22 December, 2010
To Infer is Human and other tales
Renegade Writers' member Rod Rees's short story "To Infer is Human" sees publication this week in the on-line magazine Wild Stacks: the Library of the Imagination. Also in Wild Stacks are stories by Rob Shearman, Marion Pitman, Andrew Hook, Christopher Fowler, Nicholas Royle, Ian Whates and Kari Sperring. Visit the website now for a great read.
Christmas meeting
Tonight's meeting is still on. The roads around Hartshill, Stoke are quite passable. So we hope as many members -- and non-members interested in learning about us -- turn up for festive words, food and drink.
22 November, 2010
Poetry workshop
From Julia Bird: "The Poetry School's Autumn term is drawing to a close -- but there's still one Nottingham workshop left to bring a bit of poetic sparkle to the season's dark nights and short days. In one last booking boost for the year, we're offering a 20% discount on Neil Rollinson's workshop for people who enroll over the phone -- just call Juliette in the office on 0207 582 1679 and we'll book you all in."
Poetry & Home: inspiration for your writing with Neil Rollinson
Venue: Nottingham Writers' Studio, Sutton Place Business Centre, 49 Stoney Street, The Lacemarket, Nottingham NG1 1LX
Date: Saturday 4 December, 10.30am-4.30pm
Price: £53 (£41 60+) £35 concs - 20% off if you book by phone
Level: open to all
21 November, 2010
Unspoken Water -- new market
"An old Scottish custom, unspoken water was a charm against the Evil Eye and used for healing the sick. It was obtained by collecting running water from under a bridge that the living had crossed and the dead had been carried over. Whatever was used to collect the water should not touch the ground. It was then carried in silence at dawn or at twilight and brought to the house of the sick or bewitched person who was given three sips of "silvered water" from a wooden ladle which had a silver coin placed at the bottom. The rest of the water was sprinkled around the person or poured into a corner stone of the house or behind the fire-flag. If the stone split, then the illness or curse would be fatal, and they could not be cured or saved.
Now, Unspoken Water is looking for poetry and short fiction of the strange, the weird, and the uncanny. We are a market for the supernatural, not fantasy or science fiction. The first few issues will be chapbook size with the intention to grow to perfect-bound copies. Publication will be twice yearly, and occasionally some issues might be devoted to a particular theme, for which submissions will be sought." Details here.
Now, Unspoken Water is looking for poetry and short fiction of the strange, the weird, and the uncanny. We are a market for the supernatural, not fantasy or science fiction. The first few issues will be chapbook size with the intention to grow to perfect-bound copies. Publication will be twice yearly, and occasionally some issues might be devoted to a particular theme, for which submissions will be sought." Details here.
Piers Anthony on publishing
Piers Anthony, he of Xanth fame (and if you've not read A Spell for Chameleon, published way back in the 1970s, well, you should) writes about the publishing business on his website. He says: "I've had a good deal of experience in the publishing school of hard knocks, hence my interest in making it easier for others." Check it out.
Playwriting course in Leicester
The Writing School Leicester is running a Playwriting Course from 12 January to 16 March 2011. The course fee is £90. This is a “course to support emerging writers in creating and developing the first draft of a one act play. Creative exercises in class are combined with practical advice to move scripts from early drafts to professional productions.”
The Festival of Writing, 2011
The 2011 Festival of Writing “brings together a host of literary agents, mainstream and independent publishers, bestselling authors, frighteningly insightful book doctors and much more besides. Because you will be staying on campus, you'll have countless opportunities to talk one on one with these people: make contacts, ask questions, share a glass of wine and network.
Our hope is that you'll learn masses about how to write better, what kind of books the industry is looking for, and how best to approach agents and publishers. We also hope that you'll have fun, make friends and leave the event buzzing with a sense of possibility.”
The event takes place in York over the weekend 25-27 March.
Our hope is that you'll learn masses about how to write better, what kind of books the industry is looking for, and how best to approach agents and publishers. We also hope that you'll have fun, make friends and leave the event buzzing with a sense of possibility.”
The event takes place in York over the weekend 25-27 March.
