February 7th, 2010 by Jenny Barden
Lest you may not have heard, two of the UK’s leading editors will be at the VWC’s ‘Get Writing’ Conference at the University of Hertfordshire on Saturday 20th February…
‘Step aside, JK Rowling and Ian McEwan,’ says Richard Brooks in the Sunday Times today. Simon Beckett was ‘Last year’s best-selling British fiction writer in Continental Europe.’ Who is his publisher? Simon Taylor at Bantam Books. Simon Taylor is coming to GW10. As an editorial director at Transworld, part of the Random House Group, he also commissions into Doubleday, Corgi and Black Swan. We are hugely privileged to have Simon Taylor as one of our keynote speakers, and not only has he agreed to talk, but to listen to private one-to-one pitches as well. In fact we are doubly privileged because appearing alongside him will be Marlene Johnson, managing director of the Children’s Division of Hachette UK, and she also will be listening to authors promote their work. Thanks to them, delegates will have a rare opportunity to talk to leading editors face to face.
The Conference features even more: ‘Crime Writer of the year,’ Mark Billingham; leading literary agents, John Jarrold, Anna Power and Philip Patterson; distinguished editorial adviser, Kathy Gale – along with Adèle Geras, author of over 90 books, and Imran Ahmad, possibly the ‘funniest writer ever’ – in addition to a great selection of workshops and optional talks, with lunch included, all for only £45.
We’re just a few places away from selling out completely. If you’ve not already booked, then book now at www.vwc.org.uk. It’s a chance not to be missed.
Posted by Jenny Barden in On writing | No Comments »
February 3rd, 2010 by Jon Pinnock
As I’m sure everyone out there is already aware, the illustrious Vanessa Gebbie is coming to our forthcoming Get Writing 2010 conference to present a workshop on short story writing. Just to whet your appetites, here’s an interview that I did with her recently as part of her blog tour promoting Salt Publishing’s excellent new “Short Circuit” guide.
Posted by Jon Pinnock in Competitions and festivals | 3 Comments »
January 25th, 2010 by Jes Guy
As a lad, my interest in football peaked in 1966 as England surged forwards to win the world cup. Subsequent outings (as the results suggest) have not been as successful or as rewarding.
My last attempt at watching our 3 Lion side cast the glare of close-up television upon a number of Neanderthal players (I won’t use Chinny Hill’s epithet) whose claim to fame was kicking their erstwhile opponents up in the air and getting booked for the privilege.
How refreshing it was for me to glimpse some of yesterdays Scunthorpe vs. Man City match where the Scunthorpe goalie made three terrific instinctive saves from an M.City blitzkrieg attack in less than two seconds. MC’s Robinho (no doubt a cracking lad from Matlock Bath?!) actually shook the Scunthorpe goalie’s hand in congratulation.
Does this signal the return of professional sportsmanship and entertaining games?
Posted by Jes Guy in Inspiration, Passing fancies | No Comments »
January 12th, 2010 by Oscar Windsor-Smith
Who says it’s difficult to make your work stand out from the crowd? Certainly not Orion. They have a trick or two up their, well… their sleeves.
Is this the future of book promotion? Can anyone guess who represents the author and who the publisher in this scene?
(15-rated content. Be warned)
scar
Posted by Oscar Windsor-Smith in On writing | 1 Comment »
January 11th, 2010 by Oscar Windsor-Smith
Two excellent short stories by prolific VWC writer Jonathan Pinnock and a couple by a certain other nondescript, also of this parish (modesty forbids), appear in the Rhinoceros in question, details here.
scar
Posted by Oscar Windsor-Smith in Competitions and festivals, Writers in action | No Comments »
December 31st, 2009 by Oscar Windsor-Smith
Yes, he has finally got a Round Tooit.
Here
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
David Who? …Not any more.
scar
Posted by Oscar Windsor-Smith in On writing | 2 Comments »
December 24th, 2009 by Ian Cundell
…from everyone at Verulam Writers’ Circle.
(Although don’t feel obliged to marry Christmas, as my initial mistyping for the headline said).
Posted by Ian Cundell in On writing | No Comments »
December 18th, 2009 by Kevin Bennett
People who know me might not be surprised to find that I have an opinion on this! You can read it at the Musicbrick website.
Posted by Kevin Bennett in Film & TV biz, Film and TV scriptwriting, Film and broadcast, Life, don't talk to me about life, Passing fancies, Pet Peeve, Radio | 10 Comments »
December 14th, 2009 by Ian Cundell
Space Captain Smith, via his alter ego Toby Frost has unleashed a new tale for the festive season for you to download and pass among your friends.
Find it, free of charge, by clicking the link below:
The Celery and the Ivy
Posted by Ian Cundell in Passing fancies, Writers in action | No Comments »
December 7th, 2009 by Oscar Windsor-Smith
At last the world speaks with one voice. If only those in power will listen.
56 newspapers, 45 countries, 20 languages.
Whatever you believe about the cause of global warming, this is clearly the final countdown.
Let’s make our feelings known.
Posted by Oscar Windsor-Smith in Inspiration, Journalism | 2 Comments »