During the Covid19 lockdown, the Society of Authors are presenting a number of webinars with notable authors, and the other day I attended “Afternoon Tea with Philip Pullman”. I was keen to hear from the author of a fantasy trilogy that captivated me, “His Dark Materials“. 500 of us attended, all waiting with drinks andContinue reading “Inspiration from Fantasy Novelist Philip Pullman, President of the Society of Authors”
Tag Archives: books
Book Review: ‘Reparation’ by Gaby Koppel
I first heard of this book via my local independent bookshop Warwick Books, and planned to go to an evening with Gaby Koppel, to hear her talking about ‘Reparation‘. The subject of the book – a young Jewish woman’s research into her mother’s past as a survivor of Nazi persecution during World War II –Continue reading “Book Review: ‘Reparation’ by Gaby Koppel”
The Season of Christmas Craft Fairs and Giving Books for Christmas
I always love getting out to meet readers and potential new readers – either by giving Author Talks, or by leading Creative Writing Workshops or by appearing at Craft Fairs to sell signed copies of my books. Remember – books are a great choice when it comes to choosing a gift for a keen readerContinue reading “The Season of Christmas Craft Fairs and Giving Books for Christmas”
The Power of a Picture: the Burton Dasset Hills Country Park, Warwickshire
It’s said that an image is much more powerful than words; which is rather a shame for authors who write books that don’t have any pictures! And so an author’s alternative is to paint a picture with words. Because, as author Isamu Noguchi says, We are a landscape of all we have seen. In myContinue reading “The Power of a Picture: the Burton Dasset Hills Country Park, Warwickshire”
‘The Highs and Lows of the Writing Life’: Come and Hear me Speak in Coventry Central Library on 4th November
I’ll be giving a talk to The Writers Hub in Coventry Central Library on Saturday 4th November 10am. If you’re in Coventry that morning you’ll be very welcome at The Writers Hub meeting – tea, coffee and chat at 10am and then you can hear me speak about ‘The Highs and Lows of the WritingContinue reading “‘The Highs and Lows of the Writing Life’: Come and Hear me Speak in Coventry Central Library on 4th November”
Genre: What is it Exactly?
On 2nd September on the second day of my Mystical Circles blog tour, blogger Jenny in Neverland hosted a guest post from me on her blog. This is part of a series when I shall be re-blogging those articles from that blog tour. So today’s post is the article Jenny first published, called: Genre: whatContinue reading “Genre: What is it Exactly?”
BOOK COVER REVEAL: NEW LUMINARIE EDITION OF MYSTICAL CIRCLES, THE PREQUEL TO A PASSIONATE SPIRIT
I’m delighted to announce that I can now show you the Cover Reveal for my new Luminarie edition of Mystical Circles! It’s been a long and sometimes fraught journey with the cover designers but I’m very excited with the final result! Read two reviews here from young adult authors: Intense Psychological Drama in a BeautifulContinue reading “BOOK COVER REVEAL: NEW LUMINARIE EDITION OF MYSTICAL CIRCLES, THE PREQUEL TO A PASSIONATE SPIRIT”
Find Me on the Authors Stand at the UK Games Expo 2017 in Birmingham
From 2nd to 4th June 2017 there will be a big event for games players and lovers of fantasy, thrillers and roleplay at the NEC Birmingham. There’ll be four authors at the Expo, of whom I am one. Click here to find out more about the authors Jonathan Green, Richard Denning, Gareth Baker and myself.Continue reading “Find Me on the Authors Stand at the UK Games Expo 2017 in Birmingham”
Whatever Happened to Small is Beautiful?
In 1993, E.F. Schmacher published a book entitled Small is Beautiful: A Study of Economics as if People Mattered. It was well received, and promised a potential revolution in ideas for capitalism and for the consumer society. Recently I saw a plea from a Christian charity for us to invest in poor (“small” in economicContinue reading “Whatever Happened to Small is Beautiful?”
How Many Books Do You Read in a Year?
Recently I thought it would be fun and interesting to ask this question of fellow-writers on our own dedicated Facebook group, having just learned from Goodreads that I’d reviewed or rated 28 books this year. I made a fascinating discovery. Annual reading achievement varied enormously. I thought I was doing quite well at approximately 30 –Continue reading “How Many Books Do You Read in a Year?”