Monday, 26 April 2010
Event of the week so far
Discovery of a new playground not so far from the sea. It has a toddlers' patch, fenced in, but 3-y-o H wasn't going to waste time there. After a half-hearted go on the mini slide and small swings, we headed for the big field where amongst other delights (trampoline, swings, massive tube slides) we found a rope slide. Great fun. We're going again.
Saturday, 17 April 2010
Marsh Marigolds in Season
Not to be outdone by Postcards from Sussex, here are our Easst Yorshire marsh marigolds.
The garden is very warm and peaceful today. Even out here where we’re out of range of main roads, railways and airports, the lack of planes in the sky has made a difference. The sky is a lovely smooth blue – no vapour trails, and none of that background drone of planes high above. And certainly none of the racket of military aircraft either screaming over at chimney pot height or practising acrobatics so high up that only the outline of the aircraft is visible.
This morning unexpectedly we had two planes over. We all rushed out to look. The first was a tiny thing with propellers flying low and presumably in no danger from volcanic dust. The other was a jet that left a single white trail across the sky. As far as we could see its engines didn’t cough to a standstill and we hope it made it safely to wherever it was going.
Postcards from Sussex link
The garden is very warm and peaceful today. Even out here where we’re out of range of main roads, railways and airports, the lack of planes in the sky has made a difference. The sky is a lovely smooth blue – no vapour trails, and none of that background drone of planes high above. And certainly none of the racket of military aircraft either screaming over at chimney pot height or practising acrobatics so high up that only the outline of the aircraft is visible.
This morning unexpectedly we had two planes over. We all rushed out to look. The first was a tiny thing with propellers flying low and presumably in no danger from volcanic dust. The other was a jet that left a single white trail across the sky. As far as we could see its engines didn’t cough to a standstill and we hope it made it safely to wherever it was going.
Postcards from Sussex link
Monday, 12 April 2010
First York Festival of Writing
Run by the Writers’ Workshop. Always a gamble doing something like this but from the attendance and enthusiasm it looks like it paid off. I hope that means they run it every year. Apparently there was a worry that top agents / publishers wouldn’t come up from London, but they did. Tight control of time and slick organisation of the one-2-ones was much appreciated, and can’t have been an easy task.
I was only there on the Sunday so saw a fraction of what was on offer. The festival website will be the place to go to get comprehensive coverage.
If I had to pass on one thing from my day at the Festival, it would be to look out for an incredible first book coming out in July (sadly posthumously) – West End Girls by Barbara Tate.
I was only there on the Sunday so saw a fraction of what was on offer. The festival website will be the place to go to get comprehensive coverage.
If I had to pass on one thing from my day at the Festival, it would be to look out for an incredible first book coming out in July (sadly posthumously) – West End Girls by Barbara Tate.
Saturday, 10 April 2010
East Yorkshire Spring
These winter pansies were dumped on by 4 inches of snow as soon as they flowered a few weeks ago. Just look at them now. Amazing.
The rest of the place is awash with daffodils. I like this time of year.
The rest of the place is awash with daffodils. I like this time of year.
Saturday, 3 April 2010
Which way to the maps section?
Was the first question I was asked at my book signing today. The second was about where they kept the newspapers. The answer to that one is in the shop across the road, because Beverley WH Smith is one of just half a dozen in the country where they have a dedicated book shop. It was an experiment some years ago, that was successful enough to keep the shops going but not apparently successful enough to open more.
Despite this inauspicious start, most of the people I talked to today were interested in me and my book. One chap was very taken by the cover image. It shows scaffolding against a stormy sky from a low angle so it isn’t possible to see what is on the platform. He wasn’t so much interested in the tiny trickle of blood seeping between the wooden planks, but had queries on the tensile strength of the safety mesh, noting it to be an unusual kind. We talked all around the building trade and the conservation of old buildings. Another couple questioned me closely on exactly where in Holderness the book was set. As luck would have it, Annie travels several times through the particular village they were interested in.
