BRENTWOOD WRITERS' CIRCLE LINE-UP FOR OCTOBER MEETING

TALES FROM THE CIRCLE… 

Now and again, I receive a call from someone who knows nothing about the craft of writing, but who has come across our regular monthly articles in The City Times.  Obviously, I invite folk to read about us in our website  www.brentwoodwriterscircle and then pay a visit to one of our monthly Saturday afternoon sessions in Weald Road, Brentwood, Essex.  Of course, we always offer a warm welcome and enjoy meeting new people who have perhaps always wanted to see their work on the page or even start working on their first book, article or collection of poems. Encouragement is always at the ready and if a embryonic writer wants to read their work to others, this is possible when they sign up to become a member. 

As always mentioned, their first visit is free of charge and should they have the time and are able to come along, a £5 visitor’s fee is expected and invariably we welcome each new member to our Circle (which has been going for more than eighty-three years. We start at 2.30pm - 4.30pm and workshops outlining many aspects of the writing business are covered 

One tradition that was started many years ago, was our Annual Members’ Writers’ Day with talks from professional writers, publishers or indeed any speaker who has the ability to enhance the knowledge of what I think of as one of the most exciting pastimes (or professions) available to everyone. 

Saturday’s  Writers’ All- Day event was well attended starting earlyish with the well-known Romantic novelist Olivia Hayfield whose thirty years in the business covered so many aspects of our favourite trade. Her latest books include Notorious, Sister to Sister, Praise for Queen,King, ACE and there are many more via her website www.oliviahayfield.com 

A lovely lunch awaited and was enjoyed by all, followed by the introduction of another excellent author, publisher and historian Andrew Summers CEO of the Essex Hundred Publications in Southend.  

Andrew’s latest book was introduced and our audience enjoyed his talk and video outlining The Riddle of Boudica, which is now available to everyone interested in this amazing historic character. Andrew also has a line-up list of some interesting books on his website www.essex100.com. He is regarded as a walking encyclopaedia of historical people and places linked to ssex and this new book is certainly on my own reading list this week.

 www.brentwoodwriterscircle.com www.sylviakent.blogspot.com

 

HISTORY FAIR AT BILLERICAY SATURDAY 12 OCTOBER 2024

So much coming up on the calendar for October - looking forward to seeing our usual friends and local historians on 12 October.

BRENTWOOD WRITERS' CIRCLE'S' SPECIAL WRITERS' DAY - 5 OCTOBER 2024

 

For more details, check website www.brentwoodwriterscircle.com                         

CATCHING UP WITH MY INTERVIEWING FOR NEXT BOOK - A FEW FAMILIAR FACES?

 

While it is good to keep a check on people and perhaps catalogue the people we are lucky enough to meet and interview, sometimes I have to return to my old photograph files to make certain that my background information and my interviewing dates are correct. Some of the images are relatively new - no problem, but as I will be using older pics (and some ancient!) there is a lot of research being carried out in the background.   

How about this one? No prizes, though!  

CELEBRATIONS IN LONDON - ENJOYING OUR SWWJ AGM AND WONDERFUL SPREAD ON FRIDAY

Just  a few pics of some of our SWWJ members who attended this year's Annual General Meeting held in London and a chance to meet the fabulous Alice Fowler, one of the Daily Mail's top journalists and author.  I love her new book dedicated to short stories -my current favourite theme. More pics to come!!!

Valerie Dunmore and yours truly with the beautiful Clemence Dane writing trophy

SWWJ members Sally Ann Voak and Trudy Lewis

Friends Laura, Beryl and Amanda 

Alice Fowler - our wonderful speaker

SOME BRILLIANT BOOKS ON OUR READERS' LIST - ALL LINKED TO ESSEX

One of my vices is reading and, when writing work decreases a little, off I go to my bookshelf and find my latest book.  As I enjoy contributing some of my ideas to the fabulous small press THE VILLAGE EMPORIUM, based in Essex, here is the latest book review for September. By the way, this super little magazine (one of my four regular columns) is packed with lots of interesting topics, useful ads and up-to-the-minute features linked to our county.  Do take a look!    www.villageemporium.co.uk 

What people say about Village Emporium 

It’s a great little magazine, well presented, with something for everyone. The puzzles and quiz are very good. The articles are interesting, often with a local twist. However, the most important elements are the local businesses and professionals who advertise in the Village Emporium. Through careful editing and personal recommendations, you know they can be trusted.

