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Moffat Writers Ink 

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Moffat Writers Ink is a group of writers who meet, on a monthly basis, to support each other in their writing careers.

What started off as a crime offshoot of a creative writing group, has developed into a group of authors from various genres. We now cover crime, fantasy, horror and sci-fi and all cross-genres in between. The group was set up to help writers who were at the publishing stage of their writing process but needed support to take that final step.

Getting published, whether traditionally or self-published, is a difficult process. From getting your book in the best possible condition before submitting to agents and publishers, to writing a submissions package, using social media for promotional purposes or the whole self-publishing process, there is someone in the group who can advise.

Many of the members are happy to alpha and beta read their fellow members’ books, checking on how well the story flows, how well the characters resonate with the readers, any plot holes or other big issues. Having people you can trust at this stage is incredibly important. Some people will charge you for this service. Family and friends won’t necessarily give you decent feedback. Other authors know exactly what’s required and how to explain what the problems are.

Some of our members are already self published. Their guidance has been invaluable to others who want to take this route. We’ve had authors doing talks on finding decent editors and proofreaders, how to format the book, how the financial side works and how best to promote your book. This final subject is something we can all learn. Whether you’re traditionally published or self-published you need to do a lot of the promotional work yourself. Some of us are of an age where TikTok and Instagram are foreign concepts. The younger members of the group keep us updated with what works and what doesn’t.

Many of the group have gone on to be published authors with great success. May Rinaldi has been shortlisted for the Bloody Scotland debut crime novel and long listed for the McIlvannie Crime Book of the year – results in September. Other members who have been on the shortlists for these major prizes are Daniel Aubrey and Doug Sinclair. FD Quinn was shortlisted for the Crime Writers Association (CWA) short story award – we’re looking forward to her debut. Iain Alexander’s Dark Necessities won the Pitlochry Quaich for Best Crime Novel at the Scottish Association of Authors annual awards ceremony. And if that wasn’t enough, his TimeShift took second place. Looking forward to Dark Heart, coming soon – don’t read alone.

Perhaps our best known member is MW Craven. His Washington Poe series has won numerous awards, and the books always make the top of the best sellers’ charts. Look out for Poe and Tilly coming soon to your TV screens.

Last year we worked with Moffat Town Hall Trust to run the first Moffat Crime Fest, bringing top crime authors to the town for a day of panel chats, signings, author dinner and quiz. It was a great success and will return next year – keep a look out on here for details.

We are a free to join group, with thanks to Moffat and District Community Council for funding to enable us to meet monthly.

We meet every third Thursday in St John the Baptist’s church in Moffat at 7pm. If you have a book at the ‘ready to publish’ stage, come and join us for some great advice and support.

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Where It Started

Writer: May Rinaldi
May Rinaldi
Nov 23, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Jan 18


'How did I get here' I hear you ask.


Thirteen years ago I retired from my job as a health and safety consultant and took up a wide variety of hobbies, from beekeeping, fruit tree pruning, furniture restoration, Italian, archery; I turned my hand to so many things but nothing really clicked. Until I got talking to Maggie Elliott. As a retired journalist she was starting a creative writing class and asked if I'd like to join. I've never looked back. From flash fiction writing exercises to short stories, Maggie led us through the secrets of writing interesting stories. One of our writers published their first novel and I was in awe - 80,000 words - how on earth can anyone write that much? My 2000 words short stories paled into insignificance. I'd never be able to write that much.


From short stories to novels

In 2013 I moved to Dumfries and Galloway and soon found another writing group, Moffat Crime Writers, run by Linda Wright (LP Mennock). The members told me about a fabulous weekend they were going to at Gretna called Crime and Publishment.


Run by author Graham Smith, the weekends involve masterclasses from some of the top crime writers, industry experts, agents and publishers. I was hooked. This was the genre I wanted to write. That was it, I’d found my home. I had so many plots and characters running round my head, I just had to get them down on the page - three months later I had 75K of a paranormal crime book called And Then We Sever written. It's still sitting in a drawer waiting to be resurrected. I have plans for it – more to follow.


The genius who is Hayley
The genius who is Hayley

 

My writing buddies.

Some of the people I met at Crime and Publishment had complained about never having the time or peace and quiet to get their writing done. Some were carers, some lived in noisy flats, some just needed a few hours away from their normal routine – all needed space to write. Our house has space and is in the middle of nowhere, the only disturbances from cows, hens and the occasional passing jet fighter. I invited them to come and join me for a weekend of writing and talking booky stuff. Twisted Sisters was born. Meeting up 4 times per year we write from 9-5pm, then discuss various aspects of the writing process over dinner. Then we party. This bunch of women has become my support group, they beta read, advise and encourage every aspect of my writing. And the amazing Hayley Rebecca Kershaw holds my hand as I navigate a website.


Twisted Sisters writing retreats favourite evening entertainment:

A Star Is Born – Barbra Streisand version – May and Linda in full voice all the way through.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show – water pistols, jammies, rice, and kit-kats led to a raucous night – I was still finding rice behind the couch months later. Hayley’s Timewarp had to be seen to be believed.

Murder Mysteries – Jackie showing her Oscar winning performance she learned in court.

Dungeons and Dragons – who knew it could be so much fun?

Eating – I love cooking and enjoy the challenge to produce something that everyone will like. The first menu was going well until we asked Jackie what she liked – her list of couldn’t/wouldn’t/didn’t eats was most of the contents of the menu. Such is her hate of squid that she describes the time when she inadvertently swallowed some in a paella – ‘If I could have reached down into my stomach and pulled that squid out, I would have,’ she said, describing that move in detail.


Rocky Horror Show party
Rocky Horror Show party

Ginnie’s playlist. While writing I have a constant playlist in my head, mostly songs linked to places or times from my past which just seem to fit with the narrative. Mostly dreich but a couple of upbeat songs to keep me dancing.


Brian Hyland

Ginnie Come Lately

Sandy Shaw

Always Something There To Remind Me

Wings

Let Me Roll It

Mike Oldfield

Tubular Bells

Michael Jackson

Ben

Jim Croce

Time in a Bottle

Jackson 5

I’ll Be There

Steely Dan

Ricky Don’t Lose That Number

Eagles

I Can't Tell You Why

Fleetwood Mac

Tusk

Harry Nilsson

Without You

Beatles

Here There and Everywhere

Blondie

Dreaming

Bill Withers

Ain't No Sunshine

Chicago

If You Leave Me Now

Kate Bush

Man With a Child in His Eyes

Talking Heads

Psycho Killer

10cc

I’m Mandy Fly Me

Mathew’s Southern Comfort

Scion


 
 
 

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