Category Archives: News

How to Write Your First Novel – Sat 17 May

Just a very quick blog to say I’m running a day course – How to Write Your First Novel. It’s at Kinson Community Centre, Bournemouth on Saturday 17 May from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. It should be a small … Continue reading

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Woman’s Weekly Fiction Workshops – Hot Tips

A couple of Fridays ago I was teaching again with Gaynor Davies at the Blue Fin Buildings, our subject, Writing Short Stories for Woman’s Weekly. I thought you might like an update. There are two more short story workshops planned … Continue reading

Posted in Inspiration, News, Short stories for magazines, Tips on writing, Woman's Weekly, Writing | Tagged | 19 Comments

Meltwater

Novellas are the new novels, apparently. Can’t remember where I saw that. But just in case it’s true, I thought you might like to see my latest novella, Meltwater, which is all about dysfunctional families. (Are there any other kind!) … Continue reading

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The Journey of a Woman’s Weekly Short Story – from arrival to publication

Last Friday I was lucky enough to be teaching at Woman’s Weekly’s offices in London with Fiction Editor, Gaynor Davies.  While I was there, I thought it would be very interesting to find out exactly what happens to our stories … Continue reading

Posted in News, Short stories for magazines, Wednesday Writing Spot, Woman's Weekly, Writing | 39 Comments

Workshops and Writing Courses Happening Now

We are suddenly awash with writing courses – must be spring 🙂  In date order, soonest first, below are some of the ones I am personally involved with: From 17th February, 2014 – 2nd March – Purbeck Literary Festival There are … Continue reading

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Books? We’ve got them covered. Guest Post from Soundhaven.com

Today I’d like to welcome Soundhaven.com to my blog.  And it’s all about covers. Oh and just in case you were interested – From Invisible to Irresistible is free today too 🙂  Over to you, Soundhaven.com… Soundhaven.com hasn’t been around … Continue reading

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H E Bates Short Story Competition. Winners and Presentation

I was honoured to be asked to judge the 2013 H E Bates Short Story Competition, and last Friday 17th January I presented the prizes to the winners, which was both humbling (I wish I’d written some of those stories) … Continue reading

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Shadowman

Just in case anyone fancies a preview of my new novella, Shadowman, here’s the blurb and first chapter 🙂 Karen and Rob’s show-jumping yard is in trouble. And so is their marriage. Then someone starts sending anonymous letters. They seem … Continue reading

Posted in first chapter, News, Wednesday Writing Spot, Writing | Tagged , | 4 Comments

NaNoWriMo So Far

If you’ve read this blog lately, you’ll know I’ve been doing the NaNoWriMo challenge, i.e. I signed up to write a 50,000 word novel during the month of November. Well, actually, I’m a nano rebel. I decided it would be … Continue reading

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Wednesday Writing Spot – Wells Literature Festival

Just a little bit of feedback from me this week regarding the Wells Literature Festival where I did a workshop on Writing and Selling Short Stories on Sunday 13 October. I hadn’t realised I’d be teaching in the Bishop’s Palace. … Continue reading

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