Short Story America
They say that the mission of Short Story America is to "bring the short story back into the mainstream of American culture, to bring the short-story author back to prominence in literature..." It's a pity that short stories do suffer alongside novels, so anything to highlight shorter fiction is to be applauded. Check out the website for their stories -- added weekly.
11 November, 2010
Christmas meeting
On Wednesday 22nd December we will celebrate the Winter Soltice and Christmas with a Season's Special. Instead of our usual programme, bring Christmas and Soltice related material (poems, prose, etc). We'll read these out in anticipation of the holiday season. Each reading to last no more than five minutes -- but you can bring along several pieces. You can read out your own work, or poems and extracts from anyone else.
And importantly, bring some mince pies or similar offerings.
And importantly, bring some mince pies or similar offerings.
Forthcoming meetings over Christmas and the New Year
We meet every Wednesday at 7.30pm in the Jolly Potters, Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent.
Our next meetings are on 17th and 24th November, 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd December. There is no meeting on Wednesday 29th December. We then start again in 2011 on Wednesday 5th and 12th January.
On Monday 17th January the pub closes for five weeks for refurbishment. I was told that the individual rooms will remain and that we can resume our writers' meetings after the Jolly Potters reopens. Keep and eye on this blog -- and on FaceBook -- for dates.
Our next meetings are on 17th and 24th November, 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd December. There is no meeting on Wednesday 29th December. We then start again in 2011 on Wednesday 5th and 12th January.
On Monday 17th January the pub closes for five weeks for refurbishment. I was told that the individual rooms will remain and that we can resume our writers' meetings after the Jolly Potters reopens. Keep and eye on this blog -- and on FaceBook -- for dates.
02 November, 2010
Deadfall by Shaun Jeffrey
"A team of mercenaries race to an abandoned mining village to rescue two children held hostage. But the kidnappers are a ruse. The real threat is more terrifying than any of them could imagine... As the body count rises, so do the stakes, and when the dead won't stay dead there's going to be hell to pay."
Meanwhile, Jeffrey's previous book, The Kult, is currently being filmed.
01 November, 2010
Cancellation
This week's meeting (3 November) is cancelled due to problems with the room at the pub. We meet again on Wednesday 10 November. See you then!
28 October, 2010
Wild Stacks online magazine to be launched
The Alchemy Press is proud to announce Wild Stacks, The Library Of The Imagination. The first issue of this online magazine will be posted in a few months. Meanwhile, issue 0, the pre-launch issue, is already available. Wild Stacks will publish stories from all corners of the fantasy world.
We are also keen to include artwork. Please contact us if you would like to contribute.
25 October, 2010
Ethereal Tales
Renegade Writers member Jan Edwards has received her contributor's copy of Ethereal Tales 9, which includes her story "Winter Night". This magazine contains over 24 short stories, some just a page or so long. You can find out more and order a copy by visiting the Tales website.
Next Renegade Meeting
Renegade Writers meet again on Wednesday 27 October at 7.30pm in the Jolly Potters, Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent. All writers are welcome.
20 October, 2010
Kindle, iPad, Kobo, Nook?
Michael Bhaskar compares some of the latest ereaders: "Forget for a second the Kindle, iPad or Sony Reader – how about the Elonex, the iRex, the Bookeen Cybook or the Jinkie Hanlin? Well, maybe not. We have gone from a dearth of ereaders to an avalanche of these strange, grey devices, with their fiddly interfaces and monochromatic, button-festooned feel of an already by-gone era."
Read his essay on the Book Brunch website.
Read his essay on the Book Brunch website.
17 October, 2010
Shaun Jeffrey Signing
Shaun Jeffrey will be signing copies of his high octane zombie novel, Deadfall at Waterstone's in Hanley (The Tontines Centre, Parliament Row, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 1PW) on Saturday 30 October from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Shaun's webite can be found here.
:
Shaun's webite can be found here.
:
16 October, 2010
The BBC Writers' Room
If you have any aspirations for writing for TV and radio, this is an invaluable website: BBC Writers' Room.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/
14 October, 2010
Memoirs of a Vampire Hunter
Peter Allchin, a member of the Renegade Writers' Group, has published a novel: Memoirs of a Vampire Hunter. Find out more at this website.
