Caroline James is an author of popular women's fiction. Her novel The Cruise is an Amazon Top Five Best Seller. She has owned businesses encompassing all aspects of the hospitality industry, a subject that features in her novels. She is based in the UK but has a great fondness for travel and escapes whenever she can.
A public speaker, consultant and food writer, Caroline is a member of the Romantic Novelist’s Association, the SoA and The Society of Women's Writers & Journalists.
In her spare time, Caroline can be found walking with Fred her Westie, or swimming in a local lake.
I’ve had some fab reviews for my #novella Jungle Rock. Huge thanks to all who had read and enjoyed, here’s a sample review from Between the Lines Book Blog xx
Zach Docherty, Michelin starred celebrity Gypsy Chef, is at a low point in his life. After an unfortunate incident which made the headlines and damaged his reputation, his fiancée has called time on their relationship. In a moment of weakness and with persuasion from his manager, Bob, Zach agrees to be a contestant on Jungle Survival, a TV reality show. He’s a great choice as his Romany father taught him the basics of survival and foraging. Zach veers from uncertainty about his decision, his deep regret and heartache at losing Poppy, to relief at being away from the Christmas festivities, when he and Poppy should have been planning their wedding.
Poppy, an agent for Bob’s firm, is facing her own challenges across the Atlantic, with another of Bob’s celebrity chef clients who is about to take part in the Epcot Food Festival. With Poppy out of the country, Zach resigns himself to a stint in the jungle.
Poppy hoped that she wasn’t going to have her hands full keeping chef to his tight schedule, which consisted of a series of TV interviews, an exclusive luncheon and several demonstrations to a ticketed audience. His stay would culminate in a grand finale with attending celebrity chefs from Europe, serving their signature dishes to a VIP guest list of foodie attendees from all over America.
Obviously based on I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here, Jungle Rock is a fun, light-hearted novella. Thank goodness it didn’t delve too much into the more disgusting trials and activities of the real TV show. I’m not a fan and have never watched an episode, nevertheless that didn’t stop me enjoying the book very much. I wasn’t aware until I’d read it, that Jungle Rock is part of a series but it can definitely be read as a stand alone.
Each of the characters are well defined and likeable. I enjoyed learning quite a lot about Zach from the people around him, including his protective mother and impressively larger than life aunt Hattie, both of them fabulous characters. That and his behaviour in the jungle towards the other contestants speaks volumes about his nature and persona.
Great writing with vivid descriptions, realistic dialogue and fun characters – a thoroughly engaging and entertaining feel good story.
Author: Caroline James Published: November 2016 by Ramjam Publishing Company Category: Romantic Comedy Handsome young chef Zach Docherty is feeling the heat. Following an exposé in a national newsp…
Earlier in the year, alongside fellow author Nikki Ashton, I started a group for writers in Cheshire and the surrounding counties called The Cheshirati. It is a cracking little group who meet every month and I find it so inspiring to sit for an hour or two chatting to like-minded people who understand the trials and tribulations of putting pen to paper. I always come away with my writing batteries recharged and raring to go.
I will be mentioning the individual authors on this blog in due course and today I am featuring Victoria Johns who has just published Finding Love part of the The Soul Sisters series. Victoria is a dynamo. Her attention to details leaves me breathless and if you need any fact-finding, research or technical help she is definitely your gal! Her writing is as prolific as her endless enthusiasm and her latest novel concludes another series in her portfolio of fabulous books. All stand-alone but truly enjoyable when read as a series. If you enjoy books that are “gritty, bittersweet, brutal and ballsy” and full of romance, hit the download button now! Victoria Johns Author
Lottie, Dolly, Neely and Florence – four friends, who connect and understand each other. They stand side by side, no matter what. But what happens when one walks away?
