Category Archives: Culture

Dulwich Literary Festival 2017 programme announced

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Ali Smith, Alan Hollinghurst, Sam Leith, Henry Blofeld, Mihaela Noroc and many others to appear on the main weekend, 10-12 November. Additional events to take place throughout November, including a spooky All Saints Day special with Andrew Michael Hurley, a pop-up at West Norwood Feast and an evening in conversation with Robert Peston.

 

Dulwich Literary Festival returns this November with a striking line-up of speakers, including celebrated writer Alan Hollinghurst, Man Booker shortlisted Ali Smith, ITV Political Editor Robert Peston, renowned sports journalist Henry Blofeld, The Spectator’s Literary Editor Sam Leith and photographer and social media sensationMihaela Noroc. Presented by award-winning independent bookshop Dulwich Books, events will be hosted at various local venues including Dulwich College, Dulwich Picture Gallery and the bookshop itself. The 2017 programme includes something for everyone, with talks for children, walks for adults, ‘how-to’ workshops and thought-provoking discussions covering everything from sport and literature, to faith and global affairs.

 

Commenting on the festival programme, Susie Nicklin, owner of Dulwich Books said: “We are delighted once again to bring together some of today’s most celebrated authors, leading thinkers and local writers in Dulwich, to celebrate the best that words have to offer. In times of uncertainty we need to join together in celebrating the things that matter in our communities, whether feasting, worship, education or culture, and books and writers are the perfect way to link them. From Man Booker Prize-winning writers to a creative writing competition for all the young writers of Southwark, there are opportunities for all to participate and engage.”

 

Stand out events taking place across the main weekend include a unique evening with Ali Smith, who will celebrate the work of author and illustrator Tove Jansson at Dulwich Picture Gallery, a free exhibition of photos by Mihaela Noroc, who became a social media sensation with her images of women taken around the world, and a talk with Alan Hollinghurst, who will discuss his much anticipated new novel, The Sparsholt Affair, with the BBC’s Razia Iqbal.

 

Inspiring debate at the festival will be Political Editor Robert Peston, who will draw insights from his career in journalism to address the problems of our time and how we might put them right. Catherine Nixey will discuss the controversial findings of her new book The Darkening Age, which suggests early Christianity might be more violent, ruthless and intolerant than first thought. And, as new protest movements rock the political mainstream, Alexei Sayle, Courttia Newland and Francesca Rhydderch willlook back at dissidents who made history, discussing their contributions to a new anthology of stories re-imagining key moments of British protest.

 

As well as engaging ideas and debate, the festival will offer a number of sessions and workshops for visitors to celebrate pleasurable pastimes and new skills.  Veteran broadcaster Henry Blofeld will discuss a career in cricket with Nicholas Lezard, former National Trust chairman Simon Jenkins will lead a session on Britain’s best railway stations, Peter Fiennes will offer a guided tour of the remnants of the Great North Wood, and Anjula Devi will hold a tasting and book signing at the festival’s West Norwood Feast pop-up to explore the secrets of Indian cuisine.

 

Helping people to write clearly, correctly and persuasively, The Spectator’s Literary Editor Sam Leith will offer top tips from his latest book Write to the Point, award-winning illustration agency Scriberia will hold an interactive drawing session to encourage people to use images to think and communicate more effectively, and designerSusan Wightman will discuss the art and science of typography.

 

The festival will also cater for families, with two exciting children’s events and a short story competition for schools across Southwark. Picture book author and illustratorKate Pankhurst, a descendant of suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, will lead an interactive session on fantastic women who changed the world, including fun role-play and craft activities. Local mums Lucy Reynolds and Jenna Herman will also run a free story-time session at the festival’s West Norwood Feast pop-up, reading from their book Parrots Don’t Live in the City. Expect plenty of squawking.

 

Tickets will go on sale on the festival’s website from this weekend. For tickets and more information, visit: http://dulwichliteraryfestival.co.uk/

 

Being a Writer: Advice, Musings, Essays and Experiences From the World’s Greatest Authors

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Being a Writer: Advice, Musings, Essays and Experiences From the World's Greatest Authors

‘From a very early age…I knew that when I grew up I should be a writer….Between the ages of about 17 and 24 I tried to abandon this idea, but I did so with the consciousness that I was outraging my true nature and that sooner or later I should have to settle down and write books.’ George Orwell.
The above is a quote from this brilliant book. As a writer I could not put it down. I loved it. It is full of inspiration to keep you going when things are rough, and also when you are procrastinating. Divided into sections of introduction, becoming a writer, methods and means, failing, the art of writing, and a sense of an ending. This book can get you out of a jam and has great advice. It now has pride of place on my bookshelf and I will be dipping in whenever I need a dose of inspiration. An essential book for writers.

