Three members of one family are linked by their struggle to
survive poverty and war at the turn of the century.
Kate, a homesick, lonely Irish immigrant, dreams of being a
writer. After difficult times in
Liverpool, she comes to London looking for a better life. Hoping to escape from a life of domestic
service into marriage and motherhood, she meets charming rogue William
Duffield. Despite her worries about his
uncertain temperament, she becomes involved with him. Will it be an escape or a
prison?
Fred is a restless elder son, devoted to his mother yet locked in
a tempestuous relationship with his father.
War intervenes and he secretly signs up to serve abroad. Is his bad reputation deserved? What will become of him?
Joe, too young to sign up for WW1, is left to endure the
hardships of war on the home front and deal with his own guilt at not being
able to serve. He starts an innocent
friendship with his sister-in-law which sustains him through hard times. Will he survive the bombs, the riots, the
rationing, and find true love in the end?
These are their intertwined and interlocking stories recreated
through the medium of diaries, letters, and personal recollections, based on the
author’s
family history covering the period of 1879 – 1920. The truth is never plain and
rarely simple.
This novel is a fresh and compelling look at life for the
working-class poor in England at the end of the Victorian era. Covering issues such as the struggle for home
rule in Ireland, the hardships of domestic service, marital strife, the suffragettes, and the horrors of World War 1 on the home front and abroad, this is a
realistic and gripping tale that keeps the reader involved in their human
plight all the way.
Alison Huntingford has a degree in
humanities with literature and has always enjoyed reading, especially, the
great writers of the 19th century.
She is an only child of two only
children and so has always felt a distinct lack of family. This has inspired
her to research her family history and most of her writing is based on this.
Her debut novel, The Glass Bulldog, was published in 2019 and was nominated
for the Walter Scott Prize for historical fiction. This is her second full-length novel, although, she has also written several short stories.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending
time with her husband and their pets, listening to music, going to the cinema,
and gardening. She lives in Devon, on
the edge of Dartmoor.
BookTweeter is offering free book promotion until 31 July
2020, and we are picking (at random from all entries) one book a day (each week
from Monday to Saturday) to promote.
Each winner will receive a listing on booktweeter.com and
social promotion for 30 days. Our decisions are final and not up for
negotiation and/or debate.
There is no cost to enter, but you must comply with all
guidelines. They are as follows:
Only one entry per author every seven (7) days. This means
authors can enter more than one book, but they have to wait seven days between
each entry.
Complete this form in its entirety and include all requested
information following all instructions to include providing a cover image of
the minimum height/width.
Your book cover and/or book title cannot contain links.
Your book cover cannot contain sexually-explicit images,
profane words, racial epithets or any other imagery or language that may be
considered unsavory.
Your book title cannot contain profane words, racial
epithets or any other language that may be considered unsavory.
Do not enter your information in ALL CAPS, not even your
book title unless the book title is an acronym.
Your entry must be received by 11:59p EST on Monday, 20 July
2020. No entries will be accepted after this date, even though we intend to
pick winners until 31 July 2020.
Travel back in time to 9th Century Anglo-Saxon Britain and the reign of Alfred the Great who successfully repelled the Viking threat and drove the formidable Danish King Guthrum out of his Kingdom of Wessex. Journey throughout Britannia where Lord Richard and his children risk their lives in the service of their King; where treachery and treason threaten the uneasy peace; where the outcome of one battle determines the course of history.
“Treason is punishable by death, no matter the bloodline...”
It has been two years since Alfred, King of Wessex, accepted the surrender of Guthrum, the leader of the Great Heathen Army. Due to Alfred’s terms, Guthrum has turned his back on his pagan ways and embraced the Christian God. By doing so, he now rules the land from Kent to Northumbria. It is enough. No longer does he hunger for the desire for more land and the blood of the battlefield.
However, there are those who see Guthrum’s surrender to the Christian faith as a weakness, and there is one among them which threatens the tranquil peace that Alfred and Guthrum have worked so hard to embrace.
