About
Since it's creation in the early 1990s, Anderida Writers has attracted a diverse range of writers and poets, from beginners to more experienced authors.
Here are some of their recollections:
I felt at home straight away
Back in the early 1990s, when I was first invited to Anderida Writers, I didn’t know what to expect. Images of successful writers reading carefully created novels and poems filled my thoughts. For a moment I hesitated at the door, my finger over the bell, not sure if my writing was good enough.
Would they laugh or tear it to shreds?
Inside, a group of ordinary people greeted me. Friendly and welcoming, they made me feel at home straight away. Their discussions were more of a conversation than a critique. They talked about writing, about their group, and some people read out their work, seeking comments and questions.
And then, as if only a few minutes had passed, the evening drew to a close.
After a few more meetings, I was among friends and fellow writers. People who understood what it was like to write, to edit and to support each other.
When I left my first meeting, I felt both exhilarated and excited to be part of Anderida Writers.
I still am.
Robert Crouch
Author of the Downland Murder Mystery series.
Anderida Writers helped me achieve my goal
As you can see, I now write under two different names and have a great many titles published world-wide. I firmly believe that if it hadn’t been for Anderida Writers, it would have taken much longer to achieve my goal.
I joined the fledgling group in the mid-nineties, determined to become a published author, but without the experience or know-how to leap that final hurdle into writing commercially acceptable work. I needed help to understand what I was doing wrong, and although the majority of the group back then were not published authors, they were readers, and it soon became clear where the faults lay in my work. The rest is history, as they say.
The group has grown from those fledgling years, with many published authors, as well as intelligent readers and writers who are willing and able to give the constructive criticism and advice that is so vital to the new and inexperienced writer. Along with workshops and guest speakers, Anderida Writers is the group to join if you want to write novels, short-stories, articles, or poetry for publishing – or just for pleasure.
Tamara McKinley / Ellie Dean.
Committee
Committee Members 2026:
Patron - Brian Capron
President – Tony Flood
Vice President – Brian Capron
Chairman – Tony Flood
Vice Chairman –
Secretary – John Newton
Treasurer – John Silverton
Assistant treasurer –
Competition secretary - Richard Rewell
Assistant competition secretary – Vince Kent
Membership secretary – Vince Kent
Publicity, Facebook and marketing officer – Tony Flood
Patrons
Brian Capron
from September 2026
Actor Brian Capron has become Anderida Writers' new Paron, following in the footsteps of Tamara McKinley, Peter James and Jeffrey Holland.
Brian's career on television and in the theatre spans over 50 years. During this time, he has appeared in hundreds of productions, from The Sweeney, Minder, and Bergerac to Grange Hill, Coronation Street, Midsomer Murders, and New Tricks. He is perhaps best known for his role as Richard Hillman in Coronation Street, a storyline that earned the show its first BAFTA award.
On stage, Brian has performed in major theatres across the UK, including the West End and the Royal National Theatre. His theatre credits include Guys and Dolls, The Rocky Horror Show, the Broadway musical version of Peter Pan, and Doctor Dolittle.
He earned a record-breaking five awards at the British Soap Awards for his role in Coronation Street:- Best Actor, Best Villain, Best Exit, Best Scene, and Best Storyline.
In addition to acting, Brian has appeared on several popular reality TV shows, including Strictly Come Dancing, Five Celebrities Go Caravanning, and Celebrity MasterChef.
Brian lives in Brighton & Hove with his wife Jacqueline and their son Louis. He also has two daughters from his first marriage, Lucy and Ellie, and is a proud grandfather to Charlie and Betty.
Brian has provided great service to Anderida Writers, having read out entries, together with actress Sue Thacker, for our annual short story and poetry competition for many years.
He has helped our members by giving advice as a guest speaker. In addition, he has provided endorsements for books written by Tony Flood, and read Alex Hudson's books on Radio Hailsham.
Prior to becoming Patron, he was Anderida's Vice President.
Tamara McKinley
from February 2018 - August 2026
The former Anderida Writers Chairperson who lives locally, is a worldwide best-selling author of 12 novels set in Australia. Her books have been translated and published in 20 languages, achieving around six million sales and excellent reviews.
Writing as Ellie Dean, Tamara has become a Sunday Times best seller with her much acclaimed series of novels set during World War Two on the south coast of England in the fictional town of Cliffehaven.
As the war escalates and evacuees arrive at Beach View Boarding House seeking shelter and solace, their stories unfold along with those of the family who live there.
Tamara lives locally in Jevington but was born in Tasmania, where she was raised by her English grandmother and two elderly great aunts.
She always had a love of books, but it wasn't until she was forty, that she found the time to actually try her hand at writing a novel.
Having finished her education in an English boarding school - which she hated - Tamara went on to secretarial college and subsequently tried various different jobs.
She worked for the local council's entertainment manager, for a fish supplier, a private school and a holiday camp where she met Tom Jones and Gene Pitney who were just two of the many stars who came to the camp to entertain the holiday makers.
Tamara has supported Anderida for many years but stood down as Patron in August 2026.
Peter James
from October 2015 to February 2018
International best selling crime thriller novelist, Peter James became our patron in October 2015, but stood down in February 2018 after moving with his wife Lara from East Sussex to Jersey.
Peter is a New York Times bestseller as well as having 12 consecutive Sunday Times No.1s and he is published in 37 languages, with number ones in Germany, France, Russia, Canada. he has written 35 novels, including the acclaimed series on Brighton-Based Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, which have sold have sold 19 million copies worldwide.
Jeffrey Holland
from 2008 to 2015
Anderida Writers were honoured to have well known actor Jeffrey Holland as the club’s Patron from 2008 until 2015. Each year, he and his wife Judy Buxton came to Eastbourne to read out the entries at the club’s annual writing competition. This social evening attracts a large audience, who judge the stories and poems, enhanced by the professional spin that he and Judy delivered.
He is best remembered for his part as the lovable Spike in the iconic comedy series, ‘Hi-de-Hi’ which was all about life at Maplins, a fictional holiday camp.
