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August saw me motoring south to Jan Curd of Teamwork's picturesque country cottage in The Blackmore Vale region of Dorset where I ran a three-day course on writing for children. It was lots of fun and great to meet some new budding writers.
At the same venue on different dates, courses will also be taking place for lovers of romantic fiction. American author Nikki Poppen who writes under the name of Bronwen Scott for Harlequin Mills and Boon will be running courses for those interested in writing historical fiction.
These courses cost £250 and include luncheon with wine, beer and soft drinks plus teas and coffee.
Accommodation can be arranged
nearby at just £25 per night.>
For further details contact: Jan
Curd on 01747 840 206 or 190, or send an email to Jan at:
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I'm looking forward to attending the Stone children's literature festival on Saturday 18th September and Fantastic Fun with Words Festival, Baddesley Clinton Library and Nuneaton Library on Tuesday 19th October.
Also a return visit to Ernesford Grange School and Community College Coventry in December.
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Had fun recently being part of the Birmingham Young Readers Festival and did talks to local children at four different libraries. Hello to everyone at Kingstanding Library, South Yardley Library, Handsworth Library and Boldmere Library.
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Attended the Local Author's Fayre too in Worcester, which was great for meeting other authors of all kinds of books - and of course it was great to meet everyone who came along on the evening to support it. Proceeds from the evening went to the Noahs Ark Trust.
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School visits have taken me to Ernesford Grange School and Community College, Coventry; King Henry VIII School, Coventry; Meriden Primary; Bablake School, Coventry; Holliers Walk Primary, Hinckley and John Wheldon Primary in Stafford. Hello to staff and pupils!
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My magazine writing activities recently have been quite varied. I've interviewed a Disney collector, a cowboy enthusiast, two or three toy fair organisers, some toy auctioneers, an actor named Gunnar Hansen, famous for his roles in horror films; some art and craft people, including one lady who carves wood using a chainsaw! Also another famous actress of the 1970s called Alexandra Bastedo who now runs an animal sanctuary. Busy days!
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Here's a few photos of other people I've interviewed. You might know some of them: Elisabeth Sladen of Doctor Who fame and some of the cast of the Sarah Jane Adventures; iconic comedian Norman Wisdom, Dave Prowse (Darth Vader); Ian Whyte (The Predator in Aliens v Predator); also got to give a copy of The Beast to David Boreanaz (Angel in Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and say hello to James Marsters (Spike).
Also here are a few photos taken at my book signing of Rampage at Waterstones, Coventry. In the photos too are fellow writer, Sandra Shannon, and good friend & photographer/musician Rob Tysall; singer/songwriter and budding writer Beth Tysall.
