Last night's launch party for the Retreat West Books What Was Left Anthology was held at Waterstones Reading - a wonderful location - and was a celebration of the first collection of stories from the inaugural Retreat West Short Story Prize and Flash Fiction Prize 2016.
The Retreat West Books Anthology, edited by Amanda Saint and Jane Elmor
Amanda invited me to read my story 'On Crosby Beach', which won 1st prize in the RW Short Story Competition 2016. It was a delight to do so before the assembled audience - even though a little nerve-wracking! The story was inspired by my childhood visits to Crosby Beach and also by the 'Another Place' installation there, by Antony Gormley, most definitely worth a visit.
Reading my short story 'On Crosby Beach'.
Jude Higgins also read her 1st prize winning RW Flash Fiction flash, which was haunting and memorable ...
Jude Higgins read her flash fiction 'At The Hospital' ...
Attending a launch is a brilliant chance to meet fellow writers and to sign books. Amongst the assembled company were writers Jude Higgins, Mandy Huggins, Joanna Campbell, Angelita Bradney, Heather Walker, Diane Simmons and Stephen Palmer, all of whom have fiction in Anthology. For me, it was also fantastic to meet Amanda Saint, who runs Retreat West with incredible efficiency and genuine passion. Thanks Amanda and Retreat West!
