The Readers & Writers Festival to be held in lovely Margaret River, Western Australia

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Margaret Graham

I found Margaret River when I was researching my bestselling novel Canopy of Silence for Heinemann some years ago now. I flew over from the UK and took the bus down from Perth, Western Australia to seek out descendants of the Group Settlers. I found Dinkie Sutton, who was the relative of the guy who ran the post office in my Somerset village, where I lived then. She introduced me to others.

I fell in love with the Sutton family and Margaret River. I think of it as my second home. It is a place of great beauty and initially, of great hardship for the settlers, who were enticed out by the British and West Australian governments after the 1 World War to create dairy farms.

The settlers were shown films of established dairy farms in New South Wales typical, it was said, of the farms they would go to.

The reality on the western side of Australia was different. South of Perth there were sandy tracts, and further down, near Margaret River, the soil was just not capable of producing grazing land sufficiently nutritious for dairy herds.

Before they reached that stage the settlers had to fell the huge trees, with a mattock and a saw, sometimes walking a couple of miles to collect water for their young families. It’s the stuff of heartbreak, but the Poms were a tough lot, just as are the Australians.

They endured, and latterly it was discovered that the Margaret River area is suitable for wine growing. It’s worth a visit just to tour the vineyards which produce the most superb wines. Trust me, I remember the hangovers. Even those were of a superior variety.

I have many tales to tell of the area and will dig out a few as we get more news from the region, because I’m delighted to tell you we have the first of many items from the region. Bring ‘em on, please.

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The Margaret River Readers’ and Writers’ Festival 2015

SEASONS is the theme for the seventh annual Readers and Writers Festival to be held in the beautiful Margaret River wine region in Western Australia next year, so those of you in the UK have time to plan your trip. Those of you in Australia, get ready to clear your diaries and give yourself a real treat.

Festival director Helen Allan tells me the annual festival will be held over the May long weekend 29-31 2015 and the festival has already secured a huge line-up of famous authors to excite readers of all genres.

“We are focussing on the environment, nature and the seasons of our lives – the theme `Seasons’ encapsulates all of those things, and Autumn is such a beautiful time in Margaret River, we should celebrate that – when Keats wrote that Autumn was the ‘season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’ it almost seems like he wrote it for our region.”

The festival committee had lined up around 20 authors and the festival will, once again, run over three days.

“From Tomorrow When The War Began author John Marsdon to science fiction author Isobelle Carmody, comedian and authors Sami Shah, Justin Heazelwood and Luke Ryan to romance authors Fiona Palmer, Michelle de Kretser and food/nature author Sophie Zalokar, we have something for everyone,” she said. As both a reader and writer I was already hooked.

“We will be letting more names out of the bag as the time draws nearer, we have had a huge amount of interest from authors wanting to take part in next year’s festival, given the outstanding growth and success of the festival last year.”

The festival, while small, is steadily growing and the organisers are keen to have a big-name international authors to headline their event.

“We don’t have a huge budget, but what we lack in funds we make up for in warmth and hospitality, our authors are treated like royalty and thoroughly spoiled when they come over.

“We had hoped to have some British writers participate in next year’s festival and had invited Stephen Fry and Michael Palin, but to no avail. Hopefully as our festival gains more of an international standing more English authors will come forward. Our wine region is an exciting and beautiful place to visit and what could be better than combining a look at our natural wonders with a celebration of literature?”

I can vouch for all of that, and what a wonderful time to be south of Perth, in the lovely Margaret River area. While you’re there, have a good look around. See the wonderful surf, and give it a go. My son-in-law promises himself the opportunity one day. Perhaps head out to see the Prevelly Chapel, a monument to the monks of Crete who helped save so many Australian Servicement in the 2^nd World War, at the expense of their own lives. Returning servicemen raised the money to raise the Chapel in tribute. It’s moving, but that’s an understatement. Go and see for yourselves, and make it in May so you can catch the Festival.

The Call of The Wild Art Exhibition by Wendy Breckon

Posted on November 20, 2014 by Margaret Graham

In search of the creative experience, my curiosity takes me away from the hustle and bustle of Broad Street in Lyme Regis and the sea down to the Town Mill. This feels like the artistic hub, an enclosed, pretty area with a restored 700 year old flour mill and two art galleries (the Malt House and Courtyard). Here is a tranquil place, tucked away where one can write, sketch or sip tea as the world goes by.

