Events

[Carol]

It was lovely meeting everyone at the HNS meeting in Exeter last Wednesday, which was held at the Devon and Exeter Institute in the Cathedral Close. It is an ancient building although much of the interior has been destroyed, and looks out from its sash windows at the Cathedral. It was evidently the townhouse of the Civil War general Sir William Waller (1597-1668). Then it became the town house of the Courtenay family of Powderham Castle.
We had a guided tour of the library which was very interesting.
We were all authors and everyone spoke a few words about their books; we are currently making plans to meet again and a variety of ideas were discussed concerning this.

[Ian]

Carol wrote: "It was lovely meeting everyone at the HNS meeting in Exeter last Wednesday, which was held at the Devon and Exeter Institute in the Cathedral Close. It is an ancient building although much of the i..."

Sounds like a successful event, Carol and thanks for letting us know how it went - be great to hear more as things develop.

[Barbara]

Just a reminder that if you live in or near Kingskerswell and fancy joining a reading group, come to the library on Saturday 11th June for the meet up we're holding for like-minded people. There's been a fair amount of interest already but everyone is welcome! Oh, and did I mention the cake...

[Ian]

I have heard from Steve Tucker that he has been booked to appear on the North Devon Voice FM radio station Book program on Monday night. I am sure it will be worth tuning into.

Steve's book, Billie's Kid is a true story about adoption, about the journey of one adoptee as he decides to seek his birth parents.

You can also meet Steve at this year's Appledore Book Festival.

http://www.billieskid.com/

[Mark]

Just to let people know that I will be at the local authors' market event at Tiverton Lit Fest on Saturday 11th June where I will have a selection of audiobooks which my company produces as well as print copies of my new book Black Dog Folklore, published by Troy Books, which I can sign.

If you are going, please come and say hello.

[Ian]

SUMMER EVENT - "BUBBLES AND BOOKS IN THE PARK"
PROVISIONALLY SUNDAY 7TH AUGUST

A country house, book lovers, a summers day, champagne, picnic - SOUND LIKE YOUR KIND OF THING?

Two options - Killerton at Broadclyst - lovely house and gardens and central to the county OR Greenway, Agatha Christie's House down on the Dart - not so convenient but very literary
a) are you in? b) which venue?

http://www.greatbritishgardens.co.uk/...…
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway

[Ian]

Bubbles and Books in the Park.

OK - so am starting to plan properly for the event I trailed a few weeks ago for Sunday 7th August. For NT members admission is free, for non NT members it will be £9.30 a head for parking, and entry to house and gardens.

The emerging plan is to meet at Killerton at about 1.30PM, complete with your own picnic and bubbles/other (though if it helps I can buy a few bottles to share for those who can only manage a glass or two); all being well, we shall be joined by a few writers/poets and have a chance to hear from them/maybe a poetry reading or two - all ideas welcome for what you would enjoy from the afternoon? In general, a social occasion with other lovely book people.

It would help if you could let me know whether you can come, so that I can get an idea of numbers

Also - if you'd like to talk about your work or just offer a reading for pleasure, let me know - be lovely to have a range of contributions

[Ian]

Advance notice of an event on 11th August
‘Westcountry Weird’ is confirmed for 6.30 PM on Thursday August 11th at Waterstones Exeter (Cathedral Green end). If you want to get cool on a hot summer night, give yourself the shivers with a selection of the spine chilling and gothic with a Devon flavour.
Author Nina Allan (The Race) will be joining Catriona Ward (Rawblood) and Aliya Whiteley (The Beauty, The Arrival of Missives) in conversation with George Sandison, commissioning editor for Unsung Stories (who publish Aliya) with Q&A afterwards and (of course!) an opportunity for audience members to purchase signed copies.
Should be a good evening and a fascinating discussion.
https://www.waterstones.com/…/spine-c...
Further details: 01392 218392

[Ian]

I've previously posted about an event this coming Thursday. Billed as follows:
"Westcountry Weird" which is taking place at Waterstones Exeter at 6.30. "West Country Weird" authors Nina Allan, Catriona Ward and Aliya Whiteley will be appearing with MC George Sandison .
If you want to get cool on a hot summer night, give yourself the shivers with a selection of the spine chilling and gothic with a Devon flavour.
Further details: 01392 218392 "
Nina has sent me more details on her blog - looks like a great evening
http://www.ninaallan.co.uk/?p=2845

[Ian]

Claire Barker will be in Waterstones Barnstaple on Saturday morning, the 3rd of September, signing copies of the brand new Knitbone Pepper, not to mention the other two in the series. All welcome!
https://www.facebook.com/events/17209...

