VWC writers & visitors.

What a fun night at 'The White Hart' public house in St. Albans. The VWC or Verulam Writers' Circle to the uninitiated were holding their biweekly manuscript meeting. There were a some wonderful pieces of work. The readers ranged from visitors to the president himself. The work being produced by the group as a whole is quite amazing, going from strength to strength.

So what is a visitor?

Visitors are writers keen to know more about the VWC. They pop in to see if the writing circle is what they are looking for and they are always welcome. There are two different types of meeting. White Hart meetings are free, but visitors may have to wait for paid up members to read first before they get the chance to read and get their material critiqued. However, if you want to get a "full taster" then paying the £3 visitors fee (£5 if we have a speaker) at St Michaels is the way to go. But becoming a member is the best value of all. As a member you get to read, enjoy critiques and get first dibs on the special events. Always a good thing. 
And here is a gentle reminder about 'GET WRITING 2012' visit the http://www.verulamwriterscircle.org.uk/getwriting2012.php and book your place now.

What a Fantastic Weekend.

I had an amazing weekend at the Festival of Romance.  I was there to run the book stall, which was fascinating on its own, but this also gave me a chance to learn much more about the genre.  I discovered I was very naive and during the process I met some wonderful writers.
I have to at this point mention the food. It was delicious. I have been to many conferences and festivals over the country and the food has been reasonable, but this was in a different league.

©Martin Smith - www.silver-images.net

The Saturday programme, much like the Friday programme was full of interesting sessions, lots of networking, and special events! I was rather partial to the cup cake tasting. Was it because it the cakes were handed around by a fine specimen of a shirtless, well honed, young man. It was a delightful lift towards the end of the day.
At the end of the days events delegates nipped off to put on there evening gowns and together with their partners or husbands strolled down to partake of the Rouge Champagne Party, held in the lobby. From there people moved through to have their photographs taken, the image shown is Heidi and Laura from (Total-E-Bound Publishing), with me, in the middle.  Then everyone took up their seats at the dinner tables for the charity ball.. The fun and games began. Awards were given and photo's taken, the  jazz band struck up and the dancing commenced. And before we knew it the time had raced away and we all headed off to sleep.
Congratulations to the organisers of the first, I'm sure it won't be the last, Festival of Romance. A great success.

Festival of Romance

The first day of the Festival of Romance kicked off at around 9am this morning and was a buzz by 9:20 & it didn't stop there. There were talks, Q & A sessions, book sales, author signings and networking galore. There were opportuities to mingle with editors, publishers and agents, oh, and I mustn't forget the book sellers.
I found all the developments with e-books fascinating and I didn't realise how vast the e-book market has now become.
I've made a few new contacts and I'm looking forward to tomorrow when I get to do it all over again.

Festival of Romance

The Festival of Romance

The Festival of Romance is the UK’s first romantic fiction convention. So what is it all about? The festival is open to anyone who is interested in romantic fiction, either as a reader or a writer. There is something for everyone.  Held over two days, Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd October 2011 and takes place at Hunton Park, near Watford, UK.  http://www.devere.co.uk/our-locations/hunton-park

So what can you expect from this festival?

•   Carole Matthews celebrity author interview
•   Book fair, panels, debates and reading group
•  Meet authors and fans from around the world 
•   Competitions and quizzes
•  Writing workshop with Sue Moorcroft
•   Learn from the experts how to write romance
•  Chocolate tasting with Choc Lit
•   Meet the Mills and Boon editors
•   Win a publishing contract with Xcite Books
•   Fashion show, Book Awards and Ball 
•   New Talent Award for unpublished writers
• Judges: Donna Condon, senior editor at Piatkus 
•  Jane Judd, literary agent

 This looks like it will be another successful event by organised by this company who are establishing themselves within the conference marketplace. To find out more check out their website:  www.festivalofromance.co.uk or you can join their social network: http://festivalofromanceonline.ning.com/

This event is quickly filling up, but tickets are still available. If you are into romantic fiction this is one you really should investigate. 

August is running away.

Somehow it is three quarters of the way through August and although the writing is getting done, I’m not being as industrious as I would like to be.  And why is this? I put it down to having my son back from university and lack of sleep. Okay, that isn’t really true, it is being out in the garden and de-cluttering the house and outbuildings. However, today has changed that. I am now focused and determined to write at least 1500 good words each day, more if possible. That shouldn’t be a problem.  I know where the story is going, and how I want it to blend. The characters are screaming at me to get on with it, so that is exactly what I’m going to do.

Winchester Writers' Conference 1st - 3rd July 2011

After some great comments on my current novel ‘Ribbons of Red’ I’m hard at work, but realised I haven’t posted anything on my blog for a while.

I’m heading down to Winchester again to work on the One-to-One desk for Friday 1^st -3^rd July 2011 and be assured I’ll be writing in my spare time!!!!

There are some wonderful speakers, workshops and seminars to become involved in and if you are lucky you might still be able to purchase tickets. Here are just a few to get you excited: Barry Cunningham who is this year’s Plenary Speaker – I’ve heard Barry speak on many occasions and it is something not to miss. There are a few new faces to the Winchesters Writers Conference this year and many regulars.  David Headley (agent), Teresa Chris (agent), Lorella Belli (agent), Jude Evans (senior editor), Donna Condon (editor), Bernard McKenna (film scripts) and many, many more, seventy in total and that’s  just in the one-to-one appointments.

Winchesters’ Writers’ Conference is a family affair, only the family is rather large. There is something special that happens when writers get together...creativity flows in abundance. T he support and encouragement is delightful and the networking invaluable.

Agents, editors and book doctors are all there to give their thoughts on your work. It is an opportunity to grow as a writer and many attendees met their agent or publisher during their One-to-One meeting or by sitting next to them at the dinner table. Networking never stops – make sure you don’t.

2011 Backspace Writers’ Conference

This is the 7^th Annual Backspace Writers’ Conference which is held in New York City.

The conference runs from the 26^th – 28^th May 2011, but you can select to attend for one, two or three days. There will be many agents, authors and editors to network with and to help you to enhance our manuscripts.

So what is on offer?

Query Letter Workshops – Opening Pages Workshops – Panel Discussions – General Workshops – Master Classes – Book signing and a special workshop with Donald Maass (Literacy Agent) - http://www.maassagency.com/

All this wrapped up with good food, drinks and like minded people.

There is still time to register, but be quick, time is ticking by, so check out the website for further details: http://www.backspacewritersconference.com/

Personally, I would love to attend, unfortunately do to the fact that it is in New York City and I’m scheduled elsewhere means I’ll have to miss out on this occasion. However, should you be attending please drop me a line and let me know how it was for you and what you got out of it.