Hello Ladies!
I’m just popping in before we officially celebrate The Year of the Rat to give you an update on that which has past and is to come!
Monthly Informal Get-together
Held at Club 71, Hollywood Road, this monthly gathering is attracting a good number of members in a very cosy grove-like setting. Our next drinks are on Tuesday, 4 February. This time, those of you who may be interested in starting up a critique group in a reciprocal read-and-write arrangement are also encouraged to attend for an initial discussion. Don’t feel you have to join, just come and have a chat regardless.
Upcoming Events
Our second official WiPS event ‘Are you Stuck?’ will take place on Thursday, 20 February in the Hughes Room, FCC. We will advertise this shortly on Facebook and our website. Since we have just the five events up to November this year, please make an effort to bring a friend and attend as your patronage at four of the five events will ensure we stay buoyant as a society.
‘Are you Stuck? – Mistakes I Made; Lessons I Learned’ Come and be inspired by our three savvy, successful panellists who survived the challenges of the writing, publishing and marketing processes. Sarah Brennan – author and publisher of 16 children’s books, including the best-selling Chinese Calendar Tales; Suzanne Harrison – journalist and editor who recently signed a publishing contract with UK’s Legend Press for her work of fiction, ‘The Colour of Thunder’, a contemporary thriller set in Hong Kong; and Clare Stearns – playwright and professional theatre director speaking about several original plays re-interpreting the lives of famous writers from the female perspective.
The annual Imprint Launch is on Friday, 24 April in the Hughes Room, FCC. A splendid affair always, we look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible. And for those who intend to advertise in Imprint, please be advised that the date for final submission of advertisements has now been extended to 7 February with artwork to be provided by 20 February. If you know of a potential advertiser, please email Polly at wipshk@gmail.com.
Members’ Showcase
At our recent committee meeting, we decided to offer members a new feature on our website to support their work. I will update you with details as we progress on this, but essentially it means that you will be able to showcase your published material along simple set guidelines.
Social Media Co-ordinator
Jo Farrell has resigned from the WiPS committee and from her role as Social Media Co-ordinator to concentrate on her professional photography business. We are most appreciative of all the time and effort she has given to develop our Social Media and also for initiating the monthly Informal Get-together. We wish her the very best for her future endeavours.
A new Social Media Co-ordinator has recently taken up this role and we look forward to introducing you to Tiffani Ren at our Imprint launch. You can expect to see posts on Facebook shortly.
Membership Renewal
A gentle reminder to those who have yet to renew their membership for 2020, please do so soon!
To our members both in Hong Kong and abroad, enjoy a splendid Chinese New Year holiday or offshore celebration! May this ratty year of the vital and intelligent rat, match the intelligence and vitality of all you illustrious, industrious women!
Best wishes on behalf of the committee,
Suzanne Andrews