‘This is my story. I am Florence Smith, desperately looking for my happy ever after. At whatever cost…’
When Sonny meets Florence and offers her freedom from the life she yearns for but can’t have, she is swept off her feet – dreaming of romance like all the classic love stories she adores. But freedom couldn’t be further away…
Victoria is a Cheshire based writer with a wild imagination for steamy stories and believes it’s every girl’s dream to experience a racy one. She says that she loves to day dream and realises that having a powerful imagination is a super power. Victoria’s writing has been described as “A badass fairy tale where a beautiful real girl meets a protective guy who will move the earth and stars to give her that happily ever after.” She says that her kind of fairy tales are full of girls with life-long friendships, hot guys, twists and turns and the odd villain or two! She is a happily married mum who is lucky enough to have a found her fairy tale prince and hopes that her readers enjoy her stories as much as she has loved creating them.
Handsome young chef Zach Docherty is feeling the heat. Following an exposé in a national newspaper, his fiancée Poppy Dunlop has broken their engagement. Heartbroken at the thought of life without Poppy, Zach drowns his sorrows and, when his agent suggests that Zach becomes a contestant in a reality TV show, Jungle Survival, he reluctantly agrees. Plunged deep in the jungle, into a bizarre mix of talent and trials, Zach meets glamour model Cleo Petra, and the cameras go crazy. Will Zach survive and be crowned Jungle King? Or will his latest exploits push Poppy further away…
My Review
I’ve had all Caroline’s books on my Kindle patiently waiting to be read for a while, but along with many others they are buried underneath my to be reviewed pile. However when this novella came along, it was the perfect opportunity to sneak in a short read to…
Handsome young chef Zach Docherty is feeling the heat. Following an exposé in a national newspaper his fiancée Poppy Dunlop has broken their engagement. Heartbroken at the thought of life without Poppy, Zach drowns his sorrows and, when his agent suggests that Zach becomes a contestant in a reality TV show, Jungle Survival, he reluctantly agrees. Plunged deep in the jungle, into a bizarre mix of talent and trials, Zach meets glamour model Cleo Petra, and the cameras go crazy. Will Zach survive and be crowned Jungle King? Or will his latest exploits push Poppy further away…
Never Again is the debut novel from Author Nicky Clifford. It is my absolute pleasure to meet Nicky and talk about her writing.
Author Nicky Clifford penned poems and short stories when she was a student and writing has always been a passion. A lack of confidence in her novel writing however, led her to follow a different career path in the corporate world of HR & Training. But with her sons in higher education and her husband’s encouragement, Nicky knuckled down and completed three novels. Never Again is the first to be published, to rave reviews.
Author Nicky Clifford
Tell me a little bit about yourself…
I’m a chatty, tea-drinking, sugar-free cake-eating mum of two living with my husband and teenage boys in the heart of Berkshire, and I’m about to celebrate a big ‘0’ birthday…eek!
What made you decide that you wanted to be a writer?
From the time I could hold a crayon, I have penned poems and short stories. I was always told that I had a ‘lively imagination’; fortunately, with my writing, I can put this particular characteristic to good use. For years I have browsed book shops, stroking the covers and imaging my name emblazoned across the front!
What’s Never Again about?
Never Again opens its pages in the Swiss Alps where Harriet locks eyes with Philippe, a mysterious crime writer. They are both running away from their chaotic lives and find it hard to ignore the attraction bubbling between them. Ghosts from their pasts keep hurling obstacles at their budding romance. It takes a plane ride back to Berkshire in England to discover whether the two of them will find their ‘happy ever after’…
Are there more books in the pipeline?
Yes, a few! Since I embarked on a new life as a single, working parent 13 years ago, I wrote three complete and three half-finished romances, which are now languishing in the depths of my laptop’s memory waiting to be revamped. My next novel begins in a solicitor’s office with the reading of Kitty’s will. There is plenty of mystery and challenges for the various characters connected to Kitty.
You are a successfully published poet – why the change?
Whilst I still write poetry, my ambition since I was old enough to stand, has been to write and publish a book. Over the years, I have dabbled in correspondence writing courses, but the combination of the ‘Write a Novel’ course I attended a few years ago and the resulting writing group that formed, gave me the confidence to transform thousands of words into a published book.
Do you have a special place for writing and dedicate a certain number of hours per day and are you self-disciplined enough to stick to it?