Rigr, Guthrum’s illegitimate son, seeks the throne of his father. However, because of his illegitimacy, Guthrum refuses to recognise him as his heir. Driven by the desire for power, Rigr plots to overthrow his father and to his delight, he discovers that many would not only support his claim but fight alongside him. His course is set. He will win the Daneland from his father, no matter what the cost...
Set in a world of superstition, blood feuds, and revenge, The Briton and the Dane: Birthright (The Briton and the Dane Book #2) by Mary Ann Bernal is the utterly captivating fictional story, set in the time of King Alfred of Wessex and Guthrum of East Anglia.
I have already read several books in The Briton and the Dane series and I was very much looking forward to reading Birthright. I had high expectations for this book, and I am pleased to say that Bernal did not disappoint. Bernal has presented a story that is not only rich in historical detailing but one with an almost tangible realism.
From the opening sentence, I was hooked. The short chapters and quickly changing scenes worked surprisingly well. There is also a huge cast of characters which drove this book forward. Putting all of these things together made this novel unputdownable. In fact, I was so engrossed in this story that I read it in one sitting!
The period of history Bernal chose to base this book on is one where minimal primary sources have survived and although there are many works by Historical Fiction authors about Alfred the Great and his war with Guthrum, the period straight after is one which is sorely neglected by authors, and because of this Bernal's story is wonderfully original.
There are many characters in this book that a reader will love to hate — Rigr being one of them. His anger at his father is like an uncontrollable burning fire inside of him. He is ambitious, and it seems that nothing can thwart him in his quest to become King.
This book is not just about those who desire power. Like with Book #1, I was particularly taken with the character of Elizabeth, who despite being contradicted continuously, is convinced that her husband, who has been missing for two years, is still very much alive. I thoroughly enjoyed Elizabeth’s story.
From the onslaught, this book is filled with non stop drama and cliff-hanger tension. Bernal writes with a vivid imagination and an energy that threatens to memorise. She has a novelist eye for human frailty, and her characters are authentic in the telling.
Tense, powerful and utterly compulsive. I thoroughly enjoyed the second book in this fabulous series.
Mary Ann Bernal attended Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry, NY, where she received a degree in Business Administration. Her literary aspirations were ultimately realized when the first book of The Briton and the Dane novels was published in 2009. In addition to writing historical fiction, Mary Ann has also authored a collection of contemporary short stories in the Scribbler Tales series. Her latest endeavor is a science fiction/fantasy novel entitled Planetary Wars Rise of an Empire. Originally hailing from New York, Mary Ann now resides in Elkhorn, Nebraska.
An adorable picture book for preschool children, and adults, too. Learn the answers to some of the usual questions, such as do elephants have fun while working at the circus? See if your child can guess the answers to the inquisitive questions before the Little Elephant tells all. Beautifully illustrated.
M. C. Arvanitis resides in Fremont, Nebraska. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education, is a graduate of The Institute of Children’s Literature, and taught preschool for many years. Now retired from teaching, she currently manages her blog, Ms. Marge’s Cyber Preschool. Marge has also written numerous mid grade fables, YA stories, and picture books for beginning readers.
It is true that Mein Kampf made Hitler a very rich man. Originally written as a political tract, but also as a way of defraying the costs of Hitler’s treason trial in 1924, the book was translated into 16 languages and had sold around eight million copies by the time of its author’s death in 1945. In the interim, it was estimated to have earned around $1 million per year in royalties, which funded Hitler’s purchase and expansion of his Alpine retreat, the Berghof near Berchtesgaden.
Yet, for all his apparent wealth, Hitler was a rather ascetic character, who had little ‘feel’ for money, and – once chancellor and führer – had little need of it. Indeed, he even chose to forgo his Reich chancellor’s salary and, as his valet recalled, never carried any money on his person.
Thus, the royalties from Mein Kampf were administered by Hitler’s business manager, Max Amann, a director of his publisher, the Franz Eher Verlag in Munich – one of the richest and most influential publishing houses in Nazi Germany.
