More News from the Talented Brit Writers!

Sinead Gillespie ~ Brit Writers’ Awards Publishing Programme Group 1 ~ is holding her second Scriptwriting workshop in Bridgewater. Sinead tells us a little about it below:

Thanks to the previous success writing and performing my one-woman show (From Within), I was asked to run a couple of Scriptwriting workshops at the oldest (as in first) UK Arts Centre in Bridgwater, Somerset.  Called “From Page to Stage”, the project is linked with an autumn event in conjunction with another centre at Taunton: a scratch night. A scratch night is where actors take scenes of brand new writing to the stage so the writer and audience can see how well it works in action. It’s very exciting for new writers to see their words come to life. I have been through the process as both actor and writer so I am very pleased to be involved in a different role this time; inspiring new playwrights to develop their work.

The first workshop was so much fun the participants requested an extra date. So this Saturday at 10.30am we will be doing a session on Character. Our final session, the scratch night, will be on July 9^th when we’ll be working on Plot. It gives me a real buzz to be able to share creative journeys with other writers. It is always a two-way street (as those of us on the BWA publishing Programme have learned from one another). We all educate one another in our different approaches, methods, and motivation.

I’m really looking forward to the next two sessions, and I suspect the actor in me may just have to get involved in the scratch night too!

Claire Kinton ~ Publishing Programme Group 1 ~ has been getting herself in the Lincolnite News! 

Claire Kinton bumps Lincoln’s literary talent

Creative writing: Claire Kinton, a local author of popular teenage novel Dead Game, is encouraging her teenage readership to get involved.

Georgina Kamsika ~ Publishing Programme Group 1 ~ has a short story up at Romance Flash in time for their one year anniversary: Acceptable Suitors at www.romanceflash.com

Georgina Kamsika delivers again with another wonderful romantic flash fiction piece!

Michael Oren ~ Brit Writers’ Awards Publishing Programme Group 2 ~ has his book THE DALLAS MERCENARY (on general release July 2011) out now on Kindle! 

A little bit about the author, by the author: First and foremost, I am a writer. Then I'm a novelist, journalist, commentator, poet, entertainer, a Londoner and an African in no particular order. I strive to write quality works of fiction, most of which transcend genre. I try to inform and educate whenever I can, but my main aim in writing fiction is to entertain, keep my readers tearing through the pages.

You can find out more about Michael and read extracts from The Dallas Mercenary here: Michael E. Oren. While you’re there, take a look at the blurb for Michael’s upcoming book Dudlham Sings, which promises to be equally as thrilling as Michael’s first book. 

NOW ON KINDLE. Paperback version available for pre-order

The Dallas Mercenary

www.amazon.co.uk

At the initial signs of some skirmishes over the disputed elections in Kenya, a young English woman sets off to save her 12-year old friend from a possible threat of civil war. The trip turns into a long journey through the underbelly of the Third World that will leave her questioning whether these people ever really had peace in the first place.

WELL DONE GUYS!  Brilliant stuff.  BWA participants forging a path forward.

Goodreads Review - A HEARTBEAT AWAY written by Michael Palmer

A Heartbeat Away by Michael Palmer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I’ve just read reviews from both ends of the critical spectrum. I have to say I lean toward the most favourable. I, too, thought the premise was simple and brilliant. Scarily believable: The release by terrorists of a bio-weapon originally home-grown by order of the president. This is where I detract from the opinion of the more critical reviewer. OK, I’m a UK reader, so perhaps less informed on the inner workings of US politics, but, to me, the President seemed very convincing. I could picture him, so he must have been. I did wonder a couple of times where Griff found his physical strength from – given his incarceration – but then I remembered what was at stake… and human beings can tap on extraordinary resources when faced with… well, the annihilation of the population of the US? The world? Disaster anyway. I liked that I didn’t question Michael’s (necessary) scientific descriptions. (A big plus. If it bores me or blinds me with science, I can’t read it, and this didn’t). Hands up, I admit I love dogs, totally. I foster disabled dogs, so there you go. Griff’s reasons for not wanting to go the animal testing route were very touching – without being soppy, and believable. Overall, I loved A Heartbeat Away. It has stayed with me, beckoning me to write this review. This is the fist Michael Palmer book I’ve read and I’m a fan. A Heartbeat Away



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BWA PARTICIPANTS - BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS!

