2017 – A Writing Year
2017 has been a busy writing year with the publication of
The Traveller and The Rose in December as the highlight.
An epic story of love, war and the search for the truth.
In the tranquil Andalucían village of Santa Carmen, deep divisions are exposed by the arrival of a young English stranger, Kit Brown. He falls in love with Rosa Saragossa, and as Spain tears itself apart in civil war, few will escape unscathed. Kit and Rosa must risk their own lives to save those they love, and when he is imprisoned, Rosa will never give up seeking the truth. In this war, however, the shocking truth is hard to find.
This year also saw the publication of two books which were the result of creative writing projects.
Stories To Tell: Unlocking the Creative Mind; was published in June with a group of young adults from the YMCA Talent Match programme. We published a collection of their stories and poems following a 12 week creative writing and publishing course. Many of the participants had never written before.
Inspired to be in this World, published in July, is a book of stories and poems from year 6 children based on a Cultural Awareness Project in their school.
2017 has been a busy writing year with the publication of
The Traveller and The Rose in December as the highlight.
An epic story of love, war and the search for the truth.
In the tranquil Andalucían village of Santa Carmen, deep divisions are exposed by the arrival of a young English stranger, Kit Brown. He falls in love with Rosa Saragossa, and as Spain tears itself apart in civil war, few will escape unscathed. Kit and Rosa must risk their own lives to save those they love, and when he is imprisoned, Rosa will never give up seeking the truth. In this war, however, the shocking truth is hard to find.
This year also saw the publication of two books which were the result of creative writing projects.
Stories To Tell: Unlocking the Creative Mind; was published in June with a group of young adults from the YMCA Talent Match programme. We published a collection of their stories and poems following a 12 week creative writing and publishing course. Many of the participants had never written before.
Inspired to be in this World, published in July, is a book of stories and poems from year 6 children based on a Cultural Awareness Project in their school.
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George The Bookworm Another school's project with The Grand Theatre of Lemmings, and their special guest George the Bookworm, was launched in the summer term and continued into the autumn, to bring magic into the school and harness the children’s creative writing. By Easter 2018, we will publish a book of their stories and poems based on the History of Magic.
If you would like to develop a tailor-made programme for your group or school, contact me HERE.
If you would like to develop a tailor-made programme for your group or school, contact me HERE.
In March, I was invited to speak at a Self-Publishing Workshop at The Writer’s Centre Norwich, to talk about Self Publishing for individuals and communities.
This year it has been a great privilege to work with Dr Abby Waterman who published
Woman in a White Coat in November. I am delighted that this memoir of an 85-year old retired pathologist, Harley Street dentist, entrepreneur and director of a Cancer Research Laboratory is now in print.
I also supported Margherita Oppezzo to publish her Memoir of a Mersea Girl; Unfinished Tapestry; a humorous, honest and heart warming tale. From all of her experiences of sadness, disappointments and loneliness, there is in equal measure, joy, humour, and a great deal of learning.
If you would like support to publish your book, contact me HERE
This year it has been a great privilege to work with Dr Abby Waterman who published
Woman in a White Coat in November. I am delighted that this memoir of an 85-year old retired pathologist, Harley Street dentist, entrepreneur and director of a Cancer Research Laboratory is now in print.
I also supported Margherita Oppezzo to publish her Memoir of a Mersea Girl; Unfinished Tapestry; a humorous, honest and heart warming tale. From all of her experiences of sadness, disappointments and loneliness, there is in equal measure, joy, humour, and a great deal of learning.
If you would like support to publish your book, contact me HERE
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I was back in London Libraries again this year, first in January with a Life Writing Workshop, and then in June and November for the City of Stories programme for London’s Writer's Network; Spread the Word. Working with groups of people from diverse communities who all share a love of writing is inspiring and stimulating, and this programme was no exception. The results of the best micro fiction from City of Stories were published in an anthology.
The Harwich Writer’s Group has also grown this year and has found a new home in the Council Chamber of The Guildhall in Harwich. We are working towards a collection of short stories and poems for the autumn of 2018.
If you would like to join HWG contact me here.
Frinton Writer’s Group presented a platform of work for the first time at Frinton Literary Festival. A string of successes from its authors means that we are expecting more of these events for 2018.
So what about 2018?
My focus will be on writing and publishing, whilst continuing to juggle the workshop programme. As a writer, I spend a lot of time alone staring at a screen. Working with children and writing groups refreshes the imagination, inspires the creative flow and energises a tired mind!
I am currently finishing the first story in a new series of rom.com books. The eponymous heroine; Ruby Sixpence, is a joy to work with and I am hoping to launch her into the world in the Spring of 2018.
The Harwich Writer’s Group has also grown this year and has found a new home in the Council Chamber of The Guildhall in Harwich. We are working towards a collection of short stories and poems for the autumn of 2018.
If you would like to join HWG contact me here.
Frinton Writer’s Group presented a platform of work for the first time at Frinton Literary Festival. A string of successes from its authors means that we are expecting more of these events for 2018.
So what about 2018?
My focus will be on writing and publishing, whilst continuing to juggle the workshop programme. As a writer, I spend a lot of time alone staring at a screen. Working with children and writing groups refreshes the imagination, inspires the creative flow and energises a tired mind!
I am currently finishing the first story in a new series of rom.com books. The eponymous heroine; Ruby Sixpence, is a joy to work with and I am hoping to launch her into the world in the Spring of 2018.
I am also researching the sequel to The Traveller and The Rose,
working title; 'The Ties That Bind.’
This will require a lot of research and a trip to Spain in the late Spring.
Two families hunt for a legacy
buried under the betrayals of a forgotten war.
Four strangers, each seeking a truth which they will only find
in the hearts of their enemies.
One shadow comes back to haunt them all.
working title; 'The Ties That Bind.’
This will require a lot of research and a trip to Spain in the late Spring.
Two families hunt for a legacy
buried under the betrayals of a forgotten war.
Four strangers, each seeking a truth which they will only find
in the hearts of their enemies.
One shadow comes back to haunt them all.
AND FINALLY
I will be refreshing hardpressedbooks.co.uk which will become more active in publishing mainstream genre fiction, and writing related non-fiction.
The workshop programme kicks off in Covent Garden in January, for Spread the Word; a chance to make your New Year Resolution and Kickstart Your Writing. Sign up HERE and get 2018 off to a great writing year!
Watch this space for more creative writing, workshop, and publishing opportunities for 2018
Wishing you all a happy, healthy and successful New Writing Year
I will be refreshing hardpressedbooks.co.uk which will become more active in publishing mainstream genre fiction, and writing related non-fiction.
The workshop programme kicks off in Covent Garden in January, for Spread the Word; a chance to make your New Year Resolution and Kickstart Your Writing. Sign up HERE and get 2018 off to a great writing year!
Watch this space for more creative writing, workshop, and publishing opportunities for 2018
Wishing you all a happy, healthy and successful New Writing Year
