Writing can be a pleasurable and for some, profitable, pastime. If you enjoy writing, you have the chance to take part in this year’s annual Short Story Competition run by Faringdon Writers. The results of the competition will be announced at this year’s Faringdon Writers ‘Book Fair’ held on 23 November in Faringdon’s Corn Exchange.
This year’s competition theme is ‘The Market Place’ which can be interpreted any way you would like it to be. The Short Story Competition is open to all members of the local community both young, old and in between. So please have a go and send us your stories.
There are three age groups: Primary (age 5-11), Secondary (age 12-17) and Adult (18+). All entries are free and the deadline for entries is 6 October 2024. Each winner will have their story published in the next Voices from Faringdon Anthology with a display in Faringdon Library. For further information and full rules please email: faringdonwriters@gmail.com.
Becoming a hotly anticipated annual event in the Faringdon calendar each November, the annual Book Fair is aimed at supporting both traditionally and self-published local authors of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. This highly successful event in 2023 saw 22 independent authors/writing groups come together to showcase their work to the public. Many writers are unable to access the more prestigious literary festivals, and this opportunity provides them with a chance to share what they do with a wider audience.
If you would like to become a member of Faringdon Writers, members meet at Faringdon Business Centre on the third Tuesday of every month. This thriving group was conceived ten years ago as a means of providing time and space for the people of Faringdon and the surrounding areas, including Witney and Carterton, who love to write, or want to learn about writing; and wish to share that passion and knowledge with like-minded people. At meetings, members get the chance to chat about all things writing and to share their work with constructive feedback and friendly support. There are mini workshops on aspects of writing and even visiting speakers who come along to help with issues such as genre focus, editing, publishing, and marketing. Meetings are free and there is even a cup of tea or coffee thrown in.
Members are a friendly and diverse bunch. Some are published authors of a range of texts including fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, whilst others are fairly new to writing and come along to learn more and share skills and expertise.
To give some kind of purpose to and an outlet for the pieces members write, an annual anthology is published by the group entitled Voices from Faringdon and Anthology Volume 9 is now available to purchase from Faringdon Tourist Information Office or Amazon online (£6.50 for some really good reads). This volume also includes the 2023 winners of the first Short Story Competition.
So, if you like to write, or want to write, then come and join us say the members of Faringdon Writers. If you are interested, there is a dedicated Facebook page – Faringdon Writers – and new members are always most welcome.
Please contact Val Hughes at faringdonwriters@gmail.com for further details.
