The Woman Writer Summer Issue 2017

Issue 86

Summer 2017

Members’ news AGM & Summer Gathering Marketing and Fiction focus Creative Writing Workshop

Who’s who Patrons: Issue 86

Summer 2017

The Woman Writer is published by The Society of Women Writers & Journalists Editor: Carol Cannavan 10 Dury Falls Close, Hornchurch Essex RM11 3AX Tel: 01708 459376 Mob: 07947 133509 carol@aspire-editorial.co.uk Chairman: Barbara Field-Holmes BIGG-in Words Ltd Room 2, Aileen McHugo Building Westmore Green, Tatsfield Westerham, Kent TN16 2AG Tel: 01959 575031 (Wk) Tel: 01959 575936 (Home) Mob: 07814 738894 swwj@bigginwords.co.uk

Speakers: Pamela Payne Tel: 01730 892413 pamela@thebeach.com Book Reviews: Patricia Pound Tel: 01277 222446 patricia.pound@googlemail.com Competitions/ Manuscript Appraisal: Vivien Hampshire Tel: 01895 254453 vivienhampshire@btinternet.com

Marketing Coordinator: Rebecca Harding Mob: 07966 459080 Vice Chairman/Press/ rebecca@saltwhistle.com PR/Newsletter: Website: Doreen Friend Gywneth Box Tel: 020 8505 2476 Mob: 07986 613437 doreen.friend@swwj.co.uk hello@gwynethbox.com Hon. Treasurer: Benita Cullingford Tel: 01727 857388 b.cullingford@btinternet.com

Archivist: Sylvia Kent Tel: 01277 651062 skent32@tiscali.co.uk

Hon. Secretary: Janice Grande Tel: 01268 451547 Mob: 07951 671498 grandewords@yahoo.com

Chawton Liaison: Pamela Birley Tel: 020 7351 6377 bra33@btinternet.com

Minutes Secretary: Celia Pyke Tel: 01708 220150 Celpyke@aol.com Membership Secretary/Events: Valerie Dunmore Tel: 01737 557936 swwjval@aol.com SWWJ website: www.swwj.co.uk

Twitter & Facebook: Vivien Hampshire Tel: 01895 254453 vivienhampshire@btinternet.com Consultants: Martin Cort (Drama) Tel: 020 7582 5839 mcort1@talktalk.net Patrick Forsyth (Marketing) patrick@touchstone28.com Patricia Alderman (Proofreader)

Printed by TandC Printers, Bromley, Kent BR1 3PU

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Lady Howard, Lord Quirk, Sir Tim Rice, The Earl of Stockton, Simon Brett OBE

Hon Life President: The Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe DSG

Vice Presidents: Doris Corti,Valerie Dunmore, Joyce Elsden, Jocelyn Glegg, Sylvia Kent, Jennie Lisney, Jean Morris, Mary Rensten, Jean Marian Stevens

Welfare/Benevolent Fund If any member requires help, please contact Jennie Lisney on 01444 412087 or write to: 4 Larch Way, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 3TY. Email: jennielisney@gmail.com Donations to benefit our members in times of illness or hardship should be made out to SWWJ Benevolent Fund.

The Woman Writer Advertising Rates: The Woman Writer is published quarterly.

Quarter page (60mm x 90mm) £38 Half page (128mm x 90mm) £75 Full page (128mm x 184mm) £145 (Series discounts available.)

PDF format preferred. For further details please contact the Editor.

Members can post events and items for sale and any other advertisements at £2 per line.

SWWJ members have the right to express their opinions in The Woman Writer. These opinions are not necessarily those of the Council or Editor.

Neither the Editor nor the Society accepts responsibility for errors in articles. The Editor reserves the right to amend articles submitted.

Summer 2017 The Woman Writer

From the Editor

Contents 4

From the Chair

By Barbara Field-Holmes.

5

Letters Members’ views and comments.

6-8

Society news Discover what’s happening in the SWWJ.

9 - 10

Members’ news A round-up of news and successes.

11

Obituary Audrey Wilson – 1921-2016.

12 - 13 From the archives

By Sylvia Kent.

14 - 15 Drama Workshop report from Martin Cort.

16 - 17 SWWJ Autumn Lunch Meet our speaker, Nicola Beauman, plus application form.

18

A day in the life...

An insight into an editor’s day.

19

Around the regions News from Moonraker Country.

20 - 21 Fiction focus

By Vivien Hampshire.

22 - 24 AGM & Summer Gathering Report by Vivien Hampshire.

25

Tech talk Get the picture?

26 - 27 SWWJ Competition Biography of judge Claire Dyer and competition details.

28 29

Publicity push Help spread the word.

Hi everyone!

Welcome to the Summer issue of The Woman Writer.

I’d forgotten how much work goes into each issue of this lovely publication! It made me think about editors generally and led me to write a short piece about the trials and tribulations of what goes on behind the scenes – see page 18.

There’s lots of great articles in this issue and a report on our recent AGM and Summer Gathering. It was lovely catching up with so many people at the event.

I look forward to receiving lots of news and views from our members. Please do get in touch if you have an article that you think will interest WW readers.

Enjoy the summer!

carol@aspire-editorial.co.uk 32 - 34 Markets & Competitions

By Carol Cannavan.

35

Literary festivals A round-up of UK literary festivals.

36 - 37 Book reviews 38

Reflections On turning ninety!

39

Dates for your diary 2017 Front cover picture

Issue 86

Summer 2017

Creative Writing Workshop Application form.

30 - 31 Marketing: Increase your chances

By Patrick Forsyth.

The Woman Writer Summer 2017

Inset: Our guest speaker at the Summer Gathering, Richard Combes from the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS).

See pages 22 -24.

Members’ news AGM & Summer Gathering Marketing and Fiction focus Creative Writing Workshop

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From the Chair Chair types...

by Barbara Field-Holmes, Chairman It is hard to believe that a year has gone by since last year’s AGM and I am delighted to report that we had a really positive and lively AGM and Summer Gathering at the end of June (see report on pages 22-24).

It was a pleasure to be able to report that during the past year our events were both very enjoyable and made a small profit. I would like to echo Vivien Hampshire’s words on page 22 and say a huge thank you to my fellow Council members for all their hard work in making these events so successful.

Last year I welcomed our new Hon Life President, the Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe DSG. I had hoped to be able to welcome a new President this year, but we are still in the process of following up potential candidates and I hope to have something more to report a little later this year. One reason for the delay has been the sheer volume of work that Council has had to do to keep the Society functioning on a day-today level, and to move us forward. It is no secret that Council desperately needs more volunteers to come on board to help. As Council members have left, those remaining have taken on additional roles, and the current team all do more than one job, with some doing more than two.

During the past two years it has felt a bit like driving a train through a long dark tunnel, with just a mere glimmer of light at the end. However, I am delighted to say that the glimmer has been steadily turning into a bright light and we have a great deal of positive news to report.

Firstly, I would like to welcome two new members to Council. Just before the AGM, SWWJ member Rebecca Harding came forward to offer her services and is joining us as Marketing Coordinator. Rebecca will 4

be using her marketing and PR skills to help promote the SWWJ to a younger audience, in particular promoting our new membership category of Writer’s Debut. Rebecca will also be able to help the members of the marketing sub-committee to administrate many of the new ideas that are coming from just two meetings.

I would also like to welcome Janice Grande, who kindly volunteered her services at the AGM to take on the role of Hon. Secretary.

Initially, Janice will ease some of Valerie Dunmore’s heavy workload by taking on some of the tasks involved with organising our events.

With help from Rebecca and Janice, together with Carol Cannavan’s help with editing The Woman Writer, we have a strengthened Council team.

Marketing update VP and Archivist Sylvia Kent, who heads up our marketing sub-committee, gave a very encouraging report shortly before the AGM at Council’s June meeting (19th June). The committee is looking at a number of outlets to advertise the Society, including Writing Magazine, Writers’ Forum and Mslexia, plus local and possibly national radio stations.

We also plan to start looking at colleges and universities that have writing and media courses, to encourage new writers to join the Society; and Celia Pyke and other members are looking at writing groups across the country.

I have also developed the first corporate advertisement for the Society. Based on, and echoing the style of our information leaflet, produced by Patrick Forsyth and Tantamount, we will use this in a number Summer 2017 The Woman Writer

Letters of promotional ways. You can see the advert on the back cover of the Spring Prize Giving Supplement.

We have also renewed our advertisement in the Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook, and will be looking at other newsletters that we can start working more closely with. That leads nicely onto our plan to renew old friendships with the RNA and other writing bodies. There is always strength in numbers and I believe that we can learn a lot from each other.

In summary, I feel we need to continue to eliminate any negativity and apathy that might still be lurking amongst us and look at positive ways to make our Society truly great again. I believe we can do that, not by looking back at ‘what we used to do’, but by looking forward at what we can do, what we need to do and what wonderful opportunities there are.

Secondly, we MUST increase membership, both generally across the Society and on Council. There are still roles that need to be covered that are not covered at all, or are being looked after by a Council member who already wears several ‘hats’. And regarding membership, if you haven’t yet renewed your subscription, please can you fill out the form printed in the Spring issue of the WW and send to Valerie Dunmore as soon as possible.

Finally...

I have left the best until last. On 1st October 2017 we will be launching our brand new Writer’s Debut membership category, specially designed to attract and recruit new writers to the Society. The idea is the brainchild of our Treasurer, Benita Cullingford, and full details will be published soon on our website and in the next issue of The Woman Writer. So watch this space!

Barbara Field-Holmes The Woman Writer Summer 2017

Patrick Forsyth’s article on using local radio to publicise your work seems to have gone down well with WW readers.

