News
More photos of book launch:
Herts & Minds
Hertford Writers' Circle member Michael Richardson took lots of photos of the launch of our brand new book Herts & Minds'. It's the biggest ever, with 30 new stories and poems by 20 Writers’ Circle members.
Bestseller writer Michael Dobbs, author of ‘House of Cards’, who is patron of Hertford Writers’ Circle, says in his introduction that the book contains “Scintillating writing by truly talented authors.”
The book is on sale, price £4.99, from independent bookshops in Hertford and Ware:
Leaf Bookshop, Old Cross Hertford tel 01992 217667
The Book Nook, 65 High St, Ware tel 01920 467597
Courtyard Arts, Port Vale, Hertford tel 01992 509596
Or please contact us.
Bestseller writer Michael Dobbs, author of ‘House of Cards’, who is patron of Hertford Writers’ Circle, says in his introduction that the book contains “Scintillating writing by truly talented authors.”
The book is on sale, price £4.99, from independent bookshops in Hertford and Ware:
Leaf Bookshop, Old Cross Hertford tel 01992 217667
The Book Nook, 65 High St, Ware tel 01920 467597
Courtyard Arts, Port Vale, Hertford tel 01992 509596
Or please contact us.
Our new anthology: Herts & Minds
Our new collection is the biggest ever, with 30 new stories and poems by 20 Writers’ Circle members.
Bestseller writer Michael Dobbs, author of ‘House of Cards’, who is patron of Hertford Writers’ Circle, says in his introduction that the book contains “Scintillating writing by truly talented authors.”
The book is on sale, price £4.99, from independent bookshops in Hertford and Ware:
Leaf Bookshop, Old Cross Hertford tel 01992 217667
The Book Nook, 65 High St, Ware tel 01920 467597
Courtyard Arts, Port Vale, Hertford tel 01992 509596
Or please contact us.
From ghost tales to visions of a dystopian future, explorations of history to celebrations of nature, the pieces in Herts and Minds will move the heart and intrigue the mind.
Michael Dobbs says: “Writing starts with the known, so it’s no surprise that many of the pieces in this anthology are rooted firmly in the area. Yet, once begun, these journeys take off in their own highly individual directions - poetry that leads you by the river, and through fields, and into hearts - stories that are historical, and modern, and futuristic. They illuminate, they educate - and they are so much fun!”
Bestseller writer Michael Dobbs, author of ‘House of Cards’, who is patron of Hertford Writers’ Circle, says in his introduction that the book contains “Scintillating writing by truly talented authors.”
The book is on sale, price £4.99, from independent bookshops in Hertford and Ware:
Leaf Bookshop, Old Cross Hertford tel 01992 217667
The Book Nook, 65 High St, Ware tel 01920 467597
Courtyard Arts, Port Vale, Hertford tel 01992 509596
Or please contact us.
From ghost tales to visions of a dystopian future, explorations of history to celebrations of nature, the pieces in Herts and Minds will move the heart and intrigue the mind.
Michael Dobbs says: “Writing starts with the known, so it’s no surprise that many of the pieces in this anthology are rooted firmly in the area. Yet, once begun, these journeys take off in their own highly individual directions - poetry that leads you by the river, and through fields, and into hearts - stories that are historical, and modern, and futuristic. They illuminate, they educate - and they are so much fun!”
Heart of Herts book launch a success!
Our new anthology Heart of Herts was launched with a celebration at Hertford’s Courtyard Arts Gallery in December, with the Mayor of Hertford, Dr Linda Radford, in attendance.
Some of the authors read a short piece from their stories, to give guests a flavour of the book. Sales of the anthology got off to a great start and quite a few books must have found their way into Christmas stockings!
Some of the authors read a short piece from their stories, to give guests a flavour of the book. Sales of the anthology got off to a great start and quite a few books must have found their way into Christmas stockings!
Hertford Writers' Circle to launch new anthology: Heart of Herts
The Hertford Writers Circle (HWC) has produced an anthology: Heart of Herts, to be released in bookstores and online on December 7th, 2016. Bestseller writer Michael Dobbs, author of House of Cards, who is patron of Hertford Writers’ Circle, says in his introduction: “This anthology is a treasury of imagination.”
