Bob Fowke will be giving a talk at Leominster Public Library, 6.30 pm Thursday 7 May, on self-publishing and on some of the problems facing authors wishing to self-publish today. The talk will embrace both digital and print publishing and will look at problems of marketing as well as at the more technical problems facing authors who take the self-publishing route. The talk starts with an historical overview of self-publishing from earliest times and looks at the constraints on authors imposed both by the publishing industry and by states throughout the centuries.

On 28 January, Dr Richard Mooore gave the second YouCaxton Literary Lecture to be held at Shrewsbury Library. His subject was ‘The Coalbrookdale Doctors’, based on his book of the same title. He gave a detailed and fascinating account of the evolution of GP practice from apothecary to medical professional using the example of three generations of doctors/apothecaries working in Coalbrookdale. He was careful to include colourful background details about technology and social conditions of  the period, where these had a particular impact on the doctors concerned and on their patients.  His large audience included more than a few medical people interested in the background to their own profession.

From publishers to dance impresarios, are there are no limits to the YouCaxton basket of talents? On Thursday 15th January, 7.30 – 9.30 pm, we’re holding a preparatory session at St Chad’s Church Hall, Shrewsbury.

This preparatory session will allow revellers an opportunity to prepare for the YouCaxton Charity Ball to be held on 28 February in aid of Shrewsbury Hospice and to Launch Those Were the Days by David Corbett.

Dances at the preparatory session will include Quickstep, the Gay Gordons and one other.

The Footloose Dance Orchestra, who are playing on 28 February, are a remarkable sixteen-piece dance orchestra and not to be missed.

YouCaxton has a stand at the Wellington Literary Festival this Saturday, 11 October, 1914, and on Saturday 25 October. We’ll be happy to answer any questions concerning publishing and printing.

Dr Lempert’s talk, ‘What is Lost’, at the latest YouCaxton Literary Lecture in the Pengwern Bookshop, Shrewsbury, was full to capacity last night. Those who attended heard Dr Lempert’s articulate and passionate description of the effect of religious belief on medical practice in the modern world. (Dr Lempert is Chair of the Secular Medical Forum.) His talk touched on religious fundamentalism in countries such as Pakistan and Israel as well as nearer home in Britain and Europe. It looked at how medical interventions based on custom and belief rather than medical necessity, such as circumcision both male and female, have been sanctioned or tacitly tolerated due to pressure from religious authorities. His description of legal threats and of the machinations of multinational bodies was rivetting.

There’s an excellent review of Hillary Mantel’s latest collection of short stories in the Guardian by James Lasdun although he is perhaps a little tough on her The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher – August 6th 1983 which ‘has an engaging sprightliness, and the situation it contrives – of a captive woman who shares her captor’s loathing for the Iron Lady, almost to the point of being willing to trade places with him (“You go and make the tea and I’ll sit here and mind the gun”) – is full of comic as well as serious possibilities. The problem is that so much of the story’s energy goes into the elaborate mechanics and metaphysics of its counterfactual … Nothing to object to, but it amounts to little more than cheerleading (or jeerleading), which is disappointing, to say the least, after the richly layered political theatre of the Tudor novels.’

Elizabeth Yeoman’s new book of poetry More Than Words was launched on Friday evening, 29th August, to a crowd of more than three hundred in south Shropshire, at Chelmarsh Sports and Social Club. The event was a tribute to Elizabeth’s bravery in attending despite her serious illness. Steve Edwards spoke a few words at the opening and has special words of praise for the makers of a triumphant Victoria sponge cake. A bitter-sweet moment for all involved and a special achievement for a remarkable Shropshire figure. Nearly all the books taken to the event were sold.

The YouCaxton Literary Lecture for July 2014 was given by Victoria Denning at the Pengwern Bookshop in Shrewsbury on Tuesday 22 July. Victoria has been a celebrant presiding over weddings, funerals and baby namings for the past eight years and is associated with the British Humanist Association. She described her work and the multitude of different people that require her services to a curious and entertained audience.