I can’t keep up with the Brit Writers’ Awards Publishing Programme participants’ achievements.  There is no stopping these people.  They’re not knocking on doors anymore.  They are breaking them down!

With huge congratulations to the authors, I’ve summarised briefly below:

First off: David Logan, an author on the BWA two year Publishing Programme, has won the Terry Pratchett debut writers’ award for his darkly atmospheric book, Half Sick of Shadows!  David was chosen as joint winner for the inaugural Anywhere But Here, Anywhen But Now prize: £20,000 to split with Michael Logan (no relation) and a publishing contract with Transworld Publishers.  Excellent!
Terry Pratchett reveals winners of his debut writers' award | Books | guardian.co.uk

Claire Kinton – on the one year BWA Publishing Programme - has earned a fabulous review in The Guardian UK for DEAD GAME, a mystical, compelling story of Lance Corporal Archie Fletcher’s journey through transit.  Well done, Claire!

 

Dead Game by Claire Kinton - review | Children's books | guardian.co.uk

Ruth Heald was invitedto give a talk at the first ever Bangkok Literary festival, organised by the Neilson Hays library, where she spoke about the challenges and the opportunities presented by the new publishing landscape.  I know Ruth was nervous, rubbing shoulders with other high calibre speakers – including Ken Hom, Stephen Leather and Christopher G Moore, but apparently the audience was extremely receptive and her talk went down very well. The bottle of wine Ruth received by way of thanks was most appreciated.  Great stuff, Ruth!  Back at her desk and hard at it, Ruth has now launched launched the Five Stop Story latest short story competition. 

Five Stop Story - Writers - 2011 Short Story Competitions

We’re pleased to announce Five Stop Story’s third short story competition. The theme is “travel” and we’re looking for publishable, proof-read stories of 1,500 to 2,500 words.

Eiry Rees Thomas, author of THE FLITWIT CAPERS, was invited along to Palmerston Primary school to participate with the children in Flitwit Friday, an inspired idea to bring fun into learning.  Eiry says, “The children were absolutely brilliant.  I owe them and their teachers so much. Matthew, my illustrator, and I were presented with a magnificent show, DVD, professional calender, giant portfolio of the children's work, a superb tea and friendship pebbles etc.” 

Eiry was joined by her husband, who dressed up for the day (and who apparently can't recall ever having such a fun day during his long teaching career).  To Eiry's surprise, fellow authors Spencer Ratcliff and Bel Roberts also turned up to lend their support, along with Zareen Roohi Ahmed from the Brit Writers’ Awards.  Looks like Flitwit Friday might be here to stay!

Hopefully, I’ll bring you news of other participants exciting adventures next time, including a bit about Sinead Gillespie’s Saturday morning scriptwriting workshops.   

As for myself, I’ve just been offered a contract by Safkhet Publishing for a rom com with a very Unique Selling Point.  Preen. Preen. 

Safkhet Publishing LLP

Safkhet started as a company providing text work to other publishers. It evolved into a publishing house that is truly honest with its authors, freelancers and business partners to create a fantastic work environment bringing high quality books that make a difference to the world.

FANTASTIC RESULTS!  BWA AUTHORS BE PROUD! 

A quick update...

...on the progress of one or two of the Brit Writers’ Awards Publishing Programme participants, which I’m sure they won’t mind me sharing. 

For information, the May 2011 edition of Write Now! Magazine is out, packed with information for new and unpublished writers, and starring our very own Claire Kinton, BWA Publishing Programme author, who visited Parkdale Primary School in Nottingham.  Claire, author of DEAD GAME, was there to give a talk on writing and being an author following a week of creative writing activities undertaken by the children as part of the BWA Creative Writing Programme. 

Claire was joined by Imran Akram, Brit Writers CEO, and Susanne Murray, Nottinghamshire schools supplier TTS Group, who are on board as local Schools Territory Partner, effectively sponsoring every school in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire to benefit from free membership of the BWA Creative Writing Programme. 

