See my previous news items

News from Jan - Jun 2009

June 2009

Wyvern Writers

Two years ago I was asked if I would talk to the Wyvern Writers writing group based at my local library in Chandlers Ford, the idea being that I would help them to get their short stories closer to publication level. I said yes at once (as I tend to do!) then wondered how on earth I was going to do it. I’ve never done any teaching and didn’t believe that standing in front of a group and lecturing them would work for me, let alone for them, so I suggested that, as it was a small group, they should submit a short story (1000 words max) and I would produce a critique for each one. This worked very well from my point of view and the group assured me that they found it a valuable exercise — they’ve asked me back a couple of times, so I guess it works for them too!

On Friday 12^th June I went along to the library for another session, armed with the stories that had been submitted a couple of weeks earlier. The format is that each writer reads aloud her story, then I talk about the things I feel work really well and those that need a bit of a rethink, then they each receive a written report. We had a very interesting session and the members were great at coming up with ideas and strategies to get their work ready for submission to a magazine or competition.

It’s quite time-consuming work but it’s always interesting and useful — I hope they’ll invite me back!

BBC Radio Solent

Friday 5^th June I had a brief chat on air with Julian Clegg, presenter of the Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Solent, just updating him on my latest book.

Petersfield Literary Society

That same evening I drove over to Petersfield to give a talk to the Petersfield Literary Society. When they first contacted me they asked me for a title for my talk, so that they could publish their annual programme; I came up with From Marriage to Murder, to reflect my move from writing romantic comedy to cosy crime. This was greeted with amusement and I think we all had an enjoyable evening. I certainly did.

May 2009

Eastleigh Trefoil Guild

On May 11^th I did a talk to the Eastleigh Trefoil Guild and really enjoyed myself. The meeting was very lively and the members asked lots of interesting questions. As I am an ex Brown Owl they gave me an extra warm welcome!

Death is the Cure

I’m really pleased to announce that Robert Hale Ltd have accepted my second Victorian mystery: Death is the Cure, to be published in December 2009. This is the second in my cosy mystery series: Charlotte Richmond Investigates … and in this novel Charlotte — a resourceful young widow who was brought up in Australia but now lives in Hampshire — goes off to Bath where she is soon up to her ears in mayhem and murder.

Here’s a short synopsis of the new story:
When Charlotte Richmond’s dearest friend decides to visit Bath for medical treatment, Charlotte, a young Victorian widow, is delighted to accompany her but the spa town turns out to be far less genteel than she anticipates. Their fellow guests at elegant Waterloo House seem to be haunted by secrets and Charlotte is soon embroiled in mysteries, mayhem and murder.

When one of the inhabitants of Waterloo House is stabbed to death it is Charlotte who trips over the corpse and begins to ask questions. In the course of her unofficial enquiries her own life is put in peril as she uncovers family secrets of her own and stumbles upon a mystery that could change the course of history.

March 2009

Greyling Bay

I’ve had several short pieces accepted for a Collaborative Fiction blog, Greyling Bay. The idea is that the blog-mistress sets the scene and invites writers to send her short pieces, up to 500 words, telling the story of Greyling Bay, a small town in Wales. It’s an interesting and unusual concept and the town and its characters are gradually coming to life.

Like all blogs, the latest post is at the top, so the best way to read the story so far, is to go back to the beginning. Several writers have now contributed to the blog and the writing styles are all very different. Some of them pick up a character created by another writer and send the story off in a different direction, so it’s always interesting to drop by and see what’s happening.

February 2009

Public Lending Rights

Public Lending Right (PLR) is the right for authors to receive payment under PLR legislation for the loans of their books by public libraries. To qualify for payment, applicants must apply to register their books with the PLR registrar. Payments are made annually on the basis of loans data collected from a sample of public libraries in the UK.
PLR is calculated from July to June, based on average library borrowings. Statements are sent out in January and the money is paid in February.
I was delighted to find that the original paperback of Scuba Dancing was borrowed a thousand times in that period, and that the Large Print and Audio Editions also had quite a few outings.

January 2009

BBC Radio Solent

I was interviewed about my books — very early in the morning on the 9^th — by Julian Clegg, BBC Radio Solent’s Breakfast Show host.

