Devon Book Club discussion
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i only found out about it in aprilhave written my first novel set on skye called out of the mist and live near tiverton but escape to Sidmouth for an ice cream from time to time- good luck with your books and hope you enjoy everyones suggestions
Thanks Lynne,I also have my first book (set in India) coming out later this week - quite scary actually! How did you come to write a story set in Skye? Were you here in Sidmouth this Bank Holiday weekend? It has been beautiful here.
E.C. wrote: "Thanks Lynne,I also have my first book (set in India) coming out later this week - quite scary actually! How did you come to write a story set in Skye? Were you here in Sidmouth this Bank Holiday ..."
i visited skye last year and was overwhelmed by the landscape and just wrote and wrote!. was in sidmouth early may and it was hot then too - putting a book out is scary and self publishing brings extra pressure to sell books to break even but is a journey i am thrilled to be on as well!!
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I have just joined this group and in fact just joined Good Reads too on the advice of my publisher - can't imagine how I didn't know about it before! Looking forward to reading a lot of re..."
HI Liz - glad you tracked us down and welcome to the group - please do comment on anything that interests you, start new threads (or ask me to if the technology isn't intuitive for you) - be great to hear more about your work.
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have written my first novel set on skye called out of the mist and live near tiverton but escape to Sidmouth for an ice cream from time to time- good luck with yo..."
Hi Lynne - we should talk more - am always happy to help to support Devon writers with some profile across our platforms - am busy with two giveaways at present but after that....
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I also have my first book (set in India) coming out later this week - quite scary actually! How did you come to write a story set in Skye? Were you here in Sidmouth this Bank Holiday ..."
I am more than happy to give you some support with the book in terms of profile - message me if you'd like to discuss. Where in India is it set? I was in Tamil Nadu in February - a remarkable country
Hi IanThanks for the welcome. I'm fascinated to hear that you were in Tamil Nadu as that is where my book is set. Why did you choose to go to that part off India? I'd love you to read my book "The Tyre," and let me know if you think it evokes the place for you. I will message you. Thanks Liz
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Thanks for the welcome. I'm fascinated to hear that you were in Tamil Nadu as that is where my book is set. Why did you choose to go to that part off India? I'd love you to read my book "The..."
Hi Liz - combination of reasons but mainly on recommendation - lets chat
E.C. wrote: "Thanks Lynne,I also have my first book (set in India) coming out later this week - quite scary actually! How did you come to write a story set in Skye? Were you here in Sidmouth this Bank Holiday ..."
Hi Liz, bit of a coincidence here - I also write pretty full time for an educational publisher and my first novel was partly set in India (1900-1940). A good few more novels since then, but the fizz of seeing the fiction cover and then seeing the book online etc never stops. Good luck with your new venture.
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I also have my first book (set in India) coming out later this week - quite scary actually! How did you come to write a story set in Skye? Were you here in Sidmouth this ..."
Id forgotten that your first novel was set in India - the country clearly has a deep impact on those who visit it
Ian wrote: "J.G. wrote: "E.C. wrote: "Thanks Lynne,I also have my first book (set in India) coming out later this week - quite scary actually! How did you come to write a story set in Skye? Were you here in S..."
It's the tensions and ambivalences to do with the latter years of the Raj that fascinate me. My uncle was there in the 40s, but loved the country and didn't want to leave, and not because he had a privileged 'colonial role' he was loathe to give up - he was an army officer & there life wasn't anywhere near as dashing as movies made out.
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I also have my first book (set in India) coming out later this week - quite scary actually! How did you come to write a story set in Skye? Were y..."
Such an interesting time. I had the privilege of visiting the Ghandi museum in Madurai - an incredibly moving experience
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"I'm Mary McClarey ( not the little dog from Donaldson's Dairy, but I don't mind the reference at all really!!)
So, heres me.. I worked as a nurse, midwife, health visitor and generally lots of other paper-worky sorts of nursing positions, starting in Northern Ireland ( yes, during those** years, but we still had a good time), and finishing up here in Devon, where I now live, write, read and generally procrastinate when it comes to 'jobs'
I've just published my second novel ' Time for a Change', but I wont talk about that now, safe to say its been fun and I'm doing another asap.. I'm just pleased to be in your company."
