Pam Lecky's Blog, page 27

First Draft Blues

It all starts with a great story idea; that light bulb moment. You can’t wait to sit down and start writing. This is far too easy, you think … until it all goes pear-shaped.

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Now, there are plotters and pantsers and I happen to fall somewhere inbetween. As it happens, I have to approach my writing a little differently these days as I have an agent. As it turns out this is a good thing. Initially, there were a few moments of panic. I dreaded having to pitch an entire book I hadn’t even written, but as it has turned out it actually makes life easier. I will never be someone who spends months pre-planning, but I am coming around to the idea of doing enough to get me started.

With your main plot points laid out in your synopsis-like pitch, it takes some of the pain out of it and gives you a timeline, and for a murder/mystery, your victim and perpetrator. All good. But is it too restrictive? That was my fear. Happily, it hasn’t been the case and the most important thing is, it still leaves room for the spontaneity that research often ignites. And I love research. Probably too much!

In my first novel, I sauntered along and the research threw up a lot of my sub-plot and some joyous characters I might never have discovered. The plot evolved slowly. This time, however, my main characters were there from the start and I find I am concentrating more on developing them than having to worry about ‘what happens next’.

So, you may think draft numero uno is a doddle. Unfortunately, writing historical fiction has many pitfalls. I am a demon for detail and can spend hours on one relatively [image error]insignificant point, to the detriment of actually writing. Detail that may not even see the final draft in the end. (Sob!) But I cannot move past until I have worked it out. Then you want to be as authentic as possible without swamping the book with detail. But how much do you assume your reader knows? It’s a balancing act.

This is even more of an issue as this book is set in 1887 Egypt. The field of Egyptology is vast. How accurate do I need to be? Do I use actual characters and locations from Ancient Egypt? Do I include real Victorian Egyptologists? I’ve never been to Egypt – how do I evoke a sense of time and place? Luckily I have two contemporary sources for my detail: Amelia Edwards (A Thousand Miles Up the Nile) and Baedeker’s Travel Guide to Egypt (1885). Both godsends and, by the way, fascinating reading.

To add to my ‘difficulties’, I am currently writing a sequel to book one of a series of three. My main character is fairly pinned down and yet she needs to evolve too. How do I keep her interesting while she figures out what is going on around her? Most important of all, she has to be an authentic Victorian displaying attitudes and mores of her time but still appealing to a 21st century audience. Yep – it’s no easy task.

But it should never be easy. You never stop honing your craft and every new tale you weave makes you a better storyteller. Some of it is fun; some of it gives you nightmares, particularly those days when you stare at an empty screen with an empty brain. But there is no greater pleasure than typing ‘the end’ on your first draft. Ahead lies months of editing but that doesn’t matter. You have nailed it.

For me, the first draft is all about getting the plot down, fleshing out your characters and doing your research. It may not resemble the final version in all respects, but no matter how painful a process it is, it is valuable and necessary.

First draft blues are common. But when the final version is published, they are soon forgotten.

A Conversation with Author Caroline E Farrell @carolineauthor

Today in the Library we have the multi-talented ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Caroline E Farrell, who has dropped in to say hello and to share some insights into her life as an author and film maker.

You are very welcome, Caroline, please introduce yourself:

[image error]I’m a writer and filmmaker from Dublin, Ireland. My current novel, Lady Beth, won the Carousel Aware Prize for Best Novel, 2017. I have also written a vampire story, Arkyne, Story of A Vampire, and have recently written and directed a short film, Framed, which is currently on the film festival circuit. Several of my feature scripts have won awards, and I have written and co-produced two other short films, Adam (2013) and the multi-award winning In Ribbons (2015).

Did you read much as a child? Are you an avid reader now? Do you prefer books in your own genre or are you happy to explore others?

My earliest experience of reading as a child is being rather frustrated because I couldn’t understand some of the words in the comic books, mostly Beano and Dandy, that my brothers had at home. I must have been only 3 or 4 years old though. My first memory of reading proper books is when I joined the library at aged 8. I am an avid reader – I worked as a librarian for 20 years, so books were always accessible. Now, I have my own library at home! I will read most genres as long as the book captures my interest in the first chapter.

Are you self-published or traditionally published?

I am an independent author, so yes, self-published. I am also an independent filmmaker. Indie spirited all the way!

Which genre do you write in and why?

