Thank you for visiting our modest website. We hope the following brief description of the group's activities encourages you to give us a call or come along to one of our monthly meetings.
The Basingstoke Writers' Circle (BWC) meets as an informal group of friendly, local, amateur poetry and prose writers. We are not a tutored class but instead offer encouragement, support and if asked, direction and coaching for our members. Here are the answers to some of the questions that regularly get asked by prospective members:
- So how often do you meet?
- Normally, monthly between 8 and 10 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Please call us for confirmation of the venue (usually the United Reformed Church) and the agenda for the next meeting. (Tel 01256 326453)
- How long has the BWC been established?
- We changed our name in 2003(we were previously known as the Basingstoke Literary Friends Circle). We are now in our twentieth year!
- So are you all published, highly successful authors?
- Far from it! Most of our members write purely for their own pleasure. That said we do have in our midst, members whose works have been published or performed. We also achieve plaudits and regular success at the annual Basingstoke Music and Arts Festival and WORDFEST event.
- Can you describe a typical meeting?
- It varies considerably. For instance, we might have a guest author or arrange a visit. There is usually an opportunity for members who wish to read their own material to do so. To further develop our skills, we have been known to enter the odd competition or engage in creative 'writing challenges'! For instance, members have written and recorded a 35 track CD anthology called 'A Bucket of Frogs'. We have sold over 150 copies with the great thing being that £2 of each £5 sale went to local charities.
- How much does it cost to join?
- At the moment the cost is £2.50 per meeting (to cover room hire and teas / coffees) and £10 annual members joining fee. For prospective members, the first meeting is free. So why not come and join us and see whether we are your cup of tea?
