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HappyLDNPress Author Stories

HappyLDNPress Author Stories

By HappyLDNPress

Author interviews, Reading Short Stories & Behind the scenes of making fiction.
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Lyme Regis Murders: Extract reading by Andrew Segal

HappyLDNPress Author StoriesNov 13, 2019

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04:54
A Diwali Tale by Barbara Pearman

A Diwali Tale by Barbara Pearman

Short Story called A Diwali Tale by Barbara Pearman 

Diwali is a five day festival of lights and one of the major festivals celebrated by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs.

Barbara was one of our winners in Hi2020 new writer's opportunity to shine.


Here are a few words from Barbara

Is it really that long!  A lot has happened since then.  You may remember I sent you a chapter of a novel I was writing. Well lockdown provided me with the perfect opportunity to really get stuck in in a big way and in February this year my novel Once Upon A Time In Kazimierz was published by Troubador Publishing. It was an enormous amount of work (well not work actually as I loved every minute of it!) and the book is now on sale with Troubador and online at WHSmith, Foyles, Waterstones, Amazon and many others too numerous to mention. I was recently interviewed on Wycombe Sound Radio and I’m hoping to promote the book in Poland. It was inspired by a visit to Krakow a few years ago but the idea had lain fermenting on my bookshelf since then. Some of the short pieces I wrote with my writing class were the catalyst for the story in the end and gradually the characters and a theme were born out of not very much. In fact it was a copy of a restaurant menu that started it all.I must say that winning the short story competition’s romance section was a real boost to my confidence and no doubt I wouldn’t have attempted to write longer if it hadn’t been for that.

Barbara began her story-telling adventure four years ago when she joined a creative writing class.  She is a practising artist with a degree in Fine Art Practice, but having become somewhat 'hooked' on the writing bug, swapped her brush for a pen and began to paint with words. After becoming a winner with Happy London Press she was enthused to write bigger and in February this year her first novel, Once Upon a Time in Kazimierz was published. Painting has taken a bit of a back seat but her artwork can be viewed on her colourful website at www.barbarapearmanart.co.uk


Come and read our blog

https://happylondonpress.blogspot.com/

May 31, 202208:10
The Hit - Short story read by the author JOHN LUGO-TREBBLE

The Hit - Short story read by the author JOHN LUGO-TREBBLE

The Hit - Short story read by the author JOHN LUGO-TREBBLE


John writes the most exquisite romantic stories - each has a bit of an unnerving twist.

Here we are priveldge to podcast one of john's beuatiful stories called The Hit

Let us know in the comments your thoughts and if you would like to hear more or John's stories.


Here's a little about John

My mother used to say that from the moment I learned to walk, I was walking the other way. This statement did not just end up applying to my life, but also my writing.

I am a Puerto Rican Bronx native (Nuyorican, if you will) who has lived in New York, Eugene, London, Berlin and Prague. My husband and I currently live in West Cornwall in a barn with our three adventurous cats and surrounded by lots of stars (when it’s not raining or overcast).

I am influenced by urban landscapes and the interconnected lives of people in an increasingly globalised world. I love to explore the small moments that bring humanity to impersonal surroundings. In addition to fiction, I enjoy writing articles about the writer experience, how we engage with memory, films and music.


http://www.johnlugotrebble.com

https://www.facebook.com/JohnLugoTrebble

https://www.instagram.com/jlugotrebblewriter

https://www.amazon.co.uk/John-Lugo-Trebble/e/B07DT2ZKB9/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/18133346.John_Lugo_Trebble

Apr 11, 202213:10
London Book Fair 2022 Talks : Getting your Illustrations Published

London Book Fair 2022 Talks : Getting your Illustrations Published

London Book Fair 2022 Talks to three illustrators about "Getting your Illustrations Published"

Donna Payne, Katie Knutton, and Juliette Rechatin will join the AOI’s Rachel Hill to talk about getting illustration published. The panellists will discuss how they find great new talent as well as nurturing relationships with artists.  The session will look at working processes, and touch on contracts and negotiation as well as trends in the industry. Practical examples and honest straight talking will make this an invaluable session for illustrators at every stage of their career.


Rachel Hill, CEO, The Association of Illustrators

Rachel Hill is the CEO at The Association of Illustrators, a not-for-profit organisation whose goal is to champion and celebrate the illustration industry. Through the AOI, Rachel support illustrators through events, awards, business resources and industry wide campaigning. With a previous background as a practising illustrator and illustration.


Donna Payne, Creative Director, Faber

Donna Payne is Creative Director at Faber & Faber, the UK's leading independent publisher. She heads up a small but brilliantly formed team that thrives on delivering consistently excellent work across a diverse range of genres, often taking inspiration from Faber's extensive design archive. Donna has art directed many leading illustrators and photographers, and regularly gives talks on Book Design at schools, universities and literary events. She is a passionate advocate for design mentoring, and a more inclusive design industry, discovering and nurturing new talent from all sectors of the creative community.


Katie Knutton, Design Manager Children's Non-fiction, Bloomsbury Publishing Ltd

Katie Knutton is the Design Manager of Bloomsbury's award-winning Children's Non-fiction list. She works with acclaimed illustrators including Jenni Desmond, Catherine Rayner, and Joe Todd-Stanton as well as on Kate Pankhurst's bestselling Fantastically Great Women Series. She has 15 years' experience working in children's books for publishers including DK and Bonnier, joining the Bloomsbury Children's team in 2019.


#LondonBookFair2022 @LondonBookFair @Bllomsbury 

Apr 08, 202240:23
London Book Fair 2022 Talks to 3 independent women about publishing

London Book Fair 2022 Talks to 3 independent women about publishing

London Book Fair 2022 Talks to 3 independent women : The Tale of Three Start-ups
three independent small presses, all run by award-winning women, and all recent additions to the Children's publishing world. Having had different experiences and with different motivations and approaches to setting up by themselves, the panel will look at what it means and what it takes to set up a company in the current Children's environment, and what they've learned from this experience.