Here are some letters on the subject:

Free publicity I endorse Patrick Forsyth’s article ON AIR in the Spring issue of WW. As in the case of print press, which perpetually seeks prose/ images to fill those white pages, the airwaves also need interesting material. I’ve been connected with Brentwood-based Phoenix 98fm since its inception in 1996. Way back, I was invited to be interviewed in a ‘studio van’ – a huge draughty vehicle, formerly used by the Blood Transfusion Service. These days, the studios are warm and well equipped and the radio presenters are usually well prepared, particularly if a press release is sent ahead of the interview day.

Recently, I wrote a two-page feature for Essex Life Magazine about the colourful life of Hospital Radio studios on which I’ve also appeared. Many Hospital Radio studios have been launch pads for current well-known national radio-based celebrities – well, they had to start somewhere! One thing leads to another and my visits now number seven different studios including BBC Radio 4, Radio Gloucester, BBC Radio Essex and Hospital Radio. All have been interesting, fun and helpful in mentioning my work and websites (including SWWJ). Outside broadcasting has come up now and again.

Appearing on a regular Book Club monthly slot has been challenging, as I like to invite guests and so far this has been running in Brentwood for five years. More than 50 writers, artists and film folk have joined me, including many SWWJ members. No fee is expected – nor paid – and although sometimes programme guests can be nervous and a little unpredictable, so far they appear to have enjoyed their debut ‘on air’.

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Society news Letters cont...

The programmes go out 'live' but are later streamed to me, so that I can email it to my guest. So, as Patrick suggested, if invited, do try a little radio and extend your publicity.

Sylvia Kent

Radio stories The article ON AIR in the Spring issue of WW has prompted me to let members know of my friend Tony Cranston. He invited me to send in and read a short story for his broadcast Talking Stories on East London Radio. I was a little nervous about this, but it turned out much easier than I thought. I recorded it on my mobile phone then sent the recording direct to Tony. He is, as he puts it, “editing your story, cutting out the page turns and bits where you fluffed the lines.” The story is due to go out in June.

Tony is currently looking for poems, prose and stories from new and established writers for future broadcasts and says: “Please do not fret about the quality of recordings, just do them on the phone, we can edit and enhance it.” It all adds to the charm of Talking Stories. Recent statistics indicate that the programme has listeners around the world. Full details can be found on Tony’s Facebook page or contact Tony direct on: totocranston@hotmail.com Beatrice Holloway

SWWJ welcomes new members The Society of Women Writers & Journalists welcomes new members who have joined in recent months. There are several more in the pipeline.

FULL MEMBERSHIP Natalie Kleinman, London.

Membership number: 735 Three novels: Safe Harbour and Honey Bun published; Escape to the Cotswolds due for publication 21st June 2017.

30 short stories published, 14 with The People’s Friend, the rest various women’s magazines in the UK and abroad.

Member of Romantic Novelists’ Association (RNA) and member of the Society of Authors.

Elaina Warner, Coventry.

Membership number: 736 Amanda has had several articles, short stories and poems published.

Shelley Miller, Surrey.

Membership number: 688 Shelley has been upgraded from Friend to Full Membership. She has had articles published and a self-published book.

Write to us Come on members, let’s hear from you.

This is your opportunity to have your say, so write or send us an email. There is a lot going on at the moment, as well as the items in this issue that you could comment on. Send your views to the Editor (see page 2 for contact details).

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Change of address Will members please ensure you notify the Membership Secretary of your change of address, telephone number or email address so that we can keep our records up to date.

Summer 2017 The Woman Writer

Society news Creative Writing Workshop The SWWJ has organised a Creative Writing Workshop to be held on 19th October, 11am to 4pm at the ALCS offices at Barnard’s Inn, 86 Fetter Lane, London EC4A 1AD. The topic for the workshop is ‘Writing Commercial Fiction’ and the tutor is Sue Moorcroft.

The commercial fiction market is the financial backbone of contemporary publishing, but finding your way into it may seem a steep learning curve. If you’re interested in finding a publisher for your novel, short story or serial, Sue Moorcroft can provide insight into how to enter the world of commercial fiction by arming you with an understanding of the market.

With ample time for our questions to be answered, the aim of this friendly, open and interactive session is to help you approach the market with professionalism and focus.

Best-selling author Sue Moorcroft writes contemporary women’s fiction with occasionally unexpected themes. As well as novels, Sue writes short stories, serials, articles and writing ‘how to’, including creative writing courses for the London School of Journalism. Her workshops and courses have been welcomed everywhere from writing groups to universities.

Sue has won a Readers’ Best Romantic Read Award and the Katie Fforde Bursary. Her last book, The Christmas Promise, rose to number one in the Amazon Kindle chart. www.suemoorcroft.com Booking form on page 29 – don’t miss out, book now!

The Woman Writer Summer 2017

Calling all members!

See yourself on our website The Society has been working hard to improve its website in recent months.

Please take a look at what we have to offer at www.swwj.co.uk including our diary page of upcoming events, all the latest news, and our brand new competitions page, listing details of current competitions, photos of prize-giving events and the names of some past winners and runners-up. The website also gives us all the chance to tell other members and the wider public a little about ourselves and our work. Under the ‘About Us’ tab, you will find an alphabetical listing of some of our current members, with profiles and photographs. If you would like to be included, please write a short and relevant biography (in third person please) and send it to Vivien Hampshire at vivienhampshire@btinternet.com along with a photograph and any social media/ website links. The site is updated at least once a month, so you could very soon be seeing yourself there!

www.swwj.co.uk 7

Society news Still time to book!

Why not join us on Wednesday 9th August in discovering the delights of a manor house steeped in Elizabethan and Jacobean history.

The visit to Chawton House Library will include a tour by the curator and a delicious cream tea. You’ll be able to see beautifully restored rooms, which once played host to Jane Austen and her family.

Now a charitable Study Centre and Library concentrating on education and heritage, Chawton House Library contains a unique collection of women’s literature from 1600 to 1830. Further information regarding the library can be obtained from the website www.chawtonhouse.org The library and all the public rooms will be open for your visit. As most of the floors are wooden, visitors are advised to wear flat shoes with, if possible, rubber soles. The tour will commence at 2.00pm and last approximately an hour; after which you can enjoy your cream tea in the Old Kitchen

tearoom. Afterwards, anyone wishing to do so can stroll through the carefully tended and extensive grounds, which stretch for some acres beyond the house. There is limited parking within the grounds and also along the lane leading to the house.

Chawton House Library Chawton, Alton Hants GU34 1SJ The charge, to include both tour and cream tea, will be only £16 per person.

Booking deadline 31st July. * As the Jane Austen Museum is only a few minutes’ walk along the lane from Chawton House, visitors might like to visit the museum first, before joining us all at the house.

Don t miss out! Come and join us.

CHAWTON HOUSE LIBRARY VISIT APPLICATION (you may photocopy this form) Name/s: ............................................................................................ Membership No: ....................

Address or email: ...............................................................................................................................

Enclosed cheque payable to SWWJ: ......................... *Form of transport: ..............................

Please forward to: P. Birley, Flat D, 49 Christchurch Street, London SW3 4AS (Tel: 020 7351 6377). *The nearest railway station is Alton (from Waterloo Station if travelling from London) and it is hoped that we can arrange for train travellers to share taxis (three to a cab) from Alton Station to Chawton House and return.

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Summer 2017 The Woman Writer

Members’ news Who said romance and crime don’t mix!

by Maxine Burns Ann Evans and Karen King recently got together for a joint book launch in Coventry.

The event took place in two venues, on Saturday 13th May. The morning session was held in Waterstones, the afternoon at The Big Comfy Book shop, located in Fargo’s, Coventry’s new, Bohemian shopping village.

Karen’s latest novel, I do?…or do I?, published

by Accent Press, is her first romantic comedy. Her inspiration came from the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer.

Diana, getting ‘cold feet’ confided in her sister, who remarked that it was too late to back out, saying, ‘Your face is on the tea towels!’

Karen’s background is in children’s fiction, writing for Thomas the Tank Engine, My Little Pony, Jackie and many other magazines, as well as publishing over 120 books.

Karen has another romance out, on July 10th this year, The Cornish Hotel by the Sea. A third will be published next year, all with Accent Press. She is currently in the process of moving to Spain. Her friends and fellow Karen (left) and Ann at their joint book launch – photo courtesy of Rob Tysall,Tysall’s Photography.

The Woman Writer Summer 2017

authors are hoping she will start a retreat, where we can all visit to write under sunny skies.

Ann Evans is better known for her children’s books and has nearly 30 published to date, including nine for ‘Reluctant Readers’. She was a feature writer for the Coventry Evening Telegraph for 13 years and now writes for Dolls House and Miniature Scene and Diecast Collector, amongst other magazines.

Her novel, Kill or Die, published by Bloodhound Books, is her first venture into adult crime fiction. She is currently working on a psychological thriller, which is a joint project with a friend.

The book launch was a great success, with many from Ann’s writing class coming along to support both her and Karen.

Stick to what you know...

After writing the novel I had to write (My Little Brother, My Little Life), inspired by my autistic son, I have learned that publishers are not willing to spend money on marketing ‘unknown’ novelists. So I have returned to my ‘known’ genre, with the publication of Bad Girls from History, Wicked or Misunderstood coming up in September from Pen & Sword Books. It is still a bit of a change for me, not being local history, with the book featuring 100 mini bios of women that are well known (e.g. Cleopatra, Boudicca, Mae West) and women less so (e.g. Cora Pearl, Edith Thompson, Damaris Page). This will be my 18th published book, meaning I have managed to stay on track with one book a year since retiring a tad early nearly eighteen years ago. (My 19th, which I am now researching, will see me back on the local history trail...)