What a lovely introduction. I love Ireland. Welcome welcome welcome.
Welcome Mary, congratulations on publishing your books
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Lovely welcome from everyone - what's everyone reading at present? I just finished The Dead Lake - a new author to me. A curious novella but not one I loved overall. Don't think it really was sure what it was trying to say.
Ian wrote: "A new member - Mary McLarey is having some technical issues so asked me to post this for her"I'm Mary McClarey ( not the little dog from Donaldson's Dairy, but I don't mind the reference at all r..."
Hi, Mary. It's always interesting to get a glimpse of what authors have been doing in what many refer to as the 'real world'. Having said that, on a personal basis, and completely at odds to all marketing advice, I prefer not to know anything about an author whose book I'm reading. Author newsletters can put me right off reading their books. How contrary is that? Perhaps Ian can start a thread on it.
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"I'm Mary McClarey ( not the little dog from Donaldson's Dairy, but I don't mind the refere..."
Consider it done! New thread duly started and contributions already there from folk here and over on our FB page.
Hello everyone,I'm Sebanti. I'm currently doing my Honours in English Literature (Blame my bookish nature for choosing that , most people say it's a waste of time but I just can't seem to do anything else than read books all the time. Even my family gets irritated at me sometimes ^^)
Anyways,
I also have a book blog where I take requests from authors for doing reviews (in free:))
I'm trying to make my passion into career. (it would be lovely if I could do that!)
I've 3 cats (well kittens actually. I had five dogs before that)
Very opinionated about lots of things and stubborn to the core.
Just a girl trying to juggle life between passion, reality and dream.
P.S .- I'm from India:)
Regards,
Sebanti
Mod
I'm Sebanti. I'm currently doing my Honours in English Literature (Blame my bookish nature for choosing that , most people say it's a waste of time but I just can't seem to do anyt..."
HI Sebanti - you are very welcome and have joined a community of equally passionate book lovers so you will find nothing but support here - be great to hear about your degree and what you are reading and about your thesis in due course. Are you studying in India or UK. We also have a number of our members who love India (me included) and some who have set books there e.g.Hazel Manuel (Kanyakumari) and E.C. Huntley (The Tyre)
Welcome once again
Sebanti wrote: "Hello everyone,I'm Sebanti. I'm currently doing my Honours in English Literature (Blame my bookish nature for choosing that , most people say it's a waste of time but I just can't seem to do anyt..."
Ian wrote: "Sebanti wrote: "Hello everyone,
I'm Sebanti. I'm currently doing my Honours in English Literature (Blame my bookish nature for choosing that , most people say it's a waste of time but I just can't..."
Hello Sebanti and I wil add my welcome to Ian's. As Ian said my first novel The Tyre, co-written with CJ Dubois, is set in India (Tamil Nadu) I'd love you to read it. You said you write reveiws and have a blog. Can you give us the link to your blog?
Do you have an interest in Devon? Have you visited the county?
Ian has prompted me to write a bit more. So here I am ...I’m the author of two self published books, Valhalla’s Whisper, and Beyond the Jagged Wall by Cameron Stone https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cameron-Ston...
I first penned Valhalla’s Whisper, then a different working title, during the 1980s when I was a policeman in London. I was influenced by events at that time such as the Falklands War, the relentless Provisional IRA bombing campaign in London and elsewhere, the subsequent manhunt for bomb perpetrators and PIRA arms caches, and Wright & Greengrass’ controversial publication of Spy Catcher which Margaret Thatcher failed to ban. Coupled with my love for walking the Lakeland fells and a keen interest in Norse and Celt mythology I embarked upon a unique fiction story that I really enjoyed writing. Full of naive aspiration I tried to sell it to many publishers who declined. One spurious literary agent got excited, however, and boasted of Granada TV - but he turned out to be untrustworthy and after a ‘fight’ I managed to get my manuscript back. Watson & Little literary agents too were interested, but a willing publisher could not be found. The market is so saturated with wannabe writers and the odds of being ‘discovered’ are so small that I’ve given up on conventional routes. After many, many rewrites, and employing a professional proofreader, I decided to go solo. The next big hurdle is attracting reviews - and no, I’d rather not pay for them. So if anyone’s interested? I can take constructive criticism.
