For people who love writing
The next meeting on Tuesday, 8th September at The Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne, starting at 7.30pm.
Anderida Writers is a small and friendly group, open to writers of all levels and ages.
What we do for members:
· Help you to get published, or simply improve your writing skills
· Arrange monthly meetings and social functions
· Invite guest speakers
· Arrange workshops
· Give regular critiques
· Hold two annual competitions
· Arrange for actors to read competition entries
· Promote members' books on stands at festivals and events
· Give advice to those who want to write for fun
Winners of the Nigel Gearing Poetry and Short Story Competition 2025
Writers praise Anderida’s new critiquing system
Writers gave Anderida’s fresh approach to critiquing the thumbs up at Tuesday’s meeting on 11th August.
By dividing those present into two smaller groups, each with a leader, writers could read their work in a more relaxed setting and then enjoy detailed feedback from the rest of the group. From poetry to prose and short stories to novels, the depth and breadth of different styles added to the experience.
In the second half of the meeting, the two leaders summarised the key issues from the sessions. Writers then had the chance to offer their own comments. Everyone was positive and felt they’d gained valuable feedback to help them improve their work.
Issues such as characterisation, conflict, and showing rather than telling were the main issues identified.
These smaller, more relaxed groups offer a more relaxed and detailed approach to critiquing, which can only benefit those who brought their work for assessment.
This approach will now be the basis for critiquing sessions to help those who want to improve their writing.
Tamara's legacy
I found Tamara McKinley’s resignation as Patron of Anderida Writers on Monday deeply saddening.
While I fully understand her reasons for moving on, I’m sure members of Anderida Writers will miss her presence and the contributions she has made to help writers develop and improve.
Having been friends with her for over 30 years, I’ve shared the highs and lows of her career as she rose from a new writer in the early 1990s to a multi-million selling international author, both under her own name and as Ellie Dean.
Unfortunately, because of her resignation, we can’t share this fascinating story of her struggles and success on 8th September, when she was due to talk to members and guests at the Hydro Hotel.
Most of us, who have been part of Anderida Writers past and present, will miss the support and guidance she’s given to help us progress and grow. With her knowledge and insights, she’s critiqued so many works over the years, showing us how to improve our characterisation, plotting, and storytelling.
In her words, she “wanted to give something back to Anderida for all the help she received in her early years as a writer.”
She’s willingly shared her time, knowledge, and experience, alongside judging entries in the Nigel Gearing competition for original short stories and poetry.
As a friend and fellow author, I will miss her wit and sharp humour, her observations about life and writers, and the wealth of knowledge and understanding she brought to her critiques. Make no mistake, it isn’t easy to listen to new pieces of writing and immediately home in with advice and improvements.
This may well be her legacy, and what our writers will miss the most in her absence.
I’m sure you’ll join me in saying a big thank you to Tamara for her selfless contribution to Anderida Writers, and in wishing her well and every success in the future.
Robert Crouch
Secretary
If you’d like to take a look at the novels she’s published over the last 30 years, check out her profile on the Members Page of the website.
Next Meeting
Tamara's talk, It Shouldn't Happen to an Author, will not now be going ahead.
Instead, actor Brian Capron will be talking about his career. In addition, Brian will give members advice on the advantages of obtaining endorsements and forewords for their books. He has just recorded audio versions of two books for a new novelist, and he will refer to the author's journey from inspiration to publishing and audio book etc, including pitfalls, costs, book launches, discipline, etc.
We usually meet on the second Tuesday of the month, starting at 7.30 pm in
The Garden Suite
The Hydro Hotel
Mount Road
Eastbourne
BN20 7HZ
See above for details of the next meeting.
For further information please contact us here,
or visit our Facebook page