the writer is a lonely hunter

writing by Gail Aldwin and other authors

Launch of Dorset’s Digital Stories with Natasha Solomons

The Dorset Writers’ Network is running a competition for local writers. The aim is to produce an e-book with stories up to 500 words each which reflect the diversity of the county. Workshops to support new writing are scheduled at rural locations during January and February. Further details can be found here.

To celebrate the launch of the competition, Natasha Solomons has been invited to talk about her books and her writing journey. She lives in Dorset and has written novels that are set in the county. Her first novel Mr Rosenblum’s List was shortlisted for the Galaxy National Book Awards, and tells the story of  an immigrant trying to settle in England after the Second World War.  The Novel in the Viola is based in the now abandoned Dorset village of Tyneham, and follows the lives  of service staff at Tyneford House. Natasha’s most recent novel is called The Gallery of Vanished Husbands which shares the experiences of Juliet Montague following the disappears of her husband.

This is a FREE event!

Saturday 24 January 2015 at 2:30pm

Dorchester Library and Learning Centre

Charles Street, Dorchester

Advance booking is required – please telephone 01305 224440

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Social Media for Writers with the Dorset Writers’ Network.

A new challenge for the new year – get to grips with social media!

Saturday 10th January 2015

10.30am  – 3.00pm

Winfrith Village Hall, Winfrith Newburgh, Dorset, DT2 8LR. Click here for location details and further information about the venue.

The morning session will give you the opportunity to explore how to use social media to promote your writing with Liz Gordon of brilliantfish. brilliantfish works with writers through all stages of the publishing process and uses their expertise to provide excellent support for writers entering the world of publication.

Lunch will be provided and there will be time for networking.

During the short afternoon session, the updated Dorset Writers’ Network website will be shared. Please have a look and contribute to the discussion about what your want from the site.

Cost £7.50 (including lunch)

Please book early as this is likely to be a popular session. Further details and a booking form is available from sue@dorsetwritersnetwork.co.uk

 

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FREE short story workshops in Dorset

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As part of the Dorset Digital Stories project, a series of workshops will be held in January and February 2015 at rural locations throughout the county. The idea is to encourage local writers to submit a story up to 500 words for inclusion in a new e-book. All stories will be set in Dorset so that the anthology reflects the diversity of Dorset: from the human perspective to the sense of place.

I will be delivering a workshop on Friday 16 January 2015 from 10-12 at Cerne Abbas Village Hall DT2 7GY. Everyone is welcome! To book a place please email sue@dorsetwritersnetwork.co.uk or get in touch with me through the contact page on this blog.

For details of other workshops please click here.

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Launch of The Swan-Daughter in Bicester

61247Last week, Dave and I travelled to Oxfordshire for the launch of Carol McGrath‘s novel The Swan-Daughter.  This is the second book in the Daughters of Hastings trilogy and it’s great to be back in the company of an accomplished story-teller. Carol’s style of writing is charming, allowing readers to enter the life of Gunnhild, the daughter of King Harold and Edith Swanneck. Based on research, the novel provides a lasting impression of the lives and struggles during the early Norman period. Essentially it’s a love story, starting with Gunnhild’s escape the nunnery at Wilton Abbey and her elopement with Count Alan of Richmond. 

The book launch was held at Cole’s Books in the delightful market town of Bicester. We stayed overnight in the Pentewan B&B  a lovely place tucked away from the main thoroughfare – we even had a dip in the hot tub in the garden!

St Catherine's College

St Catherine’s College

The following day, we stopped in Oxford and Dave and I wandered through the grounds of his old college then spent the afternoon in the Ashmolean Museum. It was great! Now that I have membership at the Bodleian Library, I look forward to returning, research for my studies makes a good excuse.

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Rain, rain go away

It feels like it’s been raining for months and I’ve been cooped inside for a lot of the time. The view from my window shows the extent of flooding in the water meadows. Fortunately, the water goes in the right direction, away from the town but I’ve never seen quite so much silver on what should be green fields.

