Message from Peter Guttridge:
Dear Nina,
I feel dreadful; I was stuck in what turned out to be the major 30 mile tailback on the M5. It was horrible but I was so conscious how badly I was letting you all down. I have done critiques on each of the short
story entries and a little introductory blurb - I'll get those to you asap. The most frustrating thing was not having my phone on me. Let me figure out a way to make it up to WSWC...
With apologies
Peter
Day For Writers 2007
Even torrential downpours just as delegates arrived on the scene on July 21st couldn't put a damper on the twenty second conference hosted by the club. Nearly seventy delegates enjoyed an action packed day with workshops / tutorials run by Jan Henley (synopsis writing and characterisation), Stella Whitelaw (short story and biography writing genres) and Judy Yorke (non fiction writing). The proceedings were slightly marred by Peter Guttridge not turning up and everyone worrying what had happened to him (see his explanation above which arrived the day after!). As Peter was due to act as host and was also due to cover two tutorials on crime and comedy writing, some rejigging was required to ensure no one was left out. Our thanks go to Jan Henley who so valiantly stepped into Peter's shoes and saved the day!!
The midday slot was an interesting affair on research where a staff member from Worthing Library provided insight on how to use the library, while a member of Worthing Museum showed us how to use the museum for place study while tthe club's very own Sarah Palmer explained the intricacies of internet research.
The afternoon talk by Hazel Cushion, Managing Director of Accent Press; an award winning independent publishing company, gave everyone an insight what an agent is looking for to ensure one's precious manuscript doesn't end up on the slush pile, and City Books of Hove manned a very comprehensive book stall.
What with a delicious buffet lunch, morning & afternoon refreshments and competition results also being announced, the Day was once again a resounding success.
Day for Writers 2005
On 2 July 2005, the Club hosted its annual writing conference and the Day featured morning and afternoon tutorials by Stephen Booth (crime), Carole Matthews (romantic comedy), Susannah Waters (literary) and Jane Wenham-Jones (contemporary and short stories) as well as a talk by Lucie Whitehouse who is an agent with the Darley Anderson Agency. Local magistrates came along to present a mock sentencing exercise and the Club's patron, Simon Brett hosted a panel discussion with the authors present. Over one hundred people had a thoroughly enjoyable Day and left the event with a wealth of information and encouragement!