-
John T replied to the topic Richard's Musical Byways: Pete Who? (No 2) in the forum Blogs 2 years, 10 months ago
Oh wow! That brings back memories. I heard Pete Atkin (without Clive James) at a soaking wet Bristol Folk Festival sometime in the early 70s, and again in Cardiff Student Union. And I loved his music. I had a Clive James/Pete Atkin LP from that time, but it is one of the many that I sold when I moved to a single room in Scotland in 1980.
As for…[Read more]
-
John T started the topic Influences in the forum Blogs 2 years, 10 months ago
Have any of you thought about who your writing influences are? I’m asking, because I was about to write a blog about my writing influences, and then stopped, unsure. I know plenty of authors whose writing I adore, including a fair few in this Den. But influences? I’d have to go further back, and then I’m not sure at all.
Most of the authors I…[Read more]
-
John T posted an update 2 years, 11 months ago
Sorry for my prolonged absence from here. What with writing a new novel and proofreading two other, as well as all the drama and complications of choosing to self-publish, all my writing energy has been directed in less sociable pursuits. But, I have news. My first book should be published within a month or so, when the wonderful Leigh Forbes has…[Read more]
-
Drama and complications, John? Nothing you won’t overcome, I’m sure. Great news about the books, and loving the website.
-
Cheers, Athelstone. Since I wrote that, ‘a month or so’ now looks optimistic, at least for the ebook version. Amazon are giving Leigh less freedom to format the book, and what looks perfect on Apple Books or Kobo looks a mess on Kindle. We need two different ebook versions to work around the limited options they now give. The paperback version is…[Read more]
-
-
John T posted an update 3 years, 3 months ago
I’ve been neglecting you all in the Den since we moved back to Wales (Noswaith dda, bawb) but I’ll try and reconnect soon. Lots happening here – I’m self-publishing the first of three novels in late spring or early summer. Currently wrangling a website into shape (with help). Love to you all x
-
Good to see you, John. x
-
John, what are the novels you’re self-publishing – and where’s the website?
-
Hi there. The website is ‘under construction’ but should go live in the next couple of weeks. I’ll post a link, if I may. The first two novels in the Apples in the Dark series should come out about 6 months apart this year. They’ll be in e-book on several platforms and print-on-demand via IngramSpark. I don’t want to get locked into the Amazon…[Read more]
-
Well, you’ve been busy. Feel free to post a link to your website whenever you want to. Maybe in the Podium or Coffee Shop groups so it doesn’t vanish with the activity stream (although that may take a while anyway with the way activity here has slowed down).
The books sound fascinating and the sequel sounds familiar. Is it one you were working on…[Read more]
-
Thank you, Athers. They are both a result of unpacking The Blackbird Effect, the novel that landed me an agent (for a while) in 2012 without attracting a publisher – and thereby making Harry hopping mad, because he backed it as the Next Big Thing. I wasn’t so surprised: it had too many themes and too too much business, leaving lots of passages s…[Read more]
-
I do admire you for taking this view of things and for taking positive action to work through it. I think these sound like hard decisions.
My writing has picked up, a little, after a very slow few years. I’m about 70% into the first draft of a novel, although that in itself is a bit tricky as I wrote a fair bit and then abandoned it – so…[Read more]
-
-
-
-
-
-
Hilary posted an update 3 years, 6 months ago
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. -
Hilary replied to the topic Prize and novel publication in the forum Podium 3 years, 7 months ago
<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!-
Ah, right. It’s good though that you’ll be in the anthology.
Congratulations again!
-
-
Hilary replied to the topic Free book in the forum Podium 3 years, 7 months ago
Congratulations, Thea! I can empathise with the heartfelt ‘At long last…’ Well done!
-
Thanks, Hilary x 🙂
-
-
Hilary started the topic Prize and novel publication in the forum Podium 3 years, 7 months ago
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]
-
Wow, double congratulations, Hilary! I remember Sea Defences from the Winter Challenge – such a powerful story. Sorry I won’t be able to make it to Suffolk, but I will be raising a glass to your success. Well done! 🙂
-
Brilliant news, Hillary.
-
oops, not admin, me 🙂
-
-
Brilliant news. Congratulations, Hilary!
-
-
Thea started the topic Free book in the forum Podium 3 years, 7 months ago
At long last, my first novel is about to be published!
