Thank you for reading! This is my usual monthly round up of all things writing. A few good news and some links to read my work below.
Should you have any feedback—even if brutal, my skin is as thick as my accent—please feel free to comment or send me an email, and if you think someone else might enjoy this newsletter, please share!
What’s in this issue
I’m going to run a workshop!
Hampshire Writers Society, 2 wins in a row
My first eZine publication
A Charm of Writers
A few things I’m enjoying
A beautiful quote.
I’m Going To Run a Workshop!
Yes, that’s me!
On Sunday the 25th of February, at 4.30pm, I’m going to run a creative writing workshop in the loveliest bookshop in Hampshire.
The Imaginarium is an award-winning independent bookshop in Lymington, New Forest, and it’s my favourite place to get books. They host loads of events, and on the 25th of February, at 4.30pm, there’s going to be mine.
If you like sci-fi and fantasy, and you’re fascinated with worldbuilding, this is the workshop for you. Grab pen and paper, and join us. It would mean the world to me!
Description below.
Enrich your stories with daring worldbuilding in this workshop led by award-winning author Francesco Sarti. He will guide you through the first idea sparks to the intricacies of worldbuilding, making even the most imaginative details integral to your story. Prepare to put pen to paper as we dive into stimulating exercises and see stories you thought you were familiar with under a completely new light. Suitable for both beginners and experienced writers, the aim of this workshop is to get you to go home with an outline for a fantasy or sci-fi story and a cohesive imaginary world to play with. Francesco has published poetry and short fiction in Italy, and is represented by Kate Nash Literary Agency in the U.K. He is currently working on his first sci-fi novel.
Book here, limited spaces available, or share this email with someone who could be interested.
Hampshire Writing Society, 2 Wins in a Row
After December’s second place at the monthly Hampshire Writers’ Society competition, (which you can read here) I got highly commended in January as well!
The Brief was as follows:
You are invited to write and submit an Ekphrastic piece of prose fiction, poetry, non-fiction or short essay.
Choose three works of existing art. They can be from different artists or the same. They can vary in medium – you could choose a song, a painting, a film etc.
Write a piece that draws from all three works.
You could use the piece to comment on the works.
You could write in response to the tones or the atmosphere of the pieces.
You may choose figures within the work to narrate or feature within the work.
You may derive settings from the soundscape/landscapes presented.
You may use the three pieces as transitions – i.e. Vignettes drawing on each work, poem sequences etc.
You can read my entry and all the other winners here
My First eZine Publication
I was glad to be included in a digital anthology curated by author and fellow member of the HWS, MJ White with a piece of flash fiction particularly dear to my heart.
Just Breathe is a collection of creative writing and artwork from the people of Andover and the surrounding area.
In collaboration with Chapel Arts Studios, Andover College, Andover Advertiser, and The Hampshire Writers Society, author M.J. White has collated and edited an uplifting anthology of stories, poems, photography, and artwork.
A Charm of Writers
Last but not least in a month full of events (among them, my house almost got flooded, my daughter turned 2 and I dislocated my shoulder. Ouch!) I’ve been invited to the Charm Writing Group to talk about Substack for aspiring writers.
Based in Alton, in yet another lovely bookshop called Goldfinch Books, it is a friendly and inclusive group that meets the last Thursday of the month, it is led by the amazing Louise Morrish, who has recently published her debut novel, “Operation Moonlight” with Penguin Random House.
Thank you for the invite, Lou!
A few things I’m enjoying at the moment
With the new year, it comes the hoard of new resolutions and reflections.
I have been keeping a Bullet Journal for four years now, but I never took the time to study the method from the source.
So, I started my 2024 reading “The Bullet Journal Method” from cover to cover, and I’m glad I did.
I’ll probably write a longer article about this, but let me just say it’s not what you write in your journal that makes a difference. It’s why you write it.
24/30
Affiliate link on the title and cover.
A Beautiful Quote
Have nothing in your homes that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.
William Morris
Alla prossima.
Congratulations on all your recent writing success 👏 I’m thrilled to have a piece alongside you in “Just Breath” 😊 Thanks for the Substack support too 🙏 and good luck with the writing workshop, I look forward to hearing how it goes 👍
You're a busy person!
Love the Imaginarium also and maybe I now have an excuse to visit Goldfinch Books.
I like the final William Morris quote, but hope it doesn't get applied to me. 😜
Onwards and upwards.