Lichfield & District Writers' Homepage

BRIAN ASBURY

Brian is the editor of InteracTive Magazine, published by Questions Publishing Company. His writing interests cover just about everything... Novels, short stories, poetry, articles, sketches for the stage, full-length plays ("well, a panto, anyway"), songs, computer games, and even comic strips. Brian’s articles, stories and poetry have been widely published.

Brian’s other interests include the Internet, amateur dramatics, reading, watching TV, going to the movies and role-playing games. Brian is Vice Chairman of LDW and he can be reached at Email

SYLVIA BIRCHALL

Sylvia's main interests are short story writing and poetry although she has also had the odd holiday article published in Wish You Were Here and Lady Magazine. Her work is quite often autobiographical and humorous. Other interests include ballet, the theatre, reading and Bretagne Legends. When she needs inspiration or 'a bit of peace and quiet' she quite often escapes to a cottage in rural Brittany.

A retired teacher of English and Drama Sylvia is the Chairwoman of Lichfield and District Writers and can be reached at Email. Email

CYNTHIA CASTELLAN

Cynthia came into writing by way of ‘Letters to the Editor’ and then moved into writing articles. She has published on a variety of subjects since her first acceptance by Nursery World in 1975 and was admitted to the Society of Women Writers and journalists in 1976. Cynthia also enjoys writing verse and produced a series of 60 poems for a horse magazine in America. These were later self-published in two booklets ‘Hoofprints’ and ‘Stirrups’.

Nowadays Cynthia’s main interest is gardening, although she still has an interest in riding and riding for the disabled. She also enjoys studying industrial archaeology and narrow-gauge railways. A former President of LDW, Cynthia provides occasional market information for the newsletter.

GRAHAM CORCORAN

Graham has written a number of poems and short stories over the years - usually focussing on the comic/bizarre side of life. Some of his earlier poems were published in a Scottish newspaper, whilst others have appeared in the Laurel and Hardy Appreciation ClubMagazine. Graham is also interested in unsolved mysteries – particularly the Loch Ness Monster, Jack the Ripper, apparitions and ghosts! Graham has published two books of poetry; "Something in the Potting Shed" (2004) and "When Dracula Came to Tea" (2007). You can contact Graham via this website: Email

ELIZABETH DICKERSON

Although Elizabeth writes short stories and poetry (which simultaneously "fascinates and intimidates" her), her ambition is to write a novel that people want to read – and that she will enjoy writing. She has been published in ‘in-house’ magazines at her places of work and at her ‘Alma Mater’ St Andrews. Elizabeth’s other interests include the ballet, classical music, dancing, theatre and reading. She also enjoys travel and church life. Elizabeth is a retired Senior Local Government Officer and the founder manager of Burntwood Citizen’s Advice Bureau, where she became interested in employment law. Elizabeth is also Treasurer of LDW. You can contact Elizabeth via this website: Email

PHIL FRANKS

Phil’s main preoccupation is radio drama, although he also writes the occasional short story. In summer 2000 he had a rehearsed reading of a radio play performed and ‘work-shopped’ at BBC Pebble Mill, Birmingham - and his ambition is to ‘have a bash’ at scripting a sit-com.
When he is not writing Phil enjoys walking, cycling, the arts, theatre and is walking the Camino de Santiago by instalments! Phil is a Basic Skills Lecturer and LDW’s ‘Cyber Expert’, with the task of designing and maintaining the group’s website. He can be reached at Email

JAN GREEN

Jan writes poems, stories and articles and in 2009 she won the Hilary Fawcett article writing competition. She produces a weekly ‘Fradley village news’ column for The Lichfield Mercury and is researching for a history of Fradley before the village potentially disappears under large-scale development. She and Brian Asbury are joint editors of Burntwood Family History Group’s journal.

Jan also belongs to The Lichfield Poets and her work has appeared in the group’s book ‘Silver Words’. TLP has written and performed poems for recent Lichfield Festivals and in 2009 will be involved in the Lichfield Mysteries and the Lichfield Fuse event. Jan can be reached at Email

A poem of Jan's: Heron

FRANCES KENNEDY

Frances is a confirmed ‘foodie’ and has edited and contributed to a cookery book. She is also writing a ‘foodie’/farming diary for the Internet which can be found at www.greatbritishkitchen.co.uk

Frances regularly ‘dabbles’ in articles and short stories and is currently trying to write the story of how she came to live on a smallholding. Frances is also a member of The Women’s Food and Farming Union and The National Women’s Register, and has been asked to contribute a regular, controversial piece to the NWR’s magazine. Frances’ other hobbies include dressmaking, reading, writing letters and growing vegetables and she is a member of the Soil Association and the HDRA. Frances is self-employed as a cookery demonstrator and after dinner speaker, and also enjoys occasional work for a PR company. Frances can be reached at Email

MARJORIE NEILSON

Marjorie’s primary interest is in writing articles. She was the winner of the 1996 Hilary Fawcett Competition for Article Writing and Highly Commended in same competition in the year 2000.
She also writes short stories and has been known to ‘dabble’ as a poet.
Marjorie can be reached at Email

JANE ROGERS

Jane enjoys writing short science fiction, although she makes occasional excursions into short fiction of all genres – and the definitive science fiction novel has also been under construction for some time now! Some of Jane’s stories have been published in the UK and the US, whilst others have been successful in competitions. She also writes poetry, and has had articles published in the national press. Jane enjoys gardening and decorating as well as writing, although family commitments have currently reduced the time available for all of these.
Jane is Publicity and Competitions Secretary of LDW and can be reached at Email

LORRAINE HELLIER

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