WWII Pilots: a book, an appeal

I am in touch with someone who is writing a book about WWII pilots - more a photographic work than an essay.

He is photographing them as they are now and presenting them in a 'before and after' format - young man in uniform standing next to his aircraft etc. He is also recording the interviews on video.

The written format is similar to an obit., but with an emphasis on their wartime experiences.

He has photographed Brits, Aussies, South Africans, a Czech general and a couple of Germans including a general who is the highest scoring fighter pilot still alive.

However, he has no Frenchmen on his list.

I wonder if I could appeal to members of SOAF and ask if anyone knows any Frenchmen (or Belgians) who flew in the war?

If they do, could they kindly write to John Bradley at infoATdontmovetofrance.co.uk ? (not forgetting to replace AT with @).

(SOAF members may also find his website of interest!)

Paris Writers' Workshop

The Paris Writers Workshop, France's oldest continuing creative writing event, is proud to present its twentieth season, July 1-11 in Paris, France, with an expanded ten-day program of Master Classes, Workshops, readings, signings, and meetings with major agents and publishers.

Master Classes will be devoted to The Novel, Creative Non-Fiction,and Screenplay, and five-day workshops include:The Spirit of Place, Awakening Creativity,Writing the Personal Essay, Fiction, Poetry, Literary Translation,and Writing About Art.

Three-day courses cover the art and craft of Crime, Fantasy, and Romance Fiction, Celebrity Biography and Journalism, Travel Writing, Business and Fund-Raising Writing, and How to Get Published.

Among our sidebar events are daily readings and performances, Literary Walks, art shows and a Surrealist Dinner.

This year's faculty includes Nuala O'Faolain, Nahid Rachlin, Vijay Seshadri, Cole Swensen, Catherine Texier, Susan Tiberghien, Ann Snodgrass, Patrick McGilligan, Kevin Jackson and Karen Weir-Jimerson.

Two special guests this year are Jonathan Lloyd, CEO of the world-wide Curtis Brown Literary Agency, and Patrick Janson-Smith, London-based agent and former publisher of Doubleday/Transworld. Both will be available for individual consultations.

From our location in the heart of historic Montparnasse, you can develop or perfect your literary skills in the very steps of Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, Edith Wharton and James Joyce, and meet other writers in the spirit of creative collaboration which has always been an integral part of the Paris literary experience. For more information on classes, and registration, see our website at: www.pariswritersworkshop.org or email: pww@wice-paris.org


THE PARIS PRIZE FOR FICTION :Judge: Matt Thorne

We are pleased to announce the inauguration of an annual Paris Writers Workshop Prize for fiction.
The prize, of five thousand US dollars, $5,000, will be awarded for a novel or collection of short stories in English by a writer who has not previously been published in book form. (Appearance of an extract in a magazine, anthology etc does not constitute prior publication.)

Authors are asked to submit the following:
* An extract from the work of no more than 1000 words.
* A synopsis of no more than one typed page outlining the scope of the work.
* A covering letter of no more than one typed page, giving some personal information.
* A reading fee of €30 per submission (reduced to €20 for applicants enrolled in the workshop.)
* Multiple submissions are permitted, but a reading fee is required for each.
The deadline for submissions is 30th April. Results will be announced and the presentation made at the closing dinner on 11th July, 2008.

Matt Thorne is the author of Tourist (1998), Eight Minutes Idle (Encore Prize, 1999), Dreaming of Strangers (2000), Pictures of You (2001), Child Star (2003) and Cherry (2004 Booker Prize longlist), Matt’ also penned three children's books, co-edited All Hail the New Puritans and Croatian Nights, and is working on a critical study of the musician Prince.

For more information: www.pariswritersworkshop.org or email: pww@wice-paris.org