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Last weekend, we ventured to the coast where the wind blasted so strongly it was difficult to stand up straight. The waves at West Bay were amazing and here’s a photo to show the force of the water. (It didn’t look like this on the TV crime drama Broadchurch.)

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We’re off to Falmouth, Cornwall for the Valentine weekend (the first occasion we’ve ever celebrated away from home). The forecast says rain. I’m going to pack a couple of books and my laptop in case it’s too awful to go out. Fortunately, the hotel has a terrace lounge with views over the sea so we’ll have something to look at, watching the waves.

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Interview with Kate Kelly

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I  met Kate Kelly at the  recent Bridport Story Slam where we acted at judges along with Julie Musk. It is always great to meet a local person who has found success with writing.  Kate’s  debut novel for young people, a Cli-Fi (Climate Fiction) thriller, is published by Curious Fox. Thank you Kate, for agreeing to be interviewed for my blog.

  • Tell us about your writing journey

I have written all my life. My father was an author and so it felt natural that I should want to follow in his footsteps. But about ten years ago I decided I wanted to take it a bit more seriously. I decided I wanted to be published, and I set about achieving this goal.

I started out with short stories. Short stories are a great way to hone your skills and learn the craft. Before long I was starting to place them in magazines and anthologies. I was writing Science Fiction and for this, and some other genres, the short story market remains healthy.

I then turned my attention to longer fiction. My first attempt at a children’s novel was soundly rejected by everyone I sent it to, but, with my second effort things were very different. I booked myself onto a 1-2-1 with a literary agent at the Frome Festival and could barely believe it when she asked to see the rest of the manuscript. The result was that she signed me and, after some reworking, sent Red Rock out to publishers. And, as you can see, it was picked up by Curious Fox.

  • Where inspired you to write Red Rock?

The inspiration for Red Rock came when I was working on oceanographic survey ships in the Arctic. I stared out at the ice; at the seals and puffins and the occasional polar bear, and I started to think about the last ice age, about the advance and retreat of the ice sheets. I looked towards the coast of Greenland and I started to wonder what might be underneath the Greenland Ice Sheet. What secrets might it be hiding?

In Red Rock I answer those questions.

  • What is your next writing project?

It will be another adventure story for the same age group. Possibly also with a Cli-Fi element to it, but I’m not making any promises.

  • Which authors do you admire and why?

This is a hard one because there are some amazing authors out there. But the ones I admire the most aren’t afraid to be bold and to do something different. Authors such as Sarah Crossan for instance, or Colin Mulhern, or Rachel Ward.

But I’m going to name an author who doesn’t debut until next year, and that is Sara Crowe. Every time I read something she has written I find myself thinking ‘Wow, I wish I could write like that!’, so keep an eye out for Bone Jack, coming in April from Andersen Press.

  • Can you offer some tips for yet to be published writers?

Write the book you want to read. Don’t follow trends, write something fresh and new, and above all, listen to criticism and never stop trying to improve.

For further information, see Kate’s blog at: http://scribblingseaserpent.blogspot.co.uk

 

 

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Flash fiction competition to celebrate 100 years of Thomas Hardy

The Dorset Writers’ Network is celebrating the 100th year of Thomas Hardy by offering a competition. Please submit a piece of flash fiction, up to 300 words, based upon The Ghosts of Max Gate.

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Thomas Hardy designed and lived in Max Gate, situated on the outskirts of Dorchester, from 1885 until his death in 1928. At the time of construction, Hardy was unaware that Max Gate was situated in the middle of a neolithic stone circle and a Romano-British cemetery.

In his study at the house, Hardy wrote Tess of the d’Urbervilles, Jude the Obscure and The Mayor of Casterbridge and much of his poetry. During the latter years of his marriage to Emma Gifford, when she became uncomfortable with the irreligious nature of his work, Hardy arranged for the attic rooms to be extended. This provided a refuge for Emma who became more and more reclusive.