The Alchemy Press
Group member Peter Coleborn has had a go at editing and producing a variety of small press publications. You can find examples on the Alchemy Press website.
Member's Website
Group member Tim Diggles' website can be found at this location. Tim has included some of his work on this site, and he says he appreciates feedback.
Creative Stoke
Creative Stoke's website is an invaluable source for information on art groups and organisations in the Stoke-on-Trent area.
Renegade Writers: Yesterday's Meeting
The Renegade Writers’ Group met again at the Jolly Potters in Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent, last night. It was another excellent turn out and our regular booking in the snug bar was pleasantly full.
Writing is a lonely job, and the chance to get out and talk about our shared passions is never to be sniffed at. A pint of beer or a glass of wine and a chat and the opportunity to swap news and market information is the life blood of any writing group.
Most of us that attend writers’ groups also look for intelligent and constructive comments on work in progress. And that is exactly what we had. Some excellent work was read out for comment and brainstorming for ideas to help develop the stories.
Five pieces in all were read and discussed, including excerpts from novels by Rod and Alison, plus short fiction from Peter A, Peter C and Martin (and a poem [Haiku] by Jan).
Sadly not enough time left for everyone to read work: there is always next week, and hopefully we shall see more of you there. All are welcome.
Warrior Wisewomen 4
Warrior Wisewoman is an annual anthology series of science fiction featuring powerful and remarkable women, edited by
The anthology was conceived as a sister volume to the classic
For submission details for Warrior Wisewoman #4 go to the Norilana website.Roby James. The first volume was published by Norilana Books in June 2008, the second volume in June 2009, and the third volume in August 2010. Sword and Sorceress fantasy series originally edited by Marion Zimmer Bradley, with the main difference being that the story themes will involve science fiction instead of fantasy, and they will be intended for a more mature audience, allowing a mixture of serious contemporary issues and reasonable sexual content (but no erotica) in addition to action and adventure. The stories will have a stronger focus on the interface between scientific exploration and our sense of wonder.
The anthology was conceived as a sister volume to the classic
For submission details for Warrior Wisewoman #4 go to the Norilana website.Roby James. The first volume was published by Norilana Books in June 2008, the second volume in June 2009, and the third volume in August 2010. Sword and Sorceress fantasy series originally edited by Marion Zimmer Bradley, with the main difference being that the story themes will involve science fiction instead of fantasy, and they will be intended for a more mature audience, allowing a mixture of serious contemporary issues and reasonable sexual content (but no erotica) in addition to action and adventure. The stories will have a stronger focus on the interface between scientific exploration and our sense of wonder.
Jack-o-Spec: Tales of Halloween and Fantasy
Market news: "Jack-o'-Spec: Tales of Halloween and Fantasy is a planned paperback anthology of speculative short stories, flash fiction, and poetry about Halloween and the traditions and legends surrounding it. All works must contain an element of science fiction, fantasy, or supernatural horror. If it's not speculative, I'm not interested. Also note that this will not be an all-horror anthology. I want to see science fiction and fantasy in a variety of sub-genres."
Full submission details here.
Full submission details here.
Liminality: Tales From the Borders of Speculative Fiction
The Library of Science Fiction & Fantasy presents: Liminality: Tales From the Borders of Speculative Fiction
"Liminality is the state between states; it’s what you experience when you’re no longer what you were, but haven’t quite become what you’re going to be.
I’m looking for speculative fiction stories that are in the liminal state -- specifically, stories that are in-between genres. There are no other limitations on content, except that there must be a speculative element. What (and how many) genres you choose to muddle and how you choose to blur the lines are completely up to you (although this is under the Library’s SF&F imprint, horror and all the other genres are equally welcome). Play with the concepts of liminality and transition and find ways to use them that will surprise me. The harder you make it for me to pin you to one genre, the better -- but above all, tell a great story in the manner it must be told."
For full submission details go here.
