Reflections of Holme

We've done it! The Holmfirth Writers' Group celebrated the launch of their collaborative venture, Reflections of Holme, on Monday. It's a gorgeous book, thanks to Andy Leader's photos and the writing is wonderfully diverse and very evocative of the Holme Valley. I'll try to figure out how to attach a photo and other links...

Busy week!

The last week of April was a bit of a marathon. At the Holmfirth Writers' meeting on Monday night, we tidied up some business to do with our upcoming anthology ~ Reflections From Holme, which is very exciting. Afterwards we had a brilliant workshop led by Mary. She brought her puppets and challenged us to write Victorian moral fables in rhyme!

On Tuesday, I led a house group meeting on the fruits of the Spirit and how we might apply them to combating climate change and building our church for the future, another kind of challenge.

Wednesday night I was invited by Holmfirth Library to take part in a Local Author Bonanza. Amazing the variety of talent in our valley, from Roman toilets to memoir, it was a very interesting evening.

On Thursday night I gave a talk to the Mothers' Union at Holmfirth Parish Church. One woman told me my book had saved her life!! She just happened to be reading the section about MRIs when her doctor wanted her to have one. He didn't believe her when she told him she had a metal stent in her heart but knowing how important it was she insisted and was proved right.

Last night's badminton helped me run off all the tension of the week ready to see what May has in store.

Word of Google?

I had two comments regarding my last post. One which appeared to be in a far eastern script and one that suggested my books had sold by 'word of Google'. What a brilliant turn of phrase. Apparently, my post had turned up in his box under the guise of Christian bookshop. I'm way out of my depth with all this social networking. However, if it encourages folk to buy one of my books, bring it on. I feel like I'm hanging on to a kite's tail in a gale, blindfolded.

The radio interview on Saturday was great fun. I love the sense of community TwoValleysRadio and their sister station ELFM create.

Two events coming up in April. I'll be one of the guest authors in an Authors Bonanza held in Holmfirth Library on the 28th and will be speaking to the Mothers' Union on the 29th.

Exciting news

Createspace sold thirteen books last week in the USA! Is this the beginning of 'word of mouth' sales???

I'll be taking part in an internet 'Two Valleys Radio' programme on Saturday. My friends and I from Holmfirth Writers will be promoting our collaborative book 'Reflections on Holme' to be launched in June.

Work is progressing at a pace on the novel, hence my absence from these pages. Watch this space...

We're back!

Home again in England and lots to catch up with. Must just give a plug to 'Holy Grounds' Christian bookshop and coffee house in Grapevine, Texas. It's a brilliant shop with a gloriously inviting aroma of fresh brewed coffee when you open the door so well worth a visit. Best of all, when I asked if they were interested in selling my book, they instantly bought six copies!

Book tour USA

Arrived in Maryland to news of impending snow storm. We were bemused by school closure announcements, etc when there wasn't a cloud in the sky but right on time 28 inches of snow and a 30 hour power failure trapped us in my cousin's house for a couple of days. We had to cancel one event and hastily rearranged another. I met some wonderful people and sold 32 books. Most of all I enjoyed visiting with some of my family. Sadly, the snow kept us from seeing everyone.

We missed a day of skiing due to airport closure but still had a wonderful week in Winterpark, where I spent family holidays as a child.

In Arizona at the moment, soaking up glorious sunshine and helping my nephew make origami frogs. The talk I gave yesterday was well received and again I met some wonderful people and heard some heartbreaking stories.

Radio interview

On Thursday, I was interviewed by Peter Spofford of East Leeds Community Radio for a programme on Belief. You can listen on the internet at www.elfm.co.uk .