We usually take self-catering holidays, often to places we have been to before. We know exactly what we can look forward to, whom we hope we'll run into, to share a drink or a meal, and what we need to take in the way of clothes, shoes, swimwear. Add to that the fact that we … Continue reading Writing and Going on Holiday
If this is a 'Wednesday Post' then it's moved to Thursday. Blame either other aspects of family life taking over or inertia cos I seem to be stuck in commercial mode rather than creative mode. However, if selling and posting copies of my memoir, The Baby Box, have come to a halt then the other … Continue reading Online publicity and Pod Casts
I’m organising my papers – newspapers, downloaded articles, book and film reviews – you know the kind of things. A year later, or even a couple of months later, that article we ripped out of a magazine or downloaded and printed, doesn’t seem quite as interesting as we thought it was and what with the … Continue reading Memoir and Memory
I thought I'd post a 'writing quickie' in the middle of the week. The Baby Box has been selling well but the market is slowing down. Which is a media phrase for 'need to make a bit more effort'. I've had many encouraging reviews but this one, sent by a writer colleague, is particularly welcoming. … Continue reading A Wednesday Post
They say in order to write well, it is necessary to read. I want to write the Gothic, so I must re, or re-read, novels within that genre. And maybe one or two not in the genre, ie ghost stories, I clearly understand what is not the Gothic. A general definition of Gothic is: relating … Continue reading Reading the Gothic
Yesterday evening I went to an event of the Royal Society of Literature. I've been a member for several years now and would recommend membership to all concerned with reading and writing. Even if you can't always attend the events, the RSL Review keeps you up to date with events and life at the RSL. … Continue reading Writing the Gothic
I've enjoyed a week of Fairs in the past 7 days. On Thursday 14th, I went to The London Book Fair courtesy of Indonesia, ie I had a free ticket. I wanted to catch up with the team at Matador Publishing http://www.troubador.co.uk/matador and to see another indie publisher Fairlight Books http://www.Fairlightbooks.co.uk . I remember, from trawling … Continue reading Book Fairs and Art Fairs
Since the publication of my memoir The Baby Box, I've received a few cards, many emails and, from the brave ones, telephone calls. Various reactions have been felt by readers, some too personal to repeat here. The main message was that the book was read rapidly (I couldn't put it down was a frequent comment), … Continue reading A Review of The Baby Box
My memoir The Baby Box was officially published yesterday. However, the book has been available since the end of January and I've been enjoying a busy time selling copies. Therefore I've already received emails, cards and telephone calls from readers with their, always encouraging, comments. Two questions about the book have repeatedly been asked: the … Continue reading The Baby Box a Memoir: Was I an only child?
After all the hard work, the several proof reads, the agonizing over whether we had missed a mistake in the text, dreading that the cover wouldn't look good (it does) and compiling a list of people who might buy my book directly from me - I had 200 copies in my room - I'm on … Continue reading Towards Going Public