Beyond the Jagged Wall is more recent. An embellished, mostly true satirical autobiography of my new life with my family as I retire from a gritty police career in the capital to lick my wounds in a secluded corner of Devon. Gradually morphing into a sort of ‘Shire hobbit’ at Agriculture College then University studying Conservation with some humorous consequences, I aspire to join the Dartmoor Ranger team. Sanguine and comic moments contrast sharply with dark flashbacks that often erupt from my deep blue past. I offer a serious academic question too concerning Man v Nature which I have placed at the back to avoid tripping the story’s narrative. I’ve received some genuinely complimentary feedback, and hopefully you will enjoy it too.
Mod
I’m the author of two self published books, Valhalla’s Whisper, and Beyond the Jagged Wall by Cameron Stone https://www.amazon.co.uk/Camero..."
Welcome Cameron - sounds like a really interesting career and range of issues that you tackle. I'm always happy to read and review (for free) if you want to send me a copy - though it may take me a little time to get to it as I have a bit of a backlog - but I do try to read works quickly where I have promised a review
Mod
I'm Sebanti. I'm currently doing my Honours in English Literature (Blame my bookish nature for choosing that , most people say it's a waste of time but I just can't seem to do anyt..."
I should have added - you might like to join our Facebook and Twitter accounts too and make your offer of reviewing books there too. We have 1000 FB members and 2300 Twitter followers so lots of potential
Hi, I live about 5 minutes over the border into Somerset, but I do have my book on sale in Tiverton and at Dartington Shops in Devon. I'm always on the look out for independent book shops to offer signed copies too, so feel free to shout out if you know of any.I have Aspergers, depression and anxiety, but with support from my parents (who also help with my social media) I had my first children's book published last year. 'Akea - The Power of Destiny' is told from the animals perspective. It is a captivating story of one young husky's journey to find her place in the world and the lone wolf who will make sure she is ready. It also shows the importance of loyalty, friendship, and that being different doesn't mean you can't belong.
I'm very much an animal lover, but not very good with people. Most of my social media is under AkeaWolfStories
Mod
Welcome Elizabeth - and congratulations on the book. You might also like to make contact with Elaine, who also just joined the group. She has started Somerset Loves to Read as a sister network to ours in your home county. I'm sure she will have connections that will be of interest to you.
A warm welcome, Elizabeth. And all the very best with the new book. Congratulations. I have website www.johnsimes.co.uk where you can view my blog, and that of the cat who features in my books. Looking forwrad to your contributions to our chats. Best wishes. John
Hi, Still finding my feet with Goodreads so apologies for the late reply. It's great to find this group. I'm an author, living in Exeter. I write YA fantasy, and my first book, Return of the Mantra, was published this year. Now working on the sequel. As for reading, my favourite book of the year was 'Who Fears Death' by Nnedi Okorafor. I discovered this author this year, and look forward to discovering more of her titles. Always on the lookout for recommendations of fantasy books with strong character arcs.
Welcome Susie. Another YA author. We should form a group of our own perhaps. Best book this year, 'Lying In Bed' by Polly Samson. I have website www.johnsimes.co.uk where you can view my blog, and that of the cat who features in my books. Looking forward to your contributions. Best wishes. John
Hi John, Your Dream Factory books sound intriguing, and love the cat on the front cover. I also write a blog: www.susiewilliamson.blog Between that and novel writing, it's great to chat with other writers. Best wishes for the New Year. Susie
Mod
Hi Susie - so sorry for the delay in welcoming you to the group. Been a busy Xmas. Hope you had a great one. Delighted that you have joined us and hope that you enjoy being part of the group. Please post as often as possible - it always helps when people are active - and if there are toics that you'd like to discuss that aren't active please start a new one or let me know and I'll do so.
You will also find us on Facebook, Twitter and on our new YouTube Channel.
Best Wishes and thanks for the recommendation - a few that I read this year in that genre that were recommendations from members were The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, Butterfly's Children by Annie March and The Secrets of Jin-shei by Alma Alexander - let me know if you read any of them
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Hi John - let me know if you do start a group - in the meantime, I am opening up a theme on YA work under our genre thread - that may help to fill a gap in the meantime.