Max Gate is part of the National Trust and open to the public. Please click here for further information.

With the setting of the house in mind, please complete your story about the Ghosts of Max Gate,  and send your entry to:

DWN, Corner Cottage, Bridge Street, Bourton, Dorset SP8 5BA

All entries must be received by 31 October 2013

Entry fees are: £4 for one story, £7 for two stories, £10 for three stories. Please make cheques payable to Dorset Writers’ Network.

Shortlisted writers are invited to read their work at the centenary event Celebrating Hardy’s Dorset, Thursday 14 November, 4:30-700, at Max Gate.

The competition will be judged by Peter Cooper and Alistair Chisholm

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Mere Literary Festival

The small town of Mere, positioned at the western edge of Salisbury Plain, hosts a literary festival each year. It is organised by volunteers and includes a range of events for adults and children, those living nearby and visitors. The highlights for the seventeenth Mere Literary Festival include:

PAUL KERENSA – So a Comedian walks into a Church

The popular comedian discusses his recently published diary revealing the true and hilarious ‘Confessions of a Kneel-Down Stand-Up’.

Monday 14 October Grove Building 7.30pm. £5 in advance £6 on the door.

TARQUIN OLIVIER – So Who’s Your Mother?

What’s it like growing up the son of a great actor? More off-stage stories from his published memoir by the son of Laurence Olivier.

Tuesday 15 October Grove Building 7.30pm. £5 in advance £6 on the door.

CHRIS McCULLY – Poetry Masterclass

A must for all with poetry in their hearts as acclaimed poet, Chris McCully, analyses poems submitted by local writers

Wednesday 16 October, Grove Building 2.30pm. Retiring donations.

AN EVENING WITH DAMIEN LEWIS

One of Britain’s ‘20 Favourite Authors’, Damien Lewis has topped best-seller lists worldwide and has 29 books listed on ‘Good Reads’. He discusses his work including his latest book, ‘Zero Six Bravo’.

Friday 17 October, Grove Buildings 7.30pm. £5 in advance £6 on the door

CHILDREN’S EVENT with award-winning author GILLIAN CROSS

A free event at the library, tickets required

Saturday 18 October, 2.15pm

For the full programme, click here. Tickets available from Mere Library 01747 860546 or the Festival Organiser 01747 860475

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Charmouth Literary Festival

  THE FOURTH CHARMOUTH LITERARY FESTIVAL

Date: Saturday 5th October 2013

PEOPLE AND PLACES

Venue: St Andrews Hall, Meeting Room

10.10 – John Bryant
Author of 3.59.4 The Quest to Break the Four Minute Mile. The London Marathon, the history of the greatest race on earth and The Marathon Makers and Jogging. His latest book is a biography, Chris Brasher, about a truly remarkable and singular man.
John is a veteran of marathons around the world and has been involved in the London Marathon since 1981. He has worked as a Fleet Street journalist since 1971, was Editor in Chief of The Daily Telegraph, executive editor of The Daily Mail and for a decade was deputy editor of The Times. John lives in Surrey and Dorset (Charmouth) and has attended all our Literary Festivals and is a great champion of them.

10:40 – Travel Writing with Sarah and Wendy

Sarah E. Dawson
Sarah decided, aged 52, to have her own gap year and to follow the latitude 52 degrees north from the east coast of England to the west coast of Wales. It was a personal challenge traveling on her own; her story is unusual and shows that you don’t have to go very far in order to experience and write about travel. Her travels continue with latitude 53 and 54.

Wendy Knee
Wendy has written three books, Never Die Wondering, Get Cracking and Travels with Granny. Her love of people and zest for life has enabled her to travel to extraordinary places, including Uzbekistan, Ecuador, Guatemala and many more. She cycled 1000 miles through France and Spain following the Camino St Jacques at the age of 58 and at the age of 66, she spent a month volunteering in Uganda and in early 2012 she worked with young teenagers in Mexico. This is the next book.

