In the last Cleckheaton Writers Group (CWG) meeting before the Christmas Do on 22 December 2025 Paul, Karen, Reuben and new CWG member Elliot were in attendance, Kathy, Paul and Molly having given their apologies.
Introductions were given describing writing journeys: Paul applied psychology (sports) with one book published about a real life murder in Ireland. Currently working on a book about the Enfield poltergeist case to debunk it. He is also doing preparatory work on a crime novel based in Ireland. Reuben is working on his PhD thesis, a YA and a Supernatural thriller. He works in Bradford Council as business support. Karen is from a playwright background, who writes in many genres and age groups. Her first novel, a Christmas rom com, came out with US indie publisher Champagne Book Group (CBG) in eBook and paperback. Karen runs her own business Creative Services Yorkshire, helping other writers and creatives with their MSs and running creative writing workshops, and is currently working on a new adult sports romance whilst editing a few of her other novels.
Events and competitions mentioned were the Newcastle Crime Writing event that took place 4-6 December and the Writers Room Call out.
Writing theme for November was fireworks/Bonfire and for December Christmas.
WIP updates: Reuben has been working on the prologue for his YA and passed it to his graphic designer brother in Scotland with character outline/picture. Elliot is interested in writing fantasy. Paul is working on the Enfield book, configuring the third draft. Karen attended YALC where interest was gained from agents for Touchdown, her current WIP, Christmas Evie (her debut rom com that is now sadly unavailable due to CBG closing unless it is purchased in paperback from Karen herself) and her time-slip fantasy novel, Quantum Worlds.
A discussion was held about writing and what you need to do to achieve, writing material and getting it done. It was recommended that when it is at first draft, you should rest it and work on a second project unless self-publishing it on Amazon. There is professional help out there to help shape it into a coherent format with a cover, then you can open a KDP account and have a look at self publishing as there are point by point instructions. You can then go LIVE with a hardcover and Kindle once you have decided the price (take into account how much you want to make for each sale). There are monthly updates on sales and payments from Amazon and you can change your prices within days or have special offers. The authors price for books is a great feature, e.g. £10 for the book £3 for the author which you can order and send to somebody getting the £10 but nearer to the £6 it costs you. Marketing and promotion targets to cover costs or a holiday, which were covered by Paul's debut and funds for his next project. Publishers marketing makes a big difference, as does his book being stocked in a bookstore in Ireland, sold Sale or Return 20 books and makes £6 a head. Paul also speaks to places like the U3A or Women's Institute - he gets lunch and book sales!
Paul recommends finding your niche, your USP, Independent bookshops such as Bramhall, Cheshire, with events 100+ people, podcasts, interviews and a website for promotion plus FB marketplace and Amazon Print on Demand. Take book, process it and can work really well as if you want to change it you can do.
He got his ISBN (and some tweaks, e.g. large margins) through the person he worked with, £600 which he made back . Also he shared a lengthy article deconstructing what the murderer said and how it wasn't true, 7/8k words and put on Amazon which cost nothing other than time. Amazon have their own covers that they offer and you can put your own wording on. You can also run marketing options to promote the books on FB and have own sales marketing mechanisms. Put books in a range of countries (he had 2 sales in Japan). There are also books on how to publish your book (on Kindle) for 99p or free.
Kindle Publishing. You Tube Book Fox
Writing plans: Karen hopes to submit to the agents and write some more on her next chapter of her WIP. Reuben wants to type up his handwritten work to fill in bits and pieces, 2-4 chapters worth. Elliot wants to try and write a short story integrating the writing theme (November).
24 November minutes: Karen and Elliot were in attendance, Barbara, Molly, Kathy and Reuben having given apologies.
WIP: YALC 3 MSs and a YA chapter. Elliot the writing challenge with a Bonfire theme.
Karen discussed YALC and Comic Con with Elliot
Writing plans: Karen, try to plot plan Touchdown so there is a map to follow and write more of it. Elliot, to finish current short story and start new December horror story - Black Frost/ice
Christmas Do: to take place on Monday 22 December
First CWG meeting of 2026 Monday 12 January at Cleckheaton Library 5.30-7pm. January theme needed.
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