Starting up a 'Britwriters' blog and yahoo group

[alex_beecroft]

After envying all the writers on my list who always seemed to be going to RWA meetings or RT conventions, I thought that it would be nice if we UK writers could get together and do something en masse :)  Strength in numbers, and all that - not to mention that if there's a con in Newcastle it's easier to post some stuff to a local who is going anyway, than it is to book flights and hotels to go yourself.  (And, of course, the same at the other end of the country.

So I've started a blog and a yahoo group for us to do a bit of mutual promotion.

 If you're from the UK and you're a published author, and you're looking for a place to promote your books, then the new Britwriters Blog might be for you.

http://wulfwaru.wordpress.com/

If you're not from the UK, but you've considered writing a book set in Britain - whether a contemporary or a historical - then this blog should have something to interest you too.  And if you're not a writer but you're just interested in our peculiar little country, I'm hoping this will also give you an occasional giggle ;)

We're looking for British writers who are willing to contribute articles of interest about British life, history, the publishing industry in the UK and USA, makes of cars in Britain, the 101 most misunderstood words in either continent etc - anything that would be of general interest.  In return you can use the blog for judicious self promotion.  The aim is to create a fun and interesting blog, which people come back to to read and enjoy.  If that sounds like your cup of tea, then please join us on: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/The_Britwriters/

(The blog is the public face of the group.  The yahoo group is the place where the behind the scenes organization goes on.  In the absence of a RWA in the UK, we're also hoping to use the yahoo group to organize some flesh and blood events at cons and booksignings next year, if we get enough interest.)

And if that's as clear as mud, do get in touch and I'll try to explain it better next time!

Comments

[cass1969.livejournal.com]

Great idea, Alex. When I'm in a better 'place' I'll definitely sign up.

Cassi xx

[alex-beecroft.livejournal.com]

That sounds good! I hope it comes soon for you :)

[crawling-angel.livejournal.com]

Here's hoping I actually do get my ass published, lol! :)

(It might help if I could type properly too ;p)

[alex-beecroft.livejournal.com]

Oh yes! I'll have my fingers crossed for you (which explains why my typing is like this too ;) )

[clarelondon.livejournal.com]

Great idea!
I'm in the UK and Brit through and through, but I can't say that my writing reflects the UK, at least not the published works - my writing's been Americanised for the very sake of publication, though I know that one of my publishers is relaxing the obligation for US spelling and grammar in the future. And some of my free fiction reflects the UK and my life.
Maybe I could lurk and contribute where I dare, and I'd definitely be interested in any UK functions.
Would that be allowed?
Else I'll just lurk and draw heart from it! LOL

[alex-beecroft.livejournal.com]

You're doing yourself down there! In fact I have kept meaning to email you and invite you, because of course you should be on board if you want to!

All of us have the same issues with spelling and editors Americanising our language for the USA market. That's one of the many things we all have in common! It's less about the content of your books, and more about whether you can think of anything to post about, and whether you'd like to join a promotional co-op with other British writers. I had always thought of you as someone I wanted on board, so please do join!

[wulfila.livejournal.com]

While this is obviously not the right blog/group for me, good luck to you! I'll certainly read the blog now and then - there should be interesting stuff there. :)

[alex-beecroft.livejournal.com]

Yay! Thank you! I hope it will be interesting, though at the moment all I can think of to post there is my 'what I did at the weekend' report, with photos :)

[joyful-molly.livejournal.com]

Sounds good! I'll definitely keep an eye (two!) on it! :-)

[alex-beecroft.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Currently I'm not sure what it'll be like, but I think the potential is there for something interesting :)

[tiggothy.livejournal.com]

Looks interesting. I have no time for anything right now (not even what I'm supposed to be doing) but please keep reminding me about it so I can keep up with reading!

[tiggothy.livejournal.com]

PS In the summer I might be able to contribute some stuff about British life, but that's the only time I'll have in the year :-( I want to do more stuff!

[alex-beecroft.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the offer! And no rush at all :) We aren't even organised enough to have rules yet, so there's going to be plenty of time before we're up and running properly.

[alex-beecroft.livejournal.com]

*g* I know how that is! I am so overwhelmed at the moment that I thought it was a sinful luxury to take half an hour off to clean the toilets! Will do with the notification, though :)

Britwriters

[(Anonymous)]

Hi Alex

I'm loving being part of the 'Britwriters'. I'd like to publicise it a bit more on my personal blog - I already have a link to it there. Would you mind if I 'lifted' your introductory post here and reproduced it on my blog? Naturally I'd give you a link and credit the post to you. It's just that you've put everything so clearly there doesn't seem much point in me trying to find another way of saying the same thing.

Lyn

Re: Britwriters

[alex-beecroft.livejournal.com]

Hello Lyn! Oh yes of course take the post and spread the word around :) You might want to reinforce that we only want published British writers (self-published is OK and writers must be British or British residents). We've had a lot of trouble with people trying to join who were neither British nor published.

As there are more non-Brit writers out there than Brits - all of whom are naturally keen for help to break into the UK market - we have to be anal about it in order to avoid being overwhelmed.

And as we have had such a lot of people trying to join, I suspect my post may have been a bit misleading.