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.
Here's hoping you all had lovely Christmas and that you will have a Happy and prosperous New Year.
As you know our first meeting of 2010 is our Annual General Meeting and the agenda is shown below.
FELIXSTOWE SCRIBBLERS
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
7.30 PM TUESDAY 5th JANUARY 2010
FELIXSTOWE LIBRARY
THE AGENDA
1. Apologies for absence
2. In Attendance
3. Secretary's Report on 2009
4. Ratification of existing committee and or election of new officers
5. Treasurer's Report
6. Website and Weblog Report
7. Social Events
8. Structure of Meetings
9. Planning for the future
10. Publicity
11. Any Other Business
If you have any ideas or suggestions that will help to improve our meetings then please come along and discuss them.
Hope to see you at the AGM
Until then,
Keep Scribbling!
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RealDeal Theatre's next Sitcom Saturday will be held on June 12 2010 at Westminster Reference Library, 35 St. Martin's Street, London WC2H 7HP
The window for submissions will during the month of March 2010. Entries should be emailed to scripts@realdealtheatre.org.uk between Monday, March 1 and Wednesday, March 31 2010 only. No entries will be accepted outside these dates.
RealDeal Theatre is looking for six fifteen-minute sitcoms for Sitcom Saturday, a professionally-directed and acted script-in-hand rehearsed reading, open to the public, at Westminster Reference Library off Leicester Square, London. We allocate a director for each of the selected scripts and the directors then liaise with the writer(s) before a casting session, rehearsal and the performance on Saturday, June 12 2010. Entries are welcome from anywhere as long as the writers can liaise with the directors beforehand and writers must also attend the June public rehearsed reading in London.
Writers must be 16 years or older. There is no upper age limit!
******* CWC are hosting a short story writing competition that is a little unusual. The concept is to create a superhero character that will develop organically through original ideas from the writing public.
A graphic artist has already created this character and given him a set of background circumstances as a starting point. From there it is up to the entrants to create stories around this character.
A panel of CWC published authors will judge the competition and select the ten best entries.
These will then be turned in to a series of graphic short stories which will be distributed free in the greater London area.
There are a range of prizes from £100 to £10 for the prize winners.
The hope is to interest not only seasoned short story writers but also people who may not have tried writing a story before.
The competition closes on March 30th 2010 and the entrance fee per story is £4.
The January 1 issue of www.WritingRaw.com is NOW online: Writing Raw is a FREE literary ezine dedicated to new and emerging writers. Our goal at Writing Raw is simple - to serve the literary community with the opportunity to have their work online and out in the world. In this world of disappearing literary magazines, Writing Raw is providing the blank pages for writers to fill.
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We’re working very hard to put together the first issue of Prole, a new type of literary magazine. We want to create a broad appeal without compromising the quality of our content.
We’re looking for submissions for our first issue in June. We are that rare thing: a paying market.
Full details about Prole and the submission process can be found on our website, www.prolebooks.co.uk
In attendance: Debbie, Tony, Liliane, Jack, Jane, Peter, Ruth, Ann and Dave (chair).
Orwell Connection :
Dick was unable to attend Scribblers as three of his four poems for the Orwell Connection Christmas Poems were selected and were being performed at Walton Church, ironically on a Scribblers night. So well done Dick!
Review:
Received after the meeting was a review of the Felixstowe Anthology 2010 by Bernard M Jackson, an international review writer from Newcastle Upon Tyne. Summing up our group as a Fellowship, Bernard has made mention of every writer included in the anthology, spreading over four sides of paper. This will be available to see at our AGM in January.
X-rated?
”The Crabby Arms Affair”: In response to an email from the Scribblers to Rushmere Players on 14th December, we are now informed that the play will not be performed by them and consequently the proposed evening at Colneis School has been cancelled. It is understood that the decision was taken on November 30th but nobody had the courtesy to inform the Scribblers. What happens now? Watch this space.
Help sought
Our friend Di is looking for any members of Scribblers who have been published (short stories, novels, self-publishing etc) who have a couple of hours to spare on a Monday between 10am and 12noon who would be willing to come along to the little creative writing group we have at Suffolk Family Carers in Claydon and chat to our Family Carers about their publishing experiences. The dates for our next meetings are: 11th Jan, 8th Feb, 8th March and 12th April. They do not have to commit themselves to all sessions. Tea/coffee and biscuits are freely available!
