Professional writers to aid Rother competition entrants

The aim is to encourage aspiring wordsmiths to celebrate sense of place in Rother District by putting it into words.

A council spokesman said: "We are looking for Rother residents to wax lyrical about the towns, coast and countryside of the district from Battle to Bexhill, Pevensey to Rye, recording its sights, sounds, scenes and people, in fiction, poetry, non-fiction prose and memoir.

"To help draft your masterpieces for All Rather Rother, a day of writers' surgeries will be held at Battle Memorial Hall on Saturday, February 23 between 12.30 and 4pm.

"The four professional writers judging the competition will offer practical one-to-one writerly advice and inspirational support to help you craft your competition entries, whatever your medium or genre.

"Andy Oakes - crime writer, Charlotte Moore - novelist and historical children's writer, Rosemary Harris - Australian writer and performer and Catherine Smith -writer of short stories and plays for the radio, will all be on hand to help you develop and define your writing style.

"Sessions are free and each lasts half an hour."

To book a surgery session please contact Melanie Powell, Rother arts development officer on 01424 787506 or by email at: [email protected]