I write a good bit of horror. My first novel, Arkyne, Story of a Vampire was actually an experiment to see if I could write a novel. It was a feature script initially, and I began to blog the novel chapters on my website. It co[image error]uld have died a death, but to my surprise, people began to respond to it, and to offer me encouragement and feedback, so I kept going and it’s there now, a fully formed novel. My second novel, Lady Beth is a gritty thriller, and to my absolute joy, it has been described as gothic writing. My current work in progress is supernatural and ghostly.

Who has been the biggest influence on your writing?

I have been inspired by many people, from authors and filmmakers, friends, family and most of all, my better half – my biggest supporter in terms of encouragement. Rather than a ‘who’ though, I think my life experiences to date have been my biggest influence – personally, writing gives meaning to life and to all the joy and sadness in between the everyday stuff.

Has your country of origin/culture influenced your writing?

I would say yes, from the Celtic myth and magic of my writings in the supernatural genre, to the gritty reality of city living that inspired Lady Beth, I absorb my cultural world as I know and experience it, the light and shade of it.

What part of the writing process do you find most difficult? How do you overcome it?

I tend to let ideas percolate for quite a while before I put pen to paper, and often, getting down to the first pass of a draft can be daunting. I quite like the day-dreaming stage of creating story, but once the actual writing begins, things get serious! It is difficult work and so it should be.

Do you have a favourite time of day to write?

I don’t have a favourite time. As long as I am alone, I can disappear inside my head and write for hours. Sometimes, I am so engrossed, I forget to eat!

  What is the best thing about being an author? And the flipside – what is the worst?

[image error]The best thing about being a writer for me is, having written, when someone takes time to tell me that they’ve enjoyed reading my work. There is no better reward than that. The worst thing has got to be the struggle for exposure to reach a potential readership. It is difficult for any author to break through, no matter how talented – but it is even more difficult if you don’t have a publishing house behind you. I’m not complaining though, it is a choice, and I support the ideal of celebrating good writing and great stories, regardless of who publishes it, or how it is published.

Is social media an essential chore or something you enjoy? Which forum do you prefer?

I love the connection element of social media. It is such an important forum for authors, trad and Indie, so for the most part, I enjoy it. I use Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. They can complement each other.

If you weren’t an author, what would you be up to?

I do a little facilitation and teaching now and again, so I would probably do more of that if I weren’t an author.

It’s the last day and the earth is facing oblivion – what book would you read?

I’d go back to a classic favourite, The Picture of Dorian Gray. So much going on in that book, pure escapism, but also dealing with subject matter that is just as relevant today. Wilde was way ahead of his time!

Please tell us what you are working on at the moment.

I am currently on what I hope to be the final draft of a supernatural ghost story. It’s challenging but it wouldn’t be worthwhile if it wasn’t! I hope to have it ready for publication later this year.

If you would like to know more about Caroline and her work, please check out her social media links below:

Website: http://carolinefarrellwriter.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarolineAuthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarolineFarrellAuthor/

Caroline’s Books:

Lady Beth: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lady-Beth-Caroline-Farrell/dp/1533698597

Arkyne, Story of a Vampire: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Arkyne-Story-Vampire-Celtic-horror/dp/1975622464

 

Historical Fiction Cover Winner September 2018 with @byzyeileen @jldean_writer & Tamar Anolic

What draws you to a historical fiction book cover? 

Each month I will be choosing my ‘Pam’s Pick’. Hopefully, you will be intrigued enough to look beyond the covers I feature and find your next favourite author. If a cover interests you just click on the link to learn more about the book.

My September winner is:
Imperial Passions by Eileen Stephenson 

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Eileen’s cover really pops with the strong yellow/gold theme. The use of the building instantly brings you to Constantinople and had me intrigued straightaway. Congratulations Eileen!

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At the center of Byzantine society, fifteen-year-old orphaned Anna Dalassena lives with her grandparents among the most powerful men and women in Constantinople until the cutthroat imperial politics of the Great Palace sends the family into exile in a distant corner of the empire. Her bleak situation finally turns promising after meeting the handsome young soldier, John Comnenus, and his brother Isaac, before they are finally permitted to return to Constantinople.

The vicious power struggles, uprisings, and betrayals at the highest levels of the empire push Anna and John unwillingly into its center as they struggle to deal with their own tragedies. When rebellion puts her life and those of everyone she loves at risk, is the reward – a throne for her family – too big a gamble?

To find out more, please click here

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As always, it was difficult to choose. Here are some other wonderful covers to tempt you!

