New from Devon Authors

[Ian]

Anya wrote: "Hi

I have had two short stories published in anthologies in the last couple of months:

Firstly, my dark fantasy tale, "Territory", appears in [book:Hell's Kitties and Other Beastly Beasts|3248781..."

Thanks Anya - and congratulations on getting them published. Are you working on something new now?

[Ian]

Devon writer Graham Hurley, who joined one of our events in Sidmouth last year, has just published his latest book called Finnistere. The book has already featured as a Sunday Times Star Pick. Congratulations to Graham.

Sounds like a great read.

"Germany, September 1944: Dozens of cities lie in ruins. Enemy armies are at the gates. For the Thousand Year Reich, time is running out. Desperate to avoid the humiliation of unconditional surrender, German intelligence launch Operation Finisterre – a last-ditch plan to enable Hitler to deny the savage logic of a war on two fronts and bluff his way to the negotiating table.

Success depends on two individuals: Stefan Portisch, a German naval officer washed ashore on the coast of Spain after the loss of his U-boat, and Hector Gómez, an ex-FBI detective, planted by Director J. Edgar Hoover in the middle of the most secret place on earth: the American atomic bomb complex. Both men will find themselves fighting for survival as Operation Finisterre plays itself out.

[Lucy]

Hello everyone! I recently won Amazon's Christmas writing competition, and you can download the children's book for free until Christmas Day! Here's the link - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sol-Slugs-Ni...

[Kathy]

Lucy wrote: "Hello everyone! I recently won Amazon's Christmas writing competition, and you can download the children's book for free until Christmas Day! Here's the link - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sol-Slugs-Ni..."

Congratulations, Lucy. Brilliant!

[Jane]

Well done Lucy.

And a Merry Christmas

[Ruth]

Great news Lucy, well done!

[Ruth]

Thanks Anya - well done on the nomination!

[Ian]

Anya wrote: "My short story, "The Legacy of the Butterfly King", which was first published in Speculative Story Bites earlier this year, is now available to read for free on the World Weaver Pre..."

That's brilliant news Anya - congratulations

[Ian]

I had the pleasure of meeting up with Barnstaple children's author and toddler tamer extraordinaire, Lisa McNeill earlier today, someone I am sure we will hear a lot more from in the years to come. I am hoping to organise an event in North Devon in the Spring and Lisa will be one of the featured authors. Her debut book is called The Lonely Lighthouse - you can find details here: http://lonelylighthousebo.wixsite.com...

Lisa writes children's picture books and works with close friend and illustrator, Antony Carlyon to bring her books to life. She also works as a Marketing Manager in a small marketing agency and lives in North Devon with her husband Stuart and their 2 year old son.
I asked Lisa how she would describe her approach to writing and this is what she told me

"I'd say I've always had an active imagination and loved reading from a very early age. I enjoy writing about things which capture my imagination, things I might have wanted to read as a child. Comforting, whimsical and fun. With a happy ending, I'm a hopeless lover of happy endings!"

Lisa is currently working on two more books, both of which she plans to publish this year - watch this space for details in the months to come.

[Colin]

Hello everyone,

During the day I am a manager with Libraries Unlimited. And by night I have always enjoyed writing.

With that in mind I thought I would share a journey still very much in progress. Last month I created a profile on the freelancing site, Upwork. I then pitched for writing work through the site - in particular, seeking to write non-fiction/community orientated content. As a result I got one job, to write training materials for a life coach in New Zealand (of all things). Then it got really interesting.

I was approached over Christmas by someone in America wanting assistance with research and framing of her book about gender (in)equality in the church. She had found my profile via a keyword search within the freelancing site, in particular, through reference to my feminist blog:

http://afeministman.blogspot.co.uk/?m=1

Short story shorter, we started discussing the book 10 days ago, and she has since offered me an opportunity to treat the book as a true collaboration. All this has been a total surprise.

My point, really, is that if you put yourself out there and take a chance as a writer, you never know who is paying attention or where it might go.

Long way to go, but even to get to this point is very exciting. Thanks to Ian for encouraging me to post this story

[Ian]

Colin wrote: "Hello everyone,

During the day I am a manager with Libraries Unlimited. And by night I have always enjoyed writing.