Suffolk Family Carers is a charity and our budget for events in the Centre is to all intents and purposes, non-existent. It wouldn’t be possible for us to pay an hourly rate for a Scribbler to attend, although we would be happy to reimburse any travelling costs (petrol, buses fare etc) getting to and from our centre in Claydon. If anyone is interested, please ask them to email me at Diane.Relf@suffolkfamilycarers.org Many thanks.Di
United Press
For those who attended the meeting, we were pleased to receive and distribute amongst our members several free copies some excellent publications from United Press who cover mostly poetry but also include the Short Story Society.
Also included were a variety of leaflets including poetry competitions and details of how to publish your own work. Go to http://www.unitedpress.co.uk/ for information.
THE PLATFORM
The meeting decided to each place a word in a hat and then draw out four of them. Each writer would then use those words within their own creative masterpiece in approximately twenty minutes. The four words were :
Blackmail: Cuddly: Communist: Catflap:
The results were quite remarkable with eight very different stories.
Ruth’s work was entitled “Monty’s Return”, Liliane’s “Cat Chaos”, Tony “It’s all Ann’s fault” and Dave “It’s a Hoot”. The work by Peter, Debbie, Jack and Jane were all untitled.
With the writing over, it was down to a little party with plenty of eats and drinks.
It was then time to say
“Merry Xmas”
OUR NEXT MEETING at The Room at the Top Felixstowe Library is the AGM which takes place on Tuesday 5th January 2010 at 7.30 pm
If you have any item you wish to include on the agenda then please email scribblers@btinternet.com with details.
Have a very Merry Xmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year!
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.
I am writing to introduce Net-Novel.com to you and your members. The site is an online community for aspiring and published novelists. Amongst other things there are forums for novelists to chat to one-another, ask questions and generally network with other like minded individuals. Members can also upload their work for critique and there is a Novelists' Directory with useful information for full-length fiction writers. It is absolutely free to join.
In addition, there is a forum for writers' groups to post details and dates about their group. You would be very welcome to add your group's details to the forum.
It is early days for Net-Novel.com just yet but it is steadily growing and beginning to achieve its goal of being a vibrant and useful resource for all its members. I would be extremely grateful if you would consider joining us and pass on our details to your members so they may also consider joining - don't forget everything is absolutely free.
TheFictionShelf.com is a place where everyone who loves reading will be able to read high-quality new writing. And where, uniquely, they will be able to choose exactly how they do that: Be it online, printed at home, on their phone or e-book reader, or in a traditional hard-bound copy.
We recognise that Entertainment has changed: We are no longer restricted by place, time or cost. Driven by demand the Television, Music and Film industries have adapted to these advancements and together we will bring this expansion of choice to reading.
TheFictionShelf.com will be driven by submissions from amateur writers and will provide them with a unique platform to promote their work. Unique amongst similar websites because of the quality of work on offer and for the intuitive and interesting way that work is presented.
This is where we would like your input: The website is being constructed and the virtual shelves will soon be ready for all to peruse - we need your help to fill them.
There are few criteria to submitting to The Fiction Shelf, all we ask is that you have a passion for writing and a desire to grow, both with us as a reading and writing community, and with your own abilities and confidences.
Our joint success depends on readers, and although submission is open to all, only the most creative, innovative and interesting work will be chosen to be published online. Indeed we want, with your help, to become synonymous with the very best in new writing.
We are currently searching for short stories and poetry, other than that there are no restrictions in terms of genre, style or subject matter. So please, log on now at www.thefictionshelf.com read the submission guidelines, and send us your work.
We have included in this email a selection of promotional material that you may wish to print out and distribute to your group; including an A5 flyer, an A4 poster, and a letter-headed version of this open letter to writing groups. Please feel free to reproduce these and distribute them as you wish.
Please also be aware that we are eager and ready to answer any questions you may have about any matter relating to The Fiction Shelf, and are easily reachable by phone or email.
The Fiction Shelf Editors
*****
Felixstowe Scribblers Anthology 2010
Over 120 pages packed with short stories and poetry from 37 past and present Felixstowe Scribblers,
Priced at just £5 it represents remarkable value for money.
Profits from the anthology will go to the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice.
