The Full List of Devon Writers

[Ian]

Lucy wrote: "Ian wrote: "I have finished Lucy Banks book The Case of the Green-Dressed Ghost after just two days - and what a great read. I loved it. Lucy demonstrates a wonderful imagination.
T..."

Yes - am pleased to get published writers of all sorts

[Jan]

Delighted to find myself on your list! I live in Somerset (Mendips), but my Bookshop by the Sea stories are set in a fictitious North Devon town not unlike Lynton/Lynmouth.

[Ian]

Jan wrote: "Delighted to find myself on your list! I live in Somerset (Mendips), but my Bookshop by the Sea stories are set in a fictitious North Devon town not unlike Lynton/Lynmouth."

Ah - thought you were living in Devon - I will have to put you on the closely associated list so I don't open the floodgates!

[Jan]

You may need to change the description of the group in that case!

[Ian]

Jan wrote: "You may need to change the description of the group in that case!"

I think the group description is fine? - I welcome anyone who loves books and loves Devon. This particular topic/challenge does say that the writers on the list have to live in the county. This was so I could put some boundaries around it or it would be uncontrollable

[Tonia]

I just discovered that Rosen Trevithick was born over the border but has since settled in South Devon.

Her book The Ice Marathon had a deep effect on me.

[P.R.]

I just remembered Lucy Pinney.

I've been browsing through the list for another book to read and review, but I've found there are quite a few authors who appear on the list but for whom I can find no information at all about what they have written. Just a thought, but might there be some on the list who are simply readers, not authors?

[Ian]

Book 8 completed in my A-Z of Devon writers challenge. This time Chris Tetreault-Blay 's book Acolyte .

Of the horror/thriller genre - not usually the kind of book I'd choose but the beauty of this challenge is that I'm trying new books.

The story hangs together really well, despite involving time slips and characters that blend over the centuries. I enjoyed the central premise - no spoilers but it involves a very sinister set of "other worldly" characters, headed by The Reaper. And this black hooded creature has you checking the shadows after the finishing the book haha

The first in the Wildermoor Apocolypse trilogy, this is a pacy book ( I read it in 4 sittings) and it sets itself up well for later books in the series. It combines horror with a mystery and held me to the end.

Great job Chris

You can find the full list of Devon writers here https://www.goodreads.com/…/18486815-...…

Be great if you would all read and review some of our wonderful local talent

[Ian]

Tonia wrote: "I just discovered that Rosen Trevithick was born over the border but has since settled in South Devon.

Her book The Ice Marathon had a deep effect on me."

Thanks Tonia - looks like a good read

[Ian]

P.R. wrote: "I just remembered Lucy Pinney.

I've been browsing through the list for another book to read and review, but I've found there are quite a few authors who appear on the list but for w..."

I do intend to go through them all and build a reference library. They were all nominated by members as published writers or I know them but there may be mistakes so if you let me know the names of the ones you aren't sure of, I'll check them out. Not all will be registered on Goodreads

[Tonia]

Ian wrote: Thanks Tonia - looks like a good read

Besides the story itself, it is an excellent depiction of mental health issues from the perspective of the sufferer. Well worth a read.

[Ian]

Tonia wrote: "Ian wrote: Thanks Tonia - looks like a good read

Besides the story itself, it is an excellent depiction of mental health issues from the perspective of the sufferer. Well worth a read."

Thanks - sounds thought-provoking

[Clare Helen Welsh]

For the A-Z challenge !

Leyland Peree
Richard Hedgington
Rowena House :-)

[Ian]

Clare wrote: "For the A-Z challenge !

Leyland Peree
Richard Hedgington
Rowena House :-)"

Thanks Clare - if you know them can you point them in my direction. Also anything about their work - and have you read them in 2017 for the challenge ?

[J.G.]

I haven't seen Karen Maitland's name here. She won the very prestigious Prix D'or for Best International Noir Novel, 'The Gallows Curse', and has written numerous other dark historicals, including the wonderful 'Falcons of Fire and Ice'.The Falcons of Fire and Ice

[Tonia]

J.G. wrote: "I haven't seen Karen Maitland's name here. She won the very prestigious Prix D'or for Best International Noir Novel, 'The Gallows Curse', and has written numerous other dark historicals, including ..."

That looks like a great book, J.G.

[Sue]

Hello everyone - I think poets should indeed be included! Especially as some of us do both. Can I suggest Jackie Juno of Bovey Tracey - superb and winner of many Poetry Slams, plus published poet.
I must say, it's wonderful to see so many authors living in Devon - it's such an inspirational place to live and work!

[Sue]

Is TP Fielden a Devon resident? . The book is set in Devon but not managed to find out much about the author. Thanks.

[Rosie]

Came across this in an email from Feminist Library. Includes an interview with the author Rosie Garland.
http://feministlibrary.co.uk/rosie-ga...
Not sure if she should be on the list of Devon Writers. Not sure yet whether she lives here or just uses Devon as location in book(s).
Anyone a Rosie Garland fan? I shall certainly be checking her books out.

