by Heather Flood
Anderida Writers, a friendly creative writing group, based in the Sussex seaside town of Eastbourne, is now in its 34th year – and going strong.
It is open to those of all ages whether they need help getting published or writing for fun.
They can benefit from having their work critiqued by members, including the club’s patron Tamara McKinley, an international best-selling author, and listening to advice from guest speakers who include creative writing experts.
In addition to monthly meetings in the Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne, on the second Tuesday of each month, Anderida holds an annual Short Story and Poetry competition at the same venue in July each year. This attracts a lot of attention, especially as entries are usually read out by actor Brian Capron of Coronation Street fame and actress Sue Thacker.
Brian was unavailable this year so Sue read out all 18 entries, and those members and eligible guests present voted on them by giving each short story and poem a mark out of 10.
John Silverton won both sections, lifting the short story trophy by pipping club chairman Tony Flood for first place, with Wendy Ogden, Francis Wait and Mike Haffner coming third, fourth and fifth.
John also won the poetry section for the third successive year, finishing ahead of Alan Turner and Tony Flood.
So John walked off with cash prizes totalling £110, Other prizes included two tickets for the Royal Hippodrome Theatre’s summer season production A Night To Remember, and signed copies of Ellie Dean’s best-selling books Homecoming and A Place Called Home.
Anderida is holding an additional competition this November when club vice chairman Nigel Gearing is providing cash prizes totalling £225 in addition to a Fortnums hamper to be raffled.
This competition will be judged by Nigel and Tamara, with the winners being announced at the club’s Christmas festive meal in the Hydro Hotel’s Orangery Restaurant in December.
The fact that John Silverton and Tony Flood finished first and second in the Anderida Short Story competition on July 9th underlines that their books are among ‘hidden gems’ by little-known authors which many readers miss out on.
John’s novel, A Pearl Amongst Oysters, is a passionate, suspenseful love story based on an actual situation, while Tony has written crime thrillers Triple Tease, Stitch Up and Fall Guy, two of which have been endorsed by best-selling author Peter James, fantasy adventure Secret Potion and celebrity book My Life With The Stars – Sizzling Secrets Spilled!
You can check these books out by entering either ‘John Silverton’ or ‘Tony Flood’ in the search box on Amazon.co.uk
Several other Anderida members have become published authors including Francis Wait, The Psychy Poet Laurie Wilkinson, myself, Heather Flood, Alex (Yas) Hudson, Michael Fleming, D.H. Wells and Philippa Drake, most of whom can also be found on Amazon.co.uk
In addition, some Anderida members formed part of The Collective of seven authors contributing a character each to the unique family saga Driven by Desire – John Newton, Francis Wait, Tony Flood, Tim Purcell, Richard Rewell, Deane Smith and Karen Glennon, with John Silverton providing two chapters.
Forthcoming Anderida events include min-workshops by Michael Fleming on Tuesday, August 13th and author Robert Crouch on Tuesday, September 10th plus an informative talk by author and creative writing teacher Nicola Garrard on Tuesday, October 8th.
Anderida Writers was actually formed under the name ‘Eastbourne Writers Circle’ in 1990 by a group of enthusiastic adult students and two of their college tutors.
It has been led by several chairmen over the years, including Tamara McKinley, Harry Pope, Alan Baker and Michael Fleming, with my husband and current chairman Tony Flood the longest serving. His hard work and dedication to the group, in which he fills several roles, and that of membership secretary and competition secretary Francis Wait, has resulted in each of them being presented with the Anderida Accolade award on more than one occasion.
Tony, a former Fleet Street journalist and Sky Television executive, and now a theatre critic, also provides advice to authors on marketing and publicising their books.
His many high-profile contacts resulted in best-selling crime writer Peter James, actor Alan Baker and Brian Capron accepting Tony’s invitations to succeed actor Jeffrey Holland as Anderida figureheads at various times, together with present patron Tamara McKinley.
Tony says: ‘Members can benefit from the experience gained by myself, Tamara, Brian and others in the group. Anyone wishing to join Anderida will be most welcome. I would be pleased to hear from them as well as any existing members wishing to serve on our committee.’
I am among those who have benefited from the advice given by Tamara, creative writing speaker Jacq Molloy and my husband – particularly when writing my fantasy adventure Purple Mist and series of Mousey Mousey children’s books.
* More details can be provided by Tony Flood by emailing him at tflood04@yahoo.co.uk
