Newcastle Noir

I had a fantastic evening at last night’s historic crime panel, the penultimate event of the flapulous Newcastle Noir 2019. Here I am in conversation with my fellow partners in crime. From left to right, Ann Landmann (moderator), Lesley Thomson, Nicola Ford, yours truly and Oscar de Muriel.

The Jazz Files is launched!

Well it’s finally happened. The first book in my 1920s mystery series, Poppy Denby Investigates, has hit the shelves. If you’re in the Newcastle upon Tyne area on Friday the 25th at 7pm, do drop by Waterstones near the Monument for the official launch party. There will be live jazz, a free glass of bubbly and 1920s costume! Oh, and a chance to hear me read a chapter from the book. If you are in the UK, but not in the area, books are now available to order through your local bookshop or from various online retailers.

In Australia you can order through Booktopia

In New Zealand from Fishpond

In South Africa you can pre-order the paperback from Takealot.com or get the e-book today from Amazon.co.uk (at least I hope you can. If not, you will have to wait until it becomes available in the USA – see below).

In USA – I’m so sorry my darlings, but it is only being released in the USA on 28 November! However, if you really can’t wait – and who would blame you if you couldn’t? – you can order from the UK Amazon site and have it shipped over. It’ll get there long before the 28 November! Amazon.co.uk

If you would like to read more about Poppy Denby and her world, please visit www.poppydenby.com

Going back in time

I had a flapulous time (to quote a friend) at my publicity shoot for the up-coming novel, The Jazz Files. With only three weeks to go until publication, I thought I’d get into costume and into character. I made the dress (see post below) and borrowed the car. A beautiful 1928 Ford Pheaton owned by the very generous Alan and Christine Simpson of Crawcrook. For more on the Poppy Denby Investigates series visit www.poppydenby.com

A new frock for Poppy Denby

I’m going to challenge my dressmaking skills to try and make this fabulous outfit from an original 1920s pattern. If it’s a success I will wear it to a photo shoot in August to publicise the launch of The Jazz Files, the first in the Poppy Denby Investigates series in September. If it’s not a success I’ll wear it anyway and insist on low light.

Get rid of that loincloth!

I gave a talk on adaptation – the process of transferring stories between different media – at an ACW conference in Leeds last weekend. Had a wonderful time meeting old and new friends. Other speakers included Corin Child giving tips on taking opportunities to promote your own writing and Steve and Mandy Briars on getting books into bookshops. One of the delegates summed up what he’d learned during the day:

  • Get rid of the loincloth
  • Write in your pyjamas
  • Sleep with a skeleton
  • Some church people misunderstand writers
Now I’m going to be a real tease and not explain any of that!
Me pontificating on adaptation at the ACW Writers’ Conference in Leeds.

Picture book workshop and donation at Trinity School

I visited Trinity School and College, Rochester, in May, to make a donation of books to their library. I did an interactive reading of my book, David and the Hairy Beast, where the children were encouraged to act out the stories. I then did a workshop with the older children on how to write and illustrate picture books. The books were donated by SPCK Publishing in celebration of the re-launch of the Young David Books series. Trinity is an independent day school specialising in teaching children aged 6 – 18 with a diagnosis of speech, language and communication difficulties, including dyslexia, dyspraxia, high-functioning autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. The staff do a brilliant job and I was highly impressed with how well the children engaged with me. It’s a school run on love. http://www.trinityschoolrochester.co.uk/

 

Here I am with Freya Bond (left) and Libby Bird

 

Georgia Murphy received the books for the library on behalf of Trinity School and College.

And just as I was putting this on my blog some wonderful thank you cards arrived from the children. I loved them all, but this picture from Erin and message from Bethany really touched me.

 

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