The Norwich Writers’ Circle would like to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Image courtesy of http://www.animatedimages.org
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Month: December 2016
Anthology Cover Revealed!
Back in October, we announced we would be launching an anthology. We had hoped to release it mid-November but there have been several delays on the way. The good news is we are almost there and would like to reveal the cover:
We are now in the final stages. Copies should, all being well, be available to buy at our next meeting on 17th January 2017 (and every meeting thereafter) or via a link we will provide. Anyone who filled in one of our interest forms will be notified as soon as they are ready.
The anthology will cost £7 plus postage.
The Christmas Party
Saturday 17th of December was our annual group Christmas party and it was wonderful to see so many faces. There was food and drink aplenty, and everyone had great fun.
After tucking into some delicious food, the group played a few rounds of ‘The Connecting Wall’, which was organised by Paul Tayor. The game was inspired by the BBC program ‘Only Connect’. Special thanks to Paul for putting this together.
At the end of the evening, everyone went home with a raffle prize, a Christmas hat and, we hope, a little extra Christmas cheer!
Our next meeting will be January 17th 2017, where Gill Blanchard and Phyllida Scrivens will launch Competition 3: Impressing the Publisher.
We hope to see you there!
Competition 1 Winners
On Tuesday 6th December, Norwich Writers’ Circle welcomed back Dr. Susan Burton to adjudicate our first competition of the 2016-17 season. The competition was to write a personal profile or non-fiction character study and the winner would be awarded the Annual Past Search Prize for Non-Fiction sponsored by Gill Blanchard of www.pastsearch.co.uk.
After a thorough and comprehensive assessment of the entries, including an invaluable tip on detecting the difference between Personal Memory and Collective Memory during an interview, Dr. Burton announced the winners.
- 1st Phyllida Scrivens with ‘Christopher’, a study of a man with Down’s Syndrome who spent a year of his life as official consort to the Lord Mayor of Norwich.
- 2nd Anne Funnell with ‘The Hernia Hedge’, a study of Mary Manning, Norfolk Gardener who kept records for over 60 years of when certain plants first flower each year and who had visited Anne’s garden to identify plants.
- 3rd Maureen Nisbet with ‘Victoria Refused to Fall’, a study of a woman called Joan from Leamington and her life during WW2. In the discussion afterwards Maureen admitted that Joan was her mother.
The authors read their entries aloud to the meeting, followed by a humorous reading by Iain Andrews of a fictional magazine interview with medieval character Will Kemp.
The entertaining evening finished with the raffle and refreshments.
Our next meeting is Saturday 17th December and it will be our Christmas party! There will be drinks and a buffet. The party will be held from 4pm -7pm in our usual spot in Anteros. Members and guests are more than welcome. There will also be a raffle with some fantastic prizes up for grabs.
We hope to see you there!
E-Course In Writing Your Family History
Gill Blanchard, one of our members, and owner of Past Search, is repeating the first module of her E-Course in Writing Your Family History in May 2017.
It is a practical writing course that guides participants through the process of bringing their ancestors to life in an entertaining manner. It will enable students to choose the most suitable format, decide what to include (and exclude) and how to find and integrate relevant background context.
The course consists of two ten week modules, although module one can be taken as a stand alone unit. Lessons are delivered electronically. Students receive individually tailored in-depth feedback; have regular live discussions with the tutor and each other and access to an online learning hub.
Module One starts 13th May 2017. 10 Weeks. £125
- Starting Out
- Expanding a Family History Biography
- Bringing your Family History to Life – Building Background Material
- Developing a Family History Further
- Introduction to Publishing, Layout and Production
For more details, please contact Gill:
gill@writingyourfamilyhistory.co.uk
Or see the website at: www.writingyourfamilyhistory.co.uk
About Gill:
Gill is a historical biographer and writer, professional genealogist and qualified tutor. She has had three books published, including Writing Your Family History (Pen and Sword). Forthcoming books include a local history based around an 1836 scandal and a biography of Vice-Admiral Sir John Lawson (1615-1665). She writes regularly for national family history magazines and holds an MA in Biography. She also regularly undertakes commissions to write and produce family and house histories for clients.
Writing Your Family History is part of the Past Search historical research business run by Gill Blanchard. See: www.pastsearch.co.uk
Author of Writing Your Family History: A Guide for Genealogists, BA, MA, Post Grad. Cert. Ed. (Adults).
Past Search Family, House and Local History Research and Tuition
Office 14 Meadow View House
191 Queens Road Norwich NR1 3PP
Tel: 01603 610619
E-Courses email: gill@writingyourfamilyhistory.co.uk
Work email: gblanchard@pastsearch.co.uk
Her forthcoming biography of Vice-Admiral Sir John Lawson can be ordered at: http://tinyurl.com/hak7o49
Sign up for Gill’s email newsletter at: news@pastsearch.co.uk
Twitter: http://twitter.com/GillBlanchard
Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/laqzoc7
Debut Novel by Christopher Woodall
Congratulations to NWC member Christopher Woodall on his debut novel launch of 30TH November.
Norwich Writers’ Circle would like to congratulate member Christopher Woodall on the launch of his debut novel November, held in Jarrolds Book Department.
Over sixty people, including family and friends, filled the space enjoying wine and nibbles before hearing a presentation by Christopher followed by a book signing.
November has been ten years in the making; springing from a single, at first seemingly inconsequential, year-long encounter with a group of factory workers in France in 1976. There is an extensive cast of diverse characters, their stories interwoven within many sub-plots, the narrative exploring poverty, friendships, and prejudice. November has been described as ‘complex, deep and rewarding’.
Both Chairman Phyllida Scrivens and Committee member Gill Blanchard were there to support Christopher on his very special evening. Christopher’s book, published by Dalkey Archive Press, is available at Jarrolds and from Amazon.
Poppyland
On Tuesday 15th November the NWC welcomed Peter Stibbons, owner of Poppyland Publishing.
The group was then treated to a highly informative presentation following Peter’s career as well as some invaluable insider-secrets.
The NWC would like to thank Peter very much for his talk – especially for the props. Seeing a laser disc was a real ‘blast from the past’ for many of us!
We would also like to thank every who attended! It is always nice to see faces both new and old.
Our next meeting is Tuesday 6th November. Not only is this the deadline for the Colin Sutton Cup for Humour competition, in which case if you haven’t sent us your entry by email or post please bring it to the meeting, but we will also be joined again by Susan Burton, who will announce the winners of the Past Search Prize for Non-Fiction.
We hope to see you there!
