It's been a while - it was in March 2019 when I posted my last blog. Even more significantly it's been 18 years since I wrote and published my first novel Gypsies Stop tHere. So what's going on? you may ask.
I thought it was high time I reached out to a whole new bunch of readers and made Gypsies Stop tHere easily available to them. It is, I am delighted to announce, once more 'in stock' and ready for you to buy on Amazon!
Much has happened in so many intervening years. Brexit, Covid, Putin, climate change, for me five grandchildren, and cancer in 2014 which put me out of action for a complete year and really set back my writing and publishing endeavours. However, I did manage to finish writing and publishing a fourth novel, Secrets in Appley Green. But what of the Gypsy and Travelling community? It's hard to know but certainly they are still in the news with age-old problems.
Gypsies and Travellers traditionally travel to make a living but for many years there has been a dearth of places for them to legally live, work or just stop en route. Meanwhile like mainstream society, their population has grown whilst the sites have not. Hence a dilemma..
I strove to gain a proper understanding and see both sides, all of which is woven into the story of Gypsies Stop tHere together with a factual portrayal of their history and culture. It does not shy away from contemporary issues that can cause righteous indignation around the UK. When I used to do book signings and give talks I knew I had entered an arena of controversial debate.
So if you want to get some insights into all of this by reading an easy to read story go ahead. The village setting seems to be much loved by readers and of course the characters.
Happy reading!
