Den of Writers | Jill | Friends Activity https://www.denofwriters.com/members/jillsted/activity/friends/ Activity feed for Jill's friends. Sat, 14 Nov 2026 22:32:34 +0000 https://buddypress.org/?v= en-GB 30 hourly 2 f8ea0a9a36e15e9650b7dd88a187d48a Hilary posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/20367/#acomment-20454 Tue, 29 Nov 2022 18:57:00 +0000 Thank you, Libby. Good to hear you found more books from them too.

In reply to - Libby replied to the topic Prize and novel publication in the forum Podium Congratulations @hilary I’ve ordered a copy of Sea Defences. I’m highly unlikely to be in Suffolk in January but have a great time at the […] ]]> 1802b93e5e38870544b56221832d8fa0 Hilary posted an update: Hello Denizens, If anyone would like an invitation to the […] https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/20446/ Wed, 23 Nov 2022 16:26:54 +0000 Hello Denizens,
If anyone would like an invitation to the launch of Sea Defences, please send me a message. It’s on Thursday January 12th at 6 pm in Sudbury, Suffolk.

]]> 0 bd928b5860227e9e6e9b2c51fe88db81 Hilary posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/20367/#acomment-20445 Wed, 23 Nov 2022 16:23:40 +0000 Thank you for ordering Sea Defences, @libby

In reply to - Libby replied to the topic Prize and novel publication in the forum Podium Congratulations @hilary I’ve ordered a copy of Sea Defences. I’m highly unlikely to be in Suffolk in January but have a great time at the […] ]]> a908ef78af0c085752248368a2663837 Hilary replied to the topic Prize and novel publication in the forum Podium https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/prize-and-novel-publication/#post-12984 Wed, 09 Nov 2022 14:32:53 +0000 <p style=”text-align: right;”>Thanks for ordering, Libby.</p>
Bridport don’t publish online because they publish an anthology – even the ebook is not cheap!

]]> 1 b6d3536a04231f1af160b2c37854e9b7 Hilary replied to the topic Free book in the forum Podium https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/free-book/#post-12971 Tue, 08 Nov 2022 12:54:14 +0000 Congratulations, Thea! I can empathise with the heartfelt ‘At long last…’ Well done!

]]> 1 05415e20e2281ede9b9b5baeac4a10da Hilary started the topic Prize and novel publication in the forum Podium https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/prize-and-novel-publication/ Tue, 08 Nov 2022 12:43:17 +0000 Some of you will already know this if you hang out on twitter. My debut novel, Sea Defences, is coming out in January and can be pre-ordered from http://www.eye-books.com/books/sea-defences. It started life as a short story in one of the winter challenges on the old Cloud – I think it was the last one that AlanP did. There will be a Book Launch in…[Read more]

]]> 4 51968722ae8fe1f927354edb9dc7dbdf Hilary posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/19854/#acomment-19949 Sun, 21 Aug 2022 18:07:35 +0000 Thanks, Thea. Yes, all is well with the book, thanks. Publication date January next year. So excited! Hope all’s well with you.

In reply to - Hilary replied to the topic The Future of the Den (again) in the forum Blogs Hello. Long time no see, everyone. I’m posting this to say I do occasionally pop in to see what’s going on, but haven’t actually logged […] ]]> a3a8336693edadc65fdae3712fd1cbd4 Hilary replied to the topic The Future of the Den (again) in the forum Blogs https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/the-future-of-the-den-again/#post-12520 Thu, 04 Aug 2022 12:55:44 +0000 Hello. Long time no see, everyone. I’m posting this to say I do occasionally pop in to see what’s going on, but haven’t actually logged in for a Very Long Time. So, apologies. And also, thanks to you faithful few, and especially Ath and any other admin (?) for keeping it going. Yes, other things going on for me too, but the other day I was feeling…[Read more]

]]> 3 de8853c3c59c05440a968cad9a2a52eb Hilary replied to the topic My ride so far on the rollercoaster that is publishing in the forum Blogs https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/my-ride-so-far-on-the-rollercoaster-that-is-publishing/#post-8047 Thu, 26 Mar 2020 11:21:45 +0000 I will say congratulations again on here, Laure! Absolutely brilliant. Well done!

