We are a long established Writers Circle based in Felixstowe, Suffolk. This Weblog will be about us, Writing, Writing Competitions, Writing in Felixstowe, life and generally what we are up to as a Group and individuals and what interests us.
We are based in Felixstowe but our membership comes both from a wide area within Suffolk and we also have many 'online' members from around the UK, Europe and the US.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Please note our New! contact address is scribblers@btinternet.com . Please note all previous email addresses are now defunct.
Final final reminder that there are 48 hours left to deadline for the anthology - so if you haven't submitted anything, then you ought to get scribbling....!
Here are a few items that may interest you: ************************************************** "We would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to Article Plazza (http://www.articleplazza.com), an online editorial content house that allows editors and webmasters to purchase articles for use in magazines, guides, books and online portals and websites.
"Article Plazza is selectively inviting writers to join its pre-launch phase, and we would like to invite you to register with the site and add articles to our online catalogue. Registration and use of the site is 100% free, and you don’t have to pay to make any money using Article Plazza. Your account, by default, is setup to be paid out a percentage of each of your sales.
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Here are two free poetry competitions which you can enter right now.
There's a £100 first prize in our open competition, Fact and Fantasy. You can enter by post or email and make sure you put “Fact and Fantasy” at the top of your entry. Your poem can be on any subject you like but must be no more than 160 words or 20 lines, and you can't use “Fact and Fantasy” as the title. Send your entries now because this competition closes in September and we want to see something from you.
Also, there's a £1000 prize to the winner of our annual Local Poem competition. You must put “Local Poem” at the top of your entry and the theme must be someone or something local. For example, last year's winner was a poem about two cooling towers. The previous year's winner was a poem about a river, and three years ago, the winner was about village life.
You could write a poem about a famous person or even a member of your family, living or dead. You could write a poem about your local bus driver or your greengrocer. The same length limitations apply to this competition and we want to see something from you now.
If you have entered this year's National Poetry Anthology, you may hear from us with some good news in the very near future. Judging is currently taking place and we have already selected around 300 regional winners who will all receive a free copy of the book, and they will get to vote for the best poem. The author of that poem will receive £1000. All the regional winners will be contacted within the next few weeks. So if you haven't heard anything yet, keep your fingers crossed.
Our Poets of the Year book will be out in September, at the same time as Poetry By Moonlight.
A Guiding Light will be out in November, and Whispers on the Breeze will be out in December.
Don't forget that you can still submit a poem for our new CD anthology, Voices in Verse. All you have to do is email or post us a poem and put “Voices in Verse” at the top (but you can't use this as the title) and we will get back to you if we can accept it. So please be sure to include your phone number and address.
Many thanks for all the funny stories we have received for Things Kids Say, the book we are producing in association with Barnardo's, to raise money for this worthy charity. We are also grateful to all the artists who have provided illustrations for the book, which should be out in about three months. We are also pleased to say that it's been a very good year for our other charity projects, and we have now helped to raise over £20,000 for cancer charities this year, making a total of £172,000 in the last six years. Peter Quinn, United Press.
I don't expect you remember me, I came to one of your workshops probably a year ago now and am doing a degree in Performing Arts. I have recently become involved with Ipswich Community Radio who are starting up a drama department and are on the look out for local writers. We are hoping to start broadcasting in September and want to build up a portfolio of scripts, short stories, poems etc. As we stand at the moment we have more women than men to read the parts and don't want to start too over ambitiously so are mainly looking for scripts for between 1 - 4 people with no particular accents, or short stories to be narrated, both no longer than 15 minutes. The poetry may be allocated it's own slot.
I hope you don't mind me contacting you, I still receive your updates. I thought it may be of interest to some of your members who have a particlar interest in fiction writing. We will consider any genre (literally anything goes) and have people who can adapt existing writing into radio friendly material if necessary. At the moment we meet twice a month to see how much material we have and of course anyone is welcome to attend, it's very relaxed.