"Liminality is the state between states; it’s what you experience when you’re no longer what you were, but haven’t quite become what you’re going to be.
I’m looking for speculative fiction stories that are in the liminal state -- specifically, stories that are in-between genres. There are no other limitations on content, except that there must be a speculative element. What (and how many) genres you choose to muddle and how you choose to blur the lines are completely up to you (although this is under the Library’s SF&F imprint, horror and all the other genres are equally welcome). Play with the concepts of liminality and transition and find ways to use them that will surprise me. The harder you make it for me to pin you to one genre, the better -- but above all, tell a great story in the manner it must be told."
For full submission details go here.
12 October, 2010
Monk Punk: stories wanted
AJ French is "excited to announce that I will be editing a new anthology for Static Movement called Monk Punk. Here are the guidelines:
Seeking Monk Punk stories between 1000 and 6000 words that will help broaden and define this elusive sub-genre of speculative fiction. Monk Punk is a variant strain of science fiction where lovable monks are the heroes (or anti-heros) of events unfolding in a post-apocalyptic era, alt-history era, fantasy setting, or historical fiction setting.
Seeking both Eastern and Western monks. That means Franciscan (Catholic) monks (of the Christian stock) and Buddhist monks (from Tibet and other parts of Asia, which includes monks of Chinese Mysticism and Kung Fu). The Name of the Rose movie is a good example of this (from a Western perspective) and the new movie The Last Airbender is a good example of Eastern Monk Punk. Anything involving monks that takes place in a monastery or temple, however I will also accept monks going along their own path. I will accept horror/zombie Monk Punk stories, as well as murder mystery and thriller Monk Punk stories.
For Eastern inspiration see: Geoff Ryman’s short story, 'The Last Ten Years in the Life of Hero Kai,' The Tales of the Otori Trilogy, Catherynne M. Valente’s Yume no Hon: The Book of Dreams. For Western inspiration see: Walter Miller’s A Canticle for Leibowitz, Neal Stephenson’s Anathem, and Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose. And feel free to blend all aspects.
Please send your submissions to monkpunkantho@gmail.com Put 'Monk Punk' in the subject line and attach your story as a word document. Please proofread your work and send only your very best, as I will be submitting this book to end of the year Best Of collections (likely 2011).
Send word attachments (no .docx), single spaced, indented paragraphs with no space between paragraphs, no headers, footers, or embedded text. No underlines (use italics). No single quotation marks for dialogue (curly quotes). One space after periods instead of two. Open until filled. Response time: two weeks."
Seeking Monk Punk stories between 1000 and 6000 words that will help broaden and define this elusive sub-genre of speculative fiction. Monk Punk is a variant strain of science fiction where lovable monks are the heroes (or anti-heros) of events unfolding in a post-apocalyptic era, alt-history era, fantasy setting, or historical fiction setting.
Seeking both Eastern and Western monks. That means Franciscan (Catholic) monks (of the Christian stock) and Buddhist monks (from Tibet and other parts of Asia, which includes monks of Chinese Mysticism and Kung Fu). The Name of the Rose movie is a good example of this (from a Western perspective) and the new movie The Last Airbender is a good example of Eastern Monk Punk. Anything involving monks that takes place in a monastery or temple, however I will also accept monks going along their own path. I will accept horror/zombie Monk Punk stories, as well as murder mystery and thriller Monk Punk stories.
For Eastern inspiration see: Geoff Ryman’s short story, 'The Last Ten Years in the Life of Hero Kai,' The Tales of the Otori Trilogy, Catherynne M. Valente’s Yume no Hon: The Book of Dreams. For Western inspiration see: Walter Miller’s A Canticle for Leibowitz, Neal Stephenson’s Anathem, and Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose. And feel free to blend all aspects.
Please send your submissions to monkpunkantho@gmail.com Put 'Monk Punk' in the subject line and attach your story as a word document. Please proofread your work and send only your very best, as I will be submitting this book to end of the year Best Of collections (likely 2011).
Send word attachments (no .docx), single spaced, indented paragraphs with no space between paragraphs, no headers, footers, or embedded text. No underlines (use italics). No single quotation marks for dialogue (curly quotes). One space after periods instead of two. Open until filled. Response time: two weeks."
