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Thames Valley Writers' Circle News

July 2008

Tuesday 8th

The ‘story in a hundred words’ competition was won by Adrian with “Confession” (click here to read it),

second was Jo with “Suspicious Character,” (click here to read it),

and Alex was third with “Patrick Burgers” (click here to read it).

June 2008

Tuesday 10th

The deadline for submissions for The Anthology is Tuesday 29^th July.

Members are asked to submit a short story or article of 1600 to 1700 words, or a poem with a maximum of 40 lines.
We may also be looking for very short pieces for ‘fillers,’ such as haikus or six-word stories.

The theme / title for the anthology is Earth, Air, Fire and Water.
You are, however, free to submit something else you have written with but a loose connection to the title.

Richard’s book “Six Spoons of Sugar” is to be launched at Waterstone’s in Broad Street, Reading on 25^th September.

May 2008

Tuesday 20^th

Another thought provoking evening from Bruce Holland Rogers! Click here for a report by Dick.

Tuesday 13^th

Results of the Short Story Competition judged by Iain Pattison – see Competitions.

Thursday 8^th

Elizabeth launched her novel “The Wild Card” at Caversham Library.

Click here to see some photographs, courtesy of Adrian.

Tuesday 6^th

Elizabeth was interviewed on BBC Radio Berkshire this morning to publicise her novel “The Wild Card” which is being launched on Thursday evening at Caversham Library.

Click here to hear a recording.

April 2008

Tuesday 29^th

Barbara’s short story took second place in the Tilehurst Eisteddfod and Dorothy’s story came third.

Barbara also came third in the poetry section.

Tuesday 8^th

Congratulations to…

Barbara who has had a short story accepted by the Countryman and a story published in the Yours 2008 Yearbook…

and Chris who won two first prizes in the Basingstoke Arts Festival …

… see Successes

March 2008

Monday 31^st

Tuesday 11^th

Congratulations to Richard who is about to publish his book: “Six Spoons of Sugar” the reminiscences of a WWII evacuee – see Successes or click here to see the cover read more about the book.

The launch of Elizabeth’s novel “The Wild Card” will be held on Thursday 8th May at 7.15 - 9.00 pm at Caversham Library.

February 2008

Tuesday 26^th

We had a very illuminating presentation by Geoff Fisher Sales Manager of Antony Rowe, probably the largest print-on-demand company in the UK. Click here for a brief report.

Congratulations to Jo Baker – her short story “The Daffodil Contest“ has been accepted by 'My Weekly' magazine
and it will appear in their spring edition.

Tuesday 19^th

Elizabeth has received the cover for her novel “The Wild Card” (See Successes )

Tuesday 12^th

Colin has had two more hymns published in “Worship Live”

Jan is to have a short story published in an English language magazine in Spain.

Tuesday 5th

Winners of the One-Act-Plays announced!

See Competitions …

January 2008

Congratulations to Jo Baker – her story came third in the Writing Magazine ”Wheelchair” competition
(see Successes)

Don’t forget that David Casals-Roma will be judging our ten minute one act plays on 5th February (see Competitions).

Fifteen members entered the January Homework Competition and the winner was Adrian Faulkner with “Professor Rosenkrops and his Quest for Cheese,” runner-up was Neil Somerville, with “Pride and Sensitivity” and in third place Duncan Howard with “Shipwreck.” (see Competitions)

October 2007

Tuesday 30^th

Anyone coming the meeting on Tuesday could be forgiven for assuming they had entered a Witches Coven … Click here for the whole story.

The ‘Flash Frightener’ competition was won by Adrian Faulkner with a poem entitled ‘Trick or Treat.’

The evening ended with some Psychological Mysteries presented by Neil Somerville – now that was really scary!

Tuesday 16^th

Guest Speaker

Patrick Lennon had his first crime novel, Corn Dolls, published last year and it is now out in paperback. The sequel ‘Steel Witches’ will be out in hardback in March next year.
Click here for a brief report

September 2007

Congratulations to Elizabeth - her latest novel, “The Wild Card,” a Regency romance set in 1810, has been accepted by Robert Hale and will be published in hardback.

August 2007

Sunday 26^th

The sun didn’t often shine this summer – but it did for Arthur and Kathryn’s garden party.

Congratulations to the four members who have achieved success in this year's NAWG competitions. (See Successes)

July 2007

Tuesday 17^th

An excellent presentation by our guest speaker, Bruce Holland Rogers, award winning author of short stories and teacher of creative writing.

Click here for a report of the evening.

Sunday 15^th

The Circle had a three hour boat trip by horse drawn barge from Kintbury along the Kennet and Avon Canal towards Hungerford and back.

In keeping with the rest of the summer, it rained for much of the time but it was mainly a light drizzle and as the barge was covered it did little to affect our enjoyment.

When the sun did come out everything looked even more beautiful.

On the way back Christine taxed our brains with a literary quiz.

Click here to see some photos.

Barbara Smith and Dick Sawdon Smith achieve success against international competition in a short story competition run by Radio Heartbeat based at Monklands Hospital in Airdrie Scotland. See the Successes page

June 2007

Tuesday 12^th A very informative session by Brian Thompson, winner of the Costa Biography Award in 2006

Brian has been writing for a living since 1973, he has written innumerable television and radio plays as well as novels and several acclaimed biographies. He said he wanted to give us what he thought makes a story...

Click here for a brief report.

May 2007

Tuesday 8^th A fascinating evening with Mills & Boon writer, Julie Cohen.

Julie, an American living in England who writes Mills and Boon novels delighted members and guests from Caversham Writers Group with the story of her writing life so far.

Click here for a brief report.