Prior to his death in April 1945, Hitler wrote a will in which he left most of his possessions and estate to the Nazi Party. However, with the abolition of the latter after the war, along with the Franz Eher Verlag, Hitler’s remaining assets and estate were transferred to Bavaria, the state of which he was a registered resident.
Bavaria has prevented publication of the book in German-speaking territories, and has sought, with limited success, to restrict it elsewhere. Under German law, however, that copyright expired on the 70th anniversary of the author’s death – 30 April 2015.
Heavy demand for the first edition of Hitler’s Mein Kampf to be printed in Germany since his death took its publisher by surprise in January 2016, with orders received for almost four times the print run, the Guardian reported. The BBC has reported in January 2017 that the Institute of Contemporary History (IfZ) in Munich will launch a sixth print run.
Answered by Roger Moorhouse, author of The Devils’ Alliance (Basic Books, 2014) and Berlin at War (Bodley Head, 2010)
Book Signing for PUNK ROCKER & unreleased L.A. PUNK SNAPSHOTS at Book Soup Friday August 5th at 7pm!
8818 W Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA · (310) 659-3110
Punk Rocker is the much anticipated sequel to “L.A. Punk Rocker”: top author Brenda Perlin’s best-selling punk anthology. Here you will find a collection of short stories from those who were there in the early days. Hard core musical anarchists who saw it all, heard it all, did it all - and survived to tell their stories. Along with Brenda and the West Coast punks, Punk Rocker features rebels, writers, commentators and street kids from all over America – talking about the music, the fashion, the attitude, the passion, the lifestyle and, of course, the bands who made it all happen. Meet people who discovered punk’s new dawn – and those who were there for its sunset, in the ramshackle mausoleum of the Chelsea Hotel. Backstage, in the clubs, in the gigs, in hotel rooms with the band, on the streets –Brenda was there. She saw it all. And so did her friends. Punk Rocker. If you missed it…what are you waiting for?
Mark Dresdner’s cover is blown, forcing him to flee East
Germany, yet he refuses to leave the woman he loves. Finding the border crossing blocked, and the
enemy closing in, will he evade capture or be forced to make the ultimate
sacrifice?
Featuring
Betrayal
Aelia gives herself completely to the man she loves,
revealing a life-threatening secret, trusting her husband unconditionally, but
is he deserving of her trust?
Deadly Secrets
Lysandra seeks a new life in America, hoping to forget her
past, but an accidental meeting with a man who knows her true identity
endangers her happiness.
Murder in the First
As judge, jury, and executioner, Bethel decides the fate of
the man responsible for her plight, but things go terribly wrong and the
predator becomes the prey.
The Ritual
Devona’s initiation into a modern-day pagan sect on All
Hallows’ Eve sends the terrified young woman fleeing for her life amidst a
raging storm. Escaping the sacrificial altar, will she survive the tempest?
1040 Duncan, King of Scots was murdered by Macbeth, who became king.
1457
The first book ever printed was published by a German astrologer named Faust.
He was thrown in jail while trying to sell books in Paris because authorities
concluded that all the identical books meant Faust had dealt with the devil.
I’d like to welcome B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree Elisabeth Marrion to talk with me today about her book, Liverpool Connection. Elizabeth was born August 1948, in Hildesheim Germany. Her father was a Corporal in the Royal Air Force and stationed after the War in the British occupied zone in Germany, where he met her mother Hilde, a War Widow. As a teenager she enjoyed reading novels and plays by Oscar Wilde, Thornton Wilder and never lost her love of reading novels by Ernest Hemingway, or short stories by Guy de Maupassant. More recently she felt inspired by Rabbit-proof Fence, a true story written by Doris Pilkington. Elisabeth moved to England in 1969, where she met her husband David. Together they established a clothing importing company. Their business gave them the opportunity to travel and work in the Sub Continent and the Far East. A large part of their working life was spent in Bangladesh, where both helped to establish a school in the rural part of the Country, training young people in trades such as sign writing, electrical work and repair of computers and televisions. Elisabeth discovered her love for writing relatively late, but the good thing is, now she doesn’t seem to be able to stop. For inspiration she put on her running shoes for a long coastal run at the New Forest, where she now lives. How did you discover IndieBRAG
First of all, I must thank you Stephanie, for taking time to talk with me.