 

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Triumph of a Tsar is a work of alternate historical fiction in which the Russian Revolution is averted, and the hemophiliac Alexei, son of Tsar Nicholas II, comes to the throne. In August, 1920, sixteen-year-old Alexei is enjoying his birthday celebrations when Nicholas dies suddenly. Overnight, Alexei becomes tsar of an empire that covers one-sixth of the world’s landmass. The Great War is over, but Russia is still suffering from the devastation and poverty that it brought. Communists such as Lenin, Stalin and Trotsky view the political situation as ripe for revolution, but they realize that the popular Alexei stands in their way.

To make matters worse, Alexei’s hemophilia, the disease that has threatened him his whole life, returns to haunt him. With his life in constant danger from internal threats, Alexei must also navigate the external threats of fascism and Adolph Hitler. Slowly, Hitler’s menace increases throughout Europe until he tries to kill Alexei himself. Only then does Alexei realize that another World War is the only way to stop his German enemy.

To find out more, please click here
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“They are ordinary men, Mr Ellis, ordinary men with ordinary vices. They don’t become more than men because they may be required to sacrifice their lives for us.”

And I Shall Be Healed follows the experiences of a young army chaplain 1916-17, both at home in West Sussex and with the British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front. Haunted by an unhappy upbringing and a mistake for which he cannot forgive himself, he struggles to put the past behind him and support the men he has been called to serve.

To find out more, please click here

 

And the not so small print: the judge’s decision is final (that would be me!) and is highly subjective.

Please note this is a cover competition only and does not constitute a review of any of the books featured. It’s up to you to explore. Happy Reading!

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Watch out every month for the next featured selection of great covers, and don’t forget, if you read a book and love it, post a review and make an author happy.


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Historical Fiction Cover Winner August 2018 with @CKullmannAuthor @susiewrites @charland74

What draws you to a historical fiction book cover? 

Each month I will be choosing my ‘Pam’s Pick’. Hopefully, you will be intrigued enough to look beyond the covers I feature and find your next favourite author. If a cover interests you just click on the link to learn more about the book.

My August winner is:
A Suggestion of Scandal by Catherine Kullmann 

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Catherine’s covers are always wonderful as she uses images from the time to evoke the period. This book is in my TBR pile and I’m looking forward to it. Congratulations to Catherine!

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If only he could find a lady who was tall enough to meet his eyes, intelligent enough not to bore him and who had that certain something that meant he could imagine spending the rest of his life with her.

As Sir Julian Loring returns to his father’s home, he never dreams that that lady could be Rosa Fancourt, his half-sister Chloe’s governess. Rosa is no longer the gawky girl fresh from a Bath academy whom he first met ten years ago. Today, she intrigues him. But just as they begin to draw closer, she disappears—in very dubious circumstances. Julian cannot bring himself to believe the worst of Rosa, but if she is blameless the truth could be even more shocking, with far-reaching repercussions for his own family, especially Chloe.

Later, driven by her concern for Chloe, Rosa accepts an invitation to spend some weeks at Castle Swanmere, home of Julian’s maternal grandfather. The widowed Meg Overton has also been invited and she is determined not to let the extremely eligible Julian slip through her fingers again.

When a ghost from Rosa’s past returns to haunt her, and Meg discredits Rosa publicly, Julian must decide where his loyalties lie.

To find out more, please click here

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Well we have a strong Irish theme going this month! Here are some other wonderful covers to tempt you!

 

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It’s 1828, and Ireland is in turmoil as Irish tenants protest against their upper-class English landlords.

Nineteen-year-old Bridget Muldowney is thrilled to return to the estate in Carlow she’ll inherit when she comes of age. But since she left for Dublin seven years earlier, the tomboy has become a refined young lady, engaged to be married to a dashing English gentleman.

Cormac McGovern, now a stable hand on the estate, has missed his childhood friend. He and Bridget had once been thick as thieves, running wild around the countryside together.

When Bridget and Cormac meet again their friendship begins to rekindle, but it’s different now that they are adults. Bridget’s overbearing mother, determined to enforce the employer-servant boundaries, conspires with Bridget’s fiancé to keep the pair apart.

With the odds stacked against them, can Bridget and Cormac’s childhood attachment blossom into something more?

To find out more, please click here
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On assignment at a G8 conference near Berlin, Detective Chief Inspector Detlef Schmitt inadvertently uncovers a number of intriguing documents dating back to the Second World War. Unaware of their true significance he removes them, even though his heavy-handed approach places his career in jeopardy.

After a seemingly unrelated case leads Schmitt to a bank in München, he suspects that there is an inextricable link between the bank and the documents. A high-ranking politician takes a sudden interest in the enquiry and this, coupled with an attempt on Schmitt’s life, convinces him that there are dark forces at play who want the past to remain buried…..literally.