]]> 0 2043aa33e97feb66676609ee1c0bb328 Hilary replied to the topic Good news this time - finally! in the forum Podium https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/good-news-this-time-finally/#post-8046 Thu, 26 Mar 2020 11:18:54 +0000 Just caught up with this. What brilliant news, Janette. So very, very pleased for you. Congratulations! Well done. (News like this always gives me hope!!!) x

]]> 0 013cc0fca15aee3018437b1448b638ee Hilary replied to the topic Recent agent experience in the forum Blogs https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/recent-agent-experience/#post-7913 Tue, 10 Mar 2020 19:19:15 +0000 Thanks, Squidge! Don’t worry – I’m not giving up. Thanks for the vote of confidence!

]]> 0 cd929168d78e362809597346ea2ae8b8 Hilary replied to the topic Recent agent experience in the forum Blogs https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/recent-agent-experience/#post-7869 Sun, 08 Mar 2020 13:24:35 +0000 Thanks, Jill and Philippa. I’m getting over the experience! But I still want to find a balanced overview about 1) whether book club fiction is a thing, and 2) whether age matters. I’m prepared to accept that it isn’t (as far as pitching to editors is concerned) and it does, but I’d still want an agent who said ‘We’ll show them …’ rather than…[Read more]

]]> 1 d5454ca7c3a8340612bea4294bc16e28 Hilary replied to the topic Recent agent experience in the forum Blogs https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/recent-agent-experience/#post-7863 Wed, 04 Mar 2020 10:00:15 +0000 Thank you for the beta read offers. I’m not sure I’m ready yet, but I will keep you in mind, and return the offer. Swapsies!

]]> 0 1f91df5ea2bd11965d23adc7a6d6dcd0 Hilary replied to the topic Monthly competition - February 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/monthly-competition-february-2020/#post-7834 Mon, 02 Mar 2020 15:29:43 +0000 Congratulations, John! Well done to all – and thanks to Libby for the comp and the perceptive comments.

]]> 0 f83d8ef539e39a625df02478dcbb60e1 Hilary replied to the topic Recent agent experience in the forum Blogs https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/recent-agent-experience/#post-7833 Mon, 02 Mar 2020 14:32:55 +0000 And thank you for your comments too, Mad Iguana.

]]> 0 08ddb5f78a73ad7f3cd8d164884455d9 Hilary replied to the topic Recent agent experience in the forum Blogs https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/recent-agent-experience/#post-7832 Mon, 02 Mar 2020 14:31:49 +0000 Debi thank you for this. Yes, I do think you’re right about the agent giving her time and it’s true that my disappointment is down to my expectations and hopes more than anything else. As I say, she was perfectly ‘nice’ and of course her prime motivation is going to be can she sell it. But in the meeting, I felt her doubt about this came across…[Read more]

]]> 0 9ab3439d2a8261b969afe0eba7f3f1f5 Hilary replied to the topic Recent agent experience in the forum Blogs https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/recent-agent-experience/#post-7821 Sun, 01 Mar 2020 20:11:55 +0000 Thank you everyone for your solidarity and kind comments about my writing, and for the encouragement to realise all the positives in this tale as well. And, @janette, for someone not to reply properly having suggested revisions – that is, indeed, unprofessional.

I am taking a step back from that experience and that novel, and working on the…[Read more]

]]> 0 491417b9611d798068eaa5473c235629 Hilary replied to the topic Recent agent experience in the forum Blogs https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/recent-agent-experience/#post-7799 Fri, 28 Feb 2020 18:53:34 +0000 To be fair, she didn’t say it was about representation. I just thought/hoped it would be. She said it was to discuss suggested revisions and how we might work together. As well as the thing about commercial/literary, there were so many aspects of the book that she thought didn’t work, I even asked her why she had wanted to meet me and she said…[Read more]

]]> 0 e13e2684b7905abf220a48c4cf443786 Hilary posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/13478/#acomment-13485 Fri, 28 Feb 2020 16:57:54 +0000 To be fair, she did say the meeting was to discuss suggested revisions and talk about how we might work together.

In reply to - Hilary started the topic Recent agent experience in the forum Blogs I’ve been thinking of posting something about this for a while, and have been prompted to do so by Sandra’s link to the Bookouture post about […] ]]> 8e707fc83864985d7be3d2c6ad4ecb06 Hilary posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/13478/#acomment-13484 Fri, 28 Feb 2020 16:56:33 +0000 Thanks for your rage! It was an expensive journey, too. Not off peak so I could not even use my SENIOR railcard!!

