Bookshop

I have added a ‘Bookshop‘ page to the site – it is really just a set of links to a slightly random selection of books that members have published. If members would like to add others of their own, please let me know.
– Peter

I have added a ‘Bookshop‘ page to the site – it is really just a set of links to a slightly random selection of books that members have published. If members would like to add others of their own, please let me know.
– Peter

Lots of non-members have expressed an interest in our Writer of the Month competition – so for February we are opening it to all comers. Only members who enter will get to vote on the winner, though! There is no prize, but entries will be published here.
The theme for the February contest is “Love”. Unrequited love, forbidden love, love against all odds, love over the airwaves… let your imagination decide. There are no limits other than a word count of 750 words for prose, 7 or 8 verses for a poem. Non-fiction, memoir, or part of a screenplay etc are all welcome too.
The deadline for entries will be Friday 21st February: send them to Stella at:



On 9 February Dr M A Moss (Mostafa) will talk to us about his latest book, recently published. This is the fifth in his Drops of Reality series, a collection of tales from a doctor’s surgery.
Time permitting, there will also be a chance to read short pieces and get feedback, facilitated by Stella.
This meeting will be in our usual place, but we are thinking of trying out other venues – any suggestions or preferences would be welcome.

I have reorganised my lists of writing competitions and added ones with deadlines in February. I hope collecting all the details on one page is helpful.
January is tough, and it can be difficult to get back in motion, so here are some timely ideas provided by the Novelry. Five suggestions for overcoming writer’s block and five for finding new inspiration.
Faridah is the young writer, born and brought up in Croydon but proud of her Nigerian heritage, whose first novel Ace of Spades shot to best-selling success and a place on the New York Times Top Ten.

The Tom Grass Prize is for stories with a sense of place and adventure. The top prize is £1,000 plus a conversation with a literary agent.

Our 12 January meeting was a session on short stories. Our planned facilitator was unfortunately unwell, but we looked at the advice given by successful writers and discussed our favourites.

Merry Christmas to all members, writers, and readers! May you receive the gift of inspiration and the energy to turn it into well-crafted words.

Another list of writing competitions with deadlines in the coming month.