With that in mind I thought I would share a journey still very much in progres..."

Thanks Colin - and I am delighted you have. I always knew that libraries staff led a very shadowy existence, operating in the twilight world.

Many congratulations and what a great start to the new year. This sounds like a really exciting venture for you and I would love it if you would share your journey towards publication with us - and I am sure many of our friendly writers will offer you support should you need it.

Its also great to have some posts about non-fiction. I know many of our members enjoy non fiction works.

Good luck withe the project and keep us up to date as you progress. Best Wishes Ian

[Colin]

Thank you Ian, I will :)

[J.G.]

Hello Devon Book group - I'm curious about the influence of Devon, its quirky, traditional ways (pannier markets and old-fashioned, welcoming pubs); the scenery and coastline etc on different authors' writing. I have lived away from Devon for many years, travelled widely and now live in rural Andalucia (with a Spanish husband), but I am very aware that the Devon I grew up in is present in my novels - especially 'Local Resistance'. This is WWII murder mystery set in a Cornish fishing village - but some of the characters and parts of narrative come directly from my North Devon past. The next book in this new series is at planning stage - its set in a fictitious version of Bideford and surrounding area. I prefer fictitious locations for C20 novels because one has to be so careful about not offending and getting facts right. Nonetheless, the real Devon will be there. BTW - C17 Plymouth features in my upcoming Ludo da Portovenere story: 'A Turning Wind'.
I look forward to discussing this with fellow authors and interested readers. Local Resistance

[B.A.]

Hello Everyone, my second Devon-set novel featuring DCI Dan Hellier, Death and the Good Son, came out just before Christmas. I will be doing a book signing at WH Smith in Exeter centre between 2 and 4pm on Saturday 4th February 2017. I'd love to meet some of you there. Also, as I've never done anything like this before, I'd really appreciate some friendly faces just coming in to say hello so I'm not sat there like piffy on a rock bun staring at the desk! Thanks.

[Ian]

B.A. wrote: "Hello Everyone, my second Devon-set novel featuring DCI Dan Hellier, Death and the Good Son, came out just before Christmas. I will be doing a book signing at WH Smith in Exeter centre between 2 an..."


Hope it goes well Bernie - sadly not in Exeter that day or I'd have popped in. Can you send me some details about the book and I'll let people know on FB x

[Su]

So sorry, Bernie - we have an Exeter Writers meeting that afternoon! If you're still in Exeter, we go to the pub afterwards (about 4.30) and you're welcome to join us. My email is bristowsu@gmail.com. Good luck! x Su

[Su]

We discussed it at today's meeting, and some of us will take a long tea break and come to say hello. You won't be alone! x Su

[Ian]

Jane Corry sent me this in case anyone is interested


MONDAY FEBRUARY 6, KENNAWAY HOUSE

LEARN TO WRITE A SHORT STORY IN ONE DAY WITH SUNDAY TIMES BEST-SELLING AUTHOR JANE CORRY.

YOU WILL LEARN HOW TO STRUCTURE A PLOT; CREATE CHARACTERS WHICH GRAB THE READER; HELP THEM SPEAK IN REALISTIC DIALOGUE; AND LEARN HOW TO APPROACH AGENTS AND PUBLISHERS.

THIS ONE DAY COURSE RUNS FROM 10AM UNTIL 4PM. THE PRICE IS £49 WHICH INCLUDES LUNCH. TO BOOK YOUR PLACE, EMAIL janecorryauthor@gmail.com.

JANE CORRY is a novelist who is published by Penguin. She has also written hundreds of short stories for magazines and is the author of HOW TO WRITE SHORT STORIES AND GET PUBLISHED.

[Ian]

I had the pleasure of meeting Loreley Amiti, an Exeter based author, earlier this week. Loreley has published a lovely children's book in English and her first novel (for adults) Die Spuren der Fremden: Zeitreise-Trilogie durch die Jahre 1952-89 was published in Germany earlier this year. Two more in the series are planned and the first will be translated into English next year. The cover of that book is stunning as are the illustrations in her children's book.

