WRITERS’ CIRCLES
http://www.writers-online.co.uk APRIL 2020 45If your writing group would like to feature here, whether you need new members, have an event
to publicise or to suggest tips for other groups, email Tina Jackson, [email protected]CIRCLES’ ROUNDUP
ASA
SPOTLIGHT ON...
Wessex Writers meets once a month in a Bournemouth hotel
to discuss writing and books, supporting each other and
enjoying a cappuccino or a glass of wine at the same time,
writes Andrea Emblin.
Although a small group, we are an eclectic one, ranging from a
children’s writer, young adult, adult fiction, a variety of non-fiction
and short stories for magazines. Two of our members contributeWESSEX WRITERS
ASA
e Novel Pool
We are a small group who meet
fortnightly on Thursdays to discuss our
work, writes Helen Cormack.
We grew out of writing class which
we all attended. When that closed, we decided to keep meeting – and
that was five years ago. Our ‘process’ is that we nominate three people to
prepare submissions for the next meeting. The weekend before we meet,
we circulate this work. This gives everyone time to review and critique the
submissions before the meeting. On the evening itself, we all have our say
on each piece and suggest amendments, always in a spirit of constructive
criticism, which the author is free to incorporate or ignore. Submissions
vary from short poetry for children to sections of full length novels and
everything in between.
As a group, we also keep informed about events and competitions around
the country, both at our meetings and through our private Facebook page. We
have all travelled to retreats, readings and literary salons when the topics have
been of interest to us.
Instead of a Christmas night out, we have a New Year dinner where we
have a secret Santa. Each member is allocated another and is charged with
buying them a suitable book, based on their interests. This is a great cause for
hilarity and also much gratitude when the book exactly suits its new owner.regularly to a writing magazine.
Each month we share our latest news and any writing problems –
there is always sufficient to keep us going. If someone has submitted
a manuscript (previously to this meeting) this is given a careful
critique. Then we discuss chosen topics in some depth before a final
airing of suggestions for our free monthly e-magazine, The Voice.
Group members (and subscribers to the e-magazine)
contribute to The Voice, an exciting project our chairperson
launched. The e-magazine, like our group, covers a variety
of areas and ideas for both readers and writers: a literary
quiz, writing skills, book recommendations, biographies and
interesting quotations and snippets of information. Useful
information, such as current competitions, is often included. It
is open to innovation and new subscribers.
If you are interested in joining our list of subscribers (it’s free
with no obligations!) please contact Robin Dynes, our editor, on
[email protected]
To find out more about Wessex Writers visit our website
http://www.wessexvoice.co.uk. To enquire about joining the group
contact [email protected].The Leakey Pens, East
Leake’s group for writers,
has just published its
second yearbook, with
the help of Rick Wood, a
long-standing member and
best-selling author, writes
Sandra Johnson.
The book, available on
Amazon, contains 120
pages of original fiction
and poetry, all of which,
says founding member Paul
Haynes, would not have
existed but for the group.LEAKEY
PENS
GO INTO
Amazon, contains 120
pages of original fiction
and poetry, all of which,
says founding member Paul
Haynes, would not have
existed but for the group.The Leakey Pens, East
Leake’s group for writers,LEAKEY
GO INTO
Leake’s group for writers,
has just published its
second yearbook, with
the help of Rick Wood, a
long-standing member and
best-selling author,
Sandra Johnson
The book, available onlong-standing member and
best-selling author,
Sandra JohnsonThe Leakey Pens, East
Leake’s group for writers,We are a small group who meet
fortnightly on Thursdays to discuss our
work,we all attended. When that closed, we decided to keep meeting – and