Rachel Williams, Publisher and Joint MD, Magic Cat Publishing

Rachel Williams studied literature before becoming an editor and publisher of children's books. She is also the creator of best-selling natural history and adventure books, including The Atlas of Adventure series and Illuminature, and more recently, Slow Down.


Jennifer Broom, Co-Managing Director, Magic Cat Publishing.

Jenny studied at the Slade before moving into children’s publishing. Early in her career she met Rachel Williams at Templar Publishing, helping her to launch Big Picture Press in 2013.

Abiola Bello, Author and Publisher, Hashtag Press

Abiola Bello is a Nigerian-British, prize-winning children’s/YA author from London. She's an advocate for diversity in books for young people and is the author of the award-winning fantasy series EMILY KNIGHT (EMILY KNIGHT I AM, EMILY KNIGHT I AM…AWAKENED and EMILY KNIGHT I AM BECOMING). EMILY KNIGHT I AM…AWAKENED was nominated for the CILIP’s Carnegie Award, won London’s BIG Read 2019, and was a finalist for the People’s Book Prize Best Children’s Book. 

#Londonbookfaor2022 @LondonBookFair #entrepreneurs

Apr 08, 202247:30
London Book Fair 2022 ; Talk How to make a living from writing

London Book Fair 2022 ; Talk How to make a living from writing

London Book Fair 2022 ; Talk with 3 authors about How to make a living from writing

The Society of Authors presents three authors about their experiences in writing and tell us about their journeys to getting published.

Writing is hard – and making it pay is even harder. An expert team from the Society of Authors will guide you on how to earn pennies and make them add up to pounds. What opportunities are great, and what are best avoided? How can you negotiate a better deal? From pursuing a portfolio career, the lowdown on competitions to tips on publishing deals, and where to get grants and funding. This is the talk for you if you don’t want to starve in a garret.


Juliet E McKenna is a British fantasy author living in the Cotswolds, UK. Loving history, myth and other worlds since she first learned to read, her debut epic fantasy novel, The Thief's Gamble, began The Tales of Einarinn in 1999, followed by The Aldabreshin Compass sequence, The Chronicles of the Lescari Revolution, and The Hadrumal Crisis trilogy.  Abie Longstaff is the author of nearly 50 books for children (picture book to middle grade) including The Fairytale Hairdresser, The Magic Potions Shop, The Trapdoor Mysteries and How to Catch a Witch and a wide range of educational titles.

Abie Longstaff is the author of nearly 50 books for children (picture book to middle grade) including The Fairytale Hairdresser, The Magic Potions Shop, The Trapdoor Mysteries and How to Catch a Witch and a wide range of educational titles. Abie regularly appears at literary festivals and in schools.

Katrina Naomi is the winner of the 2021 Keats-Shelley Prize. Her latest project, Same But Different, a poetic collaboration. Katrina’s most recent collection, Wild Persistence, received an Authors’ Foundation award from the Society of Authors.

Thank you to Society of authors for bringing these interesting authors to the fair.


#Londonbookfair2022 #societyofauthors 

Apr 08, 202242:38
London Book Fair 2022 : Talk with Dutch poet Arnold Jansen op de Haar

London Book Fair 2022 : Talk with Dutch poet Arnold Jansen op de Haar

London Book Fair 2022 : Talk with Dutch poet Arnold Jansen op de Haar


We are delighted to bring you a little tast from the famous London Book Fair 2022. After 2 years pawing the ground in the hope that covide restrictions would come to an end. We had the priveldge of covering some of the many events. 


I’m the Refrain of Other People’s Lives. Join Arnold Jansen op de Haar for an eclectic reading from his translated poems about his life and society. He will also take you on a tour of highlights in a thousand years of Dutch poetry based on poets featured in 100 Dutch-Language Poems – From the Medieval Period to the Present Day, winner of the Oxford-Weidenfeld Translation Prize. A whirlwind performance (1000 years in 30 Minutes) of Dutch poetry in translation.


"Arnold was born in 1962 in Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

In 2021, his much anticipated, new novel Schurft will be published in Dutch.

His poetry collection, Het refrein van andermans leven, was published in Dutch in 2016, and the English translation in 2017.

Arnold’s poems have been widely published in literary magazines including De Gids, Het Liegend Konijn, Extaze , Maarstaf, Zoetermeer, Passionate and de Poëziekrant.

His poems have been featured in anthologies such as De 100 beste gedichten van 2002, published by De Arbeiderspers and edited by Gilles Dorleijn and in landmark Dutch anthology De Nederlandse poëzie van de 19de en 20ste eeuw in 1000 en enige gedichten, edited by Gerrit Komrij, published by Bert Bakker; and in 10 voor 10, Ten Extaze poets for the 2010s, 2019, Extaze

Martin Ros gave Jansen op de Haar his first break by publishing one of his poems in literary magazine Maatstaf.

His debut novel De koning van Tuzla, a fictional account of his experiences during the Bosnian conflict, was published in 1999 by De Arbeiderspers."

Holland Park Press.


#LondonBookFair2022 @londonbookfair


Apr 08, 202220:56
London Book Fair 2022 - Talks : Cover Design
Apr 08, 202232:40
Doppleganger ; a short story by Amatullah Padghawala
Mar 22, 202212:56
Tide turner short story by Sarah Em
Mar 19, 202212:42
Cross Fire: Story 2 from I’m a Contract Killer by Andrew Segal

Cross Fire: Story 2 from I’m a Contract Killer by Andrew Segal

The First from a disturbing set of short stories in this second book in the Aberration series by author, Andrew Segal. Combining the macabre with the mysterious, the outrageous with the unbelievable, these dark tales will force readers to reassess their views of human nature whilst demonstrating wholly unpredictable patterns of individual behaviour.