[Ian]

First Comes Love
Then Comes Marriage
Then Comes Murder

I'm delighted to share with you an event this coming Tuesday afternoon at Sidmouth Library featuring Jane Corry. Jane will be talking about her latest book "My Husband's Wife" (published by Penguin) which was launched locally at Winstones Book shop last week.

The event begins at 3PM. Tickets are £3 (cream tea provided), with all proceeds going to the library.

My Husband's Wife, a psychological thriller, has been enthusiastically reviewed. Told from the viewpoint of two main characters, the plot has many twists and turns and the events and characters are never quite what they seem. Jane's interest in strong characterisation as well as a compelling plot is evident and, combined with her work in the prison system, this is a book that also has authenticity. It is a real page turner (I reported recently that I read it pretty much in one sitting).

A popular and very successful local author, Jane has written regularly for numerous magazines and newspapers (including The Times; Daily Telegraph; Mail on Sunday and Woman). She also worked as a writer in residence at a high security male prison, an experience that inspired her debut thriller, My Husbands Wife. Until her move to Devon, she was a tutor in creative writing at Oxford University. She is very active in the Sidmouth community and is a leading figure in the Sidmouth Literary Festival

Jane has been very supportive of Devon Book Club and we are delighted to celebrate her success with her.

I am also delighted to announce that Penguin Books has generously donated 3 copies of My Husband's Wife to Devon Book Club. To enter the draw to win a signed copy simply share this post saying "I would love to win a copy of My Husbands Wife by Jane Corry" and encourage your friends and family to join the other 1400 book lovers who are now connected through the Devon Book Club network.

[Ian]

A date for your diaries - all sorts of great workshops available
http://funpalaces.co.uk/discover/exet...

[Carol]

The International UNESCO Conference on Global Geoparks, 2016, is at the English Riviera Centre here in Torquay for the next few days. Torbay has been a Geopark since, I believe, 2007. I went to a rehearsal last night of the choir, which is performing at the opening ceremony this morning. (I wasn't singing, I was watching a friend). It was beautifully performed and was a geological history of our planet. One of the best tunes in it, I thought, was the hymn' abide with me' whose words were written by the Reverend Lyte from Brixham.

[Ian]

Carol wrote: "The International UNESCO Conference on Global Geoparks, 2016, is at the English Riviera Centre here in Torquay for the next few days. Torbay has been a Geopark since, I believe, 2007. I went to a r..."

Sounds great Carol - how has it gone? (Sorry - I only just picked this up as have been away for a few days

[Ian]

If you can get to Sidmouth this afternoon Clare Balding will be at Winstones Book Shop from 3PM signing copies of her children's book (8yrs+) The Racehorse Who Wouldn't Gallop

[Carol]

The Historical Novel Society held a meeting this morning at the Devon and Exeter Institute, opposite the Cathedral. It was lovely to meet people interested in reading and writing about history. An interesting and lively discussion chaired by Richard.

[Ian]

Carol wrote: "The Historical Novel Society held a meeting this morning at the Devon and Exeter Institute, opposite the Cathedral. It was lovely to meet people interested in reading and writing about history. An ..."

Sound fascinating Carol. Was the discussion generalised or focused on particular topics?

[Carol]

The first session was about setting up a writing workshop, the second session was more general and about the activities of the HNS in Devon.

[Ian]

Carol wrote: "The first session was about setting up a writing workshop, the second session was more general and about the activities of the HNS in Devon."

Interesting - glad to hear that the group is going so well

[Carol]

There is also a writing group (not connected to the HNS) which has been set up here in Torquay. I haven't yet been to it but I believe it meets every other Saturday morning at Torquay Library.

[Ian]

Went to the 3rd birthday and launch party for the Crediton Bookshop last evening. It was great to see so many Devon Book Club friends there.

Their new premises are fabulous and really well located in the High Street. They also have space for events seating up to 150 people. Such a fabulous achievement for this community owned bookshop - drop in and support them if you are passing. I know they would love t meet you . The shop is managed by Dee and she is supported by a team of wonderful volunteers.

[Carol]

Not a literary event, but very definitely an event last Saturday at the Sailing Club in Ilfracombe. The Young Old Issians (ex pupils of Ilfracombe Grammar) met. Very enjoyable. Looking forward to the next one. I stayed at the Royal Brittannia overlooking the harbor and was delighted to find Nelson once stayed there, and also a King Edward, but can't remember which one. It was sunny and the view from the hotel was superb.

