by gailaldwin
While I’ve been away in Cornwall on
a retreat in Port Isaac with three writing friends, plenty has been happening on the promotional front for Paisley Shirt.
First there was a lovely review on Frost Magazine for Paisley Shirt. Click on the image to read this.
Then there was an interview on Tracy Baines’ blog. Here I talk about the distinctive nature of flash fiction.
On Wednesday there was an article in the Dorset Echo about Paisley Shirt reaching the long list in the Best Short Story Collection category of the Saboteur Awards 2018. I was very pleased to find my collection alongside work by Tom Vowler, Tania Hershman and other notable writers. There’s still time to vote for the short listed titles here.
I also discovered that Paisley Shirt has been purchased by Dorset Libraries as part of their lending stock and is now available for loan in Poole, Bathnes, Bristol, North Somerset, Somerset and South Gloucestershire libraries through Libraries West.
Quite a week and I’m now exhausted by all the activity. Hope you have a good weekend.
authors blogs Dorset events flash fiction interview Reading review short stories visits writing
by gailaldwin
As a prolific book blogger, Jessie Cahalin goes out of her way to support authors. Recently, she put one of my flash fiction stories on her foodie page – you can read about it here. Jessie also runs the Handbag Gallery where photos of authors’ books and bags are displayed. (Clicking on the photo gives quick access to the Amazon page where the book can be purchased.) I was delighted when she thought my photo of Paisley Shirt was a good composition and I regularly check out the page to see whose work my book appears beside.
In an interview with the Romantic Novelists Association, Jessie explains: I have opened the Handbag Gallery to showcase all authors and genres thus allowing the readers somewhere to go to search for new books. I offer this service free to authors and readers, because I have the opportunity to network and to help others. It is an open invitation for all authors, but some are shy. How generous is that? You can read the complete interview with Jessie here.
Jessie’s blog has enabled me to feel part of a community of readers and writers. She is one of many who understands the challenges of writing a book and is committed to help authors reach their audience. I am very pleased to accept this support and hope that through my role as Chair of the Dorset Writers Network I can extend writing support to others.
Do pop over to Jessie’s blog and have a look around. There is bound to be something of interest to you.
***
Paisley Shirt is available with free delivery from The Book Depository and is stocked in Gullivers in Wimborne, The Book Shop in Bridport, Serendip in Lyme Regis and The Swanage Bookshop.
authors Dorset events flash fiction Reading short stories writing
by gailaldwin
An interview with Allison Symes for Chandler’s Ford Today has me sharing stories about travelling overland on a converted Lodekka bus with Top Deck Travel in 1981.
Find out how this journey links to the publication of Paisley Shirt here.
authors Dorset events flash fiction interview short stories visits writing
by gailaldwin
How did I source a publisher? What do I love about flash fiction? What are my other writing projects? Tracy Fells at The Literary Pig invited me to share some of my writing experiences. Do pop over and have a read. Click here.
authors events flash fiction interview Reading short stories views visits writing
by gailaldwin
artefacts on display
books on display
There was a very successful Holocaust Memorial Day event on Friday 26 January 2018 at the Corn Exchange hosted by the South West Dorset Multicultural Network. The event was supported by schools and community members on the theme of The Power of Words. Other opportunities to mark Holocaust Memorial Day in Dorchester include a poetry workshop on Wednesday 31 January 2018 at Dorchester Library. You are invited by library staff to read, write and share poetry from 10:30 to noon. You can also see artefacts in a special display at Dorset County Museum which record events from the life of Harry Grenville who joined Kinderstransport to find refuge in the West Country. Read more about Harry here, in an interview I conducted for this blog.
events writing
by gailaldwin
Click on the pictures to find out what I’ve been up to!
co-written play performed in Brighton
with my very tall family in Vienna
Salisbury half completed
writing published
group meeting with Amal Al-Agroobi
Edinburgh book fest
digital stories course at Bournemouth
residency at Brisons Veor
PhD submission and viva pass
acquiring (and losing) literary representation for The String Games
flash fiction collection accepted for publication
authors competitions events Feedback flash fiction poetry Reading short stories views visits workshops writing
by gailaldwin
I’ve had three anthologies drop through my letterbox this week. It’s always a thrill to see my creative writing appear in print and this time I have two pieces of short fiction and one poem to celebrate.