To find out more, please click here

 

And the not so small print: the judge’s decision is final (that would be me!) and is highly subjective.

Please note this is a cover competition only and does not constitute a review of any of the books featured. It’s up to you to explore. Happy Reading!

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Watch out every month for the next featured selection of great covers, and don’t forget, if you read a book and love it, post a review and make an author happy.


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Historical Fiction Cover Winner July 2018

What draws you to a historical fiction book cover? 

Each month I will be choosing my ‘Pam’s Pick’. Hopefully, you will be intrigued enough to look beyond the covers I feature and find your next favourite author. If a cover interests you just click on the link to learn more about the book.

My July winner is:
Thoreau’s Wound by Danny Kuhn 

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This is such a beautiful image – moody and very Celtic. Congratulations to Danny!

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Young Finbar Laverty, displaced by Ireland’s Tithe Wars and family treachery, attempts a new start by moving with his volatile wife Maggie, a follower of the Old Religion, from the Cork countryside to bustling Dublin. He is recruited by his friend Dr. James Wilde to help disinter the body of Dean Jonathan Swift during the renovation of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, but commits an act of vengeance and is forced to flee Ireland.

Seeking fortune in London, Finbar’s inadvertent participation in a Royal conspiracy involving a young court reporter puts him on the run again, this time to America.

The Lavertys begin to think they have found peace in New Hampshire, but suspicion surrounding a female body revealed by the melting ice on Bodge’s Pond and the anti-Irish Catholic frenzy ignited by the Know-Nothings sends Finbar to Concord, Massachusetts.  His new bosses’ son, Henry David Thoreau, introduces him to new ideas, Abolitionist activism, and the most influential circle of literary figures in America’s history.

While Finbar’s adopted country is about to be torn apart by civil war, his family is also threatened when the consequences of old sins return to haunt him.

To find out more, please click here

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Here are some other wonderful covers to tempt you!

 

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London, 1786. Lord Henri-Antoine has returned from the Grand Tour to a life of privilege and excess. A vast inheritance allows him every indulgence, free from responsibility. Yet, Henri-Antoine maintains a well-ordered existence, going to great lengths to conceal an affliction few understand and many fear.

Miss Lisa Crisp is a penniless orphan who relies on the charity of relatives to keep her from the poorhouse. Intelligent and unflappable, Lisa will not allow poverty to define her. She leads a useful life working among the sick poor.

Under startling circumstances, Henri-Antoine and Lisa meet. There is instant attraction. When they find themselves attending the same wedding in the country, Henri-Antoine offers Lisa a scandalous proposition, one she should refuse but yearns to accept. Following her heart could ruin them both.

A standalone romantic adventure set against the backdrop of Treat, ancestral home of the dukes of Roxton. SATYR’S SON will delight fans of the series with cameos by many beloved characters, while new readers will discover the myriad pleasures and glittering aristocratic world of the Roxton family through the fresh eyes of newcomer Lisa Crisp. SATYR’S SON is a Cinderella story with a heartwarming Happily Ever After.

To find out more, please click here
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Bill, a farm boy brought up in a village on the Duke of Buccleuch’s Northamptonshire estate, is plucking up his courage to ask his sweetheart, Florrie, to marry him. Florrie has given up her dream of being a dancer to bring up her siblings and protect them from their violent, sexually abusive widowed father. For her, marriage to Bill is love, escape, and protection: a dream to be clung to.

When war breaks out in August 1914, Bill and Florrie’s dreams are dashed – Bill is sent with the Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars, a yeomanry cavalry regiment, to fight in Gallipoli, Egypt, and Palestine taking with him a horse, Copper, volunteered for service by the 7th duke’s young daughter, Lady Alice. Bill makes promises before he leaves: to marry Florrie if he survives and to bring his beloved warhorse, Copper, home safe to Lady Alice.

While Bill fights Turks and Germans in appalling conditions, Florrie fights her own war with rationing, poverty, the loss of her menfolk, and her father’s drunken temper. As the war proceeds, fearful and with her resilience faltering, her feelings of self-worth plummet, and she turns to her dandelion clocks for reassurance. ‘He lives? He lives not? He loves me? He loves me not?’

When Bill returns to England six months after the armistice in 1918, both he and Florrie have been changed by their personal journeys. Has their love survived five years apart and the tragedies they’ve endured? Can Bill keep his promises to Florrie and Lady Alice?

To find out more, please click here

 

And the not so small print: the judge’s decision is final (that would be me!) and is highly subjective.

