Gill James's Blog, page 22

ALCS at Manchester

It was so good that the AGM of the Authors' Licensing and Collecting Society was held in Manchester yesterday. A bonus too that it was held in the glorious Midlands Hotel that already has a rather beautiful Christmas tree in the foyer.It's probably worth remembering that Manchester is really right in the middle of the UK. So holding the AGM here every other year makes sense. The afternoon started off well with a panel discussion chaired by Tony Bradman who is the chair anyway of ALCS. Speakers were:Mark Dawson   Mark is an extremely successful indie writer / publisher. Helen McGinn  Helen blogs about wine. Her blog has led to publishing and other success.Xander CansellXander is from the crowdfunded publisher Unbound. Unbound brings us a whole new way of publishing.There are certainly several alternatives to the traditional route into getting published.ALCS continues its excellent work in collecting foreign Public Lending Right payments, payments for recorded items and payments for photocopied texts. Every writer should be registered with them and register everything they write. You'll earn at least £100 a year. I've never earned that little. If you register academic papers, you can enjoy some very pleasing payments. There is a modest one-off payment to join but you don't have to pay up front. It is taken from your earnings. Anyway if you are a member of the Society of Authors, they pay this for you.As always with these events the questions from the floor and the networking are great boons. One lady raised the question about obtaining royalties on second hand books. ALCS have looked at this and continue to do so. Wouldn't that be something?     It was good as always to chat to other writers over tea and coffee and wine and canapés.  

The Ship Canal's not so bad after all

 I was delighted to have my story Tarting up the Ship Canal accepted by Step Away Magazine. You can read it here.  Step Away seems a good publication to be in. It has a touch of the literary about it. It's really odd about this story, though. This was its first outing. Usually I send out my short stories, they get rejected, I tweak with the insight that a little distance and more maturity gives me and eventually they find a home. Naturally I've edited copiously before but we get sharper all the time. 
This one apparently hit the spot.
Lately I've found that items are going out of print and publishers are shutting up shop faster than I can get things out. I have decided to have a go at self-publishing. In some ways it seems hypocritical not to. I am a publisher after all. Have I no faith in my own work? I am however, paying for an edit and proof read out of my own pocket. I can do this for other people. I just can't do it for myself.   
So, what went right with Tarting? Well, they do say write what you know, don't they? I know Salford and its dichotomies. This is a work of fiction but it is heavily influenced by a few things that have happened over the ten years that I've worked there. The setting is really vivid to me. I wonder whether you see what I see. What is your impression of Salford if you don't know it?  I may have got right into the young man's head and given him a voice. What do you make of him? Do let me know.
And darn. That eternal editor never goes away. Does his voice shift a little? I would write it very slightly differently today