I discovered indieBRAG through several ways really, but I will just mention three, which are: through my wonderful publishing team at SilverWood, who encourage each writer to spread themselves as far across the spectrum as possible; through writer Debbie Brown, from the English Historical Fiction Authors; and of course writer Helen Hollick from the HNS. Both Debbie and Helen provide the writers with updates via the Social Media to ensure they are aware of all the possibilities out there. Tell me about your book, Liverpool Connection
Liverpool Connection is Annie’s story. Annie, like her sisters before her, leaves Ireland together with her ever-optimistic friend Flo, to find a better life in Liverpool. Only things do not turn out they way she had imagined. Soon Annie falls in love, marries and starts a family of her own. But with the onset of World War II comes tragedy and loss, testing Annie’s strength to her limit. Little does she realise that the salvation of one of her loved ones, lies with Hilde, a German woman, whose life and situation mirrors Annie’s own. Why did Annie and her friend chose Liverpool to find a better life?
There was very little work available in Ballyshannon at that time. Yarn and Textile Mills were in decline. Annie dreamed of life in a big city and had the security of her sisters living and working there already. So what could possible go wrong ? Why did you chose 1926 as the opening period for your story? Is there any historical significance?
Liverpool Connection is based upon a true story and Annie left Ireland in the 1920’s. I then picked the year to be 1926, which was the same year as Hilde, the German woman, leaves the security of her home in Prussia to work in a household in Berlin.
Tell me a little about the German woman, Hilde, that Annie meets.
Annie and Hilde never meet in person but the connection between them was through Joseph, a young Corporal in the RAF, who is looking for his friend, Annie’s brother-in-law. His plane was shot down over Hildesheim where Hilde lived. Hilde was my mother and Joseph was my father. Could you please share an excerpt?
“Dorothy. Run!” She managed to shout before she started to cough.
Aircraft noises drowned out Annie’s instructions. She hurried after Dorothy. A whistling sound, silence, then a massive boom, which seemed to be really close by. The earth shook under her feet, and Annie fell to the ground, dropping Derek when she fell.
“Derek!” Nobody heard Annie’s cry for help. She was alone, lying on the ground, unable to move. From fear or shock, she did not know, but her legs refused to carry her weight. There was burning rubble near to where Derek had fallen. He managed to get up by himself. Covered in dirt, he toddled over to where she lay. He did not cry, just sat on the ground next to Annie. The planes came back. She imagined them to be somewhere right above her in the dark sky. She pulled Derek over by his arm. And covered him with her body as best she could. One arm over Derek and with the other shielding her head. Noises, threatening noises. Deafening sounds. The earth underneath would not keep still. And hot, so hot. My children, I hope they are safe. She must have said it out loud. She felt somebody pulling her at the back of the coat. Whodesigned the cover of your book?
The wonderful creative team from SilverWood. I was asked whether I had my own idea and supplied just a tiny bit and then ‘voila’ the cover arrived. How did you come up with the title for your book?
Since the story runs side-by-side with my first book, ‘ The Night I danced with Rommel’ and the connection between the two books is Liverpool, the title could only be this one. Where can readers buy your book?
It can be bought via Amazon, printed, kindle and audio. Barnes & Noble
Plus Bookstores in the UK. When you get stuck on a scene what do you do?
I get up and walk around. In extreme cases, I put my running shoes on and go for a run on the coastal path. This is something I have always done when I have had to solve a problem. What you working on next?
So much for the Unbroken Bonds series being a trilogy. It is my late husband David’s fault really. When I read the final chapter and epilogue to him from Cuckoo Clock-New York, he asked me what was happening to Thomas. Yes, you may well ask. You will have to find out in Welcome to Singapore, the prologue of which will be in the forthcoming book. Are you sticking with just one genre?
