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...
An Evening with Andy Hamilton
Invited to ‘An Evening with Andy Hamilton’ at the Leeds City Varieties, I didn’t really know what to expect but was happy to go along for two reasons. First of all, I’ve had a great deal of enjoyment over the years from Andy as a performer – his role as Satan in ‘Old Harry’s Game’ is unforgettable – and as a writer of shows such as ‘Drop the Dead Donkey’ and ‘Outnumbered’.
The second reason was that, although a Leeds girl born and bred and familiar with the Grand Theatre, the Civic Theatre – now Leeds City Museum – the Empire and the Theatre Royal, both long gone, I’d never actually been inside the City Varieties before. During my schooldays the former music hall, which had opened in 1865, had become notorious for shows in which variety acts played second fiddle to striptease. Advertised in the Evening Post with catchy names such as ‘Strip for Action’, ‘Halt! Who Goes Bare?’ and ‘The Naughtiest Night of Your Life’, they were, or so my mother said, patronised mainly by dirty old men in raincoats. The nearest I ever got to the place was a coffee bar round the back in Swan Street, generally known to its regulars as the Egg and Bacon. It was said – and this may have been why it was so popular with teenage boys – that some of the strippers came across during their breaks, although I don’t remember ever seeing any.
Curiously, the theatre was also the venue for the BBC television series ‘The Good Old Days’, chaired by the flamboyant Leonard Sachs. The audience for that was generally made up of people my parents’ age, dressed up in hired costumes of the period. My father did some work at one time for the gentleman in the photo, a businessman called Clifford Seed, seen here with his daughter Shirley.
There is no trace of a front entrance on the Headrow these days. Instead, everyone has to find their way round to the aforementioned Swan Street, where a new one has been built. Our old coffee bar has become a Bagel Nash, by the way.
The interior of the City Varieties is splendid, with much red and gold in evidence. Stern notices forbade any filming during the show, though. Not wanting to risk being thrown out, I only took this shot of the set before Andy came on stage. Despite complaining several times about his creaking knees, he never actually sat on the chair.
Andy was probably right to state that the audience was composed mainly of Radio 4 listeners well over 40, but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. At least most of us were familiar with the people and programmes to which he referred. He told a fair few jokes, often against himself, and several funny anecdotes but spent more of the time asking and fielding questions about absolutely anything. He even encouraged us to write some more questions down during the interval and leave them on the stage for him to answer during the second part of the show. I did wonder what would happen if no one took him up on it, but plenty did and he answered them all with very good humour. For the record, his own favourite comedians are Billy Connolly and Roy Hudd.
With very little scripted in advance, every show on Andy’s tour will be different, but I feel certain that they’ll be just as enjoyable as the one that I was privileged to attend. Do go along if you can.
23 May, 2019 - Make the first comment on this story
Foreshadowing
Delighted to announce that ‘Foreshadowing’, a short prequel to my novel ‘Shadows of the Past’, is now FREE to download from Smashwords. https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/939207
I’ve taken the advice of friends and fellow writers about the title and the cover – the original (a black and white image of a class of schoolgirls with their faces blanked out) proved unpopular with most – so I hope that the new one will meet with approval. The prequel delves into what persuaded the three girls who went missing in France to go there in the first place. It may strike a particular chord at this time of year!
15 May, 2019 - Make the first comment on this story
The Magnificent Magpie
This latest story of mine to appear in a TPF fiction special was inspired by an anecdote I heard in France a few years ago.
On holiday in Charente-Maritime, I was invited for afternoon tea – very British – by some ex-pats who had set up home in the village and they told me about a cheeky magpie that had helped itself for a long time to anything it fancied. Exasperated market stallholders and shopkeepers were all for having it shot, but the Brits – more sentimental about our fellow creatures – decided to trap it humanely in a large box and transport it somewhere out of harm’s way.
The plan seemed to have backfired when their cat followed the magpie into the box, but the result was one that no one could have predicted. They both shot out again, with the magpie in hot pursuit of the cat, which ran for its life.
From this true story, I was able to ’embroider’ a tale of romance between neighbours. To fit the requirements of the magazine, my original has been quite heavily edited, but I’d be very happy to pass on a copy of the original to anyone interested.
9 May, 2019 - There are 2 comments on this story
Just a Minute!
This afternoon’s PYA event at Northallerton Library was fun. Organised by Neelie Wicks and chaired by John Jackson, the five of us on the panel had just a minute to answer each question. These ranged from discussion of our own motivation, strengths and weaknesses as writers, marketing strategy (always a tough one), literary pilgrimages and favourite authors. The photo above shows Marla Skidmore, Kate Swann and myself highly amused by something, although I can’t remember what. Maybe that’s just as well!
Neelie is just visible on the left with Paul Smith and Rosemary Kind, who has captured our attention with one of her answers.
We didn’t stay serious for long, though, and the audience also fired a few questions at us.
For the record, here are some of the questions with my own answers:
Q.What literary pilgrimages have you been on? A. Venice, in search of ‘Miss Garnet’s Angel’.