In reply to - Hilary started the topic Recent agent experience in the forum Blogs I’ve been thinking of posting something about this for a while, and have been prompted to do so by Sandra’s link to the Bookouture post about […] ]]> dcc6ea8c213eafdba3bab290ad9c8b81 Hilary replied to the topic Monthly competition - February 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/monthly-competition-february-2020/#post-7795 Fri, 28 Feb 2020 16:53:03 +0000 Rachel agreed, in the end, to a bath.

The water was hot. There were bubbles. The scent made her think of purple.

She closed her eyes. Lowered herself, let her hands float, slid down until her head was under water. She let the breath go out of her and waited. Slowly, she pushed herself back up. Water dripped from her face, her hair. Steam…[Read more]

]]> 0 063458283be78f3c6a9b44216354b110 Hilary posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/13478/#acomment-13479 Fri, 28 Feb 2020 16:06:55 +0000 Sorry – the spreadtheword post with bookouture editors.

In reply to - Hilary started the topic Recent agent experience in the forum Blogs I’ve been thinking of posting something about this for a while, and have been prompted to do so by Sandra’s link to the Bookouture post about […] ]]> 1ca4e58fefbeb9bf33106322d1c6e0a9 Hilary started the topic Recent agent experience in the forum Blogs https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/recent-agent-experience/ Fri, 28 Feb 2020 15:57:42 +0000 I’ve been thinking of posting something about this for a while, and have been prompted to do so by Sandra’s link to the Bookouture post about commercial fiction.

I began submitting my novel to agents in July last year. I had my first full request the next day, even though it was the weekend, so you can imagine my excitement. I received two more…[Read more]

]]> 5 f84d8eb859cf68c2813ef9c4d6edbb65 Hilary posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/13441/#acomment-13476 Fri, 28 Feb 2020 15:17:06 +0000 Yes, this was interesting, especially, to me, the mention of book club fiction. I can feel a blog coming on…

In reply to - Sandra posted an update Useful definition of ‘commercial fiction’ from Bookouture : https://www.spreadtheword.org.uk/unpicking-commercial-fiction-with-bookoutures-editors/?fbclid=IwAR2FfqSMY8Ms3zZe4lrExLhphK9X5Xab6l […] ]]> 537a4ee9e0f253ed16079db366761e5a Hilary posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/13075/#acomment-13080 Wed, 05 Feb 2020 15:17:23 +0000 Hello there, Jill! Lovely to see you.

In reply to - Jill posted an update Thank you, Jules for all your help in beating the system and allowing me into the Den. Much appreciated, as it feels like exactly the right time for me and the stage of my writing life, as […] ]]> 9e22114b2955b9d2dd54f30ab1cec536 Hilary posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/12471/#acomment-12525 Wed, 08 Jan 2020 12:19:44 +0000 Very exciting! I’ll be there, and if anyone else is coming and likely to be in Lincoln early… I might be in a pub somewhere. Or I’ll be visiting the cathedral all by my little old self! Or with @elle maybe?

In reply to - Philippa East posted an update Hello Everyone and HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Well, this means that it is THIS YEAR that Little White Lies comes out… Most of you already have these details, but below is a link (via […] ]]> e2f8a89624c1b19b32d5aafab27bb3dd Hilary replied to the topic Bumbling Round the Citadel in the forum Blogs https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/bumbling-round-the-citadel/#post-6474 Tue, 22 Oct 2019 20:39:36 +0000 Thanks for sharing this, Philippa. What a journey!
And I would just like to add, for the record, that while Philippa was going through all this, and working (and crying) so hard, she has continued to be ever-generous in giving support and encouragement to others. Much appreciated.

]]> 0 ae155fe3cd86a5bfa889abcb619abbad Hilary replied to the topic September 2019 in the forum Monthly Competition https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/september-2019/#post-6263 Fri, 04 Oct 2019 14:28:40 +0000 Well done, Athelstone. And thank you, Squidge.

]]> 0 74d4145a2396d54706488c1ab5e63f43 Hilary replied to the topic replying to agent rejections in the forum Coffee Shop https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/replying-to-agent-rejections/#post-6218 Mon, 30 Sep 2019 18:03:27 +0000 Thanks, all. I think from now on I won’t reply to form rejections. Certainly I shouldn’t have done it so long after I received them. It was just that tweet making me think I’d been rude! Perhaps she wasn’t talking about form rejections.