I have (hopefully) attached a copy of the flyer, but if you have any questions please contact me or ICR direct. Annette plays@icrfm.co.uk or phone 07913 439971
The Felixstowe Scribblers next meeting takes place on Tuesday 4th August starting at 7.30pm in the Room at the Top in Felixstowe Library. The homework topic is “INFINITE”
The deadline for our anthology is fast approaching so, if you still want to be included and haven't submitted anything yet, then this FRIDAY 31st JULY is the cut-off date. So get scribbling!
ATTENDING: Peter (chair), Jack, Jane, Les, Trish, Dave, Dick, Tony, Angela P, Ally, Simon, Barry and Liliane.
MATTERS ARISING and NEWS:
A warm welcome to Simon who was introduced to the group by Ally. Simon informed us that he writes songs in his spare time. It is a many a long year since we had a songwriter in our midst.
The Summer Social Beach Party: Around fifteen brave souls attended the fourth annual beach party, the third at Ruth's hut. A bit breezy to begin with, then a downpour tried to spoil events as we tried to set a new world record for the number of people in a beach hut! The rain soon passed by, the wind dropped and it turned out into a lovely evening.
How nice to see 'old' faces Lauren and Rosie fresh from their exams, along with Alex making his return after a number of weeks absence and even Giles from Felixstowe TV made an appearance – fortunately without camera!
Had Giles been fully equipped with camera, he would have seen the monster from the deep – or was it just Jane’s son Jack – paddling????
Plenty of talk about books and literature, of the impending retirement of the secretary next year, the anthology book launch and a miscellany of other topical subjects. Sad to say nobody seems to know who won this years IpArt writing competition except that it was not our Angela P, last years winner who was short listed once again.
It was a nice social event and everyone will be looking forward to the next one....
THE ANTHOLOGY – TIMES ALMOST UP: Barry reminds us that all submissions for the anthology need to be with him by 31st of July. Time has virtually run out now so please try and and get your submission in before then. Don’t forget a few words bio and perhaps a photograph too. The good news is that Rachel Sloane will provide a foreword to the anthology and also some work from her days as a former Scribbler.
Talking of Barry, good news that his book ‘Strictly A Family Affair’ is now at the publishers.
Angela P was shortlisted in the Writers’ News “Last Line Poetry competition” whilst Sue won a book from the same magazine.
Have messages of thanks from Di for our wishes following the loss of her father whilst Caz has also thanked us for our continuing support.
See that Dick has made the pages of the Evening Star once again – this time a full colour picture pleading for volunteers to staff the haunted Landguard Fort shop. We have it on good authority that they don’t sell spirits there though.
THE PLATFORM
This week we held another of our popular creative writing exercises and everyone provided four words that dropped into Dick’s hat then the four words were drawn out in turn. 25 minutes were allotted to create a masterpiece that included those words. Here’s who had them:
Jack Desolate Red Bread Cuckoo-Clock Jane Bedsitter Folder (?) Dark Inkling Les Chip Donkey Rome Monkey Trish Sunset Forceps Spaghetti Devil Dave Pen Chase Bell Corn Dick Inflate Curtains Motorbike Stabbed Tony Facebook Fear Hotel Hook Angela P Hubcap Stockings Oxford bag Mischief Ally Herbalism (?) Courage Melon Polkadot Simon Florist Mascara Gyroscope Internet Barry Shed Plum Bolster Inevitable Liliane Maiden Coconut Fish Fingers Gobbledegook Peter Timber Raspberries Shining Scribble
What wonderful creations there were too ranging from a nuclear disaster to an erotic encounter at the fruit counter of a supermarket!
OUR NEXT MEETING
Is in two weeks time on Tuesday 4th August at 7.30 pm in the Room at the Top, Felixstowe Library. In the chair will be Peter. Liliane will again collect the key.
Please note that as we now meet upstairs then late comers are advised that it will take a couple of minutes to answer the door so please be patient.
ASSIGNMENTS
1,500 word assignments will be undertaken by Trish and Dave
The 500 word assignment for everyone else will be on “INFINITE”
Thanks again to Liliane for collecting the key and to everyone for coming along and making the evening another enjoyable experience.