The glint of steel defined the blade held in the man’s right hand. The shank was at least eight inches long. Its owner, in his twenties, over six feet tall, in tight blue jeans, with muscles bursting from his shabby white tee shirt, frowned like one intent on a task in hand. His three colleagues, of similar height and build, seemed equally absorbed. They were fanned out across the pavement like a herd of approaching buffalo, in the otherwise deserted street, on what was a cold grey October afternoon.

These tasters are what’s in store, to succeed the first collection, 'I’m a Gigolo,' which continues with the Gigolo meeting his opposite number in, 'I am a Courtesan.' Both masters of their chosen profession competing in a battle for supremacy, whose outcome, in a lighter moment, will surprise the reader.   

Ebook
Will be made available mid March on Amazon

Single short story
https://www.happystorystore.com/product-page/crossfire-by-andrew-sagal

Book one I’m a Gigolo
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Im-Gigolo-Andrew-Segal-ebook/dp/B089DND755

About the Author, Andrew Segal brilliantly brings his own unique vision of what motivates people to seek self-justification for committing the most outlandish of crimes. A must read for those seeking the unusual in the horror, crime or noir genre.

Mar 04, 202223:35
Meet a Thriller Writer - Discover the scary adventures that make the thrillers so real

Meet a Thriller Writer - Discover the scary adventures that make the thrillers so real

Happy London Press interview Andrew Segal to talk about his adventures that influenced his new series of rime Thriller novels.

Andrew is our best-selling author, whose chilling novels have an exciting and different crime-thriller voice. He has introduced a relevant, choice for his central character – Tammy Pierre from The Caribbean.

Many of our readers have commented that they really enjoy Andrew’s believable worlds and complex plots that have them guessing until the end.

Previously, Andrew has written a large collection of short stories each with a subtle twist. We have published the first of four collections of these stories – “I’m a Gigolo” – and later this year we will be releasing the second in the series, “I’m a Contract Killer”.

However, our author’s main love is for the full length novel and we have now published three of his crime thrillers, with more to come.

Andrew became inspired to create his hero, as an avant garde Private Investigator, Tammy Pierre, for his new series of crime novels.

In 2020, Happy London Press first introduced her in The Lyme Regis Murders featuring Tammy uncovering the dark and traumatic murder of three children in a British seaside town.

But as Andrew develops his central character, so do the plots. In his latest book, The Black Candle Killings, we encounter dark magic from Trinidad, within which Tammy gets herself entangled.

Let us now hear from Andrew, to tell us more about it....


WIN A COPY OF THE BLACK CANDLE KILLINGS

All you have to do is share this Podcast link and the most proven shares by the end of 31st August  Midnight 2021 will win a personally signed hard back copy of The Black Candle Killings AND The Lyme Regis Murders.


Email HappyLDNPress@gmail.com with you proof  - it could be screen-grabs or confirmation. 



Limited time only - Free Delivery by Amazon

THE BLACK CANDLE KILLINGS - HARDBACK

HURRY only a few in stock


Jul 01, 202153:37
The Relaxing Guitar Bros talk about making music
Mar 05, 202117:21
Author Conversation : John Lugo-Trebble Short Story writer

Author Conversation : John Lugo-Trebble Short Story writer

Author Conversation : John Lugo-Trebble  Short story writer

Talking about writing his latest story Sing! - Now available on the www.HappyStoryStore.com

https://www.happystorystore.com/product-page/sing-by-john-lugo-trebble

Summary about Sing

Music is the universal language. It not only connects people but memories, places and can travel through time.

“Sing!” follows the journey of Benny Goodman’s Sing (with a Swing) record from the early 80’s in The Bronx to London in the 90’s and Cornwall in the 10’s.

Starting with the death of a neighbour, the record helps connect two grieving characters who share the loss of a man they knew two sides of. Moving onto London, the record provides the soundtrack of heartbreak and confusion as a woman tries to come to terms with an unknown future.  In Cornwall, it comes full circle with a couple who are giving their love a second chance and are looking to the future under the shadow of the past.



https://happylondonpress.blogspot.com/

https://www.instagram.com/happylondonpress/

https://twitter.com/HappyLDNpress

https://www.happylondonpress.com/


Feb 17, 202107:37
Calls of Nature; four exquisite poems by Alan Rayner
Jan 18, 202106:09
Welcome to 2021 -Awakening poems by Sara Chwialkowska
Jan 12, 202104:23
Hi2020 Top Tier Judges discussing their choices

Hi2020 Top Tier Judges discussing their choices

Hi2020 Top Tier Judges discussing their choices for the overall winning story

Hi2020 Short Story Competition launch on 20th February 2020, with great radio fare on Wycombe Sound 106.6FM. Thousands of entries by new writer from all over Britain and the Home Countries embraced the challenge. 

34 pre-judges generously gave up time to read and score each story - infact every story was read by four judges to get a wide breath of tastes, before the quarter finalists were selected for the Top Tier Judges. 

We held our breath as each Top judge read through before making their discussion.

Listen to their thoughts.

Oct 27, 202016:37
Hi2020 WINNER; The Eagle Café by Kayleigh Maddocks
Oct 27, 202010:06
Chapter One Atonement Camp by Evan J. Corbin
Oct 14, 202013:21
The Soul Talk by Akshitha

The Soul Talk by Akshitha

The Soul Talk by Akshitha shot sensual poem

On a rainy evening I was enjoying the weather to the hilt with the petrichore and thunderstorms. I was feeling a  deep connection with  nature. I  started appreciating every bit of god's creation  the moon, sunset and I wanted to share this infinite  beauty of nature in different incarnations.

