November might be a gloomy month but there was a lot of good news from our members to brighten it up.
Kirsty Hammond has published her debut anthology – A Lullaby for the Warrior Maiden and other stories. A wonderful collection of fantasy and sci-fi short stories including dragons, time travel and sirens, take a look for Kirsty’s book on Amazon.
The Celebration edition of Ayrshire Magazine, dated November and December, was published towards the end of the month and three of our members’ works are featured.
Green-fingered Chris Palmer’s amusing gardening tale of Gourmet Mice and Bulb Lasagne gives advice on planting for spring.
Damaris West’s evocative article The Greatest of Levellers transports us to the beauty of the coastline stretching south from Ayr and the sea.
In the far-off Irvine Valley, Linda Brown recalls a snowy walk on a December’s day – Bird Watching in a Winter Wonderland.
Linda’s second article – All Aboard the Doon Valley Railway – Full Steam Ahead – reports on Dunaskin’s industrial railway heritage.
This edition celebrates the 10th birthday of Ayrshire Magazine. We send congratulations to the magazine’s Editor (and AWC member) Gill Sherry, and thank her for encouraging members to submit their work, giving them the opportunity to be published in this top-class publication.
Damaris West has been busy. Apart from her article above, Damaris has had two poems published; autumnal November on Highland Park Poetry website and Still Life in SweetSmell Journal edition 3. She also read two poems Evening Primroses and Stilling Time at the online launch of the joint poetry collection of the owners/directors of Yaffle Press.
Carolyn O’Hara was in demand again, presenting her talk (based on her non-fiction book) – Late Victorian Ayr, through the Eyes of OCULEUS – at Portland Parish Church, to Troon Family History Society.
Meanwhile, Marion Husband visited two primary schools, Wellington and St. Ninians, to read her children’s picture books – When Granny Came to Visit and The Friendship Bench – to enthralled crowds of little ones.
Taking to the airwaves on Arran Sound Radio, Linda Brown read her short memoir article Inspired by Ladybirds (the children’s books, not the insects) and Helena Sheridan read her short story A New Chapter.
Helena and Linda are both members of Litereight (a group of 8 Ayrshire based female writers, 7 of whom are AWC members).
Breaking news……… Litereight have been offered a monthly, hour-long slot on Arran Sound to perform their stories, poems, flashes etc. Watch this space, and tune into Arran Sound online, or on your digital radio, to listen to these talented writers in December.