If you write, or want to write, short stories, articles, poetry, novels, or your life story, why not come along to the Jurassic Coast Writers Group on the first Saturday of every month from 2pm to 4pm at the coffee shop inside Ida's Stores, Lower Sea Lane, Charmouth.

For further details see www.sallyannsheridan.com/jurassic.htm

You are invited to Writing in Charmouth on Saturday 19th June, 2010 and Saturday 24th July 2010. Bring along your first chapter, or a piece of writing that you would like to share with others. It is an opportunity to exchange views through mutual support, and encouragement, take your writing to the next stage. It is open to everyone who has an interest in writing from beginners to the more advanced. It is not necessary to attend every session.

Venue: Cliff House, Old Lyme Road, Charmouth, Dorset DT6 6BW

9.30a.m:         Registration and coffee, please be prompt
10.00a.m:       Why do you write? What have you written? What more do you want to do?
10.30a.m:       Group Work
11.30 – 12.45: Reading and appraising written work.
1.00p.m:         Close and picnic lunch – you are welcome to stay until 3p.m. to enjoy the clifftop garden.

Cost: £10.00 of which £8.00 goes to help fund the Charmouth Literary Festival, 16th October 2010.
Tea and coffee will be provided throughout the day. Please bring your own packed lunch. You are advised to bring several photocopies of your work for others to read as this is an opportunity to get some feedback.

Please notify Wendy Knee if you wish to attend 01297 561493 or 0796 884 6514

wendyknee@hotmail.com
www.wendyknee.com

Charmouth celebrated all things literary at the village’s first literary festival on Saturday.

Local authors showcased their works and encouraged budding writers to start that book they have always wanted to pen.

The inaugural Charmouth Literary Festival 2009 took place at several village locations with the theme of taking initial steps, such as how to start writing and becoming more creative.

The one-day free event at several village locations was organised by Charmouth authors Wendy Knee, who wrote the self-help book Never Die Wondering, and Sallyann Sheridan, author of the novel If Wishes Were Horses.

Mrs Knee said: “It exceeded our expectations in terms of the number of people who came and it was great to showcase our books.” Participating authors Colin Ives, Jennifer Grierson, Dr Sue Beckers and fossil expert Dr Colin Dawes talked about their own experiences and Sallyann Sheridan held a writing workshop.

Anne Orchard led a seminar on the pros and cons on self-publishing after she decided to fly solo with her book Their Cancer, Your Journey.

Mrs Knee said: “It was brilliant to chat to people who want to write for so many reasons. Several planned to do family treasure books and we were able to guide them to print-on-demand sites and generally encourage everyone to have a go.

“The Hensleigh Hotel served a delicious English brunch lunch, Ida’s Store was packed as one of the venues and the village as a whole benefited from the festival.”

The event was backed by Creative Dorset.

Organisers are hoping to make the festival an annual event and have already set the 2010 date as October 16.

If anyone in publishing, or with a success story, is interested in taking part next year, please contact Wendy Knee on 01297 561493 or email info@charmouthliteraryfestival.org.uk

A Festival of Firsts will be held in Charmouth when the village celebrates its wealth of literary talent.

The inaugural Charmouth Literary Festival is on Saturday, October 17 from 10am to 4pm at various village locations.

The theme is based on taking initial steps – how to start writing, becoming more creative, the emotional and mental benefits, and experiencing the rewards of publishing your work.

The one-day event is being co-ordinated by Charmouth writers Wendy Knee, author of self-help book Never Die Wondering, and Sallyann Sheridan, author of If Wishes Were Horses, a novel set in Lyme Regis.

Mrs Knee said: “We would like the festival to become a regular occurrence and we have had a lot of interest in it from both the public and other authors.

“Sallyann Sheridan also lives in the village and we got together and said we need to pick a day and sit in the village and sell books. Then we thought, let’s have a literary festival as there are a few people in the village who have written books – and that’s how it started.

“This time, the festival is to inspire people to either continue with that book they’re writing, or if they want to start writing, to come along and talk to us, take part in the workshops and find out how we did it.”

Guest speakers and authors will include Dr Colin Dawes, an expert on the Jurassic Coast and fossil history, Anne Orchard, author of Their Cancer – Your Journey, poet and storyteller Jennifer Grierson, and Colin Ives on writing a biography.

“We decided to keep it tight within the community this time and we have found Creative Dorset very supportive,” said Mrs Knee.

Creative Dorset has provided funding to help spread the word about the festival. Entry to talks and family workshops are free.

The day will be launched at 10am in St Andrew’s Village Hall, Lower Sea Lane, when there is a chance to meet the authors, followed by events throughout the day.

Activities will also be held at Ida’s Village Shop, the library, and on the beach (weather permitting). For a full programme of events contact Wendy Knee on 01297 561493 or info@charmouthliteraryfestival.org.uk. An English brunch lunch for £6 can be pre-booked at the Hensleigh Hotel, Lower Sea Lane, on 01297 560830.