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. Former patrons include the well-loved Catherine Cookson, who was a founder member and our patron for many years, and David Gemmell, best-selling author of heroic fantasy. Our current patron is author Tamara McKinley, best known for her Australian sagas, particularly Matilda's Last Waltz.
We are a friendly crowd with wide-ranging interests, some of us published and some still aspiring to be. Meetings are held fortnightly at Alexander's, Masonic Hall, East Ascent, St Leonards-on-Sea, on Monday evenings from 7.30-9.30 pm. Our programme includes manuscript evenings, where members can read out extracts of their work for constructive criticism, guest speakers, workshops, and internal competitions with feedback from external judges. We have a 'Writer of the Year' award, presented to the member gaining the highest overall points from five varied competitions. Additionally, we hold a separate members' short story competition for the Catherine Cookson Cup. Prospective new members are very welcome to visit and try us out before deciding whether to join. We aim to have something for everyone.
We run an annual national short story competition (open-theme, 2000 words max)
the Legend Writing Award, set up in 2001 by
our then patron, David Gemmell, and named after his first, award-winning
and favourite book, Legend. Widely regarded as
prestigious, the competition particularly aims to encourage new writers in the
UK. Closing date is 31st August and entry fee £7 for first entry, then £5 for
any subsequent entries. Prizes for 2008 are 1st £500, 2nd £250, 3rd £100 plus 3
runners-up x £50. This year, after repeated requests, we are also offering an
optional critique service on entries at a charge of £5 per story. Full rules and
entry forms available on our competition website: www.legendwritingaward.com or
by post on request from LWA, 39 Emmanuel Road, Hastings, TN34 3LB (e-mail:
legendwritingaward@yahoo.co.uk
).
Some
of us with the NAWG Denise Robertson Trophy (2005)
Our latest publications include:
 |
Strandline Volume 7 - an anthology of members' work including fiction, non-fiction and poetry and including the six winning entries from the Legend 2006 competition (£7.50 post free) |
|
Ten of the Best – the ten winning Legend 2007 stories with comments and guidelines (available May 2008) (£4.00 post free) |
|
Diamonds, A Collection of Childhood Memories, our charity anthology, produced to mark our Diamond Anniversary last year and containing memories from senior citizens down to a seven-year-old. (£6.50 post free although £1 optional donation towards post and packing means more for the charities: Demelza House Children’s Hospice, RNIB Talking Books and Xpress Advocacy Service working with children in care). |
These are all available from Hastings Writers’ Group, 39 Emmanuel Road, Hastings TN34 3LB and further details are also included in the Publications section of our website.
For any further details about the activities and membership of the group please see our website www.hastingswriters.co.uk or e-mail: hastingswritersgroup@googlemail.com