Writer’s Quote of the Month
All my life I’ve looked at words as though I were seeing them for the first time.
~ Ernest Hemingway, born 21 July
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Contents
1. News
2. Guest Speaker: 24 July 2008 - High coffee with a literary agent
3. Courses & workshops
4. How to Become a Subscriber
5. Book Reviews
6. Author Interviews
7. The Star Struck Writer - Cancer
8. The Write Co Competitions
9. Classified
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1. News
The Write Co - Cape Town turns 1
Marina Lewycka, Sarah Bullen & Amanda Patterson
Find out what Sarah Bullen has planned by clicking on the photo!
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Our 36th Writers Write graduate published.
Watch this space...
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Are you over 50 and fabulous ~ or not so fabulous?
Jill Marais & Wilma du Toit
Jackie Kelly and Jill Marais want humourous/amusing pieces on grand children, divorces, weddings, funerals, life. Anything really, as long as it 500-1000 words and funny and written by an “over-50”.
Pieces can be submitted to Jackie: jackie.kelly@icon.co.za or to Jill: jill.marais@gmail.com
Click here for more information
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Urban 4
The Brief:
For Urban 04 we are looking for the voice of a new breed of writers. A voice that is new, powerful and totally South African. Stay away from typical short stories and their narratives, reach into your daily experience of life in South Africa today and tell us what you see, hear and feel.
The object of Urban 04 is to demonstrate the new spirit and attitude that lives in the heart of South Africa as represented by you, the writers. This is a chance to stand up, say your say, and use a voice that typically does not have much of a platform.
Length: 3 500 maximum, 1 200 minimum
Language: English
Publishing Date: September 2008
Deadline: 16 July 2008
Submit to: david@dcpm.co.za
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Win an Aspira Gift voucher for your lifestyle column on Winters in South Africa
All Write Co subscribers will receive a 10% discount on the winter warm oil candle massage
Writers Relax & Write
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Books need a home too...
Need custom made bookshelves?
Contact Rod 083 750-6854 or mail colleenrw@telkomsa.net
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The Caption Competition
Write a caption for the photograph of the month!
Captions – for May & June
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Post your Top 26 Books of All Time on Amanda's Book Club blog
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2. Guest Speaker July 2008
Laura Boon, of The Laura Boon Literary Agency, publicist and author.
Laura Boon with Amanda Patterson & Morne Malan in November last year.
Join us for an exclusive, decadent morning ’high coffee’ and listen to Laura speak about her years as a bookseller, editor, publicist for Random House, author and all round experience in the book world.
Only 30 places available
Date: 24 July 2008
Time: 10:00 for 10:30
Venue: TBA
Cost: R120, 00 per person, includes High Coffee, Gateaux, Chocolate, Hot Chocolate, Talk, Q & A’s
RSVP: info@thewriteco.co.za
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3. Coming up in Writing
Creative Writing Courses & Workshops - Call Wiida 079 875-3719 for queries
Writers Write (4 weeks):
Saturday Mornings: 08.30 – 12.30
Tuesday & Thursday Mornings: 09:00 – 11:00
Tuesday & Thursday Evening: 17:30 – 20:00
Writers Write 2 (4 weeks)
Tuesday & Thursday Mornings: 09:00 - 11:00
Saturday Mornings: 08:30 - 12:30
Write a screenplay (5 weeks)
Sunday mornings: 09:00 – 12:00
Creative Writing One-day Workshops
How to write for Mills & Boon: Romancing the Dollar
Plot LUCK: Learn how to plot a novel on Saturday
How to write lyrics: Music & Lyrics on Saturday
Business Writing One-day Courses
Strategic Press Release Call Wiida 079 875-3719 for queries
How to Write Reports Call Wiida 079 875-3719 for queries
Two Hour Sessions – It’s worth subscribing! Call Wiida 079 875-3719 for queries
Tuesday evenings with Morne Malan
Friday mornings with Anthony Ehlers / Barry Finegan
Friday poetry morning with Amanda Patterson
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4. How to Become a Subscriber
Please click here: subscription form
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5. Reviews
Our reviewers rate books from 1 – 5
1 - For use as a doorstop only
2 - Keep for publishers’ & booksellers’ strikes
3 - A great holiday read
4 - You’ll remember this with enthusiasm a month later
5 – Unforgettable
Foyle's Philavery by Christopher Foyle (Chambers) ISBN: 978-0-550-10329-1
The Chairman of the London independent book dealer Foyle’s, one Christopher Foyle, has released a tirade of forgotten words. In the form of a Philavery – a word his mother invented while playing scrabble – the word lovers guide to the strange.
Would you like a dictionary that defines itself? What more could you ask for? A dictionary that suggests everyday uses for words you just never need to use? How to pronounce the dead and forgotten with pomp?
