The meeting of Cleckheaton Writers Group (CWG) took place last night at Cleckheaton Library, Cassie, Mandy, Neil, Pauline, Andy Kathy, Alice and myself were in attendance, Sarah having passed on her apologies. It was nice to welcome back Neil, Mandy and Andy who have not been able to attend for a while and those members that had not met new member Cassie introduced themselves and talked about the kind of writing they do.
The minutes from the last meeting were passed.
Pauline informed the group that the latest Writing Magazine has a free book with it: 'Get Your Book Published.' Cassie brought the Prima magazine and showed interested members the short story competition details (800 words maximum short story which needs to be either emailed to yourwinningstory@hearst.co.uk or posted to Your Winning Story, Prima Features, Hearst House, Panton Street, London, SW1Y 4AJ along with your name, address, phone number and photograph). I mentioned that The Bridport Prize deadline is 31 May (for full details see my blog post from yesterday) and the Daily Mail Penguin Random House novel competition is open. The deadline is 13 July 5.30pm and you need to send a 3k word opening and 600 word synopsis of your novel plus a short three paragraph cover letter about you and the idea behind your book to them. Entry is free but you cannot have been published before (in either self-published, print or ebook formats) and the story cannot be a saga, fantasy or sci-fi. For further details: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5693409/Could-write-bestseller-win-20-000-Enter-Daily-Mail-novel-competition.html
There are two upcoming events in Leeds, The Big Bookend Meet the Agent event with Jamie Cowen of Ambersand Agency and auther Ali Harper at the Leeds Library on Thursday 17 May at 7.30-pm, tickets are £5. For further details: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/meet-the-literary-agentjamie-cowen-the-ampersand-agency-with-ali-harper-tickets-43562719266. And there is a FREE sci-fi/fantasy Meet Black Library Authors Warhammer event featuring author Dan Abnett, David Guymer and Guy Haley at Leeds Waterstones on Saturday 26 May 12-2pm. For further details: https://www.waterstones.com/events/search/shop/leeds-93
WIP updates: I have written two and a half more chapters on my current WIP, have been editing and plot-planning. Cassie has written a story which she brought for feedback. Mandy has written some poetry and been promoting her books. Neil has made some notes on a story idea on the Monkey legend - a modern day take on it. Kathy has written some more on her WIP and is writing a holiday reunion ode. Alice has been editing her WIP.
Cassie then shared her first short story which is as yet untitled. It was well received and all agreed it was a brave thing to do sharing/reading out your work for the first time. Cassie had cleverly led the reader to the wrong conclusion a couple of times, evoked anxiety really well and there were some great descriptions. The first sentence needed changing to two as it was a little long and there were some POV/tense changes that needed to be edited but it was an excellent first piece. We encouraged her to enter it into the Prima competition once it has been edited and look forward to hearing more of her work.
Pauline brought along her laptop with the proofs of the Cleckheaton Literature Festival anthology, which most members of CWG have work in. We discussed the title and front cover and looked through the pieces, biogs and photographs and all members were happy with the format. It was felt that a suitable blurb for the back cover should be written and suggested that when contributors receive their email proofs they send by return their suggestions for the blurb (we all thought it should include a section from Mark Wright's introduction, maybe a few quotes from some of the other authors and highlight our more well-known contributors). A marketing/publicity plan can be put together once the proofs have been agreed with a view to getting the word out there about the launch. It was agreed that more than one event should be planned, one in the library, maybe one in Heckmondwike library, local spoken word venues and possible Matthew's Cafe or similar. Mandy has agreed to marketing the anthology once proofs are agreed and suggested September as a month to aim for launch.
The next meeting will take place on Monday 4 June due to the Bank Holiday on the 28th.
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