I love art exhibitions; who doesn’t. I feel the magnetic pull of the Malt House Gallery. A light filled, calming space with the apt title of ‘CALL OF THE WILD’.

This is closing on 23rd November, but there is a new exhibition every three weeks so have a look at the work of these artists and see the essence of the gallery. The opening hours are normally from 10.30 to 16.30 except in early January (www.townmillartsguild.com).

By the entrance off to the right, are three adorable and quirky figures keeping watch on all who pass through. These ladies mean business. With umbrellas over their heads and animated expressions, they clutch their handbags very tightly! Owning one is not enough, I want them all PLEASE.

I have competition in Margaret Graham though, who wonders if she’ll need a mortgage to acquire them. She treats herself to a work of art every time one of her books is published, and Easterleigh Hall is just out. We’ll have to get our elbows going, and the best girl wins.

These are the wonderful creations of ceramicist Linda Bristow, soft muted colours that would look perfect in my sitting room.

In Linda’s collection there are also unusual shaped pots with daisies on top. A very popular ceramicist, her work is displayed beautifully. Linda Bristow was originally a nurse but when her children grew older she went to Bath Spa University as a mature student to do an art course. Gaining a first class honours degree in 2007, her final design piece, an instillation of 200 porcelain and bronze flowers, was snapped up by one person. Sadly it wasn’t me.

Linda has exhibited everywhere in the UK. She loves being outdoors and is fascinated by nature. It is easy to visualise her working in the garden studio taking in the wonderful views of Charmouth.

Elizabeth Wilson is another artist exhibiting in the gallery, who I was lucky enough to meet today. Her visually beautiful oil paintings capture the light and movement in the skies and seas around Lyme Regis perfectly. My favourite three are ‘The Cobb’, ‘Storm on The Cobb’ and ‘The Seagull’. Will her oils she has captured the iconic scenes, that those of us who live here and those who visit enjoy so much.

Liz lives in Lyme Regis. She originally completed a botany degree and has always had a fascination for the ‘conversation between the landscape and nature’. It was only seven years ago that she started painting in oils. Liz has been both influenced and inspired by Constable the landscape painter and the modernist painter Martin Kaneer for whom she has a great admiration. Liz has always preferred being outside and likes to revisit a scene many times to achieve her end result.

So visit Lyme Regis. Seek out the Town Mill. Enjoy the fabulous art in both galleries. Meet the artists, but please leave one of those fabulous ceramic females for me.

For other activities and courses at the Town Mill, check out www.townmill.org.uk and Philip Clayton the Curator of the Arts Guild (curatorartsguild@yahoo.co.uk)

Wine Reviews By Matt Pain: Joseph Mellow Sancerre & Villa Maria

Posted on November 12, 2014 by Margaret Graham

Joseph Mellow Sancerre

Joseph Mellow Sancerre is a wine that is typically Loire with the chalkiness of the soil keeping it relatively light. It is a Pinot Noir, which is more typical of Burgundy but it does give a sophisticated wine rather than the more indigenous Chinon.

Red Sancerre is a relatively rare beast; only produced when the yield and harvest are good enough. This is well balanced, with damson or dark cherries on the palate.

Good for those who like a dry red wine but with a mellow finish.

Good with pheasant (that hasn’t been hung too long) or fowl. Or, of course, on its own with some jazz playing quietly in the background.

Villa Maria

Villa Maria have been making Sauvignon Blanc seemingly forever in cool Marlborough vineyards with unnervingly high quality results.

This is new though; a light sparkling wine, similar to the experience of a Portuguese Vinho Verde.

This is though, a lot better. It feels lighter than the still version though with the same citrus freshness.

Drink as a superior aperitif or with shellfish.

Available from tesco.com and ocado.com

The Yeovil Literary Festival – An Author’s Perspective By Kate Kelly

Posted on November 11, 2014 by Margaret Graham

If you braved the rainclouds and ventured into Yeovil in the first weekend in November you might have noticed large green banners flying outside a number of venues, for this was the weekend of the Second Yeovil Literary festival. The first Yeovil Literary Festival took place last September, and this year I was delighted to be taking part again.

Liz Pike, one of the festival organisers.

I was in fact involved in three events across three of the festival venues. They were three very different styles of event, and were only a tiny fraction of what the festival had to offer.

