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Writing Believable Characters by Ritu Bhathal
I am thrilled today to host my good friend and fellow SpellBound Books author, Ritu Bhathal, today to explain how she ensures the...
authorvalpenny
Aug 12, 20233 min read
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The Power of Place by Gary Kruse
I am delighted that the bestselling English author, Gary Kruse has agreed to return to the blog to discuss the importance of setting in a...
authorvalpenny
Aug 9, 20233 min read
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Effective Research for your Contemporary Fiction Books by Wendy H. Jones
When one thinks about researching for a book, historical research immediately springs to mind. I am currently researching a historical...
authorvalpenny
Aug 6, 20233 min read
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The Boy in Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
The book was recommended to me by my nephew, Mathew because he had enjoyed the book so much. The Blurb Nine-year-old Bruno knows nothing...
authorvalpenny
Aug 5, 20233 min read
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Writing Believable Characters by Eleanor Swift-Hook
I am pleased to welcome Eleanor Swift-Hook to the blog today to share her thoughts about writing believable characters. Certainly, if a...
authorvalpenny
Aug 2, 20234 min read
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The Mission Song by John le Carre
Joining a book group is a great way to read outside your usual genres and away from the authors you normally choose. When my book group...
authorvalpenny
Jul 29, 20232 min read
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Why Attend a Writing School or Retreat?
I was doing a bit of thinking - my better half always wonders how much this will cost him - and it was to cost, or perhaps value that my...
authorvalpenny
Jul 26, 20232 min read
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The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
A friend bought and read The Thursday Murder Club for her group but didn't want to keep it, so gave it to me. I should have known... The...
authorvalpenny
Jul 22, 20232 min read
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Complete Your Manuscript Before You Submit It
It may seem like a basic instruction, but before you seek any kind of representation or publication, make sure the first draft of your...
authorvalpenny
Jul 15, 20235 min read
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Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S Thompson
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S Thompson has a cult following and was recommended to me by the co-ordinator of the first book...
authorvalpenny
Jul 12, 20233 min read
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The Narcissist’s Daughter by Craig Holden
Craig Holden is the author of several novels including The River Sorrow, The Last Sanctuary, Four Corners of Night, The Jazz Bird and...
authorvalpenny
Jul 8, 20232 min read
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Wasted by Mark Johnson
Wasted was book of the month at my book club. It is the autobiography of Mark Johnson who suffered a poor and violent childhood. He...
authorvalpenny
Jul 5, 20233 min read
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Trouble on the Tide by Rosie Travers
I am so excited that best selling author Rosie Travers has agreed to share an extract from her new book, Trouble on the Tide with me. The...
authorvalpenny
Jun 28, 20234 min read
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Edinburgh as the Setting in the DI Hunter Wilson Crime Thrillers
The main setting for the DI Hunter Wilson Crime Series is Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. It is a beautiful city but relatively small...
authorvalpenny
Jun 24, 20232 min read
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Remembering My First Impressions of the Writers' Summer School at Swanwick
I originally heard about The Writers' Summer School from fellow writers at The Largs Writers Group to which I was introduced by the late,...
authorvalpenny
Jun 21, 20234 min read
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An Interview with J.R.Lancaster
I am pleased to be able to introduce Amercian novelist Jessica Lancaster to the blog today. Her new book, Someone's Always Watching, is...
authorvalpenny
Jun 14, 20234 min read
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Interview with Olga Swan
I am thrilled to introduce another author from the SpellBound stable to the blog today. Best selling author, Olga Swan took time out of...
authorvalpenny
Jun 7, 20235 min read
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Lies Behind the Ruins by Helen Matthews
I recently read Lies Behind the Ruins by Helen Matthews. I had enjoyed all the previous books by her that I had read, so I thought this...
authorvalpenny
Jun 3, 20233 min read
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An Interview with Sue Moorcroft
It is with great pleasure that I welcome bestselling women's fiction author Sue Moorcroft to the blog today to chat about her new...
authorvalpenny
May 31, 20234 min read
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Interview with Alistair Forrest
It is a delight to welcome bestselling historical novellist, Alistair Forrest to the blog today. Not only that, but he has shared some...
authorvalpenny
May 24, 20235 min read
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