Flash Fiction Festival One is an anthology of stories inspired by input at the first Flash Fiction Festival held in Bath during the summer 2017. Thank you to Jude Higgins as the director of this wonderful event and her team who have brought together flash fiction stories written by workshop presenters and participants. My story “Where There’s a Rick” draws upon a clash of events and memories and is told in just over 200 words.
Glit-er-ary is the annual anthology published by Bridge House. It is a glittery collection of glit-er-ary tales that will add some sparkle to your reading. My story titled “Brighter Than Jewels” is set in Australia and draws upon the relationship between a mother and her teenage daughter.
Under is a collection of poetry published by Miriam Dokotliver and David Ross Linklater. Within the enigmatic cover are poems in a range of forms and styles which make for great reading.
So, good things come in threes, too!
authors Dorset events Feedback flash fiction poetry short stories workshops writing
by gailaldwin
Writers & Artists have teamed up with Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) to bring a How To Get Published conference to Dorset on 28 April 2018. The aim of the day is to provide tips and practicalities for getting to grips with writing.
The conference will take place at AUB where there is plenty of free parking. The day will include: a writing workshop of your choice with Natasha Pulley for fiction, Nelle Andrews for non-fiction and Kayo Chingonyi for poetry; panel discussion with leading editors and publishing experts and the chance to hear from leading literary agents Emma Paterson and Therese Coen who are always on the lookout for debut authors to add to their lists. The programme provides information and advice about the writing and publishing process to help progress your book.
For all local writers there is an exclusive discount code to save £30 upon booking, and secure a ticket for just £65 (RRP £95) with lunch included. Simply enter AUBWRITE18 at the checkout to unlock your saving. You can find full details of the conference and booking information here.
authors Dorset events poetry short stories workshops writing
by gailaldwin
I had a splendid time at the Writers’ Day in Salisbury. The programme was packed and started with a warm-up session using improvisation as a tool for writing by Alison Jean Lester. The ‘yes, and…’ task was a great way to generate and overcome problems in story telling by working in partnership to produce alternating lines of a story.
Further workshops followed including an excellent session delivered by Rupert Wallis which provided a rule of thumb for generating a 25-word summary. Rupert suggested starting the summary with the word ‘when’ and introducing the problem to be overcome with the word ‘must’. For my novel The String Games, a summary might be: when Nim’s brother is abducted and murdered as a child, she must overcome unresolved grief as an adult to integrate the loss.
Susanna Dunn offered a workshop on ‘finding your voice’ which suggested that close attention to detail brings authenticity to writing. She advises writers to ‘listen with the ear of your heart’. Helen Corner-Bryant followed with suggestions for ‘unleashing your inner editor’ where she described ways to approach ‘instinctive’ and ‘structural’ editing.
After lunch there were two panels: one with a focus on publishing and the next with advice from agents. The last session was offered by Mark Dawson which gave remarkable insights into the world of a hybrid author (one that has been traditionally published and self-published). Interestingly, he felt it was vanity to seek a traditional route to publishing when the options for self-publishing can be more lucrative and offer better engagement with readers.
Mark Dawson (right) in conversation about the secrets of self-publishing
Food for thought.
authors events interview Reading Recommendations short stories workshops writing
by gailaldwin
I am delighted to announce that in partnership with Waterstones Dorchester, the Dorset Writers Network are offering the following workshop with Rosanna Ley at Waterstones in Dorchester on Sunday 5 November 2017, 1:30-3:30pm.
A Sense of Place Fiction Writing Workshop with Rosanna Ley
Does your fiction lack a sense of place? By the time you leave the workshop you will:
- understand the role of place in fiction: where to go and what to do in terms of research for your story or novel
- develop atmosphere in your descriptive writing using all the senses and visualisation
- learn how to connect your viewpoint character with their surroundings
Places limited to 12
Cost £15
Click
here to book through the DWN website.
Rosanna Ley has written numerous articles and short stories for magazines. Her novels The Villa, Bay of Secrets, Return to Mandalay, The Saffron Trail, Last Dance in Havana and The Little Theatre by the Sea have been published in the UK and widely overseas. Rosanna has also worked as a creative writing tutor for over 20 years. She has led courses for colleges and universities in England, and runs her own writing retreats and holidays in the UK and in stunning locations in Europe. She lives with her artist husband in West Dorset and her favourite writing place is anywhere with a sea view.
authors Dorset events short stories workshops
