Welcome Rosemary Kind ...

I am delighted to welcome Rosemary Kind as a guest on my blog today.  

On Facebook Rosemary describes herself as having ‘A discomfiting habit of taking on projects that other people consider to be verging on the insane.’ She says that sums her up rather well. Whether developing the Entlebucher Mountain Dog Breed, or maintaining a blog which has run every day for thirteen years, she relishes a challenge. She ran the short story download site Alfie Dog Fiction for six years, building it to be one of the largest in the world, before concentrating solely on book publishing to give her more time for her own writing.

She has written ten books so far, covering both fiction and non-fiction. Her most recent novel, New York Orphan has firmly established her historical fiction credentials and will form the start of a series. She is currently writing both the second in the series as well as a prequel, the latter of which will be available as a free introduction.  New York Orphan is available to purchase from Amazon.

Rosemary has had a passion for books and writing since her first memories. She cannot imagine a life without both.

For more information about Rosemary and her books visit her website: www.rjkind.co.uk or her author page on Amazon by clicking on the links.  Rosemary is a member of Promoting Yorkshire Authors. You can find her publishing company at Alfie Dog Fiction.

Welcome Rosie and Stuart Larner

I'm delighted to welcome Rosie and Stuart Larner onto my blog today.  Together they write under the pen name of Rosy Stewart.  They have just released their novel, Hope; Stories from a Refuge.

Rosie is a retired social worker and lecturer in Health and Social Care.  She was co-leader of a West Yorkshire Drama Workshop that welcomed participants of all ages and abilities.  She has directed and performed at the Edinburgh Fringe, and writes prose, poetry and plays. 

Stuart is a chartered psychologist, and worked in the National Health Service, and was mental health expert in XL for Men magazine.  He writes plays, including The Dilemma Advice Show, What Matters is What Floats, poetry and stores. 

Hope tells the stories of diverse individuals and their triumph in the face of adversity, and is  told through the eyes of Sue Barlow, the manager of a women's refuge.  Sue has learnt through experience that conventional support systems and policing are not always enough to prevent a tragedy. 

Following a brutal attack on one of her recent residents, Sue joins forces with Jade, a young police sergeant, and Nine a reclusive Russian I.T. expert to track down the abusers. 

Hope: Stories from a Women's Refuge is available to purchase from Amazon. 


Stuart's previous novels includes the novel Guile and Spin, a compelling and unforgettable story of cricket.  He has also written a Young Adult epic poem, Jack Daw and the Cat, and The Car, a sonnet sequence with illustrations, describing the human condition in terms of the mechanical components of a motor car. 

More information about Rosie and Stuart and their novels can be found by visiting their websites:

http://stuartlarner.blogspot.com/

http://slarner5.wixsite.com/hope

http://twitter.com/StuartLarner

Sales Links:

Hope:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hope-Stories-Womens-Rosy-Stewart-ebook/dp/B01BJ5Q6H0/

 Guile and Spin:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Guile-Spin-Stuart-Larner-ebook/dp/B00DUE35C8/

Jack Daw and The Cat:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jack-Daw-Cat-Stuart-Larner-ebook/dp/B005ECTXES/

The Car:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Car-sonnet-sequence-illustrations-ebook/dp/B01M0ACPNV/

Welcome ... Toni Bunnell

I'm delighted to welcome Toni Bunnell onto my Blog today.

Toni Bunnell is a musician, a wildlife biologist, a broadcaster and a writer of songs and stories. Toni lives in York, has run York hedgehog rescue centre for 28 years and has written two books about hedgehogs: The Disappearing Hedgehog and Rescuing the Disappearing Hedgehog. 

Toni has also written a non-fiction book on Music Therapy, published by M&K Update, as well as several works of fiction. She lectured at Hull University for over sixteen years and has appeared on television many times, including on Love Your Garden, Countryfile, and in June 2015, The One Show. 

Her passion for writing developed following the loss of a close friend and resulted in a book of poems: A Life Well Lived. 

Her most recent works focus on the gothic and supernatural. The Nameless Children is Part 1 of The Soil Chronicles and is followed by the sequel: The Dead Space. 

