No Gypsies Served FREE on Kindle soon!

I few weeks’ ago I drafted a blog post about free Kindle downloads, stressing the negatives, but I never published it because I sensed that this was something I might later regret. The whole publishing scene is shifting and reinventing itself on a daily basis. I felt my opinion might change – and it has!

After a lot of thought, yes, No Gypsies Served, my second novel, will be FREE for you to download 12 Oct – 16 Oct. Please tell, Tweet or email all your friends, colleagues, neighbours, family, anyone you know who reads e-books, of this special promotion. Thanks!

As I said a couple of weeks ago in The Changing Face of Waterstones,  ‘Waterstones is selling Kindle e-readers to its customers, with the idea that customers can browse books in their shops – the touchy feely version – and then if they want an ebook version they can download it while in the shop. Whether this will work or not, for them, as a profitable venture will remain to be seen. I guess they feel people are doing this anyway, and if they can be part of the experience so much the better. In other words, if you can’t beat them, join them!’  That is a bit how I feel!

This is a shortened version – it looks at the parallels with the music industry to see if authors and publishers can learn from this.

There is divided opinion among authors I know, through Famous Five Plus and  Love a Happy Ending, on the pros and cons of offering their books for free. This is a marketing strategy of Amazon’s KDP Select (Kindle Direct Publishing). They suggest that in the 90 days when you forego offering your work on any other ebook platform, you also offer your book as a free download for up to 5 days. It will get your book known, being read by many more readers, who may give some good reviews; it can gain visibility in the free charts; and it could ultimately lead to an increase in real sales after the special offer expires. Kindle’s strategy may also include giving a wider market a powerful incentive to buy the e-reader device. The question is, is this a good idea for authors? Although it may seem like a wonderful idea for readers, does it offer a rich and broad spectrum of daring books that traditional publishers may have seen as high-risk, or open up a plethora of mediocre books?

Personally, I felt doubtful about the whole thing. I had worked hard to produce my three novels! Now, was I expected to just give them away for nothing?!

I spoke to Andy Malt, Editor of music business website CMU (http://www.theCMUwebsite.com). Over the last decade he has seen the music industry going through many changes similar to those happening now in book publishing.

How does free downloading work with music? What have been the key changes in the music industry in the last 8 - 10 years that we, in the book world, can learn from?

Well, illegal downloading took off at the turn of the century and has continued to boom ever since, but that's a massive topic to cover in itself, and not what we're really talking about here, so I'll concentrate on legitimately offered downloads.

There's no hard and fast rule for how it works, but there are three main ways of doing it. Either just giving away the single tracks completely for free, giving away single tracks in exchange for an email address, or giving away a complete album and then trying to drive people to buy limited edition physical copies. These tend to suit artists at different stages in their career. These strategies have taken a long time to develop properly and as ebooks begin to take off there is much the publishing industry can learn from what the music industry has been through (and much beyond giving things away for free). But the ultimate question when you give something away for free is: How will this help me achieve what I want to achieve?

With the benefit of hindsight, do you think any artists may have regretted giving their music away? Or, conversely, has it worked miracles for them?

The answer is yes to both. Many think that the prevalence of free music online has devalued it to a point where people don't really care about it any more. Conversely, many see it as levelling the playing field for artists, because the internet provides everyone with easy distribution tools, removing many of the barriers that previously existed in reaching potential fans. People are able to listen to a far broader range of music from all over the world now because the access is so much greater. But that of course means the competition for your ears (or in the case of books, eyes) is also much greater.

Is it a question of short term gain, maybe not so good in the long-term?

No, I think it's the opposite. In order for all of these things to pay off you have to think in the long term. Early in an artist's career, giving music away can help them to get their name known. The hope would be that they have a long and successful enough career to earn a good living later. Those early fans will always be important, because they're the people who will evangelise for you as you rise up the ranks.

As I said before, the question you need to ask is 'How will this help me achieve what I want to achieve?'. If you want to have a long term career and make music or write books for the rest of your life, then foregoing financial gain in the short term (which is far from assured, anyway) may ultimately be what pushes you towards that goal.

Are there differences between the UK and US? Are they ahead of the game in the US, do you think?
Europe was ahead of the US in terms of adoption and acceptance of digital music at one stage (in terms of the industry - the fans have been on it for a long time), but that has changed more recently. There's still a resistance to it from some quarters, but I think we've reached a point now where the music industry knows that the internet isn't going to go away. The fans are going to get what they want, so resistance is counterproductive.

