Free Yourself to Write

If you've always wanted to make space to write, really write, then this might be the ideal opportunity for you.
Do you fancy a week in the glorious Lycian region of Trukey to write? If so, then check out Philippa Pride's website: www.thebookdoctor.co.uk This break gives you the opportunity to learn, improve or hone your work with the support of a dedicated professional. So what are you waiting for? Go check it out now. 

Fantastic News from Festival of Writing

Fantastic news coming from the, ‘Festival of Writing’, that took place for the second year at the University of York. Once again this was an outstanding event. There was something for everyone, from the novice writer to the accomplished author. One thing that people might not know is the generosity of the writing community. I’ve heard people say, I don’t go to those sorts of things – I’d feel like a spare part. But this really isn’t the case. Writers are a big-hearted crowd. Willing to talk about their own work, yes, but equally interested in what the person next to them is writing. I guess it really boils down to what you put into it, as to what you get out of it.

I’m in a great position to see, the nervous faces of the tentative writer entering the one-to-one arena, (a place to pitch your work to agents etc.), scared and shaking. I’m not surprised! They enter and find me on the desk. I’ve heard it said that it’s like the fear of entering the doctor’s surgery and getting past the receptionist!! But I do always smile and try my hardest to accommodate everyone’s requests. But there is one thing I can’t do is magic up an appointment if the agent, editor or book doctor is fully booked. If you’ve missed your allotted time, I will do my hardest to slot you elsewhere, but that isn’t always possible. However, on the whole, most writers come out feeling they have received the best critique on their work, some come out with requests for full manuscripts and as it has been the case this year, writers come out with a further meeting booked to sign up with an agent. To ensure that these events run smoothly, we have to make certain that we adhere to timings; hence the day runs smoothly for agents, editors, book doctors and the delegates themselves.

This year I know for a fact that there were at least three people taken on by agents. Many people were amazed at the great feedback they received. You have to remember that this time with the agent will be brief, but they will give you some important advice. Don’t panic if they say some negative things, these can be changed and this is probably where you need to concentrate your efforts. ‘Anything worth doing is worth doing well’, it is a truth that we all have to learn to accept. Festivals like this are there to help you grow your work and extend your talents. So, if you’ve never been don’t be scared, it is fun and you will learn something. I still learn every conference or festival I attend. The writing world isn’t a dinosaur, it is constantly evolving and you have to evolve with it if you want to break into, stay in or try something new. You are only as good as your last piece of work. So take advice, edit and re-edit, then re-edit again before you send your work out there if you are to get the best result. After all it’s why you write, isn’t it?

World Book Night

World Book Night 2011

A busy day, alerting the population of St. Albans about the great book give away to take place at Waterstones on St. Peters Street, St. Albans. Two hundred and fifty leaflets were handed out. The event took place on 5^th March between 6pm – 8pm.

What an eclectic group of people arrived all eager to claim their free book. From Granddad’s to Sea cadets were popping in, some cautious, ‘was this really free?’, and leaving with a smile clutching their reading material. Many people were involved in making this event successful. Twenty five titles were being given away all across the country – every one of our books was homed.

The idea was to encourage reluctant readers, lapsed readers and to keep established readers. This we feel was achieved at least in St. Albans. The idea of book sharing intrigued people. All they had to do was to take a book, log on and resister the book online; read the book and pass the book along to the next reader.

After a fulfilling day, those involved trotted off to Loch Fyne for a well deserved evening meal.

Wow! What a brilliant day at the 5th Get Writing Conference.

Wow! What a brilliant day at the 5^th Get Writing Conference.

 For the second year the conference was held on the De Havilland campus at the University of Hertfordshire. Delegates arrived from 9:00 and left at 18:00 exhausted, but buzzing!

A murmur of excitement began to build as the Atrium filled with delegates, who gratefully sipped a warming cup of coffee to kick start the day before heading into the auditorium for the official welcome and opening address. This was immediately followed by a talk and Q & A session ‘How to Impress Us’ led by John Jarrold, Robert Dudley and Matt Bates. This was an excellent opportunity to ask those questions you’ve always wanted to ask and the delegates did just that, keeping the agents and buyers on their toes.