So I started to pen down the  stream of thoughts flowing in my mind. Close your eyes and imagine the nature's scenes while I start the podcast and do share your experience.


I am Akshitha, I always believe in following my passion, writing is something which awakens my soul and keeps my spirit high.I have created a instagram page to upload my writings. I am a certified  CBT practitioner, I will be very happy to help you for any anxiety and depression issues.You can always reach out to me on instagram. @imurmotivator.

Oct 07, 202005:54
Lock Down Diaries; Masks
Aug 03, 202011:04
Dear Publisher "Shark Attack!" by Peter la Trobe
Jul 15, 202004:51
Lockdown diaries Episode 5 Meaning of Choice by Kristina Pakhomenko
Jul 14, 202009:42
Lockdown diaries series 2 by Akshitha
Jul 06, 202003:58
Maid Maleen by Brandi Gang Short story

Maid Maleen by Brandi Gang Short story

Maid Maleen by Brandi Gang

Hello, my name is Brandi Gann, 

I have always loved telling a good tale. My goal as a storyteller is comparable to those storytellers of old. You know, the ones in front of a campfire spinning tales and magic alike. Each part of importance emphasized by a burst of flame or powerful silence. I want to tell stories like that. Stories of hope, of love, and of the magic the two of those can create. As you can probably tell, I tend to write fantasy and romance. This piece is the first chapter of my work in progress "The Sun, The Moon, and a Thousand Furs" a fairytale retelling of "The Coat of a Thousand Furs " by the Brother's Grim. Though my story starts in a similar way, the infusion of magic and fate spins this tale on its head. I have always loved this story as a child, even though it's themes start a bit dark. Our heroine Alys, learns to fight against her childhood traumas and learns to love again. "Maid Malene" is also a retelling that is of the same vein. It's theme being that Love Conquers All. I hope you enjoy it!

instagram@brandigann.telleroftales


HAPPY LONDON PRESS

Do you want to become a published writer - well we have so many different opportunities happening -

Happy London Press  encouraging new talents to take up writing short stories  - and enter the Hi2020 short story competition - for a chance to get published.

Take a look here  https://www.hi2020.co.uk

Or for New magazine How to Write Short Stories - with a detailed account especially writing for new writers. https://www.happylondonpress.com/welcome-how-to-write-a-short-story-1



Jun 29, 202018:48
The Sun the Moon and a Thousand furs by Brandi Gann

The Sun the Moon and a Thousand furs by Brandi Gann

The Sun the Moon and a Thousand furs by Brandi Gann

My name is Brandi Gann and I have always loved telling a good tale. My goal as a storyteller is comparable to those storytellers of old. You know, the ones in front of a campfire spinning tales and magic alike. Each part of importance emphasized by a burst of flame or powerful silence. I want to tell stories like that. Stories of hope, of love, and of the magic the two of those can create. As you can probably tell, I tend to write fantasy and romance. This piece is the first chapter of my work in progress "The Sun, The Moon, and a Thousand Furs" a fairytale retelling of "The Coat of a Thousand Furs " by the Brother's Grim. Though my story starts in a similar way, the infusion of magic and fate spins this tale on its head. I have always loved this story as a child, even though it's themes start a bit dark. Our heroine Alys, learns to fight against her childhood traumas and learns to love again. Something I feel like many of us can relate too. I hope you enjoy it!

Instagram@brandigann.telleroftales


HAPPY LONDON PRESS

Do you want to become a published writer - well we have so many different opportunities happening -

Happy London Press  encouraging new talents to take up writing short stories  - and enter the Hi2020 short story competition - for a chance to get published.

Take a look here  https://www.hi2020.co.uk

Or for New magazine How to Write Short Stories - with a detailed account especially writing for new writers. https://www.happylondonpress.com/welcome-how-to-write-a-short-story-1

Jun 22, 202014:09
Lockdown diaries episode 3 by Chameleon in High Heels

Lockdown diaries episode 3 by Chameleon in High Heels

Lockdown diaries episode 3 by Chameleon in High Heels ; Change is coming

Carola (AKA Chameleon in Heels) is a teacher, mother of two humans and a puppy, lover of high heels and clothes by day and a passionate and fierce writer any other time of her waking life.  She is curious about humans, their emotions, what motivates them and makes them tick.  She loves learning and investigating, digging into sensitive and emotional topics, always keen to understand every side of a story.  Five years ago, after becoming a mother for the first time, she re-discovered her love for writing and penned her first book – which is still waiting to be edited.  After the birth of her second child, she felt that writing a regular blog would fit in better with her busy and ever-changing life, and so Chameleon in High Heels was born.  In this blog, she explores everyday struggles, funny anecdotes and issues arising in society and the world.

The start of Lockdown therefore led to the natural decision to start The Lockdown Diaries as part of her blog, documenting the ups and downs, trials and tribulations, joys and anxieties of this unexpected and unprecedented event in the history of the 21st century.  Carola talks candidly about silver linings and the excitement of spending more time with her loved ones, but also acknowledges that her fears and worries in life are magnified by isolation.  By opening up to others, she sparked conversations about challenges other people face and has incorporated these into her work.  The collaboration with Happy London Press was a natural decision, sharing snippets from the diaries with our lovely listeners.

instagram@chameleoninhighheels

HAPPY LONDON PRESS

Do you want to become a published writer - well we have so many different opportunities happening -

Happy London Press  encouraging new talents to take up writing short stories  - and enter the Hi2020 short story competition - for a chance to get published.