Keep Scribbling!
***** Support those who support us! Have a look at Scott’s website at http://www.mrcobblerandmrlocks.co.uk Don’t forget that Scott has special ‘Felixstowe Scribblers’ mugs on sale at £5 each. Not only does it have the Scribblers logo on the front, but your name can also be added on the rear.
***** Entries have now closed for our comical charity book Things Kids Say. You may remember that this book is being published by United Press to help raise funds for Barnardo's, and the book was launched officially by actress Lynda Bellingham at a Barnardo's centre in Manchester. Many thanks to all who have contributed funny stories about things that children have said.
We have also been lucky enough to have many artists volunteer their services to illustrate the book.
The good news is that the book will be out in about three months. It will cost £6.99 (plus £2.00 P&P) and half of the cover price will go straight to Barnardo's.
Many thanks for supporting this worthwhile venture, and if you have any ideas for future charity projects, United Press is always interested in hearing about them.
In the past five years we have managed to raise £170,000 for various charities, and you can find more details about the Barnardo's book and our charity work on our website at http://www.unitedpress.co.uk
Our next meeting takes place this coming Tuesday 21st July at 7.30pm in The Room At The Top at Felixstowe Library. A small reminder that latecomers should be aware that it takes a couple of minutes to answer the doorbell so, if you are not on time, then please be patient!
There will be no homework assignment for this meeting. Instead please bring along four words, each written on a small separate slip of paper. These will go into a hat followed by everyone drawing out a selection of four slips of paper. A creative writing exercise of approximately 20 minutes will follow allowing the creation of a masterpiece that includes the words written on the slips of paper.
It may sound a tiresome exercise in comparison to other meetings but this will allow everyone to get the old grey cells and pencils working! Based on previous writing exercises, it should be great fun!
Around fifteen brave souls attended the fourth annual beach party, the third at Ruth's hut. A bit breezy to begin with, then a downpour and we tried to set a new world record for the number of people in a beach hut! The rain soon passed by, the wind dropped and it turned out into a lovely evening.
How nice to see 'old' faces Lauren and Rosie fresh from their exams, along with Alex making his return after a number of weeks absence and even Giles from Felixstowe TV.
Plenty of talk about books and literature, of the impending retirement of the secretary next year, the anthology book launch and a miscellany of other topical subjects. Sad to say nobody seems to know who won this years IpArt writing competition except that it was not our Angela P, last years winner who was short listed once again.
It was a nice social event and everyone will be looking forward to the next one....
Just a reminder that the summer social beach party is set for tomorrow, Tuesday 14th July, at 'Pizza' the beach hut nearest the Spa Pavalion. Start time 7.30pm, but please bring along a few nibbles etc.
APOLOGIES: Sue (holiday), Debbie, Morag, Angela P and Di.
ATTENDING: Dick (chair) Ros, Ali, Ruth, Jane, Jack, Sandy, Rani, Liliane, Tony, Barry, Les, Trish, Angela L, Dave and Peter.
MATTERS ARISING and NEWS:
Very Sad News: Liam Fairhurst, the 14 year old Soham schoolboy died from cancer on Tuesday last week. Liam, who began fundraising in memory of our Jack Wilkinson, raised a staggering £320,000 and met many personalities along the way. Liam won many awards in his life, praise for his courage and devotion to helping others. We may not have personally met Liam but we knew and admired him. He was an inspiration. Rest in peace.
And more sad news: We learned of the sudden death on Thursday last of our friend Diane’s father from a heart attack. The Scribblers send their heartfelt wishes to Di, and also to the parents and brother of Liam.
Morag cannot be present tonight as she has a problem with her eye and feels it would be unwise to drive at night. We do wish her all the best. It is not all gloom though for Morag has just had a story published in the People's Friend Summer Special No 30, which went on sale on 2nd July. Well done Morag!
Angela P, last year’s winner, has again been short-listed in the IpArt short story competition. At the present time Felixstowe Scribblers have been unable to obtain details of this years winning entry. If anyone knows the final result then please drop an email to us.