Emsworth Afternoon WI

Emsworth Afternoon WI invited me to talk to them about my books and my writing career on the 27^th. They were a very friendly group and told me they enjoyed my talk, which was very kind of them.

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News from 2008

November 2008

Barack Obama wins US election

I contribute occasional articles to an American website, and was pleased to be asked to give my impressions — as a foreigner – on Barack Obama and the effect his election win might have on my own life. Check out the final result on this page at Seniorwomen.com.

Expressfm Interview

I was interviewed briefly about Murder Most Welcome for local radio station Express FM, 93.7, and the presenter let slip that after his interview with me last year I was shortlisted for their Outstanding Achievement Award – in my case for getting my first novel published. Sadly he forgot to let me know at the time !

Southampton Writers’ Circle

I judged the annual Greensleeves Short Story Competition of the Southampton Writers’ Circle, which was very interesting with a high standard of entries. This was the second time they very kindly invited me to adjudicate and although it’s not an easy job, I enjoyed myself very much.

Solent MG Car Owners’ Social Group

I’m booked to talk about being a novelist to the Solent MG Car Owners’ Social Group on November 17^th.

October 2008

Chandlers Ford & Itchen Valley Inner Wheel

On October 16^th I gave a talk to the Chandlers Ford & Itchen Valley Inner Wheel at a dinner at the Potter’s Heron in Ampfield.

August 2008

BBC Radio Solent

1^st August: I’m booked for a telephone interview with Julian Clegg of BBC Radio Solent’s Breakfast Show, to update him on my writing and my books. The interview is due to take place at 6.40 a.m!

Audio rights sold

I’ve just heard that the audio rights to Murder Most Welcome have been sold; I’ll let you know as soon as I find out more.

July 2008

Romantic Novelists’ Association conference

4th-6th July: I attended the Romantic Novelists’ Association conference at the University of Chichester which was both enjoyable and instructive. Lots of helpful workshops on getting published and trying to get your books out in the world once they are published, as well as entertaining talks from best-selling novelists such as Jill Morrell and Jane Wenham-Jones. Besides this there were books to buy, lots of good food and drink and, above all, lots and lots of talking!

Writing Murder Most Welcome

You can read an article about the writing of my latest novel, Murder Most Welcome, on this American website.

Stone Tears Melting

Two years ago I was delighted to have a painting accepted for the Open Exhibition for local artists at the prestigious Southampton Art Gallery. This year’s theme is : The Art of Water and I’m even more thrilled to have done it again! My painting this year is of icicles in a cave and is titled: Stone Tears Melting. You can see my picture on the gallery page.

June 2008

Murder Most Welcome launched !

More than 70 people helped me celebrate the launch of Murder Most Welcome at the Winchester Discovery Centre on 20th June. There was plenty of wine and food on offer, and nearly everyone bought a copy of the book. I even noticed some people buying two at a time ! Take a look at the photos in the gallery page.

Express FM, Portsmouth

On 11^th June I was interviewed by Rob Richardson for his writing program on Express FM, 93.7 and talked about both my books.

May 2008

BBC Radio Solent

On 26^th May, Bank Holiday Monday, I was invited in to the BBC Radio Solent studio in Southampton to be a ‘sofa guest’ on the Julian Clegg Breakfast Show as I’ve been one of the presenter’s regular ‘Julian’s People’ for a couple of years, since my first novel, Scuba Dancing, came out. It was nice to be able to tell listeners that I’ve turned to crime! I described Murder Most Welcome and talked about writing historical novels and about plotting a murder story. I’ve been booked for a phone interview in August, to tell listeners how the book is doing.

April 2008

Historical Novel Society

Saturday 12^th April was the date for the 6th UK conference of the Historical Novel Society, which was held at the National Railway Museum, York. I had a very enjoyable day there, meeting other writers of historical fiction and listening to a number of fascinating speakers.

March 2008

My Weekly to publish “The House”

I was delighted to hear that My Weekly have accepted my ghost story: The House, for publication at a later date. In the 1990s My Weekly regularly published my short stories and in those days they favoured gentle, heart-warming stories; these days, however, they have widened their brief and are now accepting crime, science fiction and ghost stories. The House is a chilling tale of retribution, a long way from the cosy romantic stories I used to write for them and I still shiver each time I read it.

