The following comes from a mailing list run by Trevor Lockwood. He can be contacted by writing to trevor@author.co.uk

His letters are always interesting and enthusiastic. Do sign up for them and hopefully you will receive a great deal of encouragement. Good Luck!

Tall TV Ltd is looking for as-yet-unpublished authors who might be interested in taking part in a TV series about writing fiction. The lucky few selected will get assistance writing a blockbuster fiction novel from stars in the literary industry, and one of the participants will walk away with a publishing deal.

Anyone interested in taking part should send details of their age, sex, city of residence, occupation, marital status, ethnicity, contact details and a paragraph outlining the concept of a novel they'd like to write to me at trevor@author.co.uk.

That successful new author could then buy an 18th Century manor house in France. Great place to write books, close to Boulogne and Paris, see www.author.co.uk/france.

As we gain more expertise in publishing books, using print on demand, local writers groups could use us to create anthologies of their own work. POD (print on demand) is ideally suited for such books, serving a local market. Our latest book is an anthology of Durlabh Singhs poetry, and is a good example of what any group, or individual, can now produce  with a little care and attention. See www.author.co.uk/durlabh

Forget holidays, headaches and credit cards we are now in 2002. Last year we concentrated upon information, this year we shall build a community. At www.author.co.uk/circles you can now find a number of writers' circles. That area needs to be improved. Can I ask you all to look at these pages and tell me what's wrong or missing? It is now organised by country, region, county and major cities but whole pages of groups still have no online contact. I'd like more websites and email eddresses please.

If you can't find yourself try the site search engine; top right hand corner of most pages.

When you email, trevor@author.co.uk, information also tell me what you'd like to see on the site. It will become more personal and easy to use as time goes by.

Writers' circles and associations can use author.co.uk in a variety of ways. The Isle of Wight circle, see www.author.co.uk/circles/wight.htm have posted their latest newsletter online, other groups post events, competitions but there is space for much more.

One step forward will be a move into publishing. I've 'done a deal' with a printer and distribution network that means we can experiment. Anyone with a book project should contact me and I'll explain. This paragraph is intended to do no more than whet your appetite.

Another will be a new arena for writers with manuscripts looking for publishers. If you'd like to promote your work, let me know.

Does anyone want to review software designed to help with the creative process? I have a program that says it can help but we need to put it to the test.

Perhaps we should also start campaigning. I frequently email the BBC about the lack of story slots on Radio 4 for living British writers. It doesn't change anything because I'm just one voice in the morass but perhaps we could work something together? What irks you?

By the way the email eddresses of all members of Parliament can be found at http://www.locata.co.uk/commons/

Keep writing and do visit the www.author.co.uk/news page regularly, as that's where it all begins.

Trevor Lockwood