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Calendar of Activities for 2009/2010 Unless otherwise stated, Circle meetings are held on Tuesday evenings from 7.30pm to 9.30pm in St Joseph's Church Hall, situated on the corner of Park Lane and Berkshire Drive, Tilehurst, Reading RG31 5JJ.    (click here for a map).

2010

5^th October

Guest speaker - Leslie Wilson, who is an author, a creative writing tutor at Reading University and a visiting speaker at many schools.  You can read about her books and her background on her website : www.lesliewilson.co.uk

7^th – 28^th  Sept.

Open readings.

Summer break

27^th July

AGM   (Please tell a Committee Member of any topic you would like to be raised so that it can be put on the agenda.)

6^th – 20^th July

Open readings.

22^ndand 29^th June

Open readings.

15^th June

Time’s Up!    Pieces on the topic of time.  See homework   followed by open readings.

Thursday 10^th June

Book launch of Elizabeth’s latest novel – “April and May.”  Caversham Library from 7.15pm -9.00pm. Set in 1804, the story begins in Constantinople with a secret mission but danger follows the chief characters to London… A fast paced plot, an exotic setting, a strong-willed heroine and handsome suitors!

8^th June

Open readings.

1^st June

Guest Speaker - Crime fiction writer Leigh Russell, author of the best selling ”CUT SHORT” - first in a series of crime thrillers featuring DI Geraldine Steel. “ROAD CLOSED”, the second in the series, is to be published in June. Visit her blog: leighrussell.blogspot.com/

25^th May

Open readings.

18^th May

Talk by Neil – “How to get your work published”

11^th May

Visit by Kat Brenke - a local writer, who is developing software to assist writers in planning and writing a novel.  She would like to present her ideas and to gain some feedback. Followed by open readings.

4^th May

Open readings.

27^th April

Arthur Redway Memorial Competition - competition readings and the award of prizes and the trophy.

13^th and 20^th April

Open readings.

6th April

No Meeting – Easter Break

30th March

Deadline for submissions to this year’s Arthur Redway Memorial Competition.  See Competitions

2nd – 23rd March

Open readings.

Wednesday 24th. February

Local thriller writer, Patrick Lennon is guest speaker at Reading Writers' meeting, next Wednesday 24th February. They have extended an invitation to our members. The venue is Room 3 above RISC, London Street, Reading at 7.15 for 7.30pm.  Free admission.

23^rd February

Readings of One Act Plays – and the award of prizes!

16^th February

Reading of the optional homework entries.

2^nd.– 9^th February

Open readings.

26^th January

Deadline for One Act plays! David Casals-Roma will again be our judge – visit his website: www.recreateproductions.com Please send your entries direct to him, either by e-mail or post, see  Competitions

19^th January

First Meeting of the New Year and Fish and Chip Supper.

12^th January

Meeting cancelled – because of the bad weather!

2009

Christmas Break

15^th December

Last meeting before Christmas break. Award of the Member of the Year cup. As always, there will be a Lucky Dip Please bring a small wrapped gift to put in the bag

8^th December

Open readings.

1^st  December

Our Guest Speaker, Diane Bethel (Lecturer in the School of Media at Thames Valley University) will talk on the subject of screenwriting – and how it differs from other writing.

10^th – 24^th November

Open readings.

3^rd November

Hallowe'en / Bonfire night evening with readings on suitable themes.

15^th Sept – 27^th Oct.

Open readings.

8^th September

Reading and judging of the optional Summer Homework (see "Homework")

1 September

Start of Autumn  term.

End of July to the beginning of September – Summer break

28^th July

Award of prizes for the Short Story Competition.  Last meeting before the summer break.

21 July

AGM  (Please tell a Committee Member of any topic you would like to be raised so that it can be put on the agenda), followed by readings of entries for the Short Story Competition.

14^th July

Guest speaker: Diana Birchall - Story Analyst at Warner Bros. Read more about her at:   www.dianabirchall.net

16^th June -7^th July

Open readings.

9^th June

Open readings.  Last date for submission of short stories to be judged by Iain Pattison.  (see Competitions)

26^th  May, 2^nd June

Open readings.

19^th  May

Talk “Writing for Magazines” by Iain Pattison - author, journalist, creative writing tutor and one of the country's leading short story judges.

5^th & 12^th  May

Open readings.

