I moved to Chandler’s Ford 27 years ago, because at that time it was easy and quick to drive up the M3 to where I was working near London than commute down the M1. How that has changed! But then so has my job and I now spend most of my time at home as an author, or touring bookshops signing books.
Soon after moving here I became a Scout Leader in the flourishing 4th Chandler’s Ford Friday Night Troop and remained a regular Leader for the next 15 years.
Richard Hardie
Some 12 years ago I helped write the script for the Millennium Scout and Guide Gang Show – something that changed my life in many ways.
It was great fun writing for 80 kids on stage with another 80 people as stage crews, and I wrote and produced the next 4 Gang Shows. Each show had a stronger plot and became more of a story that the audience could relate to and follow.
My book Leap of Faith took eight years to publish
Leap of Faith by Richard Hardie
The third show I wrote was called Timescape and had a storyline that I felt could easily be adapted into a book. I was very naive!
It took eight years and many, many edits and versions before the eventual book called Leap of Faith was taken on by a literary agent and published as an eBook and paperback.
I must admit I also became more involved in writing to pass the time when I flew to India from the UK 15 or 16 times I believe, on business, but never as a tourist. As a result I have many very good friends in India and I love the country. Because I wasn’t there to see the sites, I probably saw more of the natural India as opposed to the parts tourist companies want you to see.
My Temporal Detective Agency series
I’m currently writing the 3rd in the Temporal Detective Agency series – fantasy detective adventure books for young adults, or anyone who enjoys a good read!
Merlin (in reality a well disguised and good-looking woman) and Arthur have eloped leaving the wizard’s cave to her sister and two wizard apprentices. They move the Agency to the 21st century (as they can) because the cases are more interesting, but mostly because the toilet facilities are far better!
The adventures begin with the theft of Nelson’s statue, the Koh-i-noor diamond and the Mona Lisa. But they don’t end there by any means!
Currently in the series are Leap of Faith and Trouble with Swords, both of which are available in most good independent bookshops, or from Amazon as eBooks or paperbacks at the following links: Leap of Faith and Trouble with Swords.
My new book: Trouble With Swords
Trouble with Sword by Richard Hardie
Trouble With Swords is actually released by my publishers officially on 9th August.
I’ll be signing copies at these locations:
The Book Shop in Lee-on-the-Solent on 9th August between 11.00am and 3.00pm.
Calliope Gifts in Alton on 16th August between 1.00pm and 4.00pm.
Other signing dates are being organised and please go to my website for updates.
Leap of Faith is available right now.
My book signing at Calliope Gifts in Alton last month, with author Richard Frankland (right) and his wife Sandra.
I created my website with the help of a very talented friend of mine two years ago and update it whenever possible.
My website is really there to inform my readers about me and my books and to direct them to my book sellers and their sites, as well as to my blog, which I do update continuously with interviews, comments and news.
Richard Hardie is a British author who started writing books for Young Adults of all ages while flying on multiple trips to Asia on business. His best known books "Leap of Faith" and "Trouble With Swords" are the first two novels in the Temporal Detective Agency series, which he maintains he will continue writing as long as his characters have fun and he can come up with plots. Richard was a Scout Leader for 15 years and some of his main characters and certainly his sense of humour were developed during his time with the Troop.
[…] It is also thanks to one of the friends I met in Hiltingbury Rec walking the dog that I now write for Chandler’s Ford Today given he was the one to tell me about it! (Many thanks to Richard Hardie). […]
[…] I was interviewing local author, Richard Hardie (author of Leap of Faith and Trouble with Swords), we discussed favourite books and writers. Then […]
[…] of being an author was something that didn’t evolve until well after I wrote the first of five Gang Shows for the Scouts and Guides. I always thought one of the shows had a good plot that could be made into a book if only I could […]
Congratulations, Richard!
If you do book signings around Chandler’s Ford or Eastleigh, please let us know.
Many thanks, Janet.
I’ll be sure to let you know. If anyone would like to come to one of the signings you’d be very welcome. They’re a lot of fun!