Poetry : The Orwell Connection:. The general rule of thumb is that the poems should be on a Christmas theme with a comical vent. There is a minimum length of 24 lines and a cut point of the end of September. Dick will act as agent for any poems we would like to submit so please pass them to him.
The Murder Mystery : Pressure of other commitments with the imminent publication of Strictly a Family Affair together with the anthology means that Barry has withdrawn from the writing group. There are four writers left and have just completed the third scene of the play. There is still a very long way to go before its ready for the Rushmere Players.
THE ANTHOLOGY – A REMINDER : Barry reminds us that all submissions for the anthology need to be with him by the end of this month. Time has virtually run out now so please try and and get your submission in before then. Don’t forget a few words bio and perhaps a photograph too.
The Summer Social Beach Party: Coming up next Tuesday 14th July is our 2009 Summer Social. The venue is the same as before, at Ruth’s beach hut nearest to the Spa Pavilion. Please bring along some little snacks and drinks. Starting around 7.30pm we are hoping for good weather once again. Should be fun!
Message from our secretary: Dave has informed the Scribblers that he will be stepping down as secretary in May next year. He will then have held the office of secretary for ten years and though he has suggested he will stand down on previous occasions this time it is for real. This early announcement was made to allow the Scribblers to discuss who they step into the role and allow a transitional period up to the handover.
THE PLATFORM
The open themed 1500 word assignments:
Les : The Minutes Barry : Chapter 35 of his book Strictly a Family Affair
The 500 word assignment on ‘Flying’
Roz :My Dearest Douglas Dave :Up, Up and Away Trish :Life Angela L :The Bird That Was Afraid of Heights Tony :There’s No Place Like Emoh Liliane :On the Plane Rani :Flying the Falcon Falls Jack :Flying the Flag Jane :Fear of Flying Ruth :Flying Low Ali :Flying Sandy :Cut Short Dick :Too Young (poem) Peter :Bovine Flight
OUR NEXT MEETING
Is in two weeks time on Tuesday 21st July at 7.30 pm in the Room at the Top, Felixstowe Library. In the chair will be Peter. Liliane will again collect the key.
Please note that we now meet upstairs in the Library. This is because of all the new tables and chairs in Cafe Libra has created difficulties setting up and replacing the furniture before and after meetings. Late comers are advised that it will take a couple of extra minutes to answer the door.
ASSIGNMENTS
There will be no homework assignment for this meeting. Instead please bring along four words each written on a small separate slip of paper. These will go into a hat followed by everyone drawing out four words then taking 20 minutes to create a work that includes those words. It should be fun!
For those who will miss the usual creative homework then this could provide your last opportunity to write a piece for the anthology!
Keep Scribbling!
***** Support those who support us! Have a look at Scott’s website at http://www.mrcobblerandmrlocks.co.uk Don’t forget that Scott has special ‘Felixstowe Scribblers’ mugs on sale at £5 each. Not only does it have the Scribblers logo on the front, but your name can also be added on the rear.
*****
An open invitation to enter a short story competition based on a selected song from Mick Jagger. Go to www.thewriteplace.org.uk for details.
*****
I want to introduce Aesthetica, a bi-monthly arts and culture magazine with sections dedicated to visual art, literature, theatre, film and music. We are currently seeking short fiction and poetry entries for the Aesthetica Creative Works Competition.
The competition attracts entries from around the globe which are showcased in the Aesthetica Creative Works Annual, available through Borders from December. Last year we featured some fantastic up and comers including Leni Kae, who will be representing Australia in the Florence Biennale; Neale Howells, who has go on to exhibit alongside Tracey Emin and Peter Blake at the Kowalsky Gallery, DACS's examination of Orwellian themes in the 1984 exhibition; and Kate Rudkins, who has been commissioned by Channel 4 to make a Three Minute Wonder.