Although I have a number of novels in my head, I am not tempted to spend many months writing a book which may not find a publisher, although I do see that it is possible 9

Members’ news to build up a fan base who will then buy earlier novels and boost sales that way. For me, a commissioned non-fiction book with focused marketing and good distribution is the way to go. Not only that, non-fiction has a wider market than you might think – I have sold copies of The Little Book of The East End in Australia and America and of Essex Land Girls in Spain (all those ex-pats...).

Moral of this story? Stick to what you know!

Dee Gordon

Kampong Queen Josephine Chia recently attended an event at the Main Library in Singapore, where she was a featured author. Because she wrote so much about her past village or kampong, the library posted her as Kampong Queen!

Success!

Republished novel Pamela Birley's 2003 novel, The Apothecary's Gift, is to be republished by SCRIPTORA. Under its new title, Twelve Days to Dream, it will come out first as an ebook, then later as a paperback. (Details in the next WW.) * * * SCRIPTORA The Society’s assisted-publishing facility is considering new submissions.

Please email Mary Rensten at scriptora.publ@btinternet.com for an application form and notes. * * *

Manuscript Appraisal Service All the writers and tutors in our appraisals team are full members of the SWWJ, with many years of professional experience and expertise to offer.

Whether you are new to writing, keen to improve your skills, ready to try for publication for the first time, or just want to take a change of direction by exploring a new genre, a member of our team is ready, willing and available to guide you.

Our appraisals team is steadily growing.

Visit our website – www.swwj.co.uk – to view the profiles of our current team.

They could help you to fulfil an ambition to get your manuscript published.

Congratulations to Margaret Mounsdon, who sold another short story to My Weekly entitled Lighting The Way. She has also sold her latest Pocket Novel entitled Island Magic to People's Friend. Publication date 19th October 2017.

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Summer 2017 The Woman Writer

Obituary

Audrey Wilson – 1921-2016

by Michael Wilson

A

udrey Wilson, who died last October, was a journalist, writer and a central part of the Osgodby, North Yorkshire community in which she lived from the late 1960s.

She was born in Guernsey, brought up in pre-war Jersey and escaped just before the Nazi invasion to London. She'd passed her Civil Service exams as a teenager and found her first job in Customs and Excise at the northern end of London Bridge. As the blitz intensified she was transferred to Manchester, where she met her husband-to-be Stanley Wilson.

They married in 1944 and eventually settled in Scarborough.

While she devoted herself to bringing up two children, Michael and Anne, her talent for wordplay resulted in two life-changing wins in trade competitions. However, Audrey was much more than a sloganeer. Fired by her wartime experience of make do and mend, she collected over a million household hints and published a small proportion of them in her first book Take A Hint. Audrey also realised the value of an inclusive community and she founded the Osgodby Community Centre in 1987 – straightaway becoming the local correspondent for the Scarborough Evening News. She was also the local weather reporter for Radio York.

Both Stanley and Audrey were contributing members of the Scarborough Writers’ Circle, which developed into a nationally The Woman Writer Summer 2017

recognised society attended by leading writers and playwrights, not least of whom was Britain’s prolific dramatist and director Sir Alan Ayckbourn. As an annual offshoot of this, Audrey and Stanley organised and ran the Writers’ Weekend in Scarborough for several years. They were also keen and active participants in the annual Writers’ Summer School in Swanwick, Derbyshire.

In the background, Audrey was preparing another book – a history of watermarks.

This rather esoteric subject had fascinated her after Stanley began his writing career in the fifties with a 1,000 word article for a long-gone weekly.

The book remains unpublished, but not so Stanley’s maritime work on the first convict fleet to Australia, Leave the Gallows Hungry, which was rejected by publishers and which she therefore, at the age of 85, self-published after Stanley’s death using lulu.com Audrey Wilson was honoured to be accepted as a member of the SWWJ. She is much missed by her local communities and the writers she encouraged. She is survived by her daughter Anne, who’s a headteacher in London, and her son Michael, who is an international business broadcaster.

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From the archives Networking friends in high places

by Sylvia Kent

You don’t have to be an historian or archivist to know that the old adage ‘the past is always with us’ is always hovering in the wings – just waiting to make an appearance. This is proved by the number of academic writers who have, over the last few years, made contact with our society via our website. Most of the enquiring scholars are writing books and papers for their universities and need information about some of our early members. Through the internet they have come across our organisation – probably the oldest writers' society in Britain – which is often mentioned in overseas online sites. It is sad that we have so little information on the majority of those early feisty female journalists and novelists whose works, despite an obvious passion for their otherwise excellent prose, was not properly recognised at the time and so many found it difficult to see their work in print.

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Numerous women in the early 1890s felt they had to adopt a masculine pseudonym in order to be accepted by Fleet Street newspaper editors. Then, surprisingly – out of the blue – there came a certain dapper gentleman by the name of Joseph Snell Wood. Generously, he offered sponsorship and finance in setting up our Society, which he originally created purely for female journalists. However, his acquaintance with and admiration for the then well-known playwright Mrs Pearl Craigie, who became our first president, led him to open his newly formed society to other women wordsmiths. Amazingly, 200 women writers in all genres applied after reading about the launch in The Times and presumably were willing and able to pay the yearly membership subscription of one guinea – a small fortune in the Victorian era.

“Mr Snell Wood was a veritable knight in shining armour” was the observation of Alida Brittain, when referring to that noteworthy launch day on 1st May 1894. But then her own husband, Sir Harry Brittain, could also easily have earned this title, for it was he who came to our rescue just after the Great War when our finances were almost nonexistent and membership was in a dire state.

With Sir Harry’s excellent publishing and business connections in London and on the continent and through a strong recruitment drive, he built up the list of members throughout the following decades, many of them becoming household names.

From 1910 until 1920 our magazine The Woman Journalist was published and sent to members, although in some cases it was just a two-page leaflet, but due to financial problems, even this was impossible in 192122. Then Queen Mary, a friend of Dame Alida, contributed a message from Buckingham Palace as follows: “The Queen learns with much interest that in January 1923 the Society of Women Summer 2017 The Woman Writer

From the archives

COPY DATE FOR AUTUMN 2017 ISSUE

Journalists will issue the first number of their new magazine The Woman Journalist.

Her Majesty understands that the main object of the publication will be to form a link between women writers throughout the Empire. The Queen sincerely hopes that the magazine will have a happy and prosperous career."

With help from some of our royal friends and acquaintances in the world of publishing, the magazine prospered under the editorship of many brilliant members, some remaining anonymous. Members of our royal family have generously given their support with their interest and presence at functions over the last 123 years.

Change is constantly with us. Following several eventful years in the Editor’s office, our extremely hardworking Chairman Barbara Field-Holmes steps down and we welcome back our lovely friend and colleague Carol Cannavan as our new Editor.

Photo on the left: Princess Michael and former member Janet Cameron, who won a competition that year (2007).

The deadline for the next issue of The Woman Writer is Monday 4th September 2017.

Please ensure that all copy and images are sent to the Editor, Carol Cannavan, on carol@aspire-editorial.co.uk using Microsoft Word or pasting the text into an email. Please do not embed images into the document; always send images separately.

Always use the prefix **WW in the subject line (for example, **WWsuccesses). This helps to identify submissions. Please do not send copy as ‘read only’ pdf files.

Copy can also be sent by post to the Editor, 10 Dury Falls Close, Hornchurch, Essex RM11 3AX United Kingdom, but should be typed rather than handwritten.

Images should be high resolution (300 dpi) and a good size. Photographs are acceptable but not photocopies of book covers. If you are submitting a photo that doesn’t belong to you, please make sure you have permission for it to be published. * NB: These deadlines cannot be changed and any late copy will be published in the email Newsletter or held over for the Autumn 2017 issue of The Woman Writer, deadline Thursday 30th November 2017.

Items for the email Newsletter should be sent to Doreen Friend on doreen.friend@swwj.co.uk

Photo above: Members of the SWWJ meet Queen Elizabeth II (1969).

The Woman Writer Summer 2017

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Drama Drama Workshop report

by Martin Cort Hello again Dramatists. Our last Workshop, which took place in April, was interesting and different and we specifically worked on the sound effects for one of the plays; all of our work was recorded by Terry Perkins.

This has allowed us to send copies to the appropriate writers, Jenny Pulling, June Walker, Mary Rensten, Pat Jones, Doreen Friend and Benita Cullingford, to listen to in the calm and privacy of their own lairs.

The reaction from our members has been such that I thought that I would make a clear offer to anyone who has produced work specifically for broadcasting to prepare their scripts in good time prior to our future Autumn Workshop. Terry and I will work on sounds for those plays. The work will be read as usual at the Workshop and Terry will make a recording. Then an individual recording can be sent to each writer’s computer.

The recordings It would be really challenging for us if your vivid imagination could set us producing creepy sounds, or even something difficult and unusual to work on. All normal storylines will be appreciated as usual and if you have something that you wish to develop further at the Workshop, please let me have a hard copy in good time. I ought to remind you that we also enjoy reading poetry or sections from your novels if you would find it helpful. We understand how much it would cost to employ professional actors to read your individual work and fully expect you to take advantage of the AWL and guest actors’ generous offers to work with us.

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If you would like to have your own personal copy of the recording of your play, Terry is willing to produce individual copies at a small price for your preferred choice of CD or memory stick.

Warning!

Just to remind members that none of the recordings made are allowed to be used as promotional material or commercially without the specific permission of the actors involved and Terry Perkins. We would not like anyone to become involved legally with our professional friends especially as they are backed by their union Equity.

