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Anthology launch photos: November 13th

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Dancing with the Birdman display, Exeter Central Library The launch event at Exeter Library was successful and enjoyed by all. We sold 86 copies of Dancing with the Birdman . Afterward, members dropped by the Roman Gate Waterstone's to chat to Margaret James - see below - at her own launch of The Silver Locket (and get a free chocolate Hero). Members and guests, Exeter Central Library Members and guests, Exeter Central Library Margaret James at Waterstone's signing of The Silver Locket

Anthology launch: Dancing with the Birdman

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Dancing with the Birdman was launched on Saturday 13th November at Exeter Central Library and included short readings by each of the writers. From our official press release: Creativity thrives in Exeter – new collection of city writing is published The perils of piano lessons in later life, an allergy to blue and white plates and vengeful ghosts – just some of the surprising, entertaining and thought-provoking storylines examined in a new book which is a celebration of Exeter’s creativity. The collection is entitled Dancing with the Birdman , chosen from the submission by American screenplay writer Pete Simpson who now lives in Devon. Twenty eight writers aged from their 20’s to 90’s are represented in this book of stories, poems, plays and sketches. The collection marks the 60th anniversary of the Exeter Writers, a group which meets fortnightly with the aim of encouraging creative writing in all forms. Amongst the contributors are historical novelist Margaret J

2010/11 Short Story Competition

Exeter Writers is delighted to announce the opening of its 2010/11 Short Story Competition. For this third annual competition, the first prize has been increased to £250. Entries are invited from all writers, and the closing date is 31 March 2011. For more information and entry details, see the Competition page .

Cyprus Well

We just added an affiliated link to Cyprus Well . Going under the banner "Literature for everyone in the South West", it's a Lottery-funded registered charity that aims to be a central focus and contact point for all literature-related activities in South-West England. Cyprus Well is the literature development agency for the South West. As a charity our role is to work with our partners to raise funds to ensure that everyone in the South West can have access to the benefits of reading, writing and enjoying literature. Features of its website include a Community page, an awards programme , a book of the month feature, a user-submitted events calendar , and more. Looks interesting. - RG

City of Thieves

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From the Exeter Express & Echo , August 4th 2010, City author Ellen releases sequel : DEVON children's author Ellen Renner who wowed the literary scene with her debut book is in line for further recognition — this time for the sequel. Her second adventure thriller City of Thieves follows her compelling first novel Castle of Shadows , which won the Cornerstones WOW Factor Award for New Writers. See Ellen's website for more about City of Thieves , which was released today. The author will be appearing at the Paignton Green Festival and giving a reading from the book on the afternoon of Tuesday, August 17, 2010.

Farmer John's Boots: book signing

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David Evans will be signing copies of his book Thistledown Farm: Farmer John's Boots at its official launch on 7th August 2010 : 11am-3pm at Waterstone's ( 48-49 High Street, Exeter ). The signing will be in the Cathedral Yard end of the shop.     The Exeter Express & Echo for Saturday 24th July carried a feature about David and his book: 'Farmer John has been with me for a very long time' .

Winners: short story competition 2009/10

We are pleased to announce the winners of the Exeter Writers Short Story Competition 2009/10. The stories are online; follow the links. First – Rowena Macdonald - The Silent Isle Second – Sarah Evans - Us Third – Amanda Bartlett - Where the Devil Lost his Poncho Shortlisted: Alison Bacon - Mouse Years Sarah England - The Madness Within Annette Keen - The Self-Preservation Society Norman Kitching - A Matter of Time Daniel Knibb - Daughter’s Song Jenny Knight - I’d Do Anything Michele McGrath Edwin - Don’t Mess with Meadowside and Five Lamps Tony Oswick - The Writing Group Ann Stevens - The Golden Goose Thanks to all our entrants.

1st Place (2009/10) - The Silent Isle by Rowena Macdonald

The Silent Isle by Rowena Macdonald ‘"I am half sick of shadows," said The Lady of Shalott.’ - Tennyson On either side of the Whitechapel Road chaos is in full flood. Market stall-holders hammer out their patter: “bowl for pound tomato pepper onion bowl for pound”, “seventy pee coriander parsley parsley coriander seventy pee”. An African woman stalks through the customers shouting about God through a megaphone. Behind her is another African woman with a banner that reads ‘Christ is Risen’. A white woman spits at a

2nd Prize (2009/10) - Us by Sarah Evans

US by Sarah Evans We gather up along the way to school.           Gemma’s first. Then me, watching for her at the bottom of our road. She’s never when she should be; I always wait. Next is Jess, a few more roads along. Sometimes she walks back to meet us. Last is Trish. It’s off the straight way there. We twist along her narrow street with houses tightly packed, right up to her door. The window is on the road, and the paint blisters and flakes on the sill, and you can’t see in through the grime and net curtains. She opens the door just as we get there, her hair straight and dark, cut to points around her ears – four sets of studs – her jumper tied round her waist, no matter that it’s April and cold.

3rd Prize (2009/10) - Where the Devil lost his poncho by Amanda Bartlett

Where the Devil Lost His Poncho by Amanda Bartlett She was Spanish and a little bit crazy. He was English and a little bit dull. Her name was Mariaje, a contraction of Maria Jesus. In the first weeks of their relationship, she coached him without cease or mercy on the correct pronunciation. It was the Spanish jota, the ‘j’ in the middle of Mariaje, that he found so difficult to manage.

Loves Me, Loves Me Not

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Margaret James reports on her recent visit to the Torbay Bookshop in Paignton, where she was among the contributors signing this Romantic Novelists' Association golden anniversary anthology of short stories. The anthology, which also has a story by another of our members, Geoffrey Harfield, has received good reviews including one in the 13th-19th February edition of Heat magazine. The RNA's own blog for the anthology has more background on the contributors.

Castle of Shadows launched

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We're pleased to announce the official launch of Castle of Shadows , a children's novel by Exeter Writers member Ellen Renner .   The book was given a positive review in The Times ... Adventure stories involving brave boys and girls, a dash of magic and a lot of suspense were once commonplace in children's fiction, thanks to writers such as Joan Aiken, Susan Cooper, Alan Garner and even the much-maligned Enid Blyton. All these have stood the test of time; but where are their heirs? For lovers of Aiken, Ellen Renner's debut, Castle of Shadows , is not to be missed. Set in a country very much like Victorian England, its king is mad and its loved queen has been missing for most of Princess Charlie's life. Charlie has roamed the Castle of Quale for years, learning its secret hideaways and being bullied by servants while her crazy father suspends himself from the ceiling to build a towering castle of cards instead of running the kingdom. Any adventure that beg