Category: doing

Get that novel started! Novel writing course in Newcastle

Have you always wanted to write a novel but don’t quite know where to start? Or you’ve launched in a frenzy of creative energy then ground to a halt? Don’t let another year go by. I’m going to be running three courses this year, in collaboration with Newcastle City Library, Newcastle upon Tyne.The courses run for four weeks on Thursday evenings 5-7pm where you will join a small group of other hopeful novelists in fun, interactive and informative sessions.

Get That Novel Started 2, 9, 16, 23 March 2017 £65
Get That Novel Finished 1, 8, 15, 22 June 2017 £65
Get That Novel Published 5, 12, 19 October 2017 and 2 November 2017

You can pick and choose which of the courses you do – one or all of them! – but you will get the most out of the series if you start at the beginning.

For more information and to book your place visit Get That Novel Started – booking.

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The Crime Writers’ Awards Dinner

This week I am back at my desk after a whirlwind week in London where I went to attend a gala awards dinner, hosted by the Crime Writers’ Association. The Jazz Files did not win the CWA Endeavour Historical Dagger award. It was pipped at the post by the very worthy Stasi Child by David Young. But what a fantastic night we had! A gang from my publishers’ Lion Hudson were there to cheer Poppy along and my husband, Rodney, came down from Newcastle with me. Here are some pics from the night. The one with my eyes closed is me waiting to hear the result …

Illustrious company. The Jazz Files alongside fellow nominees AJ Wright’s Striking Murder (wonderful book) and David Young’s Stasi Child (a worthy winner).
Me and editor Jessica Tinker in our flapulous 1920s gear. Photo courtesy of the very lovely Amy Boucher Pye from the Woman Alive Book Club who was also there to cheer us on.
And the winner is … not me!
Pride in the pride. Me with Lion Fiction editors Tony Collins who first commissioned the Poppy Denby series, and current editor the flapulous Jessica Tinker
Me and fellow Lioness Elizabeth Flynn, author of the D.I. Costello crime series.
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Flappers, fops and murder

Anyone in the Newcastle area on Monday 26 September, between 5 – 6.30pm (you can come straight from work), I am giving a talk at the central library on writing historical crime fiction in the jazz age. The event is free and there will be tea and biscuits. This is aimed at the general public and writers and readers of historical crime fiction.

(Please note this is not the launch party of The Kill Fee – I will be sending out invitations to that later!)

For more information and to book your free ticket click here.

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Fiona’s guide to the skinny classics

I had such fun a few weeks ago meeting up with an old friend, author and lifestyle blogger Gillian D’Achada at Alnwick Castle in Northumberland. Gill and I were once part of a writers’ circle in Kalk Bay, South Africa in the late 1990s and early naughties that eventually became a writers’ line when only she and I remained. Gill I think was the first person to encourage me to become a full-time author and I am forever grateful for her support. Over the years she and I have stayed in touch and I was privileged to edit her award-winning youth novel, Sharkey’s Son for Tafelberg Press. Here I am talking to her about how reading classic literature doesn’t have to be hard work – and how some classics have influenced my own writing of The Jazz Files.

PS Yes I’m aware I made a mistake on Homer’s dates. He lived and wrote in the late 8th Century BC, not 4th Century. Forgive me darlings!

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The Benton Bookworms love the Jazz Files

I was delighted the other week to be invited to speak to a group of book lovers who have been reading The Jazz Files for their monthly book group. There were cocktails in the kitchen then nibbles and cheesecake (!) while they asked me all sorts of questions about the book and how I came about writing it. Rollo was their favourite character and they say that they could see Peter Dinklage playing him in a TV adaptation. Miriam Margolyes was the unanimous choice for Aunt Dot. Then I gave them a sneak peak of book two in the series, The Kill Fee, and of course left them on a cliff hanger. Thank you ladies, it was fun! If you have a book club in the Tyne & Wear area that you would like me to visit, just drop me a line!

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