Thanks Andy!’

 

It’s all pretty experimental in the e-publishing world at the moment which makes it both fascinating and exciting.

So - if you would like something for nothing, then please download here in a few days’ time!  (Friday 12 Oct - Tuesday 16 Oct) Remember you can read Kindle books on your PC, Mac or iPad, if you don’t have a Kindle, so long as you have the right software or App.

Some reviews of No Gypsies Served

Many FIVE STARS here on  Amazon 

A few interesting insights into No Gypsies Served, by Scarlett de Courcier,  Bohemiacademia

“I'd recommend them as essential reading to anyone; I think they should be in every local library, preferably on the 'recommended' shelf, “

Her No 2 Choice of 13 Top Books of 2010

“ … if I'm going on just how much I was impressed by a book, and how important it is to society at the moment, Wakerly's two novels have to take joint second place. 

Really, really beautifully written.”

Louise Graham,  Lou Graham's Blog 

“Miriam has really helped me understand the Gypsy community a little bit better with some compassion.”

Nikki Bywater, Books 4U

“… another wonderful read by Miriam Wakerly  …really portrays Gypsies and Travelling people as individual characters”

Kay Green, Booksy

" … deftly using a variety of plot-devices to fill in the picture whilst maintaining page-turning momentum.

… Wakerly is remarkably good at passing the reader food for thought without ever preaching. She makes no judgemental comments as she passes …”

 

Michael Smith,   O NEVO DROM

“This book is one that I can wholeheartedly recommend to the reader and the story will leave the reader spellbound throughout the entire book. Miriam has put so many different angles and plots into this book that boredom just cannot ever rear its head, making this book a real page turner.”

And something extra from  Love a Happy Ending See a wonderful photo here - and why!!

"No Gypsies Served picks up the story of Gypsies Stop tHere two years on, in Appley Green; so it is a sequel but, as it goes back in time, it is also the prequel. You could read No Gypsies Served first if you prefer because they also stand alone as stories."

 

I Wrote it My Way - Janice Horton

You may remember (it was less than a couple of weeks ago!) that I invited Darlene Jones to tell us how she decided on her chosen genre. It was fascinating to hear what inspired her. Now I am delighted to welcome my second guest! Come on in, lovely Janice Horton!

I met Janice at the Summer Audience, Love a Happy Ending eventheld in Tetbury. She lives in Scotland and, interestingly, was previously traditionally published but now writes as an Indie.

As described in her Author Bio, she 'writes Scottish set romantic novels with humour and heart.' This sounds like a special sub-genre! Rom-com but has to be Scottish!  Her new book 'How Do You Voodoo' does not actually sound at all Scottish, but you may have heard of her Kindle bestselling ebooks 'Bagpipes & Bullshot' and 'Reaching for the Stars'. I read the first and it certainly made me chuckle. You can tell from the title that this is going to be humorous as well as romantic, and it surely is.

Janice tells how she was drawn to write this kind of book.

'My favourite books have always been upbeat contemporary romance stories about love, life, and adventure. I want to escape into a book and to be whisked away to a place where amazing things can happen and love can always be found. Humour is such an important part of life that it is also an essential ingredient in the kind of books I love to read and in those I write. I enjoy reading about people and situations larger than life so you will always find interesting and eccentric characters in my novels too. The ideas for my stories are usually sparked by something that has happened in real life that has the effect of putting my imagination into overdrive!

My romantic and magical novella How Do You Voodoo? is being launched in October and is a fun contemporary story. It’s about a beautiful but lonely and loveless young woman, a top model, who starts to think being beautiful is a curse. But after a ‘spat’ with another passenger on a flight back from the Caribbean, after which her looks immediately begin to fade, she starts to believe she really has been cursed! How Do You Voodoo? is being launched on Friday 26th October. See my blog for more on how to take part in The Spellbindingly Fun Blog Party to celebrate the launch!'

Find out more about Janice and her novels:

Author Blog: http://www.janicehortonwriter.blogspot.co.uk
Follow her on Twitter: @JaniceHorton
Like her Author Facebook Page
Featured Author & Associate Editor at: Loveahappyending.com

Link to her ebooks on Amazon.co.uk

Link to her ebooks on Amazon.com

 

Thank you Janice. I wonder who will be my next author visitor and what kind of book they write - and why?