One woman arrived to see me because she’d seen the book advertised and thought I might be a relative. Her nephew is a keen genealogist and indeed we might be related. There was no way to know or even guess what the relationship might be, but I was glad to meet her.
Being sandwiched between Gervais Phinn and Joe Longthorn and trying to peddle a book that was more expensive than theirs did nothing to boost sales and I didn’t sell out of books at this event, but I guess they can’t all be sell-outs, and I sold more than I expected to.
One woman arrived to see me because she’d seen the book advertised and thought I might be a relative. Her nephew is a keen genealogist and indeed we might be related. There was no way to know or even guess what the relationship might be, but I was glad to meet her.
Being sandwiched between Gervais Phinn and Joe Longthorn and trying to peddle a book that was more expensive than theirs did nothing to boost sales and I didn’t sell out of books at this event, but I guess they can’t all be sell-outs, and I sold more than I expected to.
Friday, 2 April 2010
Off to the flying ducks
One of the most vibrant writers’ groups in the north of England is how I remember the Flying Ducks (RNA-North), but I haven’t been to the meetings since they changed to Thursdays some years ago. However, yesterday I made it to their monthly lunch and talk in a pub near Harrogate.
Great to find the meeting packed, to make contact with old friends and to find out what everyone has been up to, and to find it as vibrant a group as ever.
The meeting was run by author, Linda Acaster who had apparently taken everyone to task last time for their lack of online presence. Several people had created blogs or beefed up their websites as a result of Linda’s severe words. One of these was Liz Gill who has not only started a blog, but arrived with a camera, took photos of everyone and promised to display them on her blog.
The meeting touched on the current state of the publishing business from various author angles – who is buying, who isn’t, who is trimming budgets (everyone) and how they’re doing it; publicity and who is doing what; Irish PLR and how to reconcile the receipt of an 8 Euro cheque and the 10 Euro bank charges required to cash it (answer: join ALCS); what do libraries buy and how do they decide; and we had a saga title poll run by Bill Spence (Jessica Blair) that proved conclusively that we know what we’re talking about.
I couldn’t begin to mention everything that was covered, but will just highlight a couple of things – Shirley Heaton’s Relative Strangers, is going a storm, and Evelyn Orange’s excursion into e-books and print-on-demand led to a very well-thumbed example book by the time it had been all round the table.
Great to find the meeting packed, to make contact with old friends and to find out what everyone has been up to, and to find it as vibrant a group as ever.
The meeting was run by author, Linda Acaster who had apparently taken everyone to task last time for their lack of online presence. Several people had created blogs or beefed up their websites as a result of Linda’s severe words. One of these was Liz Gill who has not only started a blog, but arrived with a camera, took photos of everyone and promised to display them on her blog.
The meeting touched on the current state of the publishing business from various author angles – who is buying, who isn’t, who is trimming budgets (everyone) and how they’re doing it; publicity and who is doing what; Irish PLR and how to reconcile the receipt of an 8 Euro cheque and the 10 Euro bank charges required to cash it (answer: join ALCS); what do libraries buy and how do they decide; and we had a saga title poll run by Bill Spence (Jessica Blair) that proved conclusively that we know what we’re talking about.
I couldn’t begin to mention everything that was covered, but will just highlight a couple of things – Shirley Heaton’s Relative Strangers, is going a storm, and Evelyn Orange’s excursion into e-books and print-on-demand led to a very well-thumbed example book by the time it had been all round the table.
I took a couple of photos of my own after the meeting had finished and a few of us were having tea before heading for home. A long journey but well worth it.
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
Saddle up for success with Derby House
Equine student, Pippa Ireland, has won sponsorship from Derby House Ltd for the short story competition she is running as part of her equine management course. Derby House is the UK’s foremost equestrian retailer, catering for all sections of the horse-riding community.
Pippa, a mature student at Bishop Burton College in East Yorkshire, decided to run a short story competition as part of her investigative project.