Q. What is your writing Kryptonite? A. Inability to settle down into one genre.
Q. Do you view writing as a spiritual practice? A. No. My feet are firmly on the ground most of the time.
Q. Does a big ego help or hurt writers? A. Needs to be kept under control when dealing with magazine editors. The choice is often accept the criticism or don’t see yourself in print.
Q. Do you think somebody could be a writer if they don’t feel emotions strongly? A. Maybe, but I couldn’t, at least not when writing fiction. Much of it comes from my own experiences or those of people close to me and I really care what happens to my characters. I laugh and weep with them.
8 May, 2019 - Make the first comment on this story
An exciting week for PYA
Two very different events and I’m looking forward to participating in both. I’ll let you know later how it all went!
7 May, 2019 - Make the first comment on this story
Workhouse Orphan is now available on audio!
It’s taken a while, but it’s finally here. (Scroll down to see the post about the recording.)
If you’re already familiar with the book, you’ll notice something different about the cover of the audio version. Yes, it’s square! That’s a requirement of ACX and involved quite a lot of jiggery pokery with the original.
A free sample is available to listen to on Audible and I do hope that it will stimulate bumper sales. You can find it by copying and pasting the following link: https://www.audible.co.uk/search?keywords=Maggie+Cobbett&ref=a_hp_t1_header_search
I also have a few free promotional credits to give away on a first come, first served basis. If you’d like one and would consider writing a review, please get in touch.
23 April, 2019 - Make the first comment on this story
BookHippo
Promoting books is just as hard, if not harder, than writing them and I’m always keen to try out new ways of doing so.
Following the advice of other PYA (Promoting Yorkshire Authors) members, I gave BookHippo a try, succeeded at my second attempt and am now proud to be one of its featured authors!
BookHippo (unlike many other promotional websites) makes no charge, although donations are requested in order to keep on expanding.
18 April, 2019 - Make the first comment on this story
Evita: a cracking display of local talent!
I always enjoy a good musical and the Ripon Operatic Society’s production of ‘Evita’ was no exception. So good I saw it twice, in fact. Once at the dress rehearsal and again later in the week.
It was my absolute pleasure to review the show for the local papers. This is how my review appeared, only lightly edited. The Society has the full version, but I’d be happy to send a copy to anyone else who wishes to see it.
13 April, 2019 - Make the first comment on this story
Drystone Radio
Last night saw me being interviewed for David Driver’s show, the Writers’ Bookshelf. Knowing that the programme ran for two whole hours, I was very nervous but needn’t have been. David was the perfect host and put me at my ease straight away. A few minutes into the programme, I’d almost forgotten that I was on air and we were chatting away like a couple of old friends in a pub.
David had certainly done his homework and asked me about many other aspects of my life as well as my books. Our conversation was interspersed with some of my favourite tracks too, which allowed time to relax and have a sip of water.
Drystone Radio broadcasts on 103.5FM to South Craven and the Yorkshire Dales providing a local resource for information, events and great music. A podcast of my interview will be available for three weeks from drystoneradio.com/ondemand.
3 April, 2019 - Make the first comment on this story
Cover Reveal for K.S.Marsden
I’m always happy to support other writers and the following is a cover reveal for fellow PYA member K.S.Marsden. Good luck with it, Kelly!
Sophie: Witch-Hunter
K.S. Marsden
Synopsis
Everyone will betray you…
Sophie has always had a high opinion of herself. She is smart, beautiful, and meant for something more than a mundane, human life.
From a young age she’s had to weigh duty against selfish desires. Her new friend Izzy starts to break down her carefully-constructed walls, and makes Sophie question everything she thought she knew.
With witch-hunters and witches vying for a place in her future, Sophie has to decide who she can trust.
This is a prequel to the Witch-Hunter trilogy, and contains spoilers from the very beginning.
We highly recommend you read The Shadow Rises, before finding out more about everybody’s favourite cold-hearted bitch.
Book Links:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42420592-sophie
As stated, this is not intended to be a stand-alone, and relies on knowledge of the Witch-Hunter world.
If you have not yet read The Shadow Rises (Witch-Hunter #1), you can pick it up for FREE.
The Shadow Rises (Witch-Hunter #1)
When a new witch threat rises, only Hunter Astley can stop them…
In the face of dark magic and evil witches, a secret witch-hunting society works tirelessly to keep them at bay. The Malleus Maleficarum Council have strict rules and practises for eradicating magic.
Due to their work, witches have been almost forgotten, relegated to myth; but rumours are starting to emerge of a new power that will throw the world into chaos.
As the only 7th generation witch-hunter, Hunter Astley is the best the MMC has to offer. With the help of his colleagues, it’s a race to track down this new threat and stop them… in any way he can.
Part one of the Witch-Hunter trilogy.
Free download from most ebook retailers.
Book links:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17972985-the-shadow-rises
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2TDaFBp
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2JwbPOx
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/2MVK8g5
Smashwords: https://bit.ly/1F0pCQh
iTunes: https://apple.co/1AOiozb
Google Play: https://bit.ly/1DuvhLX
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2SnnNhD
Also available in Audiobook:
Audible US: https://adbl.co/2Od9NRe
Audible UK: https://adbl.co/2xfL1J9
29 March, 2019 - Make the first comment on this story
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