Showcase The other side of the coin is that I am still considering producing a show as a showcase before the end of the year (if I can find a venue available). I will finance the show myself and try to recoup some of the cost by selling programmes. Therefore it will come under the auspices of the TAR (The Around Readers), whose Directors are Martin Cort, Mary Rensten and Annie Dodd.

The joint co-operation with SWWJ writers will be specifically acknowledged in the programme.

I would like the showcase to consist of new monologues and short sketches, also some of those that have already been shown to us at our Workshops. The evening of entertainment should last for two hours, including an interval of half an hour. Once again at the showcase we will be trying to invite the very people to whom you need to sell your work. Producers and directors are always planning ahead not necessarily for 2017 but for 2018. It doesn’t matter what the theme of your script is.

Please don’t stop bringing your longer scripts as we enjoy reading them and will always try to make helpful comments.

Summer 2017 The Woman Writer

Drama Please remember I need them in my hands before the Workshop to enable me to invite the actors to join us and help us to create the best possible impression of your work.

For the benefit of new members, I do provide a finger buffet for the actors who give their time, work and talent for us, but cannot provide the same service to our members, so please bring a packed lunch for yourselves. There is free coffee and tea on tap if it runs out, just ask.

By the time you read this report the next Workshop on Saturday 3rd June will have already taken place at the Leicester Square Reference Library, in St Martin’s Street, London. I'm really looking forward to it!

NEXT DRAMA WORKSHOP The next Drama Workshop will be at 11am on Saturday 23rd September 2017.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADVERTISE IN The Woman Writer PLEASE EMAIL THE EDITOR AT carol@aspire-editorial.co.uk ADVERTISING RATES ARE PUBLISHED ON PAGE 2

line for The dead e of ssu the next i an Writer The Wom th y4 is Monda r 2017.

Septembe

The Reference Library Leicester Square, 35 St Martin’s Street, London WC2H 7HP Please note it is St Martin’s Street not Lane. The Librarian is Rossella Black.

Do remember that scripts must be sent to Martin Cort in good time to be considered for reading on the day.

Send your scripts to Martin at:

Flat F Kingston Mansions, 147 Clapham Road, London SW9 0HP at least 10 days prior to the Workshop.

The Woman Writer Summer 2017

Follow the SWWJ on FACEBOOK Members are invited to ‘socialise’ on the Society FACEBOOK page. Check out swwj.facebook and ask everyone to ‘like’ the page. Send your items to: vivienhampshire@btinternet.com 15

SWWJ Autumn Lunch

Meet our speaker for the Autumn Lunch

N

icola Beauman nĂŠe Mann was born in 1944 and brought up in London.

After reading English at Cambridge she married Nicholas Lacey the architect and worked in New York as a journalist. She also worked in an art gallery and in London in publishing, and as a fiction reviewer. Her five children were born between 1968 and 1985.

In 1976 she married the economist Christopher Beauman. A Very Great Profession: The Woman’s Novel 1914-39, her first book, was published by Virago in 1983 (reprinted 1989 and 1995); it was reissued in 2008, twenty-five years after first publication, as a Persephone book. Cynthia Asquith appeared in 1987, Morgan: A Biography of EM Forster in 1993 and The Other Elizabeth Taylor was published in April 2009 as A Persephone Life.

Nicola Beauman founded Persephone Books in 1998. It was set up to reprint (mostly) women writers (mostly) of the inter-war period portrayed in A Very Great Profession, and now has one hundred and twenty titles in print.

Bookings open!

We are now taking bookings for the SWWJ Autumn Lunch, which takes place on Thursday 21st September at the National Liberal Club.

As you can see, we have a great speaker lined up and a lovely three-course lunch organised. Also, there will be plenty of opportunities to network and catch up with friends you may not have seen for a while.

16

Nicola Beauman

MENU Homemade Soup -oOoTurkey Escalope, Gremolata Crumb, Caper and Golden Raisin Jus Served with Seasonal Vegetables and Potatoes or Rustichelle Pasta, Artichoke, Peas and Artichoke Pesto -oOoElderflower Jelly with Berry Compote -oOoCoffee and Mints Summer 2017 The Woman Writer

SWWJ Autumn Lunch application

Autumn Lunch Thursday 21st September 2017 at The National Liberal Club, London SW1A 2HE Arrive 12.00 noon for 12.30pm Guest Speaker: Nicola Beauman (Application form can be photocopied) Name ……………………………………………….

Membership No. ……………

Address .….…….…………………..………………….…………….……….…………. ………………………………………………. ……

No. @£45 ...…..….

Vegetarian @£40 .…..……

Postcode …………………….

Cheque amount ………………

Name of Guest(s) ………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………

Any dietary requests: (Please ensure you list all dietary requests. These cannot be provided without notice.) ……………………………………………………………………………………………

BOOKINGS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 14th SEPTEMBER. There can be no refunds after this date. Please send completed form with any dietary requests, together with a cheque made payable to SWWJ, to: Benita Cullingford, 5 Cunningham Avenue, St Albans, Herts AL1 1JJ. Receipts are available on the day. Tickets are not being issued.

The Woman Writer Summer 2017

17

A day in the life...

On the other side...

Carol Cannavan gives an insight into the role of editor.

Most people who offer articles, short stories, etc to a publication have little contact with the editor and often wished they knew what was going on. I was an editor, within the trade press, of three different magazines over a period of 15 years: P&HE magazine; HIP magazine and Sparks magazine. I have now retired from the plumbing and heating industry, but I thought I would share with you some of the problems I faced, which might help you understand some of the frustrations of an editor.

The first step is to set out a ‘flat plan’. This basically is a document showing the number of pages going into the publication and then articles, features and advertising are allotted to a particular page. This helps to create a well-balanced issue. In the case of the trade press, the editor will contact certain people to write articles, etc. A lot of copy is sent in from manufacturers and PR agencies for consideration and quite a bit will be written by the editor and their editorial assistant/s.

So, the flat plan fills up nicely and all in the garden is lovely, until...

Word count This is the first stumbling block. Until the article actually arrives you don’t know how long it’s going to be. In my experience, I found quite often that I would ask for 750 words, but copy of 300 words arrived or, more alarmingly, 2,000 words. If the piece is considerably shorter than you expect, you then have to find a filler. If it’s far more than you wanted it can be edited, but it’s timeconsuming and you may take out vital information. If you send it back to be cut down it can take too long for the person to 18

get back to you. Especially, if the deadline has passed. That brings me nicely on to the next stumbling block...

Deadlines!

I’m sure the majority of SWWJ members get their copy across in good time and meet their deadline. Sometimes though, it isn’t always possible to do this because of illness or unexpected events. Always contact the editor and explain the situation; that way they know they will receive the copy and won’t need to find a replacement.

When I was a trade press editor I used to be a nervous wreck when the deadline passed and quite a few articles hadn’t appeared – even though I made a point of emailing everyone a week before as a reminder.

After the deadline I’d send another email asking if there was a problem. You wouldn’t believe some of the responses I received: “Sorry, it slipped my mind, perhaps I can send something for the next issue...?”

(Dream on.)

“I wasn’t really sure what you wanted, could you explain it again and I’ll have a go...” (No.) “There’s a problem with the product I was going to write about, I thought it would be resolved by now. Think I’d better leave it...”

Some of these articles would have been pencilled in for a double-page spread – that creates a big problem. The printing slot is already booked, so as the editor I also had a deadline. Advertisers may want to launch a service or product so they want the magazine to arrive on doormats by a certain date. So, at the last minute, I would have to conjure up copy to fill those pages. On the other hand; the advertising agency may ring with the news that they have a bumper amount of adverts, which meant I then had to contact contributors to say I’d have to cut their article and put it in the next issue...

I should have been a juggler.

Summer 2017 The Woman Writer

Around the regions

News from Moonraker Country

by Dee La Vardera I'm pleased to report that my SWWJ Press Card had a good airing recently, rewarding me with extra spending money. On a long weekend to Bologna in April, I gained free entry to two fantastic places – the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena and the Museum of Anatomy, part of the University of Bologna, saving me 30 euros. I made good use of my bonus at the Mercato delle Erbe, buying Parmesan cheese and truffleinfused salami to bring home.

Saving money and being thrifty is very much the thing today: Make Do and Mend; Love Food, Hate Waste; Eat Well for Less.

All sorts of exhortations from individuals and organisations (public and private) on how to save the planet, have a better,

The Woman Writer Summer 2017

simpler life and save yourself money.

Nothing new about recycling. We're used to doing it on the domestic front but what about elsewhere?

As writers we have a lot of stuff we've written over the years that never sees the light of day: practice pieces, chunks cut from final drafts, rejected stories and articles. Every so often it's good to have a spring clean and see what a bit of daylight does to make that hidden gem shine again.

I've just found my 2010 entry to the SWWJ Joyce Grenfell Monologue Competition and judge's critique, which was complimentary, ending with “It would make a super monologue for actresses to give at auditions.” Now's the time to search out other monologues festering in folders and put them to good use in a different way.

My new mantra: Retrieve, Rehabilitate, Re-submit.

19

Fiction focus

Do I need an agent?

Should I submit my novel straight to a publisher or try to secure the services of an agent? Vivien Hampshire shares her advice.

T

his is a question many writers ask and there are pros and cons to both approaches.

An agent is a ‘middle man’ (or more likely woman) who should know the publishing business, and what editors are currently looking for, a lot better than you do. If they like your work enough and can see its potential, they will act on your behalf in seeking out the right publisher, negotiating your contract, sorting out any problems and pushing your career forward.