This collection of strange and pleasing words, if added to anyone’s vocabulary, is sure to see him or her shunned from polite and impolite society and thrust into the world of the Ponce.
But don’t let that stop you from coming to terms to just how comprehensive English is. Even if only those with no true life could ever truly appreciate it.
This is a book that no one needs but everyone should have. And if it’s only use is to make your English incomprehensible to the foreign mind then it will have achieved what even the great Oxford Dictionary could not. And that can only be a good thing, surely?
Christopher Dean
4/5
Dead Man’s Footsteps by Peter James (Macmillan) 978-1-4050-9204-3
“If Ronnie Wilson had known that in a couple of hours’ time he would be dead, he would have planned his day differently.”
So begins the 4th in the Roy Grace detective series. Brighton by-the-sea provides the backdrop. The numbing events of 9/11 the springboard.
Ronnie reinvents himself when business deals sour. Detective Superintendent Grace has a few skeletons in his cupboard. When one surfaces in a local storm water drain, Ronnie is the prime suspect.
Abbey Dawson is the key. She’s one step ahead of the game but her wiles are no match for a perverted psycho fast on her trail.
The action moves to Melbourne and another body surfaces. Short scary scenes mix unevenly with lengthy visits to the local constabulary.
If we were in any doubt that No 5 was in the pipeline, the last line is a giveaway.
Watch out - it may hit the small screen.
Jackie Kelly
3/5
My Brother’s Book by Jo-Anne Richards (Picador Africa) ISBN 9781770100770
Lilly and her brother, Thomas, live nomadic lives in various small Eastern Cape towns for most of their childhood. In most places they are considered as being from “the wrong side of the tracks”. This, and their absent father, keeps them close and protective of each other.
Then something goes wrong. Years later, in his memoir, Thomas details his life. He tells the world about the fall out between him and Lilly.
My Brother’s Book has one of the best opening lines I have ever read. Lilly is a wonderful character. She’s young, irresponsible and fun. She worships her wayward father in spite of his behaviour. Thomas, on the other hand, is unbelievably perfect.
The author lost me here. The story is too dramatic and heavy – there are no light-hearted moments.
Review by Nicci Stewart
2/5
Two Caravans by Marina Lewycka (Fig Tree) R160
It’s clear Marina Lewycka doesn’t suffer from the ghastly second novel blues. This follow up to the wildly popular A Short History of Tractors in Ukranian is just as funny and interesting as her first.
It’s another eastern European tale, and tells the story of legal and illegal migrant workers in England slogging away at jobs the locals wouldn’t dare touch.
It’s a funny and very well scribed book - even a horrific scene on chicken farming made me laugh.
You can’t get more entertaining than this.
Julia Paterson-Fourie
4/5
Fabergé’s Eggs by Toby Faber (Macmillan)ISBN: 9781405053884
The most valuable Easter Eggs of all time have out-lived an empire, survived a revolution and fled their motherland in search of better-lined display cases. This is the epic telling of the final days of these symbols of the wealth of the Tsars.
Toby Faber shows how powerful a reputation these treasures have gathered from the time of Faberge until the present day. However, the eggs themselves are god-awfully boring with the exception of their making. Once you get over the cost of it, there’s really very little to say about a knick-knack.
The real draw is the blood, gore and the gusto in which Faber seems to delight in the re-telling. He paints the Tsars meek and the people brutal, which is refreshing. Hearing about how opulent and terrible they were is such communist nonsense, and frankly tiresome. This book is a wonderful slice of White Russia that any aspiring oligarch should have read to them, of course.
Over all an entertaining read with plenty of nonsense and gossip thrown in to counter the boring bits.
Christopher Dean
4/5
Double Cross by James Patterson (Headline) ISBN: 978-0-7553-3032-4
Dr Alex Cross has settled into his new peaceful life as a physiologist. Cross’ principles are challenged when famous crime writer, Tess Olsen, is murdered. The killer follows the style of Cross’ old enemy – Kyle Craig. While back in Colorado Craig, has escaped from a maximum security prison. Cross and his girlfriend, Bree Stone, are now stalking not one but two serial killers. The world of criminal masterminds starts to draw Cross in once again.
This was my first James Patterson novel – I’m addicted. Patterson’s characters are strong without being unbelievably perfect. His plotting is excellent. He writes at a fast paced and keeps you hanging till the very end. I’m looking forward to getting my hands on more of his work.
Nicci Stewart
4/5
Jesus Out To Sea (and other stories) by James Lee Burke (Orion) ISBN: 9780752888538
With 27 published books behind his name James Lee Burke is a well established author. This collection of short stories highlights Burke’s incredible skill of painting word pictures. But don’t expect them to be pretty pictures. Most of the characters we meet in these pages are dark, dirty and disturbed.