After another break for refreshments, delegates went off to their selected hour long workshops /talks. Afterward they headed back to the main auditorium for another Talk and Q & A session ‘Beyond the Revolution’ led by Simon Taylor, Marlene Johnson and Gillian Green, who made up our wonderful publishers panel. Once again this was a vibrant session questions came thick and fast - the answers giving us a peek inside the world of the publishing house.

During lunch - a delicious buffet selection there was an opportunity to socialise with the agents, editors, authors and buyers. Also at this time there was a chance to purchase books from Waterstones who joined us for the day and have the books signed by the authors in attendance. 

The Archangel and the White Hart, the new anthology from the VWC edited by Jon Pinnock, was also on sale, many of these were sold on the day, but copies can still be purchased – go to VWC website for details.

Two o’clock had delegates back in the main auditorium for the presentation of the ‘Get Writing’ Cup by Sue Cook to Geoff Guiver for his short story – Muse. This was followed by ‘From Fact to Film and Fiction’ a talk and Q & A session with Sue Cook. Once again this was a lively and animated forty-five minutes.

Then came the scary bit! Pitching to agents or editors. There were two opportunities here: the three minute pitch: John Jarrold, Scott Pack, Robert Dudley, Lyn Vernham and Jane Holland or the five minute ‘super’ pitch: Marlene Johnson, Simon Taylor, Gillian Green and Jonathan Pegg. For this the delegates were gathered, herded and put under starter’s orders. The timer was set, the go was given and the rest was up to the delegate to get the most out of their pitch as they could. Pitching is an art which has to be learnt. It isn’t easy but it can be the moment the bud of your idea begins to bloom. This is only one step in the process of getting published, but one everyone should experience at least once.

Whilst the pitching was going on upstairs those not pitching were engaged in ‘The Hooker’s Story’: keeping readers reading. This talk and Q & A session was run by the wonderful Sarah Duncan. A fantastic session on the skills needed to stop the reader closing the book.

Beautifully ice cold juice was served to quench the thirst of those delegates who were beginning to flag. It did the trick just in time for the next two talks and Q & A sessions. The first was led by Scott Pack, Raymond Tallis and Ian Skillicorn titled 'With the Innovators’ this session took us into the future of the book now we have e-readers like iPads and Kindles. This was an interesting session that inspired and encouraged writers not to be afraid of this technology but to cherish the opportunity to be part of the way forward.

This was followed by the last Q & A with: Lyn Vernham, Sue Moorcroft, Christina Courtenay and Matt Bates. You may have thought by this time that delegates would be exhausted, but no, this wasn’t the case. The questions rained down and the answers were informed and full of passion which encouraged  further questions. The closing address was given by Ian Cundell the Chairman of Verulam Writers’ Circle. 

The whole event covered by Radio Verulam and will be aired on Thursday 24th February at 5:30 by the wonderful Danny and Elizabeth

If you didn’t have the opportunity to attend the conference this year, make sure you don’t miss it next year, it promises to be another fantastic event.

Get Writing 2011 - Tickets on Sale NOW!

Inspired to write? Well if you really love writing, have a dream of becoming a writer or just want to know a little more about writing then Get Writing 2011 might be worth attending.

Verulam Writers’ Circle has been supporting and encouraging writers for more than fifty years and in association with the University of Hertfordshire are pleased to announce their fourth Get Writing conference.

So what do you get for your money? The opportunity to pitch your novel to an agent, editor or publisher. A selection of seminars and workshops to inspire your development. Q & A sessions dig out all the trade secrets of getting your writing from the written page to the published novel. Time to network with authors, editors, agents and publishers during coffee and lunch breaks. And no conference would be complete without the writing competitions. If you would like to find out more click on this link: www.vwc.org.uk

Get Writing 2011
Saturday 19^th February 2011
9:00am – 6:00pm
de Havilland Campus
University of Hertfordshire
Off St. Albans Road West (A1057)
Hatfield.
AL10 9EU

So brush up your writing skills, check it out the website and sign up. What are you waiting for?

