Thanet Writers Summary of 2018

It has been a brilliant year for writing, and here in Thanet a huge amount has happened.

In 2018 we have published 51 short stories, 52 poems, 156 essays on writing, and 52 book reviews, and have published, to date, writing by a total of 128 Thanet-linked writers. Throughout the year we have also interviewed writers in text form and on video, sent our reporters out to conduct investigations, filmed video performances, commissioned original cartoons, spotlighted notable writers with links to Thanet, and published research articles.

Thanet Writers grew as an organisation, gaining funding from being supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. This has allowed Thanet Writers to pay writers for non-exclusive print rights for accepted submissions, with almost £10,000 already paid to local writers.

2018 also saw the launch of Shoal, the first Thanet Writers anthology, at the Margate Bookie. The paperback short story collection is stocked by local and national retailers, and has been consistently well-received. The launch event still holds the record for the highest audience capacity at the Margate Bookie, and was a resounding success!

Other highlights from local events have included: Thanet Writers hosting a series of summer events including fundraising for Changing Minds, a Flash Fiction workshop at the Ramsgate Seadog, and a reading and Q&A night at Harbour Books in Whitstable; Margate Festival running a Poet-in-Residence scheme with Whisky & Beards, Thanet Writers, Margate Bookie, Dreamland, Turner Contemporary, and Kent County Council; Thanet Writers hosting NaNoWriMo write-ins throughout November; Margate Bookie holding two festivals in 2018 and working with Thanet Writers; and Thanet Writers announcing endorsement and support for three new writers’ groups throughout the coming year.

Within the local community new events have appeared, including from BroadstairsLit who have consistently brought high-profile authors to the area; poet Neanderthal Bard became Crisis poet-in-residence and created a high profile video campaign; Inspirations Writing Group launched another anthology; and many local writers published books.

Thanet Writers is a community designed to support and encourage writers to grow in confidence, creativity, richness, and variety. If you would like more information, please get in touch or find Thanet Writers on Facebook or Twitter.

Writers with a link to Thanet are welcome to submit to Thanet Writers, and there are plenty of local events happening in the area.

If you have had a success in 2018, please let us know in our Facebook Discussion Group. We would love to hear from you!