Loreley has kindly given me a copy of her children's book The Solstice Fairy: Picture Book for Children 5+ for our series of giveaways (look out for that in February)

You can find out more about Loreley on her website http://www.loreleyamiti.com/

[Dianne]

My collection of short stories Instructions for Living is now available in paperback or as a kindle edition on Amazon. It brings together thirty-two short stories that have all won awards or been short- or long-listed in creative writing competitions.

Their subject matter is eclectic: a young woman falls in love with a stuffed polar bear, an old man faces losing his lifelong companion, a decades old unsolved crime rears up, a boy suddenly finds out he can walk on water ...

With a cast of colourful characters that encompasses the tentative young and the resilient old, those who are seeking love and those who have lost it, these are tales of resilience, joy, hope and sorrow - and plenty more.

[Ian]

Dianne wrote: "My collection of short stories Instructions for Living is now available in paperback or as a kindle edition on Amazon. It brings together thirty-two short stories that have all won ..."

Sounds like a great read Dianne - thanks for letting us know. Hope it is going well. If you want to promote it at any time through one of our giveaways do let me know

[Richard]

My new Sci-fi novel "Myra" is available for pre-order before its Feb 15th release in eBook format. It's the prequel to my 2013 novel "Freefall," written to explain some of the things in that story. Here is the Goodreads link Myra You can find chapter one and more information at https://goo.gl/2t8Dsz

[Ian]

Just heard from Su Bristow that her debut novel Sealskin is on offer for 99p on Kindle this weekend. You will remember that this was a winner of the Exeter Novel Prize. Su spoke to us about it an event last year and it is definetely on my list to read.

Another fabulous book by a local author.

Sealskin is a retelling of the Scottish myth of the selkies.

"What happens when magic collides with reality? Donald is a young fisherman, eking out a lonely living on the west coast of Scotland. One night he witnesses something miraculous … and makes a terrible mistake. His action changes lives – not only his own, but those of his family and the entire tightly knit community in which they live. Can he ever atone for the wrong he has done, and can love grow when its foundation is violence? Based on the legend of the selkies – seals who can transform into people – Sealskin is a magical story, evoking the harsh beauty of the landscape, the resilience of its people, both human and animal, and the triumph of hope over fear and prejudice. With exquisite grace, Exeter Novel Prize-winner Su Bristow transports us to a different world, subtly and beautifully exploring what it means to be an outsider, and our innate capacity for forgiveness and acceptance. Rich with myth and magic, Sealskin is, nonetheless, a very human story, as relevant to our world as to the timeless place in which it is set. And it is, quite simply, unforgettable".

Reviews etc here http://amzn.eu/dSx9NxP

[Ian]

One of the delights of supporting this network is the opportunity it gives me to celebrate the achievements of local authors.

Our congratulations therefore to Teresa Driscoll author and former BBC Spotlight TV presenter, who has signed a new two-book deal for psychological suspense novels with crime and thriller imprint Thomas and Mercer.

The first - "I Am Watching You" - tells the haunting story of a witness who receives vicious and threatening hate mail after failing to help a teenager – now missing. At the heart of the story is the shocking secret of WHY witness Ella didn’t step up and the new fear that her own family is now in as much danger as the missing girl.

Teresa will share the book cover reveal and news of the release date with us in due course.

This represents an exciting new departure for Teresa whose contemporary women’s fiction has already sold in SIX languages in hardback, paperback and ebook around the world.

Teresa’s debut "Recipes for Melissa" was released in 2015. Her second novel Last Kiss Goodnight followed in 2016.

Teresa says: ‘ I am just delighted at this new deal. I have always had two voices as a writer so it is incredible to have now won publishing deals for both. I covered a lot of crime during my long career as a journalist and have always been haunted by its impact on ordinary lives. So it was no surprise to me that darker shadows would creep into my fiction.’

Teresa, who became an author after 15 years presenting the BBC TV news programme Spotlight, will use T.K. Driscoll as the by-line for her new psychological suspense titles.

