IT'S LAUNCHED!

Madlen Namro and Wendy Hughes had a wonderful time last Saturday launching their book 'Rainbow Stories: Facts and Things to do at the Stickler Syndrome Support Group conference.  Both authors are members of the SWWJ.  The weather was blustery but it didn't spoil the fun.  Many thanks to the Mobile Creche Company  who looked after the children SO well and used the characters in the book in their face painting sessions.  Everyone had a wonderful time.  Julie Williams who runs the company is a wonderful lady who really enjoyed having the children around her. Well done Julie, you did us proud yet again. Anyone interested in more information about the book contact Wendy.  Many, many thanks to all who attended the launch.   Now it is on to my next book Not a Guide to...Worthing.  Watch this space to learn more as the story unfolds!

This morning the proofs of my next book, Haunted Worthing arrived for me to check and return. This is always an exciting time for any author when finally you see your book set out on the page with all the photographs in situ. At last you feel that all your hard work is worth it. So... with the sun blazing down on my garden, now an array of colour, I shall be sitting under the shade of an umbrella to read and check my book with the slight interruption of the seagulls. Several weeks ago we discovered a seagulls nest wedged against the chimney on the roof. Presently we noticed two little chicks had hatched, and over the coming weeks we have watched them take their first steps as 'mum' stands poised to pounce if anything should go wrong. It has been an interesting experience, and now the chicks are much bigger and their feather seem to be changing colour, I am assuming that it will not be long before they learn to fly.
I have an interesting event lined up for Tuesday 5 July. I have been invited to talk to Selsey Writers about using folklore in their writing. I am really looking forward to meeting everyone and gaining a few more writing friends. I have drawn on folklore in most of my books, especially the Story of... series where I tell the story of the county from the beginning of time to present day. Watch this space as the updated book on The Story of Pembrokeshire will be published any day now. This book was first published in 1993 and has been in print every since, but I am sure this updated version, together with many colour photographs will be welcomed.

This week started with a big event for any writer, the three day London Bookfair held at Earls Court. This year due to volcanic ash invading our air space there were fewer overseas stands - many left empty - and fewer visitors, which made it pleasant to walk around. Another significant difference was that most publishers were interested in talking to authors about their various projects and were very generous with practical information. What did come over loud and clear was that authors are expected to do the majority of the promotion and publicity for their book themselves through their own websites and blogs, and are encouraged to do book signings, radio interviews, and talks whenever possible. The days of the 'shrinking violet' author have gone!
Back at my desk I am working on the final draft of The Story for Gower. This was the first book I wrote back in 1992 and it has been in print ever since. Now I am working on a new edition which will be roughly twice as long with colour and black and white illustrations. Obviously this being my first book it is very special to me and I must thank my publisher Myrddin ap Dafydd at Gwasg Carreg Gwach for the opportunity to update this book.
I am also working on a new book for The History Press entitled Shipwrecks of the South Coast, which I am enjoying researching. Being born and brought up a stone's throw from the Gower Peninsula I have always had a special affinity with the sea, which can be so powerful. There are so many shipwrecks to write about that I think I will need to be extremely selective.
Next week on Tuesday 27 April I am running a Day for Journalists and non-fiction writers in London. Anyone interested in learning more or attending, please contact me.

As writers we often find ourselves in the unique position of meeting amazing people, or visiting fascinating places of interest. Yesterday I had the great pleasure of doing both. A visit to St Mary's House and gardens at Bramber West Sussex is one of those places that anyone remotely interested in history must visit. The origins of St Mary's date back to the days of the Knights Templar when the land was given to them by the widow of Philip de Braose. The present building dates to around 1470 when it was used as an Inn by pilgrims on their way to the tomb of St Thomas of Canterbury. The history is absolutely fascinating, but I must jump to 1984 when two extremely talented people purchased the properly, which by then was in very neglected state, and saved St Mary's for future generations to love and enjoy.
Peter Thorogood, author, composer, literary historian and leading authority on the 19th century poet Thomas Hood (1799-1845), and Roger Linton a gifted designer, trained at the Royal College of Art, restorer and conservator have combined their talents and skills to return St Mary's to its former glory. The story of how they set about saving the house and gardens in told in Return to Splendor by Peter Thorogood and obtained from Bramber Press, specialising in publishing books, CD and cassette recordings by authors, composers and performers associated with St Mary's House. Roger Linton's fine work is displayed throughout the house and ranges from the restoration of a four-poster bed to the decorating of the octagonal dining room in the Pre-Raphaelite style to designing and planting the Topiary Garden, featured in a number of television programmes, magazine and newspaper articles.
Obviously such a project needs continuous funding and the enterprising Peter and Roger are always devising ways of keeping their hard work going by organising open days, concerts, private functions, and conferences. They are also licenced for Civil Marriages, which would provide any lucky couple with a perfect setting for that memorable day. I urge anyone visiting my blogspot to arrange a trip to St Mary's soon - see website for opening times - and I promise you will not be disappointed, and I am sure like me you will come away much richer for the experience. Thank you Peter and Roger for sparing me some of your most valuable time, and for a most enjoyable visit.