The first event was the Yeovil Prize Winners event on the Friday Morning. The Yeovil Prize was founded by bestselling author, Margaret Graham, with James Mitchell to raise funds for the arts of the area. When Margaret moved from Yeovil, crime writer, Penny Deacon took her place until handing over to Margaret’s ex-student, Liz Pike and her team. It is now in its 11^th year and continues to grow. It is an internationally renowned competition, and since its earliest days it has been watched closely by both editors and agents, and as the list of success stories continues to grow it is clear why.

I am one such author – Red Rock was Highly Commended in 2010 and I’m convinced that this helped tip the balance with the agent who was considering it at the time. This year it was lovely to have a number of winners in the poetry category in our midst. We took turns to read our winning entries and talked about what the Yeovil Prize has meant to us.

The Yeovil Prize Winners Panel.

If you are interested in reading some of the poetry and fiction that has been shortlisted over the past couple of years, then the Yeovil Prize Anthology is now available.

Marcus, manager of Yeovil Waterstones with copies of the Yeovil Prize Anthology.

That evening I was honoured to host “In Conversation with Jason Hewitt”. Jason is a debut novelist and The Dynamite Room was published earlier this year. It is a World War 2 story, but one with a difference and is absolutely superb. Set on the Suffolk coast in July 1940, a German officer swims ashore and breaks into a boarded up house. There he finds Lydia, and 11 year old escaped evacuee hiding in the attic. Over the next five days Lydia is held hostage in her own home – but there is more to the German that meets the eye – for how is it that he knows her name?

In Conversation with Jason Hewitt.

I really enjoyed meeting Jason and chatting to him. The ‘In Conversation’ style of event was a lot of fun, very relaxed, and Jason had so many interesting things to tell us that the time simply flew!

Jason Hewitt and “The Dynamite Room

The following day was my third event, and quite a change from what had gone before. This time I was in the Yeovil Library running a writing workshop for children.

Outside Yeovil Library.

The event was well attended and I couldn’t have asked for a better bunch of kids to work with. They were all so enthusiastic and imaginative and half an hour after the event had ended were all still sitting scribbling away. I suspect there might have been some budding authors in their midst.

Of course, these were only three events in a packed programme. The organisers have really built on last year’s success and I can’t wait for next year.

Times Have Changed, But The Need Remains By Jan Speedie

Posted on November 11, 2014 by Margaret Graham

As one of the tiny team of grannies who run Words for the Wounded (well, tiny in number, if not in shape – we do like our cakes) I thought it apt to take along a grandchild to explore the ARMY MEDICAL SERVICES MUSEUM set within Keogh Barracks, Ash Vale, Aldershot. GU12 5 RO. It is after all the commemorative year of the start of the 1^st World War and very much in many of our minds. The young are always up for some leeches, a bit of gore, and history brought to life, and this museum very much ticked the box. It is a small museum but beautifully formed and tells the story of the Army’s medical services from the Civil War to present day, not just for humans but their animals as well. Once inside the Museum we were faced with a tableau showing a scene from the civil war and some of the crude instruments used – it really makes you appreciate our modern NHS. As you walk through the well laid out displays we realised how medical practices have had to change to cope with modern warfare. From long impractical uniforms, to fit for purpose ‘ no messing’ togs. No more lethal looking knives, dirty bandages or leeches just well equipped medics and field hospitals. Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps. (QARANC) When we think of army nurses you probably think of Florence Nightingale going out to the Crimea to superintend the running of Scutari; her work is still remembered today. On display are the uniforms the nurses wore with their starched aprons and cap no ‘scrubs’ for them. Margaret Graham, our WforW founder, was telling me of her mother’s exploits as an army nurse in WW2 after she was posted to India. It was after that war that the Army Medical Services underwent reorganisation. In 1949 the QARANC was formed but the culture remained the same, a selfless sense of duty as they care for the sick and wounded troops worldwide The final displays bring you right up to the present day and the troops serving in Afghanistan.