So does this skilful, established author deliver?
Sadly not. This book comes across more as a collection of writing exercises than a volume of stories, complete in their own right.
Jesus Out To Sea could serve a novice writer wanting to learn something from Burke’s descriptive style. But if it’s entertainment you’re after I would suggest you reach for one of his full length novels.
Barry Finegan
2/5
Moxyland by Lauren Beukes (Jacana) ISBN:978-1770-09567-0
Moxyland makes a good first impression. It has an interesting title and a cover arresting enough to make a reader stop and pick it up.
What a pity that the book itself does not live up to this. Beukes writes competently. Her characters are good - not the best, just well-drawn enough to make you think that they are. The descriptions of Cape Town are great, and this is where you feel someone like Andre Brink, decided to say "it has the makings of a cult success." Yes, I agree, the makings. But not the finishings.
Moxyland follows the Technicolor lives of four South Africans, all drawn from a different section of the rainbow nation. Apparently they are on a ’collision course that will rewire their lives and the future of Cape Town." I don’t know about that. The plot was so thin that I didn’t get anywhere near finishing the book. I think a good edit and some planning could have made the book everything the cover frenetically tries to prove it is.
Judith Du Toit
2.5/5
The Voluptuous Delights of Peanut Butter and Jam by Lauren Liebenberg (Virago) R170, ISBN no: 978-1-84408-464-7
The Voluptuous Delights portrays innocence in Zimbabwe a time of political turmoil. Ironic, with Zimbabwe being so topical now.
In the 1960s, Nyree and Cia O’Callaghan live with their mom, Amy, and their Oupa, Patrick, on Modjadji, the family farm. A war rages around them. Their father, Sean, fights in it.
But life goes on as sure as there are peanut butter and jam sandwiches for lunch. Until Ronin comes to live there. There is confrontation between him and the girls. On a trip to the Great Zimbabwe Plains, Oupa allows the girls to visit the local n’anga. The n’anga tells Cia of great tragedy. The feud between the girls and Ronin reaches tragic breakpoint.
Then the rebels win the war. Robert Mugabe steps into power. Farm Modjadji is expropriated. The O’Callaghans pack up their life. One last lunch of peanut butter and jam sandwiches closes the story on a bittersweet note.
Elements of the story remind me of my childhood, so I could identify with the two girls. I would like to know more about where Ronin came from and what became of him.
Wiida Hamman
Rating: 3/5
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More reviews
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6. Interviews
Marina Lewycka gives her 17 Answers to our 17 Questions
and Lauren Liebenberg gives hers
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7. The Star Struck Writer
Cancer
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8. The Write Co Competitions for Subscribers
Monthly ‘What’s on your mind?’ Competition
Theme for July: Winter in South Africa
All bundled up
Write 400 words and win!
Prize: Bonus Prize for July: Aspira Warm Oil Candle Massage
2 Books from The Write Co and Publication on our web site, in our newsletter and in Off the Cuff.
Conditions: 1 Entry per Person, 400 words.
Closing date: 25th of every month
To enter: Send entries to info@thewriteco.co.za
Winners: May & June: Hayley Moore & Tanya van Eyk
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Monthly Poetry Competition
July's theme is: I don't know how she does it
Prize: A case of Leopard’s Leap Wines
Conditions:
1. Only 1 poem per month per subscriber is allowed.
2. The poem must not be longer than 30 lines.
3. The poem must be about the given topic.
4. If you are not a subscriber please pay an entrance fee of R50, 00 per entry.
Closing date: 30 July 2008
To enter: Send entries to amanda@thewriteco.co.za
Winner of The Eyes that Don't Cry: Sam Toweel-Moore
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Please choose your winner for May: Take me with you and June: The Colour of Secrets and send the poets' names in the subject line to amanda@thewriteco.co.za
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9. Classified
Are you looking for that perfect photograph?
For your blog?
Your profile?
Your wall?
Your CV?
Amanda Patterson
Photographs by Chris
Mail chris.l.dean@gmail.com
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The Write Co boardrooms are available for hire when not in use.
R150, 00 per hour
R200, 00 per hour
R250, 00 per hour
Please contact Wiida - wiida@thewriteco.co.za for more information on rates.
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Post your writing, views and comments on Amanda’s Book Club blog
Join For Writers & Readers: Amanda’s Book Club on facebook
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Johannesburg:
Tel: 079 875-3719 or 011 706-4021
Fax: 011 252-8890
1st Floor, Coral House, 20 Peter Place, Lyme Park, Bryanston, Sandton
Cape Town:
Tel: 021 462 7580
Fax: 086 617 3046
11C, Eleven on Buiten, 11 Buitensingel Street, Gardens, Cape Town, 8018