... Born in Newton Abbot, spend quite a bit of time in Bishopsteignton now. Read a lot of crime fiction.
Hello Everyone! I’m still trying to understand how the goodreads groups work, so forgive me if I’ve done this wrong.
I am Emma (Em), 25 and from Hampshire originally. I went to university in Plymouth and did both my undergraduate and postgraduate there and now I live in Exeter and work in the construction industry. I love the county and all it has to offer, if I’m not reading I’m outside walking or surfing!
As for reading I have a 2019 reading goal of 50 which I’m already at 37. I have a massive TBR which consists of 319 physical copies of the books on my shelves and hundreds more I want to buy (of course).
Fun fact I’ve only ever brought a handful of books brand new and that’s usually to support an author. Otherwise second hand all the way, otherwise I’d be in serious debt with my buying habits.
Happy to have found this group, as long as I can figure out how to use it properly! I have a book dedicated Instagram @em.and.her.books if anyone wants to connect!
Thanks,
Em
Mod
I’m still trying to understand how the goodreads groups work, so forgive me if I’ve done this wrong.
I am Emma (Em), 25 and from Hampshire originally. I went to university in Ply..."
Hi Em and welcome to the group. Delighted to have you with us and I shall come and find you on your Instagram account. We are also in Twitter and Facebook if you use those media.
Goodreads can be a bit clunky but it offers archived topics in a way the other platforms don't. Please feel free to start a new thread on anything that interests you and note that only the most recent 5 threads shows up on each topic - so worth a look around.
Your TBR pile and book habit is a delight to see - makes the rest of us feel normal :)
Hello! I hope I'm not posting this in the wrong place.... here goes. I'm based in London but I have friends who live in an ancient cottage in Devon, in a valley that used to be a slate mine. It's one of my favourite places. I holiday a lot in the West Country. Favourite writers? Daphne du Maurier (I know she's Cornwall), Gavin Maxwell (Scotland, sorry!)..Hilary Mantel, Ann Patchett, Andrew Miller, Sophie Kinsella, Marian Keyes, Graham Greene, WS Maugham, Evelyn Waugh, Jack Vance, Ray Bradbury, John Wyndham ... too many favourites! My house is stuffed with books.I'm also a writer - I've talked about this in more detail on the writing thread, so I won't go into it again here! Not quite sure how to use Goodreads discussions so forgive me if I put something in the wrong place.
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Hi Roz - absolutely the right place to come and so glad you have joined us here too. A warm welcome. A bit quiet on these pages at present as I've taken August off social media but will be back in the saddle after the weekend
Hi Mamie. I too have had ongoing health conditions that have slowed me down these last few years. I would love to read more and starting writing , but energy levels have been low and concentration poor.I too used to go to the library every week as a child to get my reading books for the week as we didn't own many books.
Anyway, good to hear from you, hello and welcome.
Mod
I'm in West Devon and love to read and dabble a bit at writin..."
Hi Mamie - sorry for my slow reply - ben a mad few days at work and just catching up. Reading a book a week is about the same as I manage - would you highlight any this year that have stood out for you? I've just finished Germinal, which was amazing, and am pausing for breath before choosing my next. I agree that it is crucial that reading and writing about books doesn't become task, but is purely for het enjoyment and I admire those of you who maintain a regular blog.
So happy you have joined Devon Book Club - and just seen that you have joined us on Twitter too. I look forward to getting to know you and would love it if you had ideas for things y9ou would most like to see discussed here.
Best Wishes
Ian
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I have had such a busy year that I have not given these pages as much attention as previously but, especially now the nights are closing in, I shall get posting more actively again.
Please join me by sharing your book news
Hello Ian and Everyone
I'm excited to join this group as a reader and writer living in Devon. I have always been drawn to remote parts of the British Isles and Europe and love fiction at the more literary end of the scale that captures a real sense of these places and/or shows characters grappling with the pressing issues of our times (things I try to achieve in my own work). I've just read Sixteen Trees of the Somme by Lars Mytting and loved it. I'd welcome any suggestions of somewhat similar contemporary novels with a rural setting, particularly those that address ecological themes.
