Hastings Writers’ Group
Our
group was established in 1947, so we can claim to be one of the
longest-running writers’ groups in
the country. Sixty-two years later we are still going strong. We meet
fortnightly at the White Rock Hotel, Hastings, on alternate Monday evenings, and
our programme of guest judges and speakers, competitions, manuscript evenings,
fun evenings and workshops aims to offer something for everyone who enjoys
writing.
Late patrons include the well-loved Catherine Cookson, who was a founder member, and David Gemmell, popular best-selling author of many heroic fantasy novels. Both of these have supported and encouraged the group over the years and neither will be forgotten.
Our current patron is Sussex-based author Tamara McKinley, best known for her Australian sagas, particularly Matilda's Last Waltz. Her latest books are the Oceania trilogy, two of which, Lands Beyond the Sea and Kingdoms of the Brave, were nominated for awards in Australia.
We have a number of successfully published authors amongst our members: Andy Oakes, who is credited with inventing the new genre ‘Chinese Noir’ with his books Dragon’s Eye (winner of the 2004 European Crime and Mystery Award) and Citizen One ; Monica Tracey, whose novel Unweaving the Thread was recommended on the Richard and Judy TV show; Kate O’Hearn, whose exciting children’s fantasy adventure Shadow of the Dragon – Part One – Kira won the 2009 1066 School Book Award, with Part 2: Elspeth published in May this year; and Richard Holdsworth, whose book Six Spoons of Sugar is an evacuee story with a difference.
Honorary member ‘Johnnie’ Johnson has a number of true crime and local history books to his credit as well as winning the NAWG most promising novel award for And Such Great Names As These written as Allen Makepeace.
Other members have been successful in national competitions or have had stories, articles, poems and letters published in national magazines.
We also have members who are still aspiring to publication and these enjoy the support and experience of the published members.
We are an active group – we have published seven issues of Strandline, our anthology of members’ work (two of which won national awards) and compiled Diamonds – A Collection of Childhood Memories, our charity anthology, to celebrate our Diamond anniversary in 2007.
Diamonds has raised £3000+ for charities helping children: Demelza House Children’s Hospice, RNIB Talking Books and Xpress Yourself magazine for children in care. Diamonds was also selected for RNIB Talking Book production and is now in their library where it can be enjoyed by visually-impaired people across the country. Additionally, we have sponsored Kate O’Hearn’s Shadow of the Dragon’ as an RNIB talking book.
We run the national Legend Writing Award short story competition, established by David Gemmell in 2001 and named after his first and favourite award-winning book Legend. This year, as well as the 2000 word max short story competition, we are introducing a new section for the growing in popularity genre of flash fiction and this is for a short, short story of 100 words exactly (excluding title). Closing date is 31st August and full details of prizes, entry fees etc are on our competition website: www.legendwritingaward.co.uk
For more details about our group visit www.hastingswriters.co.uk or e-mail hastingswritersgroup@googlemail.com