author interview

Author Interview: Introducing Joy Wood, Storyteller

March 21, 2025 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Joy Wood for supplying author shots, book cover pictures, and photos of her at The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick. Screenshots and other images from Swanwick were taken by me, Allison Symes. Other images created in Book Brush using photos supplied by Joy. Some images are directly from Pixabay.

It is a pleasure to welcome fellow Swanwicker, Joy Wood, to Chandler’s Ford Today. I met Joy at The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick and we often “cross paths” via Facebook. Say what you like about social media, and many do (!), but when used properly, it is a fabulous way to keep in contact with your writing colleagues.

Joy and I celebrate publications at Swanwick

Tags: author events, author interview, creative writing, FeedaRead, fiction, Joy Wood, marketing tips, self publishing, The Writers' Summer School - Swanwick, the writing life, writing routine, writing tips

Author Interview: Introducing Gemma Owen-Kendall

January 24, 2025 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Lynsey Adams of Reading Between the Lines Book Vlog and Gemma Owen-Kendall for supplying author and book cover pics including from her launch for Red Daisy at The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick. Other images created in Book Brush using images from Lynsey, Gemma or Pixabay. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes, as were the photos of the grounds from The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick.

As you know, one of my highlights of my writing year is to go to The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick held at The Hayes in Derbyshire in August. As well as enjoying the fabulous workshops and courses (and having had the privilege of leading some there too), the other biggest joy is in getting to meet other authors.

Why? Because it is so liberating to share the joy of creative writing with others who “get it”. There is no need to explain why you write here. We just do and we share many tips and tales of our writing lives with each other during this event.

In 2024, Gemma Owen-Kendall got to launch her debut novel, Red Daisy, published by SpellBound Books, at The Writers’ Summer School in their wonderful Book Room.

Many congratulations, Gemma, on this and welcome to Chandler’s Ford Today. It is always a joy and privilege to discuss writing journeys with other authors here but before I put some questions to Gemma, please find below her author bio and a blurb for Red Daisy. This interview is part of a book blog tour organised by Lynsey Adams of Reading Between the Lines Book Vlog.

Tags: am writing, author interview, characters, creative writing, debut novel, editing, fairytales, fiction, flash fiction, Gemma Owen-Kendall, Innocent Times, marketing, novels, Red Daisy, short stories, SpellBound Books Limited, The Writers' Summer School - Swanwick, writing groups, writing journey

A Right Cozy Christmas Crime with Wendy H Jones – Author Interview

December 6, 2024 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Wendy H Jones and Lynsey Adams from Reading Between The Lines Book Vlog for supplying book cover and poster/promo pictures. Many thanks to the other authors in A Right Cozy Christmas Crime for supplying their author head shots. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images or those supplied by Wendy H Jones/Lynsey Adams.

One of the joys of the Christmas season is having extra reading time! Okay, you may have to wait until after the big day itself but isn’t having new books to enjoy something to relish for that period between Christmas and New Year? It is for me!

Also, as we all know, books are perfect presents and easy to wrap or put in festive gift bags. But, of course, the lead up to the season is the biggest in the publishing world because of this. What I like is amongst the many new novels, there are plenty of anthologies coming out too.

Tags: A Right Cozy Christmas Crime, Alex Greyson, author interview, book blog tour, cozy crime, crime stories, crime story anthology, Dianne Ascroft, Gillian Duff, Gulia Fancelli Clifford, Linda Mather, Malice Domestic, Marti M Mcnair, Melicity Pope, Pauline Tait, Reading Between The Lines Book Vlog, Scott and Lawson Publishing, Sheena Macleod, short stories, Sisters in Crime, Sophy Smythe, Stella Oni, Sue Cook, Wendy H Jones

Author Interview: Introducing Hannah Retallick

November 29, 2024 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Hannah Retallick for supplying book cover, book launch, and author photos. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images or photos supplied by Hannah or are directly from PIxabay.