]]> 0 44fb309dbe8d43490dbc708f82dbf269 Hilary started the topic replying to agent rejections in the forum Coffee Shop https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/replying-to-agent-rejections/ Sun, 29 Sep 2019 15:44:53 +0000 What’s your experience? What are your thoughts?
I’ve been submitting to agents this summer and had a few full requests (all subsequently declined) and several other declines. Initially I replied (just thank you) to the ones who’d requested the full, and one or two others I’d met, and not to the others since I’d read somewhere that agents don’t…[Read more]

]]> 0 c12ca1fd0de5279e5c6c7bde3b38cfd9 Hilary joined the group Andrew Wille’s DIY MA course https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/11217/ Sun, 22 Sep 2019 15:54:44 +0000 0 d5cdcd12f6810e547e7eaf27b0f4d13e Hilary posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/10949/#acomment-10962 Sun, 08 Sep 2019 15:00:23 +0000 Looking forward to the blog. Missed the real thing. (Would never like to go to another of H Duncan’s workshops, if that’s who you mean, though I know some think they’re great.)
Specially sorry to miss John’s reading, which I can quite believe was the best, and seeing ‘Cloudies’/Denizens. Maybe next year. There’s been lots of ‘family stuff’ this…[Read more]

In reply to - Squidge posted an update Anyone from York dropping in to the Den over this weekend? How did Friday Night Live go? How’s Janette’s wheels? And have you all spent a fortune at the bar yet? Say hi to all the […] ]]> 1d4b1371f5696cc94606c6d03dbe37ff Hilary replied to the topic Flash fiction success in the forum Podium https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/flash-fiction-success/#post-5997 Sun, 08 Sep 2019 14:55:24 +0000 Well done, Kate! That’s great news.

]]> 0 67ebdeebf78682b3a769340defd31b7b Hilary replied to the topic September 2019 in the forum Monthly Competition https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/september-2019/#post-5988 Fri, 06 Sep 2019 13:43:22 +0000 Tortoiseshell Specs

It was always worse when you first entered the house – the smell that made you want to hold your breath till you’d opened the windows, and the stuffy heat because she wouldn’t let you.
‘She’s asleep, the poor love,’ Thelma picked up her bag. ‘Call me if you need me.’ The door clicked shut behind her.
Mum’s knitting was in h…[Read more]

]]> 0 c46a1da2c8395aa412d71cfc64591d1b Hilary posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/10943/#acomment-10946 Fri, 06 Sep 2019 11:05:38 +0000 Thanks, Squidge.

In reply to - Hilary posted an update Am rediscovering why I love writing as I begin work on Squidge’s monthly competition. Thank you Squidge! I haven’t been around here much lately, but hello again, and I hope to remedy that, […] ]]> e3acd1d8a87aedf0119976f133c276a2 Hilary posted an update: Am rediscovering why I love writing as I begin work on […] https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/10943/ Fri, 06 Sep 2019 10:58:10 +0000 Am rediscovering why I love writing as I begin work on Squidge’s monthly competition. Thank you Squidge!
I haven’t been around here much lately, but hello again, and I hope to remedy that, my friends. Novel submitted. ‘Declines’ coming in… but there’s still hope, somewhere. And another novel in the wings.
Not at York, mainly for family…[Read more]

]]> 2 a9277f9640374d371f07931b8692a1e1 Hilary joined the group Songs of Innocence and Experience https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/10933/ Thu, 05 Sep 2019 14:29:16 +0000 0 957150460b10d70d6c8a575f895750df Hilary posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/10666/#acomment-10682 Tue, 20 Aug 2019 16:32:12 +0000 Didn’t manage the last one. Must try harder. Good for you, Ath.

In reply to - Athelstone posted an update My head says NO, but against this better judgement I have decided to run another winter short story challenge. Autumn seems to have arrived early in this corner of Europe with cold wind […] ]]> 3a514cc703ba869a749d46bada6c678d Hilary replied to the topic Entering the Citadel in the forum Blogs https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/entering-the-citadel/#post-4205 Sat, 02 Feb 2019 16:25:51 +0000 Oh, wow, Philippa! What a journey! And you are still standing – and your book is going to be in the world. It’s so brilliant to read all of this – the lows and the highs. Thank you so much for posting. And a great big huge Well done! You did it!