Earlier this week, still struggling with a chest infection, I went to see my GP for a prescription for some antibiotics and steroids. Within a day I was breathing much easier and it made me reflect on how lucky we are to live in this century with its wonderful health service, modern medicine and drugs. In my spare time I have been researching my family tree and discovered that my great-grandmother had died at the tender age of 35 from congestion of the lungs. leaving a young family of four children. We have a lot to be thankful for.
Yesterday I woke feeling much better, and as it was a lovely sunny morning, I thought I would take advantage of the day and do some further research for my next book. Armed with a notepad, hubby and camera, we set off with a list of venues. By lunchtime we had covered half the list and were in need of a rest and some refreshment. As we were outside one of Shoreham's oldest pubs in the High Street, The Crown and Anchor we decided to call in. The atmosphere was as welcoming as the sun outside, and just as friendly as the owner Giles, who gave me a tour of his pub. It is so rare to find a owned pub today, most are managed and serve up more of the same. The Crown and Anchor is split on many levels, which makes it unique and interesting. In by-gone days it was frequented by smugglers, hardly surprising when you learn of Shoreham's sea-faring past. Today the Crown and Anchor has a bright and cheerful ambiance The stylish restaurant is split on two levels, with an enormous wooden boat hanging from the ceiling, and a wonderful view of the River Adur. The riverside terrace would be a most enjoyable venue in the summer months. We sat near the window looking out on the still river, as we studied the menu with its plentiful choice to suit all tastes, but we decided to order off the set fish menu, which had an excellent selection of starters and main courses as well a 'specials' board. We finished our meal with a coffee and a mint, a nice touch, and although by now there were many diners it was not noisy, and we were able to sit and chat in comfort without having to raise our voices to be heard. I look forward to returning one evening to sample the food and entertainment, as well as enjoying a lunch or two with my friends and writing colleagues. Pubs like this are a rare find, and in this present economic climate Giles deserves to succeed and, according to my husband, well worth a visit as Giles keeps an excellent pint! Thank you Giles for an enjoyable visit. We shall return!

This week has seen me struggling with a cold and a chest infection, little wonder when the weather can't make up its mind what to do. But, as they say, life goes on and a writer's life is never dull, specially as the deadline of my book on Haunted Worthing is looming, and still much needs to be done. Any Worthing resident out there with a ghostly tale to tell? Please contact me.
I was feeling particular low on Thursday, but soon brightened up when the post arrived with the proofs and cover of next book to be published, The Story of Pembrokeshire. This is always an exciting time for a writer when at last you see something in print for all your hard work. Guess what I will be doing over the weekend?
It is a while since I submitted the manuscript for The Story of Pembrokeshire, so am enjoying reading it with 'fresh eyes' so to speak. I am very pleased with the cover, and I am sure you will agree that it is very pleasing to the eye. I am also delighted to learn that this new edition is to include two sets of 16 pages of colour photographs, making 32 in all, as well as numerous black and white photographs. It was a joy researching this edition - the first edition being in print since 1993 - and I am sure it is going to bring back many happy memories to readers who trekked along the coastal path or climbed yet another hill to photograph a standing stone, or went in search of the mysterious blue stones that found their way to Stonehenge. I hope new readers will find it interesting and informative. It has already brought back memories for me of several weeks in the area, and early morning walks to a monument only to discover that the sun was in the wrong direction for a good photograph! As the back cover blurb states: Where in the midst of commercialism can one find peace, tranquility and paradise for nature lovers? Where else but Pembrokeshire: an area that rose from the sea over a thousand million years ago, and has since played host to pagan warriors, Celtic fort-builders, Welsh princes, swashbuckling pirates, Manx shearwaters and the Grey Atlantic seal. In this book Wendy Hughes has combined her unique blend of history, legends, and notorious characters to bring together a tale that will leave the reader spell-bound until the last page is turned. I hope I have done justice to such a unique area of Wales. Watch this space for more about this book, due for publication in May.

It seems an age since I set up my blog, so I will bring you up to date on my writing news.It has been a strange couple of weeks ranging from an attack of writers block to being extremely busy with not enough hours in the day. Interestingly I have always told my students that writers block don't exist, now I know it can be very real, and frightening.
Work on my new book Haunted Worthing is progressing well. yesterday I met up with a really helpful chap, Andrew House who explained the various types of ghosts. Absolutely fascinating! I have also heard from my super Welsh publisher Gwasg Carreg Gwalch who has informed me of his publishing schedule. I'm excited to learn that an updated edition of The Story of Pembrokeshire will be out in May 2010, and a new edition of The Story of Gower has been scheduled for May 2011. A new book The Story of Carmarthenshire is planned for May 2012, so watch this space for my progress with this book.

Welcome

Welcome to my new blog and I do hope that you will call back often. I am finally installed into my new home in Rustington and loving every moment in the lovely county of West Sussex, and am looking forward to getting back into a regular routine of writing. At the moment I am busy researching for my new book Haunted Worthing, which is due to hit the bookshops in September. If you have stories about ghostly encounters in the Worthing area I would love to hear from you.