Make An eBook

One of Norwich Writers' Circle's online friends Michael Boxwell has recently published Make An eBook.

The book, aptly described as the complete handbook for creating, marketing and selling eBooks successfully, is available from here.

We whole-heartily recommend this book for all NWC members, and Blog readers, who are looking to sell their books online.

Street Hunt

As part of this year's Norfolk & Norwich Festival, the Street Hunt competition has been launched.

Street Hunt is a visual crossword puzzle, a treasure hunt where the riches are road names, a story emerging from the page, and your chance to win up to £10,000.00.

For more information please visit streethunt.co.uk.

Paeony Lewis Returns

Norwich Writer's Circle welcomed back Paeony Lewis tonight to adjudicate our In-House Competition Four.

Competition Four required Circle members to write the text for a Picture Book in no more than 500 words.

The successful children's author and tutor that she thoroughly enjoyed reading the 13 competition entries, relating them to her golden writing rules.

Paeony golden writing rules are that stories:

• feature writing that flows
• do not feature pedestrian language
• aimed at the correct audience
• must be child-friendly and centred
• include characters we care about
• have a clear story structure
• have an awareness of the illustrations
• include emotions expressed through actions
• feature clear language

The winners of the competition were:

1st
Only Joking
by Cathy Rushworth

2nd
The Big Surprise
by Mickie Dann

3rd
Rocky's Twango
by Maureen Nisbet

Commended
Listen, Can You Hear Me?
by Thelma MacFarlane

The meeting concluded, when a packed Sexton Room heard a variety of entertaining competition entries, including the winners. We were also then lucky enough to enjoy an interesting discussion with the visiting writer on the process involved in publishing a picture book.

We next meet on 17th May when we will be holding one of popular Manuscript Evenings. Please feel free to come along and join in.

Sell Out Success

Following its launch less than a fortnight ago, our latest Open Poetry Anthology's 1st edition has already sold out.

The book's 2nd edition is now available to buy via our main website. To purchase your copy of the anthology, please go here.

G'Day Sally

In addition to Phyllida Scrivens, who has been previously announced, you can also join Norwich Writers' Circle committee member Sally Newton this Saturday - 23rd April - at the first G'Day Book Festival.

The festival, which runs between 9.00am and 4.00pm, at St Gregory's Centre For The Arts on Pottergate will feature books signings, creative writing, readings and a human library.

To read more about this growing literary event please go here.

G'Day Phyllida

Join Norwich Writers' Circle member Phyllida Scrivens on 23rd April at St Gregory's Centre For The Arts in Pottergate, when she will be a stallholder at the G'Day Book Festival.

The festival, which runs between 9.00am and 4.00pm, features books signings, creative writing, readings and much more.

To read more about this new literary event please go here.

Review News

Congratulations to NWC member Sally Newton, whose debut novel The Mouthy Prince is gaining positive reviews online.

Since its publication last year, the adventure story which is available to buy in Jarrolds, as well as on Amazon, has proved to be very popular.

To read an excerpt of The Mouthy Prince please go here.

Sally's story is a Norwich Writers' Circle recommended read.

Tonight's The Night

Tonight is World Book Night.

As part of the celebrations BBC Two, from 7.30pm onwards, will be broadcasting a whole evening of book-related programmes.

Congratulations to Norwich Writers' Circle member Phyllida Scrivens, who is one of 20,000 passionate readers selected to distribute copies of their chosen book this evening.

Check out the official WBN website for more information.

G'Day

St Gregory's Centre For The Arts, in Pottergate, is holding a Book Festival on 23rd April - St George's Day - called G'Day.

The festival, which runs between 9.00am and 4.00pm, features books signings, creative writing, readings, story telling and even a human library.

To read more about this exciting literary event please go here.

New York Norwich

Our fine city was recently featured in The New York Times.

The favourable article which describes Norwich as a book-lover's paradise can be read by going here.

Paeony Lewis

Norwich Writer's Circle's 2010/11 programme continued tonight as we welcomed tutor and children's author Paeony Lewis to our popular writing group.

To a packed Sexton Room, full of new and familiar faces, Paeony discussed her writing career to date, along with holding a workshop on creating child characters.

During the workshop, everyone in the room collectively discussed the differences in children's attitudes in several age-groups including Under 5s, 7 to 9, and 11 to 13. We then had in fill a detailed character sheet for our fictional child.

Both the above exercises lead to several humorous responses, whilst Paeony pointed out to us what we were learning from completing each of them.

In addition to the above, the visiting author also launched our In-House Competition Four. This competition requires Writers' Circle members to write a Picture-Book Story Text of no longer than 500 words.

Paeony's recommendations for the competion were as follows:

• To think globally - many publishers seek with a worldwide audience, as it provides them with a good return.
• Do not have a cliched attitude towards children - each child is different, and to be very aware of this fact.
• Make the character stand out by being larger than life and 'in your face'.
• Be truthful in your tale.
• Give your story a happy ending.

On 1st February Lucy McCarraher will returning to the Circle once more, to judge our Novel Outline competition.

We hope to see you next time.

The Book Lovers

A Book Lovers Quiz is being held at The Norfolk & Norwich Millennium Library on Thursday 10th February.

The quiz, which will be taking place between 6.30pm and 8.00pm, and gives you the chance to win some book related prizes.

Tickets for this fun evening out are £5.00 per team, with a maximum of 5 people on each team.

For more information please call Sarah on 01603 774707, or collect your ticket from the library's Sound & Vision Desk.

The Mouthy Prince In Jarrolds

Following a recent successful author event, Sally Newton's well-recieved adventure story The Mouthy Prince is now available to buy in Jarrold's book department.

The book tells the tale of Caradoc, a trainee druid and the youngest son of the king, growing up in Celtic Britain. It is also the first part of a proposed trilogy featuring the central character.

For more information on the author and The Mouthy Prince, please visit sallynewtonsworld.com.

Faith In The Future

Today sees the publication of Faith King's autobiography.

The book, Today Not Tomorrow, written under the name Faith Lawrence, tells the life story of this interesting NWC member.

The new publication features tales of the theatre, alongside recollections of the author's time as an Edwardian beauty, plus her adventures in the Roaring Twenties, and much more.

To purchase the book, please go here.

Iron Age Adventure

This Thursday, 23rd September, Norwich Writers' Circle committee member Sally Newton will be holding an Author Event.

During the event, which takes place at the Norfolk & Norwich Millennium Library between 3.00pm and 7.00pm, Sally will be talking about her writing and research, as well as giving a talk on native plants used in early medicine.

In addition to the above, Sally will also be on hand to sign copies of her well-received adventure book The Mouthy Prince.

For more information, please call Sarah on 01603 774707 or visit sallynewtonsworld.com.