Take a look here  https://www.hi2020.co.uk

Or for New magazine How to Write Short Stories - with a detailed account especially writing for new writers. https://www.happylondonpress.com/welcome-how-to-write-a-short-story-1

Jun 15, 202005:43
Lockdown diaries episode 2 by Chameleon in High Heels

Lockdown diaries episode 2 by Chameleon in High Heels

Lockdown diaries episode 2 by Chameleon in High Heels : Fear of going out


Carola (AKA Chameleon in Heels) is a teacher, mother of two humans and a puppy, lover of high heels and clothes by day and a passionate and fierce writer any other time of her waking life.  She is curious about humans, their emotions, what motivates them and makes them tick.  She loves learning and investigating, digging into sensitive and emotional topics, always keen to understand every side of a story.  Five years ago, after becoming a mother for the first time, she re-discovered her love for writing and penned her first book – which is still waiting to be edited.  After the birth of her second child, she felt that writing a regular blog would fit in better with her busy and ever-changing life, and so Chameleon in High Heels was born.  In this blog, she explores everyday struggles, funny anecdotes and issues arising in society and the world.

The start of Lockdown therefore led to the natural decision to start The Lockdown Diaries as part of her blog, documenting the ups and downs, trials and tribulations, joys and anxieties of this unexpected and unprecedented event in the history of the 21st century.  Carola talks candidly about silver linings and the excitement of spending more time with her loved ones, but also acknowledges that her fears and worries in life are magnified by isolation.  By opening up to others, she sparked conversations about challenges other people face and has incorporated these into her work.  The collaboration with Happy London Press was a natural decision, sharing snippets from the diaries with our lovely listeners.

instagram@chameleoninhighheels

HAPPY LONDON PRESS

Do you want to become a published writer - well we have so many different opportunities happening -

Happy London Press  encouraging new talents to take up writing short stories  - and enter the Hi2020 short story competition - for a chance to get published.

Take a look here  https://www.hi2020.co.uk

Or for New magazine How to Write Short Stories - with a detailed account especially writing for new writers. https://www.happylondonpress.com/welcome-how-to-write-a-short-story-1

Jun 08, 202008:10
Lockdown diaries episode 1 by Chameleon in High Heels

Lockdown diaries episode 1 by Chameleon in High Heels

Lockdown diaries episode 1 by Chameleon in High Heels : The front door closes

Carola (AKA Chameleon in Heels) is a teacher, mother of two humans and a puppy, lover of high heels and clothes by day and a passionate and fierce writer any other time of her waking life.  She is curious about humans, their emotions, what motivates them and makes them tick.  She loves learning and investigating, digging into sensitive and emotional topics, always keen to understand every side of a story.  Five years ago, after becoming a mother for the first time, she re-discovered her love for writing and penned her first book – which is still waiting to be edited.  After the birth of her second child, she felt that writing a regular blog would fit in better with her busy and ever-changing life, and so Chameleon in High Heels was born.  In this blog, she explores everyday struggles, funny anecdotes and issues arising in society and the world.

The start of Lockdown therefore led to the natural decision to start The Lockdown Diaries as part of her blog, documenting the ups and downs, trials and tribulations, joys and anxieties of this unexpected and unprecedented event in the history of the 21st century.  Carola talks candidly about silver linings and the excitement of spending more time with her loved ones, but also acknowledges that her fears and worries in life are magnified by isolation.  By opening up to others, she sparked conversations about challenges other people face and has incorporated these into her work.  The collaboration with Happy London Press was a natural decision, sharing snippets from the diaries with our lovely listeners.

instagram@chameleoninhighheels


HAPPY LONDON PRESS

Do you want to become a published writer - well we have so many different opportunities happening -

Happy London Press  encouraging new talents to take up writing short stories  - and enter the Hi2020 short story competition - for a chance to get published.

Take a look here  https://www.hi2020.co.uk

Or for New magazine How to Write Short Stories - with a detailed account especially writing for new writers. https://www.happylondonpress.com/welcome-how-to-write-a-short-story-1

Jun 01, 202005:30
Wellness Week : Nurture Mind, Nourish body by Kate Bishop
May 09, 202010:14
Wellness Week : Virtual Friends beats loneliness by Kate Bishop
May 08, 202003:12
Wellness Week : Motivation not Procrastination by Kate bishop
May 07, 202005:31
Wellness Week: Your Space, Your office by Kate Bishop
May 06, 202004:59
Wellness Week : Winding down, Switch off by Kate Bishop

Wellness Week : Winding down, Switch off by Kate Bishop

May 05, 202003:45
Wellness Week : Encourage Routine, Nurture Yourself by Kate Bishop
May 04, 202005:30
Hi2020: Radio Show 2: Starting out writing short stories
Apr 30, 202016:09
Hi2020 Radio Show 1 - Helping you write a great story
Apr 20, 202019:12
Hi2020 Mini Course 3: What makes for an attractive style?

Hi2020 Mini Course 3: What makes for an attractive style?

Hi2020 Mini Course 3: What makes for an attractive style?

Written and narrated by France Ellul.  Writer's coach and English Teacher

Podcast Two in the Mini course series:

Next Week we will be launching a Digital BOOKAZINE all about how to write short stories - its packed full of helpful tips - From how to discover characters, planning for a Climax, what makes good writing sense and sooo much more .


Hello everyone. My name is France Ellul.

I teach a creative writing course consisting of a series of hands-on workshops. These have been focused initially on short-story writing and I’ve been asked to put together three podcasts summarising some of the material I’ve used.

This Podcast Three, is the final of a series, designed to help aspiring writers understand some of the skills involved in writing fiction, in this case, short stories.

It includes the final four of ten “Tips on Creative Writing”. In addition, it considers the question: “What makes for an attractive style?” This includes: figurative language; imagery; dead metaphors; techniques; as well as a light-hearted look at nominative determinism.

In the third and final podcast of this series, I’ll share the remaining four “Tips on Creative Writing” as well as contemplating further aspects of the art of story writing.