News 1 November 2017

News about my writing So, I plod on with my writing. I was beginning to despair that things were going out of print faster than new items were being taken on when out of the blue I received an email from a magazine publisher that said: "Yours stood apart from the rest. We thoroughly enjoyed reading … and consider it to be a perfect fit for …" Nice. And here it is: http://stepawaymagazine.com/archives/3646. It was the first time that particular one has been out. It's pure fiction though inspired by a few events that have happened during my ten years association with Salford.  I've reread it critically and still want to edit.  Isn't it always so? I think, though, it's the voice that works here.    They say write what you know don't they? I know Salford at least a little now.  .   1940s Group I'm getting a few members into my 1940s' group now. We're beginning to become beta-readers for each other and we're attracting a few reviewers also.   I'm also adding snippets of information as I find them to that page. Any more are of course welcome. This is a Facebook group for those of us who write about the 1940s. This group is for all people who write about the 1940s. Fiction and non-fiction, for young and old. Topics might then be: the Holocaust, World War II, Civilian Experience (all sides) and the battle front. We can exchange ideas about research and marketing. We may promote books and stories, - the last day of every month and on launch / release day. In particular, we might work together to make use of the many 1940s' weekends that take place.If you feel that is you, do join us: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2026868870924138/         Dreamteam My Dream Team of reviewers and beta–readers and for my publishing and self-publishing projects, editors, proof-readers, illustrators and designers is beginning to take shape. Take a look at some of the people I've added: Roger Noons, Alyson Rhodes,  Bartosz Milewski, and Karda Zenko. Do take a look at what they can offer. There are a few others on the site, too. Find them here.     This is a personal recommendation. Initially I intend to use my Dream Team a lot myself but gradually I would add in people that friends and friends of friends have recommended. What happens? You sign up to a mailing list and every time a request comes in we mail it out to you or the enquirer contacts you directly via my web site. The conversation then carries on between you and the person making the request. You may also have a page set up on my blog and you may update that once a year.  Interested? You may sign up for more than one category.  Beta readers sign up here.Reviewers sign up here. Editors sign up here.Illustrators sign up here.Designers sign up here.Proof-readers sing up here.    DO REMEMBER THAT AT ANY TIME YOU’RE APPROACHED AND YOU’RE BUSY IT’S PERFECTLY FINE TO SAY NO.        Bridge House We have been busy. The collection of stories by Debz's Canvey Island writers' group, Tales from the Upper Room, is now ready. It retails at £7.00. As usual, reviews are most welcome. Contact me if you are willing to review. Both Glit-er-ary Tales and our Citizens of Nowhere are on their final proof read.       We’re getting plenty of interest in our single-author collections. These are for authors we’ve published before and they may include stories we’ve already published, ones they’ve had published elsewhere and new ones. The description for this is now on the web site. We’ve already had some enquiries and we’re currently working on several anthologies.  You may recycle stories we’ve already included in another anthology, and you may reedit these if you wish. You may also add in new stories. We’re aiming at a total word count of between 30,000 and 70,000 words.  Dawn Knox's Extraordinary is now out. It is available here. Reviews of course are welcome. Contact me if you would like a review copy. We are also holding an on-line launch party.  Would you like to join us? Here is your invite.   What happens at an on-line launch? Read all about it here.If you’re interested in having a single author collection, contact me here.    Also in progress are collections by Paul Bradley, Phyllis Burton, Jesse Falzoi, Jenny Palmer, Dianne Stadhams and Paul Williams.      CafeLit Stories are now all being will be posted at 4.00 p,m, Afternoon Teatime,  Kaffee and Kuchen time and it's also when the kids are home from school. Just the right time for a cuppa and a good story. We're getting quite a few submissions now but still not quite up to one a day. Sadly, of course, we have to reject some. We still need a few more Christmas ones.      In October we had stories from Wendy Ogilvie, Roger Noons (naturally!), Lisa Williams, Helen Combe, Dawn Knox, Robin Wrigley, Brigta Orel, Sandy Wilson and Many Percy.      We're always open to submissions. Find out to submit here. We're still interested in seasonal stories – Guy Fawkes and Christmas in particular and would like to have them now so that we can schedule them effectively. Remember, this gives you some exposure and there's always the chance that your work might be accepted for the annual anthology.    The Best of CaféLit 6 has been produced and copies are on sale. As usual we welcome reviews. I can let you have a PDF or an e-mobi copy if you're willing to review. You can also buy copies here.   On offer for CaféLit authors is a page on our web site. See examples here.  The list is growing. Click on the names to find out more about the authors and to access their work. If you're a CaféLit author and would like a web page, use the ones there to get ideas. You need to send me between 250 and 350 words about yourself, an attractive image, a list of up to six publications, up to six awards and up to six links. I then also link the page to your stories on CaféLit. Send to gill at cafelit dot co dot uk.         
ChapeltownChristopher Bowles' Spectrum, a challenging but very satisfying read. Again reviews welcome. The Kindle version was quite a challenge. He has some fabulous reviews. See them here. More are welcome. I can send you a PDF or mobi file. Be warned: there is some adult material in this. There is also a lot of beautiful writing. If you would like to buy the book, see details here.      Chapeltown has now successfully published its first picture book. Colin Wyatt’s Who will be my friend? – is a delightful story about friendship and accepting others. Yes, Colin is Debz’s dad. He is a Disney licensed illustrator and his previous publication is The Jet Set. We feel very honoured to have published him. The book is out now and available at https://www.amazon.co.uk/Who-Will-Be-My-Friend/dp/1910542121/ Reviews welcome. We can provide the PDF.  We’re very pleased with this book and now aim to publish more picture books. We're working on an illustrated book by Philippa Rae and we've offered two more contracts for picture books.   If you're interested in reviewing any of the above, just email me. Coming soon: work by Anusha VR, Gail Aldwin,  Mandy Huggins and Roger Noons.   
Creative CaféI've added in the Breakaway Café and Arts Centre this month. It is in Hastings, but alas not Hastings UK so I've not been able to arrange a visit. This is a very vibrant place with plenty of creative café activities both in the café itself and the arts centre. In fact, we've now extended our repertoire of activities.    I've restarted my tour of creative cafés where I collect stories for an anthology. In some cases, writers may offer them and in others maybe customers may tell me their story and I'll write it for them. Do you know of a café that might be interested in this? Let me know if you do.         Remember you can now buy merchandise for the Creative Café project. The profit on anything you buy here goes to the Creative Café Project. Check this out here.    We’re always looking for new cafés.  If you visit one of the cafés in the projectand would like to write a review of between 250 and 350 words – nice, too, to have a couple of pictures – send it to me here.Do the same if you find a new café. I’m also now proactively encouraging cafes to stock The Best of CaféLit. Do you know anyone who might like to stock it? We can offer a 35% discount to retailers. Query gill at cafelit dot co dot uk.      The Red Telephone I am now working on Richard Bradburn’s Evernrood. Our mentoring programme is now full. I’m now working quite closely with three very different authors: Charlotte Comley, Dianne Stadhams, and Nina Wadcock. They are all presenting some fascinating material. University of Salford graduates Lauren Hopes and Christian Leah have also joined our happy band.        
Book tours If you’re a Bridge House / Red Telephone / CaféLit / Chapeltown author and you want to get serious about book tours, consider our author’s kit. We provide twenty or so books (exact number is up for negotiation) you take to the bookshop and the bookshop can put these through the till. We then invoice the bookshop, with a 35% discount for any sold and top up your supply to twenty. At the end of the tour you can either pay for the remaining books at cost + 10% or keep them until you’ve sold them and then pay the normal price of 75% of RRP. The latter can in any case be set against royalties. You need to allow at least ten days between events. Contact me here if you’re interested in this.            
School Visits I’m proactively promoting my school visits associated with The House on Schellberg Street project. I’ve now developed a whole workshop for this. It starts off with a board game, includes some role play and creative writing and ends with a discussion. I'll be presenting about my work on this at the 2017 NAWE Conference.  Apparently there are still a few places left for day / evening delegates. Costs for my workshops = travel expenses plus £400 for a full day and £200 for a half day. This includes all materials and some freebies. Two schools near to each other might consider splitting the day and halving the travel expenses and fees. This is open to negotiation in any case.        I also offer a free half day visit, though you pay my travel expenses, if you allow me to promote my books.       I’m continuously adding materials for schools to the site that are different from the ones I use for the workshops. I’ve recently added in resources and books to do with the topic. See them here:       Query for a school visit here.I’m also happy to tailor a visit for your agreed donation. This can be for either a Schellberg Cycle visit or a creative writing workshop. Any monies raised this way will go specifically to a project I have for a non-fiction book about a journey that will follow the footsteps of Clara Lehrs.I’m hoping to do the whole journey by train, including departing via my nearest Metrolink station. It’s important to feel the rails beneath my feet.        I offer as well standard author visits which include readings from my books, Q & A sessions and creative writing exercises. It is now possible to purchase the kit to work on on your own. Find details here.Please remember, with these as well, I’m open to negotiation if you can’t afford the full price.  Upcoming events      The London Bridge House / CafeLit / Chapeltown / Red Telephone celebration will be 2 December at the Princess of Wales again. This year we are again “sold out” – the event is free but ticketed but it is possible to go onto a reserve list. We shall have:  general minglingcash baran opportunity to buy lunch an opportunity to buy books at an advantageous rate    “speed-dating”  where you get to speak to as many people as possible in the room i.e. promote yourself to readers, swap tips with other writersauthor readingslatest news from me  collection for a local charitybig book swap (bring one of your other titles and take something else home – hopefully all will be reviewed. If you bring a non-writing friend they can just bring a book they love)  We have glorious plans, still under wraps for the moment – watch this space, for 2018 and there will also be a Manchester event in the summer.   Writing opportunities Remember I keep a full list of vetted opportunities on my writing blog. See them here. New ones are added several times a day. Roughly once a month I go through it and take out all of the out of date ones. At that point I send it out to a list. If you would like to be on that list, sign up here.    I'm in the process of revamping the way this works and making it much more user friendly. I hope to have this completed by the time the next newsletter comes out.     Current reading recommendation Letter to an Unknown Soldier edited by Neil Bartlett and Kate Pullinger This is a fascinating book. It links to the project Letter to an Unknown Soldier. I have a letter there. Read mine here. Though the letters are really to soldier of the Great War, many other conflicts are mentioned and many of the letters are to the universal soldier.    Find it here. Calling all writersI'm running an occasional series of interviews on my blog. Take a look at my interview with Allison Symes and DawnKnox.  If you would like to be on my blog just answer the questions below and send them with appropriate images to gill dot james at btinternet dot com. Please feel free to pick and choose which of these to answer.  1.      What do you write? Why this in particular?  2.      What got you started on writing in the first place?3.      Do you have a particular routine?  4.      Do you have a dedicated working space? 5.      When did you decide you could call yourself a writer? Do you do that in fact? 6.      How supportive are your friends and family? Do they understand what you're doing? 7.      What are you most proud of in your writing? 8.      How do you get on with editing and research?9.      Do you have any goals for the future? 10.  Which writers have inspired you?Please write as much or as little as you like for each section and supply as many pictures as you like. Also let me know your latest publication and supply me with a link if it's not on Amazon.                           Giveaway This month I’m giving away an e-mobi file for your Kindle of  Baubles Download here.  You will also find in this dropbox:·         An extract from Clara’s Story·         Some seminars for schools about The House on Schellberg Street·         Some fiction writing exercises·         The opening chapters from my manual for writing the young adult novel   Note, that normally my books and the books supplied by the imprints I manage, sell for anything form £0.99 to £10.99, with most on Kindle being about £2.99 and the average price for paperback being £7.00. We have to allow our writers to make a living. But we’re offering these free samples so that you can try before you buy.    Happy reading and writing.

