I had a great time on Wednesday evening in Corbridge (see previous post). For one thing it’s just so good to meet readers and for another the enthusiastic response they gave to the extract from my story Tough Love took me quite by surprise and was very gratifying. Mostly they wanted to know what happened to Dennis! Had he been buried in a hole along with the birds? What about his wife? Did I have a husband? And if you get to read the story you’ll see why they asked after my spouse!
The venue was perfect -Tea & Tipple cafe – and I was full of admiration for Helen of Forum Books who organised this packed event. I’ll definitely be back to browse the Forum bookshelves.
Meeting other writers like Beda who was also reading from the Root antholgy, was a huge part of the enjoyment- also via Twitter – writers : Mari Hannah, Hazel Osmond, Chris Marples – it was great to meet, have your support and share stories and a glass of wine – such a bonus. Also great to see Ian from my prison days
Of course Peter Mortimer and Kitty Fitzgerald from Iron Press – were behind the whole event – without them the book would not exist – they are just amazing at what they do – if you don’t believe me take a look at the programme for their forthcoming festival in May.
If you didn’t make it to Corbridge but you can make it to Bishop Auckland Town Hall this Wednesday 10th – 7pm – we’ll be doing it again. This time John Price and myself will be reading HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE !
Defo a date for the diary, I’ll be there next Wed in Bis. It’d be nice to see some of the old WVW crew- but not Alison, joking Alison!
That’s great – look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, Warren.
Hello Avril,
My apologies for being absent from your blog for so long. You sound so busy and enjoying your writing life to the fullest. I read this post and wondered when we had first met online, so looked back in my blog: January 21, 2011 during the River of Stones project. I feel you have progressed so far in those two plus years. I am thrilled at all your success. I would like more than anything to attend one of your readings…’wouldn’t it be loverly’.
I have “published” a small chapbook of 26 poems, which I created myself using MS Publisher. I placed it for sale on Amazon and on my blog. I created an ebook version which I have uploaded as well to Amazon and am waiting for it to appear. I went through the steps for “Look Inside” the print version and am also waiting for that to be active. I just finished this week and am exhausted with the technical gymnastics that I was determined to accomplish.
So, I am struck with how different is the place we are both in now from January, 2011. Wendy has invited me to write a piece for life Twice tasted and I am anxious to do that as soon as I finish up all the details of my publishing enterprise.
Congratulations on your wonderful success!
Very best wishes,
Ann
Lovely to hear from you Ann. My apologies too as i’ve not been on your blog. However Wendy and I were talking about not having been on many other blogs recently today at lunch and about you! – so how amazing is that? Is it really two years?
I’m thrilled to hear you’ve pubished a chapbook and I will definitely be getting a copy – SOON! Congratulations! I know how hard this kind of work can be but how satisfying too.
I look forward to reading your piece for Wendy on Lifetwicetasted – maybe later you’d like to write something here – it seems such a good idea to have guest posts? Maybe one day we will actually get to hear each other at a reading until then I look forward to your poems.
Avril
Really looking forward to Root this coming Wednesday at BA at 7.00pm – it will be a wonderful celebration of Iron Press, but also of Avril’s fantastic success as the first ever Costa Short Story Award winner! See you there…
Gillian
Thanks Gillian – see you there!