When actor Brian Capron played serial killer Richard Hillman in long-running soap Coronation Street he was probably the most hated man on British television. But in real life Brian is a lovely person and has again shown his willingness to help the local community by agreeing to join actress Susan Thacker in reading out entries for the Eastbourne group Anderida Writers’ annual short story and poetry competition.
Anderida chairman Tony Flood has received confirmation from Brian and Susan that they are both available to share the task of reading entries in the Garden Suite of the Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne, on Tuesday, July 15th, for the popular competition, the closing date for entering is Wednesday, June 25th.
A delighted Tony Flood says: “I am so grateful to Brian and Susan, who both live in Sussex, for their excellent support of local writers. Their expertise as actors makes the readings come alive.
“In addition, Brian has endorsed some of the books I have written, including crime thriller Triple Tease – which was also recommended by best-selling author Peter James, together with my latest thriller Fall Guy. Brian was full of praise for my celebrity book My Life With The Stars of which he said: ‘Journalist Tony Flood comes up with more revelations about Elvis Presley and other big stars in the second edition of My Life With the Stars – Sizzling Secrets Spilled! There’s loads of comedy gems – and some advice for Simon Cowell.’
Tony adds: “Brian provided a hilarious story about himself in my book, revealing how he inadvertently caused the cast of Coronation Street to burst out laughing when he played one of his most frightening scenes as serial killer Hillman.”
The supportive Mr Capron also backed fellow Anderida Writers authors Alex Hudson and Heather Flood. He read Alex’s book Secrets Will Surface on Hailsham FM radio, and said of Heather’s fantasy adventure Purple Mist: “Don’t you love it when bullies get their comeuppance! That’s just the start to Purple Mist, a wonderful adventure story full of thrills and spills that is literally out of this world!”
Brian has not given up playing villains and is going to be the evil Abanazar in Aladdin at the Stockport Plaza in December. Meanwhile, he will be reading a short story each Sunday as part of Hailsham FM‘s competition.
Susan, who also appears under the name Sue Williams, has been starring in the play Boston Marriage at Seaford Little Theatre from June 6th to 14th.
Entries for this year’s Anderida competition can be on any theme, and there will be cash prizes of £60 for the winner of the short story section and £50 for the poetry section plus other prizes for those finishing second and third.
The competition categories are:
- Short stories up to 600 words
- Poems up to 40 lines in length
Entry requirements:
The competition is open to all Anderida members or guests who have attended at least one meeting prior to the closing date. Entries can be published or unpublished but must be the original work of the writer. Short stories should be typed in 14pt font, double-spaced, on single-sided A4 sheets (not double-sided). Poems to be typed in 14pt font, single-spaced.
Three copies of each entry and entry fees should be sent to Competition Secretary Francis Wait at the address below in an envelope, ALSO within which an additional sealed envelope must be enclosed, containing the writer’s name, address, phone number and an original title of the entry. The author’s name must NOT appear on the actual story or poem, but a word count must be given at the end of the short story entries.
Entrants should also state whether they would prefer their entry to be read by a man or a woman.
The entry fee is £6 for a single entry and £9 for two entries per person. The maximum number of entries is two per entrant for full members and only one entry for guest members. However, given the time constraints on the reading of entries, a maximum of 24 will be judged. This means that if there are more than 24 FIRST entries, only the first 24 received will be considered. If less than 24 FIRST entries are received, the SECOND entries, up to an overall total of 24, will be judged. Any second entries able to be accepted in this way, will be taken in the date order they are received, until the overall 24 is reached (so the sooner you submit any second entry the better!). Entries not able to be judged will have the submission fee refunded.’
Any entries which contain profanities, or other unacceptable material, may be rejected.
Judging:
Readings and judging of all entries will take place at the Tuesday, July 15th, 2025 meeting. All qualifying members present (full members and guests who have attended at least one Anderida meeting prior to the closing date) can vote for each entry (giving scores up to 10), including their own. A marking form will be issued to each eligible person present, and those voting must write their name at the top of it.
Readings will start at 7.45 pm. Anyone arriving after this time will not be able to mark the entries, as they will have missed the initial reading(s).
Submission Arrangements:
Submissions should be sent, to arrive by Wednesday, June 25th, 2025, to competition secretary: Francis Wait, at Flat 30 Lakeside Court, 35 Dallington Road, Hampden Park, Eastbourne, BN22 9EJ. Cheques should be included in the main, outer envelope, NOT in the sealed envelope containing your name, and should be made payable to ‘Anderida Writers.’
Those submitting more than one entry, should ensure they are marked First Entry, Second Entry.
Good luck!
If you would like to see your works published FREE online, visit The Write Site and submit your work. You’ll also find plenty of advice and support for writers.
