Contact us

Happy New Year. We are starting 2012 at a new, trial venue. For further details, please ring Jill on the number in our previous post, as we do not have a permanent address at present. As soon as we have one we will post it here. In the meantime, get writing! We look forward to hearing from you and exchanging ideas and work.

September 2011

Our blog has been neglected this year but in the real world, we've been active. The highlight of the year was a visit from Jean Binta Breeze during the Oyster Festival. Outstanding work was done by Cassie, who ran an oversubscribed workshop for children at the Horsebridge and is now continuing with workshops for kids on a regular basis. Our numbers have gone down but quality has been maintained. So, for the moment, we have a few spaces for women writers who would like to join us.

We meet at 8pm on the first Monday of the month (but check before turning up in case of any unforeseen change of plan), at Argyle Road Church Hall.

Ring 01227 771126 for further information.

August 8th Canterbury Event

Whitstable Women Writers’ Press Release 25/7/10

Well-established local group, Whitstable Women Writers, hosts ‘Canterbury Tells,’ the Canterbury Literature Laureate Scheme’s bi-monthly showcase, on Sunday 8 August, 6.30 pm, at The Jolly Sailor, 75 Northgate, Canterbury.

Members of the group, several of whom who have been short-listed for the Canterbury Festival Poet of the Year poetry booklet and the Margate 2010 poetry competition, and had work accepted for publication, will be reading. There will also be an open mic session accessible to all. All are welcome and admission is free.

The evening of poetry and short fiction readings will also feature a special guest, prize-winning novelist, poet, and dramatist, Caroline Gilfillan. Winner of the 2000 North West Poetry competition, Norfolk-based Caroline has published two poetry collections, ‘Drowned in Overspill’ and ‘Yes.’ In 2007/2008 she was a winner of Channel 4’s The Radio Play’s the Thing competition and she’s won several national short story competitions, with her poems and short stories appearing recently in The London Magazine, Poetry News and Mslexia. In 2007 she was awarded an Arts Council grant to develop her forthcoming novel, ‘Petal,’ set in the Second World War, before going on to win the 2008 Jarrolds Prize for the best poem in the Norwich Cafewriters competition and first prize in the 2009 Fakenham Open Poetry Competition. Also a singer-songwriter, Caroline played drums in feminist rock bands in a former life.

Whitstable Women Writers meet monthly to offer encouragement, ideas and information and support members’ creative development, performance and publishing projects. New members are welcome - info from 01227 771126

May 10th meeting and reminders

On Monday evening we started a great meeting with Fiona reading the brilliant poem for which she has been shortlisted for the Margate Poetry Prize - congratulations! The homework on 'Dimension' produced a variety of takes on the subject - ranging from teenagers arguing over who saw a film in 4D (Diane), to the perspective of Google Man as he ranges over the face of the Earth reviving memories of former homes (Amanda O'), a row over food, uptightness and class (Fiona) and an elegant aunt with dementia whose mind had wandered into another dimension (Lesley), while Kerry produced a fresh slice of her novel which fitted neatly into the category of 'dimension' as two departed souls watch in consternation as their niece pays over the odds to a medium who botches the job of contacting them.

Our writing exercise on the night was to produce a piece based on a metaphor representing our relationship with our own writing, so there were references to swimming, climbing, a beloved dog, and to manufacturing a perfect spliff.

The homework for next time - Monday 7th June - is The Neurotic Therapist. Don't ask!

Any lovers of the great outdoors?

Check out this event nr Lewes , link

http://sussexhouseparty.ning.com/events/summer-camp-writers-retreat

Kitchen Table Collaboration w/shop and Write that Novel sound especially interesting. Let us know soon if you want to go.

Finally, a couple of reminders:

East Kent Live Lit presents Tongue Tide: an evening of performances and readings

with Canterbury Laureate PATIENCE AGBABI - Not to be missed - and award-winning local poet MAGGGIE HARRIS and others.

Saturday 22nd May - doors 7.00pm, start 7.30pm, £8/£6

The Horsebridge Arts Centre,

Whitstable,

Box Office 01227 281174

An event supported by Apples and Snakes.

Some of WWW are going along so do join us if you fancy it! See you there!

August: Saturday the 7th is our Creative Writing Workshop with Caroline Gilfillan - contact Fiona to book a place.

WWW reading event in Canterbury with Caroline on Sunday the 8th August will be open for all members who'd like to read or perform pieces - and anyone who doesn't is welcome to come along, bring friends and enjoy the evening! We could have a chat in the next couple of months to see who's interested.

May's Whitstable Women Writers' meeting will be on the second Monday of the month, the 10th, as the first Monday is a Bank Holiday. The 'homework' exercise topic is 'Another Dimension' - or, bring along a piece of writing in progress for feedback. 8pm, Argyle Road Church Hall~ for more information, please phone 01227 771126

Roll Up, Roll Up, Margate 2010

The harbour arm beckons us with a chorus line of lights. A rainbow flag unfurls from a crane. Now let the show begin!

Candy pink limo stretches round sweeping sands. Clubbers who carry a condom jump the queue while a barman juggles sunrise sling and sheets.

From the wings fly para gliders in to a sky of shimmering light Turner may have stroked. Kite surfers spin glimpsing the whites of the wind farm.

Christians raise their voices in the heat of the afternoon and their amen harmonises with a horny saxophone playing with the people sipping chilled wine in the square.

A seashell lady gives you the nod when a fresh batch of fish is frying or tea is being served at the Walpole Bay Hotel on the geranium terrace at the top of the hill.

Backstage in the old town, local artists hum. Staining glass moulding clay wiring wrapping wreaths bouquets.

Beyond sandcastles she’s preparing to unveil her house of installations and oils hoping high speeding trains will then draw art lovers and the curious.

Curtains now on a flood of gold, streaky pinks, the old hugging couple on a bench. He whispers in Polish of her beautiful eyes and they let the next bus go by.

Fiona Thomson

31 March 2010

SPRING 2010

Forthcoming events:

Saturday 10 April ~ Open Day at the Horsebridge Center: information and writing fun ~ ideal for potential members to find out about WWW

Sunday 18 April ~ 12 to 5 at the Horsebridge. Workshopping longer pieces: an opportunity for those writing novels, poetry or short story collections, TV scripts etc to share in-depth feedback. £5 approx

Saturday 7 August ~ a creative writing workshop with guest tutor Caroline Gilfillan http://www.carolinegilfillan.co.uk

Sunday 8 August ~ WWW event in Canterbury featuring group members, guest reader Caroline Gilfillan and open mic slots.

watch this space for more event details!

Our regular meetings continue on the first Monday of the month, 8pm at Argyle Road church hall. (2nd Monday April due to bank hol)

New members always welcome ~ phone 01227 771126 for more info

‘Dreamboat,’ a first novel by WWW member Frankie Green, (ISBN978-1-4452-9806-1) is published this month. Contact dreamboat@meteorites.plus.com http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/dreamboat/6520991