Newport Writers – an anthology of poetry and prose

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 enjoy what promises to be a whirlwind ride

Review

Compiling a anthology of different writers is no mean feat. You need it to feel balanced, the writers to compliment each other, but at the same time, speak loudly and distinctly in their own voices. You want and require each individual entry to feel polished. A mini story that captures the imagination of the reader and holds their attention, even, when moments later the bookworm is transported into new worlds and new lives. Newport Writers – an anthology of poetry and prose fulfills a very precise wish list. Strong distinct voices, a willingness to push the boundaries, producing a series of short stories and poems that are exciting, expertly crafted, that feel offbeat and individual.

I love that I can’t really choose a favorite, because they are all very good in their own right! I was delighted by the variety and the obvious talent of each writer, aided by the way the editor created a flow through the anthology by mixing prose and poetry.

To pick one or two as examples only and not to indicate favorite’s in anyway, Rebecca Baker’s Writers Anonymous gave a very unique and fascinating look into the mind of writers of all types. It is highly entertaining, making me laugh out loud at the wonder and complexity of the writers mind. She gives a voice to the addictive and compulsive way writers need to write, how taking the characters and stories, placing down into written form is an impulse they can’t resist.

Leanne Evan’s remarkable poem Through The Gate is full of meaning, she spins sound, word choice and rhythm to produce the perfect poem. She took me back to a time when as a child I felt king “of the castle” and when the “whole world was mine”, looking deep into my heart, as I to, wonder where time has gone, yearning for when we played at ease, without a care in the world!

Each and every poem and piece of prose within Newport Writers is equally as good as these two. The variety and range is remarkable and goes to show that many writers, though unpublished by traditional means, are out there waiting to be heard and deserving to be listened to.

You can purchase this collection from Amazon

About the authors

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