As all writers and readers know, the idea of book groups appealed widely and now there are countless numbers of groups across the country as well as, no doubt, other countries. Years ago, I was a member of an online book group. It was run the same as other groups: one member suggested a book, … Continue reading Book Group Discussions
To celebrate the 90th anniversary of the publication of A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf, The Royal Society of Literature are staging a Dalloway Day with events taking place in Fitzroy Square (No 29 was home to Virginia and her brother in 1907), The National Portrait Gallery (paintings associated with the Bloomsbury Group) … Continue reading A Table of Your Own
I've been away from London taking a break from daily life and the publishing world. I've been in Russia, a place which brings to mind those books and short stories set in that far away country. Years ago, Radio 4 broadcast Tolstoy's War and Peace as a serialised drama. Newly married, we had no TV … Continue reading Crossing Continents
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
