No, I’m not talking about knife-wielding hoodies – I’m talking about crime fiction. There’s a lot to look out for this month so here’s a list for all you crime-fiction fans out there… 1. This Friday 10th July – Sandi Toksvig will be investigating the mysterious lure of crime fiction on BBC TV’s The One […]
Flipping Out, the new book in the acclaimed Lomax and Biggs crime series by Marshall Karp is out now. It follows The Rabbit Factory and Bloodthirsty and if I had a pound for every critic, blogger and reader that has raved about these books, well, I’d have paid for a nice holiday in Bermuda by […]
After past two weeks of Wimbledon-mania, today feels a bit – well, blah. For one, I’m still feeling a bit forlorn over the fact Roddick lost to Federer in the final. He SO deserved to win the match – for all of Federer’s talents, I do think he was lucky this time. Plus, even though […]
Saturday 18th July, 11.00am Dartington Hall, TOTNES Julia Stoneham will be speaking at the Ways with Words Festival which takes place at Dartington Hall from the 10th to the 19th July. Author of the latest novel Muddy Boots & Silk Stockings, as well as may plays for radio, Julia will give some valuable pointers to […]
I promised you I’d soon be posting some pictures from last week’s launch of The Hidden Dance, by British actress Susan Wooldridge at Hatchard’s. And what better day to do so than the day Susan graces the stage as Lady B in the new production of The Importance of Being Earnest – opening tonight (previews) […]
Too much of our day is spent looking at our computer screens, having conversations with authors, agents, printers, reviewers and retailers by email. Efficient it may be, but sometimes you miss hearing a voice, seeing an expression. It can tell you so much about a person. So, after months of email chat, it was an […]
I have to admit I wouldn’t have known it was Canada Day were it not for all the tweets about it. But considering I’ve often been mistaken for a Canadian because of my mid-Atlantic accent (which comes from growing up in Europe with an American mother) I am taking the opportunity to spread the cheer […]
I was not in the office yesterday. I was at Wimbledon. I made the executive decision to take the day off and together with my boyfriend, Anthony, I set off at noon on Sunday to camp out for tickets. When we arrived at the queue we knew we’d already missed out on Centre Court (only […]
Wednesday 19 August, 7.00pm (for 7.30pm start) LUDLOW CASTLE Come and enjoy the second annual ‘Crime at the Castle’ evening, which will see some of the most distinguished names in crime-writing gathering at Ludlow Castle. Kate Charles will be moderating the panel of authors including Martin Edwards, Laura Wilson, Andrew Taylor, Natasha Cooper, Suzette Hill […]
Sunday 6th September, 11.30am – 12.30pm PORT ELLEN PRIMARY SCHOOL The “Femmes Fatales” – Alanna Knight, Lin Anderson and Alex Gray – combine their talents in an event described in the Edinburgh Evening News as “intriguing, quirky and highly enjoyable”. As part of the two-day Islay Book Festival, held at the Port Ellen Primary […]
Yesterday evening, we had the pleasure of celebrating the launch of actress Susan Wooldridge‘s debut novel The Hidden Dance at Hatchard’s. It was a wonderful and star-studded affair, and it was of course a special delight to be mingling with literary celebrities and marvellous actors I’ve watched on film and TV screens over the years. […]
Just came back from a Publishing Publicity Circle (PPC) meeting with various editors from the Observer including Jane Ferguson on the Review, Oliver Marre on the Books Desk (standing in for Books Editor Will Skidelsky – where were you, Will? I was hoping to finally meet you in person), and Louise, editor of the Woman […]
Richard J Parker has joined the Curzon Group and will be touring UK airports this summer as part of the group’s Take a Brit to the Beach Campaign.
Today’s a little cooler than yesterday and I felt it was just about comfortable enough to hit the gym – I’ve been rather lazy of late and it’s starting to show. So, after my workout and feeling absolutely exhausted I headed for the change rooms. But it seems someone had a more hectic session than […]
Thursday 13 August, 7pm THE GALLERY, LEEK Crime author Priscilla Masters will be celebrating the launch of her new book Grave Stones at The Gallery, 17 Broadstreet, Leek. Come and enjoy a glass and wine and nibbles with her and get your copy signed. For more information call 01538 384337.
Today is the first day of this year’s Wimbledon Tennis Championship. I happen to live in Wimbledon and this weekend I passed Jamie Murray in the vegetable aisle at Sainsbury’s. I thought it was Andy at first, but then noticed the bigger hair. Anyway, he was chatting to a man I can only assume was […]
I’ve just had a lovely tea with Australian beauty guru Tali Shine (of Tali Shine Cosmetics for Girls on the Go) who is friends with another Australian beauty guru, Zoë Foster, the author of the debut chick-lit novel Air Kisses we’re publishing this August. (My, that was a mouthful.) And may I digress for a […]
Tuesday 15 September, 12noon – 3.30pm ABERDEEN Maggie Craig, author of One Sweet Moment, will be speaking at the Aberdeen Ladies Lunch taking place at the Marcliffe at Pitfodels. Drinks will be served from 12noon with a sit down lunch at 12.30pm, followed by a lighthearted talk by the guest speakers. Maggie Craig will […]
On Tuesday I got to the office early to find I had left my office keys at home. I hate moments like this. There I am, crouching by the front door, swearing profusely at myself, with the entire contents of my A&B bag strewn across the pavement – it’s not a pretty sight. Then some […]
The celebrated British artist Keith Coventry held a private view of his work last night at Haunch of Venison in Mayfair which I was lucky enough to attend. I particularly loved his Echoes of Albany series which takes as its inspiration the mysterious Albany apartments in Burlington Gardens which have been home to numerous distinguished […]
Tuesday 20th October, time TBC Coatbridge Library As part of the Words 2009 North Lanarkshire Festival of Books & Writing, Scottish author Maggie Craig (whose father grew up in Coatbridge during the Depression) will be talking about her writing, including her latest book One Sweet Moment – out in paperback in October. For more […]