For more information about Toni and her books visit her website: www.tonibunnell.com  or her author page on Amazon by clicking on the links.  Toni is a member of Promoting Yorkshire Authors

7 Days to Go!

The 3rd UK Indie Lit Festival takes place at the Kala Sangam, St Peter's House, Forster Square in Bradford on the 28th July.  Have you got your ticket yet?  And, if not, why not?

With over 30, yes THIRTY attending authors representing a mixture of genres and poetry there is something for everyone to enjoy.  There is also an International table with some amazing books from across the Globe, and several will be joining us via video link in the international hub.   Not only will there be signed books to purchase, but there are readings and workshops.

The Tombe Dance Group will also be performing at the Festival, so don't delay pop over to Eventbrite and download your ticket now.

So if you've dreamed at writing poetry or a novel, come along and chat to our authors who I am sure will be happily to offer advice on how to get started.   I look forward to seeing you there.

Book Festivals and Research

Like many authors, I find it hard to write in summer.  There’s so much to do ... gardening, fruit picking, days out and holidays to take. 

But now winter is around the corner, time for me to knuckle down and work on the manuscript that has been lurking in the depths of my subconscious and computer for quite some time.  But, there was just time to squeeze in one more holiday before I dig out all the winter woollies from the bottom of the wardrobe and hibernate until spring.

If you’ve followed my blog you will know that I lived on a croft in rural Aberdeenshire for many years and have long considered Scotland my second home. So, it probably comes as no surprise that my destination of choice was Dumfries and Galloway.  I love the Highlands, the rugged beauty of the mountains, but the Scottish border country, and in particular, the Mull of Galloway also has a special place in my heart.

Mull of Galloway Lighthouse

Wigtown, a small town, once commercially important until the river Cree changed its course, has a fascinating history, due in part to the Wigtown Martyrs who were put to death in 1685 for their refusal to accept Episcopalian Church Services.

Martyrs Stone

Today, Wigtown is well known for another reason.  It is Scotland’s National Book Town with several bookshops, and each year holds a book festival. 

With 200 hundred events and workshops, for adults and children, with such speakers as Ian Rankin, Professor Iain Sinclair, Mairi Hedderwick and Gavin Esler, I decided to take some time out of our holiday to attend a few of the events.

I have long held the desire to write crime.  When I read in the Festival Brochure that Denise Mina, winner of the McIlvanney Prize 2017 for Scottish crime book of the year was attending, I knew that was one event I could not miss. Ms Mina is a Scottish novelist and playwright, and her latest book, The Long Drop is the true crime account of Peter Manuel, a serial killer who operated in Glasgow in the 1950s. 

Now, I have a confession to make, although I seen Ms Mina’s books in the local bookshop, I had never read one, until this week.  More than just a crime story, The Last Breath, kept me up all night wondering what would happen next.  As soon as I finish this post, I shall be scouring Amazon for more of her novels.

Not only am I determined to finish the romantic suspense novel I’m working on, but also to try my hand at writing a crime novel.  Watch this space!

Penistone Literary Festival 19th-20th July 2014

The full programme of events for the first inaugural Penistone Literary Festival has been announced.  Headlined by Simon Armitage, one of the best poets of his generation,  best selling author Milly Johnson, supported by Andrew Macmillan, crime writer M J Fowler, and local poets and authors, it promises to be a fun-filled two days for young and old alike.  (Click on the image for a larger version).

There are poetry walks and readings, the chance to have afternoon tea with Simon and Milly; exhibitions, a book stall, a vintage tea room, and the chance to purchase a Penny the Sheep mug as a memento.

So, pop along to the Penistone Literary Website, and book your tickets now.  

TODAYS WOMAN: Now get yourself in black and white - The Star

My local newspaper here in Sheffield, reported on the writing course Milly Johnson and I ran in June.  There are comments by attendees along with some great photos.


TODAYS WOMAN: Now get yourself in black and white - Features - The Star

World Book Night, 5th March 2011

World Book Night is a celebration of literature. With the full support of the Publishers Association, the Booksellers Association, the Independent Publishers Guild, the Reading Agency with libraries, World Book Day and the BBC, one million books will be given away by an army of passionate readers to members of the public across the UK and Ireland.




Thomas Rotherham College has invited me to take part in their celebrations when they will be handing out copies of Carol Ann Duffy's, 'The World's Wife to their talented students.