Please note this is a cover competition only and does not constitute a review of any of the books featured. It’s up to you to explore. Happy Reading!

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Watch out every month for the next featured selection of great covers, and don’t forget, if you read a book and love it, post a review and make an author happy.


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In the Library with Irish Author Susie Murphy @susiemwrites

This evening in the Library we have ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Susie Murphy, who has dropped in to say hello and to share some insights into her life as a debut author.

[image error] You are very welcome, Susie, particularly as you are a fellow Irish historical fiction author. Please introduce yourself: 

I have been writing stories since I was eleven years old so publishing my first novel this week is a dream come true for me! My book, A Class Apart, is the first volume in my six-part series A Matter of Class.

Did you read much as a child? Are you an avid reader now? Do you prefer books in your own genre or are you happy to explore others?

I have a vivid memory of me at age seven climbing a stairs and going through big double doors into a library in Waterford. The awe that I felt in that moment was when my love of books began. I was a voracious reader in those early days (a lot of Enid Blyton and Ann M. Martin), and my mother says my most common phrase at the time was ‘I finished the book’. That carried on through my teens (I read The Lord of the Rings twice in a row in the few months running up to my Junior Cert state exams…), but college was my period of drought – I read a grand total of two books in three years. Since then, however, I am never without a book. My Kindle goes everywhere with me in my bag and I always have an audiobook in the car.

While historical fiction is my favourite genre, I do enjoy a lot of fantasy and young adult books too. I’m open to reading anything but love stories are my hook. So if the book has even a small romantic storyline you’ll have me invested in it, no matter what genre it is.

  Are you self-published or traditionally published?

I am a self-published author. I did make attempts to go down the traditional publishing route and received my fair share of rejections, all of which I value because I used the feedback to make my book better. Over time, self-publishing became the more appealing option to me as I love the idea of having full control over my book. I get the final say on the edit and cover design and promotion, and that’s very appealing to me.

Which genre do you write in and why?

I write historical fiction set in the 1800s. I find the past a truly captivating place to escape to. I especially love  the 19th century because it’s near enough to modern times to be somewhat relatable and yet is still so different to the way we live now. The customs of the time fascinate me – I adore the idea of writing a letter with a quill, stepping into a horse-drawn carriage to go to a ball, marking the name of a dashing gentleman on a dance card. Don’t get me wrong, I have no illusions about the hardships of the era! Of course there were many inequalities and poor conditions, particularly for the lower classes. But I do love to daydream…

Who has been the biggest influence on your writing?

Diana Gabaldon, author of the Outlander series. I just discovered her books in the last three years and can only wonder how I ever survived before that. Remember how I said I’m hooked by love stories? Well, I believe Outlander is the greatest love story out there. I really admire Gabaldon for the way she tells such a gripping tale, and evokes the time period with amazing detail, and makes a reader feel like they will burst if they don’t read on. I have learned so much from her about characterisation and structure and historical settings. Reading her books made me realise that I had been writing my own series in a little bubble. Outlander showed me the scale of historical fiction and gave me the encouragement to expand my series beyond the limited boundaries I had originally set for it. And Gabaldon’s writing style is exactly the kind I like – while I can’t emulate it, I can strive to make my own better because of it.

Has your country of origin/culture influenced your writing?

I’m from Ireland and my book is set in Ireland, so yes! The 19th century was a turbulent time in Irish history and I felt it served as the perfect backdrop to the story I wanted to write. They say ‘write what you know’ – I obviously haven’t lived in the 1800s, but I studied Irish history in school, and I learned how to speak Irish, and I know what it feels like to walk around my grandparents’ old Irish cottage and smell a peat fire, and those kinds of things were definitely helpful in crafting my story.

What part of the writing process do you find most difficult? How do you overcome it?

Writing without editing. When I’m drafting brand new sections, I itch to read back as I go along to make sure what I’ve written is making sense and properly punctuated. But that’s the best way to blunder to a halt and never make any forward progress. I have to just put the head down and remind myself that I can edit later. Oh, but what did I say three paragraphs ago— edit later. Oh, but just one quick look— edit LATER.

Do you have a favourite time of day to write?

I gain a certain satisfaction from writing first thing in the morning and achieving some small goal while still in my pyjamas! Then the day is off to a good start. However, I have also had some special writing sessions burning the midnight oil, when only myself and my characters are awake.

What is the best thing about being an author? And the flipside – what is the worst?

The best thing is having a reader react positively to what I’ve written, whether it’s a blog post, a short story or a novel. It makes me so happy to know I’ve accomplished something that has resonated with someone else.

