More success for Stephen Connolly, who has made the long list of the Chesil Theatre, Winchester’s, ten minute playwriting Competition. Steve is now waiting to hear if his play ‘Ten Years’ will be amongst those performed at the theatre in October. Writers were asked to submit ten-minute dramas on a theme inspired by the life or lyrics of music legend David Bowie. The ten winning plays will receive their premiere over one weekend in October 2016 at the 10×10 New Writing Festival. They will be produced, directed and performed back-to-back at the Chesil Theatre. Each play will receive at least three performances.

Deborah Edgington, the 10×10 producer, said: “The aim of 10×10 is to discover, promote and produce the very best new writing of 10-minute plays. It has grown to become a national competition attracting entries from all over the UK.”

Stephen’s short story ‘The Fog’ appears in the July/August edition Ripples Magazine.

Clare Finnimore’s radio play ‘When Will It Be Me?’ was performed at Burdell’s Yard, Bath, as part of the Bath Fringe Festival on Sunday  5th June. The play, which was a collaborative work from Clare and three fellow students, explores the feelings of the people left behind when a young man heads off to fulfill his dreams in Ecuador. Clare is currently studying for an MA in script writing at Bath Spa University.

Angela France, poet-in residence at the Gloucestershire Echo, recently featured three poems by Somewhere Else writer Iris Anne Lewis in her monthly column. The poems concerned were ‘Seven Hundred Years of Grief Ago’; ‘What’s in a Name?’; ‘Under New Management’. The first two feature Kempsford, the last one Cirencester. The column appeared on May 17th. Many congratulations Iris.

Miles Bailey, director of the Choir Press, based in Gloucester, was the guest speaker at Somewhere Else Writers this week. He spoke honestly and interestingly about the perils of self-publishing and gave practical advice on how to avoid some of the pitfalls. He also spoke about the mechanisms and economics of traditional publishing and how they differ to the self-publishing world.

The Choir Press can be contacted here

Angela France, poet-in residence at the Gloucestershire Echo, will be featuring three poems by Somewhere Else writer Iris Anne Lewis in her monthly column. The poems concerned are ‘Seven Hundred Years of Grief Ago’; ‘What’s in a Name?’; ‘Under New Management’. The first two feature Kempsford, the last one Cirencester. The column is due to appear on May 17th.

Many congratulations Iris.

Another success for Jim Moeller, whose short story ‘Excepting February Alone’ has just been shortlisted for the Evesham Festival of Words short story competition. The overall winner will be announced by Katie Fforde on July 1st. Further details of the festival are available here.

A lively evening is promised at the acclaimed Swindon Festival of Literature on Wednesday 4th May, when Iris Anne Lewis,  will be reading work inspired by old 78rpm records.

Iris, along with other local writers, will be taking part in an evening hosted by Hilda Sheehan and Mike Pringle, featuring music from the 78rpm records as well as poems, stories and other writings.

Come and enjoy an entertaining evening at Swindon Central Library, 7.30pm – 9pm, Wednesday 4th May. *Free* Website here

Laurence Marks – one half of the most successful comedy writing duos the UK has ever produced – invited members to the recording of his sitcom ‘Birds of a Feather’ at Pinewood Studios after visiting the group last summer (August 2015).

Marks, with his co-writer and childhood friend Maurice Gran, has been responsible for some of the most popular TV sitcoms in the last 35 years, including ‘Shine on Harvey Moon,’ ‘The New Statesman’ and ‘Goodnight Sweetheart’.

He spoke of his long career, including his time as a reporter for the Tottenham Weekly Herald, and the chance meeting with writer and presenter Barry Took which led to the two friends working for comedy legend Frankie Howerd.

He also gave some invaluable insights into breaking into the business. The duo’s theatre work includes ‘Dreamboats and Petticoats’ and ‘Save The Last Dance For Me.’

Their website can be found here