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An Interview with Gavin Boyter
I am pleased to welcome author Gavin Boyter to the blog today to discuss his novel Elena in Exile and his writing career, with hints and...
authorvalpenny
Aug 14, 20245 min read


Hunter's Rules Launches at The Harrogate Crime Festival
This month I visited the Theakston's Old Peculiar Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate for the first time this year, largely because my...
authorvalpenny
Jul 31, 20243 min read


Cutting It by Morwenna Blackwood
I have had the pleasure of knowing bestselling author, Morwenna Blackwood for many years and recall the impact her amazing debut novel,...
authorvalpenny
Jul 27, 20244 min read


Writing Hunter's Rules
I am delighted to have a chance to tell you about Hunter’s Rules , the new novel in my series of DI Hunter Wilson Crime Thrillers. I have...
authorvalpenny
Jul 24, 20242 min read


Tips to Writing a Synopsis
The synopsis is every author's nightmare. If you have written a novel of 90,000 words, to condense it into a few hundred words is a...
authorvalpenny
Jul 20, 20242 min read


An Interview with Anna Nicholas
I am thrilled to be able to introduce Anna Nicholas, an English author based in Mallorca to the blog today. Her new book, Aunt Maria’s...
authorvalpenny
Jul 13, 20244 min read


Wild Flowers by Richard Robinson
I am pleased to be part of the tour for the new book, Wild Flowers, by Richard Robinson and published by SpellBound Books Ltd. The tour...
authorvalpenny
Jun 22, 20248 min read


Writing The First Cut
I have been writing and telling stories all my life. When I was a child, I used to make up stories for my little sister after our Mum put...
authorvalpenny
Jun 8, 20242 min read


How to Find a Literary Agent
Many authors are daunted by the prospect of finding a literary agent to represent them. For some it is their main goal, others ignore the...
authorvalpenny
May 25, 20244 min read


An Interview with Tracey Holland
It is a pleasure to introduce Tracey Holland to the blog. Tracey is a debut novelist whose first book Faith's Folly in her Willowbrooke...
authorvalpenny
May 22, 20247 min read


Death at a Shetland Festival by Marsali Taylor
I am delighted to be part of the tour for the gripping new book, Death at a Shetland Festival by Marsali Taylor. Thanks to Marsali Taylor...
authorvalpenny
May 18, 202410 min read


Proof of Life by Karen Campbell
I live in a village in South West Scotland and was delighted when, a few years ago, Karen Campbell ran a writers' workshop in the library...
authorvalpenny
May 11, 20242 min read


The Importance of Your Elevator Pitch and Tagline
The elevator pitch is so important to authors that Linwood Barclay even titled one of his bestselling novels 'Elevator Pitch'. In case...
authorvalpenny
May 4, 20242 min read


An Interview with Jo Fenton
It is not often that an international bestselling author is willing to take time out and chat with me. So I am particularly delighted to...
authorvalpenny
May 1, 20244 min read


Extract From The Witch Club by Felicity Green
I am pleased to have been invited to take part in the tour for the new book, The Witch Club, by Felicity Green run by Jessica Thompson of...
authorvalpenny
Apr 27, 20245 min read


An Interview with Fiona Forsyth
It is a delight to welcome historical fiction author Fiona Forsyth to the blog today. Her novels, set in Roman Times are as authentic as...
authorvalpenny
Apr 24, 20244 min read


Find You First by Linwood Barclay
I usually like Linwood Barclay's books. They are nicely plotted with an overtone of humour and when I see one I haven't read I will pick...
authorvalpenny
Apr 20, 20242 min read


Improve Your Writing Skills
Do you remember when you first started writing? I don't mean writing stories, but when you were first taught to hold a pencil and write...
authorvalpenny
Apr 13, 20244 min read


An Interview with Eleanor Swift-Hook
Today it is my great pleasure to welcome the respected historical novelist, Eleanor Swift-Hook to the blog to discuss her bestselling...
authorvalpenny
Apr 10, 20245 min read


How to Plot a Novel
There are several way to plot a novel but this is one method that should help authors, whatever fiction genre you write and whatever...
authorvalpenny
Apr 6, 20243 min read
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