The worst thing is the crippling self-doubt. Who am I to think I can write anything? But getting the type of reaction above is the boost that encourages me to keep going.

Is social media an essential chore or something you enjoy? Which forum do you prefer?

I recognise social media as an essential aspect of being an author in this day and age, but I don’t view it as a chore. I think it’s a privilege to get so close to other authors and readers in what was once quite an isolated occupation. I do wish I was better at it though! I agonise over every post and tweet before I hit send. Of all the forums, I enjoy Twitter the most as a place to discover interesting links, read entertaining tweets, and interact with lovely people!

If you weren’t an author, what would you be up to?

As my writing career is only just taking off, I still work by day as a piano teacher. One of the nicest parts of my job is walking down the school corridors and hearing music coming from every room (even if there’s still some scope for improvement…!).

For years I have devoted all my free time to developing my writing, but if I wasn’t doing that I think I’d like to join a choir for fun. I’m no opera singer but I can hold a tune and love to sing harmonies. I’ve been in choirs in school and college and there’s a great joy in hearing the different vocal parts combine to make one beautiful sound.

It’s the last day and the earth is facing oblivion – what book would you read?

 Just one? A cruel question, if ever I heard one! I have always had a huge affection for Watership Down by Richard Adams as it was my favourite book to read as a child. Although I think I would probably get some strange looks to have my nose in a book while it’s raining fire from the sky.

Please tell us about your debut novel: 

A Class Apart, is available in both ebook and paperback from July 10th. Set in Ireland in 1828, it’s the first book in my six-part historical fiction series A Matter of Class. The series follows heiress Bridget and stable hand Cormac who are on opposite sides of the class divide – and because of that, society says they shouldn’t fall in love. Keep an eye out for the second volume, A Class Entwined, coming in 2019!

Buy Link: Amazon UK

 

Thank you very much for having me today, Pam!

I am sure we would all like to wish Susie the very best of luck with her debut release tomorrow and her future writing career. It was a pleasure to chat to her this evening.

If you would like to know about Susie and her work, please check out the links below:

Website: www.susiemurphywrites.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/susiemurphywrites

Twitter: www.twitter.com/susiemwrites

In the Library with Author Sarah Dahl

This evening in the Library we have Sarah Dahl, who has dropped in to say hello and to share some insights into her life as an author.

Sarah, you are very welcome. Please introduce yourself:

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I live on the edge of the rural German Eifel and write historical fiction primarily set in the Viking age. I’m interested in everyday life in bygone centuries and the human stories that may have occurred behind the hard, historical facts. I don’t focus on the kings and chieftains, but the very people battling to love and survive. The “You & Me” of previous centuries, because to them I can relate most. Find my books on sarah-dahl.com

Are you an avid reader now? Do you prefer books in your own genre or are you happy to explore others?

I’ve always been and still am an avid reader. I always read half a dozen books simultaneously: on the desk and floors: research books and articles, on the desk and nightstand: histfic by authors I adore (try Nicola Griffith), and on the nightstand and my phone, for pure relaxation: some cosy crime or thrillers. I can’t read in exactly my own genre, which I would describe as sensual histfic romance – I’m too close to it. I can’t relax, I analyse, criticise, I am too brutal or too envious, in case the writing is rubbish or really great. It’s a Berufskrankheit (trade disease) as we say

Historical Fiction Cover Winner June 2018

What draws you to a historical fiction book cover? 

Each month I will be choosing my ‘Pam’s Pick’. Hopefully, you will be intrigued enough to look beyond the covers I feature and find your next favourite author. If a cover interests you just click on the link to learn more about the book.

My June winner is:
Chasing Ghosts by Madalyn Morgan 

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This month there is a bit of a theme going on and this cover triggered it! What a clever cover this is – perfectly fits its genre. Even the title caught my eye. The use of a sepia image and the red text is just perfect. The good news is that this is only one book in a 6 book series. Congratulations to Madalyn!

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In 1949 after receiving treatment for shell shock in Canada, Claire’s husband disappears.

Has Mitch left her for the woman he talks about in his sleep? Or is he on the run from accusations of wartime treachery?

Claire goes to France in search of the truth, aided by old friends from the Resistance.

To find out more, please click here

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Continuing our WW2 theme, here are some other wonderful covers.