Wednesday 29^th April

Getting Published: tips, advice and things I wish I’d known – a talk by Patrick Lennon at 7:30 pm. at Maidenhead Library, St Ives Road, Maidenhead. SL6 1QU  (opposite the Town Hall)

28^th April

The Arthur Redway Memorial Competition Voting for 1^st 2^nd and 3^rd followed by the presentation by Kathryn of the trophy and prizes.

21^st April

Open readings.

14^th April

Easter Break

7^th April

Open readings.

31^st March

Deadline for submissions for The Arthur Redway Memorial Competition

3^rd - 24^th March

Open readings.

24^th  February

One-Act Play reading and prize-giving.

17^th February

Open readings – don’t forget to bring a copy of your One-Act Play Competition script if you would like somebody to read a part in it next week!

3^rd - 10h February

Open readings.

27^th  January

Deadline for One-Act Plays!

20^th January

Open readings.

13th January

First meeting of new term.    Fish and Chip Supper!

2008

16th December

Last meeting before Christmas break…   Neil will entertain us for part of the evening!

9^th December

Begin work on Ten Minute, One-Act Plays to be judged by David Casals.

2^nd December

Readings of optional homework set on 4th November.  (see Homework)

18^th and 25^th November

Open readings.

11^th November

Voting for Member of the Year 2008.

4^th November

Hallowe’en - cum - Bonfire Night. A new optional homework topic was given out – to be read 2^nd December.  (see Homework)

30th September

Guest Speaker - Tony Hays Tony is an American author specialising in historical mysteries.  He is in Britain at present, researching for a new novel series for Tor/Forge of New York.  He is an experienced lecturer and has taught creative writing both in the US and Europe.  Full details of his colourful life can be found at www.tonyhays.com

Thursday 25^th September

Book Launch Brings War-time to Reading! The launch of Richard’s book, “Six Spoons of Sugar” will be held at Waterstone’s in Broad Street, Reading. Click here for more information…                                                          …and here for details of the book.

2^nd September

Reconvene after the summer break.

Sunday 17^th August

Our Annual Summer Outing is to be another horse-drawn barge trip on the Kennet and Avon canal. This year in the opposite direction, from Kintbury to Hampstead Lock. Tickets only £5 !

29^th July

Last meeting before the summer break and also the deadline for submissions for the Anthology.

17^th June – 29^th July

Open Readings

Thursday 12^th June

Patrick Lennon, who came to talk to us last October, has invited us to the launch of his second novel, “Steel Witches” at Waterstones, Broad Street, Reading at 7 pm.

27^th May – 10^th June

Open Readings

20^th May

Back by popular demand, before returning to America - Bruce Holland Rogers. Bruce is twice winner of the World Fantasy Award, 2004 and 2006 and taught creative writing at the universities of Colorado and Illinois.

Wednesday 14^th May

An evening with Reading Writers at 7:45 for 8:00pm in  Room 3, The RISC Centre, London Street. Popular author and creative writing consultant Lee Weatherly will be speaking about her books and writing. An award-winning children’s author, Lee’s acclaimed novels for young teenagers include Child X, Missing Abby and Kat Got Your Tongue.  Younger readers’ stories include the fantasy series Glitterwings Academy and the picture books, Hic! and Pigwitchery. Co-author of Teach Yourself How to Write a Blockbuster, Lee is also a gifted writing coach.  Her website www.leeweatherly.com/ has details of her work.

13^th May

Reading the second batch of short stories which were critiqued by Iain Pattison (see Competitions).

Monday 12^th  May

We are invited to join Newbury Poets at 7.45pm in the Stone Building (Kennet & Avon Canal Trust, the Wharf, Newbury).

Thursday 8^th May

The launch of Elizabeth’s novel “The Wild Card” at 7.15 - 9.00 pm at Caversham Library (opposite Waitrose).

6^th May

Reading the first batch of short stories which have been critiqued by Iain Pattison (see Competitions).

22^nd – 29^th April

Open Readings

15^th April

Last date for entries for the short story competition to be judged by Iain Pattison (see Competitions). (The stories and their critiques will be read on 6^th and 13^th of May.)

8^th April

Open reading

25^th March - 1^st April

Easter break – no meetings.

4^th – 18 March

Open readings

26^th February

Geoff Fisher from Antony Rowe will be making a presentation and answering questions on  'print on demand' -  of special interest to anyone considering self publishing. Antony Rowe is acknowledged as the UK's (and probably Europe's) premier manufacturer of on-demand books.

12^th and 19^th February

Open readings.

5^th February

David Casals will once again be judging our Ten Minute One Act Play Competition and will give his comments before awarding the prizes.

© Thames Valley Writers' Circle