[Ian]

I was recently talking with Jane Harlond and asked her to ell us about her work. She says

"I have been invited to say something about my books - so here goes . . . My historical crime fiction is set in the 17th & early 20th centuries. The stories are all based on real events, although some of these incidents may never have reached the history books. 'The Chosen Man' (the charming but amoral Ludo da Portovenere) is about a Hispano/Vatican conspiracy to undermine Dutch Protestants with tulip bulbs in the 1630s - it is also about a feisty young woman who's 'sold' to a minor Cornish aristocrat living on the Tamar in a house remarkably like Cotehele - called Crimphele in the novel. The sequel to this will be published this year, and I am currently working on the final part of the trilogy. 'The Empress Emerald', linked to 'The Chosen Man´, features Crimphele in Cornwall, but also takes the reader to old Bombay, Russia and Spain between 1900 & 1940. The hero, charismatic Leo Kazan, is not to be trusted - he's a spy and a thief. 'Local Resistance' is a murder mystery set in a tiny Cornish fishing village during 1941 - everyone has a secret in Porthferris, but one could change the history of England itself. 'Dark Night, Black Horse' is a true story about a boy who tries to rescue a wonderful black stallion during the Spanish Civil War in the town where I now live, Coín in Andalusia. A friend told me what happened I just had to write it - a short novella this time. This story, and 'The Doomsong Sword', a young adult novel soon to be released based on part of the Norse Volsung saga, are the only books that do not feature the West Country. Up-coming 'A Turning Wind' is partly set in Plymouth, as is my work-in-progress. Is writing fiction my way of coming home? I grew up in North Devon and miss it every day - so yes, my fiction could well be a way of being back home. You can see my books on Amazon but they are available in many other places - including Devon libraries: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_... If anyone has read any of my stories do let me know, I'd love to talk to you. You can also see my web page: www.jgharlond.com

[Jane]

Jackdaw Court is the story of a woman who falls in love with a house. She buys it, and, to coin a cliche, that's when the trouble starts.

The book is set in the English Riviera in the very near future and if I had to do a genre thing I'd probably say something like near future sci-fi thriller. Whatever. I think it's a rattling good read.

But I would would I not?

Anyway it's available in both eBook and paperback from February 28.

[Ian]

Jane wrote: "Jackdaw Court is the story of a woman who falls in love with a house. She buys it, and, to coin a cliche, that's when the trouble starts.

The book is set in the English Riviera in the very near fu..."

Fabulous - thanks Jane. Good luck with it

[Ian]

Tanya Landman,the author of the 2015 Carnegie Medal winner Buffalo Soldier, has just announced that her new book will be out in April. Such a beautiful and arresting cover. Congratulations from us all at Devon Book Club Tanya - keep us in touch as the publication date draws near.

Her new book is "a heart-stopping tale of love, corruption and the power of choice. Blood on her lips. Blood on her tongue. Blood that is not her own. Cassia does not fear to die, but for her - for a slave who has maimed her master - there are worse things than death. Yet the mighty Roman Empire has its limits. Beyond her master's estate, beyond the river, far to the north stands Hadrian's Wall. And beyond the wall? Freedom. With dogs on her trail and a bounty on her head the journey seems impossible. But then Cassia meets Marcus - slick, slippery, silver-tongued - a true and perfect son of Rome. And her only hope".

[Ian]

I was talking with North Devon author, Wendy Percival recently and discovered that she has a new e-book out tomorrow, Death of a Cuckoo. I asked her for details and this is what she sent me:

"A letter. A photograph. A devastating truth.

When Gina Vincent receives a letter of condolence from a stranger, following her mother’s death, a photograph slipped inside reveals a disturbing truth – everything she’s ever known is based on a lie. Shocked and disorientated, she engages genealogy detective Esme Quentin to help search for answers.

The trail leads to an isolated and abandoned property on the edge of Exmoor, once the home of a strict Victorian institution called The House of Mercy and its enigmatic founder, whose influence seems to linger still in the fabric of the derelict building.

As they dig deeper, Esme realises that the house itself hides a dark and chilling secret – one which must be exposed to unravel the mystery behind Gina’s past.

But someone is intent on keeping the secret hidden. Whatever it takes."

Wendy moved to North Devon in 1980 after training as a primary school teacher to take up her first teaching post and remained in teaching for 20 years.

An impulse buy of Writing Magazine inspired her to start writing seriously. She won Writing Magazine’s Summer Ghost Story competition in 2002 and had a short story published in The People’s Friend before focusing on full length fiction.