]]> 0 9d2330ee3e08679cf39d68f8f31efd35 Hilary replied to the topic Publishing Deal in the forum Podium https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/publishing-deal/#post-4149 Thu, 31 Jan 2019 19:53:00 +0000 Well done! Having read a fair few of your short stories, I must say I’m really looking forward to reading this.
I also echo what Richard said about your perceptive and constructive comments. Always so generous with your help and expertise, Philippa.
Congratulations!

]]> 0 c00ddf799b87d0aca479d9b791964de7 Hilary posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/7110/#acomment-7116 Wed, 23 Jan 2019 13:55:40 +0000 No snow. West Suffolk.

In reply to - Raine posted an update I need a snow census. Who has snow? I am suffering my annual I LIVE IN SCOTLAND AND DONT HAVE SNOW temper tantrum. I live on the coast, sticking out into the north sea, low level. So its a) […] ]]> 0860e5350d44b1a09cb3c763b4f970cb Hilary posted an update in the group December SloMo: Hello fellow slomoers (?) I've been very slow... but I now […] https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/6348/ Sat, 15 Dec 2018 20:57:12 +0000 Hello fellow slomoers (?)
I’ve been very slow… but I now know how my novel is going to end! I have an outline for the bits I’ve still got left to write. Need to flesh them out a bit and then get on with it. That will be the third draft done, then.
Well done to all of us! And keep going all of us! Might do a Janowrimo!

]]> 3 81b569a0914b7c65b95c9e79706a410e Hilary replied to the topic Short Story Publication/Competition in the forum Podium https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/short-story-publication-competition/page/5/#post-3399 Mon, 10 Dec 2018 20:45:13 +0000 Congratulations, Stevie!

]]> 0 996fc2840521348539f12eff40d9ca5f Hilary replied to the topic Short Story Publication/Competition in the forum Podium https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/short-story-publication-competition/page/5/#post-3385 Sun, 09 Dec 2018 16:19:13 +0000 (not sure I want to meet the bots though)

]]> 0 a66481415cd789a65f7dde7b3741537b Hilary replied to the topic Short Story Publication/Competition in the forum Podium https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/short-story-publication-competition/page/5/#post-3384 Sun, 09 Dec 2018 16:18:15 +0000 The launch was great, thanks! I enjoyed the reading – luckily I went first, so could then relax. It was great to meet some of the other writers too.
I love meeting other writers…
We need to have a Den get together… In RL, I mean.

]]> 0 ed01f7bd5400cdde70273cde63c05291 Hilary replied to the topic Short Story Publication/Competition in the forum Podium https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/short-story-publication-competition/page/4/#post-3351 Tue, 04 Dec 2018 17:26:43 +0000 Oh, Elle – just read your flash piece. So sad and beautiful. Congratulations.

]]> 0 cbb2c69ef5c2d84fc9906ecfcff9bb13 Hilary replied to the topic Short Story Publication/Competition in the forum Podium https://www.denofwriters.com/forums/topic/short-story-publication-competition/page/4/#post-3350 Tue, 04 Dec 2018 17:23:58 +0000 Tomorrow is the launch of the Bath Short Story Award anthology. Excited about reading a page or so from my story, and meeting other winners and shortlisters.

]]> 0 656a5ae9227419ab630cc1ac8b7f6b7d Hilary posted a new activity comment https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/6026/#acomment-6072 Tue, 04 Dec 2018 17:20:29 +0000 Thank you, Libby and Raine. Yes, post-its have played a part; also multi-coloured highlighting in Word. It all helps.

In reply to - Hilary posted an update in the group December SloMo Sorry I’m late, but here now for mutual encouragement. I’m working on structural edit of novel, having done one and two-thirds drafts. Have been trying to hone […] ]]> 4383d954cd76044554f3e19296468e35 Hilary posted an update in the group December SloMo: Sorry I'm late, but here now for mutual encouragement. I'm […] https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/6026/ Mon, 03 Dec 2018 20:56:47 +0000 Sorry I’m late, but here now for mutual encouragement. I’m working on structural edit of novel, having done one and two-thirds drafts. Have been trying to hone and clarify main story arc and am now trying to work out how and where the subplots intersect/have an impact on the main plot. Like some of you, I am feeling the fear, mainly because it’s…[Read more]

]]> 5 e6cbddb2624f691539f46c25194d1c21 Hilary joined the group December SloMo https://www.denofwriters.com/activity/p/6025/ Mon, 03 Dec 2018 20:47:03 +0000 0