11 October, 2010
US rights deal for Rod Rees
Emma Thawley, Rights Director at Quercus, has sold US rights in two novels by UK novelist Rod Rees, The Demi-Monde: Winter and The Demi-Monde: Spring, to Gabe Robinson of HarperCollins. The books will be published in hardback on the Morrow imprint. World rights in Rod’s series, The Demi-Monde, were acquired pre-emptively by Quercus (who publish the first volume in January 2011) from agent John Jarrold for a major advance in 2009.
The Demi-Monde now has its own website -- worth a visit.
The Demi-Monde now has its own website -- worth a visit.
Duotrope's Digest
Duotrope's Digest, is an award-winning, free writers' resource listing over 3100 current Fiction and Poetry publications. They usually make several updates per day, and they check each of the current listings regularly (once a week for most listings) to ensure the most up-to-date database humanly possible. So far this week, they say they have checked guidelines for 544 listings, and have made 55 listing updates on their website. This is a valuable website when looking for a home for your polished story or poem or...
Ethereal Tales #9
Renegade Writers' Group member Jan Edwards' latest story, "Winter Night", appears in Ethereal Tales No 9. The magazine will be available on 30 October, but you can have a sneaky preview by going to their website.
The British Fantasy Society
If fantasy fiction -- from heroic quests to the darkest horror -- is your cup of tea you really should think about joining the British Fantasy Society. Think about it seriously -- it could change your writing life for the better. Details can be found at this link.
Renegade Writers': next meeting
A reminder:
The next Renegade Writers' meeting takes place on Wednesday 13 October at 7.30 pm. Again, it's at the Jolly Potters pub, Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent. All writers and their friends are welcome.
The next Renegade Writers' meeting takes place on Wednesday 13 October at 7.30 pm. Again, it's at the Jolly Potters pub, Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent. All writers and their friends are welcome.
07 October, 2010
The Demi-Monde by Rod Rees
Heydrich. Beria. Torquemada. Robespierre. History's most notorious mass-murderers -- or at least simulacrums of these monsters -- plot to escape their virtual world; their sights are set on the real world."
The Demi-Monde is due in January 2011 from Quercus in trade paperback (£14.99) and hardcover (£16.99) editions.
Renegade Writers: next meeting
The next Renegade Writers' meeting takes place on Wednesday 13 October at 7.30 pm. Again, it's at the Jolly Potters pub, Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent. All writers and their friends are welcome.
Renegade Writers: a member's views
From the Demi-Monde blog:
"Nell and I attended the Renegade Writers Group in Stoke yesterday evening (every Wednesday night, 19.30 at the Jolly Potter pub – the house white ain’t bad either) and had a GREAT time. I think the success of any Rees outing is directly proportional to the amount of conversation in the car afterwards and believe me the 40 minute trip back to Derby seemed to fly by. "
To read all of Rod's comments about last night's meeting, visit his blog.
"Nell and I attended the Renegade Writers Group in Stoke yesterday evening (every Wednesday night, 19.30 at the Jolly Potter pub – the house white ain’t bad either) and had a GREAT time. I think the success of any Rees outing is directly proportional to the amount of conversation in the car afterwards and believe me the 40 minute trip back to Derby seemed to fly by. "
To read all of Rod's comments about last night's meeting, visit his blog.
03 October, 2010
Dark Valentine magazine
Group member Jan Edwards has a new story out this month in the fall issue of Dark Valentine, an online publication. Vist this link for information on downloading the magazine.
Renegade Writers: next meeting
The second Renegade Writers' meeting takes place on Wednesday 6 October at 7.30 pm. Again, it's at the Jolly Potters pub, Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent. All writers and their friends are welcome.
The first meeting was a great success. It was pretty informal, with lots of introductions and general chat, before some stories and a prose-poem (which was very funny: "Singles Night in Asda" by Tim Diggles) were read out.
The first meeting was a great success. It was pretty informal, with lots of introductions and general chat, before some stories and a prose-poem (which was very funny: "Singles Night in Asda" by Tim Diggles) were read out.
