CELEBRATING OUR FIFTH YEAR WITH PHOENIX 98FM GUEST WRITERS AND ENTERTAINERS

Good friends Patrick Forsyth and Michelle Ward

Friends and family know how much I enjoy my connection with radio, particularly Phoenix 98fm serving this part of Essex and Havering.  This year, I celebrate, not only five years with their super monthly Book Club slot presented by Michelle Ward, but links with the studio which will celebrate its 21st birthday in August. A few weeks ago we enjoyed Patrick Forsyth's presence when, during his time on air, he outlined the content of his superb anthology which I am pleased to say is selling well. Patrick is well known in the business world with more than one hundred books to his name. He is also an enthusiastic member of the SWWJ in London and serves on Brentwood Writers' Circle committee. 

Twenty two well known writers contributed to Patrick's latest book A Great Little Gallimaufry details below:

ISBN 9781909893085 £9.99 
published by Stanhope Books
Farleigh Hospice
North Court Road
Chelmsford CM1 7FH.
www.farleighhospice.org.  

A GREAT AFTERNOON SPENT AT BASILDON'S ART GALLERY - MADE MORE NEW TALENTED FRIENDS

Dawn Knox and Colin Payn

I managed to visit the Eastgate Art Gallery at Southernhay Basildon on Saturday and so glad to meet some talented artists, sculptors and writers including Dawn Knox who is seen here with some of her colleagues.  Have  discovered that the Gallery will be open for business until Easter, so do pay a visit and have a wonderful afternoon.

Dawn Knox, Mike Thurbon and Irene Butcher 

Author Dawn Knox, Sculptor David Jones & Author Colin Payn

SO MUCH LOCAL ARTISTIC TALENT IN BASILDON EASTGATEA ART GALLERY

GREAT WRITING MONTH COMING UP - BOOK NOW FOR YOUR PLACE AT THE ESSEX BOOK FESTIVAL

Today, in Colchester we learn about the forthcoming Essex Book Festival which will take place throughout March 2017.  Once again, I'm delighted to be a Patron of this superb writing festival which is in its 17th year.  From 1 March, more than two hundred writers, poets, dramatists and artists will be descending on forty venues across Essex to inspire, challenge and entertain audiences from Colchester to Chelmsford, Southend to Harlow. 

An amazing line-up of the best names in literature are showcased within the book festival programme which can now be found in libraries in Essex www.essexbookfestival.org.uk   

With A L Kennedy, Alan Johnson, Jenni Murray, Christopher Priest, Brix Smith Start, Alison Weir, Sarah Perry, Julian Clary, Sophie Hannah, Nicci French and Alys Fowler all in the mix, plus a fabulous weekend of Golden Age Crime Weekend hosted by the iconic Park Inn Palace Hotel in Southend; a day of Science, Radio & Invention at Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford, our inaugural Meet the Neighbours International Day in Harlow, and a contemplation of all things Place in Colchester, there’s plenty to get the juices going

KICKING OFF THE NEW YEAR WITH SOME GREAT NEW BOOK PROFILES

Many of the hundreds of authors, poets and journalists who appear from time to time on this site are all working creatively hard on their new literary projects.  Often I forget about the numerous wonderful and successful short story writers whose work appears in their collections and  anthologies.  

        So, it is now with huge pleasure, that I introduce Maldon-based writer Patrick Forsyth's new anthology A GREAT LITTLE GALLIMAUFRY (no - I wasn't familiar with the word either, but I sure am now!)  

     This is a rather special collection of Essex-based narratives, some fictional, others rather more factual (and historical), and, as you will see, are intentionally diverse. The twenty two authors have managed to use a comparatively small number of words to superb effect and the editors Hospice Trustee Patrick Forsyth and Lloyd Bonson have turned this miscellany of Essex writing into a fascinating and entertaining book, which is intended to raise money for that wonderful oasis of love and care at Chelmsford - The Farleigh Hospice.  At least half a dozen of Patrick's chosen writers belong to the Society of Women Writers and Journalists, that well known organisation of professional writers. www.swwj.co.uk 

All royalties from this book  will, of course, go to help the patients and families who use the services of Farleigh Hospice who are so dependent on voluntary donations.  

Patrick Forsyth will be outlining the content of this wonderful collection on radio shows within the next few weeks. He will be appearing on Phoenix 98fm on Wednesday 11 January on Book Club presented by Michelle Ward.

Here we have the content page, so do observe (and hopefully purchase) this book (£9.99) and help Farleigh |Hospice carry on their vital work. 

ISBN 9781909893085 £9.99 
published by Stanhope Books
Farleigh Hospice
North Court Road
Chelmsford CM1 7FH.
www.farleighhospice.org.