The joys and challenges of being a writer are explored in this inspiring assemblage of wit, wisdom and hard-won practical advice from some of the world’s greatest authors musing on the art of writing and how they came to define themselves as writers. From Samuel Johnson in eighteenth-century London to Lorrie Moore in twenty-first-century Wisconsin, the contributors range from the canon to contemporary, covering more than 250 years, and come from all over the world. Beautifully illustrated throughout, this stunning anthology explores and illuminates the pleasures and pitfalls of the compulsion to write, with advice about the whole messy business of writing literature and what it takes to be a writer. The perfect gift for aspiring writers, curious readers, and anyone interested in what the world’s greatest authors have to say about the art of writing.

 

by Travis Elborough (Author), Helen Gordon (Author), Joey Guidone (Illustrator)

Being a Writer: Advice, Musings, Essays and Experiences From the World’s Greatest Authors is available here. 

 

New Book Explores Early Language Development

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Early Language Development, babies, toddlerCommunication and speech in the early years is important and this great book gives plenty of tips and information on how to get the most from children. It has great information from recent studies and experts. Perfect for parents, teachers, or anyone else who works with young children. We highly recommend this book. 

New Pre-school Learning Alliance publication Early Language Development explores research techniques into communication development in very young babies, and even the developing foetus.

Language development represents a massive leap in learning over a relatively short period of time; from no discernible language at birth to functional verbal conversations by the age of three.

Researchers have plotted the course of children’s communication development from birth to adulthood so that we have a clear idea of what typical development looks like, however we still know little about how babies take their first steps towards language learning, and how the brain begins to adapt from what seems like a ‘blank slate’ at birth to an organ capable of processing the complexities of spoken language.

In recent times, research techniques have been developed which allow us new and sometimes surprising insights into communication development in very young babies, and even the developing foetus. This book uses these findings to provide what is perhaps a less familiar perspective on language development, and to reflect on how new research findings can inform how we support language learning.

Early Language Development considers babies’ first steps in language learning and explores the music of language, which includes the use of pitch, rhythm and intonation, on their journey to access the structure and meaning of the languages they are exposed to.

Interaction with adults and other babies is looked at as they move from adult initiated exchanges to their own attempts to begin a ‘conversation’. It will support parents to develop an understanding of some of the complexities of learning language and to use this knowledge to reflect on and identify ways in which babies’ and toddlers’ language development can best be supported within early years settings. The impact of high exposure of screen-based technology on language development is also scrutinised, with guidance on what action practitioners can take to minimise any detrimental effects.

Michael Freeston, quality improvement director, Pre-school Learning Alliance, said, ‘Communication and language is one of the most important aspects of learning; in its own right and also as a foundation for children to develop in all other areas.’

FURTHER INFORMATION

Early Language Development (Price for Alliance members: £11.55; Price for non-members: £16.50)

How to order:

W: www.pre-school.org.uk/shop

T: 0300 330 0996

E: shop@pre-school.org.uk

 

ABOUT THE ALLIANCE

  • The Pre-school Learning Alliance is the largest and most representative early years membership organisation in England. A registered educational charity, it also provides high-quality affordable childcare and education to support children and families in areas of deprivation throughout the country.
  • The Alliance represents 14,000 member settings and supports them to deliver care and learning to more than 800,000 families every year. We deliver family learning projects, offer information and advice, produce specialist publications, run acclaimed training and accreditation schemes and campaign to influence early years policy and practice.

Keep You Safe By Melissa Hill Book Review

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Keep You Safe Melissa Hill

When I first took this book out of its envelope I was not sure I wanted to read it. As a mother I was worried it would play on my fears. But you should never judge a book by its cover and I jumped in. To say that I loved the book would be an understatement. It really pulls you in and does not let go. It is not just that it is well written, it also carries the story along so well, and is so believable. The characters are well rounded and relatable, even if sometimes they do something you think is idiotic. This book takes an issue that rumbles on in society: the MMR vaccination and its link to autism, and the consequences to people not vaccinating their children, and then tells the story in a riveting way. It also has a mummy blogger in it, which makes the book even more relevant. Modern and entertaining: you will be gripped until the very last page. A stunning book.

