Category Archives: On writing

Darkness amid the light

Posted on 4 April, 2013 by Ian Cundell

Readers of the fiction of Iain Banks, or his science fiction alter ego Iain M Banks, will have been left wondering whether to laugh or cry at the characteristically bleak humour in his personal statement announcing his terminal cancer yesterday: … Continue reading →

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A splash of Ink (colour: Red)

Posted on 11 February, 2013 by Ian Cundell

Every so often somebody wanders into Verulam Writers’ Circle Towers (aka St Michael’s Church Hall) reads something and leaves you unable to think anything other than “Blimey, that was good”. So it was, a few years ago, when Julie Mayhew … Continue reading →

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Dot Dash – Jon Pinnock’s Scott Prize collection out now

Posted on 7 November, 2012 by Oscar Windsor-Smith

The quote: “The harder I work the luckier I get”, has been attributed to various individuals, including Thomas Jefferson (well, similar sentiments – different form), Sam Goldwyn and Gary Player, but that maxim could justifiably have originated from the keyboard … Continue reading →

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Released (some shameless self promotion)

Posted on 22 September, 2012 by Kevin Bennett

Today’s the day: Rathbone Kydd – sex’n’drugs’n’quantum stuff is out as an e-book on Amazon and Smashwords.  ”Time will reveal everything. It is a babbler, and speaks even when not asked.” Euripides, 480-406 BC  February 2012: Detective Superintendent Derek Burridge … Continue reading →

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The last giant leap

Posted on 25 August, 2012 by Ian Cundell

Not to do with writing, as such, but if this fella’s life can’t inspire you then you are probably not open to inspiration.

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A real, physical book!

Posted on 1 July, 2012 by Kevin Bennett

Hello everyone. Just a quick update to let you all know that Pike’s Quest, which has been out on Kindle since October 2011 and which has garnered several high-star reviews on Amazon UK & US, is now available in paperback – … Continue reading →

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Steve Barley launches new multi-media blog

Posted on 27 June, 2012 by Steve Barley

First came my ‘Desperate Househusband’ blog, then I entered the blog wilderness for two years while I soaked up life as a teacher. But now I’m back with an all new blog called, Lateral Living – a sideways look at … Continue reading →

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An interview with Philippa Gregory

Posted on 8 June, 2012 by Jenny Barden

Ever wondered what Philippa Gregory thinks about the importance of the workings of the unconscious mind – about the relationship between fiction and history – about witchcraft and incest?… Here’s the answer: http://historicalnovelsociety.org/philippa-gregory-on-her-new-ya-series-order-of-darkness-and-more/

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UH – Creative Writing Masters

Posted on 7 June, 2012 by Steve Barley

Our good friends in the School of Humanities at the University of Hertfordshire have asked us to point out to VWC members that they offer a Masters course in Creative Writing. The MA includes ‘…writing workshops, intensive tutorial-based supervision and … Continue reading →

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This monster is no metaphor

Posted on 28 May, 2012 by Ian Cundell

My friend and colleague David Chippendale committed suicide on 7 March. Many knew he was in a bad way, but sadly none realised how close to the edge he was. His loss prompted me to come clean about my own … Continue reading →

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