Rugby Cafe Writers

How did the Rugby Cafe Writers begin?

Here, our founder Theresa Le Flem, introduces the group.

Running for over five years now, Rugby Café Writers is a lively gathering of local writers, poets and playwrights; we meet simply to talk about our work over a coffee. All of us have one thing in common: we need encouragement and advice, and we enjoy sharing our journey along that hazardous road into print.

Our meetings run fortnightly on a Friday morning throughout the year without a break. We usually choose a topic to discuss, anything from tackling writer’s block to how to promote sales of our books. An average of fourteen of us meet in the Thirteen Bells Café, inside St. Andrew’s Church, in Rugby town centre.

A few years ago, during an author talk I gave for the Rugby Festival of Culture, I was surprised by the number of writers in the audience. Their questions led to a conversation continuing long after my allocated time, as people discovered their common interest – writing! This gave me the idea to start up the opportunity for these writers to meet again and get to know each other, and hence Café Writers was born. 

The common saying that ‘everyone has a book in them’ is, we have discovered, surprisingly true.Theresa Le Flem, founder of Rugby Cafe Writers.

Since that day, I’m proud to say some of them who were still finding their way then, are now published authors. More recently, several of us have taken Café Writers out to literary festivals in Southam and Northampton and given talks and book-signings locally. The curiosity the general public has in the mysterious world of a writer is, it seems, never dimmed; in fact, by sharing our experiences, we enjoy encouraging others not only to buy our books but to set out on that journey themselves. Some have always dreamt of doing this, but never taken the first step. The common saying that ‘everyone has a book in them’ is, we have discovered, surprisingly true.

So, we hope you enjoy this website and trust it will inspire you to look further into our work, to purchase our book and understand a writer’s passion. Perhaps this might even prod you into putting pen to paper yourselves. There are always more stories out there, just waiting to be written. And if you live locally and would like to join us, there’s always room for one more.

Theresa Le Flem, founder of Rugby Cafe Writers.

Why I joined Rugby Cafe Writers

A couple of years ago, I wandered into St Andrew’s Church in Rugby and found the Cafe Writers gathering for one of their fortnightly meetings. Tea and coffee cups were clinking and there was a hubbub of friendly book-focused chat.

Ever since then, I have been a regular attender. To begin with, I felt a bit of a fraud. I hadn’t written a book: I hadn’t written a short story. I had a background in local newspaper journalism and, over a career spanning 25 years, had written hundreds of articles in print and online. But, as to fiction, I was a newcomer. 

However, I had one big thing in common with everyone else around the table: I loved books. That is something of an understatement. I am obsessed with books as the many piles around my house will confirm. At any one time, I have perhaps ten or so books on the go. Sometimes it takes me ages to finish them, but that doesn’t matter. It’s the feel, the smell, the hidden delights awaiting in them.

People bring along either something they have written themselves or an example of something they admire in the writing of others.

And that was enough to make me feel at home with this inspirational group. There is an eclectic mix of people. Some are successful professional writers whose books have appeared in best-seller lists. Others have self-published novels whilst some are keen amateur poets. We all love writing and we love books.

Each time, we have a loose theme for our discussion – humour, anti-heroes, romance, opening lines, blurbs and so on. People bring along either something they have written themselves or an example of something they admire in the writing of others. We also exchange news on our own projects and, often, there is the wonderful moment of someone revealing their latest published book. There is always an ooh and an aah as the book is carefully passed around the group. What do we think of the cover? What does it smell like? Are we pleased with the typography and layout?

Several times a year, writers from the group take a table at various literary festivals to promote their books. We’re not talking about hundreds of sales, but to sell a dozen might be a good day – even a couple can give you a good feeling.

In a time when reading could be seen to be on the decline, especially amongst young people, it is encouraging to see so many talented writers around, exploring so many different genres. Perhaps when you read this selection, you might think that you, too, have a book or a poem you would like to share. Perhaps you might want some advice on how to get it into print or online. You might just love books and want to talk about them.

John Howes, member of Rugby Cafe Writers

So why do you write? Send us a message. We would love to hear from you.