  • Visual imagery  - relating to the sense of sight


  • Auditory imagery - relating to the sense of hearing


  • Olfactory imagery - relating to the sense of smell


  • Gustatory imagery - relating to the sense of taste


  • Tactile imagery  - relating to the sense of touch


Hurry: Get writing your short story Now !!! - and register for your Discount 60% discount

https://www.happylondonpress.com/hi-2020-short-story-competition

This podcast is called: Hi2020 Writing Tip 4 : Mini Course 2 Why write a story?  We will be running lots more and if you watch this space - we are planning a weekly Radio Wednesday Afternoon from 2-3pm on 106.6 fm, with Wycombe Sound.


It is produced under the auspices of HappyLDNPress and is in support of Hi2020.co.uk which is sponsoring a short story competition.


France is a full time teacher and runs writer groups in High Wycombe Creative Arts Centre.

at  CONTACT FRANCE ELLUL:  We will be looking to provide some virtual workshops online - do get in touch and ask France

CONTACT FRANCE ELLUL:  We will be looking to provide some virtual workshops on line - do get in touch and ask France about them

Mobile: 07894 313760

Email:     france.ellul@gmail.com

Website:   www.france-ellul.com

France.ellul@gmail.com

https://twitter.com/FranceEllul

Apr 16, 202012:56
 A touch of purple By Ida Williams, a dreamy story
Apr 06, 202005:58
Hi2020 Mini Course 2: Why write a story?

Hi2020 Mini Course 2: Why write a story?

Hi2020 Mini Course 2: Why write a story?

Written and narrated by France Ellul.  Writer's coach and English Teacher

Podcast Two in the Mini course series:

.

Hello everyone. My name is France Ellul. 

I teach a creative writing course consisting of a series of hands-on workshops. These have been focused initially on short-story writing and I’ve been asked to put together three podcasts summarising some of the material I’ve used.

This is the second of three podcasts in which I share hints and tips for writing short stories. You will hear two other voices besides mine: one belongs to Clare Newton, the other to Annie Parker. Both are also writers and artists.

In the first podcast, I dealt with the question: what is a story? In this podcast, I shall ask the question: why write a story?

In Podcast: 2, I share the next three of my ten “Tips on Creative Writing”. These are:

  • 4. Pivotal point
  • 5. Significant dialogue
  • 6. Context, text, subtext

In the third and final podcast of this series, I’ll share the remaining four “Tips on Creative Writing” as well as contemplating further aspects of the art of story writing.

  • Visual imagery  - relating to the sense of sight
  • Auditory imagery - relating to the sense of hearing
  • Olfactory imagery - relating to the sense of smell
  • Gustatory imagery - relating to the sense of taste
  • Tactile imagery  - relating to the sense of touch

Hurry: Get writing your short story Now !!! - and register for your Discount 60% discount 

https://www.happylondonpress.com/hi-2020-short-story-competition


This podcast is called: Hi2020 Writing Tip 4 : Mini Course 2 Why write a story?  We will be running lots more and if you watch this space - we are planning a weekly Radio Wednesday Afternoon from 2-3pm on 106.6 fm, with Wycombe Sound.

It is produced under the auspices of HappyLDNPress and is in support of Hi2020.co.uk which is sponsoring a short story competition.


France is a full time teacher and runs writer groups in High Wycombe Creative Arts Centre.

at  CONTACT FRANCE ELLUL:  We will be looking to provide some virtual workshops online - do get in touch and ask France

CONTACT FRANCE ELLUL:  We will be looking to provide some virtual workshops on line - do get in touch and ask France about them

Mobile: 07894 313760

Email:     france.ellul@gmail.com

Website:   www.france-ellul.com

France.ellul@gmail.com

https://twitter.com/FranceEllul

Mar 31, 202014:12
Hi2020 Writing Tip 2 : Write a Catchy First Paragraph

Hi2020 Writing Tip 2 : Write a Catchy First Paragraph

Hi2020 Tip 2 : Write a Catchy First Paragraph

Read to you by Kate Bishop.


We have some excellent advice from Jerz  Setonhill and Henneke

In today’s fast-moving world, the first sentence of your narrative should catch your reader’s attention with the unusual, the unexpected, an action, or a conflict

Begin with tension and immediacy. Remember that short stories need to start close to their end.

Mystify your reader. Make the first sentence intriguing or somewhat open-ended

  1. Don't use deception to "lure" your reader.
  2. ... Its Like false advertising, leads to disappointment
  3. Be bold. Get to the point quickly
  4. Be creative. Surprise the reader
  5. You can Use humour if you are comfortable with it.


ENTER NOW HI2020.CO.UK SHORT STORY COMETITION FOR NEW WRITERS

If you are a budding writer who would love the chance to get their story published in a beautiful hardback book.

The Competition is open to unpublished writers who live in one of the three districts - LONDON - Buckinghamshire, - Hertfordshire,

If you have a hidden story within you but haven't yet had the inspiration to do anything about - here is your chance

Choose from one of the topics to inspire your creativity

  1. • Adventure/travel
  2. • Thriller/Dark
  3. • Romance
  4. • Science/Fantasy

Keep the word count between 1000 up to 1500 words and written in English.

Prize is for 20 Winners to get published

Hey if you sign up now you get a great early bird discount

SUBSCRIBE - AS WE WILL BE POSTING HELPFUL TIPS TO WRITING A BETTER STORY EACH WEEK

GOOD LUCK - YOU HAVE UNITL ...19th June 5pm. TO .Get your story in by.