 

A mother always knows best. Doesn’t she?

What if your choice for your child could harm someone else’s?

Every mother faces impossible choices. Vaccination is one of the hardest. For single mum Kate O’Hara, there was no decision to make. Her daughter Rosie is one of a small percentage of Irish children who can’t be vaccinated against measles. All Kate can do is hope that her little girl is safe.

For mummy blogger Madeleine Cooper, it was a leap of faith she wasn’t prepared to take when she and her husband declined controversial measles jabs for their daughter Clara. All she can do is pray that it’s the right decision.

But when classmates Clara and Rosie both become sick will Kate pay for Madeleine’s choice?

A stunning and addictive new book club read from beloved bestselling Irish author Melissa Hill that explores every mother’s worst fear

 

THE BUSINESS OF BOOKS: RIPPING THE VEIL – Jane Cable on the art of the ghost story

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Despite the pumpkin-orange commerciality of Hallowe’en its roots go back deep into history. Further than All Hallows preceding All Saints in the Christian calendar, back to a more pagan past and the festival of Samhain.

As I discovered when I was researching The Faerie Tree, Samhain is the time when the veil between the living and the spirit world is at its most fragile; the perfect moment to honour the dead and to reconnect with our ancestors. The time when you’re most likely to encounter a spirit, perhaps – or maybe to tell a ghostly story.

I believe that tales of those who have passed beyond our world have been part of human history for millennia. It’s something that archaeology can never prove, but what is known about early civilisations is that they worshipped their ancestors. And if you worship them, you will naturally pass down stories about them and perhaps they will even come back to visit you. So maybe you start to tell stories about that.

Even now there is a great deal of emotion invested in family ghost stories. Authors Rosemary Noble and Julia Macfarlane agree. Julia edited Chichester Ghost Walk, a collection of short stories which form a walk around Chichester city centre or can simply be read for pleasure, and when she guides the walk herself she has to make sure someone else reads The Cottage Vision. “It’s based on my Nanna’s vision of her son drowning,” she explains, “I fill up, every time.”

But how to create a spine tingling ghost story? When I started to write The Cheesemaker’s House I’m not sure it was my intention, and when my characters took me there it was how to get it right that terrified the living daylights out of me. My basic premise was to ground my characters so firmly in the real world that when they slipped elsewhere – or elsewhere slipped to them – it seemed effortless and ephemeral at the same time. Writing in the first person helped; it meant I could be inside Alice’s head, feeling her emotions, and making sure my readers felt them too.

My aim became to write a story which while hard to put down wasn’t so scary that my readers couldn’t sleep when they did. However one of my very few beta readers, a man in his late twenties, rode a coach and horses through that idea when he emailed to say he’d been reading the book while his girlfriend was away and had been forced to sleep with the light on.

Research is also key. I am lucky enough to have access to the library at The College of Psychic Studies which is stacked floor to ceiling with books around the subject of consciousness beyond matter. There I learnt the difference between a spirit and a ghost and was able to read first hand accounts of those experiencing their presence – and those whose calling it is to mediate between the different worlds on either side of the veil. I can’t recommend the college enough as a resource – to find out more about its work visit https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/.

But above all, if you want to write a ghost story then read them. Find out how other writers create emotional buy in and weave a magical web of suspense. For me Kate Mosse is mistress of this art. It was as I was reading The Winter Ghosts I realised that if I could learn her subtlety I could do this too. But for reading around the fireside as the nights draw in dip and out of The Mistletoe Bride & Other Haunting Tales. The stories are so diverse I’m sure you’ll find something to inspire you.

The Savvy Traveller Survival Guide By Peter John Review

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This book on avoiding traveling scams is well written, humorous and full of great advice. Highly recommended. 

 

Travel is one of our favourite activities. From the hustle of bustle of the mega-cities to sleepy mountain towns to the tranquillity and isolation of tropical islands, we love to get out there and explore the world.

But globe-trotting also comes with its pitfalls. Wherever there are travellers, there are swindlers looking to relieve individuals of their money, possessions and sometimes even more. To avoid such troubles, and to get on with enjoyable and fulfilling trips, people need to get smart. This book shows you how.

The Savvy Traveller Survival Guide offers practical advice on avoiding the scams and hoaxes that can ruin any trip. From no-menu, rigged betting, and scenic taxi tour scams to rental damage, baksheesh, and credit card deceits – this book details scam hotspots, how the scams play out and what you can do to prevent them. The Savvy Traveller Survival Guide will help you develop an awareness and vigilance for high-risk people, activities, and environments.

