Tag Archives: literature
Make Hay Festival while the Sun Shines, More Poetry Competition Results, and Creative Writing Workshop Reminder.
The sunshine has really welcomed the crowds to Hay Festival 2026. Glorious bright days and sultry evenings are thronged with book readers, book bearers and every manner of literary lover. All are intent of meeting their author idols, soaking up the heady festival atmosphere, or strolling the short walk into town for a Castle visit, ice creams, boutiques, pubs, cafes and even more excellent book shops. Many meander back to the festival site via the Warren Walk, taking in the lush views of the River Wye. Yes, Hay is at it’s best and everyone is enjoying it… Continue reading
Workshops, Poetry Competition, and our latest Fiction Competition Winner!
Over the next few months we have two exciting writing workshops which anyone can attend (pre-booking essential)… Continue reading
Kington Writer wins Frances Copping Prize, plus New Poetry Workshop Announced
We are excited to announce the results of our Frances Copping Memorial Prize for Fiction Competition, named in fond remembrance of our Lifetime President who sadly passed away in 2020.
This popular competition again received a good number of entries from both inside and outside Hay Writers’ Circle and we very much welcome external interest in all our writing competitions. Continue reading
Tam Allen’s Book Launch Success, A Writing Exercise with Responses, and Hay Festival 2026
Congratulations to new HWC member, Tam Allen, on the recent launch of her poetry book, “Roots”, published by The Conrad Press. Tam’s poems celebrate the strength found in vulnerability and the courage to face the challenges life brings. They are heartfelt and deeply moving. Her poems deal with her own experiences of loss, grief, healing and the profound acceptance which comes from adversity. Each piece is beautifully illustrated by Sion Rees… Continue reading
**STOP PRESS** 2026 HWC Poetry Competition now OPEN and Judge Announced
Submissions are now invited for the annual Hay Writers’ Circle Poetry Competition, and we are thrilled to announce the judge for 2026 is the wonderful Lesley Saunders. The theme this year is entirely open and we hope to receive a wide variety of poems and poetry styles for this competition. The first prize winner will receive £100 prize money, with cash prizes for 2nd and 3rd placed poems… Continue reading
All The World’s A Stage – “Pyramus and Thisby”, adapted for children by HWC Alumni, Alan Oberman
Hay Writers’ Circle Alumni, Alan Oberman, has enjoyed much success with his fine children’s Shakespearean adaptation, Prince Hal and his friend Falstaff. Aimed at Key Stage 3 pupils, this illustrated book is a superb gateway to Shakespeare for younger readers, and the publication comes with 2 CD’s of narration and music. “A real treat”, wrote Sir Richard Eyre.
The book can be purchased direct from Alan – please email : alan.oberman@gmail.com
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2026 – A Year of Writing and Reading Ahead
It’s 2026! Suddenly we are a dozen days into January, and perhaps still considering a multitude of New Year Writing Resolutions. What shall I write next? What old piece of writing shall I revisit and edit? What writing project will be finished this year?
Of course, if you are writing you must also be reading. In the UK there is a huge drive towards 2026 being the Year Of Reading. Government Departments, Schools, Libraries, Literary Agencies, Trusts and Foundations, as well as Literary Festivals are all doing their part to positively promote the written word, whether in printed or digital formats… Continue reading
Hay Festival Winter Weekend, a Brief Book Review and Competition Reminder
The wonderful Hay-on-Wye Christmas Lights have been switch on and the whole of the town is illuminated with the bright lights of literature, imagination and ideas.
We’ve enjoyed animated discussions, art, storytelling, comedy, music, family workshops, seasonal markets, the splendid Hay Castle and of course, many many bookshops. We’ve queued in the cold, in the darkness, but always warmed by tales from our fellow adventuring companions, many of whom have travelled from afar just for a taste of our home town of Hay. We hope they all had the best time and look forward to seeing them again very soon… Continue reading
Lynn Trowbridge, 102 and still Remarkable. Hay Festival Winter Weekend coming soon and Enter our Fiction Competition 2025
The Remarkable Lynn Trowbridge
by Shane Anderson
Taking on the leadership of any community group, particularly such a well-respected and dynamic one as Hay Writers’ Circle (HWC), is not a task to be taken on lightly. It requires focus, commitment and no small amount of energy. Fortunately for happy foot soldiers like myself, there are those impressive souls who not only enjoy such a challenge but relish it… Continue reading