Novel writing software
Note sure just how useful this type of software is, but you never know. If anyone has tried yWriter before, please let us know if it's any good. You can get the program at this yWriter link.
25 September, 2010
Reminder of first meeting
Reminder, gentle readers and writers:
The first meeting of the new Renegade Writers' Group is all set for this coming Wednesday, the 29th September, at 7.30 pm at the Jolly Potters, Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent. Please come along and see what it's all about. Please bring something to read out (but not compulsory).
Note that the previous phone number for the pub has changed. It's now 01782 747592.
The first meeting of the new Renegade Writers' Group is all set for this coming Wednesday, the 29th September, at 7.30 pm at the Jolly Potters, Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent. Please come along and see what it's all about. Please bring something to read out (but not compulsory).
Note that the previous phone number for the pub has changed. It's now 01782 747592.
The Piper at the Gates of Fantasy
Piper is one of my other blogs -- this one includes news and reviews of books in the SF-fantasy-horror world. If this area interests you, why not pop over to Piper?
13 September, 2010
The first meeting -- date correction
Renegade Writers is a new writers' group that meets every Wednesday in the Jolly Potters, Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent / Newcastle-under-Lyme -- but is open to all writers in the area and beyond. The first meeting is scheduled for 29th September at 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm.
There is no membership fee at the moment -- although members and guests pay £1.00 per meeting. We are predominantly a prose writers' group (all genres), although there may be some scriptwriting and poetry. Read out your work, should you wish, and receive constructive advice and comments. So come along and meet like-minded folk and make new friends.
The Jolly Potters is at 296 Hartshill Road, Hartshill, Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 7NH (Tel: 01782 845254), at the corner of Hartshill Road and Vicarage Road -- there is a large gravel carpark at the end of Vicarage Road. A map can be found here.
Email me at at this address for further information. In fact, email if you are intending to come -- so I can judge numbers.
--- Peter Coleborn
There is no membership fee at the moment -- although members and guests pay £1.00 per meeting. We are predominantly a prose writers' group (all genres), although there may be some scriptwriting and poetry. Read out your work, should you wish, and receive constructive advice and comments. So come along and meet like-minded folk and make new friends.
The Jolly Potters is at 296 Hartshill Road, Hartshill, Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 7NH (Tel: 01782 845254), at the corner of Hartshill Road and Vicarage Road -- there is a large gravel carpark at the end of Vicarage Road. A map can be found here.
Email me at at this address for further information. In fact, email if you are intending to come -- so I can judge numbers.
--- Peter Coleborn
11 September, 2010
The first meeting
Renegade Writers is a new writers' group that meets every Wednesday in the Jolly Potters, Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent / Newcastle-under-Lyme -- but is open to all writers in the area and beyond. The first meeting is scheduled for 29th November at 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm.
There is no membership fee at the moment -- although members and guests pay £1.00 per meeting. We are predominantly a prose writers' group (all genres), although there may be some scriptwriting and poetry. Read out your work, should you wish, and receive constructive advice and comments. So come along and meet like-minded folk and make new friends.
The Jolly Potters is at 296 Hartshill Road, Hartshill, Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 7NH (Tel: 01782 845254), at the corner of Hartshill Road and Vicarage Road -- there is a large gravel carpark at the end of Vicarage Road. A map can be found here.
Email me at at this address for further information. In fact, email if you are intending to come -- so I can judge numbers.
--- Peter Coleborn
There is no membership fee at the moment -- although members and guests pay £1.00 per meeting. We are predominantly a prose writers' group (all genres), although there may be some scriptwriting and poetry. Read out your work, should you wish, and receive constructive advice and comments. So come along and meet like-minded folk and make new friends.
The Jolly Potters is at 296 Hartshill Road, Hartshill, Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 7NH (Tel: 01782 845254), at the corner of Hartshill Road and Vicarage Road -- there is a large gravel carpark at the end of Vicarage Road. A map can be found here.
Email me at at this address for further information. In fact, email if you are intending to come -- so I can judge numbers.
--- Peter Coleborn
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