Our next meeting, the final one of the year, takes place on Tuesday 15th December at 7.30 pm. There is no homework this time as we will have a short creative writing exercise in the first half of the meeting. After the break, we'll have time to relax and celebrate the completion of another year at Scribblers with our own little Christmas party. If you wish, please bring along some nibbles etc and drinks (preferably non-alcoholic as some folk have to drive home....)
News from Ireland is that Rochelle suffered bruised ribs and was left with a hefty bill for the damage to her vehicle. Here's to your speedy recovery Rochelle.
One time regular Gordon Maton sends seasonal greetings to the Scribblers.
Also sending greetings is Judy Clements who has nearly completed her book on Burma and will soon be looking for a new publisher. If its anything as good as her "Like Ships That Pass in the Night" it will be another brilliant read.
News is filtering through that our friend and author, Rochelle, was involved in a "hit and run" car crash last Saturday night. Fortunately she escaped serious injury.
Our next meeting will also be the last one of 2009. For some members the year has produced publication and a promise of the release of two novels, for others they have progressed steadily at their own pace. There have been health scares and concerns, but most of all we have achieved publication of our own anthology. Every contributor has become a published writer! So well done one and all!
Our final meeting of the year will be on Tuesday 15th December in the usual place, The Room at the Top in Felixstowe Library.
There is no homework this time, instead we will hold a mini creative writing exercise for our amusement. After the interval, we will have our own little party to see out the year in style. It will be nice if folk can bring a long just a few nibbles or drinks (non-alcoholic)...
In attendance: Jane, Amanda, Ros, Duncan, Les, Liliane, Linda, Sandy, Tony, Trish, Dave, Ann, Dick (chair).
Welcome to two new faces at our meeting, Linda who writes ‘all sorts’ and Duncan a science fiction writer. Also welcome back to Les who returned after missing a few meetings. Dave’s wife Ann was attending only to ensure he behaved himself!
The Evening Star published a photo and a report on the Anthology launch. This appeared on Tuesday 1st.
Peter our treasurer suggests that the box of anthologies delivered direct to EACH will be sold by the charity and all monies from those sales will be retained. It may be a small amount in the overall picture, but every little bit counts. Caz received a 'thank you' from Mark Fox who was unable to attend the launch but thanked the Scribblers for their efforts for EACH.
The ‘foreign’ book orders have been posted out and sales are hopefully ticking over nicely. Books are on sale at Magpie and Poor Richards shops in Felixstowe or can be ordered from Peter our treasurer or by email from scribblers@btinternet.com
It is understood that Rushmere Players have had their casting meeting for the parts in ‘The Crabby Arms Affair’ so watch this space!
There was a double page spread in the EADT on 28th November entitled Darkness and Light, an interview between Steven Russell and our own Ruth. It is very interesting and a feature that has been commented on by a number of our members by email.
Geraldine, who attended the launch, wished to thank Ruth for the organisation of the launch which went well. Dave would like to thank everyone who attended, not least our celebrity and friend Rachel Sloane and of course the music by Kol Paterson. None of this would have been possible without the kindness of the Castle Lodge Hotel. So thanks everyone!
THE PLATFORM
The 1,500 open themed topics:
Tony: Snakes on a Plain With the absence of Shaun who was to do the second long piece a substitute stood in. Dave: Christmas is Coming.
The 500 word assignment on Christmas or the Festive Season:
Jane The Pantomime Amanda 21st Century Scrooge Ros Here’s Here! Dick Harry’s Game Peter Cold Feet Duncan Last Christmas Les Christmas Liliane The Christmas Book for 1934 Linda Christmas Sandy A Santa Hood Trish Avalon, and Insomniac’s Christmas
OUR NEXT MEETING at The Room at the Top Felixstowe Library ....
Takes place on Tuesday 15th December at 7.30 pm
There is no homework assignment for this meeting as there will be a short creative writing exercise in the first half of the meeting. After the break, well time to relax and celebrate the completion of another year with Scribblers with our own little Christmas party.
It would be nice if you will bring along some nibbles etc and drinks (preferably the non-alcoholic kind as some folk have to drive home....
Look forward to seeing you there,
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.