The collection will feature stories by eighteen Hertfordshire based authors, including steampunk graphic novelist and actor Ken Boyter and playwright Kate Miller, whose WW1 play Seeing it Through has recently toured Hertfordshire. The Hertford Writers’ Circle Anthology is the sixth anthology produced by the local writing group, showcasing the latest writings of the new and founding members of the group. This year’s book has a strong local theme, with stories set in and around Hertfordshire. Michael Dobbs has said, “…groups like the Writers’ Circle are so important. They do not publish bigtime, but they encourage. They read members’ first efforts, consider and discuss. If the new writer’s first received reaction is applause, it could so easily encourage the newcomer to go on; try again; turn a short story into a novella.” From medieval plagues to tales of Sherlock Holmes, the stories in Herts of Herts will be sure to be an instant hit with readers and can be found for sale in participating shops. Digital copies can be pre-ordered via Amazon.co.uk. The HWC actively encourages the creative expression of all ages through writing. To learn more about the Hertford Writers Circle, click here. To buy copies for £4.99 +P&P please get in touch via the contact page. For more information on the anthology, contact: Kate Miller at: katemiller@globalnet.co.uk |
Bah Humbug!
Hertford Writers celebrated with a Christmas party 2015 and open mic night, held in the welcoming surroundings of Leaf Cafe and Bookshop, Hertford. Both writers and guests brought stories, poems and songs: the theme was ‘Bah Humbug’ and most of the pieces took a sideways look at Christmas (see our Writing page for more).
We’re looking forward to a busy 2016, with a new anthology planned. This follows the success of ‘Four Rivers and a Castle’, which is still selling well – available from Leaf Bookshop, Old Cross, Hertford.
We’re looking forward to a busy 2016, with a new anthology planned. This follows the success of ‘Four Rivers and a Castle’, which is still selling well – available from Leaf Bookshop, Old Cross, Hertford.
First Light shines for HWC members
Hertford’s first ever Passion Play was produced at Easter 2015, with HWC members taking leading roles in both writing and acting. ‘First Light – a Passion Play for Hertford’ was written by Kate Miller, while Ken Boyter and Stuart Handysides played the roles of disciples Peter and James.
First Light was a re-imagining of the events of Easter from a modern perspective, set as if in the present day and telling the story of Yeshua, a young man trying to follow his mission and running up against the authorities who see him as a threat. Directed by National Theatre actor Trevor Michael Georges, the play was performed by a cast which mixed professional and non-professional actors, with original music written and performed by Hertford musicians.
The play had three performances on 3rd and 4th of April, to packed houses in St Andrew’s Church Hertford, and received an enthusiastic response from the audience.
“An exraordinary experience... moving, funny, thought-provoking, witty, inspiring - and yes, totally compelling” Christina Raven
Check out more on:
www.facebook.com/firstlightpassion
First Light was a re-imagining of the events of Easter from a modern perspective, set as if in the present day and telling the story of Yeshua, a young man trying to follow his mission and running up against the authorities who see him as a threat. Directed by National Theatre actor Trevor Michael Georges, the play was performed by a cast which mixed professional and non-professional actors, with original music written and performed by Hertford musicians.
The play had three performances on 3rd and 4th of April, to packed houses in St Andrew’s Church Hertford, and received an enthusiastic response from the audience.
“An exraordinary experience... moving, funny, thought-provoking, witty, inspiring - and yes, totally compelling” Christina Raven
Check out more on:
www.facebook.com/firstlightpassion
The Romeo & Juliet Killers – new novel by Xavier Leret
HWC member Xavier Leret has had his first novel published by independent publishers Dedalus Press. ‘The Romeo & Juliet Killers’ tells a story of teenage love cutting across the social divide: 15 year old Daizee Byatt, daughter of a drug addict, has already seen too much of the bad side of life in the underclass of Bristol, when she meets innocent 14 year old Franky on his way home from school.
Xav will be talking about his book and bringing copies for sale, at the HWC June meeting on Wednesday 24 June.
Xav will be talking about his book and bringing copies for sale, at the HWC June meeting on Wednesday 24 June.
Dreaming of a White Christmas...
Beer, tapas and ghost stories – but not a snowflake in sight. The Writers’ Circle celebrated its Christmas Party 2014 by inviting people to bring a story or poem on the theme of ‘white’ (since we were at our regular venue, the White Horse, Castle Street, which laid on excellent food for the evening). Members responded with a wide range of entertaining pieces playing with the idea of ‘white’... from a mysterious white van to a haunted white tower, from New Zealand, the Land of the Long White Cloud, to the white sand of Copacabana Beach. More Dreaming than Christmas! We even had audience participation, in the chorus to Janet Hindley’s poem ‘Aotearoa, Land of the Long White Cloud’, and singing along to John Goh’s wonderfully moving ballad ‘Christmas 14’, plus more carols. We’re not sure what the rest of the pub clientele thought of our singing but the landlord is allowing us back to the White Horse for our 2015 meetings.
