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Showing posts from 2017

Books! Wonderful books!

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Here's your chance to peek behind the doors at the historic Devon and Exeter Institution - No 7 Cathedral Yard - and buy lots of lovely Christmas presents by local authors. Say hello and they’ll sign them too!

Christmas Hat Trick for Angela!

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If you read any of the Women's magazines (or 'Womags' as they're know in the trade), there's a good chance that you'll have read a story by Exeter Writer, Angela Wooldridge.   Angela has two Christmas stories in different issues of My Weekly . The most recent, in a 'Christmas Special' edition, is one of twelve specially commissioned stories based on each line of The Twelve Days of Christmas .

Winners' profiles: Christopher Allen

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Now that the 2018 Exeter Writers Short Story competition is open for entries , we thought we'd get you chomping at the bit with a series of blog posts around story craft.  Today we're profiling last year's 3rd prize winner, Christopher Allen, whose story 'Fences' can be read here .

Winners' profiles: Sharon Boyle

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Now that the 2018 Exeter Writers Short Story competition is open for entries , we thought we'd get you chomping at the bit with a series of blog posts around story craft. Today we're profiling last year's first prize winner Sharon Boyle, whose story 'Celluloid Job' can be viewed here .

An Evening for Readers and Writers, Tuesday 7th November

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Join Margaret James and Cathie Hartigan for an evening of lively conversation, inspiration, hints and tips about reading and writing. 

Did you know Exeter has a Grand Bard?

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The current Grand Bard of Exeter is Jackie Juno, a multiple poetry slam winner, including the 2017 Glastonbury Festival P oetry Slam and the Plymouth LitFest 2017 poetry slam!

Plymouth Literature Festival

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There's lots going on at PlymLit 17 from October 21st to 29th. (And the Exeter Writers are joining in!)  

Getting ready for Nano?

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November is National Novel Writing Month, when writers around the globe strive to write 50,000 words in 30 days. 

Story craft with Jo Cole

Now that the 2018 Exeter Writers Short Story competition is open for entries , we thought we'd get you chomping at the bit with a series of blog posts around story craft. Happy reading (and writing)...   Ten Ways to use ‘Find and Replace’ to Edit your Writing.   By Jo Cole When I first started editing my own work, I didn’t know where to start and would often rely on my gut feeling. But the more I write, the more systematic I have become; a strict editing procedure results in writing that is stronger, cleaner and more dynamic. And for a rigorous self-editor, ‘Find and Replace’ is immensely useful. Here are my top ten ways to use it.

Exeter Writers Short Story Competition 2018!

The Exeter Writers 2018 Short Story Competition is open for entries! Our annual short story competition began in 2009 and is very popular. We receive entries from all over the world. First prize £500 Second prize £250 Third prize £100 Plus a prize for writers in Devon of £100 Closing date 28th February 2018 (Midnight) Go to our Competition Page for further details. Tweet

EW Member Returns To Scene of Near-Death

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Back in 1992, Elizabeth Ducie nearly died in Brazil. Or to be completely accurate, she nearly died on a plane about to land in Sao Paulo. “I collapsed in the loo (not the most glamorous of locations, admittedly) and had to be hauled out by the air crew, not breathing. It totally disrupted breakfast service in First Class, as that was the only place there was room to lay me out on the floor. Then, when the inevitable call went out for a doctor, there were seventy-six on board, cardiologists flying home from a convention in Europe. My colleagues told me later the doctors were surrounding me, waving syringes in the air and arguing about whether I was having a heart attack or not!”

What have the Exeter Writers been up to this year?

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Every year, at about this time, we review the achievements of our merry band over the last twelve months. This year we decided to share it with you.

Chudleigh Literary Festival

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It's the time of year for festivals, and it's  Chudleigh LitFest  on Wednesday 5th July. All writers are welcome to join the morning workshop, there's an open mic opportunity over lunch and Exeter Writers, Angela Wooldridge and Margaret James are involved in the FREE networking session in the afternoon. Tweet

Hayley's Peruvian Challenge

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  Exeter writer, Hayley Jones, recently completed a trek to Machu Picchu to raise money and awareness for Amnesty International. Read about the challenges she faced in her own words...

