I have just finished reading ‘Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont’ by Elizabeth Taylor – and cannot imagine how I have managed to get to this stage in life without reading it before. But then, as Taylor is described in the notes in my paperback copy, she is ‘the unsung heroine of British 20th century fiction.’ Born in 1912, working as a governess and librarian before her marriage in 1936, she spent almost all her life living in Penn, Buckinghamshire, publishing 12 novels, 5 volumes of short stories and a children’s story. And although she gained some regard and popularity as...
0211/2019November 8, 2020
LONGLISTED FOR …
…on this very wet, grey, dark and dismal November morning, it was encouraging to hear that I have reached the longlist of RETREAT WEST flash fiction competition for this quarter. The theme was WATER – particularly appropriate, then, to today – and a maximum of 500 words for the story. As the competition is ongoing with the shortlist and eventual winners not disclosed until later this month, I can’t say any more about my story – but no doubt it will appear on my website once judging is all over.
2110/2019November 8, 2020
EARLY REVIEWS!
The first reviews for THE LEGACY OF MR JARVIS have been very positive. Beautifully written with so much heart and vividly drawn characters I devoured this book as slowly as possible so I didn’t have to leave the story A fascinating story – the writing is simply extraordinary A literate and compassionate look at the lives we lead A multi-layered story Naturally, I am delighted by such comments. Equally, I am gratified that these early reviewers have simply GOT the story – one writes: it took me back to my own childhood and our family dynamics; the emotional ramifications of parents...
0310/2019November 8, 2020
The Importance of Place
My new novel, THE LEGACY OF MR JARVIS, has more than one setting, but the most important, crucial place that dominates the narrative is clearly indicated by the cover image: the south east coast of England. And not the contemporary south coast that you might visit these days. My protagonist, Mary, is recalling the events of her life from late childhood through adolescence in the last years of the 1960s and into the early 1970s. Anyone who grew up at this particular period of the 20th century will hopefully immediately recognise in the novel the culture and norms that were...
2709/2019November 8, 2020
THE LEGACY OF MR JARVIS
Publication date of my next novel has been brought forward to November 28th – which is great news since I will be attending three book fairs in November and will have copies with me to sell. In fact, although formal release date is not until the end of the month, I expect to have the actual published novel in my hand by October. When the first copies of ‘Counting the Ways’ reached me in February 2017, I remember being terrified even to peep at the first page. Other writers tell me that this sensation is common – for some crazy...
2109/2019November 8, 2020
CRAFTY WOMEN CRAFT FAIR
On Saturday 7th December I will be at Winchester’s Guildhall with two other local writers – Helen Matthews and Katharine Johnson – on a stall selling our novels. Amidst all the craft items and products and a lot of clever, crafty women, I hope we will be spotted and that people will come over and talk books and, hopefully, buy some! Winchester weekends are very busy and congested indeed once the Christmas market and ice rink arrive in late November so the craft fair will offer people an escape from the crowds in the warmth of the majestic Guildhall building....
1809/2019November 8, 2020
COVER REVEAL!
Finally, I can reveal the chosen cover for my next novel, THE LEGACY OF MR JARVIS. It’s taken quite a while to come up with something that felt right and reflected the content and tone of the novel appropriately. It is very easy to point out what is wrong and why an image fails to suggest a faithful idea, but far harder to sum up what is needed. It’s also alarming how easy it is to get it wrong: simply a font that is too casual/lively/jazzy can represent a different genre entirely. And that way, a reader would feel cheated...
1209/2019November 8, 2020
AUTUMN BOOK FAIRS
November is proving to be a busy month – two book fairs just six days away from each other! On Sunday 17th November, I will be in Henley in Arden – the heart of Warwickshire – at their book fair for independent writers. Henley in Arden seems to be a very vibrant arts-orientated place: it has just hosted a highly successful music festival and already holds an arts festival. The Book fair, a new event this year, is going to be central to an annual Literature Festival so it is certainly somewhere sympathetic to artistic endeavours. And considering its proximity...
0609/2019November 8, 2020
78 DERNGATE
Sometimes, carrying out research for a novel seems the best part of writing! My third novel which is set in London concerns three main characters who all move into flats in a converted Edwardian house. One of these three protagonists is a woman called Catherine Wells who works in a small museum in Clerkenwell. The museum is entirely fictitious and it has been so interesting ‘inventing’ and ‘creating’ a place that I would, if it actually existed, really like to visit! Called the Harriet Howe House Museum, it focuses principally on the life and times of the eponymous Harriet, who...
2308/2019November 8, 2020
CHILTERN VOICE!
On Monday 4th November, I will be a guest on CHILTERN VOICE FM’s morning programme about all things books! Antonia Honeywell is the presenter of this weekly programme which runs from 10.00 am until noon and I am so looking forward to meeting her, talking about reading, writing, authors, stories et al – and choosing music for her programme. As this takes place shortly before the release of THE LEGACY OF MR JARVIS, I will no doubt find a chance to mention my new novel too! Based in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, CHILTERN VOICE FM has a particular significance for me. I...