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News from 2007

October 2007

New Book in 2008 !!

I’m delighted to announce that Robert Hale Publishing will be publishing my new historical mystery, “Murder Most Welcome” in May 2008.

“Widowed in the Indian Mutiny, Charlotte Richmond arrives at the Hampshire home of her late husband, Major Frampton Richmond. After an adventurous youth in Australia Charlotte is desperate to settle down and be respectable — but the past catches up with her … ”

Didcot Library

Thursday, 4^th October, Didcot, Oxfordshire: I was delighted to be asked to talk to the reading group at Didcot Library as part of Oxfordshire Libraries’ Events Programme.

Fiction Writing Group

Friday, 19^th October, Chandlers Ford Library: I was really touched to be invited on a return visit to my local library’s Fiction Group. In May I held a short story workshop with them which was hard work, but great fun and, as always, useful to me when doing my own writing. I was so pleased that they felt my comments were helpful and I’m looking forward to working with them again.

Blackpool Wordpool Festival

Friday,12^th October, Blackpool Wordpool Festival: I have been asked to speak to the reading group at Layton Library in Blackpool as part of their Wordpool Festival, celebrating the written word. We’ve never been to Blackpool so we’re off to see the Illuminations and fit in a ride on the East Lancs Railway, as well as exploring some National Trust properties in the North West.

Summer 2007

I haven’t been idle though sadly there’s been no news of a book deal from anywhere! My sequel to Scuba Dancing went to Transita but after a very long wait they told me that, although they really liked it, they couldn’t commit to publication just yet, so “Invisible Mending” is back in its drawer as my agent feels it’s too closely connected to Scuba to stand alone. In the meantime my agent has had some terrific comments on my Victorian murder mystery, “What Will Become of Poor Dear Charlotte” but so far nobody has come up with an offer. It’s all very disappointing but I do know that publishing is really in the doldrums so I’m beavering on with a Midsomer Murders kind of crime story: “The Oompah Band”.

As a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association I have cause to be hugely grateful to their New Writers’ Scheme (NWS) where an unpublished novelist may submit her manuscript for a critical appraisal at far less cost than is usual commercially. Once Scuba Dancing was published I became eligible to be a reader for the NWS and was only too happy to agree as I wanted to put something back into a scheme that had been such a help to me. Last year I did two appraisals and found them both enjoyable, and helpful in my own work - it’s much easier to spot someone else’s mistakes, and to realise you’re doing the same thing!

This year I’ve done six appraisals for the scheme and found the whole exercise fascinating. I worked on romantic suspense, romantic comedy and - my particular favourite kind of novel - historical. All of the manuscripts needed, I felt, a great deal of work to bring them up to publication standard, but one stood out - a novel set during the Napoleonic Wars. If and when it’s published I shall claim a hand in it!

July 2007

Romantic Novelists’ Association

I’ve been a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association for many years but I’ve never made it to their annual conference. This year is different though, I’m booked in at Leicester University for the whole weekend, 4^th-9^th July, not as a speaker but as a member, and I’m looking forward to meeting old friends and making new ones.

Fordingbridge Festival

On Monday, 16^th July I’ll be speaking, along with three other Transita authors, at the Fordingbridge Festival. We will be starting at 7pm. at Forres Sandle Manor School, Sandleheath. More details of our session can be found here under Literature.

June 2007

Bournemouth Literary Festival

May 2007

Fiction Writing Group

On Friday, 11^th May I talked to the Fiction Writing Group at Chandlers Ford Library, giving them advice on how to bring their short stories up to publication standard. I handed out a Ten Point Check List to go through before sending off a story to a magazine and some members of the group submitted a short story for critique. We discussed my Check List and went through the submitted stories, highlighting the good, the bad and the ugly! It wasn’t a competition but they assured me they found it helpful - it’s always much easier to spot errors in someone else’s work! They’ve very kindly invited me back for a second workshop in October when I've asked them to submit a very short story (600-800 words) targeting a specific magazine; I’ve very meanly refused to tell them which magazine I have in mind, but told them it’s not one of the ususal ones!)