"VIXEN – Rosie Garland’s extraordinary tale is a story of superstition and devotion in the time of the Black Death and will bewitch both new readers and fans. DEVON 1349 – The villagers of Brauntone are awaiting a sign. As they haul a stinking creature from the nets, new priest Father Thomas thinks it has finally come.
PALACE OF CURIOSITIES – A luminous and bewitching debut novel that is perfect for fans of Angela Carter. Set in Victorian London, it follows the fortunes of Eve, the Lion-Faced Girl and Abel, the Flayed Man. A magical realism delight."

[Julie]

Sue wrote: "Is TP Fielden a Devon resident? . The book is set in Devon but not managed to find out much about the author. Thanks."

Hi Sue, yes he is. TP Fielden is a pen name and the author lives around Ivybridge. Christopher Wilson used to be a journalist and has written a couple of royal biographies. I met him at Dartmouth Bookseller (I work there and he's been in a couple of times to sign things) and he seems like a really nice chap!

[Sue]

Julie wrote: "Sue wrote: "Is TP Fielden a Devon resident? . The book is set in Devon but not managed to find out much about the author. Thanks."

Hi Sue, yes he is. TP Fie..."

Thank you Julie! I thought he must be because of the locations of book signings but then thought that could be because of the setting of the novel!! Saw the book reviewed in the I and enjoyed it!

[Sue]

James Edgecombe The Art of Kozu. Seen he lives near Tavistock and is working with Plymouth University.

[Ian]

Sue wrote: "James Edgecombe The Art of Kozu. Seen he lives near Tavistock and is working with Plymouth University."

Thanks Sue - looks like a fascinating book - does anyone have any contact with James?

[Sue]

Is this a new author for you? http://www.northdevongazette.co.uk/ne...

[Ian]

Sue wrote: "Is this a new author for you? http://www.northdevongazette.co.uk/ne..."

Thanks - James is new to me - I will follow up - thank you

[Tracey]

Karen Maitland lives in Devon and isn't on the list :)

[Ian]

Tracey wrote: "Karen Maitland lives in Devon and isn't on the list :)"

Thanks Tracey - that a slip up as I have read and reviewed one of her books.

Keep them coming folks

[Nigel]

Might have missed it some where but David Gilman is a Devon author. Equally - tho deceased - Edmund Crispin spent much of his life in Devon.

[Ian]

Nigel wrote: "Might have missed it some where but David Gilman is a Devon author. Equally - tho deceased - Edmund Crispin spent much of his life in Devon."

Hi Nigel. Been a while since I updated it. I must go back and have a look. I'll add David Gilman - though if you are in touch with him I'd love to hear from him as I don't know him. The list if just for living writers

[Nigel]

I do see him from time to time (and have reviewed one or two of his books) so I'll let him know when I next see him.

[William]

Susan Wilkins

[Ian]

Nigel wrote: "I do see him from time to time (and have reviewed one or two of his books) so I'll let him know when I next see him."

Thanks

[Ian]

William wrote: "Susan Wilkins"

Thanks William - added. Another writer for me to make contact with at some point. If you know her please point her at me

[Tom]

Hi Ian - the OCD in me says "must be on list"

My 3rd book coming out next month - have dropped you an email

Tom

[Ian]

Tom wrote: "Hi Ian - the OCD in me says "must be on list"

My 3rd book coming out next month - have dropped you an email

Tom"

Have I missed you off? How could I - will put that right straight away

[Richard]

Hello, everyone! I am an author based in Devon and new to your goodreads group. I write spy thrillers and other historical fiction.Richard D. Handy. Would love to chat about creative writing and books you are reading. I just finished reading a detective novel, Lie in the Dark. A cracking story!

[Ian]

Richard wrote: "Hello, everyone! I am an author based in Devon and new to your goodreads group. I write spy thrillers and other historical fiction.Richard D. Handy. Would love to chat about creati..."

Hi Richard. Thanks for the post. What did you enjoy about the book? I often find detective stories to be a little formulaic - did this one break the mould?

[Richard]

I really enjoyed reading, Lie in the Dark. It really does break the mould and it's not formulaic. The backdrop is Sarajevo during the Balkans conflict. An unusual setting for a murder. The detective is a thoughtful character, life in a mess, and unsure who is friend or foe. The plot ... intricate and neatly woven. It will keep you guessing to the end. A real page turner. I really didn't expect the ending, but it's brilliant! Gobsmacking finale.

[Ian]

Richard wrote: "I really enjoyed reading, Lie in the Dark. It really does break the mould and it's not formulaic. The backdrop is Sarajevo during the Balkans conflict. An unusual setting for a murder. The detectiv..."

It does sound great - but DIs lives always have to be in a mess - is that a prerequisite for a good crime novel?

[Richard]

Characters need to have multiple facets to make them interesting to the reader and as drivers for the plot. This DI is not messed up, but rather, has a coping strategy for his situation, and an interesting backstory. I thought it worked well as was realistic.

[Ian]

Richard wrote: "Characters need to have multiple facets to make them interesting to the reader and as drivers for the plot. This DI is not messed up, but rather, has a coping strategy for his situation, and an int..."

I take the point about needing to make the character interesting but often wonder whether that doesn't become a bit cliched. Sounds like this book avoided that.

[Richard]

It does, it's a great read.