Ripon Writers' Group

Everyone is invited to an afternoon/evening of celebration at Maggie’s house on Saturday, 22nd August. From five o’clock onwards, there will be food, drink, music and – inevitably – the odd reading from Shadows of the Past. Based partly on the bizarre events of a summer in France during Maggie’s teens, this novel has had a long gestation period but is (Maggie hopes) all the better for that.

Please go along if you can, even if only for half an hour or so. If you really can’t, there will be a repeat (but smaller) event in York on Saturday, 29th August, so please ask Maggie for details.

The novel is available both as a paperback and as a download and Maggie is proud to announce that The Little Ripon Bookshop has copies.

The ballroom of Ripon Spa Hotel was packed for the launch of long term RWG member David’s newly published book of poems, Gestures from Fragments. Introduced by Ken Ridley, who adjudicated our Hint of History competition a few years ago, David gave thanks for all the help and support that he’d received along the way, especially from the ‘eagle eyes’ of RWG’s very own Elizabeth.

Supported by fellow poet and former colleague Paul Mills, who read some of his own poems, and a couple of highly talented guitarists, David gave everyone an evening to remember. It was particularly moving that his sons also read from the new book, which contained a moving tribute to their late mother.

Maggie’s new ebook, Easy Money For Writers And Wannabes, a guide to writing ‘fillers’ for magazines and newspapers, is featured in the local paper this week. It currently has the status of an Amazon #1 Best Seller in its category.

Following our outing in June to this historic place (see below), members were invited to write about whatever inspired them during the visit. This they have done in both poetry and prose, as well as submitting their own illustrations.

Edited and collated by Andrew, for which we are all very grateful, the Markenfield Hall Anthology is now available to purchase for a very modest £3 a copy.