Llandudno and District Writers' Club is celebrating three years of meeting by publishing its first collection of short stories and poems. The anthology is entitled, Ghostly Goings On.
Club chairman Brian Lux said: "Everyone likes a good ghost story, but it is quite a challenge to write one that succeeds in getting readers to believe in the ghosts for the short time it takes to read one of our stories or poems."
Putting together the anthology was a steep learning curve for members who had to take on all the different aspects of publishing. One member, Mary Hansen, designed the illustration for the front cover. Two members took on proof reading and editing. Abergele Graphics, a project run by Conwy County Council housing and social care department, printed the collection. A cash grant from Awards for All Wales covered printing costs.
The club began three years ago with just five members. Now the twice-monthly meetings regularly attract 15 to 20 members and there's a regular newsletter to which members contribute. The club has one member in France and one in Dorset and links have been forged with the Elgin Writers Club in Scotland. The clubs judge each other's competitions and recently a Llandudno member attended a writers' club conference hosted by Elgin Writers Club.
The purpose of the club is to provide a time and place for anyone interested in writing to share their enthusiasm with others. Members volunteer to run workshops and visiting speakers come to share their knowledge and experience of the writing business. Discussion is lively and often challenging. Members get the opportunity to perform their own work, but there are strict time limits.
Meetings take place on Tuesday afternoons from 2pm to 4pm in the Old School Lane Centre, Church Walks, Llandudno. New members are welcome to come along. For more information about the club call Brian on 01492 860146 or check out the club's website (see right).
The anthology Ghost Goings On is available at the Kava Café on Gloddaeth Street, Llandudno, at £2.99.
Janet Howarth
