Short story shortlistee!

Try saying that title fast!

Last year I entered a story in the Writing Magazine 2013 New Subscribers’ Short Story Competition. Not being a natural in the short story writing department, I’d given it a go anyway. Writing in a mode that’s difficult for you is excellent practice and really exercises your writing muscles. I […]

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 […]