So, how do you find an agent? First of all, finish your novel. Agents aren’t generally interested in ideas or unfinished work. They want something they can sell. If you get the chance, perhaps during a writers’ conference or book fair, to pitch to an agent on a ‘oneto-one’ basis, even if it’s only for five minutes, grab the opportunity with both hands.

Practise exactly what you will say to sell yourself and your book. Aim to make not only an impression, but a real impact.

Otherwise, plough your way through The Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook, research literary agency websites online, pick out the ones who are open to new clients and favour your kind of book, ask other writers for recommendations and start emailing – usually a synopsis, three chapters and something relevant and unique about yourself. Your submission has to stand out above the crowd, because there will be thousands of others doing exactly the same thing. Responses can take weeks, or months, to come back and some may never come at all, so it’s always worth approaching several agents at once. Rejections are par for the course, often with the standard 20

“Sorry, we didn’t quite love it enough, but wish you luck elsewhere,” wording. Don’t let it put you off! Keep on sending your work out (10, 20, 30 times or more, if that’s what it takes), and one day maybe someone will love it enough to say, “YES!” If you are lucky enough to be offered representation, often after a quick meeting over coffee just to make sure you can get along well together and that you don’t have two heads, you will sign an agreement which sets out the agency’s terms. You should never be asked to make up-front payments.

Agents work on a commission-only basis, meaning that a percentage of your earnings (generally around 15% but this will vary) will be paid to the agent, leaving you with the balance. Not just for this book, but your future ones too, because no agent wants to take on a one-book wonder.

So, is it worth it? The intervention of an agent could well make a huge difference when you are offered a publishing contract.

Higher royalty rates, possible audio or film rights, foreign language editions, a two-book deal... These may be things you have not thought about, but your agent has. The more money you make from your book, the more commission for the agent. If you earn nothing, neither does she/he.

The sad fact is that most of the big-name publishers will no longer read work that has not come through an agent. They don’t have the time to wade through the enormous ‘slush pile’ of unsolicited manuscripts, many of which may be totally unsuitable or poorly written, in the hope of discovering the one Summer 2017 The Woman Writer

Fiction focus hidden gem at the bottom. They see an agent as a quality filter, ensuring that what does come in has already passed the first hurdle and has some merit, with probably some initial agent-led editing having already taken place to lick it into shape before it gets that far. A good agent, with the time and passion to devote to you and your writing, can open doors for you and is worth their weight in gold!

Sadly, many authors who would love to have an agent will find themselves without one, or their agent will fail to sell their work and bring the relationship to an end. The good news is that there are still some publishers who are willing to read and take on un-agented novels, including Choc Lit, Accent Press, Harper Impulse, Crooked Cat, Bookouture, Endeavour Press and HQ Digital, among others, although some may close their submissions process from time to time if they get flooded with too many manuscripts. They may also publish your novel as an ebook only, with costs, and therefore risks, so much lower. Without an agent to help you, you can always join the Society of Authors and ask them to check over any publishing contract in detail before signing and of course you get to keep your full share of the sales income without an agent taking their cut, so it’s not all bad!

With agents often unwilling to take a chance on a writer with no track record and so many publishers refusing to look at you without an agent the phrase ‘chicken and egg’ comes to mind! It’s no wonder so many novelists turn to self-publishing. Although most of us are not trained publicists, editors or designers and would much rather spend our time actually writing, those who go it alone frequently report that the experience, though challenging and often time-consuming, turns out to be both enjoyable and rewarding. They can write what they like, choose their own cover, decide on print The Woman Writer Summer 2017

runs and publication dates, pay for professional proofreading or editing help if needed, take on their own marketing and keep all the profits (if there are any) for themselves. Or you can look into the ‘assisted publishing’ option, perhaps through the SWWJ’s own SCRIPTORA imprint. No agent required. Details on our website www.swwj.co.uk I have had two agents, twenty years apart.

Both worked hard for me, but neither managed to get me a publishing deal. I would love to have one again. But do I actually need one? Well, I have two novels out this year and both deals were secured without one. So there’s your answer!

21

AGM/Summer Gathering

Our Summer Gathering Around fifty members met at the National Liberal Club in London on 29th June for the Society’s AGM and a delicious afternoon tea. Report by Vivien Hampshire.

AGM

A

fter welcoming everyone, our Chairman, Barbara Field-Holmes, spoke about the challenges the Society has faced in recent years, but she assured us that there was now much positive news to report. She highlighted the social events we have enjoyed over the last year, including our new Spring prize-giving, and thanked her fellow Council members for their tireless work in organising venues, speakers and competitions. All our selffunding events were so successful that they brought in a small profit.

Barbara spoke also about the many jobs Council members undertake and said it was no secret that more volunteers are needed to come forward. We are very lucky that one such member, Janice Grande, has now offered her services as Hon. Secretary, a post that has been vacant for some time, and Janice was warmly welcomed into the role. Barbara also Janice Grande welcomed Rebecca Harding onto Council, as our new Marketing Coordinator.

The Council will now be looking at ways to advertise and promote the SWWJ and attempt to attract new and younger members, including approaching universities which run writing courses, writing groups throughout the UK and placing printed ads in the writing magazines.

22

Barbara Field-Holmes and Benita Cullingford

Benita Cullingford, the SWWJ’s Treasurer, talked us through the accounts, which are showing a healthy profit, boosted by a kind donation of £1,000 from a past member, and confirmed that we are now again in a position to offer 2nd and 3rd prizes in all our major competitions. The Society will be launching a new class of membership on 1st October, aimed specifically at unpublished writers. ‘Writer’s Debut’ will include one year’s membership and a full manuscript critique by a specialist reader from among the SWWJ’s own members, operated on similar lines to the Romantic Novelists’ New Writers Scheme, but with six categories, to include non-fiction, poetry

Summer 2017 The Woman Writer

AGM/Summer Gathering and plays as well as adult and children’s fiction.

The Council members were then formally elected for a further year, before Barbara moved on to ‘Any Other Business’. Various issues were raised from the floor, concerning extending our book reviews process to include reproducing them on Amazon, members passing on book recommendations in the pages of The Woman Writer, using members’ own blogs to promote the Society and existing members availing themselves of the Manuscript Appraisal Service to receive help and advice when moving into a new genre.

The formal part of the meeting then closed and members and guests tucked into a lovely afternoon tea, including sandwiches, cakes and the traditional warm scones with jam and cream. The room, ambience and service were as wonderful as ever!

Our speaker After tea, our guest speaker was Richard Combes from the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS). Richard spoke about the ALCS’s work and how it collects and distributes money to some 90,000 UK writers every year in respect of a range of photocopying, licensing and secondary rights.

Those SWWJ members who already benefit from the efforts of the ALCS learned just The Woman Writer Summer 2017

Richard Combes

how the money we are owed (more than £500 million collected so far) is tracked down, collected and distributed, while those who had not yet joined the scheme were actively encouraged to do so.

Richard told us how the ALCS was formed by a group of visionary writers (in a pub!) forty years ago and of some of the celebratory events planned for this, its anniversary year. The main aim of his talk was to try to demystify the work of the ALCS, which employs around 35 staff and is an entirely non-profit making organisation, working for the collective benefit of writers who could never hope to keep track of photocopying and all manner of secondary rights linked to their own work across the world. It funds its staff and admin costs by deducting a 9.5% commission from all distributed funds.

Non-fiction certainly generates the biggest ‘pot’, with textbooks, professional journals and magazine articles in demand by schools and universities who pay a licence fee for the privilege of being able to legally copy 23

AGM/Summer Gathering pages for their students, with education and business being the most widely copied and therefore most lucrative areas. However, even novelists are urged to register their work, as there will be some fees collected on their behalf, for instance from non-UK library borrowing. So how much an individual receives will depend on the class of writing, how many works he/she has written or contributed to, and much more.

An annual statement prepared for each member lists the sources of their own share of the annual distribution.

Richard stressed just how much the advancement of technology is changing the work of the ALCS, as digital formats appear, work is published online and even producers of memory sticks and flash-drives have to pay a licensing fee. In the end, it all comes down to data and how it is collected and shared, with the ALCS now working collaboratively with other similar agencies at home and abroad, and keeping a constant eye on changing policy and practices, government interventions in the UK and the EU, in order to protect the rights of its members.

Questions from the floor were dealt with thoroughly and knowledgeably, and we were left in no doubt that the ALCS is a friendly and highly approachable organisation. If you have not yet joined, please take a look at their website www.alcs.co.uk About a hundred new members are joining every week, so don’t miss out on what you may be owed. You never know until you apply!

Several members took the trouble to thank Richard and the ALCS for the extra money that finds its way into their bank accounts every year. As Richard did not charge a fee for his inspiring talk, he was presented with a gift bottle of wine as a token of our thanks.

As you can see from the smiling faces, our members enjoyed the Summer Gathering.

24

Summer 2017 The Woman Writer

Tech talk Putting you in the picture

by Carol Cannavan It’s okay, there’s nothing wrong with your eyes (well, I hope not anyway). It seems a lot of people I have spoken to are confused about low resolution and high resolution images, so I thought I would try to demystify the subject.

If you send in images to accompany articles or features, you will usually be asked to send good-sized images at 300 dpi. The letters stand for ‘dots per inch’ although the dots, or pixels, are actually tiny squares. Digital photos are made up of thousands of pixels.

If you look at the top photo, it is nice and crisp; the middle one was taken on a low resolution setting and is blurry. The third image is pixelated and you can see the tiny squares. As for ‘a good-sized image’, well, this is tricky to answer without knowing the space available in the publication. However, if you take photos on the highest setting on your camera, it will probably be okay.

Most cameras have settings for high and low resolution images. If you are unsure, dig out your instructions... or if you can’t find them try to ‘Google’ the information.

