Tag: Exeter_Library

Exciting News and Events! April Outings

Exciting News and Events! April Outings.

I was over at The Romaniacs site yesterday, blogging about the past five years and everything I’d have love to have shown my mum, lost to us in 2012. The post can be read here. I mention it as I know she’d have loved the fact that, one, a long-held dream of mine has been realised, and two, that as an author I’ve been invited to Watford, the town in which I grew up. More of that news later.

My exciting news is that my third novel, What Doesn’t Kill You, is now in WHSmith Travel shops – train station, airports and service station branches! This is a dream come true. I am a book, music and stationery addict who has spent many happy hours browsing and buying in and from Smiths.

Following on from yesterday’s blog, the moment my good friend and author, Sue Fortin, posted a photo of WDKY at Victoria Station Smith’s, I really did think, ‘I wonder what Mum would have said to this …’

If you find the book in Smiths Travel, and you have time to take a ‘shelfie’, I’d love to see it 🙂 I haven’t managed to get to a Travel branch yet.

WHSmiths Travel Shelfie

Dates for your diary:

April 8th, I’ll be with my publisher, Choc Lit, and a selection box of ChocLiteers, at Exeter Library. See here for the details. There’s something for readers and writers and it promises to be a cracking afternoon. If you can’t make it to Exeter, I’m also attending the Southampton day in May.

I’m delighted to have been invited to Watford’s Lit Fest, speaking at an evening with Watford Writers, on April 10th. Then on April 11th, I’ll be signing copies of WDKY at Waterstones Watford between 11:00 and 13:00.

It would be fabulous to see you at these events.

I spent many happy years in Watford and surrounding areas. I attended three places of education – Kingsway Junior, Francis Combe Secondary School and Cassio College. My very first job, a Saturday job, was with British Home Stores in the high street. As a Watford FC fan, I loved it at the end of the day when the fans were returning home after the match. They were easy to spot as they passed through the shop, wearing their gold, red and black scarves and tops. I could tell by the fans’ mood if we’d won or lost.

I also worked at Watford General Hospital, The Review Newspaper, Royal Insurance and The Prudential, before moving to Dorset to be closer to my parents, who’d moved from Watford some years before.
Here’s a short video I made for Watford’s Big Word Fest.

That’s all for now. I’m off to get the tour t-shirt made up.

Take care,

Laura x

A Day to Remember. Meeting Jill Mansell.

A Day to Remember. Meeting Jill Mansell.

The 1st of July 2014.

It was what my mum would have called a Red Letter Day, and one we’d have loved to have spent together.

It was an emotional, poignant and exciting day which completed a circle in my writing life.

IMG_6973At Exeter Central Library, I met three intelligent, witty, talented authors – Sheila O’Flanagan, Veronica Henry and Jill Mansell.

My mum, who was an avid reader and booklover, introduced me to Jill Mansell’s and Sheila O’Flanagan’s books a number of years ago. It was in Jill’s Good At Games, which I read first and enjoyed so much I devoured from cover-to-cover, where I first came across the Romantic Novelists’ Association. Jill wrote so enthusiastically about the organisation, I was compelled to investigate its website. I was thrilled to discover some of my favourite authors were members, and there was a scheme for new writers. As someone who believes there’s a novel in everyone, and as a person who’s penned poems, songs, comics and plays from a young age, I’d hit gold.

Jill Mansell showing an example of her novel planning.
Jill Mansell showing an example of her novel planning.

I was inspired and motivated to take action.

Four months later I joined the RNA on the New Writers’ Scheme.

In 2013, my debut novel, Truth or Dare? was released and published as an eBook by Choc Lit.

In September this year, my second novel, Follow Me, Follow You will be released digitally and as a paperback. A dream come true.

Exeter Library
Exeter Library

The evening of chat at the library was entertaining, informative and engaging, with the three ladies sharing their experiences and knowledge about novel writing. For me as a writer, their advice was invaluable, and as a reader I cannot wait to get started on their new books.

This truly was a RLD.

I am so pleased I was finally able to thank Jill in person for the inspiration she provided and for shining the light in the right direction.

And I’m so glad my mum had an excellent taste in authors.

Take care.

Laura x

 

Jill Mansell – The Unpredictable Consequences of Love

Sheila O’Flanagan – If You Were Me

Veronica Henry – The Beach Hut Next Door