My desk is snuggled away in the corner of our spare bedroom. I pin pieces of paper and photos that inspire me around my writing area, plus lots of post-it notes and reminders! I don’t need a writing schedule as, to be honest, I have to be disciplined not to write! If I followed my heart, I would neglect housework and shopping and other domestic chores (although I admit I do the bare minimum!) as I lose myself for hours at a time in front of my laptop.
From roles in HR for corporate companies to working for a vicar – which do you prefer and why?
That’s an interesting question! When I was younger, I adored the buzz and the opportunities of the corporate world. Now, with a few more lines on my face than I would like, working for the local vicar, looking out at the church and being brought copious mugs of strong decaf by the vicar’s husband, definitely ticks my box.
Tell me about ice-skating and why you love it.
Oh my goodness, it’s that feeling of freedom and gliding – it’s incredible. You don’t realise how much practice it takes to learn just one move, like a one foot turn, and yes, I do have the bruises to show for it! The worse fall I had was when my ice-skate lanced my knee…ouch!
When you’re not writing, what do you like to read?
As well as writing romances, I also love to read them, but I also enjoy historical novels and books where I learn about life through a story being weaved. Some of my favourite authors include Jodi Picoult, JoJo Moyes, Katie Fforde, Erica James and Jane Green. I have also recently discovered a talented author called Caroline James…!
You’re very kind!
You have manuscripts that are possibly going to see the light of day and be published. Do you know the ending to a book when you start to write it? Have you ever changed the ending after you started to write?
I wish I was the type of person who could meticulously map out every chapter, but despite being hyper-organised, my creative brain won’t work like that. I literally place my characters in a location and see what happens next. Whilst with a romance, I know that a happy ending is where the novel is heading, I never quite know how or when it will be accomplished.
How do you come up with your characters, are they based on people you have met or events that have happened in your life?
Sometimes, if someone I meet has particularly quirky characteristics, then it is hard to resist including these in one of my characters! Generally, though, I try to focus on interesting traits and create a character around this. I always spend a lot of time building up my characters’ profiles, their interests, their background, etc – I even surf the internet to find a photo of someone who matches my vision of that character to include in their biog. As for events, there are a few which I sneak into my writing, but I’m not giving anything else away!
Twenty words on why your book should be a reader’s next read…
I think that Emma B books’ review can say this better than I can: “This is a stunning debut novel, and I am sure we will be reading a lot more by this author.”
The Swiss Alps – setting for Never Again
You are a romance writer – what’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever done?
When I went away for the weekend, I left numerous pink post-it notes all over the bedroom with little ‘love you’ and ‘xx’ messages written across the middle…
Have you any advice for author’s beginning their writing journey?
Try to believe in yourself and know that the only way to improve is to keep practising and to keep asking for feedback, as hard as that can be; that over time, you will discover your own individual writing style; to get to ‘The End’, it takes one baby step at a time and keep asking lots of questions; when writing becomes tough, keep writing; and finally, don’t give up on your dream!
What’s next for Nicky Clifford as a writer?
Once Never Again has launched on 21st October, I will no doubt spend the rest of the month dizzy with excitement. Come November, I can’t wait to get my teeth stuck into my next novel as the last year has mostly been about editing, reviewing, publishing and marketing.
Nicky, I wish you every possible success with your writing and am sure that Never Again is going to fly off the shelves, it’s a great read and I hope, the first of many Nicky Clifford books.
Nikki Ashton is the best-selling author of six books with the seventh coming out early in 2017. She is an indie author whose sales figures are huge on Amazon – so much so that she turned an Amazon publishing contract down and Amazon admitted that she made more money self-publishing than any contract they could offer. With a legion of dedicated readers, Nikki is modest about her success and a staunch supporter of the indie route. It was a great pleasure to interview Nikki and learn more about her life, writing and future projects…
I live with my husband, two dogs and mother-in-law in Cheshire and am an auntie to 16 nephews & nieces, who I absolutely adore. Apart from writing, I also work part-time for a software company that does ticketing software, predominantly in sport. I have a few different groups of friends but am blessed that they are all bloody wonderful people who I’d be lost without.
When did you first realise you were going to be a writer?
