza of Picnic Publishing will be there to say a few words. Raise a glass.

Triple Youth

2009-04-09T09:03:00.002+01:00

Exciting speaker event on May 7th when David Belbin, Claire Tulloch and Dan Tunstall will talk about writing fiction for young adults. This is sponsored by the excellent Five Leaves Press. Please note that the event begins at 7:30pm, to give time for people attending the BBC Writersroom event at DMU to arrive.

Victory!

2009-03-19T23:35:00.002Z

Congratulations to everyone who took part and to all those members who went along to the Mill on the Soar pub to support the Leicester 'Writers on the Road' effort to **WIN** the 'Write-off' competition last Saturday evening. Led by Marianne and driven on by her Viking spirit, our able team managed to carry off a well-earned triumph against the Runaway Writers of Burton. A party is being planned for Thursday April 2nd... watch this space.

That book wot I wrote

2009-03-19T23:31:00.002Z

A fantastic night in store on Thursday March 26th when Barry Turner, editor of The Writer's Handbook, will be speaking at the Club. We've all dipped into this valuable resource at some time. Don't miss the opportunity to hear how and why it was put together.

Script Writing Competition

2009-01-29T18:00:00.004Z

Thespian tendencies, anyone? The next competition is to write the first 10 minutes from a one act or full length stage play + synopsis. Adjudication by TWP ( Theatre Writing Partnership ) on Thursday 23rd April 2009. TWP will also offer advice and support to help writers develop their work further. The best pieces may be presented at the LWC Showcase evening, 'Writers on the Road' on 19th June 2009 at the Richard Attenborough Centre and there may be further development opportunities. TWP will also offer advice and support to help writers develop their work.

Open to members of LWC and Writing School
Entry Fees: LWC: £2.50,( £6 for 3 entries)

Writing school: £3, (£8 for 3 entries).
Closing date: 5th March. Hand in or post to Marianne Whiting.

Making a Mark: Leicester Writers' Club

2009-01-29T17:54:00.001Z

Writing is solitary work. So how do writers find the kind of support, information, encouragement and feedback they need? Leicester Writers' Club has more than forty members, and the group has met almost every week for over fifty years. Last year the club published its first anthology, Making a Mark. Current members include Chris D'Lacey, Rod Duncan, Siobhan Logan, Margaret Kaine and many more. Join some of them to talk about writers' groups and hear some of their work.

Monday, March 2, 6-7.30
Free admission.

Faculty of Humanities
Clephan Building
De Montfort University
The Gateway
Leicester
LE1 9BH

Results of travel writing comp

2008-12-14T11:22:00.002Z

Well done to everyone who was placed in the travel competition adjudicated by Richard Guise.

1st: Siobhan Logan, Night Fishing in Skjervoy
2nd: Marianne Whiting, Burnt Out in Patagonia
3rd: Terri Bradshaw, Venice and Preconceptions

Highly Commended: Rod Duncan, In the Footsteps of a Prisoner
Margaret Penfold, Ballantyne, Kipling Arthur Ransome and I Go to Goa
Dana Bagshaw, Wagon Wheel Tracking

Last meeting

2008-11-14T09:47:00.002Z

Kazia has kindly invited the club to her house on December 18th, which will be the last meeting of the year (we begin again at Wellington Street on January 9th), usual time. You are encouraged to bring nibbles. This will be a 'blind reading' event, so bring a short(!) piece of unsigned writing to be read by someone else. The fun is in guessing who the piece really belongs to.

Travel Competition

2008-11-14T09:46:00.001Z

Don't be on the road on December 11th or you'll miss the adjudication of the travel competition by Richard Guise.

Garden Party

2008-08-24T11:58:00.003+01:00

Forget August, the summer is about to arrive in September, when we are due to have our annual garden party at Margaret P's house. September 13th. 3pm till a reasonable hour. Bring a plate, preferably with something edible on it. And if anyone has a small portable gazebo or marquee, Margaret would like to hear from you...

We're moving...

2008-06-30T21:39:00.003+01:00

...but not for long. Please note that due to building work at the College during the summer, the Club will be moving to a room at the Methodist Church at 10A BISHOP STREET, close to Town Hall Square. The LAST meeting at Wellington Street is July 17th and we resume again on September 11th. All the meetings inbetween will be at the Church.

Macmillan New Writing

2008-06-18T19:36:00.003+01:00

Our last speaker evening of the current season promises to be a good one. Will Atkins, an editor from Macmillan Publishers, is coming to the Club on July 3rd, to talk about a scheme Macmillan run where they try to put several unknown writers into print each year. What better opportunity can there be to meet a commissioning editor first hand? Spread the word!

No ticket required. £3 on the door for non-members of LWC.

Making a Mark

2008-04-27T13:43:00.005+01:00

The first stroke on a plain white page. A beginning...

This is it, folks. The one you've all been waiting for.

Thursday May 22nd. Anthology launch night.

Readings, food, refreshments, fun.

Don't miss it.

Forthcoming speaker events

2008-03-01T09:23:00.002Z

You know the old joke about you wait for ages and then three turn up together? Okay, we had Oliver Munson, who was a great success, now we have two more. Once again sponsored by Creative Leicestershire and absolutely free to all interested writers comes Rachel Connor from Slingshot films on April 3rd and local crime writer Stephen Booth on April 24th. Great speakers, free entry, fantastic raffles. It's literary heaven, all under the roof of Room 3, Wellington Street...