Romantic Novelists’ Association

Wednesday, 30^th May was the Summer Party of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, held in the impressive panelled library of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. I don’t feel as shy about these parties as I used to, now that I know quite a few other members, but it’s nice to spot famous authors and I was intrigued to find I was chatting to comedian Helen Lederer who has recently joined the RNA and is writing a romantic novel. She looked a bit daunted when I told her I’d been doing appraisals of some manuscripts for the RNA’s New Writers’ Scheme and that all new writers have to go through this ordeal (ie having their book read and critiqued for the scheme), but I’m sure her book will be fun.

Unity 101 Community Radio

I’ve been invited to appear on March 21^st in the early afternoon, on Unity 101 Community Radio, the South’s only Asian and ethnic radio station, which is based in Southampton.

The invitation turned up courtesy of the Southampton Writers’ Circle whose short story competition I judged in November and I’m delighted they thought of me.

The programme will be primarily about writing circles but also about writing in general, which is where I come in. It’ll be a new experience and I think it’ll be fun.

April 2007

Romantic Novelists’ Association

I had a great time at the Romantic Novelists’ Association lunch at the Savoy Hotel on 27^th April, meeting up with two members of the online writing group I belong to, as well as some of the other Transita authors. Everyone dressed to impress and managed to live up to the surroundings and lunch was very good, even if the cost of a bottle of house red shared by three of us was enough to make our eyes water!

March 2007

Express FM, Portsmouth

I turned up on local radio twice during March which was great fun. I did a short interview with Chris Perry, Director of Age Concern, Hampshire, for his new radio programme on Express FM, 93.7. He interviewed me in my kitchen and gave Scuba Dancing a terrific plug during his programme on Active Retirement - I tried to be discreet about exactly how active some of the characters in my book actually are!

Unity 101 Community Radio

About a week or so later I met up with members of the Southampton Writers' Circle and we did a live programme at Unity 101 Radio, the South’s only Asian and ethnic radio station. The topic was Writing Groups, about which I know very little, but that didn't stop me talking! It was great fun and I donated a signed copy of Scuba Dancing for a competition the station will be running.

February 2007

My Weekly magazine

January 2007

SeniorWomen.com

My first two articles have gone down well on the American website, SeniorWomen.com so the editor has asked me to write a piece roughly every month.

The latest is called Literary Tourism and is up on the SeniorWomen.com website, just click on What’s New or alternatively, on Authors. I’m very honoured to have been asked to contribute; this is an international website and writing non-fiction is something new for me which I’m enjoying.

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News from 2006

December 2006

Oxford Bookcrossing Event

 

If you’re in Oxford on Saturday 9^th December come along to the Oxford Bookcrossing Event, which takes place in The Long Room at Oxford Town Hall between 2:00pm and 5:30 pm.

Entry is free and you’ll be able to hear readings by a selection of Transita authors.

If you'd like to hear me read from Scuba Dancing be sure to be there between 4:45pm and 5:00pm.

 

Southampton Writers’ Circle

I had a great time at the meeting of the Southampton Writers’ Circle last month. After I spoke to them in February this year they invited me to judge their annual Short Story Competition and, although it was something I hadn’t previously done, I found it fascinating and rewarding and, to judge from their responses, so did the writers.

“Thank you so much for your encouragement and your suggestions which are both welcomed and practical - they really work! So many possibilities, I’m thinking fit to bust!”

“Thank you for your efforts in judging our work, I realise it must have taken a substantial amount of your time and I do think that your method of praise and improvement is valid. It's always good to have the opinion of someone you respect.”

October 2006

Large Print edition of Scuba Dancing

The large print edition of Scuba Dancing was published in September. You can order a copy from your usual bookseller, or order by post or phone from Isis Publishing.

Short story in Woman's Way

Woman’s Way, Ireland’s leading women’s weekly magazine, is running a short story of mine entitled “Lilac Time” in their 4th October 2006 edition.

Article in Seniorwomen.com

Seniorwomen.com, a site meant for women over 50, is running an article of mine called “Tap Dancing for the Unwary”. You can read it here.

