Swanwick Writers Summer School

Lois Maddox examines the display of published books by Swanwickers in the school's bookroom

Linda Povey (left) and Della Galton donate stories to the Scary Shorts series, published by Accent Press.

Both are now full-time short story writers.

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The Velvet Bulldozer

When I arrived at Swanwick in 2003, I had just submitted a book proposal, to Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

A week after I returned home, they offered me a contract for my first book, Surviving the Special Needs System: How to be a Velvet Bulldozer. This was published in September 2004 (ISBN 1-84310-262-5) as 'a signpost' to help parents of children with special educational needs. I'd like to thank ALL at Swanwick who have encouraged, advised and bullied me into getting this published.

All I've gleaned over the years in diverse courses, discussions and workshops, came together so that I could present my work in a professional way and get it published.

Sandy Row

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Freelance Copywriting

My car and I bumped our way nervously up the Hayes driveway for the first time some years ago and into a world that changed mine forever. Six days later, I didn't notice the bumps (too much stardust in my eyes and more than a few tears) but I knew that I'd made friends for life and August would never be the same again. I fairly flew over those bumps the following year, a course leader's badge joining my new yellow label and a book contract (Freelance Copywriting) from A & C Black under my belt. Or, as one of my friends said, double yellow lines and a Black belt.
Diana Wimbs

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Chris Gibbs wins more

Because of achieving my ECDL (remember me bragging about it last year), I was nominated for champion learner award at The Hub, in Edinburgh's Royal Mile, put up in 4 star Apex Hotel previous night, got glass 'star' inscribed with 'champion learner of 2005' goody bag with £20 voucher, camera, chocs and more.

I, along with the other champions was taken on a bus tour of Edinburgh which brought back many memories as I worked there at the tender age of 14!

Must be on a roll since Swanwick - star letter Scottish Sunday Mirror £100, star News of World £50, one ordinary, a tenner, two in Sun £15 each - all towards Swanwick next year.

Chris Gibbs

Many thanks to the committee, course leaders and friends for a great week. I am particularly grateful to those of you who showed me so much support and encouragement with regard to the show mentioned above. Much appreciated.

For those of you who expressed an interest - the new series is scheduled to start on ITV 1, 29 September, being aired at midnight.

The programme in which my sketches are featured is (probably) going out same time, same place, Thursday 3 November.

Patience is a virtue much needed by all writers, but perhaps even more so by non-fiction hacks.

In January, the editor of a children's comic and I exchanged really enthusiastic emails about a possible new series of one-page picture-'stories' I was trying to sell him. From January until August though, despite gentle reminders about every couple of months, he didn't say another word.

Suddenly, out of the blue, about a week after Swanwick I had an email giving me the go-ahead on not just the one series, but on two ... and probably a third as well.

So, patience paid off. (And I'm not known for being patient.)

Gordon Wells

The Velvet Bulldozer

* Freelance Copywriting

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Freelance Copywriting