The time honoured ‘box of old documents in the attic’ stirred her interest in genealogy and became the inspiration for the Esme Quentin mystery novels Blood-Tied and The Indelible Stain. She is currently working on the third in the series, where the clandestine past of the Second World War provides the secret world into which Esme must delve to uncover the truth.

When she’s not writing fiction, Wendy conducts her own family history research, sharing her finds on her blog, www.familyhistorysecrets.blogspot.com.

Wendy lives in a Devon thatched cottage beside a 13th century church with her husband and a particularly talkative cat.

You can find more on her website www.wendypercival.co.uk.

[P.J.]

Presenting my new poetry book - 'Flicker.'

Flicker is a collection of senryu and haiku poetry I have written over the past two years. This collection celebrates the great selection of interesting characters you meet in Devon, with their stories woven into a poetic tapestry featuring the rugged beauty of the Devon countryside.

The blurb
"Flicker is a combination of haiku and senryu, combined and updated for the modern audience. In this collection, P.J. Reed has brought together a series of poetic postcards entwining the ever-changing nature of the Devon countryside with the lives of the people she has met in her travels throughout the county, creating a fascinating representation of humanity and nature.

This collection is beautifully illustrated with colour paintings.

An idea gift for poetry lovers everywhere."

https://www.amazon.com/Flicker-P-J-Re...

[Ian]

P.J. wrote: "Presenting my new poetry book - 'Flicker.'

Flicker is a collection of senryu and haiku poetry I have written over the past two years. This collection celebrates the great selection of interesting..."

Sounds great P.J - quite a series of books you are building up now. Congratulations

[P.J.]

Ian wrote: "P.J. wrote: "Presenting my new poetry book - 'Flicker.'

Flicker is a collection of senryu and haiku poetry I have written over the past two years. This collection celebrates the great selection o..."Thanks Ian, Yes this is probably going to be the last haiku book for a couple of years though. I have 1 fiction book in the last edits with my editor, I'm writing the sequel and a completely different fiction story and compiling 'Patchwork' which is a collection of prose, surrealist-inspired verse too :)

[J.G.]

This sounds delightful & very perceptive. Definitely on my tbr list.

[Ian]

P.J. wrote: "Ian wrote: "P.J. wrote: "Presenting my new poetry book - 'Flicker.'

Flicker is a collection of senryu and haiku poetry I have written over the past two years. This collection celebrates the great..."

Lots for us to look forward to then. Keep us posted

[P.J.]

J.G. wrote: "This sounds delightful & very perceptive. Definitely on my tbr list."
Thank you :) I hope you enjoy it! I think it is an interesting reflection on Devon, its people, their thoughts and their county in the twenty-first century.

[P.J.]

Ian wrote: "P.J. wrote: "Ian wrote: "P.J. wrote: "Presenting my new poetry book - 'Flicker.'

Flicker is a collection of senryu and haiku poetry I have written over the past two years. This collection celebra..."

I will thanks. The Torcian Chronicles is out this year. It's reached the final editing stages which is very exciting! I am holding my breath to see what the cover will look like :)

[Ian]

P.J. wrote: "J.G. wrote: "This sounds delightful & very perceptive. Definitely on my tbr list."
Thank you :) I hope you enjoy it! I think it is an interesting reflection on Devon, its people, their thoughts and..."

Sounds intriguing

[Ian]

P.J. wrote: "Ian wrote: "P.J. wrote: "Ian wrote: "P.J. wrote: "Presenting my new poetry book - 'Flicker.'

Flicker is a collection of senryu and haiku poetry I have written over the past two years. This collec..."

Again - keep us advised

[Ian]

I had the pleasure of meeting Jane Harlond on Friday and wanted to introduce her to those of you not familiar with her work.
Jane comes from North Devon and, although currently living in Spain, is in the county several times a year and very much still a local.
Author of 'Local Resistance', 'The Empress Emerald' and 'The Chosen Man' (all published by Penmore Press), Jane writes thoroughly-researched, page-turning historical crime fiction that weaves fictional characters into real events. She is particularly interested in aspects of power and international intrigue. Domestic politics are significant elements in her stories.
Jane is a member of the British Historical Writers' Association, the Historical Novel Society, and the British Society of Authors. She has travelled widely and this is reflected in her work.
I loved chatting to Jane and was impressed by her insights and her thoughtful approach to her work.
As well the work detailed above, Jane has just launched a new book as a self-published title, a new departure for Jane into fantasy. I was intrigued to hear how Jane had researched a lot of Norse mythology as an underpinning to this book.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/8461764633…
I was delighted when Jane presented me with two copies of The Chosen Man to give away a little later in the year.
She has had a career in education, working in various senior roles.
You can find out more about Jane and her work here www.jgharlond.com

