New Books from Five Leaves

Five Leaves – Nottingham’s independent press – has ended the year with a rash of books – two more in their Crime Express series and two full length crime novels. One of the latter – The Good Son – has become a Scottish best seller, with 1100 copies sold in the first three weeks of publication, 600+ from Dundee Waterstones. The press has published the Nottingham writer David Belbin’s The Pretender, a literary thriller, David Belbin’s first book an adult market. The book is a must for anyone interested in the little magazine scene as the mythical “Little Review” is saved from extinction. Rod Madocks “No Way to Say Goodbye” is a also by a Nottingham writer. His first novel is a very dark book set partly in a secure hospital in the Midlands, where the narrator tries to find a solution to the mystery of his disappeared presumed murdered ex-partner. Madocks is not writing within the crime genre, but crimes certainly take place in the book.
www.fiveleaves.co.uk

Grace Dieu Writers Circle 2009 Competition

Leicestershire based Grace Dieu Writers’ Circle are running two writing competitions, one for short stories on any subject up to 2,000 words; and the other for poems on any subject up to 40 lines. The closing date for both competitions is 28th February 2009.

http://www.gracedieuwriterscircle.co.uk/

Northampton Open Poetry Contest 2009

There are two categories: Free Verse (Category A) and Rhyming Poetry (Category B) each with prizes of £150, £50 and £25 and highly commended £10. Judge: Alison Chisholm. Closing date is May 30th 2009. Entry Forms can be downloaded from the NLG Website www.northamptonliteraturegroup.org.uk or send s.a.e to Pat Archer, 7 Cattle Hill, Great Billing, Northampton, NN3 9DU or email tricia.archer@tiscali.co.uk

Time Travel Opportunists X-Mas Party

20th December, 8pm
Big Blue Coffee House, Sadler Gate, Derby.
Join the TTOs and friends for a laid back evening of Spoken Word and Music to celebrate the season and their amazing year.
Info: catherine.rogers@derby.gov.uk

Lowdham Book Festival Winter Weekend

23-25th January 2009
Lowdham Village, Nottinghamshire
Lowdham Festivals’ winter weekend this year takes the theme of biography. Events and speakers include the ‘Bard of Barnsley’ Ian McMillan, Brian Clough and Notinghamshire author Alan Sillitoe, among many others and a specila appearance from Paddington Bear. For more information see the Lowdham Festival website:
www.lowdhambookfestival.co.uk

Poetry Writing with Cathy Grindrod

Led by experienced poet, and former Derbyshire Laureate Cathy Grindrod, this course is for anyone who would like to try writing poetry or sharpen the skills they already have. Practical excercises and advice, plenty of discussion and feedback on work plus a close look at poems by contemporary poets. The course is held on Monday evenings from 7-9pm in the Baptist Church rooms, Coldwell Street, Wirksworth. Starting Monday 12th January for 10 weeks. For further details and to enrol contact Jane Irwing, WEA Branch Secretary on 01629 825010 or e-mail janeirwing@tiscali.com

Nottinghamshire National Year of Reading

Celebrations drew to a close with four “Readers Days” during the last month. All achieved full houses – in Nottingham (with Nottingham Libraries) and Retford as well as specialist events for visually impaired readers in Kirkby and crime fiction readers in Mansfield. The County also employed its first “Storyteller in Residence” and gave out a free pamphlet “Something to read on the train” to communters. The Library service is now gearing up to a “Love Reading” week (7-14 February) which will include many author events, “stunts” and Southwell Library opening all night with a programme of events.
For further information: ross.bradshaw@nottscc.gov.uk

Do you have an opinion on literature?

The Literature Network connects writers and the literature community across the East Midlands. To this end we are looking for writers who have something to say about literature to contribute to a new online blogging project we are launching in the new year. We are also seeking reviews and creative writing.

Bloggers – What is the future of the library? How does spoken word differ from page poetry? Why does literature make a difference to peoples lives? Who is the greatest East Midlands writer? If you have an opinion on these or any other question about literature then we would like to hear from you. If you are a writer, editor, producer, workshop leader, librarian or any other person working with literature we want to give you a space to share your experiences with others.

Reviewers – We are seeking reviewers to write short pieces on new novels and poetry collections, and to attend live literature events in and around the region.

Creative Writing – We will be showcasing short stories, poetry and extracts from published works of writers based in East Midlands in the near future. Full details on submissions guidelines will be available soon.

If you are interested in any of the above please e-mail for further information:
damien@charnwood-arts.org.uk