Andrew Bell
Andrew has had pieces of non-fiction published, covering a wide range of topics, including philosophy, law and political economy, in various journals and publications, since he left uni in the late sixties.
He has enjoyed writing poetry and other creative work for over 15 years, and self-published a small poetry collection in 2013.
David Graham
John Holmes
After trying various jobs, John settled on a career in insurance claims adjusting, principally with Lloyd’s of London, which gave him valuable insights into human nature, as well as an awareness of the vulnerability and unpredictability of supposedly safe, ordinary daily life.
In 2007, John graduated with the Open University, obtaining a degree (2:1) in Social Sciences with special reference to Psychology.
He has had various poems published, most recently in Peeking Cat magazine.
John co-wrote, with his father, William Holmes, a well-respected non-fiction book When The War Is Over on Dunkirk and the German P.O.W. camps in World War Two.
Two novels: A Small Indiscretion, and That Someone Else Is You, were published under pen-names and are long out-of-print. John has also written a book of short stories: We Never Just Talk.
The novel Legacy And A Gun was published in May 2019. It concerns an exiled politician living under the constant threat of imported violence and tormented by an obsession with legacy – his own and that of his ancestors. The novel is available in both kindle and paperback. Quoted passages from it can be found on Twitter under John Holmes @NewickPea.
Michael Keeble
Many years ago Michael entertained folk with rhymes. Though he could never in all honesty call himself a poet, in those days it seemed an amusing way to tell a tale. Michael still occasionally writes stories in rhyme for effect, but since joining the writing group has realised that he is primarily a storyteller and rhymes are not necessary to tell a good story.
Kevin Murphy
Kevin started as an aspiring writer in 2011. Initially he attended several writers’ workshops at the library. After complaining that they were only around twice yearly, he was invited to lead the group. So following retirement in 2011 he founded the Retford Writers’ Group, and this website.
After work as an English Teacher, Youth Worker and Safeguarding trainer, Kevin had collected many stories – and concerns which are published under the name Kevan Pooler.
So, in his writing he likes to tackle issues that concern him, and perhaps retell those stories. His first book ‘Apple’ is based on the debates around Weapons of Mass Destruction. This fantasy novel enabled Kevin to explore first hand the new and exciting world of self publishing for Kindle.
‘Barred? Who guards the Guardians?’ is a crime mystery set in 2011 Notts, when the axe is just falling on the country’s Youth Services. Youth Officer Leo feels murderous about the wielders, when a body is found in the Jacuzzi. Scouse DI Chocky Blundell and new DS Iruna Bahadur investigate whodunwot.
‘Convicted for Courage’ – Imprisoned in Britain’ was based around interviews he conducted in 1989 with ex prisoners of war. Both books are available in paperback and kindle edition
During 2018 he also steered Retford Writers’ Group to the publication of the Anthology ‘All the Write Pieces’.
He writes as Kevan Pooler and has a dedicated website http://www.kevanpooler.com
Angela O’Connor
Angela O’Connor has been writing poetry and prose for three decades and performing as a spoken word poet for the last 3 years. Born in Northern Ireland, raised in Australia she is now based in North Nottinghamshire. Angela garners inspiration for her writing from the world around us. How we, as humans relate to each other and our surrounds. She has been published in anthologies – Beyond Rubies, The Write Stuff, collections North Nottinghamshire Short Stories 2018 and magazines-Esoterica.
Barrie Purnell
Barrie was born in Gloucestershire in 1941 and only started writing seriously when he joined Retford Writers Group in 2015. His writing consists mainly of poetry in its various forms. He published his first book, “Poetry of love, Life and Loss”, in 2019 which is now available on Amazon.
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