Linda Parkinson-Hardman's Blog, page 24

Meet Mike Blue, author of The Anatomy of Escape

This week, it’s the turn of Mike Blue, the author of The Anatomy of Escape: an unconventional adventure, to take a turn in the Thursday Throng. Mike describes himself as “an accountant trapped on the corporate treadmill” who now lives on a bus in the dense jungles of Northern Sumatra.

What is one thing that no-one would usually know about you?

Based on the way I live these days and the content of my writing, many might think that I am some variant of a hippie, environmentalist, anarchist or...

Meet Renata Lubinsky, author of Around Seattle in 80 Dates

Hi, and this week I’d like to introduce you all to Renata Lubinsky, author of Around Seattle in 80 Dates. After thirty-two years in one relationship, Renata divorced her husband and started a journey that she crafted on a daily basis, by using online dating sites.

What is one thing that no-one would usually know about you?

I’m living with and managing my depression for more than ten years.

What did the best review you ever had say about you and your work?

“The Most Empowering Book for Women t...

Meet Diane Epps, author of Just Because I’m Not Effin’ Famous, Doesn’t Mean I’m Not Effin’ Funny

Hi and this week, I’d like to introduce Diane Epps, a comedian who has written her fifth book, Just Because I’m Not Effin’ Famous, Doesn’t Mean I’m Not Effin’ Funny. She says, “this effin’ book came about as a result of extreme frustration – accompanied by liberal usage of the eff word – when I heard for the umpteenth time I needed to be famous to attract a well-known book publisher!”

What is one thing that no one would usually know about you?

That I’m in the Witness Protection Program. Oh,...

Meet Annie Douglass Lima, author of Heartsong

This week I’d like to welcome Annie Douglass Lima who spent most of her childhood in Kenya. She has been writing poetry, short stories, and novels since childhood, and to date has published seventeen books (fantasy, YA action and adventure novels, a puppet script, anthologies of her students’ poetry, and a Bible verse coloring and activity book). Heartsong is her 18th novel and she has kindly made the first chapter free to anyone who wants to download it. Download Heartsong Chapter 1 to read...

Changing the world doesn’t have to be through the ‘big’ stuff

Way back in 2012, I wrote a post on this blog about ‘storming the castle’. That post was supposed to be the beginning of sharing with readers the journey I’ve taken over the last 23 years with the Hysterectomy Association.

The problem was, back then, I was too shy, too worried about what other people would think, how they would judge me based on my (perceived) lack of success with my little social enterprise. Back then, I set myself up and then let myself down. But that was then!

And now here...

An interview with Julie Coons, author of This Does Not Leave This House

This week, I’d like to introduce Julie Coons, author of This Does Not Leave This House, a memoir from her childhood with an abusive mother. She wrote the book hoping to inspire positive change in the world.

What is one thing that no-one would usually know about you?

That I was an abused child

What did the best review you ever had say about you and your work?

That it was the best memoir she has ever read.

What did the worst review you ever had say about you and your work?

I got a one-star rev...

The Beeble has landed….

… just about two and half years ago. She is cute, funny and endlessly searching for the next person to adore her. She is, Belle, aka ‘The Beeble’.

She regularly reminds me that life is not about me, rather it’s about her; or rather it’s about her in the sense that she sees far more of the world than I can ever understand; she knows what’s important in life, and makes sure that takes centre stage in every minute of every day. She is generous with her affections, there when you need her; pops h...

Meet Jack Messenger, author of Farewell Olympus

Hi, and this week I’d like to introduce a British author, Jack Messenger and his book, Farewell Olympus. He writes fiction about people: the mistakes they make; the things they do to live with themselves; how the world changes them.

What is one thing that no one would usually know about you?

‘I once played volleyball with the archbishop of Barcelona’ is the first line of my novel Farewell Olympus. And I really did once play volleyball with the archbishop of Barcelona! But I never talk about...

Meet Sarah Baethge, author of The Illumination Query

This week I’d like to introduce Sarah Baethge who is will be crowdfunding for her first novel, The Illumination Query, in June. She is looking for reviewers to post a review during the crowdfunding challenge. If you’re interested you can get in touch with her through her blog here: http://sbaethge.blogspot.com.

What is one thing that no-one would usually know about you?

I can’t type but I do all of my writing on a computer.

Are the names of your characters important to you?

I can’t think of...

An interview with Vic Cavalli, author of The Road to Vermilion Lake

this week I’d like to introduce Vic Cavalli, author of the road to vermilion lake. He has been teaching Creative Writing at the university level since 2001, and is captivated by the complex interpenetrating relationships between literature and the visual arts. 

What is one thing that no one would usually know about you?

I love fishing for steelhead in the winter. The colder the weather the better—snow, wind, ice forming on the edges of the river.  Those harsh elements keep all but the true d...