For people who love writing

December Meeting

Tuesday 8 December

December meeting takes the form of a festive Christmas Lunch in the Orangery of the Hydro Hotel,

meet at 1.15 pm for 1.30 pm sit down. All members and guests are invited. Cost is £27 which includes a £10 subsidy from club funds. Contact Tony Flood for menu and details: tflood04@yahoo.co.uk

November Meeting

Tuesday 17 November commencing 7 pm

Writer Michael Fleming will host a mini-workshop focussing on character and dialogue and sharing additional knowledge he gained from seminars at the recent Eastbourne Literary Festival (LitFest).

Michael will discuss the development of characters through their movements, actions,

reactions and voice. He will look at how plot is progressed through the use of dialogue,

how interruption and repetition can strengthen credibility and increase tension.

Members and guests should bring pen and paper because we may be swapping notes!

Members and guests will also have the opportunity to read an example of their writing for constructive critique.

It was agreed at the October meeting that future meetings would be from 7 pm to 9.30 pm, or longer according to requirements.

October Meeting

THE EASIEST WAY TO MAKE YOUR CHAPTERS HARD TO PUT DOWN

Expert advice from Patrick Walsh of Publishing Push will be passed on to members and guests at the next meeting of Anderida Writers on Tuesday 13th October at the Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne, starting 7.30 pm. Tony Flood will relate Patrick's advice that the easiest way to make chapters hard to put down is by leaving an open question at the end.

Those attending the meeting will also be able to read extracts of their work and have it critiqued as detailed above, initially by a small group of five or six people and following the interval, the outcomes will be shared by the whole group.

John Silverton will raise the motion that future meetings should commence at 7 pm and finish by 9.30 pm and request members opinions and to vote on the motion.

September Meeting

Actor Brian Capron talked about his career and gave members advice on the advantages of obtaining endorsements and forewords for their books. He had recently recorded audio versions of two books for a new novelist, and he referred to the author's journey from inspiration to publishing and audio books, including pitfalls, costs, book launches, discipline, etc.  Following the talk members discussed future direction of the Group and the election of new committee members, before several members read extracts of their works for critique.

Chairman Tony Flood paid tribute to outgoing patron Tamara McKinley, Vice Chairman Nigel Gearing, Secretary Robert Crouch and Competition and Membership Secretary Francis Wait.

Tony said: 'Tamara has been associated with Anderida Writers for many years, during whivh she became an international best-selling author under her own name and pseudonym Ellie Dean. She used her experience and knowledge to provide members with helpful advice and critiques to repay the club for the help she received before her fame.'

'Nigel Gearing generously sponsored a new poetry and short story competition, judged by him and Tamara, and also donated Fortnum & Mason Christmas Hampers to be raffled in aid of club funds.

Robert Crouch became secretary at the 2026 AGM and with his wife, Carol, designed and launched this new website, resulting in him being awarded the Anderida Accolade Award. An experienced writer of nine published crime novels, Robert also contributed helpful advice to members and conducted talks at meetings.

Francis Wait , in his roles of Membership and Competition Secretaries and Assistant Treasurer, gave many years of great service to the club.

The meeting concluded with Tony Flood leading a discussion on ways and ideas for the club to move forward and the election of new committee members:

John Newton as Secretary, Richard Rewell as Competition Secretary, and Vince Kent as Membership Secretary and Assistant Competitions Secretary.

Writers praise Anderida’s new critiquing system

Writers gave Anderida’s fresh approach to critiquing the thumbs up at two recent meetings.

By dividing those present into two smaller groups, each with a leader, writers could read their work in a more relaxed setting and then enjoy detailed feedback from the rest of the group. From poetry to prose and short stories to novels, the depth and breadth of different styles added to the experience.

In the second half of the meeting, the two leaders summarised the key issues from the sessions. Writers then had the chance to offer their own comments. Everyone was positive and felt they’d gained valuable feedback to help them improve their work.

Issues such as characterisation, conflict, and showing rather than telling were the main issues identified.

These smaller, more relaxed groups offer a more relaxed and detailed approach to critiquing, which can only benefit those who brought their work for assessment. This approach will now be the basis for critiquing sessions to help those who want to improve their writing.