 

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The Yankee Years series: During the Second World War Northern Ireland hosted American, British and Canadian troops. County Fermanagh welcomed Air Force squadrons hunting U-boats and defending shipping convoys in the Atlantic Ocean and Army battalions training and preparing for deployment to Europe’s Western Front. After the Allied troops arrived, life would never be the same again. The Yankee Years novels and Short Reads weave thrilling and romantic tales of the people and the era.

To find out more, please click here
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When an accomplished dancer is injured before the international jitterbug contest, June is tapped to take her place. June struggles to overcome her fears, win the contest, and not fall in love with her—otherwise engaged—dance partner.

Fifty years earlier, WW2 era, another 18-year-old jitterbug, Violet, leads the life June and her friends emulate. But Violet’s life begins to unravel when she and her sailor beau find her grifting father passed out on her doorstep, blood oozing from his head.

They race against his deployment to tie the knot before the war can tear them apart. When his letters mysteriously stop arriving, Violet is forced to make the decision of a lifetime alone.

Half a century later, while practicing for the contest, June finds an antique dress which may lead her to the one person she’s been looking for, her biological grandmother, and the key to unlocking a fifty year-old mystery.

THE GIRL IN THE JITTERBUG DRESS is the parallel story of two young women struggling with love, loss, and redemption, united across generations by a 1940’s swing dress. 

To find out more, please click here

 

And the not so small print: the judge’s decision is final (that would be me!) and is highly subjective.

Please note this is a cover competition only and does not constitute a review of any of the books featured. It’s up to you to explore. Happy Reading!

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Watch out every month for the next featured selection of great covers, and don’t forget, if you read a book and love it, post a review and make an author happy.


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A Conversation with Author Patricia Asedegbega

This evening in the Library we have Patricia Asedegbega, who has dropped in to say hello and to share some insights into her life as an author.

You are very welcome, Patricia, please introduce yourself: 

[image error]I live in sunny Spain and have been writing for about six years now. I started with a collection of cat stories to raise funds for a shelter and then moved on to my first suspense novel. I write both in Spanish and English and have series in both languages. Though I am a biologist, writing is my true passion. I feel incredibly lucky to be able to do what I love.

Did you read much as a child? Are you an avid reader now? Do you prefer books in your own genre or are you happy to explore others?

I devoured books as a child and read everything I could get my hands on. I still enjoy doing so now although I have less time. I like discovering new authors in my favourite genre which is suspense.

Are you self-published or traditionally published?

My first two books were co-published but I can´t say the results were satisfactory, so I have been self-published since then. I like being able to control everything in the creative process.

Which genre do you write in and why?

I write suspense with a touch of my particular brand of humour. I´ve always liked reading mystery novels with the ability to surprise me. so choosing to write in that genre was something that came very natural to me.

Who has been the biggest influence on your writing?

Definitely Agatha Christie, I started reading her wok when I was quite young and through the years I have reread most of her books. I think her writing style has stood the passage of time.

Has your country of origin/culture influenced your writing?

I am half Spanish and half Nigerian and I´ve been lucky to have lived in both countries. Their diverse cultures have enriched my life and as a result, my writing. I do hope this comes across to the reader when they read my books.

What part of the writing process do you find most difficult? How do you overcome it?

I enjoy almost every part of the writing process, even when I get blocked. For me the difficulty lies in what comes afterwards. I do not at all enjoy the marketing aspect, I wish I could just write and write, but I do want to get my work out there.

Do you have a favourite time of day to write?

For now I have to write in my spare time when I´m done with my day job so I do so mostly at weekends.

What is the best thing about being an author? And the flipside – what is the worst?

I love developing an idea, creating characters and somehow bringing the plot to life. Getting feedback from readers is something that makes my day as it has been mainly positive; they encourage me to go on. The worst part for me would be dealing with marketing the book.

Is social media an essential chore or something you enjoy? Which forum do you prefer?

Definitely a chore because it takes time away from writing or doing other things, but I know it is a necessity and a good tool to use to reach and inform readers. I guess Facebook would be my favourite.

If you weren’t an author, what would you be up to?

I would have loved to follow my second passion and become a chef.

It’s the last day and the earth is facing oblivion – what book would you read?

The Bible.

Please tell us about  your latest published work.

[image error]I just released Class of 2008 for pre-order. It is the sequel to I stand corrected and is a suspense series co-narrated by a cat and his mistress from their very different points of view.

