Thursday

Self-Publish Your Writing- a talk by Steven Dunne

14th September 2011 19:00
Bestselling author Steven Dunne http://www.the-reaper.com/ will talk about self-publishing followed by a question and answer session. Covering the advantages of self-publishing and traditional routes to publication, Steven will talk about finance, finding the right publisher and the design of your product. He will also cover retail and promotion.
Steven Dunne graduated from Kent University in 1979 and did a variety of jobs in London, including Public Relations Consultant, freelance Journalist and supply teacher. He taught English for eight years in Croydon and moved to Derby in 1996. In 2007, he self-published Reaper, about a serial killer who strikes in Derby. It sold over 1000 copies in the East Midlands and in 2008, Harper Collins bought the rights and The Reaper was released nationally in 2009. A sequel, The Disciple, was released in August 2010. Steven has since signed a publishing deal at Headline to release his next DI Brook novel Deity, which is scheduled for release in 2012.
Venue: Central Library, The Wardwick, Derby DE1 1HS
Cost: £5, booking essential
Book at any Derby City library or for more information telephone 01332 641701 or 01332 641727 or email central.library@derby.gov.uk

Sunday

Festival Of Romance

This festival has a lot to offer for those who are not yet commercially published, including:
  • A writing workshop by Sue Moorcroft
  • New Talent Award - for the opening chapter of a romantic novel of any type. The judges are Donna Condon, senior commissioning editor at Piatkus, and Jane Judd literary agent.
  • Aspiring authors clinic
  • The chance to meet publishers including Mills and Boon editors, Choc Lit, Xcite Books and Total-E-Bound
Day tickets are £55 including a 2 course lunch.
 
The full programme is on their website: www.festivalofromance.co.uk
 
Self-published authors wishing to sell their books at the Festival may do so, you need to supply copies to the Festival bookshop.
 
Join their online community at www.festivalofromanceonline.ning.com

New Writers UK - Book Festival VII

Friday

Book Announcement Press Release

The 2nd to the 5th of September  is the 345th anniversary of the Great Fire of London of 1666. A midland GP and author, interested by the subject, has written a novel set during it. A paperback edition of  the historical fantasy novel, The Last Seal has just been published this summer along with a Kindle version. Aimed at fantasy fans and those who enjoy historical novels, The Last Seal recreates this great event but adds a fantasy twist. When researching the subject, the author found that this was a period of  widespread paranoia about foreign plots and conspiracies, and a time when people believed in witchcraft, omens, magic and superstition. All of that suggested a story where the fire was not just an accident. Denning's novel involves secret societies and a supernatural explanation behind the fire.

Richard Denning (44) was born in Ilkeston in Derbyshire and lives in Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands where he works as a General Practitioner with a North Birmingham practice.  He is also a Young adult sci-fi, historical fiction and historical fantasy writer. The Great Fire of London has fascinated Richard for many years. In the last year he has published a board game based around the Great Fire as well as a historical fantasy set during it.



The Last Seal: http://www.richarddenning.co.uk/thelastseal.html  Published by Mercia Books
The Great Fire of London Board Game http://www.medusagames.co.uk/

SYNOPSIS

September 1666: a struggle between two secret societies threatens to destroy London. Three hundred years previously the Praesidum defeated and incarcerated a demon beneath the city. Now the Liberati aim to release it and gain its power for themselves. Meanwhile agents of the King are seeking four suspected foreign spies who are, in reality, disparate and unlikely heroes: GABRIEL, the sole remaining member of the Praesidum, crippled by his fear of failure; FREYA, a young thief orphaned by the Great Plague, driven by poverty and self-interest; TOBIAS, a cynical physician, obsessed by his desire for vengeance against the Liberati cavalier who killed his father, and finally and most vitally, BEN, a Westminster schoolboy, whose guilt over his parents’ death threatens to destroy him. Thrown together by chance when Ben finds an ancient scroll revealing the location of arcane seals that bind the demon beneath London, the story launches into a battle between the Liberati and Praesidium, a battle which takes place within the Great Fire of London. These four must overcome their personal problems and work together if they are to foil the plans of the Liberati, protect the city and gain the means to defeat the demon.

Reviews


“A diamond of a compulsive read” 
Helen Hollick, Author of Sea Witch

“At times, I literally couldn’t put the book down and was hooked to finding out what happened next. I was extremely impressed by your ability to keep the reader engaged with the action throughout.”
Stephanie Williams, editor, Rebel Books.

The historical elements really shine and kept me interested, as did the atmosphere of a burning London and all the darkness and bleakness surrounding the terrifying Dantalion… The tension and suspense in the latter part of the book were terrific… at several points I had butterflies in my stomach.”
Leigh Ferrani, author, Oxford Literary Consultancy

Mansfield Woodhouse Library


Programme available now via http://www.newwritersuk.co.uk/


NAWG FESTIVAL OF WRITING

Press release:-


2011 NAWG Festival of Writing


September 2nd 4th 2011, Ancaster Hall of Residence, University Park Campus, Nottingham University. Come and join us on whats shaping up to be a memorable weekend.

We have many extras lined up for delegates including a talk about short story markets, by Linda Lewis, a successful short story writer and Writers‘ Forum columnist. On Friday evening we will be enlightened about publishing by a very much sort after speaker, Chris Day from Filament Publishing. He will answer your queries about the minefield of publishing and be available over the weekend for further discussion.

Once again The Writers’ Bureau has generously offered a course (worth several hundred pounds) as their contribution to help with the finances of the festival. We shall be inviting sealed bids with a minimum set at £50, so that one of the delegates can take advantage of this bargain.

Professional tutors James Nash, Tim Wilson, who writes as Jude Morgan, Julie Bokowiec, and Steve
Bowkett will be leading a variety of professional Writing Workshops.

Script Writing Saga Fiction, including Psychological Thrillers and Historical Crime Poetry, including
Performance Children’s Fiction, including writing Fantasy Fiction, are some of the classes offered.

Come for the whole weekend or a single workshop.
£220 for Nawg members, £240 non-members, for 2 nights full-board and 4 teaching workshops. Places are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment.
For more information, and to download the brochure and booking form:Visit our website: www.nawg.co.uk
Or email to Booking Administrator,  casualwriter@hotmail.com
Or telephone:-01484-769930

For further information contact Pam Fish pamfish@ntlworld.com
Or telephone:  01733-311680

Short Story Competition

Press Release;
The NAWG Committee are proud to announce the launch of their
First Open Short Story Competition.
Sponsored and supported by The Berforts Group,
The First
NAWG Open Short Story Competition
Closing Date:  October 31st 2011
First Prize: £250
Second Prize: £100
Third Prize: £50
£5 per Entry
Optional Critique £3
Judging to short list by Linda Lewis - the successful short story writer and Writers’ Forum columnist.
Finalists judged by the NAWG committee
Stories can be any length from 500 to 2000 words.
Send postal entries to: NAWG Competition Administrator,
28 Riversdale Avenue, Stakeford, Choppington, Northumberland, NE62 5LE.   Phone: 01670-816420
Please make cheques or postal orders payable to NAWG.
Entry fees must be paid in pounds sterling.
For Competition Rules, Full Details And An Entry Form:–
By email: - pamfish@ntlworld.com                                                                     lindatorbay@yahoo.co.uk

Entrants may win more than one prize.                              Results will be announced by Christmas 2011
The winning entry will be published on the NAWG website.
Copyright remains with the author.