Banned books, burnt books, freedom of speech, freedom of information and censorship

We're just about to release a very daring book. Its title is Citizens of Nowhere, 'Stories about the Global Citizen'. Yes, you probably recognise the sentiments. And yes we're probably being just a little bit political. At least we're doing it the way we know best: we're weaving our theme into readable pieces of fiction. 
I might be glad to have my books banned or even burnt. There's no such thing as bad publicity. At least if they're banning or burning them my words must be having an impact on someone. It also means we have something in common with Albert Einstein, J K Rowling, and D H Lawrence.  When books are banned Books are banned in some harsh regimes. We must not incite the people. They are also sometimes banned because they contain something lewd. There is a very fine line between erotica and pornography and it is one that is very difficult to define. Lolita and Lady Chatterley's Lover may have raised some eyebrows earlier. Now they are part of our culture.  They may be banned because they clash with certain religious attitudes. This is what happened to the Potter the books. They include magic and magic is the work of the devil. 
Judy Waite's Game Girls also caused some furore. The game girls are exactly what they sound like. Yet this book is very moral. It all goes wrong for the three young women who have reinvented themselves as prostitutes. The story shows that going on the game is very risky indeed. The book nevertheless caused a fuss. A school visit was cancelled. Books were removed form a library. A TV crew pursued Judy when she came to deliver a workshop at the university where I worked.  And when they're burntIt seems extreme. Yet recently some of us have wanted to burn the Daily Mail and some people actually did it. Burning books today is probably less effective than it was in 1933. Digital copies abound. 
Books are burnt when we want to have a simple version of the truth - or even of lies or of something that is morally wrong, and not be exposed to multiple interpretations of life. The quickest way to get rid of the unwanted books is to burn them.                  Freedom of speech So everyone should be allowed to say and write what they think. But what if you want to incite hatred or encourage others to take up arms about the status quo?  Do we still allow freedom of speech then? What if we know the writer / speaker is wrong and that we are right? Should we suppress what they wish to say? 
There have been examples recently of some speakers being banned from universities because of their unpopular belief system. Is that right? 
What should we be allowed to say about the Final Solution? The Nazis would want us to suppress it. The UN would want us to explain it. 
The whips come out and make us toe the party line. 
The agent and the editor nag. "You can't say that. We may be accused of not being politically correct."              Freedom of information Yet some things remain classified. Several of my novels, set in another world, include Hidden Information and Golden Knowledge. The latter is available only to a very privileged few. The former is kept form the masses because a little knowledge is dangerous. Darn, though. Some things that are very sensitive would help so much with my research. Who keeps and curates the information anyway? Perhaps we writers do. We access material under the Freedom of Information act and we use it to inform our writing, thus sharing the facts with others.
Some publishers thought that my Hidden Information and Golden Knowledge was unrealistic. Really? A little knowledge can be dangerous, we all know that. And doesn't MI6 keep some secrets.   
Censorship We see little of this applied to writing. The film and TV world use it more. Some young adult books, if made into films, would not be passed by the board of censors. 
The film industry anyway has the complex description of suitability of films for certain audiences. Some scenes can be cut by the censors. Nudity was only allowed on stage if the actors weren't moving. TV has its watershed, only showing certain types of programme with an "adult" content after 9.00 p.m. 
Yet even for writers there is a subtle censorship in that there are gatekeepers all the way. This is especially so for young people who have as well as everybody else, teachers, librarians and well-meaning caring older family members who stand  between them and the book. The publisher is the biggest gate-keeper and some will not accept a book because of the language it uses.  Bizarrely, one that also publishes for children will accept the 'f' word but not the word 'bloody' – it really means 'by the lady' meaning the Virgin Mary.
Censorship must be in other contexts: letters sent in war situations, for example. 
Should we also censor books that include extreme violence, or show how to build a bomb? Or does that contravene our right to freedom of speech? 
Perhaps it's better to say less now so that you can live a few more years longer and be able to say more in the future.                      

Guest Author Dawn Knox

 What do you write? Why this in particular?  I write whatever takes my fancy at the time and not necessarily what I actually set out to write! My first published work was a short horror story which surprised me because at the time, I was only interested in writing for children. I was given the opportunity to submit a short horror story and to my amazement it was accepted and published in 'Shrouded by Darkness - Tales of Terror'. I have also written a script for a play about World War One. That also took me by surprise because initially, I was asked to write a short sketch. The short sketch grew into a 'series of playlets' which eventually was performed in England, Germany and France and will be seen again in November 2017 in Essex. At the moment, I'm writing a historical romance but my latest book, published by Chapeltown Publishing, entitled 'Extraordinary', is a collection of short, speculative fiction. Probably the only thing I haven't tried is crime and poetry - oh, and I don't write anything I consider offensive! 

