FAY C MARSHALL'S SUPER NEW COLLECTION

Fay C Marshall is a rather special poet. She joined the Society of Women Writers & Journalists in 1988 and her work output is enormous. She is a superb 'all rounder', with work published in the Arvon International Poetry Competition anthology selected by Seamus Heaney & Ted Hughes. Her work has been broadcast on BBC Radio Four's 'Poetry Please' and much of her poetry has been translated into Russian. A well known poet, she is always busy working with workshops, poetry events and adjudication.

Fay's third and latest collection 'After the Battle' has a distinct European flavour, with translation from French, Russian and German written in collaboration with her late husband.

Fay's poetry collection carries ISBN 978-O-9562494-1-8 and is published by SCRIPTORA - price £6.50. Sales enquiries to maryrensten@btinternet.com

ELIZABETH WALLACE INVITES YOU TO HER BOOK LAUNCH PARTY

The Women's Press Club in downtown Denver, Colorado is a special place for writers and one I wish I could visit on Friday 22 October. Elizabeth Wallace, the broadcaster and author invites you to a wine, cheese and hors d'oeuvres party to celebrate the launch of her latest book FORBIDDEN which is receiving great attention both in the US and Europe and is set to be a best seller.

Join Elizabeth in this unique Victorian home where she will give a short reading from her latest novel which is a fascinating read. Set in England and Scotland in the mid 1600s, Elizabeth's story has all the ingredients of an intriguing tale that keeps those pages turning. She will also discuss the historical context of the main characters and events.

Also present will be Michael Adams, classical guitarist.

Where: Denver Woman's Press Club at 1325 Logan Street, Denver.

When: Friday, October 22nd from 5:30 until 7:30 PM.

PleaseRSVP to: ewallace@evwallace.com or call 303-359-7445

Ørjan Nilsson's visit to England

Brentwood folk welcomed the Norwegian journalist, Ørjan Nilsson last Saturday who paid a flying visit whilst in England. He had heard many unfair stories about 'Boring Brentwood' and I simply had to change his mind about this ancient town.

I took him on a whistle-stop trip around the town showing him evidence of amazing history and some notable residents, including John Fryer, Museum curator and various other well known folk. Both Ørjan and I enjoyed being interviewed by Phoenix FM radio presenter, Alan Johnson who is the favourite presenter of the Saturday morning show. Although Ørjan had come to interview us, I managed to get a full set of pics and learnt about life in his home town of Bergen. With thanks to Brentwood Weekly News for permission to publish my column.

DAGENHAM GIRL PIPERS' ANNIVERSARY

Celebrations in the air yet again on 2 October with the 80th anniversary of the founding of the famous Dagenham Girl Pipers' Band. This famous band, known throughout the world, was started on 4 October 1930 by the Rev Joseph Waddington Graves.

Grace and Leon Simmonds and members of the Veteran Association greeted guests and current members of the band with their families and also veterans from past years. Lord Petre and the Mayor of Dagenham, Cllr J Gill and many other visitors were present. Wonderful party atmosphere, as you can see from the images, particularly when the pipers made their entrance playing their bagpipes and swirls of tartan. The band is successful even today, although now part-time. Near the top of the blog is our very own Lord Petre talking to Grace Simmonds who organised this memorable evening.

EXHIBITION OF PAINTINGS IN LONDON

Shame that yesterday' London tube strike occurred on Eileen Mayer and Rodrigo Costa's long awaited exhibition and book launch reception. This was at the Anglo-Portuguese Society's Canning House in Belgrave Square. With stoic patience, we allowed extra time to travel, using main line, bus and walked for a couple of hundred miles, arriving with time to spare. Only joking - we had a wonderful evening viewing Rodrigo's paintings and met scores of their admirers, many of whom had flown especially to attend their friends' special evening. Rodrigo's paintings are beautiful and, linked to Eileen's poems, their joint book entitled THE LANDSCAPE AS THE PLACE OF EVERYTHING is extraordinary.

WENDY HUGHES' DAY FOR WRITERS TUESDAY 5 OCTOBER

Our SWWJ Membership Scretary Wendy Hughes is once again welcoming members to A SPECIAL DAY FOR JOURNALISTS AND NON-FICTION WRITERS TO BE HELD FROM 11.00 TO 16.00 ON TUESDAY 5TH OCTOBER 2010 AT THE WRITERS’ HOUSE, 13 HAYDON ST. LONDON. EC3N 1DB (Tower Hill Tube)

* This fourth day for Journalists and Non-Fiction Writers is designed for beginners as well as more experienced non-fiction writers. A factfile on marketing, and developing those ideas, will be handed out on the day. In this workshop Wendy will cover:

* Markets and pitching ideas - would each delegate attending this day PLEASE bring along at least one magazine, or details of a publisher that you write for or wish to write for and be prepares to talk - for about five minutes on your chosen market - the type of material this publisher or magazine publishers.

* Developing your ideas for a feature or a non-fiction book – You have a great idea, but what do you do with it? We all have different methods of developing an idea, so after a short introduction from me, over to you to share your methods. A chance to learn from one another.

* Problem sharing Forum – The session at the last day went well, so please come along with a problem or a query to share and between us we SHOULD come up with some suggestions. Rest assured that NO problem is too trivial, as we are all at different stages with our writing. We ALL had to learn how to layout a manuscript, submit a query once!

The cost of the day is £18.50 per person. (Cheque made payable to SWWJ). Please bring a packed lunch and pen and paper. Further information can be obtained from Wendy email: wendy@stickler.org.uk or telephone 01903 785771

EILEEN MAYER AND RODRIGO COSTA

Monday evening is going to be great for two artists, the Portuguese artist Rodrigo Costa and Essex poet Eileen Mayer, who is also a talented stone carver. Together they will be celebrating the launch of their book THE LANDSCAPE AS THE PLACE OF EVERYTHING at Canning House in London's Belgrave Square. Rodrigo has now arrived in London and his wonderful paintings, some of which are portrayed in the book, will be on display for ten days. Let's hope the looming tube strike doesn't prevent us getting there on Monday.