I never actually thought I was going to become a writer, always thinking it was a pipe dream. My desire to become a writer happened at an early age. I was around 7 or 8 when I wrote my first story for a project at school. It was about two rival gangs of children and it took up practically all of my work book because I included pictures too. I remember my teacher smiling and saying ‘it’s very good Nicola, but perhaps a little too long.’ Not a lesson that stuck with me because I still tend to write ten words when three will do – thank God for my editor!
How does it feel to be an Amazon best-selling novelist?
I find it a little unbelievable if I’m honest. I still wonder how I’ve managed to sell so many books and feel extremely lucky. I’m proud of myself too because it isn’t just the sales that make it worthwhile, it’s the messages that you get from readers. When someone tells me that I’ve made them laugh or cry and they are desperate for my next book, it’s an amazing feeling.
Traditional or Indie – what’s best for you?
Personally, Indie is what works best. I love creating the whole package, from the story, to the cover and the blurb, and I think if I went the traditional route with a publisher a lot of that control would be taken away from me. Also, I set my own deadlines and while I always have a release date in mind to work towards, I won’t ever be rushed to finish a manuscript and release something that I’m not happy with. Success or failure is all down to me.
Has your route to success been difficult? If so why?
The difficulty I had initially was trying to get a publisher to even look at my first manuscript. It was around the time of the incarnation of ‘Bridget Jones’, and so chick-lit was born and flooded the market place. Therefore, as a brand new, unsolicited author, I wasn’t getting anywhere close to getting published. The emergence of the eBook was a dream come true for me and I was fortunate enough to get my book out there almost at the start of the phenomena that is Kindle. With no advertising, other than a message to my friends on Facebook and a catchy title I sold 5.5 K of my first book in its second month of release. I got my second book out quickly after that, because it was already written, and people who had bought the first one and liked it, bought the second one too. It was when I changed the title of the second book to No Bra Required, in its fourth month of release that sales jumped from around the 3k mark to 16k. Due to the massive sales of that book and its fantastic reviews my following increased, which means I usually get some decent sales figures with every new release. With a good following comes the added bonus that each book is generally received well; I keep a winning formula but try and mix it up a little. While I wouldn’t say success has been easy, it hasn’t been hard either, but a lot of luck and good timing is to thank for that. Also, I’m told I write a good story, so that can only help.
Do you have a special place for writing and dedicate a certain number of hours per day and are you self-disciplined enough to stick to it?
I have a desk in a corner of our lounge and will write as and when the mood takes me. If I have set myself a deadline then I can be self-disciplined, but that usually comes when the panic sets in and I realise I’ve only got days, weeks or hours left to get something to my editor! Is that self-discipline – no, probably not! Having a desk in the lounge works really well for me. Some people like solitude, but that’s not me, so working against the background noise of the TV or music, or chatting with my husband helps me immensely. It also means I don’t have to keep shouting to him when I’m stuck on a word or phrase, or need to know how a man feels when he reaches that ‘special moment’.
When you’re not writing, what do you like to read?
I am voracious reader and while I used to read a lot of chick-lit, nowadays I tend to read contemporary adult books. Not for the adult content necessarily, but for the style. I’m always considering how I can adopt certain things in my own writing to make my books a little different. For example, my sixth book ‘Cheese Tarts & Fluffy Socks’ was written in the first person both from the female and male point of view; a style adopted by most Contemporary Adult writers but not necessarily used in my genre. It got great feedback from my readers and lots of commendation for doing something different. I think if I read books in my genre I wouldn’t try anything new.
Is it true that you should never say anything interesting to an author because you’re bound to see it in print eventually?
Yes, most definitely! We may change the names and the places but there are usually some real life situations in there. My first book was pretty much autobiographical and my friends all recognised certain aspects of themselves or things that they’d done or said over the years. If I lost my phone some of my best scenes would be lost forever, because as soon as I hear something that makes me laugh I make a note of it. So if you ever see me typing a note onto my phone maybe have a think about what you’ve just said.
Do you feel sad when you’ve finished writing a book?
I have mixed emotions when I finish a book. Sad to be leaving my characters behind because I’ve spent so much time with them that they’ve become my best friends, but I’m also happy. This is usually because I’ve got another plot running around my head that is desperate to be put into words
Why did you start to write?