Often, when you view images on your computer screen or tablet, they look fine, whether they are high or low resolution – that’s where the confusion sets in. The problem is, it’s not until that image is printed that you will then see how blurry it is.

When I’m sent images the first thing I do before I open them is to look at the file size.

If it’s on the small size it’s very likely that a low resolution image has been sent.

If you are still unsure about the resolution of the images you are taking, feel free to send me an email with an image and I will do my best to help you. carol@aspire-editorial.co.uk The Woman Writer Summer 2017

60mm x 55mm – 300 dpi – file size 1.6 MB

60mm x 55mm – 72 dpi – file size 615 KB

60mm x 55mm – 10 dpi – file size 564 KB

25

SWWJ competition

Meet our poetry judge: Claire Dyer

C

laire Dyer is a novelist and poet from Reading, Berkshire. Her poetry is widely published and her poem Trust and the Horse won the 2015 Charles Causley Poetry Competition. Her poetry collections, Eleven Rooms and Interference Effects, are published by Two Rivers Press. Her novels, The Moment and The Perfect Affair, and her short story Falling for Gatsby are published

by Quercus. She is represented by Broo Doherty at DHH Literary Agency.

Claire has an MA in Victorian Literature & Culture from the University of Reading and an MA in Creative Writing from Royal Holloway, University of London. She teaches creative writing at literary and writers’ festivals and for Bracknell & Wokingham College. She also runs Fresh Eyes, an editorial and critiquing service. Claire is also a regular guest on BBC Radio Berkshire’s Radio Reads, is Chairman of Reading Writers, Reading’s longest-running writing group, and is Poet’s Café Rep for Poets Café, Reading’s best-loved poetry platform, organised and hosted by The Poetry Society’s Reading Stanza.

Claire has recently been a judge for the Berkshire Music & Arts Awards, The Fat

Claire Dyer

Damsel, The Paragram Poetry Prize and the Koestler Awards. She also supports CLIC Sargent and SALVE International by giving free critiques, has been a selector for South poetry magazine and has reviewed for The High Window. She was commissioned to write a poem for the BBC for 2016 National Poetry Day. Website: www.clairedyer.com

Inspirational quotes: “If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live, I wouldn’t brood – I’d type a little faster.

Isaac Asimov

26

“Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.”

by Anton Chekhov

Summer 2017 The Woman Writer

SWWJ competition

The Elizabeth Longford Poetry Competition 2018 This competition is for a poem written in any style. Maximum 40 lines

Theme: Water First prize: £100 Second prize: £50 Third prize: £25 to be awarded at the Spring Tea in London on Wednesday 14th March 2018 Competition judge: Claire Dyer Closing date: 5th January 2018 Entry fee: £5 per entry, or £12 for three entries Please send your entries to: Vivien Hampshire, 16 Abingdon Close, Uxbridge, Middx UB10 0BU Please read the competition RULES before submitting your poems SWWJ COMPETITION RULES Please read these rules carefully. Failure to comply could lead to your entry being invalidated.

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SWWJ competitions are open to Full and Associate Members only. Unless specifically stated, Friends of the Society and non-members are not eligible to enter.

Please ensure that any maximum word or line length set for the competition is strictly adhered to.

Your membership number (NOT your name) and the title of your work should appear on every page of your entry. Please number the pages.

Please type or print on one side of plain white A4 paper only. No handwritten entries please.

Please use double spacing for all prose entries. Poems may be spaced as the poet requires.

Every entry must have a detachable cover sheet showing the title, your name, membership number, address, and email address and/or phone number so we can contact you.

Entries must be accompanied by the appropriate fee. Cheques to be made payable to SWWJ. A maximum of three entries per person to each competition is allowed. Sending cash is discouraged.

Entries received after the closing date may be disregarded with no return of fee.

If you would like to receive a copy of the judge’s report, please also enclose a self-addressed envelope of suitable size and bearing the correct postage.

Entries MUST NOT be previously published or have been read or performed in any public domain up to the closing date. They should not be currently entered into any other competition.

Please do not send your entry by recorded/special delivery or registered post. Enclose a stamped self-addressed postcard if you wish us to acknowledge its safe receipt.

Keep a copy of your work as the Society cannot be held responsible for the loss of your entry, in the post or otherwise. Manuscripts will not be returned after judging.

Cash prizes for winners and runners-up vary per competition and will be as advertised.

In the event of a large number of entries, or if the judge requests it, the Society reserves the right to appoint a shortlisting panel.

Please keep the prize-giving date free in your diary and book a ticket to attend if at all possible.

If you are a winner, we would like to congratulate you and present your prize to you in person!

The Woman Writer Summer 2017

27

Publicity push Can you help?

We are looking for help to promote the SWWJ, with the aim of recruiting more members.

Writing Circles If you belong to a Writers’ Circle, that’s a great place to begin, especially if they produce a newsletter. Information about the Society and how to join can be found on our website – www.swwj.co.uk – so please try to mention this at your next meeting.

Memberships forms can be downloaded from the website.

Workshops • Regional Groups • Publishing • Email Information Loop • Facebook and Twitter • In-house and Open Competitions • Manuscript Appraisal Service • Welfare If you want to include some history of the Society, you can download the 120th Anniversary Supplement on the website, which gives a good insight into its early days.

Social media If you are on Twitter, please follow @SWWJ and retweet info. To ‘Like’ our Facebook page please visit swwj.facebook

Thank you!

Blogs Are you a blogger? Why not write a piece about the SWWJ? There are many advantages to becoming a member, which include: The Woman Writer • E-newsletter • Website promotion • Press Card • Events •

If you have any other ideas to help recruit more members, please get in touch with our new marketing coordinator, Rebecca Harding (rebecca@saltwhistle.com).

SWWJ John Walter Salver Competition 2017 This year’s competition is for an unpublished

SHORT STORY Theme: The weather You can write in any style or genre but some aspect of the weather must feature prominently in the storyline Maximum length: 1,500 words

STILL TIME TO ENTER!

Judge: Janet Gover First prize: £100 Second prize: £50 Third prize: £25 Entry fee: £5 for one entry or £12 for three entries

Awards will be presented at a special prize-giving event in London in Spring 2018 Send your entries to: Vivien Hampshire, 16 Abingdon Close, Uxbridge UB10 0BU Closing date: 31st August 2017 Please make sure that you check the RULES on page 27 before you submit your entry 28

Summer 2017 The Woman Writer

Writing workshop

Creative Writing Workshop Writing Commercial Fiction Thursday 19th October 2017 at ALCS offices at Barnard’s Inn, 86 Fetter Lane, London EC4A 1AD 11am until 4pm Tutor: Sue Moorcroft (Application form can be photocopied) Name ……………………………………………….

Membership No. ……………

Address .….…….…………………..………………….…………….……….…………. ………………………………………………. ……

Postcode …………………….

No. @£35 members …..….

Cheque amount ……………

@£40 guests …..……

Name of guest(s) ………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………

BOOKINGS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 9th OCTOBER. Places will be offered on a ‘first come first served’ basis. There can be no refunds after this date. Please send completed form together with a cheque made payable to SWWJ to: Benita Cullingford, 5 Cunningham Avenue, St Albans, Herts AL1 1JJ. Please bring a packed lunch.

Best-selling author Sue Moorcroft writes contemporary women’s fiction with occasionally unexpected themes. As well as novels, Sue writes short stories, serials, articles and writing ‘how to’, including creative writing courses for the London School of Journalism. Her workshops and courses have been welcomed everywhere from writing groups to universities. Sue has won a Readers’ Best Romantic Read Award and the Katie Fforde Bursary. Her last book, The Christmas Promise, rose to number one in the Amazon Kindle chart. www.suemoorcroft.com The Woman Writer Summer 2017

29

Marketing

The seeds of persuasiveness The way you put over an idea can make the difference between getting agreement or rejection. Patrick Forsyth shows how to increase your chances.

H

owever and whatever you write, there is one form that being in the business of writing demands that you adopt on occasions. This is writing persuasively. Send a proposal to an editor (or just a query letter) and you must remember that anything of this sort is sent to produce agreement.

Simply saying what you want is not enough.

If I say read this article, I want you to, then you might well reject the thought out of hand – shan’t. But if I say that reading it might just help get your next proposal accepted rather than rejected or ignored, then you are more likely to begin to take interest. This illustrates the first principle.

Persuasive writing must offer the reader reasons for them to agree or act that reflect their point of view, not say why you think they should do something. Such writing demands empathy and must exhibit a style unlike any other. So, some do’s and don’ts: • Avoid an introspective tone. If every sentence, paragraph or thought begins with the word ‘I’ – I will... can... and worst of all I want, it creates a ‘catalogue’ approach, a list

of things from your own point of view, which becomes tedious and is not likely to prompt interest in the reader. Try rewriting any such sentiment starting it with the word ‘You’. It will sound very different. Thus: “I would like to give your readers...” becomes something that begins: “Your readers will find...” If the latter continues by explaining why readers will find something interesting, better still.

• Avoid circumspection. A persuasive message is no place for I think – I hope – probably – maybe – or perhaps. You need to have the courage of your convictions.

Ideas and suggestions, or anything for which you seek agreement, must reflect your confidence in it. So phrases like: “This will give your readers...” are better. Similarly, avoid bland description. Your idea is never just very good. A suggested feature should never be stated as being quite interesting.

Use words that add drama and certitude.

• Stress what are called benefits: a word reflecting some of the jargon of the sales world. Features are factual things – tangible or intangible – about something. This article

“A suggested feature should never be stated as being quite interesting. Use words that add drama and certitude.”

Does your work stand out from the rest?