No, I had already started with a totally different idea. But now, thanks to David, I will have to tell Thomas’s story first. Where do you write?
I like to get up early, usually around 5am. I make myself a cup of really strong coffee and take it into my office. I first go over the chapter I wrote the day before and make adjustments. I then start on the next chapter. I write about 800 – 900 words a day. I have this habit of getting up every so often, walking around.-to clear my head a presume. Then I sit down and carry on.
A Message from indieBRAG: We are delighted that Stephanie has chosen to interview Elizabeth Marrion who is the author of, Liverpool Connection, our medallion honoree at indieBRAG . To be awarded a B.R.A.G. Medallion TM, a book must receive unanimous approval by a group of our readers. It is a daunting hurdle and it serves to reaffirm that a book such as, Liverpool Connection, merits the investment of a reader’s time and money.
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˃˃˃ "The various creatures found in these novels are ... not like anything I've read before." - Maja
˃˃˃ "Huff writes for every reader, regardless of their age or gender." - Sandy Sandmeyer
˃˃˃ "There are good life lessons to be learned from this as the baddies try to out wit the good guys!" - Liz Pomeroy TOP 1000 REVIEWER
˃˃˃ "Huff's novel took me to a different place, where daily life is somehow seen as only a surface-rippling manifestation of its beyond and beneath." - George F. Simons "at diversophy.com"
Today, the
great Wizard of Notts and Cauldron fame, aka Mark Barry, has graciously agreed
to say a few words about himself, his work and his future aspirations as Green
Wizard Publishing celebrates two years in the business.
Thanks for
stopping by, Mark.
First, please remind people who you
truly are - you do not need to betray state secrets, or you can, if you wish to
reveal true confessions.Only kidding,
Great Wizard.My fans just want to know
a little bit about the REAL you.
Me? My
name is Mark Barry. That’s my real name. I live in Nottinghamshire in the heart
of Robin Hood country. I am passionate about reading (note, not writing),
books, comics, music, Notts County (note, not football) and most of all, aside
from family, horse racing. I love
that sport with a passion. I don’t smoke, drink (much) and run thirty miles a
week. In a fortnight’s time, my company,
Green Wizard, is two years old.
And I make
a profit. Not a huge one, but I filed a profit nonetheless.
Mark with his son, Matthew, who, so far, shows no sign of following in his father’s literary footsteps – though he does fanatically support Notts County (which is a much more important trait).
You’re a big fan of the Magpies
(Notts County football team), and have written about fans supporting the team
in two novels, Ultra Violence and Violent Disorder, which are Green Wizard
Publishing’s best sellers.Were you
surprised by the interest your football hooligan stories have generated?If so, why.
The first
book, as you know, went through the roof and I attracted some good numbers. It’s
a genre book, of interest to football fans and mainly hooligans, though I know
you, Ngaire and Brenda have all read the books and enjoyed them, which was really surprising. Genre books sell. They have a ready audience.
Look at romance. Even the most uninspired of writers can make a living selling
romance novels. It’s in the genre. I wasn’t surpised though:The two books are
written completely differently to the other football books – the closest I can
think of is Awaydays by Kevin
Sampson, though my favourite, like many other hooligan writers, is Football Factory by John King. A
masterpiece.So, innovation always
attracts some attention.
Why do you feel you had to tell
this story about violence in sports?
Simple. I
wanted to tell a story about small clubs, a small club like Notts, and the
people involved in what was relatively small scale violence. I thought there
was a gap too. Most hooligan books are about the big boys, the Millwalls, the
Stokes, the Chelseas, the West Hams, the Birmingham Cities, the Cardiffs, etc.
I thought it was about time I told the Notts story. Particularly as our
deadliest rivals, Nottingham Forest had a book out there which is written by
Martin King, who specializes in this kind of genre work.
How realistic are your stories?
