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What I’ve Read Since January. What About You?
As advised by someone ‘in the business’, I have tried to expand my reading to a few more recently published titles over the last few months in order to assess comps (comparative novels to suggest to prospective literary agents in query letters). Sometimes it’s really hard to keep going when they’re not things you’d usually… Continue reading
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Next Up: A Change of Plan
Well! I was going to tackle Nin’s book, Baleton’s Intimate Circle, a tale of the ramshackle Tabors of Kent and their sub-society 17th century shenanigans, which of course was really my 1970s teenage-written swashbuckling romp. I’ve said elsewhere, the original was painful in its melodramatic breathlessness, but I’ve always fancied doing a grown-up rehash of… Continue reading
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Slate Heart Sample, a Review & Migraine
Honestly, I’ll not go on and on about it, but migraine is a bitch. I thought I’d got on top of it with a change in prophylactic meds a few months ago, successfully lessening the severity and length of attacks, but boom! You know it’s going to be a bad one when it wakes you… Continue reading
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A Small Libraro Update
As per my ‘About’ page, my contemporary women’s fiction novel is entered in the 2026 Libraro Prize (if you hadn’t caught me banging on about it elsewhere). The Reader Engagement phase ends at midnight on 20th March and it’s then all in the hands of the publishing industry professionals – those pesky judges. I am… Continue reading
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Insubordinate Ducks
Image of ducks not in a row ©Ben Andrew, RSPB. I had a few days away with my son last week in Stroud, Gloucestershire, where I grew up. Caught up with family and wallowed in Roman history. Chedworth Roman Villa and Bath summoned us, both of which are still glorious, of course. We also ran… Continue reading
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Libraro Prize 2026: give me a thumbs-up?! 😃
My novel ‘Nina Gander Duck or Panda’ is entered in the 2026 Libraro Prize. The shortlist is chosen by readers and you can sign up and read the first three chapters (free!), give it a thumbs-up and leave a comment/feedback if you wish. You will also be in with a chance of winning their £10,000… Continue reading
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A New Rabbit Hole
Just a quickie. Whilst waiting for various happenings with the first two novels (there will be some news soon!), I find myself diving nose first down a new and glorious research rabbit hole: the late Georgians, mostly the rural ones. Got to keep my foot on the writing pedal, got to crack on with the… Continue reading
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So. Reading, eh?
I guess it’s the fundamental bardic thing, the telling of stories from the year dot to entertain, educate and comfort the clan around the fire, and we still love it so much today. Just look at the size of the publishing industry, and the hoards of souls (me included) eagerly trying to make their stories… Continue reading
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Nina Gander Duck or Panda. Who?
I thought I better explain Nina, having rattled on about ‘Slate Heart’ so much! Where has the story come from? As I’ve said elsewhere, reading has been my best friend since Mum taught me the word-magic aged four. My fascination fired a natural progression to writing and in 1977 Mum and Dad gave me an… Continue reading
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Slate Heart Faces
The black and white photo is Charles Easton Spooner – splendid fellow, Ffestiniog Railway engineer and secretary from 1856 to 1886. He and his sister Louisa are the ‘real’ people in the story, although sadly I’ve been unable to find an image of her. There are plenty of photos of Charles’ locos, but not his… Continue reading
Jacqueline Day 