Subscriber Spotlight

Share your writing success stories. If you subscribe to Writing Magazine and would like to feature here, email Tina Jackson, tjackson@warnersgroup.co.uk

Space fulfilled

‘I live in the city of Worcester with my beautiful wife and children, working as a chef and writing whenever possible,’ writes subscriber Kieran Davis.

‘I’ve been published in more than thirty anthologies and magazines (including Carillon magazine, in which I’ve made many appearances).

‘I’m a keen advocate for writers and the written word in any form, supporting local events when able. I’m a proud member of the Worcester Writers’ Circle, a diverse group of highly talented individuals, who have helped hone my craft.

‘I’m a poet who is also a writer of fantasy fiction, with short stories appearing in publications such as The Top-hat Raven and Orcs & Aliens, and I’m currently editing my first novel. My first love has always been poetry, though, and I’d like to think my poetry blog, Baldypoems, reflects this.

‘As a self-professed nerd (claiming to have been a geek before it was cool to be one) I collect books, bookmarks and numerous other treasures that drive my wife nuts. I also claim to be the luckiest man alive, proof that luck and fortune are not related (because I am skint).

‘I’m having a super start to 2016, enjoying further publication in Carillon, being invited to perform at a poetry walk and talk for the Evesham Festival of Words and getting involved with the Worcestershire Literary Festival. I’m delighted to have been shortlisted for the Theatre Cloud’s Loneliness Project and having a poem read by actor, Ben Stott.

‘My debut collection of poetry, Lacuna, will be published this summer by Black Pear Press. I am most excited about the book launch, which will take place at Drummonds in Worcester on 14 August. I hope to see you all there!’

Website:https://kdavisfanclub.wordpress.com/

Words in the bank

‘I’m delighted to say that I have completed my first novel, A Material Harvest, under my pseudonym, Paul Cranwell,’ writes subscriber Paul Budd.

‘Having worked in banking through the financial crash, I wanted to write a story that captured that world. My protagonist, Michael Turner, is a senior banker who, on the face of it, has everything. Michael disappears and it becomes clear that all is not what it seems. It is a scenario that gave me the opportunity to look behind the façade of wealth and privilege in the City and to consider the reasons why things go wrong.

‘I wrote as a teenager, but, after I started work, priorities inevitably changed. Eight years ago my wife suggested that we go on a writing weekend and my enthusiasm for writing was rekindled. Since then we have attended many wonderful creative writing courses and conferences that taught us a great deal about the art of writing. We also belong to a writing group, Stratford Scribes. Having an informed audience for my writing and the chance to practice my skills on a regular basis has been an important element in my writing world. For the last few years I have als been actively involved in the Writers’ Summer School at Swanwick. The opportunity to mix with many writers in friendly surroundings has been both helpful and inspirational. Three years ago, after thirty years in accountancy and banking, I was fortunate enough to be able to concentrate on writing full time. My wife and I enrolled for an MA in creative writing at Oxford Brookes University. A Material Harvest was conceived as part of my master’s degree programme.