Hello, and thank you for visiting my site. I hope that you'll return often and always find something of interest about my world and what inspires me to pick up a pen. (This is a figure of speech, unfortunately. My handwriting is terrible!) Here's what I've been up to recently...
Promoting Yorkshire Authors arrives in Ripon
At my suggestion, PYA made enquiries at the Claro Lounge and got the go ahead for a book fair on Sunday, 11th May. It was a warm, sunny day, perfect for the V E Day commemorations and the installation of Ripon’s new mayor. Situated next to the Town Hall, the Lounge offered a good view of the proceedings taking place outside, so we didn’t miss out.
With seven titles to display, I was allocated half a table and very much enjoyed talking to everyone who came by.
A free copy of its prequel ‘Foreshadowing’ was on offer to anyone who bought ‘Shadows of the Past’. One purchaser was a young soldier from the Royal Engineers who had just taken part in the parade from the Market Place to the Cathedral. He told me that he was particularly interested in the history of WW2, so I hope he will enjoy it.
PYA has booked another event at the Claro Lounge for Sunday, 30th November.
12 May, 2025 - Make the first comment on this story
A successful launch
The open mic night at the Claro Lounge to launch ‘This Hear This Now’, an Anthology of Ripon Poets, was very well attended.
It includes two of my poems and I chose to read ‘Elegy Written in Ripon Market Place’ (with apologies to Thomas Gray). Much as I love our little cathedral city, not everyone respects its ‘ancient charms’ and this is my reproach to litter louts.
By the way, the lighting affected the shot and seems to have added something odd to the hand holding the book. It isn’t really like that!
25 April, 2025 - Make the first comment on this story
Anthology Launch
This labour of love is a great showcase for local writers, myself included, and we’re hoping for a good turnout.
10 April, 2025 - Make the first comment on this story
A chance to show off my new hair do!
Networking is definitely the name of the game for writers and I was able to persuade fellow Swanwicker Phil Collins to join us at Ripon Writers’ Group last night. Phil gave a very entertaining illustrated talk on comedy writing, of which he is a master, having written (and often performed in) numerous sketches, short plays and a couple of pantomimes.
Phil, Cathy and I meet in Swanwick, Derbyshire each year at the Writers’ Summer School and are looking forward to August already. Places are still available, so why not join us? https://www.swanwickwritersschool.org.uk/
20 March, 2025 - Make the first comment on this story
Sights & Sounds of Ripon 2025
The annual showcase of all Ripon has to offer included local writers’ groups this year and here I am in the Cathedral with Leah Fletcher from the Hornblower Press. During my ‘shift’, I was happy to answer enquiries about Ripon Writers’ Group and Write-On, Ripon!, both of which are open to new members.
There was a lot else going on in our little city, with performances from local choirs and dancers as well as various exhibitions and free entry to all three museums.
The sun shone brightly on the proceedings and everyone had the feeling that spring was just around the corner.
9 March, 2025 - Make the first comment on this story
All Write on the Night!
I’m always happy to run a workshop for other writers and this week saw me doing so ‘in house’ at Ripon Writers’ Group.
The subject was ‘keys’. I encouraged everyone to explore the different meanings of the word, delve into a box of actual keys for inspiration and then pick up their pens. The first task was to write a few lines about a key selected from the box; the second to write a piece of flash fiction beginning with the words, ‘I turned the key in the lock and was amazed when…”
During the refreshment break, we celebrated Joe’s birthday with cake and (optional) wine. Tea and coffee were on offer as usual. Joe, whose late wife Daphne founded RWG over forty years ago, is our longest standing member and President for life.
The final task of the evening was to begin work on a longer piece of writing with the focus on a key or keys (in any sense of the word) of particular significance in one’s own life. This could be polished up to submit for publication and/or presented at our next open manuscripts evening.
7 March, 2025 - Make the first comment on this story
Sheer escapism!
Every now and then it’s enjoyable to relax and watch something just for the sheer pleasure of it. Such was the case last night at the Grand Theatre in Leeds. The actors who took over the roles so familiar to fans of the TV series were spot on and the stagecraft left absolutely nothing to be desired. No wonder then that the packed theatre rang to the sound of very well deserved applause.
27 February, 2025 - Make the first comment on this story
From Austria with love!
Write-On! Ripon was in the middle of our usual Tuesday afternoon meeting this week when a surprise contribution arrived from a member currently enjoying a winter sports holiday in Austria. She’s having a great time and, of course, we had to send a photo straight back to her.
20 February, 2025 - Make the first comment on this story
Promoting Independent UK Authors
I always enjoy supporting fellow writers and this afternoon saw me at one of Harrogate Library’s monthly Books & Beverages sessions. Chaired by Sue Williams, the authors’ panel today consisted of Susanna Lewis, Nick Boreham and Sara Sartagne. All were there to talk about their latest books. Susanna has written Finding Joy in the Everyday, a very touching memoir of her late mother, Nick has just brought out Jurymen May Dine, a crime thriller about a miscarriage of justice and Sara’s The Year of Yes & No is a ‘duality’ novel about two women in different time periods.
As regulars of the Swanwick Writers’ Summer School, Susanna and I just had to have a photo taken together for its Facebook page and here we are!
7 February, 2025 - Make the first comment on this story
A good start to 2025
Happy New Year, everyone!
It is always a pleasure to speak to audiences large or small, whether about one of my books specifically or my writing/life in general.
My first booking in 2025 was with a Ripon u3a group. In the time allotted to me, I packed in as much information as I could about my experiences as a TV/film ‘extra’. There was, of course, a great deal more that I could have said, much of it contained in My ‘Extra’ Life. As with most of my other books, I carry a small stock for people who request a signed copy. (Otherwise, it is available from Amazon as either a paperback or a download.)
Networking is of huge importance to writers and I am pleased to say that a lady in the audience requested that I give the same talk later this year to another group with which she is connected.
There is no better place to make connections that the Writers’ Summer School in Swanwick and I’m looking forward enormously to my annual stay there in August.
It should coincide with the publication by SpellBound of my new book, which centres on the summer my friend Rosie and I ‘rode the Dog’ across the USA. More details to follow. Watch this space!
25 January, 2025 - Make the first comment on this story
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