Many thanks to Colleen for hosting the first chapter of 'Vita Brevis' today, alongside a whole heap of other bookish goodies - if you're looking for something new to read, "A Literary Vacation" is a great place to explore.
“We have to hope that our characters will forgive us…”
"...because we're doing the best that we can." Margaret George, Historical Novel Society conference, 2016. I've never been to the Historical Novel Society conference before, but after last weekend I'm wondering why. It was splendid. If you want to read a well thought-out blog piece about it, there's one in the Times Literary Supplement. If … Continue reading “We have to hope that our characters will forgive us…”
And the winners of the Free Book Draw are…
Thanks so much to everyone who took the time to enter the Free Book Draw, and especial thanks from the cat to several people who said they'd take him too. I'd like to have sent everybody a book but that would be awfully expensive. So - congratulations to Anne, Paul, Laura and Pete, who turn … Continue reading And the winners of the Free Book Draw are…
And there’s more…
They say you should put the important information at the top of a piece, just in case nobody reads any further, so here it is - I'll be at Calne Library in Wiltshire this Tuesday evening with the irrepressible Ben Kane, author of Roman military fiction and owner of a pair of repro Roman boots … Continue reading And there’s more…
What a weekend!
Sometimes I can't believe the amazing places writers get to sneak into. Next weekend I'll be privileged to be involved in three fabulous events. If you're anywhere near any of them please do come and join us. I've mentioned the first two before, but here they are again - Friday 1st November - at Eton … Continue reading What a weekend!
Events, dear boy,* events
[*or girl - Ed.] For those of us who sit hunched over a computer all day, a chance to get out and meet real people is very exciting. I'll be taking part in several events over the next few weeks so if you're able to join us, please come and say hello. 16 October - … Continue reading Events, dear boy,* events
And the winner is…
Thank you to everyone who took time to read the Blog Hop post, and especially to people who joined in and kept me entertained with some great comments and questions. Congratulations to Russ, whose name was first out of the 'hat' to win a copy of the Ruso book of his choice. Russ, my email … Continue reading And the winner is…
Murder in the Library
I've been saving this one for now because it wouldn't do to post two exhibitions at once, even though we did rush from one to the other on the same day. The British Library isn't far from the British Museum, so we hurried up there to have a look at their Murder in the Library … Continue reading Murder in the Library
Ruso at the Seaside for World Book Day – 7 March
I'll be deep in the Celtic heartlands to celebrate World Book Day this Thursday, taking Ruso and Tilla to Ilfracombe Library. Dug the Iron Age Man (not a character, but a facial reconstruction) will be there too. There will be an element of suspense to the proceedings, for me if not for everyone else, as … Continue reading Ruso at the Seaside for World Book Day – 7 March
Oh Deary
Terry Deary’s views on public libraries made alarming reading this week. Others have replied far more cogently than I could, so if you want a proper response, Julia Donaldson’s article in the Guardian is a good place to start. Still, if Deary’s comments re-ignite the debate about public libraries, it won’t be a bad thing. … Continue reading Oh Deary
Ruth Downie 