Not the Booker prize, but...

Self-publishing is expanding exponentially; it has long ceased to be a minority interest. But along with the glorious freedom of writing any genre, mixed genres or no genre and the ability to control every aspect of a book’s production comes responsibility to the readers.

Some authors write books purely for their own pleasure and that’s […]

Trust, betrayal and the Roman way

Tarpeian Rock, site of execution of traitors in Ancient Rome

Betrayal, treachery, treason, deceit, perfidy – all names for the calculated violation of trust.

Trust is something we build up gradually, firstly, in our parents and carers, then teachers, friends, mentors, colleagues, in lovers and partners, in a organisation, an ideal, a country. […]

2014 HNS Conference - bonus photos!

Some photos that didn’t get into the previous posts…

#gallery-1 { margin: auto; } #gallery-1 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-1 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-1 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */ Richard Lee (Chairman, HNS) opening the conference Helen Hollick […]

2014 Historical Novel Society conference - Part Deux

Diana Wallace, Essie Fox, Kate Forsyth

Maybe it was adrenaline, but I started the second day of the HNS conference with an energy surge. Maybe the coffee was stronger than I thought. After chatting with friends, I set up the indie table for the day. Managed by the inestimable Helen Hollick, it showcased […]

2014 Historical Novel Society conference (1)

Hot, tired and stressed out after flight delay and snail-slow taxi ride from Liverpool Street Station, I arrived at Marylebone Hall, the accommodation block at the University of Westminster, fit to drop. I flung on a clean shirt, combed my hair and abandoning unpacking, I hurried down to the lobby. The sound of chatter and […]