After surviving the near-death experience at the hands of her husband, “cold eyes,” Rosario and her feline friend Balou are trying to get some semblance of normality back into their lives A new home, new surroundings, old friends, and plenty of rest is just what the doctor ordered, had he been consulted. Balou’s law of minimum effort means days spent licking his paws in the sun, but Balou’s practice is soon shaken to its very foundation. When a dear friend’s innocent class reunion goes horribly wrong, their peace is shattered. In a race against time, the amateur sleuths navigate the muddy waters of old secrets and friendships to try to save the day, but the clock is ticking and it might very well be too late…

This gripping new tale of suspense is the second in the Rosario and Balou series, from the author of I Stand Corrected.

Class of 2008 is now available for pre-order. Click here.

If you would like to know more about Patricia and her work, please see the links below:

 

https://www.facebook.com/PatriciasUniverse/
https://www.instagram.com/patriciaspen/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_14?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=patricia+asedegbega&sprefix=patricia+asede%2Caps%2C239&crid=1PLYBMGH774VN

A Conversation with Author Mimi Matthews

Today in the library, I have a very special guest; fellow Victorianist and historical fiction author, Mimi Matthews. I have been following Mimi’s super blog posts for ages and always been impressed by her knowledge of the Victorian era. Having read two of her novels (which I can highly recommend), I am looking forward to the release of her newest book on Victorian beauty and fashion in July. Her novel, The Lost Letter is on special promotion at the moment (a cracking read); see details and link below.

You are very welcome, Mimi, please introduce yourself: 

I’m an author of both historical non-fiction and historical romance. My books include The Pug Who Bit Napoleon, The Lost Letter, and The Viscount and the Vicar’s Daughter.

Did you read much as a child? Are you an avid reader now? Do you prefer books in your own genre or are you happy to explore others?

I was a total bookworm as a child. I read everything available—literally everything—and still do. My tastes are pretty broad. I love historical romance and historical non-fiction, of course, but I also really enjoy epic fantasy, horror, and classic literature. Suffice to say, if it’s well written, I’ll read it.

Are you self-published or traditionally published?

I’m a hybrid author, which means that some of my books are traditionally published and some are published as an indie author.

Which genre do you write in and why?

I write both historical non-fiction and historical romance. Why? I simply love the 19th century. I’ve been researching and writing about it for quite a few years. There’s nothing I enjoy more than discovering some quirky bit of Victorian history.

Who has been the biggest influence on your writing?

So many authors! Jane Austen, the Brontë’s, Elizabeth Gaskell, Georgette Heyer, Amanda Quick. I’ve also been lucky to have lots of positive influences on my writing in regular life—from my first literary agent to college and law professors. The most consistent influence has, of course, been my mom. She’s always been encouraging, even when I was very young and wouldn’t let her read my novels.

Has your country of origin/culture influenced your writing?

[image error]I’m an American—or, more specifically, a Californian—but I don’t think it’s had much influence on my writing. My non-fiction books deal primarily with 19th century history and my novels are set in Victorian England. It’s all very different from where I live in real life!

What part of the writing process do you find most difficult? How do you overcome it?

It’s often really hard for me to make time to write, especially during times of stress. I don’t usually prioritize my writing unless I have a deadline. Having a firm deadline really helps me to stay on track.

Do you have a favourite time of day to write?

Mid-morning to mid-afternoon is my most productive time. But if I’m inspired, I’ll write whenever I can.

What is the best thing about being an author? And the flipside – what is the worst?

For me, the solitude is both the best thing and the worst thing. I really like being alone and quiet so I can focus on my work, but too much solitude can be a little depressing.

Is social media an essential chore or something you enjoy? Which forum do you prefer?

I was never on social media until my literary agent said I had to join in order to establish an “author platform.” Initially, I really resented it. Now, however, there are definitely parts I enjoy. Twitter is my favorite, but Facebook is better for sharing images from my research or posting news about my books.

If you weren’t an author, what would you be up to?

I’m a lawyer in real life, so I’d probably just continue doing that.

It’s the last day and the earth is facing oblivion – what book would you read?

Oh gosh. Probably The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The final lines are pure poetry. Then again, if the earth was facing oblivion, I’m not sure I’d be in much of a reading mood…

Please tell us what you are working on at the moment:

My next non-fiction book A Victorian Lady’s Guide to Fashion and Beauty is coming out in July Click here to pre-order.

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My next Victorian romance The Matrimonial Advertisement is coming out in September. Click here to pre-order.

In addition, Tantor Media will be releasing the audiobook version of my Victorian romance The Lost Letter later this month. To celebrate, The Lost Letter ebook is on sale for 99p/99¢ from June 4-10. Click here.

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If you would like to know more about Mimi and her work, please check out her links below:

Website: https://www.mimimatthews.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MimiMatthewsAuthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/