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Summer 2017 The Woman Writer

Marketing

is c.700 words long, occupies two pages and deals with persuasive writing: all features.

Whereas benefits are things that something does for or means to people. So, the benefits of reading this article are things like: giving you an introduction to some key principles of selling, helping you avoid key mistakes that will dilute the persuasive effectiveness of your writing, or increasing the chances of your next proposal being accepted. Benefits should predominate.

There should be sufficient to persuade, they should be well expressed and, if necessary, backed up by proof or evidence (that is something other than you saying so).

• Make it readable. Goodness knows, you appreciate this as a writer. Like anything else you will need a clear beginning, middle and end. In context here the important thing is to allow your writing to project something of yourself. Make sure it is not formulaic as if out of a textbook. If you want to sound friendly, efficient, or professional – whatever, make sure such characteristics show.

Like most writing, if it is to be persuasive it needs some preparation. Think about what you want to say. Ask yourself why anyone should agree to your idea or proposal. List the reasons; all of them. Then organise them. What are the most important things?

How does one link to another? Arrange a logical argument, say something at the The Woman Writer Summer 2017

beginning to command attention and get the reader reading and write to maintain interest throughout. A powerful start that then tails away will persuade no one. Lead with the benefits. Features follow to explain.

This article will allow readers to experiment with a more persuasive style (benefit), because it is written reflecting proven, practical approaches (feature).

So, next time you set out to make a case in writing perhaps you might consider checking... Oops! Sorry: next time you send off an idea check that it is not just well described, but persuasively described, a priority.

STOP PRESS! Here are a few last minute items we would like to bring to your attention.

Meet the Authors Wednesday 9th August 2017 2pm - 4pm at The Selsey Centre, Manor Road, Selsey, West Sussex PO20 0SE. Entrance free • • • Writer’s Debut The Society will be launching a new class of membership on 1st October, aimed specifically at unpublished writers.

‘Writer’s Debut’ will include one year’s membership and a full manuscript critique by a specialist reader from among the SWWJ’s own members.

Full details will be in the next issue of The Woman Writer.

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Markets & Competitions Writing opportunities

by Carol Cannavan Here’s a round-up of markets and writing competitions to keep you busy in 2017!

Although every effort is made to gather correct information, it is best to contact individual publications and ask for the current writing guidelines.

It’s very important to study your market, it can make all the difference between acceptance and rejection.

UK Markets Venus Ascending is a new imprint of Tickerty Boo Press. If you like writing science fiction, horror or fantasy novels that have a strong romantic theme – you could be what they’re looking for (contact them for guidelines). They prefer books written from a female viewpoint, or alternating between the heroine and hero. Aim between 90,000 and 100,00 words. You can email the first three chapters of your manuscript and a two-page synopsis, as a Word document or in RTF, standard manuscript format, Times or Times New Roman, double spaced. Please include ‘Attention: Teresa’ in the subject line and the title of your book. They are looking at submissions now and will reply in the order received.

Venus Ascending publishes in print and ebook and pays royalties.

Email: venusascending@tickertyboopress.co.uk

Wanderlust is a British travel magazine that publishes destination features up to 2,200 words, along with shorter dispatches, special interest features and consumer articles.

Their mission is: “We want to provide our readers with the best writing, the best photographs and the most authoritative facts.”

Pay is typically £220 per 1,000 words, but rates vary.

Email: submissions@wanderlust.co.uk Website: www.wanderlust.co.uk Scoop is a monthly magazine that is aimed at children aged between 8 and 12. Each issue includes short stories, poetry and graphic fiction that will excite and entertain.

They explore everything from history and science to art and the unexplained. They are also featuring comic strips, activities, puzzles and jokes. Email them for guidelines.

Scoop pays 10p per word, whether writers are bestsellers or beginners.

Email: hello@scoopthemag.co.uk Website: www.scoopthemag.co.uk Your Cat has limited freelance opportunities for both commissioned and unsolicited work. When contacting the magazine with a feature idea, or sending in a manuscript, please bear in mind the practical nature of Your Cat, the importance of photography and the use of case studies/personal experience.

Articles should be a maximum of 1,500 words and series of three 500-word parts will be considered. Visit this web page for full guidelines.

Website: http://writ.rs/catguides

Website: www.ticketyboopress.co.uk/venusascending/

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Summer 2017 The Woman Writer

Markets & Competitions Overseas Markets

Competitions

Woman’s World is written for the traditional, family-oriented working woman. Each issue delivers a feel-good mix of heart-warming human interest stories and practical everyday solutions for work and home, making it America’s premiere weekly service publication. There are a number of sections in the magazine that pays for submissions.

• Act of kindness • Personal story • Money saving recipes • Angel story • What makes me happy • Kids are funny • Was my face red Visit their website to get full details of payments and submissions.

Val Wood Prize Entries should be in the form of a short story and entrants are free to write about whatever they wish but each story must feature the theme: Freedom in Hull. As it is City of Culture year, the prize is bigger than ever so the winner of the competition will receive £200 and their entry will be published on the Valerie Wood website and shared via various social media outlets. The runner-up will receive £50 and there will also be two commendations of £25. For full details of this competition, please visit the website. Free entry.

Email: DearWW@WomansWorldMag.com Website: www.womansworld.com/p/ contact

Closing date: 19th August 2017 Website: www.valeriewood.co.uk/#/ competition/4578134634

Eating Well is a bi-monthly US magazine that welcomes ideas from new writers. Their readers are interested not only in cooking and nutrition science, but also in the origins of food and social issues related to food networks. They appreciate eating culture and traditions.

Eating Well’s ‘voice’ is journalistic and authoritative; it speaks to both men and women. They cover nutrition with a newsy, science-based approach. Their recipes emphasise high-quality, healthful ingredients, simple preparations and full flavour.

Extensive guidelines can be found on their website.

Exeter Flash Fiction Entries are invited for the 2017 Exeter Flash Competition. Do you have a story of up to 250 words that could dazzle the judges?

First prize is £100 and the second prize is £50. The two prizewinning stories may be published on the CreativeWritingMatters website and in an anthology. Winners will be contacted by the end of September. For full details of this competition, please visit the website. Entry fee: £4.

Closing date: 31st August 2017 Website: www.creativewritingmatters.co.uk

Email: editor@eatingwell.com Website: www.eatingwell.com/writers_guidelines

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Markets & Competitions New British and Irish Poets Poets resident in the UK or Ireland, regardless of nationality, can submit three original, unpublished poems for consideration. The prize is publication – free entry. Full details on the website.

Closing date: 15th September 2017 Website: https://store.eyewearpublishing.com/

Mslexia Women’s Novel Scribble Annual Article Theme: My Writing Day. Articles should be between 1,000 and 1,500 words. Prizes: £50, £25, £15. Entry fee: £3. Cheques payable to Park Publications. Free entry for annual subscribers. The winning entry will appear in the autumn edition of Scribble.

Further details are available on their website.

Closing date: 31st August 2017 Website: www.parkpublications.co.uk

The High Sheriff Cheshire Prize for Literature The writer must have been born, live, or have lived; study, or have studied; work, or have worked, in Cheshire. The 2017 prize is for a previously unpublished piece of writing for children. The prize-winner will receive £2,000. The entry may be in prose or verse.

A prose entry should not exceed 1,500 words. A verse entry should not exceed 100 lines. The intended readership is seven to 14-year old children. Free entry.

Closing date:1st September 2017 Website: www.chester.ac.uk/literatureprize

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£5,000 is up for grabs in this competition aimed at unpublished women writers.

The winner and four finalists will receive manuscript feedback and introductions to agents and editors. The competition is being judged by Philippa Gregory (novelist), Sarah Such (literary agent), Alex Clark (journalist).

Rules and submission details are on their website. Fee: £25 per novel extract.

Closing date: 17th September 2017 Website: https://mslexia.co.uk/competition/novelcompetition/

London Short Story Prize You must live in the London area to be eligible to enter. The winner will receive £1,000 and have their story published in print and online by Open Pen. It will also feature in the London Short Story Prize 2017 anthology. Stories must be unpublished – 5,000 words per story. There is a £6 entry fee. The competition will be judged by Leone Ross and Joe Dunthorne, and agent Emma Paterson of RCW Agency.

Submission details can be found on their website.

Closing date: 9th October 2017 Website: www.spreadtheword.org.uk

Summer 2017 The Woman Writer

Literary festivals UK Literary Festivals Edinburgh International Book Festival 12th - 28th August They claim to be the largest public celebration of the written word in the world. Every August they bring around 1,000 writers and thinkers from across the planet together, to rub shoulders with their audience. Entry to the Book Festival Village is free and everyone is welcome – you just pay for the talk you want to attend, so book your tickets in advance so you don’t miss out (reasonable prices).

There is much to enjoy during a visit to the Book Festival; it's not only about the events.

The Festival's home, the beautiful, leafy Charlotte Square Gardens (at the west end of George Street, a minute's walk away from Princes Street), is a wonderful space in which to sit, talk, think, play and be entertained.

You can book in person, online or telephone. To see the full list of events please visit their website.

Website: www.edbookfest.co.uk

The Llangwm Literary Festival 11th - 13th August The festival is set in a beautiful former fishing village, nestled on the Cleddau on the edge of the Pembrokeshire Coastal National Park. Entry to the festival site is free, but tickets are required for all events unless otherwise shown. Parking will be in a field near the festival site at a charge of £1 per vehicle per day. Tickets for events are sold through the Programme section of the website.

The Chatsworth Festival 11th - 13th August This festival of arts covers talks by artists, curators and writers. It is held over three days in the theatre at Chatsworth and in a marquee on the South Lawn.