The Changing Face of Waterstones

For years Waterstones has been very supportive of its local authors. What is happening now?

There are changes going on! Waterstones is selling Kindle e-readers to its customers, with the idea of customers browsing  books in their shops – the touchy feely version, as normal – and then if they want an ebook version they can download it on the premises. How this will work for them, as a profitable venture will remain to be seen. I guess they feel people are doing this anyway, and if they can be part of the experience so much the better. In other words, if you can’t beat them, join them!

More to the point here, Waterstones shops are cutting back on their author signing events. All the booksellers I have spoken to about this across a number of branches, are pretty upset by this initiative from their newish CEO James Daunt but feel helpless to express their opinion. For a variety of reasons, they see author visits as good for business.  As I understand it, the focus will be on very well-known authors (including celebrities who happen to have brought out a book) giving talks ‘out of hours’ in the evening.  The hope is for queues of people lining the pavements, as in days of old. This idea will make it more difficult for new writers to become ‘established’. Come on bookshops! Surely you can’t expect publishers and authors to do all the promotional work for you!!

Waterstones launch book signing
 of first novel, Gypsies Stop tHere 2008

I have done 3 book launches and over 30 book signings in Waterstones since 2008, when I first launched Gypsies Stop tHere (as well as Borders and events).

They can be hard work, but I thoroughly enjoy doing them (not all authors do), have met people from all walks of life and had stimulating discussions at my little table of books. People have waved goodbye smilingly as they went out of the shop with a signed copy of my book(s), like old friends.

In The Author, the Society of Authors quarterly magazine, I read:  “In August, The Bookseller reported that Waterstones might be getting cold feet about hosting author events in its stores. The root of the problem seems to be some individual writers, uninvited, over-zealously promoting their books to customers in Waterstones shops …"  It would seem that “inappapropiate activities of a few” have spoilt it for the rest of us  - who do not appear to have overcooked things. Indeed I have heard of one writer who is particularly forthcoming – the culprit shall remain anonymous; very diplomatically, booksellers can never recall his name, but from the descriptions I am sure he is the same one. I completely  understand that customers do not want to be accosted; there is a gentle way of doing things, but simple guidelines could be suggested and the situation easily ‘policed’ by the booksellers.

Launch of Shades of Appley Green 2012

I am not sure what the future holds for authors – one branch manager has already said that my visit was their last one of the ‘old signing events’ but  they hope to arrange something else with me soon; so I hope this indicates that all is not lost! Meanwhile, inevitably, much as I value the strong relationship I have built over the years with Waterstones, (with all my books stocked by their wholesaler so they get a discount on a par with mainstream publishers), perhaps I shall need to switch my focus to smaller booksellers and ebooks. Many other authors must be in the same boat and I would love to hear from you.

http://www.booksellers.org.uk/bookshopsearch   

I will keep you posted and if anyone has any further info or thoughts on the subject, please do leave a comment – as a writer, a reader, a bookshop or a Waterstones bookseller!


Will this be the last?

 

I Wrote it My Way - Darlene Jones

Please give a warm welcome to my first guest author!

It is always fun to be a guest on another author’s blog and I am really grateful to all those people who have invited me in the past. Although I have had Miriam’s Ramblings running for some years now this is not something I have done before - had visitors!

I feel it is time to put this right! I am always fascinated to know what led writers to their chosen genre and what or who influenced their choice.

My first guest to talk about this is Darlene Jones.

I was a little unsure where she lives, although I know her books were influenced by her years living in Mali. I asked her to clarify: ‘A little Canadian humor for you,' she said. 'I'm a true Albertan - born in Saskatchewan and retired in British Columbia. I now live on Vancouver Island and spend the winters in Mexico.’ No wonder I was confused!!

But this is exciting, isn’t it? Here I am in ‘Appley Green’ land in Surrey, England and there Darlene is …!

Writer of three books, Empowered, Embattled and Embraced, Darlene explains:

Some time ago, I suffered terribly from insomnia. I started telling myself a story in an attempt to sleep. It didn’t work. Instead the story grew and came to a point where I had to write it down. I certainly didn’t intend to write a sci fi and despite the sci fi element with the other worldly beings, I don’t consider my books to be science fiction per se. I see them as contemporary fiction dealing with the world we live in now. I’m not sure why my story took this particular direction, but I love the magic I was able to bring to the plot line along with the romance. Every book needs a love story, right?

