In April I had the joy of being invited by my publishers (Histria Books) to come to the London Book Fair. I thought it would be helpful to put my thoughts down about the experience. Firstly I should say, as a Cumbrian author, it is always rather nice to find an excuse to stay in… Read More Thoughts About the London Book Fair
Well, so far in my journey to put you off writing, I’ve told you why you shouldn’t be a writer and then went on to tell you there’s no money in it. If you’re still here, well done. Clearly optimism in the face of reality is strong in you – you might just make it… Read More A Brief Guide to Writing: 4 – Budgeting income as a writer
In my previous article I did my best to put you off any fantasy of making a living from writing. If you’re still here, I take it you’ve engaged with that and you’re ready to find out what you can do as a writer (and if you missed it, read it first and then come… Read More A Brief Guide to Writing: 3 – Thinking like a writer
My brain is wired a little differently to most other brains of around my age. When thinking of writing a series to help and encourage writers, my first thought was ‘what can I say to really scare them off?’ So here I am starting my series of short guides by telling you why you shouldn’t… Read More A Brief Guide to Writing: 2 – Why you shouldn’t be a writer
I felt it was about time to put down in writing the various things I’ve learned, or found helpful, about this game we call ‘being a writer’. I remember, when I first started to train as a writer, that many of the writers I followed boasted of their credentials that they’d been commercially writing for… Read More A Brief Guide to Writing: 1 – Introduction
My rating: 5 of 5 stars From time to time, I ask friends on social media for book reading recommendations. It’s occasional because my ‘To Read’ list is ridiculous and never seems to get any smaller. As a result, I always have plenty of traditionally published books to read. While someone is always telling me… Read More Book Review: Thirteen Ghost Stories by Nicholas Foster
My third book, ‘Try Not To Laugh’ is now out both as paperback and in kindle version. Eight years in the making, the method(s) I detail within are the result of nearly 30 years of using in education (classroom and private) with a long and proven track record of significantly improving grades for students of… Read More Book Announcement: Try Not To Laugh (How to Revise, Memorise and Survive Exams)
It has been a while since I last posted personal news and I thought I ought to as I have quite a lot now. First BIG news is that my third book – and first novel – The Pukur, has just been accepted for publication by Histria Books and will, hopefully, be released in Spring… Read More News
I am delighted to announce my first formal course for writers – one based on twenty years of teaching and ten years as working freelance writer and editor. I am taking bookings to begin from July (you can join at any time) – but places are limited and many have filled already just through word-of-mouth!… Read More NEW! Psychology for Writers course
Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier My rating: 3 of 5 stars I know the opening pages of Daphne du Maurier’s classic novel extremely well having used the opening for several years with my GCSE English students. It was an extract given in a past paper and I found it served wonderfully well as a… Read More Book Review: Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier
Write Out Loud 