Some of you may know that I came second in a competition with Carter’s Money.

Well… next Wednesday, June 8th, I’ll be reading it out in public. The venue is Sweetens Bookshop, Deansgate, Bolton. Starting at 6.30pm.

I have no idea what sort of event it will be. All I know is that the prizewinners have been invited along to read out their entries. Hopefully, I won’t be the only one!

If anyone can get to it, I'd love to see you there. You’ll recognise me from the photo on my Showcase page – long grey hair, cross expression… will probably leave the hat at home…

Dee

I'm down in London so can't come but would have loved to had I been any nearer! Well done and I hope it goes well!

Sue
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Thanks Sue.

Dee
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I can't either seeing as I am way down here, but I wish you a very successful reading and wish that I could be there. And although I've never been there, I already like Sweetens Bookshop for hosting this reading!

You'll have to tell us afterward how it was for those of us who can't make it.

Ani

Dee, why do you live so bloody far away?

Anyway, that's terrific news and well deserved. You'll be touring the country next.Good luck, breathe and enjoy it!

JB

Dee

Well, I feel bloody awful now, 'cos I actually WORK in Bolton - at the brand, shiny new 'University of...' - but as I'm still off sick it's not a good idea to be seen in public there! Anyway, although I've just got permission to drive again from the DVLA, my current limit is ASDA a mile away, and Bolton's 12.

Strangely, although I did my degree and PGCE in Bolton (at the 'other' campus on the far side of town) and have worked at the main campus for 2 years, I don't know Bolton at all, so I can't tell you anything about the town centre or Sweetens. When I AM working, I can't wait to get away, so have never been for a wander round, even though the centre's only about 10 minutes walk away. I'm just a lazy cow....

Congratulations on the competition, and good luck with the reading!

Julie

Ani, thank you. I’ll let you know how I get on.

JB, it’s you who lives too far away, not me!

Julie, Aw… what a shame. It would have been great to meet you.

Thanks, all, for the good wishes.

Dee

Dee,

You need to try and get them to relocate up to scotland......!

Goodluck with it!

Let us know how you get on

Julie

Dee,

I've put your reading in my diary as Manchester not very far from Bolton and would be nice to actually meet another Writewords author and hear your work - however it is quite likely that complications of ill partner, my bad foot and new lodgers moving in may prevent an excursion that evening. If I don't make it, hope it goes well and congratulations on the competition.

Veronica

Dee, hope it goes splendidly well, and have popped it in Events Calendar.

Julie, well… I’ll suggest it…

Veronica, it’ll be good to see you if you can make it. No worries if you can’t – sounds like you have a lot on.

Anna, gosh! I never expected to see myself in the Events Calendar! Thank you.

Dee

Well, Dee, how did it go? Any tips to give us on reading in public?

Ashlinn

Yup, let's hear about it!!!

Well, it wasn’t what I expected. When I heard it was to be held in a bookshop I assumed it would be in the actual shop, and therefore open to the public but it was, in fact, just 14 of us upstairs in a private room. I've read to bigger groups at our local manuscript evenings so, in the end, it wasn’t half as nerve-wracking as I expected.

It was, however, very different in that they were strangers – and it was lovely that many of them came up to me afterwards and said they’d really enjoyed my story. It was a great evening and we had the run of the bookshop afterwards. Needless to say, I came out laden!

The winning short story, by Alexandra Fox, was stunning and there was no doubt as to why it had won. Lexie came up from Northampton to read it and she was very nervous, but she did brilliantly.

A tip for the future – watch out for Natasha Boyle. She won the under-sixteens comp and it’s a cracking good story. It wasn’t perfect (what is?) but her imagination and the way she paced her writing gives a hint of what she can do if she keeps writing.

The best – the very best surprise – was that our pal ShayBoston was there. It was wonderful to meet him.

As for reading in public – I got this from the judge when she heard I was going to read my story. Low and slow. I have a fairly low voice anyway (apart from when I’m excited by meeting other WW members ) but I do have a tendency to rattle through stuff so I can get to the end before everyone gets bored. So I think the secret is to pace yourself and have faith that your audience wants to listen.

Would I do it again? Ohhhhh yes!

Dee

Wow, Dee, that sounds just wonderful!

I'm glad you enjoyed the experience.

joanie