University chums Simon Friend and Colin Myer are helping to find Britain’s writing stars of the future.
The duo have launched Speaking From Experience, a platform for emerging Jewish writers to showcase their work with a view to publication. They are planning a series of open monthly events, the first one taking place on November 22 at The Legal Cafe in Belsize Park, north London, where short story writer Tania Hershman (The White Road and Other Stories) will be presenting.
Mr Friend, who works in marketing for a West End theatre producer, tells People: “The idea is based on a similar model for young Jewish writers in New York. This has been ongoing for almost a decade.” The aim of the event, he says, is to “portray the Jewish experience in twenty-first century Britain”, and create a literary community. Every piece will have a Jewish theme.
Mr Myer, a PR campaign executive, adds: “We’ve both come across a lot of talented writers, but there have been very few opportunities until now for them to gauge the public’s response to their work.
“Our aim is to publish a collection of the best pieces we find. We would love to hear from anyone who has ever been convinced there is a book in them waiting to get out.”
Each event, which will be attended by a different Jewish literary personality, will feature a selection of short stories or extracts from novels, which will be read out by their author, or a third party.