Author Archives: SC Skillman

New Life, New Season, Fresh Start at University

Autumn is often a time of new beginnings and a few days ago we moved our daughter Abigail into her new student room in her hall of residence at Gloucestershire University, Cheltenham.  There she will be completing her studies in Media Production and we hope she will emerge as a great film-maker. Saying goodbye toContinue reading “New Life, New Season, Fresh Start at University”

Fellow Author’s Book Launch in “The Greatest Bookshop in the World”…

This weekend I attended the book launch of a fellow author: Philip Davies who has published the first in a series of young adult fantasy books called “Destiny’s Rebel.” Philip is a member of a writers group I attend, and we were all delighted when he was at last able to announce he’d signed aContinue reading “Fellow Author’s Book Launch in “The Greatest Bookshop in the World”…”

A Trail of Discovery Through Small Independent Bookshops in the Cotswolds

Over the past couple of months, at the suggestion of my publisher Matador, I’ve visited a number of small independent bookshops throughout the Cotswolds (where my new novel A Passionate Spirit is set). I’ve introduced myself and my novel, offered each bookshop manager a copy of my advance information sheet and asked if they wouldContinue reading “A Trail of Discovery Through Small Independent Bookshops in the Cotswolds”

Antithesis to HRH’s Quirky Garden Rooms Full of Curiosities: Compton Verney Capability Brown Landscape

Isn’t it lovely how many different moods and themes can be captured by garden designers and landscape architects? A week ago I was speaking to the guide who led our tour around Highgrove Gardens about how HRH The Prince of Wales viewed Capability Brown. And the answer was that he realises in some contexts theContinue reading “Antithesis to HRH’s Quirky Garden Rooms Full of Curiosities: Compton Verney Capability Brown Landscape”

Rain Soaked Odyssey of Delight Round Highgrove Garden

Drenching rains accompanied our tour round HRH the Prince of Wales’ intriguing garden at Highgrove but with so much to wonder at, we all kept going and completed the tour. Highgrove Garden made me think of the plot of a children’s book, quirky, fun, playful. At every turn there is a new surprise, like somethingContinue reading “Rain Soaked Odyssey of Delight Round Highgrove Garden”

Great Time at the Sherlock Holmes Prom

Even lovers of Sherlock Holmes may have learned something new about the great man on Sunday 16 August at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Matthew Sweet, BBC Radio 3 presenter, and Mark Gatiss, actor, and co-creator of the Sherlock TV drama series, together presented  a fantastic programme of music related to Sherlock Holmes.  Mark Gatiss readContinue reading “Great Time at the Sherlock Holmes Prom”

Calais Refugees – re-blogged from Jaz O’Hara’s Facebook Post

Originally posted on Write to Inspire:
I wish more people would write like this. The British media and the majority of postings on social media just stir up anti, well anti-fellow-human-being feelings, if we are honest. This depresses me  deeply. These are people! People like you and me. Put yourself in their place. How does that…

People of Inspiration: JK Rowling

I’ve long admired JK Rowling, and not simply because she’s one of the world’s most successful contemporary authors. Although it’s true I love all the Harry Potter novels, and followed the stories as each was published, and saw every film as it was released, I have special reasons for finding JK Rowling a source of inspiration.Continue reading “People of Inspiration: JK Rowling”