I am so pleased to welcome Hannah Retallick to Chandler’s Ford Today. Hannah, like me, is a Bridge House Publishing stalwart, and her debut short story collection, Something Very Human, has just been published by them. Hannah and I have been in many of the anthologies they have produced.

Hannah is an excellent flash fiction writer and has gained recognition in many international competitions, including receiving Highly Commended in the Bridport Flash Fiction Prize 2022, winning the £2000 Edinburgh Award for Flash Fiction 2024 – the biggest flash prize in the UK – and being Highly Commended in the Bath Flash Fiction Award. All of these are highly prestigious in the flash fiction world.

Tags: author interview, book launch, Bridge House Publishing, debut story collection, flash fiction, Hannah Retallick, short form fiction, Something Very Human, writing journey, writing routine

Author Interview – Debz Hobbs-Wyatt – If Crows Could Talk – Part 2

November 1, 2024 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Debz Hobbs-Wyatt for supplying book cover and author pics. Some images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Some images are directly from Pixabay. Screenshots were also taken by me, Allison Symes.

Introduction – Part 2

It is a great pleasure to welcome Debz Hobbs-Wyatt back to Chandler’s Ford Today for Part 2 of an in-depth interview celebrating the launch of her new novel, If Crows Could Talk (Walela Books).

Part 1 from last week covered Debz’s writing journey and wonderful advice regarding agents and the writing life. She also discussed the small presses (both of us are connected to Bridge House Publishing). Link at the bottom of this section of the interview if you missed Part 1. Whatever stage of the writing life you find yourself at now, do check both parts of this interview out. Debz has shared lots of wonderful tips.

Tags: author interview, author library visits, Bridge House Publishing, Debz Hobbs-Wyatt, editing, If Crows Could Talk, marketing, novels, short stories, storytelling, supporting libraries, Walela Books

Author Interview: Debz Hobbs-Wyatt – If Crows Could Talk – Part 1

October 25, 2024 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Debz Hobbs-Wyatt for supplying book cover and author pics. Some images from a Bridge House Publishing event supplied by Paula Readman and me. Screenshots were also taken by me, Allison Symes.

It is a joy to welcome Debz Hobbs-Wyatt to Chandler’s Ford Today. I’ve known Debz for some time thanks to our mutual connections with Bridge House Publishing.

I’ve been on one side of the fence here, having had several stories in various BHP anthologies over the years. Debz has been on the other side of the fence with BHP founder, Gill James, and the two continue to work closely together. Indeed, I’m looking forward to meeting up again with Debz and Gill at the Bridge House Publishing Celebration Event in December.

Tags: author interview, Bridge House Publishing, characters, Debz Hobbs-Wyatt, Gill James, If Crows Could Talk, marketing, novels, resting your writing, short stories, the indie press, Walela Books, writing advice, writing journey, writing what you love

Catching Up with Ruth Leigh – The Further Adventures of Isabella M Smugge

September 20, 2024 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Ruth Leigh for supplying author pic and book cover images. Images from the British Christian Writing Conference were kindly supplied by Social Shapes. Screenshots were taken by me, Allison Symes. Other images were created in Book Brush using Pixabay images and/or book cover shots from Ruth. Some images are directly from Pixabay.

I’m pleased to welcome back Ruth Leigh to Chandler’s Ford Today. Ruth and I are members of the Association of Christian Writers. Last time we talked, Ruth had three books out in her funny and touching Isabella M Smugge series.

Today, 20th September 2024, will see the release of her fourth novel featuring her heroine – The Further Adventures of Isabella M Smugge. Congratulations, Ruth. Little beats the buzz of being published.

Tags: am writing, Association of Christian Writers, author interview, book launch tips, British Christian Writers Conference, Christian fiction, creative writing, fiction, humorous fiction, independent publishing, Instant Apostle, Jane Austen, Resolute Books, Ruth Leigh, series fiction, The Further Adventures of Isabella M Smugge, writing advice

Author Interview: Maressa Mortimer – Going Downstream

June 28, 2024 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Maressa Mortimer and Lynsey Adams for author and book cover pictures. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.