 What got you started on writing in the first place?I tried to get my son interested in his creative writing homework when he was at school and suggested I give him the first sentence to a story and he give me the second. He looked at me blankly, so I gave him a paragraph and suggested he complete the following paragraph. Still nothing. But the story I'd started interested me so much, I thought I'd continue and in the end, I carried on until I'd finished. It's never been published but I might return to it one day and revamp it. My son never did take an interest in creative writing. But as his mother was in her forties when she started, there's plenty of time for him to develop an interest yet!
Do you have a particular routine? No, I just write when I can. As I go to sleep, I'm planning the next day's writing, which possibly counts as a routine and sometimes gives me very useful dreams!
Do you have a dedicated working space? Yes! I've only just got it and it's not quite sorted out yet, so no pictures! It's in the loft, the units are sky blue and I have all my favourite pieces round me, like the writing set which my dad gave me which has a cherub on the top. I rub his head every day. Perhaps I should have mentioned that under 'Do you have a particular routine?'!
When did you decide you could call yourself a writer? Do you do that in fact? Probably the only time I refer to myself as a writer is when I'm with other writers. Otherwise, I say that I write but don't refer to myself as a writer or author. Calling myself a writer sounds rather conceited although I have no idea why because if I write, then surely I'm a writer? I look forward to seeing other writers' answers to this question!

 How supportive are your friends and family? Do they understand what you're doing? My mum is incredibly proud of me and I think my husband and son are too although I'm not sure they know how much time I spend thinking about my writing. I only tend to talk about what I'm working on if I'm asked - which isn't very often, so I suppose it would be hard for anyone to guess how much of my time is spent thinking about my characters or the next bit of plot. Other writers who are friends, understand what I'm doing, but I suppose it's always easier to talk to people about interests that are shared.
 What are you most proud of in your writing? I'm most proud of my book 'The Great War - 100 Stories of 100 Words Honouring Those Who Lived and Died 100 Years Ago'. It was a challenge writing one hundred stories, each with exactly one hundred words and I hope that I covered a wide range of aspects of the war and of course, honoured those whose lives were touched by those dreadful years 1914 - 1918.
Do you have any goals for the future? I want to write whenever and whatever I can. And I would like to improve the way I write As for projects, I have written a new play about the end of the First World War and the return of the soldiers, called 'The Other Side of Peace', which I hope will be performed next year. I'd also like to go in for some competitions - and it would be lovely to win occasionally too!
Which writers have inspired you?As an only child, I spent much of my childhood reading, so I suppose all the writers whose books I read must have inspired me even if it took many years for me to start writing. Recently, writers which I have enjoyed include Terry Pratchett, Ken Follett and Wilbur Smith. The book that I am currently reading is 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr which is beautifully written and I am appreciating his vivid description.
Dawn's single author collection Extraordinary is published by Bridge House next week. 

Read Dawn's work here:

Newsletter 6 October 2017

 News about my writing We've just got back from what is fast becoming an annual trip to Nerja on the Costa del Sol. In theory we only go there every other year, but we're so drawn to it that we'll probably now continue to go there once a year. It's an important place for me: it kick-started my writing.
However, when you're a writer and a publisher, as I am, you don't really stop "working". I don't really like to divide life into work and non-work because if you love what you're doing there is no such thing as "work". The change of climate, scenery and food was nevertheless welcome. I've come back full of good ideas.         Gift to or from a writing friend? Why not get a mug made at Vista Print with book covers? Here's how: https://www.vistaprint.co.uk/photo-gifts/personalised-mugs. Then fill the mug with other goodies -  a bar of chocolate, some nice pens, a small note book? If it's for a friend who is not a writer, consider adding in some nice snacks or toiletries.     1940s Group I'm getting a few members into my 1940s' group now. We're beginning to become beta-readers for each other. Hopefully we'll also soon attract reviewers.  This is a Facebook group for those of us who write about the 1940s. This group is for all people who write about the 1940s. Fiction and non-fiction, for young and old. Topics might then be: the Holocaust, World War II, Civilian Experience (all sides) and the battle front. We can exchange ideas about research and marketing. We may promote books and stories, - the last day of every month and on launch / release day. In particular, we might work together to make use of the many 1940s' weekends that take place.If you feel that is you, do join us: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2026868870924138/         Dreamteam My Dream Team of reviewers and beta–readers and for my publishing and self-publishing projects, editors, proof-readers, illustrators and designers is beginning to take shape. Take a look at some of the people I've added: Roger Noons, Alyson Rhodes,  Bartosz Milewski, and Karda Zenko. Do take a look at what they can offer. There are a few others on the site, too. Find them here.     This is a personal recommendation. Initially I intend to use my Dream Team a lot myself but gradually I would add in people that friends and friends of friends have recommended. What happens? You sign up to a mail list and every time a request comes in we mail it out to you or the enquirer contacts you directly via my web site. The conversation then carries on between you and the person making the request. You may also have a page set up on my blog and you may update that once a year.  Interested? You may sign up for more than one category.  Beta readers sign up here.Reviewers sign up here. Editors sign up here.Illustrators sign up here.Designers sign up here.Proof-readers sing up here.    DO REMEMBER THAT AT ANY TIME YOU’RE APPROACHED AND YOU’RE BUSY IT’S PERFECTLY FINE TO SAY NO.        Bridge House Editing is well under way now for Gliterary Tales and many stories have now been saved to Final. We've decided on a cover picture and I've also been busy making a book trailer.  We’re getting plenty of interest in our single-author collections. These are for authors we’ve published before and they may include stories we’ve already published, ones they’ve had published elsewhere and new ones. The description for this is now on the web site. We’ve already had some enquiries and we’re currently working on several anthologies.  You may recycle stories we’ve already included in another anthology, and you may reedit these if you wish. You may also add in new stories. We’re aiming at a total word count of between 30,000 and 70,000 words.  If you’re interested in this, contact me here.    Already in progress are collections by Paul Bradley, Phyllis Burton, Jesse Falzoi, Dawn Knox, Jenny Palmer, Dianne Stadhams and Paul Williams. We have now almost finished working on edits of Citizens of Nowhere, with the theme of the global citizen. Several books are due out any moment now.      CafeLit I've just decided that from now on stories will be posted at 4.00 p/m. After all that is the time Afternoon Teatime, for Kaffee and Kuchen and it's also when the kids are home from school. Just the right time for a cuppa and a good story. We're getting quite a few submissions now but still not quite up to one a day. Sadly, of course, we have to reject some.      Some new writers have joined us recently: Sandy Wilson, Mandy Percy, Wendy Ogilvie, Janelle Hardacre and Sophie Flynn. You'll find several of your old favourites there as well.    But we're always open to submissions. Find out to submit here. We are now interested in a few seasonal stories – Guy Fawkes, autumn, Halloween, Christmas and would like to have them now so that we can schedule them effectively. Remember, this gives you some exposure and there's always the chance that your work might be accepted for the annual anthology.    The Best of CaféLit 6 has been produced and copies are on sale. As usual we welcome reviews. I can let you have a PDF or an e-mobi copy if you're willing to review. You can also buy copies here.   On offer for CaféLit authors is a page on our web site. See examples here.  The list is growing. Click on the names to find out more about the authors and to access their work. If you're a CaféLit author and would like a web page, use the ones there to get ideas. You need to send me between 250 and 350 words about yourself, an attractive image, a list of up to six publications, up to six awards and up to six links. I then alos link the apge to your storeis on CaféLit. Send to gill at cafelit dot co dot uk.         
ChapeltownChristopher Bowles' Spectrum, a challenging but very satisfying read. Again reviews welcome. The Kindle version was quite a challenge. He has some fabulous reviews. See them here. More are welcome. I can send you a PDF. Be warned: there is some adult material in this. There is also a lot of beautiful writing. If you would like to buy the book, see details here.      Chapeltown has now successfully published its first picture book. Colin Wyatt’s Who will be my friend? – is a delightful story about friendship and accepting others. Yes, Colin is Debz’s dad. He is a Disney licensed illustrator and his previous publication is The Jet Set. We feel very honoured to have published him. The book is out now and available at https://www.amazon.co.uk/Who-Will-Be-My-Friend/dp/1910542121/ Reviews welcome. We can provide the PDF.  We’re very pleased with this book and now aim to publish more picture books. We're working on an illustrated book by Philippa Rae and we've offered two more contracts for picture books.   If you're interested in reviewing any of the above, just email me. Coming soon: work by Anusha VR, Gail Aldwin,  Mandy Huggins and Roger Noons.   
Creative CaféShortly I'll restart my tour of creative cafés where I'll collect stories for an anthology. In some cases, writers may offer them and in others maybe customers may tell me their story and I'll write it for them.       Remember you can now buy merchandise for the Creative Café project. The profit on anything you buy here goes to the Creative Café Project. Check this out here.    We’re always looking for new cafés.  If you visit one of the cafés in the projectand would like to write a review of between 250 and 350 words – nice, too, to have a couple of pictures – send it to me here.Do the same if you find a new café. I’m also now proactively encouraging cafes to stock The Best of CaféLit. Do you know anyone who might like to stock it? We can offer a 35% discount to retailers. Query gill at cafelit dot co dot uk.      The Red Telephone I am now working on Richard Bradburn’s Evernrood. Our mentoring programme is now full. I’m now working quite closely with three very different authors: Charlotte Comley, Dianne Stadhams, and Nina Wadcock. They are all presenting some fascinating material. University of Salford graduates Lauren Hopes and Christian Leah have also joined our happy band.        
Book tours If you’re a Bridge House / Red Telephone / CaféLit / Chapeltown author and you want to get serious about book tours, consider our author’s kit. We provide twenty or so books (exact number is up for negotiation) you take to the bookshop and the bookshop can put these through the till. We then invoice the bookshop, with a 35% discount for any sold and top up your supply to twenty. At the end of the tour you can either pay for the remaining books at cost + 10% or keep them until you’ve sold them and then pay the normal price of 75% of RRP. The latter can in any case be set against royalties. You need to allow at least ten days between events. Contact me here if you’re interested in this.           
School Visits I’m proactively promoting my school visits associated with The House on Schellberg Street project. I’ve now developed a whole workshop for this. It starts off with a board game, includes some role play and creative writing and ends with a discussion. Costs= travel expenses plus £400 for a full day and £200 for a half day. This includes all materials and some freebies. Two schools near to each other might consider splitting the day and halving the travel expenses and fees. This is open to negotiation in any case.        I also offer a free half day visit, though you pay my travel expenses, if you allow me to promote my books.       I’m continuously adding materials for schools to the site that are different from the ones I use for the workshops. I’ve recently added in resources and books to do with the topic. See them here:       Query for a school visit here.I’m also happy to tailor a visit for your agreed donation. This can be for either a Schellberg Cycle visit or a creative writing workshop. Any monies raised this way will go specifically to a project I have for a non-fiction book about a journey that will follow the footsteps of Clara Lehrs. I’m hoping to do the whole journey by train, including departing via my nearest Metrolink station. It’s important to feel the rails beneath my feet.        I offer as well standard author visits which include readings from my books, Q & A sessions and creative writing exercises. It is now possible to purchase the kit to work on on your own. Find details here.Please remember, with these as well, I’m open to negotiation if you can’t afford the full price.  Upcoming events      The London Bridge House / CafeLit / Chapeltown / Red Telephone celebration will be 2 December at the Princess of Wales again. This year we are again “sold out” – the event is free but ticketed but it is possible to go onto a reserve list. We shall have:  general minglingcash baran opportunity to buy lunch an opportunity to buy books at an advantageous rate    “speed-dating”  where you get to speak to as many people as possible in the room i.e. promote yourself to readers, swap tips with other writersauthor readingslatest news from me  collection for a local charitybig book swap (bring one of your other titles and take something else home – hopefully all will be reviewed. If you bring a non-writing friend they can just bring a book they love)  Writing opportunities Remember I keep a full list of vetted opportunities on my writing blog. See them here. New ones are added several times a day. Roughly once a month I go through it and take out all of the out of date ones. At that point I send it out to a list. If you would like to be on that list, sign up here.     Current reading recommendations Her Father's Daughter by Nessa O'Mahony I'll be quite upfront to start with and say that Nessa O'Mahnoy is a friend of mine. We both worked for our PhDs 2003-2007 and graduated together form the Bangor University in 2007. I'll also say that straight away afterwards that that makes no odds
I've had this book for quite a while. I wish I'd read it sooner. It is a delight. As the title suggests, there are autobiographical elements here of the Nessa's relationship with her own father. It also contains the story of her mother's relationship with her grandfather. The poems are strong because they relate to the real world. Nessa uses a powerful mix of writing with the senses and her own inner thoughts and observations to tell an engaging story through language carefully chosen. 
A particular favourite of mine is 'Natural Selection' (34): April blusters into May, plays a glassy tuneon the wind chimeguarding the crab-applefrom bull-finch rapine.
At my desk on the first floorI miss most of the garden action,though the upward climbof pink and whiteon the silver birchcan still arrest me  Available here.   
Calling all writersI'm running an occasional series of interviews on my blog. Take a look at my interview with Allison Symes.  If you would like to be on my blog just answer the questions below and send them with appropriate images to gill dot james at btinternet dot com. Please feel free to pick and choose which of these to answer.  1.      What do you write? Why this in particular?  2.      What got you started on writing in the first place?3.      Do you have a particular routine?  4.      Do you have a dedicated working space? 5.      When did you decide you could call yourself a writer? Do you do that in fact? 6.      How supportive are your friends and family? Do they understand what you're doing? 7.      What are you most proud of in your writing? 8.      How do you get on with editing and research?9.      Do you have any goals for the future? 10.  Which writers have inspired you?Please write as much or as little as you like for each section and supply as many pictures as you like. Also let me know your latest publication and supply me with a link if it's not on Amazon.                           Giveaway This month I’m giving away an e-mobi file for your Kindle of  Snowflakes. Sign up to get this newsletter with news of other freebies and offers. 
  You will also find in this dropbox:·         An extract from Clara’s Story·         Some seminars for schools about The House on Schellberg Street·         Some fiction writing exercises·         The opening chapters from my manual for writing the young adult novel   Note, that normally my books and the books supplied by the imprints I manage, sell for anything form £0.99 to £10.99, with most on Kindle being about £2.99 and the average price for paperback being £7.00. We have to allow our writers to make a living. But we’re offering these free samples so that you can try before you buy.   Happy reading and writing.

