A Meeting of Minds

A Meeting of Minds, formerly known as The Writer's Forum, is an organisation dedicated to showcasing and assisting writers and authors in Staffordshire; their primary location is in Stoke on Trent. They a meeting every three months with guest speakers from the local area and an open discussion of topics affecting writers in stoke.

Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival

From their website:

"The Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, Harrogate is a not to be missed event. Let’s examine the evidence: George Pelecanos, Val McDermid, Laura Lippman: a roll call of cool. Hang on for your life as many of the biggest authors in crime fiction gather for Europe’s most gripping crime writing festival.

The scene is set: July 23rd 2009: the Crown Hotel. The days are hot, the nights sultry. You’re at the hotel bar, pint of Theakstons in one hand, a novel by your favourite crime writer in t’other. And stood next to you - Simon Kernick, Mark Billingham, Lee Child… Witness some of the finest ‘criminal minds’ knocking heads in a series of debates, seminars and on-stage interviews. And don’t miss the notorious late night crime quiz and prestigious award ceremony for the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year."
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The Keele Writing Shoestring Festival

Thursday 21st May sees a special event at Keele: The Keele Writing Shoestring Festival.

There are a number of afternoon events, culminating in the evening launch of this year's Keele Writing magazine, followed by a BBQ and After-Party. All events will take place in a marquee at the KPA Clubhouse, on campus.

The programe includes: Can You Write With A Gun To Your Head?; Pimms and a Pitcha -- a talk on Keele’s Creative Writing MA; Will Perform For Food -- an open-mic event open to all; Keele Writing 3 - The Launch.

More here.

Many thanks to Jeanette for providing this information.
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This is True

Every Saturday I receive via email a copy of This is True. This e-newsletter tells of the absurbities of life, such as the man who tried to sue his doctor because he survived his cancer longer than predicted. This is True is based in the USA but covers the daft things that we do from across the globe. Visit the website for further information (and some of the reports may give ideas for your own stories).

SToW meeting

Yesterday's Stoke-on-Writing meeting was fun ... and very useful. The formal part was covered promptly, which allowed us ample time for reading one's own work -- and receiving comments. Nick Corder turned up, and his insights were astute and constructive (they were for me!).

The next meeting is scheduled for Saturday 13 June at 10.00 a.m. at the Bentilee Neighbourhood Centre. If you've not been to this venue, it's on Dawlish Road (post code ST2 0EU.
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Crime: fact and fiction

I recently rediscovered the true crime magazines that I remember from my youth. The one I bought, Murder Most Foul, contains over a dozen crime reports, ranging from a couple of pages to a handful (I'm being precise, not!). If you are writing crime and mystery fiction, these articles may be offer ideas for stories: just steal the basic plot and develop your own narrative...

Crimefest 2009

And starting next week in Bristol: Crimefest 2009. The guests include Simon Brett and Michael Connelly. If you want to go, better get your skates on. Click here for details.
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The Hay Festival

Fast approaching, the Guardian Hay Festival takes place at the end of this month (from 21st May). As usual, there will be many, many events to get immersed in. For details, go here.
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Comics in Birmingham

If you want to write for the comics world -- or find out more about them -- perhaps a trip to Birmingham in October is in order. Over the weekend 3/4 October, the Millennium Point Thinktank hosts the British International Comics Show -- check out the BICS website for more details.
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Hodder Children's Books

If you want to see what books for teenagers and other children Hodder is publishing, check out the website.
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The Mystery Place

If you want to write about crime, what better place to start (on the web, anyrate) then at the Mystery Place. It is, in fact, the home of the Ellery Queen and the Alfred Hitchcock mystery magazines. But you'll also find submission guidelines and a readers' forum. Trouble with forums, is that you can spend too much time browsing them when you should be writing!
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What's it like to be a writer?

How does a writer plan his or her day? What routines are followed? Pop over to Daily Routines to find out. The site also includes the daily routines for lots of other professions and people -- which may be useful if your writing includes such folk.