11.00 – Coffee and writing session for all

11:30 – James Crowden
James is an author and poet living in south Somerset. In 1972 he joined the army and served in Cyprus, travelling widely in Eastern Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan and North West India. In 1976 -77 he spent a winter on the northern side of the Himalaya, in the remote Zangskar Valley in Ladakh.
He works between poetry and prose, between the two worlds of inner and outer landscape. His latest book is called Flowers in the Minefield centred on the First World War.

12:00 – Walk, Write, Wild – Juliette Adair
Outside activity to inspire your writing, so be prepared for all weathers.
Juliette is dedicated to creating space for writing. She has been encouraging her family to fit round her writing habit for the past 10 years and has an MA in Creative Writing from City University, London. Her novel ‘Bog Angel’ won the Christopher Little Award in 2007 and was short-listed for the A&C Black centenary prize. She is a member of the Walking Artists Network and in 2006 walked from Dublin to Galway following the route of an ancient story.

12.15 – Poetry –Rosemary Wells    –    Followed by workshop in library
Rosemary has had some of her poetry read on local radio and has been published in local magazines. She won the Silver Salver in the Adult Poetry category at the Wootton Bassett Arts Festival in 2009.

12.30 – E Books  Chella Adgopul
Chella  is a writer, teacher and publisher from West Dorset. A year ago she started Honeybee books, aimed at helping people who wanted to self-publish their writing, either in hard copy or in digital form as an e-book. She has worked with a range of writers, from beginners to professionals and community groups, and is firmly committed to helping make publishing a more democratic and accessible process.

1.00 – Lunch Hour
Literary soap box around the centre of village. This is your chance to stand on your soap box and read out your work (6 minutes max each).

2.00 – Roving Press – Julie Musk
Julie Musk is the project instigator, creative writing arm and principal editor for Roving Press Ltd, an independent local book publisher. She says, ‘Roving Press was born of our desire to publish books that are down-to-earth, helpful and with a travel and/or local interest slant. We produce only a handful of new books each year which we enjoy and believe in. As well as publishing our own titles, we offer a full or partial publishing service for those wishing to self-publish. Julie is a long-term copyeditor and proofreader for other publishers including Wiley-Blackwell and OUP, and is the author of A Slice of Apple Pie: Your One-Stop Guide to Living in America, Lesser Known Swanage and Lesser Known Weymouth.

2.30 – Peter John Cooper
Peter will talk about his experience of writing and having his work edited/proof read. Peter is a playwright, poet and theatre director whose work has been seen throughout the UK during the past 40 years. Among his prolific output are two adaptations of Hardy novels which have been published online and two books, She Opened the Door: The Wife and Women Who Haunted Thomas Hardy (published by Roving Press) and a self-published e-novel.

3.00 – Tea – write a biography on one side of paper
Dual personality – let the other person come out.

3.30 – Short story – small but perfectly formed – Frances Colville
Frances lived abroad in Norway and Belgium for 25 years, before settling in Chideock. She writes flash fiction and short stories, has had a piece of flash fiction included in Dorset Voices, an anthology published by Roving Press, and recently won first prize in a Story Slam for Dorset writers. She has also had a play for radio produced at Bridport Arts Centre and is involved in various local history projects. She is currently working on a novel set during the First World War.

4.00 – Close with round up of the day.

 

For further information & details see:

charmouthliteraryfestival.org.uk

Contact Wendy Knee  wendy@wendyknee.com   01297 561493     07968 846514

 


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Excellent repeat event: Story Slam, Briport 2013

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With the success of last year’s event, the Dorset Writers’ Network are hosting another story slam as part of the Open Book Festival in Bridport. Organised by Jennifer Bell of Storyslingers, the evening will be modelled on previous story slams where participants are asked to register in advance through zomzara@googlemail.com (or turn up and register on the night). If there are more registered writers than time slots, the names will be entered into a draw. Each time slot is five minutes maximum (about 780 words). All genres and styles of original prose welcome. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your talent so get writing and share your work with a supportive and enthusiastic audience.

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