November 2009
Death is the Cure
Exciting news! My new Victorian mystery: Death is the Cure (which is due out on 31st December) is now available to pre-order from the publisher, Robert Hale Ltd, at a
bargain discount price of £13.29 including postage. This price will hold until the end of January 2010.
You’ll find purchase details at
Robert Hale Ltd
Overseas readers can pre-order from The Book Depository which offers free postage worldwide.
Murder Most Welcome
The first edition of Murder Most Welcome, in which young Victorian widow Charlotte Richmond makes her debut, is still available from Amazon and other online booksellers, as is the Large Print edition. You may prefer to listen to the audio version, which is available from Isis Soundings. You can also borrow all my books from the library. (You can always ask your local library to order a book if it’s not in their catalogue.)
St. Martin in the Woods
On Monday 9th November I’ve been asked to talk about my writing to the afternoon group at our local church, St Martin in the Woods, in Chandlers Ford, Hants. As this was where I used to run a brownie pack, I know where I’m going this time whereas I sometimes have to check out where I’ll be doing a talk, in case I get lost!
Brushstrokes
Saturday, 14th November is going to be a busy but exciting day. I belong to a local art group, Brushstrokes, and we’re having our first ever exhibition on that day. We’re hoping for lots of visitors so do come along to the Age Concern Hall in Chandlers Ford, between 10.00 and 4.00. Besides paintings there will be craft items made by our clever members.
BBC Radio Solent
Tuesday, 17th November I’m booked to talk to Julian Clegg, presenter of the Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Solent. Julian has been a terrific supporter from the time I was first published and it’s always a pleasure to chat and update him on my writing progress. The only drawback is that I’m always on at around 6:40 am!
New Project
A new project. I’ve been asked to be one of two tutors on a residential creative writing course early next year. This will be the first time I’ve done anything of the kind so I’m busily doing research and wondering how it will all work out. Further details will appear on here when I have them.
My Next Book
Well, I’ve started it, but it’s not very far along yet, only a couple of chapters. The working title is: The Dead Queen’s Garden but that’s subject to change. As always with the writing the characters just turn up and surprise me and this time I’ve discovered Florence Nightingale making a brief appearance!
September 2009
Murder Most Welcome
The Large Print edition of Murder Most Welcome comes out on 1st September, published by Isis Publishing, and available from Amazon and online booksellers. As with the audio book, you can ask your library to order in the Large Print edition for you.
August 2009
Death is the Cure
10th August: I’ve posted off the proofs of my new book, Death is the Cure. I spotted a couple of awful boobs that I’d made and one or two that came from the publisher, so I’m crossing my fingers that I haven’t overlooked any major errors.
Brushstrokes Art Club
28-30th August: With other members of Brushstrokes Art Club I will be taking part in an exhibition at Crawley Village Hall.
July 2009
Murder Most Welcome
The audio edition of Murder Most Welcome was published by Isis Soundings on 1st July, in cassette, CD and MP3 player formats; the reader is actress, Nicolette McKenzie. You can buy it from Amazon or other online booksellers or ask your public library to order it in for you.
Romantic Novelists’ Association Conference
10-12th July was the Romantic Novelists’ Association Conference in Penrith, Cumbria.
This is my 3rd RNA conference and they’re always great fun. Lots of talks, workshops, gossiping, and
the occasional glass of wine!
Here is a photo of me with fellow author Lizzie Lamb.
I am a reader for the RNA New Writers’ Scheme, which means that every year I receive several unpublished novels for appraisal. I read the manuscript carefully and write a report, usually anything from six to eight pages of detailed analysis as to what works well, giving praise where due, and highlighting the parts where more work is needed. It’s quite difficult but always interesting and I’m always careful not to be unkind, believing firmly in the carrot and stick technique — a little encouragement can go a long way! This year I was delighted to read a book that I felt was good enough to be sent for a second read; if the next reader agrees with me the novel will then be despatched to an agent for consideration, so fingers crossed for the author.
Past News
If you enjoyed the above and would like to see what was once news, and is now history, you can catch up on past entries on my News Archive page.
[Top of Page]