Forewarned is forearmed!

About the Author. Peter John is a lifelong traveller who dabbles in office work while planning his next trip. He has never knowingly scammed anyone, but has been scammed while he travelled more times than he cares to remember. He hopes that others can learn from his mistakes, which are spelled out in merciless detail in this book.

The Savvy Traveller Survival Guide By Peter John

 

J.D Robb Secrets In Death | Recommended Reads

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j.d. robb secrets in death

A thoroughly enjoyable read from one of the world’s most prolific, and successful, writers.

No one is going to miss Larinda Mars. A ruthless gossip queen with a lucrative sideline in blackmail, there’s no lack of suspects when she’s murdered in a fashionable New York bar. With so many people wanting her dead, it’s going to be a tough case to crack.

Lieutenant Eve Dallas may not like this particular victim, but it’s her duty to bring the killer to justice. As she digs deeper into Larinda’s mysterious past, it becomes clear the reporter had a unique talent for uncovering secrets. Including ones very close to home for Eve and her husband Roarke…

Someone was willing to commit murder to keep their secrets hidden. And with Eve now working to uncover the truth, she and her team are heading into serious danger.

J.D Robb Secrets In Death is available here. 

The Business of Books: Millions of Thrills – Jane Cable meets USA Today bestselling author Louise Jensen

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Louise’s first two novels, The Sister and The Gift, were both No.1 bestsellers, and have been sold for translation in sixteen territories. The Sister was nominated for The Goodreads Awards Debut of 2016. The Surrogate is out now.

1) How much of your working life does the business of books take up?

I’m quite structured and tend to work 9-3.15 every day to fit in with school hours. If I’m taking a book through the editing process I come back to my desk after the school run and work through until about 5.30 and I generally work for a part of most weekends too. Writing full time is busier than I’d anticipated. Writing new words is only a fraction of my day. There’s admin, interviews, events not to mention social media and blogging. In all honesty it’s taken me about a year to find my feet and settle into a good routine.

 

2) What’s your business model to earn a living from writing?

I didn’t have one! I started writing as a hobby but after completing the first draft of The Sister I read it back and realised I had something really special. I sat down with my husband and told him I’d love to work part-time for six months to give me a chance to really polish it and submit to agents and publishers. We went through our finances and realised it would be tight and sat down with the kids and discussed it as a family. Everyone agreed I should at least try. Within six months I’d signed a three book deal and six months after that I was fortunate enough to be in the position to be able to write full time.

3) What do you write and what do you consider to be your major successes?

I write psychological thrillers that also have an emotional thread running through the story line. I adore commercial fiction and thrillers and like to blend genres where I can. I love the feeling of being unnerved one second and then having a lump in my throat the next. I want to take readers through a whole spectrum of emotions when they read my stories.

Both my first two novels, The Sister and The Gift were No. 1 International Bestsellers and USA Today Bestsellers and have been sold for translation to sixteen territories. It really was a dreams come true year. The Sister sold half a million copies within the first six months and I was nominated for the Goodreads Debut Author of 2016 and also for the CWA Daggers New Blood 2017. The Sister spent over a year and a half in the psychological thriller top 100 so far.

Initially I published with Bookouture, a digital imprint of Hachette, but Sphere (Little, Brown) have since acquired paperback rights to my first three books, and a fourth to come next year, and I can’t tell you how exciting it is to walk into a bookshop or supermarket and see my stories on a shelf.

 

4) Tell me about your latest project.

The Surrogate is newly released and is the story of Kat and Nick who are desperate to be parents. They’ve almost given up hope when Kat runs into Lisa, her childhood best friend, who offers to act as a surrogate.

Kat’s longing to be a mother makes this book an emotional read, but the layers to all the characters also make this the darkest book I’ve ever written. Everyone has a secret!

I had such fun writing this story. There was no planning involved and there were so many twists and turns each day was an adventure. The ending completely took me by surprise and made me gasp out loud and so far, no reader has figured it out either, despite the clues I went back and planted.

 

At the time of publication The Surrogate is featured in a special promotion where the eBook is £0.99/$1.31 across all digital platforms for the next week. You can buy from Amazon here.

You can also find Louise at www.louisejensen.co.uk where she regularly blogs flash fiction and writing tips, and she also spends far too much time over on Twitter.