Royal Army Veterinary Corp. (RAVC) Due to the growing mechanisation of the army the RAVC is one of the smallest Corps but one which provides an invaluable service for animals in their care. It was sad to discover the terrible treatment injured horses, mules and dogs received especially during the Crimea and Boer Wars. Slowly it was realised a proper veterinary service was needed for these valued animals and by the end of WW1 things were very different. A tableau also shows the heroic work of tracker dogs sniffing out insurgents, explosives and injured personnel. So, today, there are no leeches, but instead high-tech kind efficient care, recuperation and rehabilitation. If you’re in the area of Aldershot, do check the Army Medical Services Museum. www.ams-museum.org.uk/museum/ Rehabilitation and recovery is where Words for the Wounded comes in, along with many other hard working charities, especially as our troops return from Afghanistan and the work of charities such as ours is needed more than ever. www.wordsforthewounded.co.uk WforW raises money through writing prizes, so that, as well as raising money for our wounded service personnel, we create opportunities for aspiring writers. This year we have our usual short competition of up to 400 words of fiction/poetry/memoir with cash prizes for the top three, and publication in Writers’ Forum Magazine. www.writers-forum.com In addition we are launching the Independent Author Book Award for self-published fiction or memoir. The top prize is a professional press release from Palamedes PR www.palamedes.co.uk And a review in the fabulous Frost Magazine. 2^nd and 3^rd place have the opportunity of a discounted press release and Frost Magazine will also review their books. We open for entries from 11 November 2014 to 11^th March 2015 and you can find all the information on www.wordsforthewounded.co.uk and more news and chat on www.wordsforthewounded.blogspot.co.uk

A Day In The Life of An Indie Bookshop By The Chorleywood Bookshop

Posted on November 10, 2014 by Margaret Graham

Some people have the rather quaint idea that an independent bookshop is a rather dusty place, run by an elderly woman who spends all her time with her feet up, stroking a cat and reading. Others imagine it like the bookshop in Notting Hill, a rather more boutique-style place which sells coffee table books and travel guides.

If there were shops like this they would have closed by now. To be a successful independent bookshop in 2014 you need to be so much more than just a bookshop.

At Chorleywood Bookshop the owner, Sheryl Shurville, opens up at the crack of dawn, invoicing schools with their orders and organising the first of the deliveries. On the way she’ll be picking up a children’s author from the station to take to the school for an event.

Back at the shop a team of three will be unpacking boxes of books. Some will be for a literary lunch, others will be for customers who have ordered them the day before and others will be temporarily displayed in the window ready for the upcoming literary festival.

Along with our customers the staff meet so many authors and it’s like kids being let loose in a sweet shop. We love it. Here’s our owner, Sheryl Shurville with Ben Collins, The Stig.

The shop is busy with customers, many have come to buy greetings cards, others will be buying their tickets for the literary festival and some, of course, are just browsing the new titles.

Behind the scenes, one of the staff is now writing an article about an author event for the local magazine, someone else is pricing a box of children’s toys and gifts and the third member of staff is back and forth serving customers at the till, while working her way through a batch of books to be returned to the publishers and researching an out of print book for a customer who wants a second hand copy.

Sheryl returns and sorts out the banking and float for the author event later that day. Then she begins work on her introductory speech, sandwich in hand. No one stops to eat for more than 10 minutes, there simply isn’t time.

More customers orders placed, more cards sold, more personal book recommendations given-cups of tea are made and left to go cold.

Refreshments for customers are packed, shop signs and books loaded in the back of car, a bouquet for the author collected and on to the evening event… See Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman signing copies of A Very Pointless Quiz Book.

This may sound like exaggeration but this is exactly what it’s like at an indie bookshop, well, unless it’s Halloween,Christmas, Easter, Mother’s Day….when it gets a whole lot busier.

Chorleywood Literary Festival November 10 – 16^th. http://chorleywoodbookshop.co.uk/chorleywood-literary-festival-2014

Sam Wannamaker’s Globe Works Its Magic By Penny Gerrard

Posted on November 6, 2014 by Margaret Graham

After unexpectedly warm and fine autumn days the weather has taken a sharp downhill turn and it’s cold and very, very wet. What better on such a day than a visit to an outdoor theatre? Courtesy of Amazon local we have half price vouchers for the Globe Theatre exhibition and tour. We owe the reconstruction of such an iconic building to Sam Wannamaker, the American Shakespearean actor, who made it a lifelong project, sadly dying before he could see its completion.

As we walk across Southwark Bridge the contrast is stark between the Elizabethan style of the Globe Theatre, the original of which was built some 300 metres away in 1599,and the brutal architecture of Tate Modern which towers over it. I know which I prefer.

