VAL PENNY

I’m thrilled to share Looking Back at Swanwick 2022 this week. This post was a sheer joy to write. It shares a little of what it is like...

Writing a novel is a marathon, not a sprint. I was once advised by author, Allison Symes, "You better like your first book because you'll...

I had not read anything by Fiona Forsyth, but The Third Daughter was recommended to me by a friend, so I decided to see what I was...

The most recent read for my village book group was The Guilty One by Lisa Ballantine. I had never read anything by this author before,...

Great fiction writing takes dedication and hard work, but there are methods to make the whole process easier. It is always worth the time...

I recently bought Who Cut Up The Moon written by Lynne Hallett and illustrated by Roz Wolseley-Charles. The book was a gift for my...

I don't often read women's fiction, but I was recently attracted by the cover and title of Jane Green's book, Second Chance. The Blurb...

I have always enjoyed detective novels, mysteries and crime thrillers. Mark Billingham is an English crime novelist and stand up...

I know that for many authors having their work translated from book to film or TV is a dream. Here is Tim Hawken's step by step guide to...

It may seem like a basic instruction, but before you seek any kind of representation or publication, make sure the first draft of your...

I had heard a lot of good things about the novels by Madalyn Morgan and recently I had the opportunity to purchase one. I chose There is...

I was pleased to be able to buy a paperback copy of The Carnelian Phoenix by Jacquie Rogers recently. I much prefer paperbacks to ebooks....

I had heard my husband's stories of being called in with groups of his pals to act as extras in episodes of Miami Vice and battle scenes...

I am excited to announce that the second edition of Hunter's Chase has been published by Spellbound Books today. I am overwhelmed by the...

I am delighted to have historical novelist, Fiona Forsyth, visit me on the blog today to chat about her novel, Thank you for your time...

Today I am delighted to have fellow author Carmen Radtke visit my blog and tell me a bit about her writing. She is published by...

I am delighted to have Fellow author and Swanwicker Colin Ward visit the blog today to discuss the importance of editors and editing to...

Many writers prefer to narrate their story in the third person. This can be done either using an omniscient narrator or, more commonly in...

The Murder of Miss Perfect was the first novel by Mark Elkid that I had read. I didn't know what to expect but I was lucky enough to...

One of my favourite authors, Lizzie Chantree, has taken time out of her busy launch week to tell us about her new book, My Perfect Ex. I...