I was one of 12 authors involved in the first ever literary festival in my home town of Lee-on-the-Solent (Hampshire UK) yesterday. Here I am watching the mayor and The Bookshop owner Sarah, open the event.
Lee lit fest
Wednesday word of the week – Concretize
Concretize means to make something concrete rather than abstract. Concrete in this case meaning ‘existing in material form’ not a mix of sand and cement.
Actually getting on and writing your story, as opposed to just day dreaming about seeing it in a bookshop, will concretize your brilliant idea into something you can submit for publication.
Concretize may also be spelled as concretise.
(This is an old photo of the booksigning for my first ever published book. It’s now available in a newer edition.)
Lee-on-the-Solent Literary festival
The first ever Lee-on-the-Solent literary festival is taking place this Saturday, 9th August. Here’s the programme of events –
There will be books to buy – quite a few authors (including me) will have stalls and of course the bookshop will be open. Please come along if you’ll be in the area. Entry is free and the sun is almost guaranteed to shine!
Special offer
Two of my cosy (cozy) crime novel ebooks are reduced to 99p (99c) for the next few days.
Disguised Murder and Community Spirit in Little Mallow is the first book in my Little Mallow cosy crime series. Each book is a complete story, but the character’s lives carry on one from another.
‘plenty of twists and turns … a clever plot that keeps you guessing until the end’ 5 stars
‘Patsy’s humour comes through in bursts throughout’ 5 stars
‘moves along at a good pace and was a joy to read.’ 5 stars
‘characters who you care about … as well as concocting a darn good mystery to solve’ 5 stars
Acting Like A Killer is a stand alone novel.
‘ lovely read, gentle but not afraid to confront some difficult areas, all wrapped up with a goodly dose of humour.’ 5 stars
‘felt like I was right there … I love the characters …They seem like real people that I’d love to read more about. 5 stars
‘a delightful read’ 5 stars
Both novels are set on the south coast of England. Both can also be read through kindle unlimited, bought as paperbacks, or requested from the library. The price reduction ends 8th August, when they’ll go back to £2.99 / $3.99.
Wednesday word of the week – Selective
Selective means, using or categorised by selection, or able to select. It can also mean able to tune into a particular frequency without interruption from others.
I’ve been selective in compiling this set of photos – and if anyone says they don’t like them, I shall employ selective hearing!
My, My Weekly Stories
Some of my stories, which have previously been published in My Weekly are available to read for free on their website.
Wednesday word of the week – Sphinx
A sphinx is a creature with a woman’s head and lion’s body. Sometimes it has wings too. Sphinx-like means an enigmatic or inscrutable person.
When people refer to The Sphinx, they generally mean this one at Giza.
Wednesday word of the week –
Altruism is unselfishness, concern for other people or regard for others. An altruist is a person who behaves altruistically.
Btw, running this website isn’t simply an altruistic action on my part. You’re supposed to be suckered into buying my books!
Listen Up!
That’s quite a bossy post title, but I have a good excuse – it’s also the title of my story in the current The People’s Friend Special. It’s about someone who gets nagged to eat his vegetables. Eating vegetables is good for you, so whilst I’m being bossy, I’ll tell you to make sure you eat at least a few. And drink some water. It’s for your own good!
Wednesday word of the week – Stray
Stray can mean to wander from the right place (e.g. don’t stray off the path) or to deviate morally (she promised to be faithful, but strayed with at least three of his golfing buddies, a caddy, the chaps in the pro shop and the club barmaid). In that case she could be described as straying or having gone astray (and no doubt called worse things by her husband!).
It can also be a person or thing which has strayed or become lost (I think this dog was a a stray). Stray is also some weird sciency thing which interferes with radio reception, or it can be something isolated or unusual (e.g. most bluebells are blue, but sometimes you see a stray white one).