Tiv Lit Fest

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Wondering what to do at TivLit Fest while waiting to see Su Bristow and Cathie Hartigan on the Female Author Panel ? Local author, Jenny Kane is joined by Alison Knight for a workshop on writing technique . Jenny and Alison run a range of workshops, don't miss this opportunity to see them in action! Tweet

Tiverton Literature Festival 2017: 22nd - 25th June

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There's lots going on at the  Tiverton Literature Festival from Thurs 22nd to Sunday 25th June .

1st Prize (2016/17) - Celluloid Job by Sharon Boyle

Celluloid Job  by Sharon Boyle Saturdays: the day dedicated to hangovers; the day for purging pores of beer dew. Ruined when I was forced to chaperone Mrs Dewhurst to the cinema and thereby curb my medicinal lie-ins. Saturdays had been sacrificed to make up for me losing Mother her job at the pharmacy. Long story. 

2nd Prize (2016/17) - Selling Fans in Haliville by Jason Jackson

Selling Fans in Haliville  by Jason Jackson I used to go door-to-door selling fans, ones that make a particular type of woman think she looks pretty when she’s wafting herself on days the air ain’t able to move of its own accord. This was years ago, and you wouldn’t make a living at that kind of work now. I was only just grown. Pale, birch-tall and skinny. Didn’t eat much. When you’re young, you can get by on fresh air and promises. 

Third Prize (2016/17) - Fences by Christopher Allen

Fences  by Christopher Allen Trace H al’s skull is round and friendly. It slopes to an improbably slight neck. Says this person will never hurt you, but it also says HIT ME. Hal was roughed up last year in the subway. As he lay unconscious on the crowded platform, the attacker took his money, his sunglasses, his shoes. Hal’s q uieter now in public. I know it’s so we don’t look like a gay couple. He’s new to New York; I was born here.

Devon Prize (2016/17) - Bye Bye Birdie by Orlando Murrin

Bye Bye Birdie  by Orlando Murrin If I’m really, really quiet, they won’t know I’m here. Maybe, if I stay here long enough, they’ll forget I existed. I’ll hold my breath and float away into oblivion – or whatever happens when you’re dead. 

Short Story Competition 2017: The Final Results!

Exeter Writers are delighted to announce the winners of our 2017 short story competition: 1st prize - Celluloid Job by Sharon Boyle from East Lothian. 2nd prize - Selling Fans in Haliville by Jason Jackson from Bristol. 3rd prize - Fences by Christopher Allen from Munich. Devon prize - Bye Bye Birdie by Orlando Mu rr in from Exeter.

Exeter Writers Short Story Competition 2017: Shortlist

We are delighted to announce the shortlisted entries for the 2017 short story competition (in no particular order):

Exeter Writers Short Story Competition 2017: Longlist Announced!

Thank you to everyone who entered this year's short story competition. We had hundreds of entries from around the world, so don't despair if you didn't make it this time. Maybe next year could be your turn? The longlisted stories are shown below. Authors names are not listed at this stage as we are still going through the judging process.

Cover reveal for The Girl in Red Velvet

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The latest novel by Margaret James; The Girl in Red Velvet is out on 25th April. Here's a peek at the gorgeous cover, and you can read more about it here . Margaret is published by Choc Lit, and recently co-hosted an event at Exeter Library along with some of her fellow choc lit authors, Victoria Cornwall, Linda Mitchelmore and Laura E James (pictured below) talking about their journeys to publication whilst editor Lusana Taylor gave local writers the opportunity to pitch their novels. Left to right; Margaret James, Victoria Cornwall, Linda Mitchelmore and Laura E James

Drama at Poltimore

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Congratulations to the Exeter University drama students!    For their final assessment in front of examiners, they took two stories from  the Exeter Writers anthology, The Coastal Zoo , and produced a clever, funny, and entertaining interpretation/improvisation. The two stories were;  Octopodi Stifado by Naomi Cohen and Making Connections by Cathie Hartigan.   The Exeter Writers were invited along and despite the freezing cold and grim venue, the wit and energy of the students warmed our hearts.  We hope they all do very well in their final assessment and wish them all the best in their future careers.  

