Busy Times and Bookmarks.

Ever since RESOLUTIONS was published (August 9th) life has got a little hectic.  I've been lucky enough to be invited along to a give some talks on writing and my novel or just chat to people at meetings.

Following my earlier recording for the audio magazine, I was invited along to a coffee morning in the main Huddersfield library, to meet some of the volunteers (readers) and the people who use this service.

A few announcements were made about the changes coming to the magazine. One significant change was that the magazine would be going out weekly from January instead of every other week.  This was met with a round of applause and cries of delight. It is obviously a popular and much needed service.

I managed to give out a few of my bookmarks. I was also informed that there was a waiting list for the library copy of RESOLUTIONS!

Earlier in the week, I went along to a member's meeting run by the Central England Co-operative. This is the co-op who run the store in our village. I was asked to talk about my creative writing group and it was announced, at the start, that my first novel had recently been published. Whilst giving out my bookmarks, quite a few people wanted to stop and chat with me about the novel. This was followed by a lovely afternoon tea - there are some perks!

I was asked many times about how the book came about and how I got it published. I was surprised and delighted at the level of interest the novel generated. Many people said they would be downloading it - so fingers crossed!

I have no idea what had been said but something obviously made me laugh.


I recently attended a friend's  birthday party, well armed with bookmarks. Quite a few friends, by now, were asking for one. You only have to catch my eye and there is a bookmark in your hand!
We were laughing at the irony of the situation. I have an ebook published but I'm giving away bookmarks.


It's all good fun and a talking point - who knows I hope the bookmarks lead to a few sales! If I do bump into you, please ask me for one, I guarantee I'll have some in my handbag.

THANK YOU FOR STOPPING AND READING MY BLOG. I'D LOVE IT IF YOU'D SAY HELLO!

A fascinating experience

Yesterday I went deep into the bowels of Huddersfield Town hall. It's not a place I have ever visited before. I didn't know any of this existed.
I'd been invited to be featured, as a local novelist, on the Audio Magazine, which is organised by our local authority.
The Town Hall is a grand place, with a wonderful concert hall, organ and marvelous acoustics. Many musical evenings, concerts, orchestras, operas and choirs play there. However I was whisked away far from the grandeur down to a place few ever see!
The small room we were in, used to be the studio used by the BBC when they recorded events in the hall. These days a huge van and trailer park on the street for the outside broadcast.

It really was like being in a cubby hole! There were no windows or natural light at all. I talked about Resolutions, my novel, initially. After this, I was asked to read one of my short stories. We finished by recording some of my poems. These will not all feature on the same magazine, the poems will used over a period of several months.
This is a wonderful organisation. As with many things it could not function without its volunteers. One volunteer may read the news, sport or ex-servicemen's magazine. Another lady talks about local history, places and artefacts. Yet another, will deal with the admin of getting the MP3 players distributed and returned. Each magazine will have a feature, maybe a local author (like me!) or a representative of another organisation, for example, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
I was delighted to know that all the listeners, loved e-books. I assume that this is because the font can be adjusted to each person's sight requirements.
The magazine goes out to between 400 and 500 listeners. Some of them overseas, as far afield as Barbados.
I don't expect the magazine I'm involved with will go out for another couple of weeks, so that brings us to early October. At that time a podcast will be available for a week on the Transcription Service facebook page (KRTN). However I will put a link on my own facebook page at that time. Unfortunately I can't give you an exact time for my piece.
So, thanks to Penny for looking after me and making me feel so welcome. I'm sure everyone of your listeners is very grateful for the work you, your colleagues and the volunteers do.

Book Launch at the Library

The village library invited me to hold my book launch on their premises.  I was absolutely delighted to accept. They even contacted the local Women's Institute to ask if they would prepare some baking for the evening.

Posters and flyers were issued and preparations begun!

My husband kindly made and printed off bookmarks for me, so that I had something to hand out- which also had a timely reminder how to purchase the book!

I was delighted with them.

On the evening itself he and some friends set up the hall. We arranged tables and chairs around which suited an informal get together where we could enjoy the coffee and cakes - the important bits!

I was overwhelmed when my friend presented me with this wonderful cake. It must have take her hours to ice! It seemed a shame to cut into it but it was worth it, it was scrumptious.

My talk seemed to go well. Everyone laughed in the right places and I didn't see anyone nodding off. After a I'd answered a  couple of questions it was time to get down to the serious business of the event. It was lovely to meet up with everyone, eat cake and have a good natter.

I'll leave you with a few photos which tell their own story.