‘The aim of the project is to be creative with an equine theme,’ says Pippa. ‘I decided upon a writing competition because of the wealth of writing expertise in this country and with Derby House on board I am hoping for a massive entry.’
As well as sponsoring the prize money, Derby House will present a Derby House Samber saddle worth £500 to the winner of the competition’s Pony Club section. Derby House customers can enter for free on production of a Derby House receipt for £10 or more dated between March 1st and May 14th.
Joining Derby House in backing the competition is a long list of prestigious sponsors, and in addition, Pippa has attracted two international award winning writers to back her. The competition judge is Penny Grubb, crime writer and local show judge. A first edition of her latest book, Like False Money, which is set in East Yorkshire, will be a prize in the competition’s special Yorkshire section. Penny says, ‘I will be looking for well-written prose and a story to capture the imagination.’
Entrants will also be offered the chance of a critique from award winning author and writing coach, Linda Acaster, whose latest novel, Torc of Moonlight, is partly set in Malton close to one of the busiest Derby House stores.
Oliver Townend, 2009 Badminton winner and former Rockwood Harriers member, has donated an autographed numnah along with other goodies. Other sponsors include Dengie, Equest, Beverley Racecourse, Racing for Change, Shearwater Insurance and William Fox-Pitt. The prizes include a weekend pass for the Bramham international horse trials 3rd to 6th June, VIP days at the races, and a fantastic Jeffries English leather bridle. In addition, the winner and runner up will be offered the opportunity to feature their ponies in The Jawbone Gang, the third book in Penny’s crime series. Other prizes in this section include insurance vouchers; saddle cloths; baseball caps; a polo lesson; saddlery vouchers and many more. Pony Club entrants will remain eligible for the main cash prizes of £200, £100 and £50 plus runners up vouchers for equestrian photographer, La Scala Studios.
‘My ideal would be to offer a prize for every Pony Club member who enters,’ says Pippa. ‘and I’m optimistic at this stage that I will be able to.’
Bishop Burton College in East Yorkshire has agreed to provide free entry to the short-listed entrants and the competition sponsors to the Pony European Eventing Championships on Saturday 31st July, where we will hold a wine reception and presentation for the winners. This will take place around 4 pm.
The Pony European Eventing Championships has not been held in Great Britain for 13 years. This should be a fantastic day out with a huge amount to see. Alongside the pony cross-country, there is championship dressage and show jumping as well as an international rugby match.
Schedule, rules and entry form can be downloaded from La Scala Studios or email shortstory@lascalastudios.co.uk
Prizes
Overall winners
1st prize - £200
2nd prize - £100
3rd prize - £50
Other prizes include: VIP days at the races and La Scala Studios vouchers
Overall competition sponsor is La Scala Studios – http://lascalastudios.photium.com
Prize for the best story with a racing theme: a VIP day out at the races sponsored by Racing for Change – www.britishhorseracing.com/racing-for-change/
Pony Club section
First prize: a Derby House Samber saddle or equivalent up to a retail value of £500 together with an Oliver Townend autographed saddle cloth.
Other prizes include: a Jeffries English leather bridle, a weekend pass to the Bramham International horse trials 3rd – 6th June 2010, insurance vouchers; saddle cloths; baseball caps; specialist lessons; saddlery vouchers and many more.
Sponsors in this section include:
• Derby House Ltd – www.derbyhouse.co.uk
• Bramham international horse trials – www.bramham-horse.co.uk
• E Jeffries of Walsall – www.ejeffries.co.uk
• Dengie Feeds – www.dengie.com
• Equest Wormers - www.wormingyourhorse.info
• Master Saddler, Patrick Wilkinson of Beverley - www.patrickwilkinson.co.uk/
• Oliver Townend, Eventer – www.olivertownend.com/
• Shearwater Insurance - www.shearwater-insurance.co.uk/
• White Rose Polo Club - www.whiterosepolo.co.uk/
• Karina Hawkridge at Interdressage – www.interdressage.com
• William Fox-Pitt – www.foxpitteventing.co.uk
Yorkshire section
First prize – signed hardback first edition of Like False Money by Penny Grubb and a family day out at the Great Yorkshire Show 13 -15 July 2010.
