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The Damnation of Faint Praise
The newspaper I’ve read since I was able to choose for myself is The Guardian. We share a roughly similar world view, their standard of journalism is high and they tackle controversial issues. Best of...
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Places, poetry and people
Passion for place is something I never stop banging on about. Today marks my one year anniversary as guest columnist of The Displaced Nation. So what better time for a birthday retrospective of my...
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My Struggle
Or How I Avoided the Allure of False Paths and Became a Writer A guest post by Barbara Scott Emmett Like most writers I scribbled from an early age – poems and stories, homemade magazines for which I...
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Are You Ready For Summer?
While reminding myself of the genius of Robin Williams and sighing over images of Lauren Bacall during lunch break, I saw an article entitled Are You Ready For Summer? After two months of downpour-...
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Whisper, don’t shout
How to get sound onto paper. An issue I’ve wrestled with for some time, especially when it comes to characters’ voices. Several recent books irritated me enormously with an excess of signposts as to...
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The Indie Author Fair!
Sun 16 November: Triskele Books and the Alliance of Independent Authors are co-hosting the inaugural Indie Author Fair at Chorleywood LitFest. All the fun of the indie world under one roof. Many of...
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The Craft of Voice
Today I’m the guest of The Vine Leaves Literary Journal. Talking about The Craft of Voice – theory and practical exercises designed to help you discover yours. Part two coming next month. Check it...
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The Day of the Dead…
On November 1st, 2014, Cold Pressed is released! Santorini. Turquoise seas, ancient ruins and beautiful sunsets. And a woman thrown from a cliff. The violent death shocks fellow passengers of the...
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A Literary Farmers’ Market
Some of my favourite places in the world are markets. I can’t spend a weekend in London without a visit to Borough, with the never-tried-before cheeses, fresh produce which actually tastes fresh...
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The Craft of Voice – Part II
Don’t miss Part II – scoot on over to Vine Leaves Literary Journal and work that voice. Put theory into practice and you’ll feel better than Dolly Parton. The Craft of Voice – Part II “In this second...
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Frankfurt Book Fair – Five Tips for Authors
This year, I attended FBF14 wearing two hats – author and journalist. (Look out for my articles in December’s Words with JAM on Marketing for Authors and Global Trends in Self-Publishing.) Several...
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Poetry: The One That Got Away
100 years ago today, Dylan Thomas was born. So with kind permission of Barbara Scott Emmett, an extraordinary wordsmith herself and author of Delirium, The Rimbaud Delusion, I share my guest blog for...
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Better than InterRail
Last week, I finished Night Train to Lisbon by Pascal Mercier. A thoughtful, erudite book, to be enjoyed at one’s own pace. For me, it has a distinctive European approach to storytelling, which...
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A Goodbye
Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened. Several years ago, I met a very special woman. Yesterday, I learned she had left us. So I’m posting my interview with her as a tribute to a...
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What’s Going On?
1st of December. It’s been a busy month, so now’s a good time to glance back at a few pictures of what’s been happening. The Triskele Book Launch A lovely afternoon spent in a beautiful bookshop, with...
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Bang the trumpet…
… and blow the drum! As someone serious about publishing, I regularly read the trade press. When I heard The Bookseller was beginning a feature on the best indie author books, I felt the same kind of...
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Publishing in 2014
‘Tis the season to make lists. Top tens and recommendations for those in the know. I confess – I love them. I joined in myself last year, with A Baker’s Dozen. I plan to kick off the New Year with a...
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Your ALLi
If you’re an indie author who takes the role seriously, you probably already know about ALLi (The Alliance of Independent Authors). I joined right at the start and am so relieved I did. ALLi is a...
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Outside the Box
I’m a huge fan of collaboration, indie authors and damn good writing. When I was asked if I’d offer an endorsement for this boxset, I leapt at the chance. ‘An extraordinary collection, varied in...
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Wolf Hall
It’s tonight! I’m so excited about this adaptation as I think it’s perfect for the screen. Here’s my review of Wolf Hall, written six years ago. Man Booker Prize Winner 2009 It’s 650 pages, weighs as...
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