NEW FACES were a welcome sight at the Airedale Writers' Circle open evening held at Sight Airedale earlier this month.

The meeting, advertised in local papers, had been called with a view both to recruiting new members and evaluating what they felt they were looking for in joining such a group.

Writing is, and always has been, a solitary occupation: many writers, young and old, have honed their craft amidst all their other commitments either by working away late at night or early in the morning.

This is all the more reason why writers appreciate the companionship of like minds – and a compelling reason, in this case, for joining the Writer's Circle.

Chairman Peter Morrison led with a short introduction outlining what the Circle had achieved over the years, including monthly meetings, a well-regarded annual children’s competition and an annual competition for adults.

Changing times, and changing public perceptions, now meant a need to take stock.

Many young people seem unenthusiastic about the craft of writing. The number of published writers, outside the world of celebrities, grows steadily smaller. The high street bookshop is in a state of decline.

Plenty of challenge there to be met by a writer.

Suggestions to continue the Circle's programme of guest speakers were well received; in particular, members felt that further appearances by local literary agents (such as Jan Michael of Settle) and publishers would be welcome.

Several existing Circle members have taken the step of self-publishing their work. This can be both modestly profitable and rewarding, providing the pitfalls are understood well in advance.

In particular, self-publishing means both a willingness to market one's work and a certain amount of effort to achieve it.

Prospective members expressed much interest in meeting with those publishers who had assisted existing members in achieving such ambitions.

A further area for exploration as to guest speakers was non-fiction and autobiography. Members were particularly interested to learn of an East Coast fisherman who has successfully published several books on his life in the fishing industry.

Poetry also came under discussion. In recent months Caeia March and Andy Humphry have both given talks to members – and the search is on to find other poets as speakers.

The prospect of having one's writing reviewed and critiqued by one's peers can be a daunting one. Peter was anxious to point out that the Circle's “manuscript evenings”, as they are called, are informal affairs with an emphasis on encouragement and support.

An offer to hold a further such evening towards the end of April was quickly taken up.

Prospective members felt the meeting to have been worthwhile and appreciated the chance to air their views.

The results of the open evening will now go towards the Circle's proposed programme for 2015/16, to be considered at the Circle's annual general meeting on June 9.

The Circle meets next at East Riddlesden Hall on May 12 at 7.30pm for its children’s competition prize-giving. Contact Peter Morrison by e-mailing p634morrison@btinternet.com for details about the Circle.