Hello, all! If you're interested in the Guildford Book Festival, Goldenford & Guildford Writers are holding two events as part of it:

1. Tuesday 17 October at 8pm in the Guildford Institute: "Guildford Writers' Success Stories" - we'll be reading from work that has gained awards or been published (or both!). I'll be reading from "Pink Champagne" too.

2. Monday 23 October at 6.30pm in Barclays Bank, Guildford - "Crossing the Genre" - Goldenford will be explaining how we set up the company, and what it's like to have an all-women board! We'll also be reading from our published works (and those to be published) - again, I'll be reading from "Pink Champagne" - but a different piece, so no danger of deja vu!

And, in addition, as an early taster pre-Festival, Goldenford will also be holding a creative writing evening called "Characters in Conflict" in the Godalming (note the different town!) Ottakar's on Thursday 12 October 7-9pm. Come along and enjoy scribbling!

If any of you can attend any of these (the first two will be in the Guildford Book Festival brochure), you'll be more than welcome!

A
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I might bump into you there - I think I'm on on the 18th. And I saw your photo in the latest issue of Writers' News, I think; is that right?

Excellent, Kate! Would love to meet up if it's possible in the Book Festival frenzy! I'm still awaiting my brochure!

And, yes, that is me lurking with intent in Writers' News. I think the police might have been after me at the time ...

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A
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I'd love to come on the 23rd if the times work out, as I'll be in Guildford. It sounds really interesting, and shows just how grown-up Goldenford is becoming.

Hope it goes well anyway

Emma

Ooh, fantastic, Emma! It will be lovely to meet you if you can come - Barclays promise not to try to sell you more than one bank account!!

Hope to see you there!

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A
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Well I'll certainly try! Can't be more specific than that because I haven't seen a programme either. I'll be in Guildford because TMOL has been shortlisted for the Goss (formerly Pendleton May) First Novel Award, and I know the dinner's that night. If it doesn't kick of too early, I'll try my damndest to get to your do first.

Hope it goes really well, either way.

Best
Emma

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PS I'm a Barclays customer already, so I should be safe from the hard sell! Not that that stops them sending me sheaves of stuff anyway.

Goodness, well done on that shortlisting, Emma - fantastic news!! I'm sure you'll win!!

And you can always recycle the Barclays bumph ...!

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A
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Cool!

Congratulations Emma!

Thanks, guys. My agent's had three winners already, including last year's, and more shortlisted including Mark Haddon, so I'm hoping it's a good omen and the judge won't decide she doesn't deserve another one!

Emma