We never finish – we only ever abandon

I'm currently putting together a manual about marketing for some of the authors I've published. I'm making here a list of routines and habits I think helps us to market and publicise our books without it feeling like too onerous a task. 
Interestingly all of the topics I've written about today I've already tackled on my blog A Publisher's Perspective. I find, however, that I want to add in more material and alter the tone as I go along. This is in part because I'm talking to a slightly different audience. It is only a very slightly different audience, though. The greater reason is that in the few weeks I've been away from that text I've developed as a writer. What was acceptable then is no longer.
I'm also letting work I finished some time ago out to beta-readers. Two have responded so far. I totally get what they're saying. Yet, when I abandoned this work several months ago it was perfect.
One of my books goes out of print in December. It's tempting to just slap on a new cover, give it an extra proof read and get it out again. Or has so much happened since it came out that I'd be better forgetting it all together? Maybe divide it into three as there are three stories there anyway? 
At the weekend I did some marking for the university.  A deadline means that the students have to "abandon" their work at a given date. We give them feedback. This gives them the opportunity to adjust their texts before they let them out again. 
Thank goodness for deadlines or we would tinker forever.                

Newsletter 31 August

News about my writing I'm back up to full speed and currently have a lot of projects on the go: Part 4 of the Peace Child series The House on Schellberg Street as a stage play. A non-fiction, academic book about the dark side of children's literature. More materials for my Schellberg Cycle workshops. I'll be talking about this at the NAWEconferencein November. Various short stories. My flash fiction collection 140 x 140 - almost finished.     A life-style book. What was that about retirement?
Canned StoriesAs you know, I originally got this idea from the Ministry of Stories where they sold limited editions of stories by well-known writers. I adapted this to use with my creative writing students at the Create Festival at the University of Salfordlast year. These were limited editions – five copies of each story. It's another interesting way of publishing.I've decided not to go any further with this myself this year but rather I'll give you a recipe for doing that yourself.   First, you will need some cans. These may not be bad:
     

