Present: George, Jeanne, Eleanor, Julian, Pat, Tereza, Nigel, Wilf, Tony, Rosie, Eamonn, David, Suzanne
Chair: Pat
There were thirteen of us at last night's meeting. It was Eamonn's first time, so we did the usual introductions. Subs were paid as friends caught up with news and gossip. Soon we all had a glass of something in front of us and, as time ticked by, Pat grasped the rudder of events firmly and pointed us in the direction of readings.
There was a quick-fire succession of performances, from first chapters of works in progress to short pieces of non-fiction, short stories, and some worthy attempts at the set task from the previous get-together. The colours of the sun setting behind the church was a brief distraction, but as usual the standard of work was high, and under Pat's guidance the meeting was brought to a conclusion bang on time, just as the light faded over Woolpit.
The car park emptied and I left with the usual buzz, i.e. more ideas and insights than I had arrived with.
Present: Tony, Nigel, Russell, Rosie, Barry, Eleanor, Carolyn, Julian, George
Chair: Nigel
News: Russell announced the (paid) publication of a short story in Telling Tales: Well done Russell. Rosie gave us details of her son-in-law's imminent MBE. Not literary, but good news all the same. Julian has a publisher reading his recently finished volume of Memoirs. Tony, with a nod to the imminent launch of The Ant-Lion, is booked to appear on the sofa with Lesley Dolphin, on BBC Radio Suffolk on the afternoon of the 23rd November, at 3.15pm. He also has a 'substantial piece' on the book earmarked by the East Anglian Daily Times.
AOB: Given over to the discussion of the Anthology, which Write Now! are hoping to publish in the first half of 2010. If you want to get involved in the project, email George or Barry
We decided that the submission of pieces would be open to all members, whether they have paid the annual subscription or not.
There were mixed opinions as to editing. Barry is against any form of editing, but Carolyn, George and Julian feel strongly that the same principles applied to work submitted at meetings should also be applied to anthology submissions. This doesn't imply making an editorial choice, but, as Tony pointed out, simply ensuring that grammar, punctuation, and content is of the highest standard.
George is happy to do the design/typesetting side of things, since that is his profession(!).
We need to get some work together so that costings and production methods can be finalised, to see if the anthology is a viable proposition. The task for the next meeting is set with this in mind.
Other possibilities for finance and marketing were discussed, viz. Grants, Craft Fairs, Local Groups (WI, British Legion), Internet, Literary Festivals. Carolyn and Eleanor volunteered to investigate some of these.
Whatever the finer points, the Anthology is firmly in our minds as we approach the end of the year. There is a deadline of January 31st for content to be finalised, so we need to get cracking on those submissions.
Readings: The task for the meeting was for a 100 word piece with one of the themes: Letter; New Year; A Chance Meeting.
Summary: The air in Woolpit was fresh, and clear of the recent 'whiff'. It had been raining, and the Village Hall was busy with indoor bowlers and local WeightWatchers. George and Barry got keys from the local repository and opened up. Wine was poured, chairs arranged and social chitchat commenced. Nine members braved the night, and our reward included a vibrant discussion on the possibilities of a group Anthology. Readings were generally short and well-received. There was a good mix of subjects and styles, as usual. Nigel chaired the meeting with a firm hand, before being called away to deal with a blackout back home. At 10pm we finished up, said our goodbyes and walked back out into the damp evening, slightly sad again that another meeting had ended, but looking forward to the upcoming excitement of Tony's book launch. Who knows what literary adventures await before the next gathering on the 17th?
Present: Nigel, George, Janice, Carolyn, Barry, Wilf, Rosie, Pat, Tony, Julian
Chair: Nigel
Introductions: We had a couple of new faces at the meeting. Wilf is a local writer who is working on a fantasy novel, and poetry. He works in the publishing industry and has already given us some insight into the marketing aspect of the Anthology venture. Janice is a friend of Carolyn down from Liverpool for a few days - she came along out of literary interest.
News: Of the few items, Tony mentioned his early success (150 copies sold so far) of The Ant-Lion. He has added another book-signing at Waterstones in Bury on the 17th December. He also anticipates a review in the East Anglian Daily Times coming out shortly. Julian meanwhile has a further meeting lined up with the potential publisher of his 'Keele' memoirs, for whom he is writing a preface.
AOB: The Anthology project is progressing. We need to firstly get content. Then read/edit/finalise submissions. When we can estimate size we can get some quotes. An important consideration is finance, either from grant or loan. If we go ahead, we must produce a well-designed, marketable, and profitable book. Any comments from members unable to attend this time are welcome.
Readings: Pat read a 'credit crunch' version of the Twelve Days of Christmas: "Twelve smiling bankers, eleven bonus payment, ten banks a-bailing, nine shares a-shrinking..." - if you want to read more I am sure Pat will email you a copy. Julian read a poignant extract from his memoirs, called Happiest Days. Nigel read an extract of his novel. George brought along a poem, Mud, and Carolyn her poem Tod Hullabaloo. Barry read a well-received story entitled The Home of Santa Claus, which ended... "We shook hands, Herr Wilke and I, and bade each other a happy Christmas. I left the old man with his album, standing alone among potted plants and fusty mahogany. Living a long-ago adventure in the manly uniform of the Reich, in a place, crystal-white, where land and sky and forest are one, and a monster hides." A powerful tale. Wilf read an equally strong extract from a fantasy novel he is working on. Rosie had a humorous memory from a camping holiday in France, in which she was rescued from a toilet by local residents!
Readings completed, we settled on the date and theme of the next meeting and said our goodbyes. The weather was cold, it was dark and the night uninviting, but we took the warmth of the meeting with us...until next time.