I'm excited to join this group as a reader and writer living in Devon. I have always been drawn to remote parts of the British Isles and Europe and love fiction at the more literary end of the scale that captures a real sense of these places and/or shows characters grappling with the pressing issues of our times (things I try to achieve in my own work). I've just read Sixteen Trees of the Somme by Lars Mytting and loved it. I'd welcome any suggestions of somewhat similar contemporary novels with a rural setting, particularly those that address ecological themes.
Mod
I'm excited to join this group as a reader and writer living in Devon. I have always been drawn to remote parts of the British Isles and Europe and love fiction at the more ..."
Welcome Anona. Sounds like we have lots in common. I loved The Sixteen Trees of the Somme - such a sensory read and, as you say, wonderful evocation of people and place. I wonder if you've read The Garden of Evening Mists - one of my favourite contemporary books. I'd also love to hear more about your work
Thank you Ian. I like the sound of your recommendation - I hadn't come across it, but I'll certainly look out for it. I've been a freelance writer and editor for many years mainly for magazines and environmental organisations. My first novel The Light Between Trees was launched at the end of August. Set on Dartmoor, it's a contemporary suspense that has been described as 'darkly brooding and involving'.
THE LIGHT BETWEEN TREES
'A woman’s disappearance from an isolated moorland community with a neighbour’s young son stirs up painful memories, suspicion and guilt. Besieged by journalists, two of her estranged children return to their rural roots to face the truth about themselves and the people they once knew. However, the veneer of good manners is as thin as the upland soil and, as tensions mount, their lives begin to unravel in unforeseen and devastating ways.'
THE LIGHT BETWEEN TREES
'A woman’s disappearance from an isolated moorland community with a neighbour’s young son stirs up painful memories, suspicion and guilt. Besieged by journalists, two of her estranged children return to their rural roots to face the truth about themselves and the people they once knew. However, the veneer of good manners is as thin as the upland soil and, as tensions mount, their lives begin to unravel in unforeseen and devastating ways.'
Mod
Hi Anona - so remiss of me. I was away in India when you messaged and have been running to catch up since I got back. I will get back on track over the Xmas holiday. In the meantime I hope you have a wonderful Xmas. Talk again soon
Mod
I am delighted to welcome you to the group. So sorry to hear about your injury and hope that your recovery is now under way. The silver lining, I guess, is the opportunity afforded by your forced leisure.
I hope that you will share your reading journey with us through the "currently reading" and "recommendations" thread and we will keep you company as you regain your health and fitness.
What are you reading to get your 2020 challenge under way?
We are also on Twitter and Facebook so please do come and find us there too.
Welcome once again
Ian
Hi Ian and all members of Devon Book ClubI moved to Devon July 2019 - looking forward to exploring the libraries, museums and locality. I have been an author since 2000. I write self help books as Marianne Richards and self publish historical novels / poetry under my pen name, Jane Browne. I'm hoping to find interesting characters around Exmoor, Dartmoor to write about.
Mod
I moved to Devon July 2019 - looking forward to exploring the libraries, museums and locality. I have been an author since 2000. I write self help books a..."
Hello Jane and a warm welcome to Devon Book Club and to Devon. We have a really rich literary community so you will, I am sure, find plenty to interest you. What do you love to read? I'm very keen to support Devon based writers so keep us u to date with your work and if I can help to celebrate it at any time please let me know.
Devon Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
The Ice Palace (other topics)The Light Between Trees (other topics)
Sixteen Trees Of The Somme (other topics)
The Garden of Evening Mists (other topics)
Germinal (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Hazel Manuel (other topics)E.C. Huntley (other topics)
Elena Ferrante (other topics)
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (other topics)
Andrey Kurkov (other topics)
More...
I have just joined this group and in fact just joined Good Reads too on the advice of my publisher - can't imagine how I didn't know about it before! Looking forward to reading a lot of recommendations. I love books set in interesting exotic locations with strong characters and a clear narrative arc.
I split my time between North London and Sidmouth (although I also work full time for an educational publishing company.
Thanks for letting me join!