WWW.HI2020.CO.UK



Kate Bishop - Performance Coach

https://www.kate-bishop.co.uk/blog

Career, Confidence & Well Being

W: www.kate-bishop.co.uk

Mar 22, 202003:50
Hi2020 Mini Course 1: Helping writers with penning a short story

Hi2020 Mini Course 1: Helping writers with penning a short story

Mar 17, 202014:09
The Lyme Regis Murders - Chapter 2 read by the author Andrew Segal

The Lyme Regis Murders - Chapter 2 read by the author Andrew Segal

The Lyme Regis Murders - Chapter 2 read by the author Andrew Segal

THE LYME REGIS MURDERS
Andrew Segal
Happy London Press
342 pp
Easy Read / Who-Done-It

Can innocence ever be an incentive to murder?

A quiet seaside town is thrown into turmoil. Tammy Pierre, London based private investigator, accompanied by her sometime lover, Israeli art dealer and martial-arts coach, Dov Jordan, has just been brought close to tears by police photographs shown to her by an hysterical Eleanor Goldcrest, at the home of three innocent toddlers whose brutally murdered bodies have been found on the beach at Lyme Regis.

Wealthy financier, Eric Goldcrest, alarmed that his partner of three years, together with the local police has him nailed as guilty of murdering the children, now retains Tammy to prove his innocence and find the real culprit. But has his involvement in all this been misinterpreted?

In this investigation, with no apparant motive or forensic evidence, Tammy’s skills will be tested to the limit. In a twist that muddies the waters, Eric Goldcrest, laments that he’s simply never made it clear to Tammy about his position in the family and his relationship with the children, all of which have been assumed by the investigation.

ORDER YOUR COPY

Amazon: https://amzn.to/39jm4OV

B&N: http://bit.ly/BNLymeRegisMurders 



Jaynie's Book Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Stand out characters

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 January 2020

Format: Kindle Edition

We start the book on an idylic deserted beach where tragically we witness the murder of three litle girls. The investigation is soon under way and there can only be one prime suspect. The stepfather.

 

damppebbles

4.0 out of 5 stars The Lyme Regis Murders by Andrew Segal

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 January 2020

Format: Kindle Edition

I am not sure anyone reads crime books unless they want to play at being a secret sleuth. You may not announce to the rest of the bus that you think it was Eric Goldcrest, or tell the office that you think the recently released prisoner is the chief suspect. But I think we all do it. And if you do it with this book you are going to name a lot of potential suspects! Andrew Segal does a good job of swinging suspects into view and teasing a little bit of motive or evidence right in front of you, before taking the story off in another direction.

Now I can tell you, honestly that my guess was correct (one of my 8 guesses that is!) so I was pretty pleased with myself. Not for my skills in detection but for my career choice of not becoming a policeman! Based on this evidence there would be a lot of innocent people locked up if I were in the constabulary!

Mar 16, 202004:19
Episode 2; The Mermaid Bride read by the author Alexander Ely
Mar 13, 202021:40
Hi2020 Writing Tip 1: What does your Protagonist want?

Hi2020 Writing Tip 1: What does your Protagonist want?

Hi2020 Short Story Competition - Writing Tip 1: What does your Protagonist want? 

Here are some Hints and tips on how to write a better short story  - make sure you stay tuned for the next instalment

Read to you by Nigel Troup

Writing short stories means beginning as close to the climax as possible as everything else is a distraction or waffle – remember you only have 1500 words to play with.

In A short story everything is condensed down to the absolute hub of the story – it conserves characters and scenes, by focusing on just one conflict which drives the story towards a sudden, unexpected revelation.

Reduce the back story to maybe one paragraph — your reader doesn’t need to know everything that you know about your characters.

  • Think about What your protagonist wants?
  • But in this example the plot is not strong enough - The athlete wants her team to win the big game or there’s a car crash victim who wants to survive
  • Look for something special.

  • The story could open with a morally significant action which your protagonist takes towards that goal


Follow our podcasts or chat to us via Instagram - and Don't forget to Make sure you register for your entry - Hi2020.co.uk



ENTER NOW Hi2020.co.uk Short Story Competition for New Writers:

If you are a budding writer who would love the chance to get their story published in a beautiful hardback book.

The Competition is open to unpublished writers who live in one of the three districts - LONDON - Buckinghamshire, - Hertfordshire,

If you have a hidden story within you but haven't yet had the inspiration to do anything about - here is your chance

Choose from one of the topics to inspire your creativity

  1. • Adventure/travel
  2. • Thriller/Dark
  3. • Romance
  4. • Science/Fantasy

Keep the word count between 1000 up to 1500 words and written in English.

Prize is for 20 Winners to get published

Hey if you sign up now you get a great early bird discount

SUBSCRIBE - AS WE WILL BE POSTING HELPFUL TIPS TO WRITING A BETTER STORY EACH WEEK

GOOD LUCK - YOU HAVE UNITL ...19th June 5pm. TO .Get your story in by.

WWW.HI2020.CO.UK



Read by Nigel Troup

http://www.great-2nd-income.co.uk
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/nigel-troup/10/162/1a7

Mar 11, 202003:10
Sign Up to Hi2020 Short Story Comp for New Writers

Sign Up to Hi2020 Short Story Comp for New Writers

Sign Up to Hi2020.co.uk.   Short Story Comp for New Writers


Hello to All


...budding authors who would love the chance to get their story published in a beautiful hardback book.

The Competition is open to unpublished writers who live in one of the three districts - LONDON - Buckinghamshire, - Hertfordshire, 

If you have a hidden story within you but haven't yet had the inspiration to do anything about - here is your chance

Choose from one of the topics to inspire your creativity 

  1. • Adventure/travel
  2. • Thriller/Dark
  3. • Romance
  4. • Science/Fantasy

Keep the word count between 1000 up to 1500 words and written in English. 

Prize is for 20 Winners to get published


Hey if you sign up now you get a great early bird discount 


SUBSCRIBE - AS WE WILL BE POSTING HELPFUL TIPS TO WRITING A BETTER STORY EACH WEEK


GOOD LUCK - YOU HAVE UNITL ...19th June 5pm. TO .Get your story in by.