If I’m honest the main reason is probably because I’m a romantic and love a happy ending, so the best way to ensure that they exist is to write one. However, that probably wasn’t the reason when I said I wanted to be a writer at the age of 7. I have never really thought about it, but maybe it was because I had a vivid imagination and yet was quite a shy child, so I could put my feelings out there without actually having to say them out loud.
Do you know the ending to your book when you start to write it? Have you ever changed the ending after you started to write?
When I start a book I always write the first and last chapter initially, so I always know the ending. I might tweak the last chapter but never the outcome. The route changes on numerous occasions, but never the destination.
How do you come up with your characters, are they based on people you have met or events that have happened in your life?
I don’t set out to base them on real people, but it often ends up that way. To start with I write down the character’s name, their age, physical attributes and personality traits and try and stick to them as I write. If I then create a scene that is based on a real life situation I still like the character to stay true to the personality that I have given to them. I wouldn’t have someone acting in a way that doesn’t fit their personality just because that’s how it happened in real life. However, the grandma in Guess Who I Pulled Last Night? was totally my own Nan. She was a funny lady without even trying and I felt everyone else needed to know her.
What’s the new book about?
My new book, Roman’s Having Sex Again, which I’m very excited about, is the story of an alpha male and his feisty PA. Sparks fly from the beginning and it isn’t long before the sexual tension between then is so palpable that it can’t be ignored, but two strong characters make for lots of heated words along the way. It has my usual elements of love, romance and humour but Roman, the male character, has some strong demons lurking and his past comes back to slap a great big obstacle in their path to happiness.
Do you go to many events to meet your public?
I’ve only recently started to go to events where I meet my readers, and to say that I’ve been pleasantly surprised is an understatement. The readers and bloggers that attend show a massive amount of dedication to the authors and their books and I hold them in the highest regard because of this. To have someone excited to meet you and want your signature and photograph because of the words you’ve written is extremely humbling.
Twenty words on why your book should be a reader’s next read…
If you like a romance with a happy ending and some laughs along the way then you won’t be disappointed.
Have you any advice for author’s beginning their writing journey?
Firstly, write because it’s your biggest desire, don’t do it for the fame and money because you may well be disappointed and the pressure will stifle your imagination. Write from your heart, stay true to yourself and get a really good editor. Also, find a local group of writers that you can join, and if there isn’t one then start one yourself. The lovely members of The Cheshirati have given me advice, confidence and some damn good laughs that have helped me no end.
What’s next for Nikki Ashton as a writer?
Aside from the release of Roman’s Having Sex Again, I’m writing a Christmas Novella for my Rock Stars Don’t Like…series. After that I’ll be getting a story down that’s been running around in my head for the last few months. It’s going to be a series set around English women going to the USA. In the long term I’d love to break the American market and be recognised over there as one of the great British writers, so hopefully the English Girl In…series will help me to achieve that.
Any last comments for your readers?
I simply want to say thank you to everyone that has ever supported me, given me a word of encouragement or even the smallest snippet of advice. Without all of you I’d probably still be procrastinating over writing a third book, never mind be excited about the prospect of my seventh.
Fancy a feel-good summer holiday read? These books are currently on promo so fill up your Kindle, grab a drink and get your feet up… Your summer reading starts here!
Cheshire based author Victoria Johns writes racy romance and has a legion of followers, eagerly waiting for her next book. She says:
“I love a fairy tale; a badass fairy tale where a beautiful real girl meets a protective guy who will move the earth and stars to give her that happily ever after. My kind of fairy tales are full of girls with life-long friendships, hot guys, twists and turns, oh and the odd villain or two!”
With new book Survivor recently published and flying off the shelves I tracked her down and over a cup of coffee found out about the author behind the books…
Author Victoria Johns
Tell me a little bit about yourself…
I’m a little bit crazy! I have a wonderful husband and son, who keep me on my toes and indulge me all my writing endeavours. I sometimes have to pinch myself because I can’t believe I’m living the dream! I love to sew and am having a blast learning the techniques required to master the art of dress making. I’ve made lots of friends in the crafting community, who understand why I love writing, especially with the crazy topics of conversation that can spring up across a sewing table. When I’m not sewing or writing I try to get out and see some of Cheshire’s country side on my bike and am a member of a local cycling club.
