Wednesday 24 January 2007

The Oxford Writers' Group

For our first post, let me introduce the Oxford Writers' Group, - the real OWG, that is. We were horrified recently to discover that some other group had set up a website in our name. Our group was founded over 25 years ago now and has been going from strength to strength ever since. You may have read the article about us in the Oxford Times last year. We are a group of published and yet-to-be published writers, who meet on alternate Tuesday evenings in members' houses, where we take it in turns to read out some of our current work for general comment and constructive criticism. I should say at the start, however, that we cannot take any new members at present, due to pressure of numbers.

Past members include Veronica Stallwood, Linda Taylor and Catherine Fox. Present ones include published novelists Mary Cavanagh (The Crowded Bed), Jane Gordon-Cumming (A Proper Family Christmas), Alison Hoblyn (The Scent of Water), Margaret Pelling (Work for Four Hands) and Helen Rappaport (Dark Hears of Chicago, with William Horwood). Members have also published poetry collections and non-fiction.

Last year some of us produced our own anthology of short stories under the OxPens imprint: 'The Sixpenny Debt' and Other Oxford Stories.

You can read a bit more about us and our work on my website: www.janegordoncumming.co.uk

4 comments:

Jane Gordon-Cumming said...

And I should also have mentioned our illustratious ex-Chairpeople, Marina Oliver and Andrew Puckett.

WritersBlog said...

You mention not having room for new members... given that most Oxford writers groups are jam packed, is there any way you could help us 'surplus members' get in touch for purposes of forming a sister writers group. Do you keep records of those who apply?

mick.goode@gmail.com

I would happily host an evening, however, I'd probably need some help.

Anonymous said...

Hello Jane,

I was just wondering if you could help me out?

I finished a creative writing degree last year and am desperately trying to find a writes group in Oxford. I see you are'nt taking on any new members, but would you know of any other groups I could try?

Kind regards

Rachel

Jane Gordon-Cumming said...

Following a talk we gave at 'Mostly Books' in Abingdon in May, they set up a writers' group there which looks as if it is already very successful. Mark Thornton at the bookshop mark@mostly-books.co.uk should have their details. Good luck!