It is a great pleasure to welcome Maressa Mortimer back to Chandler’s Ford Today. Maressa and I are members of the Association of Christian Writers.

If you’ve been tempted to think you don’t have time to write, Maressa may encourage you to think again. She writes around her home life of four children, who are home schooled, a dog, and the demands of her husband’s job as a church minister.

Tags: author interview, characterisation, Christian fiction, Downstream, Maressa Mortimer, publication news, the Elabi Chronicles, world building, writing advice

Author Interview: Sophie Neville – A Creative Life on Water, in Film, and in Writing – Part 1

April 5, 2024 By Allison Symes 2 Comments

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Sophie Neville for supplying book and author pics. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos or are from Pixabay directly. Images from Sophie Neville’s website are used with her express and kind permission. Thank you, Sophie.

It is a huge pleasure to welcome fellow member of the Association of Christian Writers, Sophie Neville, to Chandler’s Ford Today. Sophie is best known for her role as Titty in Swallows and Amazons, that well loved children’s film classic. She went on to appear in The Two Ronnies, Doctor Who, Animal Magic, Songs of Praise, Crossroads, and Nationwide, and these are just a few of her TV and film credits. For a full listing do visit her website.

I remember Swallows and Amazons and The Two Ronnies in particular. I loved their Charley Farley and Piggy Malone, in which Sophie appeared. For full details of Sophie’s extensive TV and film work, do check out the link.

Tags: author interview, Sophie Neville, Sophie Neville and her writing career, Sophie Neville and television work, Swallows and Amazons

Introducing Rosemary Johnson – Wodka, or Tea with Milk: The Road to Publication

December 15, 2023 By Allison Symes 2 Comments

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Rosemary Johnson for supplying the original images of Poland, author and book cover pics, which I’ve adjusted a little using Book Brush. Other images were created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.

It is always lovely to hear of friends’ publication news. I am so pleased to welcome Rosemary Johnson to Chandler’s Ford Today to share something of her writing journey with us, why persistence is such a useful quality in writing, and to tell us more about her book Wodka,or Tea With Milk.

Did you know that anything above fifty years old counts as historical now? That puts me in the historical “bin” for a start but for fiction, this applies to settings. The idea behind this is to take readers out of the events of their lifetime.

Rosemary’s book is set against the backdrop of the Solidarity movement in Poland in the 1980s and is just “outside” the historical fiction category if you follow the 50 years “rule”. Given I remember watching the news about Solidarity, I would have sworn it was long enough ago to count as historical but apparently not quite, again if you follow the 50 years “rule”.

Tags: Association of Christian Writers, author interview, book release, creative writing, modern historical fiction, publication news, Rosemary Johnson, The Conrad Press, the road to publication, Wodka or Tea With Milk

Welcome to Writers’ Narrative Magazine – Interview with Wendy H Jones

July 28, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to all at Writers’ Narrative for sending me their fabulous author photos. Many thanks to Wendy H Jones for the publicity shots for Writers’ Narrative magazine. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images, one taken directly from Pixabay, and one of Wendy’s shots adapted in Book Brush for the Feature Image. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes.

I mentioned in my most recent round-up of what I’ve been up to, writing wise, Mom’s Favorite Reads had come to an end but a new monthly online magazine, Writers’ Narrative, was coming out. I’m pleased to say the first issue of this (the August 2023) edition has just been released (25th July 2023). A free subscribe link is included below.

The same editorial team, including me, is on board for Writers’ Narrative and its editor in chief is Wendy H Jones. It is a magazine by writers for writers.