When did you first realise you were going to be a writer?
I look back and think I’ve always had a touch of flair for this kind of thing, although my family would call this drama! The stories that I’ve created have been bumbling around in my head for a while and I set out to achieve getting a book published before I hit the age of 40. I did it with six months to spare and have just carried on because it is an achievement to be proud of and such good fun!
How do you go about researching detail and ensuring your books are realistic?
When I wrote the first draft of my first book, I had a specific place in setting and community in mind. I wanted my characters to have jobs that were nothing like anything I’ve ever done, because I figured it would be a great chance to learn something new. Where I didn’t have a clue about a character’s job, I researched using the internet or by getting in touch with people or organisations who did have the knowledge. The town I’ve created, it a fictional place, with fictional people and it’s my dream town… but that’s possible because it’s full of sinfully hot guys!
Do you have a special place for writing and dedicate a certain number of hours per day and are you self-disciplined enough to stick to it?
I do have a writing room, I call it The Cave. If I’m pressing towards a deadline, I will hole up in there but a lot of the time I will follow the sun, the view or the peace and quiet. I write long hand, in pretty books with lush pens, so I love seeing the flow of words. I try not to get bogged down by setting a target number of words during a session. If I have an idea, I will go for it or make notes until I have time to explore further. If the story has gone to place that I didn’t expect, I’m OK to sit it out and wait for the inspiration to find me again.
When you’re not writing, what do you like to read?
I love to read books in the genre that I write, that’s why I love writing the stories that I do. I’m a member of a book club and make a point of not suggesting a book, I find it refreshing to have someone else who prefers a different genre, give me something that I probably would never normally choose. As a result, I’ve read some great historical fiction, thrillers and titles by authors I’ve not come across. I love the surprise of it, I don’t read the blurb, I just dive right in and love the story for the surprises it delivers.
Is it true that you should never say anything interesting to an author because you’re bound to see it in print eventually?
In some cases yes, although you do hear the phrase ‘I’ve got a great story for you…’ a lot when you go out for a drink. I tend to find myself using phrases, descriptions and characteristics of people I meet in my stories rather than their experiences themselves.
Do you feel sad when you’ve finished writing a book?
It’s always a mixture of emotions. Sad that you’re time with those characters are over, joy that you’ve got the end and then fear… that all those tiny words will not mean as much to someone else as they do to you at the very moment.
Why did you start to write?
I made the mistake of saying, “I’ve got an idea for a series,” to a friend, who just said, “well get on with it.” With the opportunity to self-publish, I just went for it.
Do you know the ending to your book when you start to write it? Have you ever changed the ending after you started to write?
I write sexy stories, so I know who will end up with whom, but how they actually get there is a mystery! I don’t plan in a structured creative writing sense, I find that restrictive. E.L Doctorow says, “Writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.” When I read that for the first time, I knew it was my creative style being described.
How do you come up with your characters, are they based on people you have met or events that have happened in your life?
Some of the characters are based on people I know and love and I’m one of them! I didn’t know I’d carry on after I started writing the first and thought if I only write one book, I’m going to be in it!
A girl with a troubled past is on the run and trying to start again, whilst keeping her secrets hidden. We all know that past troubles usually come looking for you and when they do, they need a guy with specialist skills to keep them from dragging her back down again. The problem is, her secrets come with their own specialist skills, and these are ones that put them both in harm’s way.
And the series?
The Soul Mates Series is a spin off from the original Soul Sisters Series. People, who love the first series, will have the chance to catch up with their favourite original characters as their paths cross over. The Soul Sisters were all around the leading ladies getting the guys that can keep them out of the trouble, this new series, centres on a new set of guys who trip across that one special person when they least expect it. The new book Survivor can be read as a standalone novel, or slots into the original series at any point.
If you could chose to be a character from ‘Survivor‘, who would you be and why?