This is one of many  talks Claire is giving in hopes of inspiring children to put pen to paper and express their ideas.  From feedback, it is clear that she is indeed an inspiration.  Well done, Claire!

Another BWA Publishing Programme participant, Eiry Rees Thomas, author of THE FLITWIT CAPERS - a humorous series of books for early readers/transition books category, is also out and about visiting schools. Eiry’s stories feature fictional characters named THE FLITWITS and Eiry – together with her illustrator, staff and pupils at the school - will be dressing up as the characters – making learning and reading huge fun for the children. Another inspiring idea.  Congrats on that, Eiry!  Also on getting Imran Akram, Brit Writers CEO, to participate.  We look forward to photographs.  

Ruth Heald, author of the novel "27", which was selected by the second BWA programme, also runs short story competitions Five Stop Story - Writers - 2011 Short Story Competitions which is featured on the back page of Write Now! Ruth has been asked to speak at the Bangkok Literature festival!  Great Stuff! 

All in all an industrious group of writers. 

As for moi… Well, I have an author-friendly publisher interested in some of my rom com stories. Yay!  I’m really pleased about this.  Not least because without the support of the BWA – along with that of my lovely fellow authors on the BWA Publishing Programme, I might not have had the confidence to just go for it and submit.  Thanks guys!

Safkhet Publishing LLP

Safkhet started as a company providing text work to other publishers. It evolved into a publishing house that is truly honest with its authors, freelancers and business partners to create a fantastic work environment bringing high quality books that make a difference to the world.

Right, I’m off to write another chapter on the follow up to my soon to be published book, FIVE SHALLOW BREATHS.  The new book is called STRANGE DARK PLACES, the outline for which has been co-written with my son.  I hate to admit it, but his idea is awesome!  Far better than mine.

More to follow on other participants... as soon as I can catch up with them.

Happy writing all!

So thrilled to be here.

Post edits, my blurb, synopsis and chapters are now back in the hands of the Brit Writers’ Awards and soon to be in front of the eyes of publishers.  Along with other members of the Brit Writers’ Awards Publishing Programme (a fabulous group of mutually supportive authors), I await feedback with mixed feelings: euphoria, excitement and trepidation.  The trepidation bit is part and parcel of being a writer, as anyone who has written and submitted will know.  The euphoria comes from massively improving my thriller through simple, concise edits.  The excitement…  Well, wouldn’t you be a tad excited to have got to this stage?

Watch this space for updates.  Meanwhile, here is my take on another thrilling read, or rather, re-read.  A good book is like a good film.  You see so much more of the genius in the detail second time around.

The Ladykiller by Martina Cole

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


As THE TIMES said, “Martina Cole pulls no punches, writes as she sees it, refuses to patronise or condescend to either her characters or fans”. And that sums or Martina’s writing for me. If you want powerful writing that explores the underbelly of society, that packs a punch and examines characters so thoroughly you come to know them yourself intimately, fall in love with them (despite flaws—Patrick Kelly) or hate them, but most of all understand them, read Marina Cole. I read this for a second time and would easily read it again. Brilliant writing. Narrative and dialogue faultless. The Ladykiller



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So, tell me a little about yourself...

Er?  Umm?  What do you say when someone—an agent!?  A publisher!?—asks you the mind-stultifying question, “Tell me a little bit about yourself?”  In my shoes, you gabble.  You flush down to your décolleté and search manically for your Unique Selling Point.  Any selling point would do.  Your page, however, is suddenly blank, where only yesterday, whilst creating your latest masterpiece—complete with absolute Unique Selling Point—words were tripping over themselves in an effort to get out. 

As a writer, you have to wear so many hats, juggle so many balls.  Even without on-line promo and social networking, which for the less computer savvy (moi) is brain-addling in itself, you can bet your life when a writer says they divide their time between writing and full-time harassed mum, or dad, they are probably wearing a few more hats than that.  Maybe they are zombie-like writers by night and a full time/part time working parent by day, often to be seen dashing back to the car to collect the baby they forgot they’d got because baby did the incomprehensible and fell asleep.     