WWW.HI2020.CO.UK

Mar 08, 202001:25
Excert from Wide illumination read by Tom Rubens

Excert from Wide illumination read by Tom Rubens

Wide Illumination Chapter 8 read by the author Tom Rubens


This work is a Contemporary Literature about a young student finding his first love affair

 Set in the mid-1960s, this second novel in the 'Illumination' trilogy shows its

central character, Richard Lane, studying at university, and fostering intellectual

friendships with some of his fellow male students. Also, during his first long summer

vacation, he visits Germany and meets a young German woman, Helga, with whom he

comes to share a deep and intimate understanding, as well as sexual pleasure. This sharing

is presented as especially interesting because, happening only two decades after the end of

World War Two, it shows the ability of young people, with their eager openness to

experience, to bridge different national and cultural backgrounds. Finally, the text moves

beyond Richard's university days to the world of work, and his first encounters in yet

another Continental country, Portugal, where a good deal of the final book in the trilogy will be set in.



About the Author Tom Rubens


While a great deal of my energy has gone into teaching English Language and

Literature in further and higher education, I have remained continually interested in those

areas of private life which, for myself and of course for every other working person, lie

outside the pursuit of a professional career when that itself is not one of authorship. The

private terrain is, I have found, the most complex, so the most difficult to illuminate: and is

therefore the prime subject for personal writing, in whatever form that writing takes. For

me, the forms have been literature (fiction, poetry) and philosophy. The trilogy of novel I

have produced, of which Wide Illumination is the second text, indicate what I see as the

close linkage between literature and philosophy—with each focus, as it seeks to plumb the

depths, being supported by the other. This linkage becomes increasingly evident as Wide

Illumination proceeds on its way.


https://www.amazon.com/Wide-Illumination-university-Students-encounters/dp/1912951339

Available in Kindle and Softback

Mar 06, 202011:58
Show me Heaven by Donna Taylor
Feb 25, 202014:46
Chapter one; The Snowdonia Killings by Simon McCleave

Chapter one; The Snowdonia Killings by Simon McCleave

Chapter one; The Snowdonia Killings written and narrated bySimon McCleave

A Snowdonia Murder Mystery Book 1

The Snowdonia Killings - Detective Inspector Ruth Hunter lives with the pain of her partner’s unsolved disappearance. Now pushing fifty, the veteran police officer trades in the crime-ridden streets of London for a more peaceful post in rural North Wales. But Ruth has barely settled in when the body of a woman is discovered… with strange symbols carved into her skin. Teaming up with an obstinate deputy, Ruth struggles to eliminate anyone from a long line of suspects. But she’s forced to tear up her shortlist when they discover another slain victim with the same cryptic markings…Can she solve the case before another savage murder?

I have loved crime and mystery stories since I was a kid. I worked my way through Enid Blyton's Secret Seven and Famous Five books, before graduating to Ian Fleming and Alistair Maclean. Even when I was writing television scripts I was drawn to write for crime series such as Silent Witness and The Bill. Writing my first crime novel just felt like a natural progression. Having moved from South London to North Wales, I wanted to write about a central character who was an outsider in such a beautiful and mystical part of the country. It's been very exciting having my first novel published and the sales, reviews and general reaction to the book in the last ten days has been amazing.


Simon McCleave was born in South London.

When leaving University, Simon worked in television and film development. He was a Script Editor at

the BBC, a producer at Channel 4 before working as a Story Analyst in Los Angeles. He worked on

films such as ‘The Full Monty’ and television series such as ‘Our Friends In The North’.

Simon then became a script writer for television and film. He wrote on series such as Silent Witness,

Murder In Suburbia, Teachers, Attachments, The Bill, Eastenders and many more. His film, ‘Out of

the Game’ for Channel 4 was critically acclaimed – ‘An unflinching portrayal of male friendship.’

(Time Out)

‘The Snowdonia Killings’ is his first novel.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08268L6L8

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08268L6L8


HappyLondonPress - bringing great stories from around the world

https://www.instagram.com/ely_landing/

https://www.instagram.com/happylondonpress/

https://twitter.com/HappyLDNpress

https://www.happylondonpress.com/


Jan 30, 202017:20
The Mermaid Bride : Fantasy Short story narrated by Alexandra Ely

The Mermaid Bride : Fantasy Short story narrated by Alexandra Ely

The Mermaid Bride : Beautiful romantic story written and narrated by Alexandra Ely

An adventure fantasy short story about Neive, (pronounces nee-iv) a young woman who fights all odds in an epic search to save her husband from the slimy grips of a greedy mermaid. Her love will have to overcome more than fear, it will have to be the courage to do the impossible.

Alexandra Ely (pronounced e-lee) is a young adult novelist. Growing up in rural California she has been pursuing creative writing from a young age.  She credits much of her imagination to the childhood costumes and wide-open space she grew up with.

In collage, Alexandra emphasized creative writing in her BA degree and is currently writing her debut novel. Alexandra has a heart for young adults and hopes her stories will inspire her readers to live out their own grand adventures.

Writing adventure fiction, much of her work has a historical twist even her fantasy pieces. She especially enjoys historical dress and fashion having sewn historical costumes for a re-enactment site and as a hobby. You’ll find details of period clothing in all her writing.

Happily married for seven years, Alexandra and her husband are enjoying their baby’s first year. She looks forward to the new year juggling home life with the epic adventures her characters endure in the pages of her stories.


https://www.instagram.com/ely_landing/

https://www.instagram.com/happylondonpress/

https://twitter.com/HappyLDNpress

https://www.happylondonpress.com/



Dec 30, 201916:39
Return : a delicate poem by Priya Dolma
Dec 08, 201902:44