Poetry adjudication

2008-03-01T09:21:00.003Z

Always a popular evening, this time it's very special as renowned poet Robert Hamberger is coming in on March 13th to give his thoughts on the competition entries and to read from his work.

Speaker event - Oliver Munson

2008-01-04T12:15:00.000Z

A note for your diaries everyone. On February 21st, Oliver Munson, an agent from the Blake Friedmann Literary Agency will be coming to speak at LWC. Normal time, 7-9pm. This event is being sponsored by Creative Leicestershire and entry is FREE. So tell your writing friends!

Congratulations AGAIN...

2007-12-10T10:46:00.000Z

...this time to the winners in our crime short story competition. Great stories, all.

1st Andrew Sharpe - A Criminal Offence
2nd Dave Martin - Taking Emily
3rd Rod Duncan - The Herpetologist

and highly commended, in no particular order:

Val Bicknell with 'A Good Practitioner', Siobhan Logan with 'Metronome' and Liz Ringrose with 'Monk's Habit'.

Congratulations...

2007-11-23T16:38:00.000Z

...to all our awards winners last night.

Novel Award - Margaret Penfold

Non-fiction - Paul Lee

Short Story - Siobhan Logan

Poetry Award - Maxine Linnell

Endeavour Award - Kazia Myers

Poetry Competition

2007-11-21T12:15:00.000Z

All you poets, time to start walking lonely as clouds again. The next competition is for a poem, on an open theme, up to 50 lines. Closing date January 31st 2008. We are very lucky to have Robert Hamberger as our adjudicator. Robert will be coming to the Club on March 13th to give his adjudication and read from his latest works. This is going to be a good one! Get scribbling...

Crime competition - adjudication

2007-11-16T12:43:00.000Z

Sam Hayes will be returning to the Club on December 6th to present her adjudication of the crime competition. Hopefully we'll hear the winning entries, plus as many of the others as we can. Don't miss it.

Annual Dinner

2007-10-28T15:43:00.000Z

It's the highlight of the season. Ladies in posh frocks. Gentlemen looking dapper. And it's only £13.50 per head, and that includes your first drink! Why miss it?

November 22nd. Still time to get your name down. Details at the Club or by emailing Chris or Kate.

Crime Story Competition

2007-10-17T10:29:00.000+01:00

Folks, there is still time to enter the latest Club competition, which is to write a short story in no more than 1200 words on a crime theme. Usual rules apply. Closing date October 25th. Adjudicator Sam Hayes. We will announce an adjudication date shortly, probably some time late November. Get scribbling and good luck!

Autumn programme

2007-08-30T17:25:00.000+01:00

Dates for your diaries:

September 27th - Sam Hayes
Sam is an ex-member of the Club. She will be talking about her first novel 'Blood Ties'.

October 4th - National Poetry Day
Tonight's meeting will be dedicated to poetry. Everyone is invited to bring one or two poems to read.

October 18th - Five Leaves Launch event
A fantastic opportunity to hear John Harvey, Stephen Booth and our own Rod Duncan, talking about their newly-published short crime books.

Garden Party

2007-08-16T23:43:00.000+01:00

Folks, don't miss out on the social bash of the year (though I'm not sure I can make it!!), the LWC garden party. Sunday 9th September at Margaret's house (email Chris for details) from 3pm till ... whenever. Bring a bottle and a little something to eat. Fingers crossed for sunshine.

Radio drama result

2007-06-23T14:58:00.000+01:00

Bead Roberts gave an excellent adjudication of the radio competition last Thursday, praising all six entries. Ultimately, she decided that the winning three should be:

1. Chris d'Lacey - Jackie's Night Out
2. Nick Stead - The Calves Head Club
3. Dave Martin - Showing the Truth

Those who were present will know we had great fun reading the manuscripts - so let's do more!

Poetry result

2007-04-18T10:37:00.000+01:00

Apologies, folks, for the delay in posting this. Your trusty competition secretary has been, erm, writing a book...

1. Liz Ringrose - Numbered Lambs
2. Maxine Linnell - Fish, Strawberry, Wasp
3. Rod Duncan - Ice People

Highly commended were Maxine again with 'Landlocked'; Rod again with 'The Cutting Table' and Chris d'Lacey with 'Railings'.

We had 32 entries in all. Details of the next competition coming up soon...

Middle Stanley

2006-09-22T10:52:00.000+01:00

Each year, the Club has an 'away' weekend in the Cotswolds at a place called Middle Stanley. This is a mix of workshops and a general social get-together. It has proved very popular in the past. From October 12th we will be taking bookings for next year's trip. For more details, please see Gwyneth or Liz.

Welcome

2006-07-11T10:34:00.000+01:00

Dear writers,

welcome to the first day, first page of our new blog. The Writers' Club goes digital. Hurrah!

We (as in the royal committee) have thought for a long time that we needed an electronic newsboard. So, on top of the regular announcements from the chair, you should also be able to visit this blog and find out what's going on in your club. At the moment, this is all very new to me (Chris) and the blog will no doubt develop and change as I, erm, read the manual so to speak.

For now, it might be pretty basic, just a few important dates for your calendar, that kind of thing, but in time maybe we'll add a few reviews or pictures or comments.

So enjoy, get on line, and above all - get writing.