Cleckheaton Writers Group minutes, meeting Monday 4 October 2021

Cleckheaton Writers Group met last night 5.30-7pm at Cleckheaton Library with Karen, Barbara, Kathy and Gemma in attendance, Neil, Alice, Cassie, Sarah and Ria having passed on their apologies.

The minutes from the last meeting were passed.

WIP updates: Since the last meeting Karen has been editing her MS, submitted the first 5k words of her crime novel to the Myslexia Adult Novel competition and the first three chapters and synopsis of her MG MS to Chicken House Open Co-op. Barbara has written a short story entitled Letters from Lucy. Kathy has been creative during the lockdown but hopes to get back into writing now. Gemma has been editing the second 10k of her MS, she had another phone call with her editing mentor yesterday and the mentoring will last 3 months. 

This led to a discussion on editing.

CW comps/workshops/events: Grindstone International Novel Prize (£20 entry fee), Retrio Prize – short story on ‘accessibility,’ Sunday Times EFG Awards Short Story (need to have a previously published record) and the CWA Debut Dagger Opens on 1 October (runs to last weekend in February 2022)

Also, I will be reading a couple of my poems out at the Creative Voices Huddersfield Literature Festival event on Saturday 9 October at Lawrence Batley Theatre (LBT) 4.15-5.30pm along with other writers who will read out their work and performance poetry/songs from established artists. There is also an open mic for anyone who wishes to join in when attending. Tickets are free but must be booked from LBT box office, and any donations to the theatre are always welcome.

There is a free FB Live event on 11 October 4-5.30pm From Literature to Video Games (featuring Melvyn Burgess 3 Bullets, Tariq Mehmood 2nd Coming and Peter Kalu 1 Drop).

Hull Library have a talk by Ian McGuire, author of The North Water (now a major new BBC drama) on 6 October at 7pm. The event can be attended in person or online.

Brighouse Arts Festival starts on Friday 8 October and runs until Sunday 17 October (for full details see my previous post).

And Gemma passed on the following information about workshops for underrepresented writers:

https://www.booktrust.org.uk/news-and-features/features/2021/october/join-writer-in-residence-dapo-adeolas-writers-clinics/

Feedback sessions: Due to catching up and discussing editing and all things writing, there wasn't time for a feedback session.

Writing plans: Karen will continue to edit. Barbara will write a Halloween short story. Kathy will also write a Halloween short story and read through and compile her Tobias MS. Gemma will continue to edit.

For those members that wish to take part in the October writing challenge, the theme is Halloween.

The next meeting will take place on Monday 18 October 5.30-7pm at Cleckheaton Library. New members always welcome.