But here’s the thing, those same people are also very likely to have other demands on their time.  A special child perhaps, who might need a little bit more of that precious commodity, time?  An angst-stressed teenager or two...or three!?  An ageing parent…or two?  Which brings me back to my previous blog:

Everbody Hurts...Sometimes, the overriding theme there being “be kind to people”, particularly on Internet forums, because you only ever get a snapshot of that person and can’t possibly know what might be going on in their lives.  It could all be roses, of course, but let’s face it, life often isn’t—for most people…sometimes.   

So who am I?  OK, I’m a mother who has someone special in her life, requiring that bit more time.  I'm a partner in a financial services business, ergo responsible for everything from data protection, consumer crediting, client fact-finding, computer inputting to who does the dusting.  I have an art degree, which allowed me the privilege of teaching art to down’s children previously.  I’m currently a critique partner on a school’s learning project.  I nursed a parent through early Alzheimers, where NHS care was non-existent; a gentle, intelligent woman who carried herself with quiet dignity, until that awful disease stripped it away.  Ah, yes, and I foster disadvantaged dogs, ancient, blind and decrepit…but completely loveable…from the local rescue centre.  Phew.  As life skills go, not completely talentless then.

Oh, I’m also a writer, the frustrations of which have been known to turn me from a reasonably nice person ;) into a demented Mrs Hyde. 

That’s me then.  An all-rounder, proud Brit Writers' Awards Publishing Programme participant, currently—calmly—awaiting her edits. J

Whilst waiting, I thought I’d bring you news re one or two other people involved with the Brit Writers’ Awards.

CLAIRE KINTON – Britwriters’ Awards Publishing Programme Participant

In Claire’s own words:  “I will be signing copies of DEAD GAME at WH SMITHS in Lincoln on 16th April 2011 - 12 noon until 3pm. SSAFA Forces Help will be there with me. If you are free please do come & support us & buy a signed copy of DEAD GAME. Please spread the word. With all my best wishes Claire”.

CATHERINE COOPER – Winner of the Brit Writers’ Awards in July 2010. 

GOLDEN ACORN’S IN HOLLYWOOD!

Infinite Ideas, publisher of The Golden Acorn, Catherine Cooper’s prize-winning novel for 8 to 12 year olds, has optioned motion picture rights to Los Angeles based Delve Films Inc.

  

VERY BEST OF LUCK TO YOU BOTH!

Goodreads Review - DEAD GAME written by Claire Kinton

Dead Game by Claire Kinton

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I started to read the Author’s Note to DEAD GAME by Claire Kinton and it had me intrigued. But what about the book, I thought. I flicked to the first chapter and I was hooked, immediately. Read it. Take a peek on Amazon look inside the book. Get a copy. READ IT. If you don’t think fantasy is for you, think again. This is fairytale fantasy for adults, for younger adults, for men and women, girls and boys, alike. OK, so what do we have? We have young Lance Corporal Archie Fletcher’s stricken plane plummeting into the sea. And it’s terrible, awful, because we love Archie’s lust for life, his humour, his individuality, before we’ve even reached a pause in the first chapter. We want, NEED, to know what happens to him. Claire Kinton takes us on his journey, a fantasy of what comes next that is utterly absorbing and, all-importantly, believable. Throughout the story, Claire—with literary magic—weaves Archie’s current transitional state of being with his real-life past, showing us who he is, where he came from, his reality, his family. Giving us a glimpse of the boy that grew into a man, whose sense of adventure bound him for the services; who then tragically became a casualty of war. Claire shows us Archie’s future. You live it. DEAD GAME is beautifully written, mystical…pure magic. A MUST read. As an adult, when you’ve turned the last page and know it to be true, pass it on to your son or daughter (better still buy it for them! Claire supports SSAFA Forces Help and Help For Heroes and a donation from every book sold goes to both Charities). I have. I guarantee they won’t be disappointed.

For more information on Claire and her own journey with the Brit Writers’ Awards, check out: http://www.clairekinton.com/





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