My own reading tastes are eclectic. I read anything that grabs my attention. I was once asked to list My Ten Favorite Books Limiting me to ten was cruel as I could give you one hundred or more books that rank right up there.

When I first published my books, I thought they were stories for women because of the love theme (and love triangle), but I’ve had great comments from the men who have read them. That’s probably because there are elements of action and adventure in the story too, and exotic locales. EMBRACED is the third and, in some respects, my favorite. I have one more in progress to end the series. I’ve been careful to write each so it can be read as a “stand alone” which I hope gives readers more flexibility, rather than feeling they have to read the books in a certain order.
 
You can find out more about Darlene-Jones and her books right here!

on Amazon

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/223180

Website: www.emandyves.com

Blog: http://emandyves.wordpress.com

Thanks so much Darlene for being my first visitor!
Watch out for my next author guest in a couple of weeks' time.

The Next Big Thing

Today something quite new has arrived!

Miriam’s Ramblings can take you to faraway places or cover edgy issues. It’s such an unpredictable mish-mash of snippets, who knows what will come up next? Sometimes I don’t even know myself!

I am a member of a couple of groups of lovely authors – ‘Love a Happy Ending’ and ‘Famous Five Plus’. Chris Longmuir, who lives in Scotland is an amazing writer of crime fiction and, like me, actually belongs to both groups. I met Chris at the fantastic ‘Summer Audience’ in June at my old school in Goucestershire.

Well, Chris has set me off on something called ‘The Next Big Thing’, where writers are posed questions, enticing them to throw out a few intriguing nuggets about their current work in progress. This gives readers and fans a privileged insight, not quite a sneak preview, as to what to expect next from an author.

On  Chris Longmuir's blog   she handed over the baton to me, so to speak, and four others. So here I am now ready to tease you with a few guarded hints of the Next Big Thing. Will it be Gypsies? Or something else? Will it be in Appley Green?

What is the working title of your next book?

The title for my next book is undecided  - no, not ‘Undecided’!  It needs to tie in with Shades of Appley Green, as it will be the second of a new series of modern village novels.

Where did the idea come from for the new series?
The idea came from readers of the first two books and from an agent at the Winchester Writers’ Conference a few years ago. Gypsies Stop tHere and No Gypsies Served are both set in the fictional village of Appley Green that ‘straddles the boundaries’ of Surrey and Hampshire. Aside from the theme of these two books, to do with the relations between Gypsies/Travellers and mainstream society, encouraging comments told me that readers enjoyed the style, the storytelling. There were spontaneous outbreaks of enthusiasm such as a local county councillor who emailed me, "They are amazingly readable, and I tore through each within about 48 hours of purchasing them. Couldn't put them down wanting to find out what happened."  Many others said things like, ‘A right riveting read!’ ‘… a compelling yarn …’ ‘a real page-turner’ and so on. Perhaps people found this a surprise, not what they expected from a ‘village novel’ (yet from those titles, anyone could tell that these stories were not going to ‘shy away from thorny issues’ to quote another reader).

Anyway, as a typical author always delighted by positive feedback, did I listen? Yes, I did!! This was my style and I should build on it.

Now, publishers were always very wary of my edgy themes. Ooh – a bit controversial! Agents were probably worried about them being non-pc and the agent at Winchester told me I would never get a publisher to look at a book with the word Gypsy in the title. If you search titles on Amazon with ‘Gypsy’ you will see there are thousands!! Many of them have been published since I self-published Gypsies Stop tHere – I am delighted that so many Gypsies have found a new confidence to pick up their pens or computers and write their own memoirs. (Since then Gypsies and Travellers have gained a high media profile – not all good, by any means. Both Channel 4’s Big Fat Gypsy Weddings and real-life news story of Dale Farm were detrimental and not typical, but I have written often and at length on my blog, and spoken on the radio about these issues …)

I digress. So this agent, she advised me to write a series of village novels – she liked the idea of the village notice-board that features in Gypsies Stop tHere. It would have wider appeal, she told me.

So there we are, Shades of Appley Green was the first in a brand new series. It links to the first two but has an entirely fresh theme – nothing to do with Gypsies! This third book is everything to do with community and family relationships we can all recognise in some way, but with a few surprises and twists.

So - all I can say is that the ‘next big thing’ will follow suit - more surprises and twists!

