2010
Heavy snow at the start of 2010 meant there was no January meeting. Peter Sampson stepped down as Chairman and Jenny Jewiss took over. Harry Pope expressed concerns as to whether it was worth his while to spend a great deal of his time putting the Year Book together as again there was an element of apathy both with contributions as well as sales. Peter Sampson felt that it was an asset to the Club as “a marketing tool and to publicise our capabilities.”
At the AGM (March 9th, 2010) Treasurer Pam Pope pointed out that there was only £19.92 in the bank and petty cash was only £23.23. It was agreed that the annual subscription be raised from £15 to £25, with £3 a session being charged to visitors. The Anderida Accolade, awarded to the member who has put great effort into all aspects of their writing, or helping the club, was awarded to Elizabeth Wright. Members were informed that two new free magazines, ‘Eastbourne Living Directory’ and ‘Handy Ads’ were looking for local interest contributions. It was agreed that the club provided short stories to Radio DGH which could be broadcast to patients. Liz Baker set up a website for Anderida Writers. In May, both Kevin Haughton and Elizabeth Wright had amusing contributions published in the Peterborough columns of the Daily Mail.

There were only 10 members present at the main May meeting but 18 attended in June, filling out the small room at the Langham Hotel. Neil Evans from Anthony Rowe publishers impressed his listeners with helpful information for those writers wishing to go down the self-publishing route. Preparations were in hand for the July writing competition on a theme of ‘Open Day’. A domain Name for the club’s website was purchased for 2 years. www.anderidawriters.co.uk.

The short story competition was well supported and entries were ably read out by Club Patron, Jeffrey Holland and his wife Judy Buxton. Liz Wright managed to get a piece about Anderida Writers published in ‘Flair For Words.’ The August poetry and barbeque afternoon was hit by rain, with food being cooked in Jenny Jewiss’ garage and the social carried on in the living room. The extra critique meetings held between the main monthly meetings proved very helpful, with in depth feedback to those with work ‘in progress.’ ‘Aspect County’ magazine were publishing a continuing supply of articles from Elizabeth Wright that fitted into their ‘Working Wealden’ pages. The Club lost a valued member when Ella Harris moved to Dunstable. Tony Flood had retired from his job with the Sunday People newspaper, which had given him time to perform public speaking as well as writing books. Liz Wright said that publishers Pegasus, Elliot Mackenzie “were considering my book, ‘From Fancy Pants to Getting There’ for their new 2011 lists.” She was told by Cass and Janie Jackson, two of Anderida’s original members, that one of her articles on Belle Tout lighthouse, which she believes was originally sent to The Lady, but never published by them, was then passed on to ‘TimeTravel –Britain,’ and put on their website.

At the November meeting there was a 400 words flash fiction competition. Harry Pope was writing a red hot novel called ‘Hot Vegas’ which was heading for the racier section of Mills and Boon. Liz’s ‘Fancy Pants’ book was still under consideration; Jill Rutherford book about her experiences in Japan, came back from the publisher praising the writing, but felt that there might not be a market at present. Peter Sampson read about the experiences of his father during World War II. A book ‘One From the Road’ is being worked on.

Tony Flood ably interviewed Sarah Potter and Elizabeth Wright, extracting from them their widely different viewpoints, between a novel writer and a feature writer. Sarah heard that she was one of the finalists, out of 4,000, in the Aesthetica Creative Works short story competition. Lyndsay Crawford-Jones had started a novel, ‘To Die or Not To Die’ and needed to know more about police investigative procedures. Liz Baker took over the Anderida Newsletter as Harry Pope was so busy. Future issues would be sent by e-mail. Valued member Maureen Murphy sadly passed away and Peter Sampson represented Anderida writers at her funeral. The Club’s bank balance had risen to £345.32 due to increased subscriptions.

Tony Flood was now a published author with ‘The Secret Potion’ and in great demand as a speaker. Tamara McKinley’s ‘Matilda’s Last Waltz’ and ‘Dreamscapes,’ was now being published in 10 countries. Continuing sales successes were enjoyed by Ann Botha – ‘The Cuckmere- a Sussex River.’ ‘Sharon Searle – Sussex Women – Famous or Infamous.’ Elizabeth Wright – ‘Made in Sussex.’ Ella Harris – ‘Jimmy Joss in the Antiverse.’ Harry Bankhead – ‘Salute to the Steadfast.’

Chairman of Anderida Writers, Jenny Jewiss with Neil Evans (centre) from Anthony Rowe Publishers congratulating Vice-Chairman Tony Flood on the publication of his book 'The Secret Potion.'

A cheerful bunch of writers attending a critique meeting at a member's home.