Other prizes include: a day at Beverley races; a Border Collie lover’s gift pack (which includes mousemat, coasters, notecards, glass paperweight, fridge magnet and key ring) from renowned UK artist Susan Alison featuring ‘Good Morning, Morning’ one of her best-selling images; a signed set of three books from best-selling Yorkshire crime writer, Danuta Reah; vouchers from a leading Yorkshire photographer.
Sponsors in this section include:
• Great Yorkshire Show – www.greatyorkshireshow.com
• Susan Alison Art – www.susanalison.com
• Danuta Reah, author – www.danutareah.co.uk
• Beverley Races – www.beverley-racecourse.co.uk/
• Penny Grubb, author – www.pennygrubb.com
• La Scala Studios – http://lascalastudios.photium.com
Further information
The deadline for entry to the competition is 15th May 2010.
Rules and entry forms are available by email from La Scala Studios at shortstory@lascalastudios.co.uk or can be obtained by sending a SAE marked ‘Short Story Competition’ to La Scala Studios, Eastfield Farm, Rise Road, Catwick, East Yorkshire, HU17 5PN.
About Derby House – www.derbyhouse.co.uk
Derby House currently has retail stores in Dundonald, Glasgow, Malton, Matlock, Moreton, Olney and Wrightington, plus a brand new outlet in Mold. A quick reference guide to location and opening hours of all stores is at www.derbyhouse.co.uk/stores.asp
For those who prefer to shop from home or online, Derby House has a mail-order catalogue and secure online store.
About Bishop Burton College – www.bishopburton.ac.uk
About La Scala Studios – http://lascalastudios.photium.com
About author, Penny Grubb – www.pennygrubb.com
About author, Linda Acaster – www.lindaacaster.com
Pippa, a mature student at Bishop Burton College in East Yorkshire, decided to run a short story competition as part of her investigative project.
‘The aim of the project is to be creative with an equine theme,’ says Pippa. ‘I decided upon a writing competition because of the wealth of writing expertise in this country and with Derby House on board I am hoping for a massive entry.’
As well as sponsoring the prize money, Derby House will present a Derby House Samber saddle worth £500 to the winner of the competition’s Pony Club section. Derby House customers can enter for free on production of a Derby House receipt for £10 or more dated between March 1st and May 14th.
Joining Derby House in backing the competition is a long list of prestigious sponsors, and in addition, Pippa has attracted two international award winning writers to back her. The competition judge is Penny Grubb, crime writer and local show judge. A first edition of her latest book, Like False Money, which is set in East Yorkshire, will be a prize in the competition’s special Yorkshire section. Penny says, ‘I will be looking for well-written prose and a story to capture the imagination.’
Entrants will also be offered the chance of a critique from award winning author and writing coach, Linda Acaster, whose latest novel, Torc of Moonlight, is partly set in Malton close to one of the busiest Derby House stores.
Oliver Townend, 2009 Badminton winner and former Rockwood Harriers member, has donated an autographed numnah along with other goodies. Other sponsors include Dengie, Equest, Beverley Racecourse, Racing for Change, Shearwater Insurance and William Fox-Pitt. The prizes include a weekend pass for the Bramham international horse trials 3rd to 6th June, VIP days at the races, and a fantastic Jeffries English leather bridle. In addition, the winner and runner up will be offered the opportunity to feature their ponies in The Jawbone Gang, the third book in Penny’s crime series. Other prizes in this section include insurance vouchers; saddle cloths; baseball caps; a polo lesson; saddlery vouchers and many more. Pony Club entrants will remain eligible for the main cash prizes of £200, £100 and £50 plus runners up vouchers for equestrian photographer, La Scala Studios.
‘My ideal would be to offer a prize for every Pony Club member who enters,’ says Pippa. ‘and I’m optimistic at this stage that I will be able to.’