[Serena]

I was fortunate enough to win a copy of The Chosen Man some years back, and found Jane very friendly and encouraging. The sad part is, it's packed away, still unread (but with every intention of doing so), as are most of my books ready for when I eventually move. I intend that book shelves will be high on my 'to do' list when that day comes. Maybe I'll get a chance to meet Jane sometime, on one of her visits.

[Ian]

Serena wrote: "I was fortunate enough to win a copy of The Chosen Man some years back, and found Jane very friendly and encouraging. The sad part is, it's packed away, still unread (but with every intention of do..."

AHH The old TBR list - mine grows ever longer too

[J.G.]

Serena wrote: "I was fortunate enough to win a copy of The Chosen Man some years back, and found Jane very friendly and encouraging. The sad part is, it's packed away, still unread (but with every intention of do..."

My TBR list is frightening, but I do dip in now and again & it's super because you remember why I wanted to read the book in the first place - rarely disappointing. BTW - The Chosen Man is the first in a trilogy, book 2 comes out later this year & book 3 is in the works.

[J.G.]

Ian wrote: "I had the pleasure of meeting Jane Harlond on Friday and wanted to introduce her to those of you not familiar with her work.
Jane comes from North Devon and, although currently living in Spain, is ..."

Many thanks, Ian, for a lovely morning by the river in Barnstaple - made me so homesick. It was great to learn what a vital, active community of readers & writers there are in this group. It's a privilege to be allowed in, given that I no longer live in Devon. I'm writing about it again now, though. This time in Civil War Plymouth during the siege for my next C17 wicked Ludo da Portovenere story, then in the Bideford area for the next WW2 murder mystery - so I shall have to come back regularly for research . . .

[P.J.]

Ian wrote: "P.J. wrote: "Ian wrote: "P.J. wrote: "Ian wrote: "P.J. wrote: "Presenting my new poetry book - 'Flicker.'

Flicker is a collection of senryu and haiku poetry I have written over the past two years..."

I will! 'Flicker' is now available from all good internet bookshops. I will be launching the collection in person at 'A Celebration of Books' with the Exeter AAuthors Association as part of CredFrest17 on 17 June 2-5pm at Crediton Library. :)

[Sue]

Sure some of you will have seen this, but in case you haven't

http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/the-t...

[Ian]

J.G. wrote: "Ian wrote: "I had the pleasure of meeting Jane Harlond on Friday and wanted to introduce her to those of you not familiar with her work.
Jane comes from North Devon and, although currently living i..."

It was an absolute pleasure. And, you are here often enough to count as a Devonian - and you want to be actively involved with us so that is good enough for me

Ian

[Ian]

Sue wrote: "Sure some of you will have seen this, but in case you haven't

http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/the-t......"

I had Sue bit well worth sharing - thanks - I'll post on FB and Twitter too

[Phil]

Hi All

Thanks for accepting me into the group.

I'm not from the South West. However, I have a lot of history with your part of the World. I know writers from this area too. And I write about your great County.

[Ian]

Phil wrote: "Hi All

Thanks for accepting me into the group.

I'm not from the South West. However, I have a lot of history with your part of the World. I know writers from this area too. And I write about you..."

Hi Phil

Great to hear from you - we welcome anyone who loves books and loves Devon - so that's most people.

What do you write?

[Angela]

I wasn't sure where to post this so if I've done wrong, please let me know Ian and I'll delete.
I have an author friend - Patricia Dixon - who is having a book launch event on Facebook on 19th May. I've 'virtually' attended a few of these launches and the whole evening is a happy frenzy of book competitions and giveaways. It creates publicity not only for the author being launched but for the giveaway book donors as well. If any of you would like to donate a book or two, ebooks are completely acceptable, would you complete the attached Google form for Patricia Dixon's launch and it will go directly to Booklover Catlady, the publicist handling the event.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...