Signum is the first instalment of The Serpents of Caesar historical fantasy series set in an alternate first century Europe – the Roman Empire, but not as we know it…
If anyone would like a free ARC eBook of Signum, please message me and I will send you the link. It’s FREE for the next two w…[Read more]
-
Brilliant news @thea! I love the tag line, ‘the Roman Empire but not as we know it.’
Will it be available in print as well as ebook?-
Thanks so much, Libby. Yes, hoping to have a print book in the new year.
-
-
Fantastic news, Thea. I’m a print book person too. I love your short stories, so will look forward to getting myself a copy of this in the new year
-
Thank you so much, Kate. I will keep you posted re the paperback 🙂
-
-
COngrats!! That’s wonderful! Who is it with? Good luck with it 🙂
-
Thanks, Raine. I’m Indie publishing, which has been pretty intense so far.
-
-
-
Squidge posted an update 3 years, 9 months ago
Dipping in to say hi… ridiculously busy at the mo with Life, so barely time to breathe, let alone write! How is everyone doing at the moment, following the Queen’s death? Whether you’re for the monarchy or not, it seems to have impacted nearly everyone I’ve spoken to in some way, shape, or form. Sending hugs if you need them x
-
Doing well (I think). Similarly busy, especially yesterday when I was included in a tale of lost keys which necessitated a drive from Worthing to London and back.
-
Even for a republican like me it does feel like the end of an era. Thinking about how as a Scout we had to make promises to do our duty to the Queen etc, and every time you see a post box or a coin, or hear The King, it feels strange. Very few people have known anything different – @athelstone that sounds like an incredibly trying day, was it all…[Read more]
-
Yes, no harm done, thanks.
-
Oh blimey, Ath…can imagine that being rather stressful.
-
Busy here too, but yes, life seems to feel ‘on hold’ as we witness the end of an era. While not being an ardent Royalist, I did have a lot of respect for a queen who was the unwavering anchor for her family, showing how publicity could be done properly without scandalous revelations. I think I shall miss her.
-
-
-
-
I had a very strong (and somewhat unexpected) emotional reaction to the death. She has always loomed large in my life as my father is an ardent royalist. I’d expected to feel a bit sad, as I did when Prince Philip died, but I burst into tears when I heard the news. We were in Scotland and very nearly passed the cortege from Balmoral to Edinburgh…[Read more]
-
-
Thea replied to the topic Choices in the forum
All You Need 3 years, 9 months agoVasio, France
No there is not
-
Barry Walsh posted an update 3 years, 9 months ago
Popping in after a long time away. Planning to stay but won’t be writing just yet. Hope all goes well with old friends.
-
Great to see you Barry, hope all is well
-
Good to see you Barry
-
-
-
Squidge replied to the topic Choices in the forum
All You Need 3 years, 9 months agoJewltown
Yes there is
-
-
Thea posted an update 3 years, 9 months ago
Have just logged on to see that big congratulations are in order to Richard, Kate, Athelstone, and Daedalus! Well done all of you on your CAS listings! 🙂
-
Thanks Thea, it was a nice boost
-
-
Hilary replied to the topic The Future of the Den (again) in the forum Blogs 3 years, 10 months ago
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]
-
Hi Hilary, lovely to see you here! Hope all’s going well with the book. x
-
Thanks, Thea. Yes, all is well with the book, thanks. Publication date January next year. So excited! Hope all’s well with you.
-
Oh, that’s fab, Hilary ! Please post an update when the book comes out. Looking forward to reading it 🙂
-
-
-
-
Squidge posted an update 3 years, 10 months ago
Hello Denizens… Apologies for not having dropped in for quite a while. Been a bit all over the place with various life stuff, but still writing. Good to see news popping up on facebook for various peeps, and as we go into the autumn I’ll try to pop in here more often to keep in touch. x
-
Squidge posted an update 4 years, 4 months ago
Gosh, it is ages since I dropped in…far too much going on in the world outside of writing! Hope everyone’s doing OK.
I’ve finished editing the memoir I was working on – author very pleased with the result, so that’s good. Still getting to grips with Tilda #4’s huge plot hole and whittling away at that when I can. Still trying to carve out…[Read more]
-
Well, I can’t speak for anybody else, but I’m keeping well. Also ridiculously busy. MUST get an entry done for the comp this month, but currently polishing an opening chapter to take to a writers’ weekend in Bournemouth.
Good to see you back.
-
-
Newbie replied to the topic Monthly comp – November 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 4 years, 6 months ago
Congratulations Sandra. I loved both stories so I don’t envy Ath having to choose.
Couldn’t think of anything so had to bow out.
- Load More
Skip to content