*****
THE KOL PATERSON BAND Smooth & Groovy JAZZ For all occasions from Solo piano to 5-piece band CD available on request Tel: 01473 712624 Email: kol@ourservice2u.co.uk
****** December issue of www.WritingRaw.com NOW online: Writing Raw is a FREE literary ezine dedicated to new and emerging writers of the following categories: FICTION, POETRY and ASSORTED writings. Our goal at Writing Raw is simple - to serve the literary community with the opportunity to have their work online and out in the world. In this world of disappearing literary magazines, Writing Raw is providing the blank pages for writers to fill.
Alexis Smith Aesthetica Magazine PO Box 371, York, YO23 1WL, UK (+44) 01904 479 168 www.aestheticamagazine.com
****
And don’t forget:Felixstowe Scribblers Anthology 2010
Over 120 pages packed with short stories and poetry from 37 past and present Felixstowe Scribblers, Priced at just £5 it represents remarkable value for money and will certainly make an ideal Christmas gift. Profits from the anthology will go to the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice. Order your copy now!
Some happy Scribblers at the recent anthology book launch. Photo that appeared in Richard Cornwell's column in the Evening Star on Tuesday 1st December
The Anthology book launch at the Castle Lodge Hotel was a success, nice atmosphere, nice people, and a good Book as well. Thanks must be passed to firstly the Hotel for laying on the event, to Ruth for organising and hosting the evening and to Rachel Sloane for coming along. Ruth informed the group of the death of our oldest member, John Crowson who died at the age of 97 just days before he became a published writer for the first time. Thanks must also go to Kol Paterson for providing a wide selection of music on the hotel piano. To the Evening Star for a group photograph of the event.
Sadly Dave missed the photo call - as some of you may know he suffered a heart attack only last week. After being rushed to Ipswich hospital, he was transported to Papworth where he had an operation to clear a blocked artery but still managed an appearance.
We understand the Evening Star will publish a feature on Tuesday (tomorrow) on the Anthology which, incidentally, is on sale at Magpie and Poor Richards shops in Felixstowe, East Anglia's Children's Hospice shop in Ipswich and can be ordered on line at scribblers@btinternet.com
Ruth was featured in the centre pages of the East Anglian Daily Times on Saturday as well. A good time for the Scribblers!
Our Next meeting is in The Room at the Top Felixstowe Library ....
Tomorrow Tuesday 1st December at 7.30 pm
The 1,500 word open themed work will be provided by Shaun and Tony..
The 500 word homework assignment should be centred on a Christmas or New Year theme.
It was with regret that we learned of the passing of our oldest member, 97 year old John Crowson just days prior to the launch of the Felixstowe Scribblers Anthology. This was to be a momentous moment for John as he had never been published before.
John, from St Albans, was a regular guest at the Castle Lodge Hotel. He had written short stories and poetry over the years but his family never appreciated his talent. When he was invited along to a Scribblers meeting back in 2007, he jumped at the opportunity to share his work and was thrilled with the opportunity of having some of his work published in our anthology.
His short story 'The Mirror of my Mind' and poem 'Hopes Requiem' are included in the anthology.
Although John only came to a few meetings he became a friend of our group and will be sadly missed.
Our Dick was interviewed by Lesley Dolphin on Radio Suffolk yesterday and, for those who heard him, he did a superlative job. Well done Dick.
Next, on what seems to be a very busy period of time, is the much awaited launch of our 2010 anthology which Lesley Dolphin thought was a lovely diverse collection of stories.
The launch, as you will know by now, will be on Saturday 28th November at the CASTLE LODGE HOTEL, Chevalier Road Felixstowe. Doors open at 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start. Ruth will do an introduction whilst popular local celebrity Rachel Sloane will do a presentation. Rachel, of course, is well known for her association with Radio Suffolk. Of course Rachel was once a Scribbler herself and is included in our anthology.
The anthology will make a lovely little Christmas gift so, even if you are unable to attend, please support the anthology as profits from the sales will go to East Anglia's Children's Hospice, a most worthy cause. These are available at Magpie Books and Poor Richards in Felixstowe, or you can contact scribblers@btinternet.com
Our next meeting takes place at the Room at the Top, Felixstowe Library at 7.30pm on Tuesday 1st December.
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.
Sponsored Links
The Felixstowe Scribblers are an initiative created with the support of Suffolk County Council to help, support and encourage writers living in Suffolk.
Click on image to increase size
Felixstowe Scribblers Anthology 2010
Our Dick was interviewed by Lesley Dolphin on Radio Suffolk yesterday and, for those who heard him, he did a superlative job. Well done Dick.
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