As Christmas Day draws near we have been out to see the lavish and imaginative decorations currently transforming the rooms of our nearest National Trust properties, Charlecote House and Baddesley Clinton Manor, Warwickshire. Of all National Trust houses Baddesley Clinton is my favourite: it’s the one I can imagine living in – or the placeContinue reading “Christmas 2025 – Festive Decorations at Our Local Warwickshire National Trust Properties”
Category Archives: British
Christmas Ghost Stories – MR James
Christmas is, by tradition, a time for ghost stories. And MR James is my favourite writer in this genre. James was himself a devotee of mystery fiction and particularly a fan of Sherlock Holmes. But he is, of course, best known to us as the greatest writer of traditional English ghost stories. Ruth Rendell famouslyContinue reading “Christmas Ghost Stories – MR James”
Great Review of Paranormal Gloucestershire by Shelley Wilson Author
Discover ‘Paranormal Gloucestershire’ by SC Skillman
Announcing my latest book, ‘Paranormal Gloucestershire’ which is out on Monday 15 September 2025! ‘Paranormal Gloucestershire‘ is my fourth book for Amberley Publishing and is now available through all online retail stores and also through your local high street bookstore. You’ll find it in Waterstones branches and it can be ordered through indie bookshops tooContinue reading “Discover ‘Paranormal Gloucestershire’ by SC Skillman”
Remembering a Visit to Dennis Severs’ House, Spitalfields, London
New Book Out Soon! Paranormal Gloucestershire by SC Skillman
Today, I’m delighted to share news that my next nonfiction book will be released by Amberley on 15th September 2025. ‘Paranormal Gloucestershire’ explores a county rich in beauty, history, and a high level of spiritual, mysterious, and paranormal activity. With a profusion of haunted inns, castles, houses and landscape features, the presence of the pastContinue reading “New Book Out Soon! Paranormal Gloucestershire by SC Skillman”
The ‘Salt Path’ Controversy – my original review from 2020
Currently the UK news and social media are focussing on Raynor Winn and the truthfulness or otherwise of certain accounts in her highly successful nonfiction book ‘The Salt Path’ (first published by Penguin 2019). Out of this has come a fascinating discussion about our expectations of truth and factual accuracy in memoirs and nonfiction books.Continue reading “The ‘Salt Path’ Controversy – my original review from 2020”
And after the writing?
Writers write, yes? So what about all the other stuff – publicity, marketing etc? Once upon a time – when I was first published – the author’s job was simply to deliver the manuscript on time, to the agreed length and basically close enough to what was written on the contract. Then you sat backContinue reading “And after the writing?”
Review of ‘Ghosts of the British Museum’ by Noah Angell
Today I share my review of ‘Ghosts of the British Museum’ by Noah Angell, which I read over Christmas and New Year. This author seems to have two agendas: 1) to share a vast array of ghosts and spirit experiences at the British Museum and 2) to decry those cultural thieves and looters at thisContinue reading “Review of ‘Ghosts of the British Museum’ by Noah Angell”
Review of ‘Miss Austen’ by Gill Hornby
I found this book review fascinating, as I discovered it the morning after I viewed the 1st episode of the BBC mini series of ‘Miss Austen’. In this book review by the creator of the blog site, The Home Place Web, I learned more about the original novel ‘Miss Austen’ by Gill Hornby, and howContinue reading “Review of ‘Miss Austen’ by Gill Hornby”
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