What genre do your books fall under?

Genre has always been tricky for me. I completely understand the commercial need for labels but I confess my books do not slot neatly into a given type. The first two have a ‘message’, more typical of ‘literary fiction’, but they are easy-to-read books. They explore social issues, but also have elements of humour and romance. Shades of Appley Green is a ‘modern village novel’ – perhaps ‘women’s contemporary fiction’ - that also offers thought-provoking issues.

The ‘next big thing’ will look at some of the characters already in all three novels, but in a way that no-one will expect. I can say no more at the moment.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Kay Brackenbridge would be Helen Mirren - of course! Dunstan? I wish I could think of a (living) mature male actor that would do him justice … He would need to have dark Romany looks, although he is half-Gypsy, and be oozing pheromones.  Laurence Olivier? Perhaps Brendan Coyle on a good day with more oomph – more as he is in Lark Rise to Candleford, not as Bates in Downton Abbey. Solid, reliable, a man’s man, slightly brooding, sometimes restless, repressing anger, wry smile and dark, twinkling eyes … mm.

I would love to work Bill Nighy in – maybe as Ted Devonish, the wealthy landowner or even Jackson Jeffrys, the once-famous, 90 year-old architect. (Make-up artist would be needed to ‘age’ lovely Bill.)

This is difficult – think I would be useless as a casting director!

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

This is impossible to answer – I am so sorry, but I have not started writing it yet; so whilst I could make one up, it is bound to evolve or change completely.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

I am not going to spend precious time submitting manuscripts to agents and publishers, that is for sure. Most probably I will produce it as an ebook to start with. If people like it, maybe it will then go to paperback. That’s how I did Shades of Appley Green; it was the other way around with the two Gypsy books, as they were pre-ebook era!

How long does it take you to write the first draft of a manuscript?
For my first two novels, the research took a few years – I practically immersed myself in the subject to soak it up! I was also working part-time. It took about a year to write the first draft. For Shades of Appley Green, there was less research; it was written more from stuff I already knew and real-life experience of working in the community. The writing was less than a year.

What other books would you compare your books to within your genre?

I flatter myself that they may lie somewhere between the very modern Amanda Craig’s Hearts and Minds, and the beloved, very traditional Miss Read’s village novels. Anyone who knows these books will know they are chalk and cheese, opposite ends of a spectrum. Perhaps someone else can help me out here. They are village novels, but not too rose-tinted. ‘Appley Green is a charming English village. Everyone says so. But people are still people.’  Shades of Appley Green has been variously described, from ‘lovely, heart-warming’ to ‘tantalising, the kind of gripping you only normally experience with crime novels’ … so ? I am probably too close to them to make comparisons but would really love to have readers’ thoughts!

Who or What inspired you to write this book?
Well, it was a process – one followed on from the other, for a reason. The ‘next big thing’ will succeed what has gone before. Or will it?

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
Perhaps the fact that I cannot do a big reveal until it is published! This will be some time from now as I am still in the research stage; as yet, no plot, shadowy themes, some characters but quite how they will interact to form a story is as yet a secret even I do not know! I do have the setting, however!  People seem to love Appley Green.

I am very, very excited by what lies ahead, if that means anything!

The next writer is to take up the baton is fairly new Love a Happy Ending member, Ali Bacon. Look out for her Next Big Thing early in October.

http://alibacon.com

Some pics you never saw at London2012

I know it’s now beyond time to move on and, whilst heading towards all things 'legacy', fill that gaping hole in our lives. Take that seriously or satirically as you wish. Before it all becomes fuzzy and dreamlike, however, I thought you might like a few pics of my amazing Olympics time in buzzing, beautiful  London – from  5 – 9 August .  No more than a few, you understand, from an assortment of many.

Never been sporty, not that bothered, but was lucky enough to have family keen to get tickets and organise the whole thing so I just went along to be … well, sociable, you know? It would be a chance to see my grandchild - that sort of thing.

Wow, and was I lucky! These proved to be some of the most memorable few days of my rather long life, and extra-lovely being able to mix family togetherness with major events – not just Olympics but also an afternoon, hilarious performance of Taming of the Shrew at the Globe Theatre and a visit to Buckingham Palace, including the weirdly fascinating exhibition of Leonardo da Vinci’s anatomical works in the Queen’s Gallery. With three adult children living in London, my husband and I had very handy accommodation; it's times like these that make childbirth etc ultimately worthwhile.