• The Aesthetica Creative Works Competition seeks entries of Artwork, Photography & Sculpture, Fiction and Poetry • Three winners will be awarded £500 each • Additional prizes include an Olympus E-420 SLR camera and a boutique holiday for two • All finalists will be published in the Aesthetica Creative Works Annual, in stores December 2009 • Entry to the 2009 Aesthetica Creative Works Competition is £10 • This allows you to submit up to 5 images, 5 poems or 2 short stories • Closing date to receive Creative Works is 31 August 2009 • For full details please visit www.aestheticamagazine.com/submission_guide.htm
***** Prose and Poetry Prizes 2009 from The New Writer magazine Closing date 30 November
Established in 1997, this is one of the major annual international competitions for short stories, novellas, single poems, poetry collections, essays and articles; offers cash prizes as well as publication for the prize-winning writers in The Collection, special edition of The New Writer magazine each July (back copies available on TNW website). Further information including guidelines and entry fees at http://www.thenewwriter.com/prizes.htm Writers can enter online at our secure credit card server at http://www.thenewwriter.com/entryform.htm The entry form can also be downloaded from that page on the website and sent in the post with your entry.
Our next meeting is almost upon us - this coming Tuesday 7th July at 7.30pm in The Room At The Top at Felixstowe Library. As always there is a reminder that latecomers need to remember that it takes a couple of minutes to answer the doorbell so, if you are not on time, then please be patient!
The 1,500 word open themed homework assignment will be undertaken by Les and Barry whilst the rest of us will need to be 'FLYING' to create 500 words on the self same subject.
There has been some dreadful news filtering through about the death of Liam Fairhurst, the 14 year old from Soham, Cambridgeshire. Liam, who set out raising money for CLIC Sargent in memory of his friend, our Jack, who died in August 2006. Liam went on to astound so many people by raising in excess of £320,000 pounds, a remarkable achievement for such a tremendous young man. He did more in his tender years than most of us can even hope to achieve in a full lifetime and proved himself to be a sensible and very caring young man on the television. In fact BBC Look East did a short tribute film to him. it is well worth spending a few minutes having a look at Liams own website - it may bring tears to your eyes or a lump to your throat but it brings home how devastating cancer can be. Liam died on Tuesday 3oth June. Go to:
Don't forget your work for the anthology - we really mustn't let Barry have any rest now, must we? Also the Murder Mystery group should be be meeting on Thursday next week.
Interested? Then why not join us at one of our meetings?
We meet on the First and Third Tuesday of each month at the Felixstowe Library in Crescent Road, Felixstowe, IP11 7BY., meetings start at 7.30 pm and we endeavour to be finished by 10pm.
The New!2009 programme is:-
All meetings are held at Felixstowe Library
Start at 7.30 pm and finish by 10.00 pm.
Suggested 50 pence donation per meeting, includes tea or coffee
January
20 Bill Budner Trophy – Anonymous competition for attending writers only
24 Social meal at Castle Lodge Hotel
25 Group session with Maureen Blundell at Castle Lodge Hotel
February
3 Meeting
17 Meeting
March
3 Meeting
17 Creative writing exercise
April
7 Meeting
21 Meeting
May
5 Meeting
19 Bill Budner Trophy – Anonymous competition for attending writers only
June
2 Meeting
16 Meeting
Beach Party Social to be arranged June/July
July
7 Meeting
21 Creative writing exercise
August
4 Meeting
18 Meeting
September
1 Meeting
15 Bill Budner Trophy – Anonymous competition for attending writers only
October
6 Meeting
20 Torchlight Halloween Meeting
November
3 Meeting
17 Meeting
December
1 Meeting
15 Creative writing exercise followed by the Christmas party.
Remember, membership is FREE, so why not come along? We ask for an optional donation of 50p per meeting to help towards running costs but that does include tea or coffee and a biscuit!
New!IMPORTANT - you can help.....do you know information or content that would help other readers of the Felixstowe Scribblers Weblog?...mail us at Dave Feakes, scribblers@btinternet.com with your comments, additions and suggestions TA! The Scribblers.
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The Felixstowe Scribblers are an initiative created with the support of Suffolk County Council to help, support and encourage writers living in Suffolk.
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