I was repeatedly let down:

Anne said that she would be late. She wasn't.

I thought I would bring cake. I didn;t.

I thought Mary would read from her novel. She didn't.

I though Lee would read about sex. He didn't.

I thought I would bring in something rewritten. I didn't (although, thank God, no one noticed).

On the other hand:

Anne as on time, so I got to chat with her. Awesome.

Cake it bad for you. Fair enough.

If Mary had read from her novel, I would be have been driven made with jealousy as it is so good. In the event, she read out something and, as soon as she was done, turned (to me? Or everyone?) and said 'you hated that didn't you?' I was able to say 'yes' and being so mean did my soul a power of good.

Lee reading about sex would merely have revved my engine...

People were very nice about my writing.

See... it was actually a great evening.

Fiction and travel writing Ukraine, America and Pakistan. Free birthday cake from another table in the pub. There's only one thing left to say. nom nom nom

I love it when it all comes together as it did last night.  Eight stalwart members, five fantastic readings and good craic in the pub afterwards - and lovely Lily is back from her travels. Truly our cups runneth over.

And please look out for the following - yes, it's not all sitting around drinking in The Rising Sun you know...

Mary's book,'The Tarot Killer' is out next week:  http://marybracht.com 

The Green Press are publishing Lynsey's book, 'First Aid Kit Girl' in January.

SJ's book appears to have sold out but will be in stock again soon, never fear! http://www.squintarium.com/vanguard.html

The conversation in the pub?  I remember something about someone who walked around with a lump of cheese on their head for four days ( think it might have been Peter Green, or was it Syd Barrett?)  Then there was definitely a concrete boat, oh and lots about death and drugs.  Then there was a sort of mini boot sale, and we decided against blockading Harlesden Road. It's probably for the best.

One newbie and seven oldbies (old bees?). Two novel chapters and a short story. Not even Solomon was arrayed like Bilal. Good pub and home to Question Time on iPlayer "live restart". What else do you want to know?

A good night, despite a mysterious 'no show' -you know who you are, and what you missed and then Lynsey couldn't make it because she is ill ( get well soon - keep taking the pills ).

So, Lynn read a piece called Diamond in the Rough,  well that's what it was called until Bilal got to work on it anyway. It's going to be a fine piece of work once she has buffed it up (sorry).  We all have favourite stories about our families and Lynn brings hers to life with such a true, delicate touch - lovely.

Bilal came dressed as a fisherman ( don't ask ) and read out another instalment of his fine book - with added Hermann Hesse, and why not...

SJ - some of us got the story straight away, others were a bit mystified at first, then the penny dropped.  The main message to take away from it is firstly,  that SJ is a fine writer, and secondly, don't ever, ever annoy her.

Then to the pub, where two of us sat drinking cups of tea - shocking.  Dylan Thomas would be turning in his grave...

This is a fundraising appeal for Saltwater - a collection of short stories by Lane Ashfeldt. It is up to about 80% of the target with just three days left.

Please consider sponsoring this short story collection. There are various rewards for different amounts pledged. For a small contribution, it is like placing an advance order.

Lane Ashfeldt’s short stories are fine and Lane has helped a lot of other writers via Pulp.net. Lane is also a highly esteemed member of this writing group when she's in town. Alas for us, she now lives in Wales. 

Bilal arrived on time but he's still suffering the effects of bronchitis, so when he left before the end, we understood (and appreciated the effort).  Steve arrived half way through Clare's piece, but that's ok, that's life.  Alistair never made it at all, but we understood.  What we don't understand however, is strawberry pencils.  WTF is that all about?  Should you spot a can of strawberry pencils for sale in a pub, do yourself a favour and avoid them at all costs. True, they are somehow strangely moreish, but as Steve found to his cost, they are not the perfect accompaniment to red wine ( who knew? ) In fact they don't complement wine at all, not even the wine in The Rising Sun.

The writing - what of the writing I hear you ask.  Well, Clare read us the climax of her children's story and that school is violently erupting in quite unexpected ways, it's definitely not one for anyone with arachnophobia.  Steve gave us some more conversations between various characters including, Ada, Nora and Tony ( he's a one and no mistake ) and I'm looking forward to finding out what happens next and whether it's a play or a short story... Then SJ read us the third of her trilogy of short stories, and do you know what, in my humble opinion, it was even better than the first two - I know!  How is that even possible?