Pentlands Writers Group

The Pentlands Writers Group was formed in 2000 by a number of people of varying levels of expertise in prose, poetry and playwriting and with the encouragement of author Stuart Delves and Writer in Residence Tom Bryan. Its aims are to raise the profile of literature locally, and to encourage writers to develop their skills. Several members have won awards for their work, or seen it published or performed, being best known perhaps in the area for the 2005 community play ‘Pentlands at War', initiated by Stuart Delves, co-written by five members of the group and performed to critical acclaim by over forty members of the community. Members also host regular ‘airings' of their work, which are always enthusiastically attended.

We meet on a fortnightly basis, with most meetings involving either a focus on a piece of work by one or more of the members, or working on inspirational exercises. Other events include periodic weekend workshops led by invited authors, and collaborative meetings with other writers' and creative groups in the region.

In the past two years, with the help of Live Literature Scotland funding, the group has welcomed Janet Paisley, Alan Spence, Anita Govan and Des Dillon, all well-known authors in their respective fields.

2009-10 has seen the Group's first short story writing competition, to celebrate our tenth year. Entries were received from as far away as Vancouver and we were delighted to have three well-known authors as judges (Sean Black, Tom Murray and Carl MacDougall). CLICK HERE for winning stories.

Current members include:

Mick Armstrong
Yvonne Crossley (Secretary)
Lucy Douglas (Web Secretary)
Bethany Halcrow
Sara Innes (Treasurer)
Anita John (Convenor)
Julie Myatt
Georgina Phillips

Please contact Yvonne on yvonne@ycrossley.org.uk or Anita on iandajohn@talktalk.net for enquiries about membership or forthcoming events. New members are invited for 2010/11, starting in September.

Previous members have included the poet Vicki Feaver; actress, producer, writer and poet Gerda Stevenson; playwright and author Stuart Delves; short story writer Lindsay Mann and novelist Douglas Bruton. 

^{In an uncertain world it’s reassuring to find
that snowflakes melt in our hands;
that the strange tongue of quantum physics
is all in the mind.}

^{© Yvonne Crossley}

^{WRITER'S TIP NO. 8: A VERY, VERY USEFUL WORD – not. Run a search for the word ‘very’ and delete them all. It will almost invariably be unnecessary.}

Some PWG Publications and Publications containing PWG work:

Pentlands at War: a community play based on local memories of World War II; published by Scottish Borders Council Arts Development http://www.gerdastevenson.co.uk/directing_pentlands.htm

Pentlands at War: a creative response;published by the Pentlands Writers Group

Both Sides of Hadrian's Wall: contemporary poetry from south Scotland and north England; published by Selkirk Lapwing Press www.selkirklapwingpress.co.uk

Border Voices: an anthology of poetry and prose; published by the Borders Writers' Forum: www.borderswritersforum.com

www.shortbreadstories.com contains several stories from both Julie Myatt and Lucy Douglas, including one audio story available to download.

Available through Linton Books in West Linton, (t) 01968 660339, (e) sales@lintonbooks.com

 Forthcoming events will be publicised below and on the West Linton Forum.