You can of course search for a better bargain. This is the best I found in ten minutes today and compares well with the ones we used last year. Then find your story. Print it out. Fold it up – probably into four and pop it in the can with one or two other goodies that relate to the story itself. I have managed to get ten pages of script into a can this size.Consider keeping your works to a limited edition – maybe five copies?   Next, prepare the labels. The title of the story should go on one side of the can. A blurb, that to some extent mimics the list of the ingredients and other nutritional information we have on cans of food should go on the other side. There you have it – your first stocking–filler – and I haven't even had my summer holiday yet. I'll bring you another idea next month and yet another in November.  1940s Group I've started a Facebook group for those of us who write about the 1940s. This group is for all people who write about the 1940s. Fiction and non-fiction, for young and old. Topics might then be: the Holocaust, World War II, Civilian Experience (all sides) and the battle front. We can exchange ideas about research and marketing. We might find our reviewers and beta-readers here. We may promote books and stories, - the last day of every month and on launch / release day. In particular, we might work together to make use of the many 1940s' weekends that take place.If you feel that is you, do join us: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2026868870924138/        Patreon I’m selling some of my work via Patreon.  You can find details here. As the name suggests, you would in effect become a patron. I think I’m offering real value for money, with something for both readers and writers. And you can take both if you happen to be both.  Check it out if you’re interested.  I'm actually giving away excerpts of 140 x140    Dreamteam My Dream Team of reviewers and beta–readers and for my publishing and self-publishing projects, editors, proof-readers, illustrators and designers is beginning to take shape.  This is a personal recommendation. Initially I intend to use my Dream Team a lot myself but gradually I would add in people that friends and friends of friends have recommended. What happens? You sign up to a mail list and every time a request comes in we mail it out to you or the enquirer contacts you directly via my web site. The conversation then carries on between you and the person making the request. You may also have a page set up on my blog and you may update that once a year.  Interested? You may sign up for more than one category.  Beta readers sign up here.Reviewers sign up here. Editors sign up here.Illustrators sign up here.Designers sign up here.Proof-readers sing up here.    DO REMEMBER THAT AT ANY TIME YOU’RE APPROACHED AND YOU’RE BUSY IT’S PERFECTLY FINE TO SAY NO.    Take a look at who is already on board.  http://www.gilljameswriter.eu/p/my-dream-team.htmlClick on their names to find out more about them.     Bridge House We have now finished reading the entries for Gliterary Tales. There were a few more submissions this year and some very good writing. And what with my broken arm and Debz moving houses we were a little delayed. The standard was very high this time and we've had to reject some very publishable stories but I've encouraged those writers to submit to CaféLit  or consider one of our single author collections. Editing is well under way now and many stories have now been saved to Final. We're talking about book covers. We’re getting plenty of interest in our single-author collections. These are for authors we’ve published before and they may include stories we’ve already published, ones they’ve had published elsewhere and new ones. The description for this is now on the web site. We’ve already had some enquiries and we’re currently working on several anthologies.  You may recycle stories we’ve already included in another anthology, and you may reedit these if you wish. You may also add in new stories. We’re aiming at a total word count of between 30,000 and 70,000 words.  If you’re interested in this, contact me here.    Already in progress are collections by Paul Bradley, Phyllis Burton, Jesse Falzoi, Dawn Knox, Jenny Palmer, Dianne Stadhams and Paul Williams. We have now almost finished working on edits of Citizens of Nowhere, with the theme of the global citizen. We’re commissioned just over half of the work from known authors and there has been room for a few open submissions.     CafeLit Remember, we’re always open to submissions. Find out how here. I’ve been encouraging my students to submit. I’m beginning to see some of their work appearing. We are now interested in a few seasonal stories – Guy Fawkes, autumn, Halloween, Christmas and would like to have them now so that we can schedule them effectively. Remember, this gives you some exposure and there's always the chance that your work might be accepted for the annual anthology.    The Best of CaféLit 6 has been produced and we're just waiting for the proof copy. As usual we welcome reviews. I can let you have a PDF or an e-mobi copy if you're willing to review. On offer for CaféLit authors is a page on our web site. See examples here.  Click on the names to find out more about the authors and to access their work. If you're a CaféLit author and would like a web page, use the ones there to get ideas. You need to send me between 250 and 350 words about yourself, an attractive image, a list of up to six publications, up to six awards and up to six links. Send to gill at cafelit dot co dot uk.         
ChapeltownNeil Cambell’s Fog Lane is out now. Again, reviewers very welcome. Here is the link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fog-Lane-Neil-Campbell/dp/1910542083/  I can get the e-mobi or a PDF to you if you're willing to review.   Christopher Bowles' Spectrum, a challenging but very satisfying read. Again reviews welcome. We've not yet done a Kindle version of this as the layout is challenging and getting e-mobi technology to behave is testing all of our resources. I can send you a PDF. Be warned: there is some adult material in this. There is also a lot of beautiful writing. If you would like to buy the book, see details here.      Chapeltown has now successfully published its first picture book. Colin Wyatt’s Who will be my friend? – is a delightful story about friendship and accepting others. Yes, Colin is Debz’s dad. He is a Disney licensed illustrator and his previous publication is The Jet Set. We feel very honoured to be publishing him. The book is out now and available at https://www.amazon.co.uk/Who-Will-Be-My-Friend/dp/1910542121/ Reviews welcome. We can provide the PDF.  We’re very pleased with this book and now aim to publish more picture books. We're working on an illustrated book by Philippa Rae and we've offered two more contracts for picture books.   If you're interested in reviewing any of the above, just email me.
Creative CaféI'm now creating merchandise for the Creative Café project. The profit on anything you buy here goes to the Creative Café Project. Check this out here.    We’re always looking for new cafés.  If you visit one of the cafés in the projectand would like to write a review of between 250 and 350 words – nice, too, to have a couple of pictures – send it to me here.Do the same if you find a new café. I’m now sending out welcome letters to each new café that’s added. This will also offer them the opportunity to join the mailing list.   I’m also now proactively encouraging cafes to stock The Best of CaféLit. Do you know anyone who might like to stock it? We can offer a 35% discount to retailers. Query gill at cafelit dot co dot uk.      The Red Telephone I am now working on Richard Bradburn’s Evernrood. Our mentoring programme is now full. I’m now working quite closely with three very different authors: Charlotte Comley, Dianne Stadhams, and Nina Wadcock. They are all presenting some fascinating material. University of Salford graduates Lauren Hopes and Christian Leah have also joined our happy band.        
Book tours If you’re a Bridge House / Red Telephone / CaféLit / Chapeltown author and you want to get serious about book tours, consider our author’s kit. We provide twenty or so books (exact number is up for negotiation) you take to the bookshop and the bookshop can put these through the till. We then invoice the bookshop, with a 35% discount for any sold and top up your supply to twenty. At the end of the tour you can either pay for the remaining books at cost + 10% or keep them until you’ve sold them and then pay the normal price of 75% of RRP. The latter can in any case be set against royalties. You need to allow at least ten days between events. Contact me here if you’re interested in this.           
School Visits I’m proactively promoting my school visits associated with The House on Schellberg Street project. I’ve now developed a whole workshop for this. It starts off with a board game, includes some role play and creative writing and ends with a discussion. Costs= travel expenses plus £400 for a full day and £200 for a half day. This includes all materials and some freebies. Two schools near to each other might consider splitting the day and halving the travel expenses and fees. This is open to negotiation in any case.        I also offer a free half day visit, though you pay my travel expenses, if you allow me to promote my books.       I’m continuously adding materials for schools to the site that are different from the ones I use for the workshops. I’ve recently added in resources and books to do with the topic. See them here:       Query for a school visit here.I’m also happy to tailor a visit for your agreed donation. This can be for either a Schellberg Cycle visit or a creative writing workshop. Any monies raised this way will go specifically to a project I have for a non-fiction book about a journey that will follow the footsteps of Clara Lehrs. I’m hoping to do the whole journey by train, including departing via my nearest Metrolink station. It’s important to feel the rails beneath my feet.        I offer as well standard author visits which include readings from my books, Q & A sessions and creative writing exercises. It is now possible to purchase the kit to work on on your own. Find details here.Please remember, with these as well, I’m open to negotiation if you can’t afford the full price.  Upcoming events      The London Bridge House / CafeLit / Chapeltown / Red Telephone celebration will be 2 December at the Princess of Wales again. This year we are again “sold out” – the event is free but ticketed but it is possible to go onto a reserve list. We shall have:  general minglingcash baran opportunity to buy lunch an opportunity to buy books at an advantageous rate    “speed-dating”  where you get to speak to as many people as possible in the room i.e. promote yourself to readers, swap tips with other writersauthor readingslatest news from me  collection for a local charitybig book swap (bring one of your other titles and take something else home – hopefully all will be reviewed. If you bring a non-writing friend they can just bring a book they love)  Writing opportunities Remember I keep a full list of vetted opportunities on my writing blog. See them here. New ones are added several times a day. Roughly once a month I go through it and take out all of the out of date ones. At that point I send it out to a list. If you would like to be on that list, sign up here.     Current reading recommendations Flight of a Starling starts off with a teasing prologue. Lo has gone but we don't know whether she has died, runaway or just left. We spend most of the novel trying to find out. We don't really get many clues until page 221 out of 301. When we do, Lisa Heathfield poses a question to which there is no easy answer. We return to the opening scene at the end of the novel.Lo and Rita are sisters. They and their family are part of a travelling circus. They are just like other young adults, however.  They wonder whether the grass might be greener on the other side. Would it be better to live in one town instead of moving on all the time? They fall in love. At times they are at odds with their parents. The circus setting, however, brings a touch of the exotic. The two girls are clever and brave trapeze artists. Every night the performers gather around the barrel fire and set right their own world and the world at large. The girls avoid the witch who lives on their bunk-bed ladder in caravan Terini.Chapter by chapter the narrative switches between Lo and Rita. The reader needs to be alert at first. The voices of the two girls are similar though soon their preoccupations begin to differ so they become more recognisable. Heathfield provides a lot of dialogue and inner monologue which ensure that emotional closeness that is so important in the young adult novel.     