The lead female, Lacey. She’s young, vibrant and not afraid of fighting for what she wants. She’s had a difficult childhood and worked hard to be the best person she can be… and she gets to fall in love for the first time, a truly wonderful feeling!
Twenty words on why Survivor should be a reader’s next read…
It’s a badass fairy story, the happily ever after is hard fought for and it’ll bring out your wild side.
What do you like to do when not writing?
Sewing, cycling and sneaking cuddles from my son who is too cool to hug his mum!
What’s next for Victoria Johns as a writer?
As most writers will tell you, there are always stories bubbling in their heads, demanding a life of their own. I can’t wait for them to come to life.
I’ll be attending the Manchester Author Event on August 13th and the Sandbach Author Event on 5th November. I would love to meet as many people as possible who get involved in our wonderful book world, if you’re going please come along and say hello!
Literature festivals and author talks abound at the moment and I’ve been to some really great talks over the last few weeks. These included the more memorable: Hentertaining with the brilliant poet Helen Kay who had me is stitches with her chicken poetry…To being glued to the screen as Sarah Raven talked about her new book Good Good Food which had me completely re-thinking my diet.
And publisher Eleanor Dryden and crime author Angela Clarke (Follow Me) made a great double act at the Northwich LitFest – they had some interesting writing and publishing insights to share.
Eleanor Dryden Angela Clark Susi Osborne
So what makes a good author event? I have to admit I have nodded off at one or two and was amazed when a very high profile failed to deliver to an audience desperate to grab a snippet of anything related to the author’s fascinating life.
From the London Book Fair to Cheltenham and Hay – I love these events and have high expectations. One of my favourite author talks was by David Suchet at Cheltenham – such an interesting man! I’m also looking forward to hearing #1 best-selling, self-publisher, Tracey Bloom at the RNA Conference in a few weeks time when she will talk about self-publishing prior to getting a publishing deal. I met Tracey a few years ago at the Chipping Festival and she was just about to launch No One Ever Has Sex On A Tuesday – even then it was clear that she was going to go global.
A few months ago I started an author social group. With fellow author Nikki Ashton we came up with The Cheshirati and now meet once a month with authors from Cheshire and the surrounding counties. It is a great group and so inspiring to chat to other authors about the one topic that binds us all – writing. I always come away feeling very inspired and humbled to have spent time in the company of some very inspirational people and we are planning author events for the coming months.
Nikki and I spoke at the Northwich LitFest , run by romance author Susie Osborne. We’d thought about how to structure the event but having never done one together had no idea how it would work. I have to say that it was great fun, a real learning curve and something that we can work on and hopefully roll out. We asked our readers (via social media) what questions they would like answered and used some of these in the talk. There were some great questions from, Is it true that you should never say anything interesting to an author because you’re bound to see it in print eventually? to Is it all worth it? and really made me think about my own writing life. Nikki is hugely successful as a self-publisher and the audience seemed very interested in the Indie V Trad publishing debate.
Author talks are a great way to get inspiration. Whether you aspire to achieve the same success of merely glean a nugget of useful information that will help your writing in some way. To be in a room with like-minded people is very energising. I’m not sure if I like giving talks. I find it very daunting to stand before a sea of expectant faces and always have my fingers crossed, hoping that they’ll be friendly. Nothing puts you off more when someone yawns or another keeps checking their mobile, however it is a great feeling when, at the end, folk buzz around to talk to you and buy books.
What’s Never Again about?
When you’re not writing, what do you like to read?
To being glued to the screen as Sarah Raven talked about her new book 
And publisher Eleanor Dryden and crime author Angela Clarke (
A few months ago I started an author social group. With fellow author 
Author talks are a great way to get inspiration. Whether you aspire to achieve the same success of merely glean a nugget of useful information that will help your writing in some way. To be in a room with like-minded people is very energising. I’m not sure if I like giving talks. I find it very daunting to stand before a sea of expectant faces and always have my fingers crossed, hoping that they’ll be friendly. Nothing puts you off more when someone yawns or another keeps checking their mobile, however it is a great feeling when, at the end, folk buzz around to talk to you and buy books.
Caroline James Author 