There has to be a photo showing the inside of the Olympic Stadium ... here's one. The whole atmosphere inside the Park was joyous and friendly - a great tribute to the vast numbers of volunteers - all cheerful, willing and helpful. The organisation was supreme - you may have heard.
If I had to say one single word of criticism - it would be ... well, I'll say it at the end. Hate to be negative.


Saw Usain Bolt, Jessica Ennis and here are a couple of paparazzi shots of  our our great Golden Boy, Mo Farah - hurrah!

A varied week? Certainly was. And I only lost all family members once (or did they lose me?) – on the first day, emerging from Stratford Station into a tidal wave of humanity… a moment of panic, but soon resolved;  thanks to mobile phones.

There's one below to prove I was there and, more importantly, to show more of the amazing banks of wild flowers, the first thing that struck me - never mind Anish Kapoor's Orbit and the Velodrome!  Aaah, Shades of Olympian Green ...

There were some surreal moments – watching the Women’s Marathon on our son’s TV, slipping outside to catch them running past just a few minutes’ walk away, close to St Paul's Cathedral, then strolling back to TV to see the Finish!  On the screen we saw the rich kaleidoscope of London - Westminster Bridge, Cheapside, Leadenhall Market and the Tower of London. We could hear a helicopter circling above - probably with the camera aboard taking the aerial views we were enjoying on TV. Closed off to traffic, Southwark Bridge was almost deserted as we crossed it. The athletes ran through a monsoon but the sun came out by the end. 

Night-time brought on a new aspect with spectacular sights to see. The glowing red Beat Box was a great example. The garden? Well, that is our Queen's - Royal Shades of Green!!

This is kind of quirky - the BP Mirror - can you spot me and my husband?

The very colourful BMX track – a child’s dream – except it was no place for children! Littered with broken teeth – I heard someone say.

Borough Market – for those with a penchant for tomatoes and other fresh produce.

I could go on and on and on – but my illustrated ramblings had better stop.

I hope you enjoyed our little trip in London town - not far from Appley Green, you know.

(The one word:  WENLOCK. What were they thinking?)

Review of Shades of Appley Green - a great honour, in my book!

I could not be more delighted with this brief but perfect review of Shades of Appley Green that appears in a magazine today.

To have this endorsement from such a highly regarded organisation is an accolade of which I am very proud. The Parkinson is the Parkinson's UK quarterly magazine that reaches out to all UK members: friends, family, carers, professionals as well as people who have the condition.

page 34 of The Parkinson
Thanks to Parkinsons UK

It reads:

'Written by a former Parkinson's UK information and support worker, this is a delightful story with an unexpected ending. It truly captures village life, while in no way distracting you from the main theme of one person's quest for happiness. Through her work with a local charity, the main character Steph is helping a former architect with Parkinson's to regain his social life. The references made to the condition are very accurate: careful research must have been done. While reading, I found myself making a mental note of the priorities involved in caring for someone with Parkinson's. The story gently reminds you that Parkinson's doesn't just go away and, as time passes, decisions and changes have to be made.

Reviewed by Alicia, whose husband has Parkinson's.'

The novel is about many things - life in a village with a diverse mix of characters, one of whom is an elderly gent with Parkinson's. He represents the plight of so many people who are virtually housebound and often socially isolated. The main character, Steph, passionately believes that if something is done about the loneliness, life can be made more bearable.

I drew on my experience and knowledge from working in the community with what was then called the Parkinson's Disease Society and is now Parkinson's UK. During the two years in this role, I met some wonderful people, who led rich and fulfilling lives when they were more able and soldier on with great courage to make the best of it.

As with my first two novels, Gypsies Stop tHere and No Gypsies Served, I touch on sensitive subjects where there is always the wish not to offend, and more positively, to be validated. Someone said that I do not 'shy away from thorny issues' which is why on Twitter I am a 'village with edge' novelist. For me, 'edge' does not have to be murder and mayhem; it can also be everyday yet disturbing aspects of life that resonate with readers - but with a positive slant.

I hope Shades of Appley Green will be enjoyed by people whose lives are affected in some way by the condition; I would love to hear from them. Jackson Jeffrys is such a 'dear old chap'!

(Note: By the way, I did have permission to reproduce this page!)

Available from Amazon as paperback and also as a Kindle ebook

Also from Waterstones bookshops.