Saturday 30 March 2013

News and Competitions

Poets from the North of Ireland: Seamus Heaney, Michael Longley, Derek Mahon, Paul  Muldoon, Medbh McGuckian and Ciaran Carson

 

Is the importance of Northern Irish writers all down to 'the Troubles'? 'Certainly not!' the 'Muldoon' generation would answer.


And was that next-generation's post-modern detachment the only possible response to the serious, committed poetry of the 60s/70s? Was the shift to 80s/90s wit, surrealism, tricksterism and obscurity simply a reflection of a wider shift in poetry in general, or a product of local difficulties? And how much is contemporary poetry in English influenced by both phases of that particular Renaissance.

A chance to spend Sunday discovering and discussing six major Irish poets! For more information go to:
coffee-house poetry at the troubadour

Derrybawn Bridge on the Glendassan River in County Wicklow, Ireland by Timothy J. Barron

Ledbury Poetry Festival Poetry Competition 2013


Judge: Esther Morgan

Closing date: Tuesday 9th July 2013

First Prize: £1000 and a residential writing course at Tŷ Newydd

Ledbury Poetry Festival Poetry Competitions opens this month with a great first prize of £1000 cash and a residential course at Tŷ Newydd, The National Writers’ Centre for Wales. Tŷ Newydd is renowned for its excellent writing courses, taught by outstanding poets, in a beautiful setting.

We are delighted that Esther Morgan has agreed to judge all entries: Since winning an Eric Gregory award in 1998 Esther has produced three collections of poetry. The first, Beyond Calling Distance, was published in 2001 by Bloodaxe Books and went on to win the Aldeburgh First Collection Prize and was also shortlisted for the Mail on Sunday/John Llewellyn Rhys Prize, and the third, Grace, was shortlisted for the TS Eliot award in 2011. She has taught at UEA and was editor of Reactions Magazine.

Adults:  First Prize       £1000 and a week at Tŷ Newydd

            Second Prize    £500

            Third Prize       £250

See website www.poetry-festival.co.uk for details of the Young People and Children’s competition section.

Winners have the opportunity to read their poems at next year’s Ledbury Poetry Festival.

Go to www.poetry-festival.co.uk for further details of our poetry competition and to download an entry form, or telephone 0845 458 1743 and we will put a leaflet in the post for you. Entry fees: first poem £5, for each subsequent poem £3. Children and Young People enter free for first poem.

Ledbury Poetry Festival date for the diary 5 – 14 July 2013. If you wish to join our email list and receive a programme in May email: boxoffice@poetry-festival.co.uk


Ledbury was home to poetess Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Seasiders Write!


Hello!

We hope that you and your group find something interesting at Seasiders Write! which is about to visit various coastal towns around the country.

You will also find a number of useful resources on the site at: www.seasiderswrite.co.uk

You and your members can also obtain a free copy of "How I became a highly paid writer" by simply identifying the resorts from the images on the On Tour page of the site. Starting top left and going down the left hand side of the 17 images and then top right and down to the bottom just tell us (using the contact form onsite) the name of each resort from 1-17. We`ll give you a little help and tell you that No 6 is Morecambe!

Have fun!

Kind Regards,

Neil
Neil Bromage
Freelance Writer

Morecombe, Lancashire UK

The Harry Bowling Prize for New Writing 

We would like to let you know that The Harry Bowling Prize for New Writing, sponsored by Headline and MBA Literary Agents, is calling for entries now.

New for 2014

This year we are very excited to announce that as well as our established novel writing prize we are breaking new ground and have a fantastic new flash fiction prize.

The winner of our novel writing prize will receive a cheque for £1000, an in-depth editorial consultation and exclusive lunch with publishing experts. While our flash fiction winner will see their work published online and receive £100.

Recognised by the publishing industry, The Harry Bowling Prize for New Writing was launched in 2000 and is an established award for talented new writers. Many of our previous winners have signed successful publishing deals as the result of winning this prize, including our two most-recent winners. We hope to continue our successful track record of finding talented new storytellers, who can inspire and entertain us, just as Harry Bowling did in his bestselling novels.

Visit www.harrybowlingprize.co.uk for all the information you need about the prize, including details of how you can enter, top tips on how to succeed and inspiring stories from previous winners.

Entries close on 30 September 2013 and you can follow us on twitter (@harrybowling) or on Facebook to keep up to date with all our latest news. The winner will be announced in February 2014.

Tuesday 19 March 2013

Living Library

Writers at the Living Library, Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College, 18 March 2013.

Students from year 7 and year 8 (11-12 year olds) took part in an interview session with the writers. There were around 30 students in each group who asked thoughtful questions and were interested in the writing process as well as where ideas come from. Three writers from WWC took part: Rod Griffiths, Sylvia Herbert and Polly Robinson.

Friday 8 March 2013

Worcester Writers' Circle


The Circle


Worcester Writers’ Circle (WWC) is an enthusiastic group who enjoy writing for pleasure and publication. Some of us are beginners, and waiting for our big break. Others are experienced professionals who have had their work published.
The Circle was established in 1941 and is one of the longest continuously active groups in the country.
Novelist Caroline Graham is our Patron and lifetime member.



If you write, we may be able to help you.
We encourage all aspects of writing from short stories, novels, articles, poetry, plays and even pantomime. We provide you with a forum to test out your ideas.
At meetings we:

  • Share our work
  • Offer help and constructive criticism
  • Suggest possible markets
  • Hold discussions on different aspects of writing
  • Host speakers.
Why not come along and see if we are what you are looking for? Guests are always welcome.

The annual subscription is £18.



WWC Events 


Following the success of the first WLF Walk, renamed 'Poets in the Mist', which we were delighted to support, we announce the next one around the water in Worcester: Words On Water ~ details to follow on the Worcester Literary Festival website



Some Background


The Circle had its first meeting on June 26th 1941, and has met continuously ever since. During that time it has had a variety of members but they all shared a common enthusiasm for writing.
Among recent members, Lynne Hackles is a very prolific and successful writer of women's fiction, being published in many of the weeklies such as people's Friend, Take a Break and Fiction Fest. She is also a regular contributor to Writers' News.
WWC includes both professional writers and beginners, and everyone is encouraged to bring work to read at the bi-monthly meetings which currently are held in Dancox House, St Clement's Gardens, Worcester on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Starting at 7.30, they last for two hours. Encouragement and gentle criticism are offered together with suggestions on markets that could be approached.

Worcester Writers' Circle is a member of the National Association of Writers' Groups.