Newport Writers :An Anthology of poetry and prose #Review

Today I am delighted to feature the Newport Writers who have published an Anthology of their writing, both poetry and prose. This is how they describe it:

Welcome to our first anthology.

Since the group started, it has always been Tony’s vision to put together a collection of stories and poems penned by our members.

Please proceed with caution – these short stories and poems will introduce you to the alternative side of Newport: ghostly grandparents, a displaced porpoise, a little bit of Welshness, two philosophical security guards, a child whose food plays music, the awesome side of autism, a woman who made teddy bears in a concentration camp, and much more. Take a whirlwind tour through bereavement, love, regret and parenthood. Laugh and defy fate as you run the gamut of life’s experiences – seen through the eyes of a bunch of writers who celebrate their individuality. 

You will meet a diverse group of people who enjoy what they do and want to share it with you.

We invite you to sit back with a cuppa or maybe something stronger, relax and enjoywhat promises to be a whirlwind ride.

My Thoughts

This is a varied mix of poetry, flash fiction and short stories which reflects what a diverse group the writers are. You sense their dedication and love of writing and they can be proud of their efforts. The opening story by Mary Anstey,  is a detective mystery with a touch of romance. You sense Ed's changing opinion as he moves from the objective interviewer to a more personal interest. It is an entertaining start to the anthology.

    The flash fiction by Gemma Govier is varied, at times intriguing, at others shot through with humour. I particularly appreciated Dear Parents for its sharp observations and humour.

    The breadth of the poetry on offer is refreshing. The poignant First Christmas Without You by Gaynor Kitcher captures all the elements of a family Christmas which is carrying on, regardless. I also found The One by Andrew Douch to stand out for its original format which gives a visual representation of the unstoppable thrill of meeting someone so memorable. 

In short:  a real mix of styles and a great book to dip into.

About the Newport Writers

We are a diverse group from south Wales with over 20 members, covering a broad age range and a variety of styles within the sphere of writing. We include poets, novelists, writers of flash fiction and short stories, plays and film scripts.

We published an anthology in February 2020 entitled Newport Writers – An anthology of poetry and prose. Available from Amazon in paperback and for Kindle.

We met on Zoom during the pandemic, but have now found a venue in central Newport where we can get together with plenty of space for social distancing.

We hold an Open Mic night once a month at popular Newport coffee shop Horton’s, and in the summer of 2021 we participated in several spoken word events.

Some members of our group are available to read and offer critique, and we have a proofreader among our membership.

Email us at newportwritersgroup@gmail.com

Facebook: Newportwritersgroup 

Twitter: @NewportWriters

Book link: Amazon UK

Thanks to the Newport Writers and Anne Cater of Random Things Tours  for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.

Check out the rest of the tour