Lesley, Reader

 

I  just wanted to give you some feedback from our advertising in your beautiful Village Emporium Magazine. The Village Emporium is consistently beneficial to our businesses that advertise in all your publications. I know it works because I get feedback from all sorts of customers – and that is the feedback I hear, so goodness knows how many others think the same. You know what I’m like I always ask questions about how our clients feel. They love the look and feel and more importantly the diverse information about all the businesses that advertise their local expertise.
The distribution is the biggest plus for me. I know for a fact that many people I speak to flick through and browse when it comes through the door, whether it be at home or distributed to the various businesses that display their expertise.
I see many visitors at the 1867 eatery in Heart of the Shires Shopping Village browsing while they are waiting to be served and then take it home!
It’s brilliant, I love it. Keep up the great work and passion for genuinely wanting to help local businesses.
Paul Campbell
Marketing director for Campbells, The Paul James Gallery and the 1867 and Artizen Fine Art Gallery in the Heart of the Shires Shopping Village.
Fraser James have been advertising in the village emporium for nearly 7 years now. Village emporium magazine is the only magazine we regularly advertise in and without a doubt I feel this is the best local business magazine there is. Being in the furniture industry, our advert images change with each issue, Village emporium always go above and beyond to make sure our adverts are exactly how we would like them and they are so easy to work with. We find the business we receive from featuring in the magazine incredible and I couldn’t recommend The Village emporium highly enough!
Peter O’Neill – CEO Fraser James Furniture

Just wanted to say how much I look forward to the Village Emporium popping through my letterbox every two months!  First thing is to get the kettle on then settle down with a cuppa and your publication!  Always plenty of interesting articles and it is my bible when I need help.  I have successfully used it for a new bathroom and bedroom, help in the garden, choosing somewhere to eat out, recipes and generally finding out what’s on in the local area.  It is so reassuring to be able to use local businesses who need to maintain a good local reputation.  Long may you thrive!!
Bev – Hellidon

I just wanted to drop a quick message of appreciation for the Village Emporium magazine we receive. It’s a great roundup of what is happening in our district including community events and great features on different topics. Not many communities are lucky enough to receive something like this so I just wanted to say thank you – I look forward to reading each issue. Keep up the good work!
Emily Barton

I think it’s a really good thing to support local businesses. The Village Emporium is a perfect way to do this. It’s the first place I look if I need a local trade or service and the only local advertising material I actually keep. When a new issue arrives I always flick through it to see what’s happening in the local area too. It’s a treasure trove of useful tips and information. Colourful presentation makes you want to pick it up and read.I’d miss it if it didn’t drop through my door! If you want to support local businesses then I’d certainly recommend you tell your friends and family about the Village Emporium.
Wendy, Staverton

Thank you for my Village Emporium mags – a perfect local magazine packed full of the right sort of info. Congratulations Team VE.

Sue Ainley, Rugby.

INVITATION TO ALL WRITERS TO VISIT US AT BRENTWOOD WRITERS' CIRCLE - A WARM WELCOME AWAITS!

 

PAY A VISIT TO THE SOCIETY OF WOMEN WRITERS AND JOURNALISTS' WEBSITE

NEW PATRONS AND HONORARY MEMBERS JOIN THE SOCIETY OF WOMEN WRITERS AND JOURNALISTS

I love talking about one of my rather special writing groups - I do have several - mostly linked to historical writing, but spend much time with  the Society of Women Writers and Journalists, members of which usually meet in London at the National Liberal Club, Whitehall. I look after their archives, for as you know, I love history!

Our Society is international.  Over its 130 years it has attracted some of the most famous writers in literary history.  I proudly wrote about it in one of my books  THE WOMAN WRITER which has been helpful to many academics studying women writers' lives over the past century, but I also included numerous authors, journalists,poets, entertainers and stars of stage and film.  Over the decades, among them we enjoyed the company of Joyce Grenfell, Margery Allingham, Radclyffe Hall, Rebecca West, Vera Brittain, Shirley Williams, Elizabeth Longford, Nina Bawden, to name just a few. In recent years we have welcomed Elizabeth Bowen, Jacqueline Wilson, Sandra Howard, Victoria Wood and many more wonderful personalities have joined us as honorary members and patrons.

Over the last few years, the Rt Hon Baroness Benjamin became our president and our Patron list has increased wonderfully with Simon Brett, Freya North, Christopher Mulvey, Ken Follett and Gyles Brandreth. It's lovely to invite them to our gatherings, usually in London, and enjoy their company.  Why not take a look at our web pages at www.swwj.co.uk and perhaps keep an eye on some of the fabulous gatherings we have on our forthcoming diary? www.swwj.co.uk