Talking Books, Bloggers and Brum

Last Saturday I was thrilled to find myself back in Birmingham for a Bloggers and Authors Get Together organised by the writer and blogger extraordinaire Kim Nash aka Kim The Bookworm, whose second novel, Escape to Giddywell Grange is out now.  It was so good to find myself among so many distinguished writers and bloggers; bookie people – my Tribe! Many I was meeting for the first time, but others are people I love and adore like Shell Baker of bakersnotsosecret.blog

Shell is a dab-hand with the old selfie-stick as you can see.  And she has the most amazing hair … Read the rest »

The Day That Kept On Giving

Tuesday 21st May 2019 was a day to remember.

First of all, it was the cover reveal for my latest book Singles, Set and Match – and………….drumroll……….. HERE IT IS!!  Ta – daaaa!

It’s out on 1st July but it’s available to pre-order now on Kindle  https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07S3WGLX2/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Singles+Set+and+Match&qid=1558421691&s=digital-text&sr=1-1

At the moment it’s with an army of book bloggers who have kindly agreed to take part in my blog tour, which has been organised by the fabulous Rachel Gilbey (and who I’ve driven nuts!).  And that’s exciting and frightening at the same time.  Eeek!  Crossing all fingers and toes they’ll like it.  … Read the rest »

Three Great Announcements!

It’s a very exciting time!!

Announcement Number One…..drumroll…….:

This week my play Stanley Grimshaw Has Left The Building is being staged by Melabeau Productions in the Lunchbox slot at the Bridewell Theatre, London EC4.  How good is that?  We are all buzzing about it and if you’re in London at lunchtime please bring your sandwiches or sushi and come and have a laugh at our one-act black comedy. Tickets available on the door at the moment or ring the theatre box office – 020 7353 3331 or online – www.sbf.org.uk

Announcement Number Two…..another drumroll….. The cover reveal for my latest … Read the rest »

Let’s Hear It For Harry – and Audrey, Stan and Tony!

At a time when Pensioners are fast becoming the nation’s scapegoats it was encouraging to see 71-year-old Harry Rednapp voted King of the Jungle on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.  I have to say I like Harry even though he did morph into Miserable Old Git for a while during the run.  He’s a good old East London Boy!  I did wonder, though, how Sandra had put up with him for so long!  They met in The Two Puddings in Stratford in 1964 and married in St Margaret’s Church Barking in the summer of 1967.  Many have … Read the rest »

Wanna Be My Friend, Janet?

Janet Street-Porter is a Marmite celebrity; with her forthright views, distinctive, quirky look and abhorence of being hugged by anyone outside her immediate circle, you love her or you can’t stand her.  I fall into the former category.  I admire her for being herself and telling it as it is and I tend to only watch Loose Women when she’s on the panel.

Janet comes across as a strong woman with a large circle of friends so I was a bit surprised to find out that she’s admitted to being lonely.  Apparently a couple of months ago she realised she … Read the rest »

Our Film is Preferred!

With apologies to purists for dabbling with the words of Bottom.

Yes!  We’ve been delighted, ecstatic, over-the-moon to discover that our short film Only the Lonely has been chosen for the prestigious Underwire Film Festival to be held at the Barbican on 22nd November.  Yay!  Watching the film is an indescribable feeling; seeing the characters come to life and speak “your” words is very rewarding and fulfilling.  Now seeing it on the big screen will be a dream come true.   And….. the film is also nominated for an award in the XX Category – best on-screen protagonist.  How exciting! Cross … Read the rest »

Such a Night

Oh, my! In the words of the one and only Elvis, “What a night it was! It really was, such a night!”

Last Friday we had the first ever screening of Only the Lonely, the short film I wrote last year with Veronique Christie, courtesy of Dan Films, our production company, led by Julie Baines. I am still on a high.

I’d seen it but only on a laptop and before the final sound had been laid and it had been signed off. Watching it on a screen was an indescribable feeling. Everyone concerned had done a marvellous job, including … Read the rest »

Toasting With Lemsip

Happy New Year!

Goodness me, it’s been a while since I put fingertips to keyboard and posted something for you. Sincere apologies! But there are two fundamental reasons for my extended silence.

The first, it’s all been bad news really and nobody wants to read about other people’s problems; most have enough with their own without having to listen to mine. 2017 was a tough old year – three hurricanes, the sale of Avocado Cottage falling through four times, banging my head against a brick wall against so many people and things in both Antigua and UK, finding myself with … Read the rest »