Tag Archives: Writing Groups.
Hay Festival 2026, Holly Müller Writing Workshop Reminder, The Richard Booth Prize for Non-Fiction Competition, and Illustrator Opportunity!
The sun certainly shone brightly on Hay Festival 2026 and glorious amounts of book fiends descended to on our border town to fill their bibliographical hearts full of wonder, delight, and books, books, books! This year book sales were up and so was festival attendance too. This all bodes well for next year as the festival celebrates it’s 40th year. … Continue reading
2026 Poetry Competition – Winner Announced!
We are thrilled to announce the results of the Hay Writers’ Circle Poetry Competition, 2026.
This every popular competition received a good number of entries from both inside and outside Hay Writers’ Circle and we very much welcome all external interest in our writing competitions.
We must firstly take a moment to thank our amazing 2026 Poetry Judge, Lesley Saunders, who has read all the entrees and whittled them down to our ultimate set of prize winning poems… 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
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
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
2025 Fiction Competition Now OPEN, Poetry Workshop Report, The One That Didn’t Get Away, and Hay Festival Winter Weekend coming soon!
Submissions are now invited for our annual Fiction Competition, The Frances Copping Memorial Prize 2025, named in fond remembrance of our Lifetime President who sadly passed away in 2020.
The competition is open to everyone, members of Hay Writers’ Circle and non-members too. Pieces of 500-1500 words on any fiction theme are accepted. Closing date for entries is Tuesday 6th January 2026. Prizes are awarded for first, second and third place… Continue reading
HWC AGM: Committee Voted In & Members Leaving Us, Plus Richard Booth Prize 2025 – 3rd Place Winner.
HWC AGM 2025
How quickly our writing year is up and running again! Our Annual General Meeting enjoyed not only many positive reports from it’s Committee, but also a number of exciting plans and adaptations for the coming year ahead. All thanks to everyone who brainstormed ideas during our summer blue-sky-meeting.
We are delighted that the following Committee Members have been re-appointed. Continue reading
Richard Booth Prize 2025 – Winners Announced.
We are delighted to begin this week with the results of our annual non-fiction competition.
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.
Our memorial prize, named in tribute to Richard Booth, the self-proclaimed “King of Hay”, who among many literary interests, was a keen supporter of the Hay Writers’ Circle. He sadly passed away in 2019, still in love with books, writers and his beautiful kingdom of Hay-on-Wye… Continue reading