Chiltern Writers Group was founded in 1988 by a group of local authors (including
Marina Oliver and Hilary Johnson). Since then the format has evolved, and now we
offer the following:
- A thriving group of around 40 members.
- A warm welcome to all writers, from beginner through intermediate to published
and successful.
- Monthly meetings, which take one of the following formats:
Guest speaker, on the subject of writing - these may be novelists,
radio script writers, journalists, tv script
editors,
non-fiction writers...
Writing workshops - led by guest writers or sometimes by an experienced
CW member...
Manuscript evenings - Members take it in turn to read 5-10 mins
of a piece of work and we all offer critique...
Social events - the summer social in the pub, the Christmas social
in the library room (with literary games)...
Literary dinner - we usually hold a dinner in the autumn with a
literary speaker.
- Chiltern Writers has its own quarterly magazine for members’ contributions - prose,
poetry and writing advice.
- A monthly email newsletter to update members on forthcoming events and members’
successes and other news.
- CW own Literary Critique service.
- A yearly Bursary towards a writing course.
We have attracted speakers such as Whitbread Prize-winner Philip Pullman, book marketing
expert Alison Baverstock, agent Diana Wiener, Carolyn Caughey Senior Commissioning
Editor from Hodder and Stoughton, poet Tony Turner, Jenny Haddon, chairman of the
Romantic Novelists Association, and novelist Emma Darwin, whose second novel made
the Times list of 2009’s 50 top paperbacks.
Our Members
We have a fair number of experienced writers in the group, but you certainly don't
need to be published to be a member of Chiltern Writers. Some of our members are
beginners, some have been writing for some time but have yet to break into the market,
and some are many-times published. Most aim to be published, though some write simply
for their own pleasure. Our members’ interests cover almost every aspect of writing:
we have novelists, poets, comedy writers, script-writers, and writers of short stories,
non-fiction, magazine features and newspaper columns. Take a look at our members'
showcase to see some of our members’ achievements and aspirations.
We are a friendly bunch, who make an active effort to welcome new members and help
them feel part of the group. Come to any meeting and find out for yourself.
Everyone who is interested in writing is welcome
at Chiltern Writers!