Cost: Adult: £13.50 per talk – Child: £8 per talk. Discounted festival day tickets are also available. All tickets include entry to Chatsworth Garden on the day of the talk.

Festival tickets can be upgraded on the day for £10 to include entry to Chatsworth House. Chatsworth is located in the heart of the Peak District in Derbyshire.

Website: www.chatsworth.org

Bath Children’s Literature Festival 29th September - 8th October This year’s festival includes a plethora of authors, illustrators, comedy heroes, celebrities, radio stars and fantastic storytellers. Amongst the line-up is the UK’s number one bestselling author Julia Donaldson, best known for The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom and Stick Man; Liz Pichon, the multi-talented author and illustrator behind the Tom Gates series; much loved author and illustrator of the How To Train Your Dragon books Cressida Cowell; Bath-born superstar Jacqueline Wilson, best known for her books and CBBC series Tracy Beaker and Hetty Feather; and last but by no means least – actor, comedian and all-round national treasure Miranda Hart!

To book tickets ring 01225 463362 (box office is open from 10.30am- 5pm).

Website: http://bathfestivals.org.uk/ childrens-literature/

Website: www.llangwmlitfest.co.uk

The Woman Writer Summer 2017

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Book reviews The Butlins Girls

by Elaine Everest Published by: Pan Macmillan ISBN: 978-1-4472-9553-2 Reviewed by Vivien Hampshire If you spent your childhood summer holidays at a Butlins camp, as I did, this novel will bring back some fantastic memories.

From the rows of wooden chalets and constant tannoy announcements to knobbly knees contests, bingo nights, beauty pageants and donkey rides on the beach, all the fun and nostalgia of camp life is here.

It’s 1946 and Molly Missons, recently orphaned at the age of twenty-four, finds her home and the family ironmongery business under threat when a pair of unpleasant long-lost relatives arrive in Kent, claiming their inheritance. Did her father leave a new will, proving everything should belong to Molly? If he did, no one is able to locate it.

Desperate to put it all behind her for a while and escape the lecherous advances of her odious cousin Simon, Molly sets off to become a Butlins Redcoat in Skegness. At Butlins she finds new friends, gets caught up in a dangerous adventure involving a miscarriage of justice, an escaped prisoner and a photographer who is not all he purports to be… and meets the man of her dreams. Johnny Johnson is a former RAF pilot and movie idol, now entertainments manager at the camp, and it is with his help that Molly unravels some old family secrets and finds happiness again.

Elaine’s previous novel, The Woolworths Girls, was a bestseller in 2016 and I am sure this new one is going to be just as huge a hit. I really enjoyed it.

Dawn to Deadly Nightshade

by Shelagh Mazey Published by: Matador ISBN: 978-1-78306-023-8 Reviewed by Celia Pyke Dawn to Deadly Nightshade is the sequel to Brandy Row and is set in the West Country in the 1800s. The central character is Joshua Dryer, a good and honest man who unexpectedly inherits land with a title, so needs to leave his family home to begin a new life as Lord of the Manor. Brought up in Portland, he finds his new position somewhat different to his previous life where he was a crew member of a Methodist missionary ship which sailed to New Guinea to teach Christianity to the natives.

However, he adapts readily to his new role and we follow him as he settles into his elevated position, gaining the trust of the people who work for him. He finds himself dealing with smugglers and is dismayed to learn that witchcraft is being practised in the area, which encourages him to study to become a Justice of the Peace to help endorse his new position. This helps him resolve a running feud with an arrogant neighbour, one Nathan Meakins.

When life finally settles down, Joshua proposes marriage to one of his servants, Louisa, much to the delight of family and friends. The story is populated by many characters and Shelagh Mazey has studied the period well, so the book is interjected with vital historical facts.

Please send all books for review to: Patricia Pound, Apple Tree Cottage, 15 South Weald Road, Brentwood, Essex CM14 4QZ. Tel: 01277 222446 36

Summer 2017 The Woman Writer

Book reviews The Midnight Dancers

by Roberta Grieve Published by: FA Thorpe (Publishing) Anstey – Leicestershire ISBN: 978-1-4448-3257-0 Reviewed by Patricia Pound Joanne Mason had been widowed for two years when she realised it was time to move forward. Her only daughter, Lucy, would shortly be away to university. Her life would become economically difficult in the much loved home of the past with memories of a happy family life. Now was the time to move on; she and her daughter had viewed many houses but had not found a suitable replacement. Her husband Tom had been insured but there had not been enough money to complete the mortgage, and her job at a local college library had to change, so she must contemplate the dreaded downsizing from her big family house.

The local paper came up with an extraordinary solution; a local property Grayling Manor had been neglected for many years and had now been inherited by a Canadian intent on bringing the place back to its former glory. All fell into place and soon Joanne was working archiving historical documents at the Manor for Clive Grayling.

Joanne, strangely, found herself outside St Mark’s Church on the way from her interview for the job and alongside a house for sale, which she identified immediately as the house she had been searching for. ‘The Old Rectory’ was not downsizing but she knew at once this was to be her new home.

She and her new boss both enthused over their findings regarding the history of both houses and their occupants, Joanne, so intrigued, trying to discover the connection between her new home and the old Manor.

The Woman Writer Summer 2017

It became all encompassing and she began to do detective work to find out about the link between the two properties in the distant past.

Are there spirits from the past involved here? As time passes, the mysteries of the present and past circumstances are gradually realised. An intriguing story from the past comes to be known and the connections of the two houses understood. Also, in the search for these answers Joanne and Clive recognise the mystery of how they came to meet and their relationship can move forward for a future that can bring happiness for them both.

A word about book reviews...

If you want your book reviewed in the WW, please ask your publisher to send a hard copy only to: Patricia Pound, Apple Tree Cottage, 15 South Weald Road, Brentwood, Essex CM14 4QZ. PDFs or entries sent by computer will not be accepted. The hard copy of the book is the only payment for their services that the reviewer receives, so please do not ask for the book to be returned.

Send an image of the cover of your book to Carol Cannavan or ask your publisher to send the cover photo to: carol@aspire-editorial.co.uk Please be patient. The review of your book will be in the WW, but sometimes there is a backlog. Also, we are unable to review a trilogy or series of books at one time and books submitted should be recently or newly published.

A copy of the WW containing the review will be sent to the publisher, unless the book is self-published or the publisher doesn’t give a postal address on their website.

37

Reflections On turning ninety!

by Noreen Riols I haven’t turned yet. I’m a victory girl so any celebrations I have accompany people parading up and down the Champs Elysées marching with military bands.

Actually I only admit to 25.

In fact I can be any age I like since according to the records I don’t exist.

Being born in Malta of a naval father my birth is not registered in England. Had my pa been army or RAF I’d have been cosily bedded down at Somerset House with all the other babies born in Peckham and Chipping Sodbury on that day.

However, for some unknown reason naval births are not sent home, only registered where the baby is born. And you know what happened to Malta during the war.

Everything kaput, so any hope of finding me is nil.

It caused quite a problem when I wanted to get married, since I had to produce a birth certificate... and I didn’t have one. So in the

Follow the SWWJ on FACEBOOK Members are invited to ‘socialise’ on the Society FACEBOOK page. Check out swwj.facebook and ask everyone to ‘like’ the page. Send your items to: vivienhampshire@btinternet.com 38

end for the princely sum of £2-10s (worth more 60 years ago) the British Consul in Paris agreed to provide an official certificate saying I existed. Providing I swore that I had never been ‘had up’ for being drunk and disorderly (the very idea), for taking drugs and had never walked the streets. He was embarrassed, poor man, when he asked me the last question, but I put him at ease by replying that if I had I wouldn’t tell him. Much relieved, he agreed. I handed over my two pounds ten and he signed the paper which satisfied the French authorities, since the person who looked at it didn’t understand English.

I accepted French nationality. Yes, it was as easy as that before all these illegal immigrants queered the pitch. Not only that, everybody was happy.

So I’m really not eligible to write this.

Ninety be blowed. I’m not admitting to more than 25!

Editor’s note: I met Noreen at the AGM and Summer Gathering. She certainly didn’t look 90 to me! Hope I fare so well when (if) I reach that age.

Follow the SWWJ on TWITTER Find out about the latest news and events by following (and retweeting) @SWWJ. Help to spread the word about our Society!

Summer 2017 The Woman Writer

Diary dates DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2017

9th August:

Visit to Chawton House Library, Alton, Hampshire.

For details, see page 8.

31st August:

Closing date for the SWWJ John Walter Salver Competition.

For details, see page 28.

4th September:

Copy date for Autumn 2017 issue of The Woman Writer.

11th September:

SWWJ Council Meeting, London.

21st September:

SWWJ Autumn Lunch, National Liberal Club, London.

23rd September:

Drama Workshop, London.

Details can be found on page 15.

19th October:

Creative Writing Workshop, London.

Details can be found on page 29.

27th November:

SWWJ Council Meeting, London.

30th November:

Copy date for Winter 2018 issue of The Woman Writer.

6th December:

SWWJ Christmas Gathering (Tea), National Liberal Club, London.

The Woman Writer is published four times a year in Winter (January), Spring (April), Summer (July) and Autumn (October). Copy dates are listed above. Send your copy to carol@aspire-editorial.co.uk The SWWJ Newsletter is published four times a year towards the end of February, May, August and November. Copy that misses the WW copy dates will be passed to Doreen Friend for the Newsletter on doreen.friend@swwj.co.uk To receive the Newsletter, please make sure we have your current email address.

Regional meetings take place at the advertised venues. Council meetings are held at ALCS new offices – Barnard’s Inn, 86 Fetter Lane, London EC4A 1AD. The Woman Writer Summer 2017

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