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Scottish Association of Writers 2024 conference success

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  Delighted that I was placed in two of the three competitions I entered for the Scottish Association of Writers 2024 conference. Commended for my monologue. The judge- Alan Bissett  commented: This is a very funny story which presents itself as a parody of every drawing-room reveal in a murder mystery, with an interesting character who feels part village-busybody, part Hercule Poirot. The comic timing is excellent and this monologue manages to take very familiar genre material and make it fun, frothy and surprising. An understated gem. Commended in the flash fiction competition. Feedback included the comment: The Last Supper was an excellent example of a dystopian flash fiction- we enjoyed it.

My prize has arrived!

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Many thanks to Scottish Book Trust and The Literary Gift Company for my prize for winning the Dec 2023/Jan 2024 50 word fiction competition. I'll put it with the one I won in July 2022. Aiming for a hat trick!

StAnza International Poetry Festival

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  Had a great time at the Poetry Market this afternoon, looking after the stall on behalf of Fife Writes. It was lovely to meet new people and talk about how Fife Writes supports local writers. You don't need to live in Fife to be a member as most of our support groups meet on Zoom. Find out more here  Fife Writes I also popped into the Byre Theatre briefly to admire these pieces. It was my first time back in the Byre Theatre since being verbally abused by two audience members last month. My husband came with me as I was incredibly anxious about returning.

Marion Todd

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Was lovely catching up with Marion Todd in Toppings St Andrews today. Marion writes crime novels based in St Andrews where I live.  Marion Todd  

Byre Theatre volunteering

My last volunteering shift at the Byre Theatre was on Saturday 17th February. I was verbally abused by an audience member so I left my shift early and went home upset. I raised a concern about a member of staff's handling of the situation.  The new Director of the Byre Theatre has now concluded her investigation and she commented: I am deeply sorry that your experience of audience members behaviour was of them being “aggressive” and “abusive”, no one should be treated in that way and it is particularly upsetting to hear this from someone who is giving their time in support of the Byre. I look forward to hearing when might be convenient for us to meet, meanwhile I have discreetly taken you off the volunteer rota until this is resolved.  I am disappointed that I was removed from the volunteer rota due to raising concerns about a member of staff.  I am unable to provide full details of the findings of the investigation at this stage. However, there is an acknowledgement that there w

Fife Writes 10th anniversary celebration event- Scriptwriting showcase

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Had a great time hosting- and performing in- the scriptwriting showcase part of the Fife Writes 10th anniversary celebration event. Huge thanks to the writers, and to the actors from St Andrews Play Club. The writers: Maureen, Margaret, Kathryn, Richard Abbot's Journey (written by Maureen) Another Loss (written by Kathryn) At the vets (written by Margaret) Can it get any worse? (written by Margaret) Cemetery Wall (written by Maureen) Cemetery Wall (written by Maureen) Cultivators (written by Richard) Cultivators (written by Richard) Happy Returns (written by Kathryn) Raffle (written by Kathryn) Remember me (written by Maureen) Rival Writers (written by Kathryn) Specialist opinion (written by Margaret)

Winner: Scottish Book Trust 50 word fiction December 2023-January 2024

Thrilled that my 50 word story won this competition. December–January winners 2024 – adult writers - Scottish Book Trust This is the second time I've won a 50 word competition, the first being in July 2022.