Cleckheaton Writers Group (CWG) met on Monday 13 July at Cleckheaton Library from 5.30-7pm with Karen, Dave and Anna in attendance, Paul, Reuben, Barbara and Vlada having given their apologies.
The minutes from the last meeting were passed.
WIP updates: Karen has submitted three picture books to Dottie Publishing, subbed to Guppy Open Submissions, undertook a MS appraisal of the prologue and three chapters of a novel for a client for her own business Creative Services Yorkshire (CSY), given feedback on the first three chapters of a sequel for a writer friend, given feedback on a picture book for a picture book feedback group she is part of, worked on the copy for building and launching her own website for CSY launch and the self-publication of her novel, entered Darley Anderson's Character Most Wanted with her crime novel and entered a scent/novel opportunity.
Dave has written a short story on the July Writing Challenge theme: Sandcastles.
Anna has also written a short story on the July Writing Challenge theme: Sandcastles.
CW competitions/workshops/events: Bradford Arts Festival this weekend 17-19 July 2026. Anna Chilvers workshops on Brontes and Bogs, Wednesday 15 July 2026 7pm and Queer Landscapes, Wednesday 22 July 10-12 (contact Karen for details) and #PitchParty is running on Threads this week until the 17th.
Writing plans: Karen will be giving feedback on more picture book texts plus editing her picture book once she gets feedback on hers, and hopes to write more on her WIP.
Dave will try to submit a short, off-the-wall, story to a magazine or anthology. Karen suggested Litro Magazine, Butchers Dog or Retreat West.
Anna hopes to write a short ghost story based on car boot sales.
Feedback sessions: Dave shared a short comedy piece (with the July Writing Challenge theme of Sandcastles) which is part of a series of vignettes of nine years duration. His MC is a stooge to a sarcastic/cynical adventures of the world's least competent masked vigilante 'Milkman.' He thinks he is Batman but he's just a milkman who lives in York with the Purple Painted Man street artist as his nemesis. CWG members loved the dark humour and suggested one slight editing tweak.
Anna shared her short story with the July Writing Challenge theme of Sandcastles. CWG members enjoyed the story and loved the line 'Being married to enthusiasm can be wearing.' There was a POV change which will need to be edited and it was suggested could use something like, anyone watching may have seen...
Writing challenge: As Anna and Dave had written a piece each on the July theme of Sandcastles, we decided to add a second theme for July of Car Boot.
The next meeting will take place on Monday 27 July, 5.30-7pm at Cleckheaton Library, where Anna and Dave hope to bring short stories on the new theme of Car Boot.
Karen has passed her apologies ahead of the meeting due to her writing retreat, so Anna and Dave agreed to organise someone to take the minutes of the meeting and pass them via email to Karen. A theme for August will be needed but Yorkshire Day was suggested.