BBC Radio Solent

On 7^th November I’m back on BBC Radio Solent, talking to Julian Clegg on his “Julian’s People” show. I can’t believe it’s over a year since I first appeared on Julian’s show.

Southampton Writers’ Circle

On 28th November I’m judging a short story competition for the Southampton Writers’ Circle.

July 2006

Audio book of Scuba Dancing

The audio book version of Scuba Dancing is now available - you can hear a short excerpt read by Hilary Neville. You can order a copy from your usual bookseller, or order direct from the publisher at Isis Publishing.

National Register talk

I've been invited to give a talk about writing to a local National Register group on Thursday 20^th.

Hiltingbury Community Association

I am also appearing at the Hiltingbury Community Association this month where the talk will be about “life as a new author and how to get published”.

May 2006

Itchen Valley Probus Ladies

Tuesday, 9^th May: talking to Itchen Valley Probus Ladies, at the Kingscourt restaurant, Chandlers Ford.

April 2006

CREATE: Reading & Writing Events in Eastleigh Area Libraries

When I volunteered to talk to the Reading Group attached to Eastleigh Library I had no idea I was sparking off something very like a mini literary festival in the borough of Eastleigh! Inspired by my offer the libraries have organised a series of talks and workshops at local libraries throughout April, inviting writers and poets to participate.

My talk to the Eastleigh Reading Group was great fun; there were twelve members and they had all read Scuba Dancing as their book of the month so they knew as much about it as I do and we had a good discussion about the issues raised in the book - the loves and lives of older women, romance in middle-age, the predicament so many women find themselves in, when caring for elderly and infirm parents. They were all very interesting and I had a great time.

My next talk under the CREATE umbrella will be on Wednesday, 12^th April, at 2.30-3.30, at Chandlers Ford Library and will be open to the public - no charge, no tickets, no booking, just turn up!

March 2006

Large Print edition of Scuba Dancing

Following on from my earlier news about the audio version of Scuba Dancing (see January 2006) Transita have now sold the Large Print rights to Scuba Dancing. It should be available next Spring / Summer - I’ll keep you posted on progress.

Poppies in Tuscany

I entered my painting of Poppies in Tuscany in an art exhibition at the 3rd Age Centre, Southampton † and was very pleased to win a runner up prize and was Highly Commended.

†3rd Age Centre is an independent charity providing healthy living, education, activities, arts, technology and resources for Southampton’s active over 50 community.

February 2006

City Art Gallery, Southampton

A painting of mine, a collage based on an original acrylic, is on display at the Art of Pattern Exhibition at the City Art Gallery, Southampton Civic Centre. The exhibition is open from February 3^rd to March 26^th. It's a great honour as this is a prestigious gallery. Take a look at the art page to see the painting.

Here's the picture 'in miniature'.

January 2006

Audio book of Scuba Dancing

I’m delighted to announce that the audio book rights to Scuba Dancing have been sold and the audio book should be available late summer/early autumn this year.

Talk at Tangent

I gave a talk to the Eastleigh & Chandlers Ford branch of Tangent, discussing their views on the idea of books targeting women in later life.

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News from 2005

Christmas 2005

Christmas Party

I was invited to the Christmas Party of the BBC Radio Solent Breakfast Show and although I’ve never been to a party at seven in the morning before, it was great fun, with coffee and mince pies and lots of interesting people.

November 2005

Hampshire View / Wiltshire View

Local magazine, the Hampshire View, will carry an article by me, outlining how my life has altered since the acceptance of my first novel. It will also appear in the Wiltshire View magazine and will have some photographs - I hate having my photo taken so it’s always difficult to find one that doesn't look as if I’m about to bite the photographer!

BBC Radio Solent

On Wednesday, 9th November, I'm booked for the follow-up chat on BBC Radio Solent, as one of Julian’s People. Even if it's another early slot I shan’t be so nervous now I know what to expect.

October 2005

BBC Radio Solent

My first radio interview with Julian Clegg (27th September) went well in spite of taking place at 6.40 am, never my best time of day! Julian asked me about my writing and about Scuba Dancing as well as my assorted grandchildren and the cat and my husband also got a mention. Apparently BBC Radio Solent had loads of calls later, asking where to buy the book, which is great news.

