Only 20 days to go until Raven's Hoard is out. Its like the last weeks of a pregnancy...waiting and wondering what the outcome will be, being only  fidgety and restless, being unable to settle to do anything. The only thing I haven't had an urge to do is clean the house! I am just sorting out dates for visits and signings and I am going to be quite busy until Christmas.  I am kicking off with the Halloween events-first at Abbey House Hotel on 28th October and then 31st at Abbey Mill Cafe 4-6 and 6-8pm. The book is officially out on 1st November and I am going to be doing a signing at Barrow Waterstones on 3rd November. I really hope lots of you will come and see me at Waterstones particularly as its nice to get good sales in your local book shop!

More events to follow.

New challenges

We had the first meeting of the newly formed Furness Abbey Fellowship yesterday. No not another Lord of the Rings sequel...we have set up a new group to support, promote and publicise the abbey. There are many reasons for this because as I have mentioned before the abbey is in a bit of a sorry state  at present and many of us locally feel that although English Heritage have spent lots of money on the physical well being of the abbey, they have done little to widen its appeal and generate visitors to bring in funds to offset this. The attitude is very corporate with little reference to local perspectives. We feel this is detrimental and that they are missing a massive opportunity. I will post details of our progress and our next meeting as they happen. We now have a Facebook group as well so if you express an interest I will add you to it.


On the walking front things are not looking so good-massive blister! So dilemma-to walk or not to walk! Only 7 weeks to go and then we will be on the K2B! Can't wait!


Nice bit of book news-at Barrow Waterstone's in the annual sales apparently Out of Time is only 3rd behind Paolini and Kinney! Not bad-just need it to extend to other shops further afield! Thanks to the wonderful booksellers at Barrow : )

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!

Batteries recharged

Fully recharged and ready to go after a lovely family holiday in Turkey. Starting this Friday with a reading session at Walney Library and a competition, starting at 2-30pm. That over, Ill be appearing at Lancaster Waterstones at 11am to sign copies of Out of Time-this is new territory for me so quite exciting. However, I'm even more excited by the spooky Halloween evening on Sunday at Furness Abbey, when I will be reading chapters in situ-and in the dark! Should be really good and hope it all goes well.
Had an interview  by the North West Evening Mail-prompted by the lovely staff from Barrow Waterstones as I am on their bestseller list! The article will appear tomorrow-so should be interesting.
Just finishing the pictures for Guy the Grumpy Gargoyle and also need to get back to writing "Raven's Hoard". Out of Time in 2nd print now and lots of bookings being arranged too. Check out the facebook page and website for new pictures and information

Dalton St Marys School and other events

Cracking week mostly-apart from Mum being in hospital. Civic Society and Furness Family History both welcomed me splendidly and I had a great time at both-thanks guys for the invitation!
Although I felt nervous about my first full day author visit to Dalton St Marys School it turned out to be a wonderful experience. The staff and children were welcoming and friendly and put me at my ease. I started in Foundation stage-for whom I had written a new story-called "Guy the Grumpy Gargoyle" -they loved it and we did all the actions and sounds-especially liking the bit where he sneezes! Then went through Key Stage 1 and told the story again-well received again and prompted good questions and contributions. After play I met Year 3-who were a delight, I was asked in this class what it was like to be famous-I said Id get back to them!lol. Years 4,5,6 in the pm-and I had great fun judging the character competition Id set for them and had a winner from Year 6 and runner up from Year 4 Well done!
Then today-good news-and great thanks to Waterstones staff at Barrow my book is number 5 in the Best Seller chart for the shop! Thanks to all those Barrovians who have purchased it too!