Writer Richard Hawkins has joined YouCaxton to provide a new service of advice and editing for screenplays. The service includes an honest and objective professional critique of the work, editorial support, script development and formatting, so that presentations are up to a professional standard and maximise their chance of going forward to production.

Richard has worked as a writer and producer since the late 1980s with several critically acclaimed productions to his name, including on Broadway. His first screenplay, the internationally successful The Theory of Flight, was co-produced by both the BBC and Miramax and directed by Paul Greengrass (Bourne Ultimatum, Captain Philips). It starred Kenneth Branagh and Helena Bonham Carter. Richard has also worked closely alongside the acclaimed Polish director Pawel Pawlikowski (My Summer of Love, Aida).

His own directorial debut came with the enormously well received Everything, starring Ray Winstone, which quickly became a cause celebre on the festival circuit, heralded by the Sydney Film festival as ‘The perfect model for budget feature making’ – and went on to win several international awards and a prestigious BAFTA nomination for Richard himself.
‘Everything is boldly conceived and executed, the kind of film British cinema needs more of.’ The Daily Telegraph
‘A highly promising feature debut … truthful, perceptive and moving.’ The Observer

Richard has worked recently as a creative adviser for China’s emerging film industry, playing a critical role in the establishment of several on-going, long-term relationships between American and Chinese studios. He also gives support as a specialist acting coach, taking both new and established stars and working them through various castings and/or preparing them for particular film roles. Actors worked with include Benedict Cumberbatch, Naomi Harris, Domonic Cooper, Stephen Mangan, Gugu Mbatha Raw, Ed Skrein, Danny Dyer, to name but a few.

Dianne Carrington will be speaking in Pulverbatch Village Hall  on the evening of Saturday 26 January about her new book Atlantic Lady, published by YouCaxton, the story of her record-breaking row across the Atlantic. She is the oldest woman ever to undertake this extraordinary feat.

Fran Norton will be launching her new book, Isolde, Lady de Audley, published by YouCaxton,  at the Castle Bookshop, Ludlow, betweeen 5.00 and 7.00 pm on Friday 23rd November. The image  is of Isolde’s tomb in St Bartholomew’s churchyard, Much Marcle, Herefordshire.

In the eighteenth century some remarkable young women crossed the ocean to seek their fortunes. Margaret Maskelyne who married Clive of India and was sister to Nevil Masquelyne, Astronomer Royal, was one of the cleverest – and funniest. Bob Fowke, YouCaxton’s Managing Editor, will be speaking on Margaret Clive and her friends at Hyssington Village Hall, 7.30 Thursday 22nd November.

Peter Francis, author of Sites of Remembrance: Shropshire War Memorials, published by YouCaxton, will be giving a talk on the memorials of Mid-Wales on Thursday 22nd November at Aberhafwesp Church at 7.00 pm, between Newtown and Caersws. All welcome.

The Ironbridge Ogre, a children’s story by Toni Sian Williams, published by YouCaxton Publications and supported by Telford Council, is being launched on 1st November at Southwater Library Telford, 11.00 am – 2 pm. All are welcome.

The Wildlife Roleplay Book by Jenny Sugen, published by YouCaxton, received a charming boost the other day. Jenny’s daughter was at a conservation evening in London where Sir David Attenborough was  a special guest. Not only was Sir David happy to pose with Jenny’s daughter and the book, he also wrote to Jenny by hand afterward to thank  her for letting him see it.

YouCaxton Publications provides expert help to local writers.