In the
football? All of them happened.Bang
on.The rest of the books are fictional
stories based on my observations, like other writers, and turned into big long
tales.
What is the hardest part of writing
your books?Do you start at the
beginning and continue writing until the story is completed, or do you write
chapters out of sequence?
I am a
blank page writer and start at the Once Upon a Time stage. I detest editing and
proofing and I rarely redraft. Give me a blank page and I am at my happiest. I
don’t reread my work after its published. I shelve it. I know writers who have
eight or nine drafts of a book. No way. I have to get my book finished or I
reach a boredom zone. The Ritual, which is being re-released as a six (or
seven) book mini-series is an exception. I saw that backwards, from the end, which
is why I had to rewrite it as the middle needed a LOT of work. I didn’t say I
was perfect, Mary Ann
How do you come up with the titles
for your novels?Do you use working
titles or are your titles set in stone?Do you have a title before you start the story, or do you choose a title
once the story is completed?
All the
titles bar The Ritual were conceived at the beginning of the process. I cannot
believe that I was able to get Ultra Violence and Violent Disorder as titles. I
like my titles. The Ritual was known as The Daughter of Satan until I saw how
many other books, mostly porn, had the same title. Twenty or thirty. Happy with
The Ritual as a title. It does exactly what it says on the tin. There is a
great line in Book Six which would have been even better had the original title
remained. I love titling and naming.
What is your favorite novel written
by you, and why?
My latest
book The Night Porter, without a doubt.Everything else has at least one flaw. In UV, you never find out what
happens to the narrator’s job. Same as BBVD. That book may as well not have a
framing sequence! Hollywood Shakedown, which a few people really like, slows down after a melting start before picking up
again. Carla is oppressively dark for me nowadays – I’ve cheered up no end –
and I can no longer see the black humour and the bitterness is overwhelming at
times. There is one fantastic chapter in there called Smash Box which is pretty well written.The Ritual has that terrible middle that old school horror writers could get away with
in the pre-Playstation era, like Stephen King’s utterly mind numbing democracy
chapters in The Stand, an otherwise
melting book at both ends. You couldn’t wait for that stuff to end, but you
carried on, knowing that Randall Flagg was about and he was well evil!!
Nowadays, modern pop kids, with hundreds and thousands of books to choose from
won’t forgive a writer his fancies. They want perfection and they want it now.
TNP, as you and I know it, is fast, well-paced, clever, innovative, conceited,
intricate, shallow when it needs to be, with decent dialogue and interesting
characters. Its accessible to both genders and most ages, though young readers
seem to read their own stuff nowadays, which is of limited interest to me,
excessively dialogue based as it is.
I just love when you mention
ancient times in your novels.For those
fans who have yet to read your work, your passion is evident with the
historical references you weave throughout your stories.Since you are so knowledgeable, would you
consider delving into the realm of historical fiction?Ancient Rome and/or Roman Britain, perhaps?
Or William the Conqueror?Just teasing
you, Great Wizard - I know your true feelings about the aftermath of the
Bastard’s invasion.Just a thought since
you write in multiple genres.That being
said, would you care to comment?
Why would
I compete with you out there, Mary Ann? You wrote the best historical fiction
book I am ever likely to read with The Briton and the Dane:Concordia.I couldn’t do it justice, though I would love
to do a barbarian book. Robert E Howard was one of my very favourite writers. I
do love history though and have a running plotline throughout all my books
about the lingering impact of the Norman success at Hastings in 1066. Life
would have been very different had Harold not had that two week forced march
from Stamford Bridge. And they nearly won!!
Battle of Hastings
I am interjecting here, a passage
from the first edition of “The Ritual”, which mentions Romans, Saxons, Normans,
pagans, and druids - all in the same place.Love it!
