Taking risks – writing and reading

Where to start? A new year can give a opportunity to review the past year, decide where changes need to be made, and then, we’re off. By mid-January either I’m exhausted or I’ve given up and pretend my life was good enough. This morning I’m...

Betwixt and between…

A happy 2026 to all my readers! Setting sun mid-winter in Lillington, Leamington Spa I have three projects on the go. 1. Writing the 4th draft on the novel, Kaleidoscope; 2. Submitting my completed novel, to potential agents and or publishers; 3. Write a blog. Like...

On sharing truth …

At this time of year I remember Paul. He was homeless and had his own spot near Argos and Chandos Street car park. I often used to chat to him as did many others in our town. He left home aged 13. Now in his mid-30s, he had a teenage daughter who sometimes called by...

Afternoon Drinking

An attention-grabbing title for a collection of short stories by Alan Beard, published by Floodgate. The celebratory launch was held at Voce books in Digbeth, Birmingham. The room was crowded with lots of Alan’s writing friends, family and readers of his work....

Nine years on

Haunting cover designed by Adam at Cinnamon Press Nine years ago I celebrated the publication of my first novel in Waterstones, Leamington Spa. Cinnamon Press, my publisher, is a small, independent press and like many similar presses, has needed to diversify to...