       Calling all writersI'm running an occasional series of interviews on my blog. Take a look at my interview with Allison Symes.  If you would like to be on my blog just answer the questions below and send them with appropriate images to gill dot james at btinternet dot com. Please feel free to pick and choose which of these to answer.    What do you write? Why this in particular?  What got you started on writing in the first place? Do you have a particular routine?  Do you have a dedicated working space? When did you decide you could call yourself a writer? Do you do that in fact? How supportive are your friends and family? Do they understand what you're doing? What are you most proud of in your writing? How do you get on with editing and research?Do you have any goals for the future? hich writers have inspired you?Please write as much or as little as you like for each section and supply as many pictures as you like. Also let me know your latest publication and supply me with a link if it's not on Amazon.                           Giveaway This month I’m giving away an e-mobi file for your Kindle of Otherwhere and Elsewhen.   Download here.You will also find in this dropbox:·         An extract from Clara’s Story·         Some seminars for schools about The House on Schellberg Street·         Some fiction writing exercises·         The opening chapters from my manual for writing the young adult novel   Note, that normally my books and the books supplied by the imprints I manage, sell for anything form £0.99 to £10.99, with most on Kindle being about £2.99 and the average price for paperback being £7.00. We have to allow our writers to make a living. But we’re offering these free samples so that you can try before you buy.   Happy reading and writing.

An Interview with Allison Symes

This is one of an occasional series of interviews with writers. I have known Allison for many years.  We hve attended several of the same conferences and when I still lived in Hampshire, we used to meet up regularly.

More recently s a publisher I've published her on CafeLit, in the Best of  CafeLit, and various Bridge House anthologies.I feel very privileged to have published her Flash Fiction collection, From Light to Dark and Back Again.   
  What do you write? Why this in particular? I write flash fiction and focus on 100-word-tales. My first collection called From Light to Dark and Back Again was published by Chapeltown Books earlier in 2017. I have also been published online by Cafelit, Alfie Dog Fiction, Scriggler (US based) and Shortbread Short Stories.

I also blog regularly for Chandler’s Ford Today often on writing matters. I blog monthly for More Than Writers, the Association of Christian Writers’ blog and am the Membership Secretary.





I started writing flash fiction thanks to spotting Cafelit’s 100-word challenge and thought I’d try it. I quickly became addicted. I had written standard short stories (and still do) for competitions but flash soon became a huge favourite.


I was recommended by a friend to send material in for Chandler's Ford Today and quickly developed a love for writing non-fiction articles.



What got you started writing in the first place?   My love of reading, thanks to my late mother’s encouragement, led directly to me wanting to see if I could do it. Once I started writing I quickly became addicted! I also soon discovered the joy of writing conferences, such as Swanwick (part of the house and grounds shown below).


Do you have a particular routine? Yes. I mainly write in the evenings but I am as consistent as possible. I do write something most days. I am hoping to change things around soon and go as full-time as possible!



Do you have a dedicated writing space? Yes. I have a desk, decent chair, my radio (tuned into Classic FM mainly but also Radio 4), and all stationery. I have my PC, printers, and lots of lovely pictures on the walls. I have mints and at least one drink to hand! My certificate for a short story from Winchester Writers’ Festival is framed and on the wall, alongside with pointed reminder (also framed) to “Don’t Ever Give Up on your Dreams”.

When did you decide you could call yourself a writer? Do you do that in fact? When I was published in print and then online regularly. I do refer to myself as a writer and plan to become as full time as possible soon. To date I’ve said I’m only part time. Time for change!

How supportive are your friends and family? Do they understand what you're doing? I’m really lucky here in that my family are supportive, as are my close friends. Not sure they understand the urge to write but I don't think it matters. What does matter is they accept it’s important for me.

What are you most proud of in your writing? My first acceptance in print, which was A Helping Hand in Bridge House Publishing’s anthology Alternative Renditions. My late mother, who taught me to read before I started school, saw this and was thrilled. Then getting to blog regularly for Chandler’s Ford Today and receiving good feedback on my posts. Being highly commended for a short story at Winchester Writers’ Festival.

Best of all was Chapeltown Books publishing my first flash fiction collection, From Light to Dark and Back Again. My late father was delighted at this. (There is a nice kind of symmetry in one parent seeing my first published story and the other my first published book). Holding my first signing events, both virtual and physical. Looking forward to more to come!




How do you get on with editing and research? I always write first and edit later. I can't edit as I go. Also I see writing and editing as two separate tasks so like to do them separately. I always feel some relief when I’ve got the first draft written as I know I’ve then got something to work into shape. I research via books and the web. I try to have something specific to research as this means I’m less at risk of being distracted by all that lovely, fascinating material out there!

Do you have any advice for new writers?  Says it all really!   Do you have any goals for the future?
 Yes. I'm writing the follow-up to From Light to Dark and Back Again. I hope to produce many flash fiction collections. I have scripts I want to rewrite and I hope to revamp my novel at some point. I hope to continue blogging but would also like to write articles for magazines in the future.

Which writers have inspired you?  I’m inspired by Jane Austen (irony), P.G. Wodehouse (sublime prose and wonderful humour) and Terry Pratchett (for proving fantasy can be funny and there is often satire in his work too). Latest Publication: From Light to Dark and Back Again published by Chapeltown Books (available in paperback and on Kindle).




Latest Publication:  From Light to Dark and Back Again published by Chapeltown Books (available in paperback and on Kindle).

 

Book Club Questions for The House on Schellberg Street

How did you experience the book? Were you engaged immediately, or did it take you a while to "get into it"? How did you feel reading it—amused,
sad, disturbed, confused, bored...?

The main characters:
• Why they do what they do?
• Are their actions justified?
• How has the past shaped their lives?
• Do you admire or disapprove of them?
• Do they remind you of people you know?

Are the main characters dynamic—changing or maturing by the end of the book? Do they learn about themselves, how the world works and their role in it?

What main ideas—themes—does the author explore?

Which parts surprised you?

Which passages strike you as insightful, even profound?

Talk about specific passages that struck you as significant—or interesting, profound, amusing, illuminating, disturbing, sad...? What was memorable?

If you could ask the author a question, what would you ask?

Has this novel changed you—broadened your perspective? Have you learned something new or been exposed to different ideas about people or a certain part of the world?

What have you learnt about this era that you didn't know before?

What is different here from your own culture?

What are the implications for the future?  

What have you understood about the following:

The blood protection laws

The race laws

Work experience for female school-leavers

War work for young women

Do you detect any trace of Nazi indoctrination in the German girls?

Why did they not understand about Father Maxfeld, Sister Kuna and Elfriede Kaiser?    

 Discuss Hanna Braun's role.  

In which ways is life normal for everyone in the story?

In which ways are they affected by the Holocaust and World War II?

Is Renate more English or German by the end of the story?
What do you make of Hans Edler?  

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