Deep thoughts and deliberations

Grey days and self examination seem to go well together. The mood is sombre and I suppose thats what allows negative thoughts to creep into the psyche like little grey maggots! Its been a funny old year-what with huge upheaval in the employment arena, yet offset with the excitement of bringing out a new book. As we approach the end of the year I can't help but appraise the long months of uncertainty and change. Its been a very challenging time but I hope that a stronger forward movement will occur next year! I am more and more sure that writing is now an important and permanent part of my daily life and I probably need to accept that the old life has gone-I doubt will ever rekindle(no pun intended) the old teaching career-where writing was a hobby and teaching my job-I am now feeling that these two will be completely reversed-which is an odd thought!

However, I am delighted with the book's response and look forward to the up coming publication of Guy the Grumpy Gargoyle. I have had many experiences I never thought to have had-the latest one, signing books in the illustrious drawing room of John Ruskin no less at Brantwood. I am still reeling from this-what an amazing weekend -who knows where I'll end up next. Well obviously, I know some places-Barrow AFC on 3rd December, Chetwynde Hotel at the Rotary Christmas Fair a day later and finally on 18th December Furness Abbey Christmas Fair! I have two visits to Barrow Library planned too to the reading group and the Teens book club-can't wait!

It will be a lovely end to the year and I am putting together dates and venues for next year now. If your school, group or society wish to invite me to do a session, signing or visit please contact me via my email, website etc. Dont forget that Out of Time is in a number of outlets-Lancaster, Barrow, Carlisle Waterstones, Tinner's Rabbit Ulverston, Brantwood, Coniston, Abbey Cafe, Furness Abbey and via the usual outlets online and the Dystonia Society website-Oh and of course its out on Kindle and e-books too!

Long day yesterday-but worth the effort. Signing at Carlisle Waterstones went well-some good conversations with past customers and met some new ones too. Lots of people waiting for book 2! They will need to be patient I'm afraid...not ready yet by a mile.  Must get down to some work...this weekend has been a washout! Finding the balance between writing and promoting a tricky one! Suppose its a learning curve!
Looking forward to upcoming signings-in some fairly eclectic venues including Barrow AFC! Updates as they come up!
As to Christmas...haven't even started! Can't fit it in this year! Busy week at the centre too-trip to the Barrow Archives this week and a few student observations. Then I intend to sort out the diary for next term. At present my availability is outstripping my bookings! So if you know a school who needs an author-I'm your girl!

Return to Waterstones Carlisle

I'm on my way back up the M6 to Carlisle on Saturday for my second signing there. I'm looking forward to it because its a lovely store with very supportive staff (and nice coffee).Hoping there will be lots of visitors and shoppers...and hope they are looking for a good stocking filler...which Out of Time is of course! Who wouldn't want one to read over the festive season? Look out for the chapter located seasonably at the famous Dalton tree festival, which if you aren't familiar is when groups decorate a tree and put it for viewing in Dalton St Mary's Church. There is always a fantastic carol service and it certainly promotes the spirit of Christmas.
Later this month I will be at Furness Abbey again for their Christmas festive fair-and in addition to the book I will have some merchandise linked to the book and the abbey-so come on down-you may find even more stocking fillers. There will be lots of stalls, with exciting things to buy and the eminent Abbey Cafe will be providing lovely festive foods.
I am also attending the match at Barrow AFC VS Ebbsfleet-I will be signing books there before the match and at half time, the following day I will be at the Rotary fair at Chetwynde Hotel-So its going to be a busy time.

Out of Time: Brantwood craft fair

Out of Time: Brantwood craft fair: A lovely day today at beautiful Brantwood with spectacular views along Coniston lake. Met many interesting people including the talented Sal...

Brantwood craft fair

A lovely day today at beautiful Brantwood with spectacular views along Coniston lake. Met many interesting people including the talented Sally Anne Lambert an illustrator and watercolourist. Had a great signing and sold a lot of books and had many chats about Out of Time and the next book too. Lovely surroundings in Ruskin's drawing room overlooking the lake and many exciting stalls and crafts. Felt nice being in close proximity to where my great grandparents lived and worked-Miles and Jane Wilkinson who lived in the Lodge and Miles worked as gardener first for Ruskin and then the Severns. Wonder what they would have thought? Just resting up ready for tomorow when I get to do it all again!:) and I will post some pictures-the autumn leaves look amazing. Watching Festival of Remembrance now at the Royal Albert Hall-reminds me of my dad who loved it-a Royal Engineer-and remembering the family members who were lost in WW1. Lest we forget

Out of Time: Book signing at Brantwood

Out of Time: Book signing at Brantwood: Busy weekend ahead. I will be at beautiful Brantwood on Saturday and Sunday-signing books at the Craft Fair on both days. Can't think of a l...

Book signing at Brantwood

Busy weekend ahead. I will be at beautiful Brantwood on Saturday and Sunday-signing books at the Craft Fair on both days. Can't think of a lovelier place to spend 2 days. Hope lots of visitors come and have a chat! Should be a nice weekend. Bookings for the new term are coming in gradually and I am also taking part in the Furness Abbey Christmas fair event (I did suggest this on FB-maybe somebody listens after all? lol) But before that theres another signing at Carlisle Waterstones on 19th December. Still trying to get back to writing again-and finishing the pictures for the children's picture book...so many distractions, issues and things to do!

Out of Time: Spooky times

Out of Time: Spooky times: Wow! What an exciting and scary weekend! The reading at Walney library has led to further sessions being booked in December with other readi...

Spooky times

Wow! What an exciting and scary weekend! The reading at Walney library has led to further sessions being booked in December with other reading groups at Barrow Library which is exciting. On Saturday, at Lancaster Waterstones in Market Street the staff welcomed me and made me feel very comfortable. I spent a few hours signing and met the other author Henry Brooks,who was signing at the same time which was very interesting-a fellow Cumbrian it turns out! I the evening I attended a"ghost tour" at Morecambe Winter Gardens, which was very scary indeed. Sunday though had to be the icing on the cake. There was a Halloween event at Furness Abbey and I was reading from Out of Time in the infirmary. It was very atmospheric with candles and the children loved it. A special thanks to Leeann who acted as my "monk" appearing at the relevant time from under a black cape in the corner-one little chap said "Is it real?" and another "That monk's got glasses". All in all a successful evening, with the bat walk, the abbey walk and the food at the excellent Abbey Cafe (though I would have liked a pie...). The best part of the evening was meeting my inspiration for Mason the groundsman-the real Mr Tom Burrows-who asked me to sign his copy of the book. He is so sweet and has been reappraising his role by telling people where the key items are in the abbey. Oh-and I also got another idea which is bound to appear in the next book!