Recently I visited one of the locations in my current work-in-progress, Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire to be published by Amberley Publishing in 2022. The subject matter of the book varies widely but is largely about curious events in the physical world, based in known fact; however, the first chapter is devoted to strange and spookyContinue reading “The stories of people who believe they have had strange experiences”
Tag Archives: book
Book Review: When This is All Over 2020 -2021: an anthology of writings about the Covid-19 Pandemic
I found this an immensely varied collection of pieces, both prose and poetry. It was very moving to reflect upon how differently people react to the onslaught of Covid-19 upon the world. The range of moods and outlooks among the 220 writers is fascinating: funny, sharply satirical, melancholy, fearful, heartbreaking, hopeful. Some of the livelyContinue reading “Book Review: When This is All Over 2020 -2021: an anthology of writings about the Covid-19 Pandemic”
Our Relentless Drive for Pursuit of Happiness Through Products – and the One Saving Grace
Happiness. An endless sandy beach, blissful sunshine, a turquoise sea spangled with silver, cocktails, a balmy breeze and… happiness? contentment? inner peace? I was inspired to write this post by Andy Mort who runs Haven. Andy occasionally sends out thought-provoking and discerning emails to his subscribers and I particularly agreed with him about the slipperyContinue reading “Our Relentless Drive for Pursuit of Happiness Through Products – and the One Saving Grace”
On the Art and Inexact Science of a Good Ending to a Novel
On 3rd September on the third day of my Mystical Circles blog tour, blogger Rosie Amber hosted a guest post from me on her blog. This is part of a series in which I reblog the articles from that blog tour. So today’s post is the article Rosie Amber first published online, called: On theContinue reading “On the Art and Inexact Science of a Good Ending to a Novel”
The New Luminarie Editions of Mystical Circles and Perilous Path Are Out Now
I’m pleased to announce my two new books are on sale now. They can be found online through the links below and also, of course, to order through all good bookshops. You can download my psychological suspense novel Mystical Circles here, and you can buy the paperback here. My inspirational writer’s guide Perilous Path can be downloadedContinue reading “The New Luminarie Editions of Mystical Circles and Perilous Path Are Out Now”
Book Review: “How To Craft Superbad Villains: 13 Steps to Evil” by Sacha Black
I found this book an excellent resource for writers, especially for those of us who may be at the stage I was in at the time of reading – nearing the end of the first draft of my WIP, Director’s Cut – which I have now finished. Sacha Black equips the writer with plenty of toolsContinue reading “Book Review: “How To Craft Superbad Villains: 13 Steps to Evil” by Sacha Black”
Creative Artists: In the Minority, and On the Outside Looking In
Today on Radio 4, whilst stuck in slow-moving traffic due to an accident on the M40, I listened to the Midweek programme, in which Libby Purves interviewed four guests – Diana Moran, fitness expert; Jack Thorne, playwright; Dashni Morad, singer and presenter; and finally Omid Djalili, comedian and actor. For the purposes of today’s blogContinue reading “Creative Artists: In the Minority, and On the Outside Looking In”
Echoes of “A Passionate Spirit” in Mystical Tales from British Folklore
Book Review: “Faeries, Elves and Goblins: The Old Stories” by Rosalind Kerven, published by the National Trust I bought this book recently in a National Trust gift shop, and found it captivating. Rosalind Kerven explores the raw material from which many of our great fantasy novelists have derived their archetypes. She includes “mystical tales ofContinue reading “Echoes of “A Passionate Spirit” in Mystical Tales from British Folklore”
I’ll be at Kenilworth Books Signing Copies of A Passionate Spirit on Saturday 13th February 2016
Kenilworth Books is one of our lovely local independent bookshops and I’m happy to announce I’ll be there signing copies of my new novel on Saturday 13th February. If you’re local to the Leamington Spa, Warwick, Coventry and Kenilworth area and you’re around on Saturday 13th, I’d love to see you in the shop. I’ll beContinue reading “I’ll be at Kenilworth Books Signing Copies of A Passionate Spirit on Saturday 13th February 2016”
The Great Gatsby – a Capacity for Hopefulness, Sparkling Decadence, and Tragedy That Touches Us All
The Great Gatsby, written in 1925, is one of the greatest American novels. Yet its author, F.Scott Fitzgerald, died in 1940 believing himself a failure. The Great Gatsby has been among my top favourites ever since I first read it, for my Contemporary American Literature course at university. Two days ago I saw the latest movieContinue reading “The Great Gatsby – a Capacity for Hopefulness, Sparkling Decadence, and Tragedy That Touches Us All”
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