They are about the “good” things of life delivering tangible outcomes in economic regeneration, learning, literacy and health as well as providing opportunities for personal enrichment and fulfilment. In a time of recession libraries are needed even more with information for job seekers, support for the development of new skills and knowledge, and a “free”…
» Continue Reading

The Culture Show’s mock award ceremony in the Scottish village of Comrie concluded with a comment that they had probably scuppered Stephan Kelman’s chances of winning. For the residents of Comrie have a track record of picking, not the winner of the prestigious Man Booker award, but the novel that goes on to capture the hearts…
» Continue Reading

Attending a conference with fellow writers is one way of fuelling flagging levels of enthusiasm and/or inspiration. The publishing world (referred to by agents as ‘the jungle’) may be floundering, but the world of Creative Writing Courses and Critiques is flourishing. Quality does not come cheap and, with so much choice, research is key to ensure your money is invested wisely. The Writers’…
» Continue Reading

I feel I must plug my new favourite place to stay. http://www.waddonhouse.co.uk/For fans of the film – the Julie Christie and Terrence Stamp version no less – a  stay at Waddon House is to stay at Boldwood’s house (Bathsheba’s house is Bloxworth), but the real history is far more interesting (this is the real deal)…
» Continue Reading

A planned book signing at Gullivers, Wimborne Minster http://gulliversbookshop.co.uk led to the discovery of the Chained Library, housed in the Minster and accessed via a spiral staircase. Originally a treasury, it would have held not only fine jewels, but also precious relics: a phial of the blood of St Thomas a Beckett, pieces of the Manger and the Holy cross,…
» Continue Reading

In Thomas Hardy’s trail, we visited Bere Regis – ‘the decayed old town of Kingsbere’ of Far From the Madding Crowd – and to the small unimposing church, overlooked by an otherwise devastating fire in 1788, now cloistered behind a new-build block of flats. It is not Hardy’s Bathsheba, but his Tess who brings us here: her father’s excitement at…
» Continue Reading

“Words are all we have.” So began Stephen Fry’s article for the Radio Times. In his case, he attributes his particular skill with words is compensation for his lack of prowess in the arenas of music, mathematics and sports. But, as always, he is far too modest. I subscribe to the rule that says 10,000 hours of practise is…
» Continue Reading

This week’s episode of The Culture Show (BBC2), dedicated to Hilary Mantel, did not disappoint.  If ever you wondered how an author should look, how she should dress, how otherworldly her replies should be, how piercingly blue her eyes should be, where an author should live (since you’re asking, either in a building that used to…
» Continue Reading

Today I have been interviewed by writer of short stories and poems and bookseller, Jen Campbell, for her blog (I highly recommend regular visits to http://jen-campbell.blogspot.com/ for author interviews, advice for authors, etc.) Jen has recently turned the content of her blog to gold when her idea, Weird Things People Say in Bookshops, was picked up by…
» Continue Reading

The organisers of the World Book Day have now announced the top 100 from which the final 25 will be chosen. Over 8000 books were nominated by 6000 readers, giving a fascinating view of the nation’s best-loved books. The shortlist is to be announced on 12th October. http://www.worldbooknight.org/your-books/the-wbn-interactive-top-100-books