About ten days later I had a call from Julian’s producer asking if I would go in to the studio the next morning and take part in a discussion about the plight of small bookshops, as highlighted by Alan Bennett at the Cheltenham Literary Festival. I’d said yes and put the phone down before I had time to wonder what on earth I was going to say but luckily a daughter was visiting, plus a friend with her daughter, so we cobbled together some reasonably intelligent-sounding comments. My main dread was that I’d sound like the girl on the Harry Enfield show: ‘I don’t know anything about clever things like that, but I do love fluffy little kittens.’

My husband was dying to see the inside of a studio so he drove and had a fascinating time in the outer office being plied with coffee by the various reporters and production team, while I chatted on air with Julian Clegg, a local bookshop owner and - on the phone - Giles Lewis from Transita, who was putting the small publisher’s point of view. There was so much feedback from listeners that Julian ditched half his planned programme and continued the discussion till the end at 9.00 am. It was great fun and I couldn’t believe how many plugs for Scuba Dancing and Transita that Giles and I managed to shoehorn in, and when we flagged, Julian did it for us!

Bishops Waltham Jubilee Writing Circle

Also in October I was invited to talk the the Bishops Waltham Jubilee Writing Circle which was a very enjoyable evening. They were a lively bunch and we carried on the discussion in the local wine bar which seemed a very civilised way to end the evening. They even bought some books too!

September 2005

BBC Radio Solent

Presenter Julian Clegg on BBC Radio Solent has a regular slot called Julian’s People in which he follows the progress of listeners with an interesting story over an extended period. I’ve been invited to become one of Julian’s People, starting Tuesday, 27th September, on his Breakfast Show. I’m delighted about this because Julian is very popular and it will gain a wider audience for Scuba Dancing.

He will follow the story with another chat every six to eight weeks.

SCUBA DANCING in the media

Scuba Dancing has received some attention from the national press which is very good news.

Besides a mention on Radio 4’s Open Book programme about Transita, there was a quote in the Guardian Unlimited Books section: ‘Miss Read meets the Vicar of Dibley in this sparkling debut novel of village life’.

Saga Magazine had a very nice article about Transita and the Vicar of Dibley popped up again - ‘A Vicar of Dibley-esque comic look at English village life’. Saga have also chosen Scuba Dancing to feature in their online shop which is a terrific boost.

Appearances

I now have bookings right into next February which is wonderful.

I love talking to women’s groups and writing circles and, of course, their members usually like to buy a signed copy of Scuba Dancing, so word gets around!

August 2005

SCUBA DANCING around the world!

I was amused and thrilled to discover that Scuba Dancing is popping up in libraries across the world. It is stocked by the Wellington City Library in New Zealand and when I emailed them to say thank you they responded by saying they would feature the book on the Seniors page of their website.

It’s now turned up in the library at Marion, South Australia. I wonder what they’ll make of such an English story? Will it be expats who like it best or will it have sheer novelty value in the Southern Hemisphere?

Hampshire Libraries

After people commented to me that the copies of Scuba Dancing are always on loan, I approached the Fiction Buyer for the Library Service and she has ordered a further ten copies.

June 2005

Appearances

I’ve done several talks to women’s groups and writers’ circles, which were very successful and I’m booked for more.

I’d be happy if you’d like me to talk to your local group. Just send me an e-mail.

I took part in Transita’s first online discussion group - answering readers’ questions about Scuba Dancing - this was great fun although the Transita office suffered from a fierce thunderstorm and ended up with a flood and a power cut.

April 2005

My Next Book

I am delighted to have signed up with a top London literary agent. She will be handling my latest book - a Victorian mystery set in 1858.

Speaking Engagement

I am pleased to have been asked to give a talk at the second meeting of a local writers' circle in early May.

March 2005

Award Nomination

I am thrilled to have been nominated by the Romantic Novelist Association for their New Writers’ Scheme Award.

The RNA have run their New Writers’ Scheme to encourage fresh talent in the world of women's fiction since 1962.

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