[Sally]

Together with a writer friend I am planning a (very) informal get together in Honiton. This is not intended to be anything other than an occasional get together to discuss writing or anything else rather than a a more formal critiquing/instructional type of group. We would like to open this up to anyone in the area who might be interested

This will be on 10th June. Please let me know if you would like any more details

[Serena]

Would love more info, Sally. My email is serenaogg@yahoo.co.uk or my tel. no. is 01404 841101. Many thanks.

[Sally]

Hi Serena
I have emailed you the details

Sally

[Serena]

Thanks, Sally. Will get back to you soon. :)

[Ian]

Serena wrote: "Thanks, Sally. Will get back to you soon. :)"

Great that your are connecting through the group - feel free to post on our Twitter and FB accounts too Sally and let us know how it goes

[Cathie]

The Devon and Exeter Institution (No 7 Cathedral Yard) is hosting a local author book fair on Saturday 9th December 10.30am-3.30pm in conjunction with Exeter Writers. It will be a wonderful opportunity firstly, for members of the public to see inside the historic building which is home to a marvellous library, and secondly, to snap up some early Christmas presents!

[P.J.]

**Pop-Up Bookshop Coming Soon to Tiverton**

The Exeter Authors Association are holding a pop-up bookshop at the CreaTiv Hub, Fore Street, Tiverton, Devon.

The bookshop will run for 5 days from Tuesday 28th November to Saturday 2 December.

This is a wonderful opportunity to meet and chat with real authors from Devon and Somerset. To see an amazing range of books which can be signed and personalised to make them unique Christmas presents.

There will be an exciting range of free writing activities for adults and children including a 1 story Christmas story competition.

Free Christmas cookie and soft drinks

*Signed Books make the Ideal Christmas Presents*

[P.J.]

**Pop- Up Bookshop Coming Soon to West Hill**

A great chance to meet local authors and buy wonderful Christmas presents at the British Legion, West Hill, Ottery St Mary, Devon ** Open from 11 - 4 pm

** Free Christmas activities and mince pies!
#freeevent #Christmas #Devon #books

[Ian]

All great events - I'll post over on Facebook too

[Ian]

Thanks to Holly Martin for another fabulous author/blogger event in Exeter this afternoon. A great buzz, with a wonderful array of Devon's writing talent present. Sadly, I didn't manage to speak to everyone so apologies to those who I miss off this brief report.

Holly has herself written 8 books, mainly romance with her most season title being "Christmas at Lilac Cottage. You can find out more about her work here https://hollymartinwriter.wordpress.c...

It had been a year since I last chatted with Terri Nixon-Writer, who writes historical and mythical fiction so was lovely to hear more about her work - https://terrinixon.wordpress.com/

You may have seen that Teresa Driscoll's latest book I Am Watching You, a psychological thriller, has just reached 100,000 sales - and it has only been released for a few weeks. Many congratulations to Teresa, who was charmingly surprised and delighted by the book's success https://www.teresadriscoll.com/

Catching up with Jennifer Ash /aka Jenny Kane, was fascinating to hear about her success in being selected to write an audio download for the Robin of Sherwood series. y9ou can find more about the story here http://jennykane.co.uk/…/major-announ... This adds a new dimension to Jenny's very varied and successful writing career

Was also delighted to catch up with Jennifer Wells whose second book The Murderess was released on 1/11. She is already busy writing the third in a 4 book deal. https://www.facebook.com/Jennifer-Wel...

😂 Next up was Anne Allen who has 6 novels to her name in her Guernsey series. The latest, Betrayal, was published in October - again you can find out more here http://anneallen.co.uk/the-guernsey-n...

In between betrayal and murder (what on earth goes on in the heads of these writers!) it was great to chat with Richard Dockett who is writing a new novel as part of the NaNoWriMo programme (National Novel Writing Month) - more of that in due course. Not usually my typical book choice I was intrigued by Richard's account of his Sci Fi books and downloaded Andora Pett and the Oort Cloud Café.

With time running out I just had the chance to catch up with Sam Carrington whose work is going from strength to strength after her hugely successful debut Saving Sophie (which sold over 100,000 copies). Her second book Bad Sister was published recently and she is making great progress with her third. More here http://samcarrington.blogspot.co.uk/

And, all too fleetingly it was lovely to talk with Loreley Amiti who writes both adult and children's fiction and has been published in several languages. You may remember a giveaway this time last year of The Solstice Fairy. http://www.loreleyamiti.com/ - great to end, as I started, on a seasonal note.

Such varied talent and there were so many people I sadly was unable to chat too today - I'll report on their work another time. I urge you to check out these authors- I m sure you wont be disappointed.