Here we are in week whatever – I have genuinely lost count as it feels as if it’s at least week 342, but possibly we are not quite there yet – and, in an effort to be upbeat, positive, proactive about this whole business, I thought I would share some of the discoveries I have made in the past 342 weeks – or whatever. (numbers have never been my strong point, anyway) Magnolias in bloom – there are an awful lot around. I’ve always loved them, but had absolutely no idea that so many other people shared my affection to...
2803/2020November 8, 2020
These Strange, Bewildering Days …
Can it only be just over a week ago that I sat in a café and considered it a completely normal, pleasant, yet not entirely riveting event worthy of comment and celebration? Now, I find myself staring through the glass of such deserted places with nostalgia – like looking at a time hooked to one’s distant past. And the closed doors of shops where I once browsed without thinking now appear like lands the rabbit led Alice – other worlds full of surprises and unknown adventure. And who would have thought that a visit to a supermarket, with its carefully...
0803/2020November 8, 2020
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY …
On International Women’s Day, I can’t resist the chance to mention just a few of my favourite female writers. I am not one of those women who only read books by women. Nor am I someone who thinks that male writers can’t write as well about subjects that might be seen as preoccupying their female counterparts. But I suppose, on reflection, I do tend to read more fiction by women – if my bookshelves and lists of books read on Good Reads are anything to go by. So here goes. Here is my highly subjective and entirely partial and narrow...
2402/2020November 8, 2020
March News
Two dates already booked for March! First of all, the independent book shop, Brook’s in Pinner is holding a Local Writers’ Event on Thursday March 12th at 7.00pm. As I spent most of the first 30 years of my life living, going to school and teaching in the area I can evidently count as ‘a local’ – and since both my novels make reference to and even feature aspects of Pinner, I qualify on that basis too. It should be a good evening – with some major, million copy selling writers there as well as some with less flamboyant sales...
2501/2020November 8, 2020
DATE AT UXBRIDGE LIBRARY!
To keep in with the spirit of the month that provides us with Valentine’s Day, Hillingdon libraries is presenting an event at Uxbridge library called READ DATE. On Saturday February 1st. – from 12 noon until 2.00 pm – I will be among 10 writers pitching my novels to tables of readers and hoping that a swift 10 minutes of engaging chat will convert them into choosing my books to read – personally, I think it sounds a lot more fun and far more stimulating than speed-dating could ever be! A local independent book seller will also be there selling...
1701/2020November 8, 2020
SPOTTED IN PINNER!
THE LEGACY OF MR JARVIS is on the shelves of independent bookshop, BrOOK’S in Pinner – in fact, two copies are displayed! Pinner is where I lived for the first few years of my life and where I started school at West Lodge Primary. I also spent many years at the Studio School in Marsh Road, studying drama and ballet under inspiring teachers(and later taught there myself in the nursery and in both the ballet and drama departments ) Consequently, it is a place that was hugely formative for me on every level. All those endless hours spent at the...
1401/2020November 8, 2020
MR JARVIS REACHES EASTBOURNE!
Excellent to hear that Eastbourne library has just bought a copy of THE LEGACY OF MR JARVIS for their fiction shelves. With so much of the novel set on the south coast – my protagonists, Mary and her parents Ida and Jack Foster (not to mention Mr Jarvis, their lodger) living at 8, Sea View Parade – it seems only appropriate that it’s taken up residence in a place relevant to its setting. I hope it becomes a much-borrowed book!
1201/2020November 8, 2020
THE WONDER OF BUSES!
As a child, buses were an everyday feature of my life. At the age of 8 or 9, I went by bus to primary school – yes, in those days, it was quite normal for children of that age to take themselves on bus journeys unaccompanied by an adult. In day time, at least. And this was not in some bucolic rural community, but in suburban Middlesex – nowadays known as Greater London. So the 183 and the 209 and the 158 became normal companions. Later, at secondary school, the 347 became essential for access to Watford and friends and...
0112/2019November 8, 2020
BOOK FAIRS
Book fairs are the most unpredictable events imaginable. In advance, the idea of spending a day in the company of fellow writers and potential readers seems full of promise. What could be more enjoyable than talking books, stories, spreading the word about one’s novels and making some valuable sales? And surely, anyone who walks into a book fair – whether it is taking place in a local church or village hall, a community or leisure centre, is interested in books, likes to buy books and sees them as essential possessions, rich furniture for their home. Or at least that was...
2911/2019November 8, 2020
EARLY REVIEWS OF ‘THE LEGACY OF MR JARVIS’
‘The writing is simply extraordinary …this is a novel about family, keeping your own council, second chances, self-discovery and, ultimately, hope …a literate and compassionate look at the lives we lead.’ https://shelleyann01.blogspot.com/2019/10/the-legacy-of-mr-jarvis-by-jude-hayland.html ‘I absolutely loved this book, it’s such a vivid depiction of family life decades ago. It took me back to my own childhood and our family dynamics…beautifully written with so much heart and vividly drawn characters. Great book, highly recommended!’ https://www.netgalley.com/publisher/member ‘Would I read more by Jude Hayland? Absolutely.’ http://www.librarything.com/work ‘I would be interested to read more by this author’ Pam Chantrell – ‘Good Reads’ ‘Beautifully written –...