Almost at the end of March. Where has the month gone? Last Monday the 21st, I spoke at the wonderful Hull History Centre. A most incredible building packed with so much information and collections of local, regional and national importance relating to the city and surrounding area. My role on that day was to speak of my current novel THE HOMECOMING GIRLS and of its significance to the Hull area. To this end a slide show was shown of photographs of old Hull in the late 19th and early 20th century, which surprisingly, many were exactly as I had imagined the courts and alleys to be. There were several of my regular readers there and amazingly they seem to know my books and characters better than I do!
On Wednesday I attended the Hull Literary Luncheon where as usual we were entertained by excellent guest speakers; actor Larry Lamb, author Simon Scarrow, and maritime historian Dr Robb Robinson.
Dr Robinson, Robb to all who know him, is a Hull based author historian whose new book FAR HORIZONS is just out and I can say with authority is a crackingly good read. Not only as a member of an old fishing family does he know what he is talking about, I can affirm he is also more than willing to share his information and expertise.
Saturday the 26th. Back to the Hull History Centre for a meeting with the Society of Authors North. The society is open to published authors and gives advice on all matters relating to writing, authorship and publication. We covered many topics including e books and enjoyed an excellent lecture given by archivist Judy Burg who spoke of some of the archived material held at the centre and then gave us a tour of the building.
Monday I went to the market town of Hedon, close to where I lived for almost forty years until three years ago. The reason for my visit was to sign books at Beckett's newsagents who always stock my books. I found a complete restoration of the shop -- a face lift/makeover and it was lovely to go back and catch up the news with so many people.
Today I managed to work on another chapter of the first draft of the new book and as usual start to think I shall never finish it in time! But of course I will.
Saturday the 2nd April I shall be signing at Hull Waterstone's, the day before Mother's Day. 2pm if you can make it to come and say hello!
Tuesday 29 March 2011
Sunday 20 March 2011
Sunday 20th March 2011
Yesterday I had a successful day signing paperback copies of HOMECOMING GIRLS in Smiths Books of Beverley, and Sokell's of Driffield. It was a glorious sunny day -- hopefully the first of many more to come -- and there were lots of people about; many of my regular readers came in to chat and to buy.
Today the eldest of my talented daughters linked this blog to my website. I do hope you are able to access it!
Today the eldest of my talented daughters linked this blog to my website. I do hope you are able to access it!
Tuesday 15 March 2011
Tuesday 15th March 2011
Yesterday I began a new novel. I'm a few weeks behind schedule as I've been digging out my office, which is what I always do on completing a manuscript; The Harbour Girl is now in the safe hands of my editor and as I eagerly await her comments, there is only one thing to do and that is start another.
I wrote five hundred words and found a title which I won't announce just yet as it might change before I finish it! I doubt that I will write more today as I'm working on a lecture which I'm to give at the Hull History Centre on Monday the 21st March, which--help --is only six days away!!
Tonight I shall be doing my voluntary work as editor of The Hull and District Talking Magazine for The Blind. This is a charitable organisation which provides recordings of local news and information on memory sticks for those unable to read printed matter. Most of us have been with the charity for close on thirty years.
Thursday I begin the signings of the paperback version of HOMECOMING GIRLS.
I wrote five hundred words and found a title which I won't announce just yet as it might change before I finish it! I doubt that I will write more today as I'm working on a lecture which I'm to give at the Hull History Centre on Monday the 21st March, which--help --is only six days away!!
Tonight I shall be doing my voluntary work as editor of The Hull and District Talking Magazine for The Blind. This is a charitable organisation which provides recordings of local news and information on memory sticks for those unable to read printed matter. Most of us have been with the charity for close on thirty years.
Thursday I begin the signings of the paperback version of HOMECOMING GIRLS.
Sunday 6 March 2011
World Book Night 5th March 2011
Last night at Hull Waterstone's we celebrated the world of books by speaking of books we had read and authors we had known, read and loved. Amongst my favourites were Sarah Waters, always assured of a good read, ditto Tracy Chevalier, Kate Atkinson, Isabel Allende, and my absolute favourite series of books at the moment the Otori Trilogy by Lian Hearn. Amongst the books given away were those by Margaret Attwood, David Mitchell, Alan Bennett, John le Carre et al; an excellent mix of contemporary and classical writing. And for free! Hope you too were able to participate at your local bookstore.
Saturday 5 March 2011
Homecoming Girls - Paperback Launch Events
I'm delighted to announce that Homecoming Girls is out in paperback from the 17th of March and I'm doing a range of talks and signings in around the area - you're all welcome so please do come along & say hello!
March
Thursday 17th March 2.00pm
WHSmith Whitefriargate Hull
Friday 18th March 12 noon
WHSmith Prospect Centre Hull
Saturday 19th March 11-
Smith’s Books Beverley
Saturday 19th March -
Sokell's of Driffield
Monday 20th March -
Hull History Centre -
April
Saturday 2nd April -
Waterstones -
Monday 11th April -
Scarborough Literary Festival
Thursday 28th April -
Dunnington Reading Room
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