Tags: Allison Symes, author interview, bringing a new online magazine to life, creative writing, editorial team, Eileen Rolland, fiction, Maressa Mortimer, non-fiction, online magazines, Pauline Tait, Sheena Macleod, Wendy H Jones, Writers' Narrative magazine, writing articles, writing tips

Author Interview – Francesca Tyer – Part 1

June 16, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Francesca Tyer for her fabulous author and book photo pics. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes.

It is with great pleasure I welcome back Francesca Tyer to Chandler’s Ford Today. Francesca is one of many authors who are part of the Authors Reach stable (the driving creative force behind that is Richard Hardie, author of Leap of Faith and Trouble With Swords).

Tags: author interview, Authors Reach, book launch, Francesca Tyer, The Earthstone, The Firestone, The Seastone

Author Interview: June Webber – Publication: Never Too Late

January 20, 2023 By Allison Symes 4 Comments

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to June Webber for supplying author pictures and book cover photos. The Best of CafeLit 11 images come from Bridge House Publishing so many thanks to them for those. Images from The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick were taken by me, Allison Symes. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images (with one image directly from Pixabay).

It is with great pleasure I welcome friend and fellow Swanwicker, June Webber, to Chandler’s Ford Today. June and I first met at The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick back in 2016 when I was a “white badger” (first time attendee). June, Val Penny, and I regularly meet up on Zoom.

Tags: am reading, am writing, author interview, creativity, fiction, June Webber, publication, short stories, Swanwick Writers' Summer School, The Best of CafeLit 11

Deadly Traditions – Interview with Wendy H Jones

December 9, 2022 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Wendy H Jones for supplying author and book cover pictures. Some images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Some images directly from Pixabay.

It is lovely to welcome Wendy H Jones back to Chandler’s Ford Today with news of her latest publication. It is another departure from Wendy’s usual line of work too. This time, Wendy has a short story in Deadly Traditions, which is a crime and Christmas anthology.

Tags: author interview, book launch, Christmas fiction, Deadly Traditions, new book, short story anthology. cosy crime fiction, Wendy H Jones

Ruth Leigh and The Continued Times of Isabella M Smugge – Part 1

October 21, 2022 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Ruth Leigh for supplying author pictures and book cover shots. Other photos created in Book Brush using Pixabay images.

It is with great pleasure I welcome Ruth Leigh back to Chandler’s Ford Today to talk about her hilarious and moving creation, Isabella M Smugge. Ruth has written her third book in the series – The Continued Times of Isabella M Smugge.

Ruth Leigh

Ruth Leigh is a freelance writer, novelist and book reviewer. Married with three children, a cat, one husband and assorted poultry, she is a recovering over-achiever.

Tags: author interview, book launch, creative writing, Isabella M Smugge, marketing, publication news, Ruth Leigh

author interview

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Many thanks to Hannah Retallick for supplying book cover, book launch, and author photos. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images or photos supplied by Hannah or are directly from PIxabay.

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Many thanks to Debz Hobbs-Wyatt for supplying book cover and author pics. Some images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Some images are directly from Pixabay. Screenshots were also taken by me, Allison Symes.

Introduction – Part 2

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Many thanks to Debz Hobbs-Wyatt for supplying book cover and author pics. Some images from a Bridge House Publishing event supplied by Paula Readman and me. Screenshots were also taken by me, Allison Symes.

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Many thanks to Maressa Mortimer and Lynsey Adams for author and book cover pictures. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.

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Many thanks to Sophie Neville for supplying book and author pics. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos or are from Pixabay directly. Images from Sophie Neville’s website are used with her express and kind permission. Thank you, Sophie.

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Many thanks to Rosemary Johnson for supplying the original images of Poland, author and book cover pics, which I’ve adjusted a little using Book Brush. Other images were created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.

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Many thanks to Francesca Tyer for her fabulous author and book photo pics. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes.

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Many thanks to Wendy H Jones for supplying author and book cover pictures. Some images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Some images directly from Pixabay.

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Many thanks to Ruth Leigh for supplying author pictures and book cover shots. Other photos created in Book Brush using Pixabay images.

Ruth Leigh

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