“We know nothing about the Villa, but we do know that the Romans
built their temples on pagan ceremonial sites. Something traditionally done,
each successive conqueror dynasty supplanting the sites, the churches, and the
sacred spaces of the conquered. The Norman-built Three Steeples Church, for
example, is built on a Saxon place of worship. The Saxon, in turn, is built on
the Roman Villa site. The Romans built the Villa on an expansive Pagan
ceremonial wood and a Druid burial site. Druids from this area fought alongside
Boudicca in the forest, and they helped butcher a Legion, something that
enraged Rome. Eventually, the rebellion faltered. Hence, the Villa and Temple
built on one of their most sacred places. Those Druids practiced wood magic,
sun worship, harvest rituals and human sacrifice. Like Stonehenge, this whole
region drips in magical lore and a religious culture, which goes back thousands
of years, all the way back to the times primitive societies began to develop
faith and beliefs. Arkwright must have known this, which is why he built this
masterpiece right here.” He put his arm around Jennifer again. “Listen. Feel.
Embrace it, Jennifer. If you concentrate, you can sense the spirits here.”
Southwell Minster
That’s
Doctor Merchant. I’d know his portentous prose anywhere, Mary Ann. I actually
live a hundred yards away from The Minster and have had a look at the old Villa
up close. If the mini-series sells, I’ll write a loose sequel called
Monstertown. I have the first chapter written and its based around that old
roman Villa. Sadly, a developer has bought it and the Council have permitted
the building of six detached executive houses on there. So that will be the
last we see of it
Congratulations on the launch of
The Night Porter.
How did you come up with the title?
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I sat down
in November and wrote the first chapter. A friend of mine, who worked as an
Escort, told me of a job at the local hotel as a Night Porter when I was ill in
2010. I actually asked for an application form, but I bottled it. The job comes
up every now and again and I think I developed a fascination with it, maybe an
obsession. I wrote the first chapter straight off and it developed from there –
the awards ceremony, the loathsome Julian Green, Martin Sixsmith and the
character of The Night Porter. I do reference Cavani’s film in the book, but it
is completely different concept. Message? Yes there is a massive message, but
readers will have to get stuck in to find it. Sorry, Mary Ann.
In case you missed it, Youtube has
the movie in its entirety
Mr. Chuckles has taken me into his
confidence, and I dare risk his wrath by asking you to confirm your next
project.Is it true that GWP will be publishing
a spell-binding horror story as a series?Pray tell - we DO want to know the inside scoop.
As I
mentioned earlier, I’m rewriting The Ritual and instead of publishing it as a
giant novel, I am doing a six (or seven) part mini. 20,000 words each for
99c/99p. It’s too good a book to let languish, but people simply don’t trust an
Indie with a big book like that. The last chapter I edited today is fantastic,
possibly the most exciting chapter I have ever written, anywhere. Now my job is
to strengthen the earlier chapters. I also have a book of short stories in my
head, but – you will be pleased to know, Mary Ann, I am taking a big break for
six months for racing and sleeping. It’s been a long winter.
Before we bid adieu, would you
share with us your favorite excerpt from your favorite novel?
The Bramwell pub – the second most vulnerable to closure of
the nine Wheatley Field’s hostelries and situated in a hollow, which acted as a
repository for the water flow – was soaked to the rafters. It will take it six
months to re-open, and local gossip indicates it might never re-open at all.
I’ve enjoyed a pint of Bishop’s Mitre in there, and closing
would be a shame. The chap who runs it is an ex-serviceman called Michael, and
he deserves success, I think, and even if he were a horrible man (and there are
two hostelries in the town run by such), I still wouldn’t wish the pub to
close.
You can judge the health and vitality of a town like The
Fields by the number of pubs it contains, or, as a friend of mine puts it, the
number of a town’s convivariums: places
where people meet, encounter, congregate, laugh, whisper, plot and scheme.
The wind at night is different from its daytime counterpart,
and there’s something refreshing about it. Something brisk. I let the wind
embrace my face, and I close my eyes. I wonder, on occasion.
Had Neil appreciated these little night time things, he might
still be here. Sixteen years older and sixteen years less dead.
My fans
and I thank you for your candid replies.We wish you the very best with your new titles, which you can discuss
when we have you back.