[photos: Janet Hindley, Chris Parkinson and Karen Skinner reading their work]
[photos: Janet Hindley, Chris Parkinson and Karen Skinner reading their work]
Hertford Writers Go For Groups Therapy
Members of Hertford Writers’ Circle joined others from writers’ groups all over Hertfordshire at “Groups Therapy”, an open mic evening organised by St Albans-based Verulam Writers Circle. Held at Waterstones as part of the St Albans Literary festival in November 2014, the evening was a showcase of highly entertaining and varied stories, poems and even songs. HWC members Stuart Handysides, Janet Hindley, Tony Lee, Xavier Leret and Karen Skinner, plus friends and supporters, all took part.
[photos: Stuart Handysides and Xavier Leret reading their work]
[photos: Stuart Handysides and Xavier Leret reading their work]
One Hundred Years On
Scenes from a new play by Erin Thompson were given a rehearsed reading at Hertford Theatre on 8 July, with Ken Boyter taking the part of Harry. Erin’s play ‘Over By Christmas’ was one of two on a First World War theme, along with ‘Be Prepared and Be Ware’ by Emma Blowers, both directed by Kate Miller.
Erin’s play follows the lives of a young couple, Harry and Mabel, newly engaged in 1914, as the war tests their relationship.
Here, Ken and Rhiannon Drake play the parts of 13 year old Scouts Seal and King, on the hunt for German spies in rural Hertfordshire, in ‘Be Prepared...’.
Seeing It Through at Hertford Theatre, Saturday, 15 November - 4pm & 7.45pm
Kate is also directing a new theatre piece exploring the impact of the First World War on the lives of people in Hertford, Ware and the surrounding villages.
To book tickets visit the Hertford Theatre website.
Erin’s play follows the lives of a young couple, Harry and Mabel, newly engaged in 1914, as the war tests their relationship.
Here, Ken and Rhiannon Drake play the parts of 13 year old Scouts Seal and King, on the hunt for German spies in rural Hertfordshire, in ‘Be Prepared...’.
Seeing It Through at Hertford Theatre, Saturday, 15 November - 4pm & 7.45pm
Kate is also directing a new theatre piece exploring the impact of the First World War on the lives of people in Hertford, Ware and the surrounding villages.
To book tickets visit the Hertford Theatre website.
It's The Last Straw for Paul
Paul Gitsham's first novel, 'The Last Straw' – a detective story set in Hertfordshire, has been published as an e-book by Carina UK.
His main character, DCI Warren Jones, first appeared in print in a short story on Hertford Writers’ Circle’s latest anthology ‘Four Rivers and a Castle’. The second Warren Jones novel is due for publication and Paul is working on the third.
You can buy 'The Last Straw' Kindle Edition from Amazon.
His main character, DCI Warren Jones, first appeared in print in a short story on Hertford Writers’ Circle’s latest anthology ‘Four Rivers and a Castle’. The second Warren Jones novel is due for publication and Paul is working on the third.
You can buy 'The Last Straw' Kindle Edition from Amazon.
Erin storms the competition
Erin Johnson's fantasy flash fiction story, entitled ‘Silent Storm’, took first prize in the Sci-Fi London competition and is now published on Charles Christian's science fiction and contemporary cultural references website Urban Fantasist. Congratulations Erin!
Acting out for play writers
HWC members Ken Boyter, Kate Miller and Erin Thompson are involved in a showcase performance of scenes from new plays, to be held at Hertford Theatre on Tuesday 8 July 2014 – more details to follow. Scenes from Erin’s new play, provisionally entitled ‘Over Before Christmas’ will be among those performed.
Launch of Four Rivers & a Castle - latest HWC anthology
Patricia Moore, Mayor of Hertford, launched the Writers’ Circle’s new anthology Four Rivers & a Castle in December 2013.
Twelve of the authors were there to celebrate the launch, at Hertford’s Courtyard Arts gallery.
Left to right: Ken Boyter, Kate Miller, Karen Skinner, Patricia Moore, Annie Tomkins, Bryan Andrews, Turkan Ahmet, Janet Hindley, Lawrence Stribling, Rik Wilkinson, Paul Gitsham, Christina Raven, Vince Wood.
Twelve of the authors were there to celebrate the launch, at Hertford’s Courtyard Arts gallery.
Left to right: Ken Boyter, Kate Miller, Karen Skinner, Patricia Moore, Annie Tomkins, Bryan Andrews, Turkan Ahmet, Janet Hindley, Lawrence Stribling, Rik Wilkinson, Paul Gitsham, Christina Raven, Vince Wood.