New Writing South is very pleased indeed to announce that the commission for High Street Tales: Hastings has been awarded to Robin Pridy.
New Writing South Chief Executive Lesley Wood said:
‘Hastings is a wonderfully creative town providing sanctuary and inspiration for some very fine writers. Our judges had a difficult job selecting the right person for this commission from the many excellent submissions. In the end, Robin’s beautiful writing and her passion for the America Ground area, its people and its stories, shone through and we know her story will bring something unique and special to the cultural life of the Heritage Action Zone.’
Robin Pridy said:
‘I can’t wait to work on High Street Tales for Hastings and America Ground. Our high streets may need us but I think we also need them. How many times have they saved us? Whether it was sneaky sweet shop visits, late-night-vinegar-sharp chips, or those only-just-in-time presents for mum. First job, first kiss, first night out. They have been the lifeblood of communities for centuries. They have been our work, our play and our never-forgotten trip to the dentist, all jostling side by side – and I really hope to celebrate this.’
Twitter @robinpridy
Instagram @robbo_pridy
Website: robinpridyblog.wordpress.com
About Robin Pridy
Robin Pridy is an editor, former journalist and writer. She grew up on Vancouver Island on Canada’s west coast before moving to the UK. It didn’t take her long to find herself once again by the sea in St Leonards-on-Sea and Hastings. As a journalist, she wrote mostly about culture, architecture and music before moving into book and magazine editing. A lifelong writer and believer in stories, Robin completed an MA in Creative Writing from Bath Spa University, where she first started her novel, EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL IS FAR AWAY. She is represented by Sue Armstrong at C&W Agency.
At the moment, she splits her work between writing fiction and editing non-fiction books for children that seem to contain obscure facts about whales and aardvarks. She is fascinated with the importance of place and the psychology of nostalgia, and the strong emotions that gathers. Robin also has a firm connection to Hastings and America Ground. For the past 12 years, she has raised her family all over it – with cut elbows, spilled drinks, bumped curbs and dirty fingerprints absolutely everywhere…
Online workshops for Hastings residents
Robin will be talking to people who have lived, worked and played in and around America Ground and will be running two free writing workshops inspired by memories and stories from the area.
Find out more about these two workshops:
Life Notes: Exploring Life Writing with Robin Pridy
Online: 1 December 2020, 11am–1pm
Eat, Drink and be Merry: Write Deliciously about Food and Drink with Robin Pridy
Online: 2 December 2020, 11am–1pm
For more information about Hastings Heritage Action Zone please contact Heart of Hastings
