Category Archives: For everyone

The 10-year old Master Criminal …

Delighted to see my latest piece in The Leither Magazine  (issue 116)  The 10-year old Master Criminal It was June 1969. Late afternoon sun flooded the living room. The piano stood by the window. I plonked on it while glancing … Continue reading

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Buy the paperback of the Shoeshine Killer and get a second book half price

The paperback of The Shoeshine Killer is out now and the lovely people at Pilrig Press are offering anyone who buys a copy from them any second book (by yours truly) half price – and free postage in the UK!  … Continue reading

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Hold onto your hats and grab your kindles The Shoeshine Killer is out!

Clink here to buy your copy of The Shoeshine Killer! “The Shoeshine Killer is a more realistic Death in Paradise, with shades of Alexander McCall Smith in the often humorous, unfussy style of writing. It’s tempting to call the novel deliberately old-fashioned, … Continue reading

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What does home mean to you?

Some of you may or may not know that I sometimes write for The Leither Magazine. Here is the beginning from my latest pieceAt Home on Disappearing Islands. It’s my thoughts on living on Tarawa, a remote island in the middle of the … Continue reading

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What do you do to de-stress?

When I want a break from writing I like to go for a walk. I especially love “luxuriating” in the smells and sounds of woods.  Some people call this “forest bathing” or “shinrin-yoku.” I talk about “shinrin-yoku” and  the importance of  getting … Continue reading

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Delighted to be a featured author for the Crime Readers’ Association!

The Crime Readers’ Association (The CRA) The CRA was set up by the Crime Writers’ Association to give readers news and information from their favourite authors along with tips for beginners working in the genre. So, if you love reading crime fiction, … Continue reading

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what is the secret to being a successful writer?

When we think of successful creative people we tend to think of artistic geniuses like Shakespeare or Michael Angelo or Wordsworth or Mary Shelly … you know who I mean, special people. However, research shows categorically that there is no specific … Continue reading

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Only in France …

We are still in France. On the way to the dump with our DIY rubbish we came across the above. The sign says ‘trolly of wooden off-cuts for sale, 9 euros!’ Well, apologies to all my French relatives and friends, … Continue reading

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Gone plumbing in France …

I am in France for the next wee while with the other half. The plan is to give the bathroom and kitchen in the house we inherited many years ago a bit if a make-over. We’ve started with the bathroom. … Continue reading

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Enter the New Children’s Author Prize 2015 and you could win a publishing contract with Bloomsbury!

In partnership with Bloomsbury  Children’s Books the NationalLiteracy Trust want to find talented new authors of children’s fiction. Members of the public are invited to submit stories for eight to 12-year-olds to be in with a chance of winning a publishing contract … Continue reading

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