The Word Factory #13

A night of readings, conversation, wine & so much more…

As conflict in the middle-east escalates Owen Sheers brings to life a world where the psychological effects of war are played out in the lives of soldiers and their families in Pink Mist, a powerful work of narrative poetry, storytelling and music that links our time and the legacy of literature from the First World War. Joining him will be two new voices: Sophie Hampton and Paul McVeigh. Come and experience the very best of contemporary writing at London's most intimate literary event and don't forget to tell your friends.

Saturday,
27th July

6-8pm at:
The Society Club
12 Ingestre Place, Soho, W1F OJF

£10 on the door

Please RSVP to register your interest. Places are limited – see below for more details.

An RSVP puts your name on the door but turn up early to guarantee your place.

Owen Sheers

Owen Sheers has written two collections of poetry, The Blue Book and Skirrid Hill (Somerset Maugham Award). His non-fiction includes The Dust Diaries (Welsh Book of the Year 2005) and Calon; A Journey to the Heart of Welsh Rugby. His novel Resistance has been translated into ten languages and was made into a film in 2011. His plays include The Passion and The Two Worlds of Charlie F. (Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award). Owen wrote and presented BBC Four’s A Poet’s Guide to Britain. He has been a NYPL Cullman Fellow, Writer in Residence for the Wordsworth Trust and Artist in Residence for the Welsh Rugby Union.

Sophie Hampton

Sophie Hampton’s short fiction has been broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and published in a number of literary magazines. She won the Sean O'Faolain International Short Story Prize 2012 and The London Magazine Short Story Competition 2013 and has been shortlisted for the Bridport Prize. She has an MA in Creative Writing from Sheffield Hallam University and is currently editing her debut collection, White Socks and Weirdos, which explores ideas of marginality and belonging.

Paul McVeigh

Word Factory associate editor Paul McVeigh shares his story Dig and thoughts on how our new apprentice scheme will help emerging writers. Paul's plays have been performed in Ireland and the UK and his stories published here and in the US. He has completed his first novel and is writing a short story for BBC Radio 4 while also running his own highly informative and popular blog for writers.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

We are taking a break in August, returning with a star-studded autumn line-up at the refurbished Society Club in September. We are also delighted to be hosting a Word Factory salon at the brilliant Small Wonder, The Short Story Festival, in Sussex on Thursday September 26th — an unforgettable evening with WF friends Jane Rogers and David Constantine, this year's winner of the Frank O'Connor Award, Ireland's most prestigious international short story prize (watch the videos of his last Word Factory appearance here: reading Tea at the Midland and his Q&A) PLUS the superb DBC Pierre and Jim Crace. For more details on what promises to be an unforgettable evening go to www.charleston.org.uk or 012 7370 9709 from July 18th.

Also look out for more exciting information on our autumn writing seminars. Thank you for all the insightful and encouraging feedback we have had on what you want from us in the future.

Further information – clock in & register at: www.thewordfactory.tv

Word Factory Apprenticeship:
Apply Now

Word Factory is seeking two emerging short story writers we believe will benefit from mentoring and an association with our activities. We are looking for talent and dedication. Anyone over the age of 18, writing in English and based in the UK, can apply. Our mentors will offer an initial face-to-face meeting and further support will be offered by phone or email by mutual agreement over a six-month period. We offer free entry to all events and seminars, the chance to be published online, a reading at one of our events plus contact with the Word Factory team. In exchange, apprentices will be expected to contribute regularly to the website and keep a journal of their experiences for us to offer other writers online. The first two apprentices will be announced and welcomed at our September salon at the Society Club on Saturday 28th.

THE MENTORS: We are thrilled that Word Factory friends and supporters Alex Preston and Stella Duffy have agreed to be our first two mentors. Alex's first two novels were published by Faber and he has been shortlisted for the Guardian's Not the Booker prize. Stella has enjoyed an outstanding career as an award-wining novelist, playwright and short story writer.

HOW TO APPLY: simply send a short story of 4,000 words or less to us with a 500 word max summary of why you want to apply and what you could bring to the Word Factory and send to apprentice@thewordfactory.tv. The final deadline for entry is September 1st 2013. Please note that at this stage of the scheme we do not have the funding to pay fares to London for events or to meet the mentors.

HELP US!

We are looking for the right person to help us keep our website fresh and up to date. A short weekly commitment from you could make all the difference to us. For more information and an informal chat contact Cathy direct at cathy@thewordfactory.tv

Cathy Galvin

Word Factory director and host Cathy Galvin is a journalist, writer and anthologist. She founded The Sunday Times EFG Private Bank Short Story Award and recently judged the international Frank O’Connor prize.

If you love short stories, let us know what other events and readers you would like to see at The Word Factory. We are keen to provide an environment that brings people together and supports innovation and creativity. Let us know how you would like to be involved and we will keep you informed about exciting new initiatives

Get Involved!

The Society Club

Set in the heart of Soho, this unique bookshop, gallery and cafe is welcoming, elegant and just a little Bohemian. Enjoy rare first editions, the latest publications and some lovely surprises.

Web — thesocietyclubsoho.wordpress.com

Map — click here