DRAMATIC writers and poets can access new tools and inspiration thanks to two former Reading Evening Post journalists.
George and Sarah Hamilton launched TYPE! as a free bookmark magazine distributed online and in Reading independent shops. But interest has grown fast, and TYPE! has become a creative community supporting a worldwide network of readers and writers.
A new website and weekly email newsletter are now helping talented scribes to “write more, write better, write now”.
George said: “We launched TYPE! in January 2021 to meet great people and share some incredible writing.
“Since then we’ve been inundated with submissions from across the world and have somehow developed an audience of hundreds of high-potential writers.
“We’ve launched the new website to give these writers tools and easier ways to produce more, higher-quality work.”
George, an occasional writer for RDG Today, launched TYPE! with Sarah as a side-project during the pandemic.
{{{image.911146}}}
The pair run copywriting agency Inquisitive Type from the town centre, but wanted to make an additional creative contribution to society alongside their corporate work.
George said: “We launched the magazine with the intention that independent shops and cafes could sell it and keep all the proceeds, but eventually decided it was better for them to give it away for free.”
TYPE! is now available to pick up locally in venues including Shed Café, The Purple Turtle and South Street Arts Centre as well as a small number of shops and cafés outside Reading.
The magazine is designed to cover a single A4 or US Letter-sized sheet of paper, meaning online readers can also download, fold, and read their own copy wherever they are.
George said: “We’ve published eight issues full of incredible writing, including from amazing local poets such as Vic Pickup and Claire Dyer, and several international authors.
“We’ve also run creative writing workshops online and in-person. One recent session had writers in New Zealand and the US on the same Zoom call, which was very gratifying.
“Now we want to give more brilliant writers a push to get important, inspiring stories and thoughts out into the world.”
TYPE!’s new website at www.bookmarktype.com includes free resources such as daily writing prompts, freewriting exercises and checklists for scenes.
A new weekly email newsletter featuring author interviews, writing tips and news can be found at https://bookmarktype.substack.com.
TYPE! is also running creative workshops for businesses and is looking for sponsors for future issues.