The Secret of the RAMM

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  There’s always lots to do and see at Exeter’s RAMM, and from 2-4pm in their fantastic new shop on Sunday 19th March, Cathie Hartigan will be signing copies of her bestselling time-slip, Secret of the Song.  The modern day story is set in Exeter, and the museum is the source of inspiration for what happens in the story.  Do go along and say hello.   

Su Bristow on the Radio 2 Arts Show!

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Drop everything this Thursday night (9th March) because Su Bristow (our Su Bristow!) is being interviewed by Jonathan Ross on the Radio 2 Arts Show about her novel Sealskin. Well done Su! Sealskin is published by Orenda Books and was the first winner of the Exeter Novel Prize. UPDATE: (Friday 10th March). If you missed it, you can listen again on BBC Radio2 (it's about 1 hour 45 mins in). Meanwhile here a re a few pics from such an exciting week; Display window, Goldsboro Books, London Sealskin cake!! Our Su, with Wossy!!!    

The 2017 Exeter Writers Short Story Competition is closed.

Thank you to everyone who entered the competition this year.  The competition is now closed and we are busily reading through all the entries. Winners will be announced before the end of July, however keep an eye on the website as we will announce the longlist once that information becomes available.

Secret of the Song

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  Exeter Writer, Cathie Hartigan is thrilled to have been featured in Saturday's Western Morning News magazine supplement. Much of her novel, Secret of the Song, was inspired by Exeter’s heritage, and as a consequence the photo shoot took place in the Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM), and the Devon and Exeter Institution. All credit to Kilian aka The Smart Photographer. Secret of the Song is a page-turning time-slip mystery on special offer at 99p as a Kindle Deal for the next few days only. http://www. thesmartphotographer.com https://www.amazon.co.uk/ Secret-Song-Cathie-Hartigan- ebook/dp/B015HFU6Z6/ref=pd_ ecc_rvi_1 www. C reative W riting M atters.co. uk

Not long left!

Don't forget, there are only a few days left to enter the    Exeter Writers Short Story Competition  closing date   2 8 th February 201 7   First prize £500 Second prize £250 Third prize £100 Plus a prize for writers in Devon of £100 Click here for details!

Gorgito's Give-Away!

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Elizabeth Ducie is featured this week on the With Love For Books website, which has an interview and giveaway on her first novel, Gorgito's Ice Rink

Sealskin is out there today!

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The paperback went on sale this morning, and the audiobook as well. It's been a flying start, with so much support and fabulous reviews, not just from the bloggers on the tour, but others too, and a daily tweet-storm of good wishes. And there was an extra push when both Amazon and Kobo brought the ebook price down to 99p for Valentine's weekend. For three dizzying days, Sealskin got to number one in two categories, and became an official bestseller. In Mythology it got to number two, basking in the limelight focussed on Neil Gaiman's newly-released Norse Mythology, which will no doubt top the bill for weeks to come. I'm very happy with that! The blog tour continues until the end of the month, and the official London launch is on March 8th at Goldsboro Books, followed by the Exeter launch at the fourth Exeter Novel Prize awards ceremony on March 25th. I'll be there with Sealskin to show the six shortlisters what can happen. The longlist is up now on the Creativ

Short Story Competition

A reminder that the closing date for the   Exeter Writers Short Story Competition is 2 8 th February 201 7   First prize £500 Second prize £250 Third prize £100 Plus a prize for writers in Devon of £100   Click here for details!

Exeter Writers flood Writing Magazine!

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Ok, slight exaggeration, but congratulations to two of our Exeter Writers who are featured in Writing Magazine this month. N. Sian Southern was shortlisted in Writing Magazine's 'Tight Situation' story competition. And Elizabeth Ducie features in two articles. A press release about her novel, Counterfeit ! and the regular 'I wish I'd known' column.