Society of Medical Writers

Society of Medical Writers

Patron – Baroness Julia Neuberger DBE President Prof Brian W McGuinness

somw.org.uk

Newsletter 25 / November2015

Dear Fellow Writers

As we move further into the computer world and try to avoid postal increases, this will probably be the last snailmailed newsletter, which you will receive. In future it will be an email. Do please make sure you keep us up to date with your email address. There will be a full report of the Sheffield conference in the Journal. On a personal level I would like to say that I found it to be very stimulating and enjoyable. We are looking at a possible return to the Lake District in Autumn 2016. I understand that the Glenridding Hotel in Ullswater was where it was all suggested in 1985. The organisation, which was then the General Practice Writers Organisation (GPWA) started in 1986. I am in contact with the hotel for a possible 2016 October date.

Dorothy Crowther (Chairman)

Somw / nltr 23 / 01/12/15

Summer 2015 Writing Competition. Congratulations to all the winners, as listed below. Winning entries will be published, as usual, in the next journal:

Non Fiction: 1st Ron Mulroy

Short Stories: 1st Julian Randall; 2nd Chris Walker; Commended - Teresa Black; Stefania Hartley; Richard Westcott; Vinaya Srirangam

Poetry: 1st Richard Westcott; 2nd Chris Walker; Highly Commended – Jeanette Cayley; Richard Westcott; Hugh Wills; Commended – Julian Randall; Hugh Wills; Chris Cameron; Tom Fryers;

Society of Apothecaries, Faculty of History & Philosophy. The joint meeting on ‘Academic Writing’ took place on Friday 3rd July 2015 at the Society of Apothecaries in London. Thank you to John Lockley & Julian Randall for all their input for this event. Full report in next Writer. The possible merger of the SOA ( with SOMW continues to be discussed.

Autumn Conference & AGM October 2015 - Sheffield. Thank you to David Gelipter and Moira Brimacombe, for the hardwork they put into organising a delightful weekend, which saw us exploring the venues in and around Sheffield. Minutes of the AGM enclosed with this newsletter; full report will be in the next Writer.

Future Conference plans:

Spring Conference, Wednesday 20th April 2016, Art Workers Guild, London. Booking form & draft programme enclosed with this newsletter. Another exciting programme in store. We look forward to seeing you. Bring your friends; non-members are very welcome. Booking form enclosed with this newsletter or download from the website; Contact co-ordinator Mary Anderson for further details.

Autumn Conference & AGM 2016; Venue & details awaited.

Reminders –

The Winter 2015 Writing Competition. Please send entries to the Competition Secretary, Moira Brimacombe, as soon as is practicable, but at the latest by 30th January 2016. Entry form enclosed with this newsletter or by download from the website. Non-members can now submit entries, so please encourage fellow writers whom you know to send in their work.

The Writer – Submissions for publication to the Editor, Neil Wilson, as soon as possible. Send text in Word (*.doc or *.docx) format & pictures in JPEG (*jpg) format. Single spaced, 12 point, Times New Roman font please.

SPECIAL NOTE: Submission dates have been tightened to give the editorial team more time. These are now - January copy - end November; July copy - end May.

Address / email changes. Please ensure that ALL changes are initially sent through to the Secretary, Irene Ranner, in order that the master database can be kept updated this applies in particular to email address changes. We endeavour to ensure that your personal details are correct; we cannot communicate with you if you don’t tell us of changes!!!!

Subscription payments: reminder that these are now due annually on 1st January. New members joining pay pro rata in their first year & current members’ payment have been adjusted accordingly. Everyone should have received communication from Treasurer Anne about these alterations

Website (somw.org.uk) for current happenings within the Society and for contacting folk via its links.

SOMW Listser ver To become a member of this, email Membership is entirely at your discretion. Members receive posts immediately to their email inbox. You can leave at any time if you don’t like the experience. For the future we hope to be using electronic communication more often as postage continues to get more expensive.

Visit our Facebook site - this facility is a useful communication option.

Irish Medical Writers: For details contact Colin Kerr: or see their website.

Somw / nltr 23 / 01/12/15