Inside the exhibition centre we are greeted by a series of fascinating exhibits bringing the world of Shakespeare to life. We are struck by the London cityscape as it was in Shakespeare’s time with its low rise buildings dwarfed by the original St Paul’s and love the idea of the Frost Fairs which took place on the Thames in times of colder winters .

In a display cabinet I spot two small pottery objects – spherical with an elongated pointed top and a slot on the upper slope. One is intact and the other has a jagged fracture on it as if it has been dropped or hit. I recognise these as “boxes” which were used by the ticket sellers to collect the pennies which it cost for a standing only ticket in front of the stage and somewhat more for an actual seat. There was no stopper at the bottom as in modern money boxes. Instead they were taken round to the “office” where they were broken open to retrieve the takings. Hence the expression “box office” which we still use today. It also accounts for why intact examples are so rare. It seems to me that replicas would sell like hot cakes in the gift shop?

We embark on our tour, escorted by Simon, almost certainly an actor from his voice and demeanour. We find ourselves sitting on the pine benches (slightly more comfortable than the oak used for most of the theatre construction). The rain lashes down into the unprotected area in front of the stage – where the hardy audience known as “groundlings” stood in the past and still do today, come rain or shine, but now at the price of £5 (a 1200% increase).

My mind travels back across the four centuries since Shakespeare’s time and I can visualise the cast, all male of course, putting on one marvellous play after another, all in broad daylight and with little in the way of scenery. Despite that they still managed to ignite the imagination of the audience in a way that continues to this day. I promise myself to come back next spring and share that timeless experience with them.

By Penny Gerrard

Triskele Books | Self Publishing

Posted on November 6, 2014 by Margaret Graham

Triskele Books is an author collective, a group of five writers from three countries who edit, proof, consult, advise, co-promote and market their books on a shared platform. Each works as an independent entity but all benefit from mutual support. From time to time they also take on associates who fit the Triskele ethos.

Between them, they have now published seventeen novels and offer advice on the process via The Triskele Trail, a warts-and-all story of how they made some mistakes and some smart decisions, discovered opportunities, found friends and dodged predators in the independent publishing jungle.

They have an informative blog, including a Toolbox with practical advice, a Bookclub with reviews and author interviews, and a Writers’ Services section, showcasing approved providers.

Core members are Gillian Hamer, JJ Marsh, Liza Perrat, JD Smith and Catriona Troth. Current associates are JW Hicks and Barbara Scott Emmett.

This autumn Triskele Books celebrates five new releases:

Crimson Shore by Gillian Hamer

A half-naked woman dead in a ditch. A disappearing pathologist. A teenager run off the road. For a peaceful island, Anglesey is experiencing abnormal levels of crime. What’s the connection? Crimson Shore is the first novel in The Gold Detectives series set along the North Wales coast.

Rats by JW Hicks

In one world she is Bitch Singer—fighting a dictator, guerrilla style. In another, she is Dorrie Hart, housewife and mother—carer to a speech-impaired child. Which world is real, which life is true? And why does she wake each morning crying for a lost lover—a lover she is determined to find?

Cold Pressed by JJ Marsh

When an elderly British tourist falls to her death from a Santorini cliff, one witness claims it was no accident. Hellenic Police ask for international assistance from DI Beatrice Stubbs. As she tracks the killer from the Cyclades to the Dodecanese, Beatrice discovers two surprising things. One is a fifty-year old secret. The other is her inconstant heart.

Delirium: The Rimbaud Delusion by Barbara Scott Emmett

“How many times had I dreamt of coming across the yellowing manuscript of La Chasse Spirituelle? Inside an old book on a stall in Paris, perhaps. Or in the attic of some befriended ancient…” The intoxicating hunt for a lost poem by Rimbaud.

The Fate of an Emperor – Overlord II by JD Smith

My name is Zabdas: a brother, protector, soldier and sacrifice. I am a defender of Syria. I shall tell you the story of my beloved Zenobia: fearless woman, determined wife, Warrior Queen of Palmyra …

Crushed between two warring empires, Zenobia and Zabdas are ordered on another mission, deep into enemy ranks, to deliver terms to the King of the Persians, and pray they will not be flayed alive.

But all is not what is seems. More than one person is intent on betrayal …

Triskele Books will be launching these five titles at Barton’s Bookshop in Leatherhead on 15^th November. The following day, they will co-hosting the Indie Author Fair at the Chorleywood Lit Fest.

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