Bishop Burton College in East Yorkshire has agreed to provide free entry to the short-listed entrants and the competition sponsors to the Pony European Eventing Championships on Saturday 31st July, where we will hold a wine reception and presentation for the winners. This will take place around 4 pm.
The Pony European Eventing Championships has not been held in Great Britain for 13 years. This should be a fantastic day out with a huge amount to see. Alongside the pony cross-country, there is championship dressage and show jumping as well as an international rugby match.
Schedule, rules and entry form can be downloaded from La Scala Studios or email shortstory@lascalastudios.co.uk
Prizes
Overall winners
1st prize - £200
2nd prize - £100
3rd prize - £50
Other prizes include: VIP days at the races and La Scala Studios vouchers
Overall competition sponsor is La Scala Studios – http://lascalastudios.photium.com
Prize for the best story with a racing theme: a VIP day out at the races sponsored by Racing for Change – www.britishhorseracing.com/racing-for-change/
Pony Club section
First prize: a Derby House Samber saddle or equivalent up to a retail value of £500 together with an Oliver Townend autographed saddle cloth.
Other prizes include: a Jeffries English leather bridle, a weekend pass to the Bramham International horse trials 3rd – 6th June 2010, insurance vouchers; saddle cloths; baseball caps; specialist lessons; saddlery vouchers and many more.
Sponsors in this section include:
• Derby House Ltd – www.derbyhouse.co.uk
• Bramham international horse trials – www.bramham-horse.co.uk
• E Jeffries of Walsall – www.ejeffries.co.uk
• Dengie Feeds – www.dengie.com
• Equest Wormers - www.wormingyourhorse.info
• Master Saddler, Patrick Wilkinson of Beverley - www.patrickwilkinson.co.uk/
• Oliver Townend, Eventer – www.olivertownend.com/
• Shearwater Insurance - www.shearwater-insurance.co.uk/
• White Rose Polo Club - www.whiterosepolo.co.uk/
• Karina Hawkridge at Interdressage – www.interdressage.com
• William Fox-Pitt – www.foxpitteventing.co.uk
Yorkshire section
First prize – signed hardback first edition of Like False Money by Penny Grubb and a family day out at the Great Yorkshire Show 13 -15 July 2010.
Other prizes include: a day at Beverley races; a Border Collie lover’s gift pack (which includes mousemat, coasters, notecards, glass paperweight, fridge magnet and key ring) from renowned UK artist Susan Alison featuring ‘Good Morning, Morning’ one of her best-selling images; a signed set of three books from best-selling Yorkshire crime writer, Danuta Reah; vouchers from a leading Yorkshire photographer.
Sponsors in this section include:
• Great Yorkshire Show – www.greatyorkshireshow.com
• Susan Alison Art – www.susanalison.com
• Danuta Reah, author – www.danutareah.co.uk
• Beverley Races – www.beverley-racecourse.co.uk/
• Penny Grubb, author – www.pennygrubb.com
• La Scala Studios – http://lascalastudios.photium.com
Further information
The deadline for entry to the competition is 15th May 2010.
Rules and entry forms are available by email from La Scala Studios at shortstory@lascalastudios.co.uk or can be obtained by sending a SAE marked ‘Short Story Competition’ to La Scala Studios, Eastfield Farm, Rise Road, Catwick, East Yorkshire, HU17 5PN.
About Derby House – www.derbyhouse.co.uk
Derby House currently has retail stores in Dundonald, Glasgow, Malton, Matlock, Moreton, Olney and Wrightington, plus a brand new outlet in Mold. A quick reference guide to location and opening hours of all stores is at www.derbyhouse.co.uk/stores.asp
For those who prefer to shop from home or online, Derby House has a mail-order catalogue and secure online store.
About Bishop Burton College – www.bishopburton.ac.uk
About La Scala Studios – http://lascalastudios.photium.com
About author, Penny Grubb – www.pennygrubb.com
About author, Linda Acaster – www.lindaacaster.com
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