Here are links you may find of interest and use. In addition, if you cross to my blog, literascribe, you'll find more links to publishing and writers' blogs. I'll keep adding to this list, but here's a start:

Oxford University Department for Continuing Education: www.conted.ox.ac.uk

The annual Writers' Conference at the University of Winchester: www.writersconference.co.uk

The Writers' and Artists' Yearbook: www.writersandartists.co.uk

Writers' Market UK: www.writersmarket.co.uk

Mslexia magazine is incredibly good value for money - it's a subscription quarterly packed with inspiration, information, fiction and poetry, advice and contacts - go to www.mslexia.co.uk

Writers' News and Writing Magazine: www.writersnews.co.uk

The Bridport Prize (one of the most prestigious competitions for short stories and poems):  www.bridportprize.org.uk

Writer Janie Hampton is a social historian and biographer (her book The Austerity Olympics was shortlisted for the William Hill prize) - her website is at www.janiehampton.co.uk. She is also director of the Chauncy Maples Malawi Trust, which is renovating Africa's oldest floating ship back into a hospital - www.chauncymaples.org

Judy Waite is a brilliant and empathetic children's writer who also conducts children's workshops and teaches at the University of Winchester: http://www.judywaite.com

Sally Spedding writes dark, suspenseful crime. Like me, she responds strongly to the spirit of place and to the echoes of history. She teaches crime writing - see www.ceridwencentre.co.uk and www.writersconference.co.uk - and her website is at www.sallyspedding.com

Novelist Crysse Morrison has a regular writing column in Writing Magazine and teaches courses in fabulous places like Skyros and Gardoussel (I want to go!). She is also heavily involved in drama, performance poetry and spoken word activities, especially in Frome, Somerset. Check out her website at http://www.cryssemorrison.co.uk

 If you're looking for a writers' group to join, consult www.writers-circles.com