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Researching for my first Regency Romance by Emma Bennet
It is a great pleasure to welcome romance novelist Emma Bennet back to my blog today to discuss reseaching her first Regency romance....
authorvalpenny
Sep 20, 20233 min read
23 views
2 comments


Hunter's Secret - An Extract
My next novel in the DI Hunter Wilson Crime Thrillers was published by SpellBound Books Ltd on 15th September 2023. I hope readers will...
authorvalpenny
Sep 16, 20233 min read
33 views
0 comments


Let me Introduce DI Hunter Wilson from Hunter's Secret
The first novel ever I wrote was Hunter’s Chase. The main character is a police detective inspector, Hunter Wilson. Let me tell you about...
authorvalpenny
Sep 9, 20233 min read
27 views
0 comments


From Self-Publishing to Finding a Publisher by Jane Cullen
It is my great pleasure to welcome my fellow author at SpellBound Books, Jane Cullen, to the blog today. Jane has agreed to share her...
authorvalpenny
Sep 6, 20233 min read
52 views
0 comments


What a Summer That Was! (Writing Research) by Maggie Cobbett
I am delighted to welcome my friend and fellow author, Maggie Cobbett to my blog today. I first met Maggie many years ago at The Writers'...
authorvalpenny
Aug 30, 20235 min read
68 views
0 comments


A Gentle Nudge by Mason Bushell
For a long time, short stories seemed to be out of fashion. Occasionally,well-known writers like Ian Rankin, Agatha Christie and Jeffrey...
authorvalpenny
Aug 28, 20232 min read
29 views
1 comment

What to Post on Social media as Authors by Jessica Thompson
It is my great pleasure to welcome American author, of Shoot, Shovel and Shutup, and my great friend, Jessica Thompson to the blog today...
authorvalpenny
Aug 26, 202313 min read
74 views
1 comment


My Research for A Palette of Magpies by Soulla Christodoulou
It is with great pleasure that I welcome the talented author, Soulla Christodoulou to the blog today to explain the range of research she...
authorvalpenny
Aug 23, 20234 min read
30 views
0 comments


Creating Believable Characters by Allison Symes
It is always a pleasure to welcome my friend and fellow author, Allison Symes to the blog. Today she discusses her techniques for...
authorvalpenny
Aug 19, 20233 min read
31 views
0 comments

Writing Believable Characters by Ritu Bhathal
I am thrilled today to host my good friend and fellow SpellBound Books author, Ritu Bhathal, today to explain how she ensures the...
authorvalpenny
Aug 12, 20233 min read
53 views
0 comments


The Power of Place by Gary Kruse
I am delighted that the bestselling English author, Gary Kruse has agreed to return to the blog to discuss the importance of setting in a...
authorvalpenny
Aug 9, 20233 min read
26 views
0 comments


Effective Research for your Contemporary Fiction Books by Wendy H. Jones
When one thinks about researching for a book, historical research immediately springs to mind. I am currently researching a historical...
authorvalpenny
Aug 6, 20233 min read
9 views
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The Boy in Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
The book was recommended to me by my nephew, Mathew because he had enjoyed the book so much. The Blurb Nine-year-old Bruno knows nothing...
authorvalpenny
Aug 5, 20233 min read
3 views
0 comments


Writing Believable Characters by Eleanor Swift-Hook
I am pleased to welcome Eleanor Swift-Hook to the blog today to share her thoughts about writing believable characters. Certainly, if a...
authorvalpenny
Aug 2, 20234 min read
51 views
0 comments


The Mission Song by John le Carre
Joining a book group is a great way to read outside your usual genres and away from the authors you normally choose. When my book group...
authorvalpenny
Jul 29, 20232 min read
16 views
0 comments


Why Attend a Writing School or Retreat?
I was doing a bit of thinking - my better half always wonders how much this will cost him - and it was to cost, or perhaps value that my...
authorvalpenny
Jul 26, 20232 min read
142 views
1 comment


The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
A friend bought and read The Thursday Murder Club for her group but didn't want to keep it, so gave it to me. I should have known... The...
authorvalpenny
Jul 22, 20232 min read
43 views
0 comments


Complete Your Manuscript Before You Submit It
It may seem like a basic instruction, but before you seek any kind of representation or publication, make sure the first draft of your...
authorvalpenny
Jul 15, 20235 min read
52 views
0 comments


Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S Thompson
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S Thompson has a cult following and was recommended to me by the co-ordinator of the first book...
authorvalpenny
Jul 12, 20233 min read
11 views
0 comments


The Narcissist’s Daughter by Craig Holden
Craig Holden is the author of several novels including The River Sorrow, The Last Sanctuary, Four Corners of Night, The Jazz Bird and...
authorvalpenny
Jul 8, 20232 min read
20 views
0 comments
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