A Selection of Talented Writers.

Open Mic Night 25^th November.

Wow! What a selection of talented writers. Twenty five authors turned up at ‘The Goat Inn’, Sopwell Lane, St. Albans to share their work.  The event was part of the National Short Story week and kicked off at 7:45pm with the wonderfully talented comedian, actress and writer Mandy Knight as MC. The pub was alive with laughter, applause and the odd barracking, all in good fun of course. Mandy kept everything in order and to time. 

The occasion was filmed by Kevin Bennett and Ian Cundell. Keep an eye out for an exclusive extract appearing on YouTube soon. 

Authors in order of appearance:

Lesley Eames - Breaking down.
Anne Ellis - Don’t ask, don’t tell.
Ellen Hanns – Waiting (poem).
Dave Weaver – Tweelight .
James Feilding – Untitled.
Ian Cundell – The Flower.
Kevin Bennett – Who’d Have Thought It.
Ellen Hanns– Burgess Hill (extract).
Jon Pinnock – Mrs Darcy versus the Aliens (extract forthcoming novel)
Tim Blinko – The Radiance (extract)
Steve Barley  – West Falkland’s Finest.
Sandra Norval– Libertine On Life (prequel to the novel)
Susanne Stanton  – It’s Time.
Mark Clementson – Secure in the knowledge that everything happens for a reason.
Oscar Windsor-Smith– Charity Begins
Jane Fookes – A trophy of war.
John Goh – The announcement of a new political philosophy.
Tina Shaw – Found one, lost one.
Ian Cundell – Lost Princess.
Toby Frost – Space Captain Smith (extract)
Susan K Franklin – Unwilling Sorceress (extract YA novel)
Nick Cook – Final Draft.
Janet Baldy – Pendulum.
Jenny Barden – To the Ends of the World (extract)
Katie Barron – Blaze, Unmade Bed & Last day (poems)
Simon Bowden – The Manual (extract)
John Spencer – Bill & Al (extract)
Jon Pinnock – Advice re Elephants.

This was a resounding success and bodes well for next year.

Open Mic Night

Open Mic Night
25th November 2010

This is the second Open Mic Night from the Verulam Writers’ Circle. The first was an event full of magic, mystery, mirth and on occasion morbidity, and this year’s experience is shaping up to be just as wonderful.
As part of the annual Short Story Week, the event is being hosted at The Goat, 37 Sopwell Lane, St. Albans, AL1 1RN on Thursday 25th November. Arrival time 7pm the readings begin at 7:30pm expecting to finish around 10:30pm, but don’t hold us to that.

You’ll find us in the front bar, just as you come in the front door, turn left and you’ll find us. The work read will be varied as suggested above and be prepared to laugh, cry and maybe feel fear, but this is all done in short burst, hence the short story element, you will also find a touch of the poetical amongst the creative works on offer. check out their websites.
All of the authors below and around another twenty will be reading their short stories, poetry or any other material they have selected for the evenings entertainment.

Check out these websites for more information on the talent standing up for your entertainment.

Toby Frost – creator of the Space Captain smith trilogy http://spacecaptainsmith.com/
Jon Pinnock – creator of the Mrs Darcy & the Aliens www.mrsdarcyvsthealiens.com
Ian Cundell - Journalist http://www.cundell.net/
Julie Mayhew – creator of the forthcoming 16 Days Since http://juliemayhew.co.uk/
Mandy Knight – comedian & writer http://www.mandyknight.co.uk/
Jenny Barden – her upcoming novel To the Ends of the World http://www.jennybarden.com
Oscar Windsor-Smith http://oscarwindsor-smith.blogspot.com/
Sandra Norval http://www.sandranorval.co.uk/12.html
Steve Barley http://www.stevenbarley.com/
Dave Weaver http://daveweaver-unreal.blogspot.com/

Added to this we have the honour of the amazing Mandy Knight who has agreed to take time out of her busy schedule to MC for us on the night.

So put the address in your Satnav and head on over. You will be in for an evening of great amusement.