Newsletter

Oscar the Owl Newsletter Nov/Dec 2025

What a month or two it has been, when commercialism excelled in everything bright, shiny, twinkly and glittery to brighten our days leading up to Christmas. I wonder how many people were overwhelmed by the extent of gifts available, adverts and twee films on tv? How many people stressed about the cost and the expectation to be ‘merry and bright?’

Certainly, I found it all daunting due to back pain and sciatica. However, Oscar the Owl books had a few outings with successful sales at Oakland Village, Swadlincote; Rosliston Forestry Centre and Rosliston Village Hall.

My friend Linda accompanied me to Oakland Village residential complex on 15th November. It was very busy with over 40 stalls and lots of people visiting.

At Rosliston Forestry Centre on Saturday 29th November I was stationed in the school room – where children are taught all things about nature. My stall was next to my friend Karen of Karen's Exceptional Cards https://facebook.com/kazxcards. We were surrounded by stuffed animals (there was a badger behind Karen!) and visiting youngsters were drawn to asking their parents about these – try explaining ‘Taxidermist’ to a young child!

Besides it being a very wet day there was a park run, chance to make your own snowman out of wood and lots of other stalls. This two-day event (I only did one) was very well attended.

On Saturday 6th December I returned to Rosliston, this time to set up in the Village Hall. As it is used by the Nursery, Father Christmas’s two elves had a room where children could write a letter to Santa which was very popular. It was lovely to see so many families at this event and again Oscar was popular.

 

A mobile coffee pod and a truck selling hot foods were just outside the entrance on this cold late afternoon. Inside there were a variety of stalls to browse and buy something a bit different as presents for Christmas, have a face-painting or pat a golden retriever who represented ‘Guide Dogs for the Blind’ charity.

My novel is now on hold until February 2026 when Editor, Sarah Banham of www.fortheloveofbooks.co.uk will line edit/proofread. I completed the structural edit mid-December.

I have also received the artwork for my cover and feel great progress has been made. Steps towards publishing will be made in the spring.

I hope you all had a good Christmas and wish you all the best for 2026. Thank you all for your continuing support.

Sue Flint 

https://amzn.eu/d/bqy7S7x

https://amzn.eu/d/f14OOcC

July/August Newsletter 2025

 July/August Newsletter 2025

Great News! Work has been undertaken on my novel. Sarah Banham of www.loveofbooks.co.uk has been busy doing a structural and line edit and Jacki Tattersall has been designing my book cover anguishing many hours over paints and brushes. So, from now until Christmas I have some tidying up work to do making changes, cutting chunks of words and making my novel polished. One thing you can help me with is to tell me your preference of either S M Flint or Susan M Flint to differentiate from my children’s books.

Lullington stall 28.6.25

 

I think this was the hottest day of the year. Thankfully my pitch was under the shade of a big tree and many thanks to Pete, my husband, for putting up the gazebo. Zane was a cool dude customer. The stallholders in front of me were a lovely family who rescued and showed a variety of owls. If you want to book them for a display at your fundraiser you will find them on Facebook – Owls r us static display. They are based in Coventry.

Kingsbury stall 5.7.25

Oscar the Owl book 1 & 2 enjoying a day out. 

Regardless of if a fete is busy or not it is always nice to meet up with fellow stall holders.

Wild Swimming

It’s been a fabulous summer for swimming at Dosthill Quarry, joined by my most regular buddy Karen White; once with my daughter and friends, once with Pippa Steedman and once alone. This water is my favourite place to be. I’m going to miss it when it gets below 14 degrees but the spring fed water has been a lovely 20-22 degrees for weeks.

I’m there Fridays if anyone wants to join me?

                             

A family fun day was spent at Cliff Lakes where nephews and their families went on the floating fun trail. Thanks to Sam & Olly for organising and for the BBQ.

The Bank Coffee House 5.8.25

A return visit to the Alrewas café where I read Oscar the Owl and His Footwear. There were owl pictures to colour too. Such a lovely welcome and delicious coffee and cakes. It’s just off the A38 or A513 on the Staffordshire/Derbyshire border; a nice drive out and well worth a visit – see reviews on Trip Advisor or http://thebankcoffeehouse.co.uk.

The Swanwick Writers Summer School 9-14.8.25

My 9^th annual visit went very well. Ian, Rosa & Ellen from our Tamworth Writers group came too and I met up with members of the Society of Women Writers and Journalists again. It was so lovely to see Della Galton and she supported me at my book launch, a new inclusion to the programme for anyone having published a book in 2025. There was a full programme packed with great courses and tutors. Pacing oneself is a must. I attended the 30-minute Sunday Worship in the chapel which was led by Fiona Lloyd; Writing Romance led by Jennifer Page x 2 sessions; Unwind your mind with Zana Frood – Thia Chi each 5 pm; Editing Fiction x 2 sessions by Morgen Bailey and evening entertainment of a Poetry night – so proud Ellen was chosen to read a ‘Maeve and Betty’ poem which was very well received by the laughter we heard.

The Page to Stage night, of 5 short scripts acted and directed by volunteers, was fab. The workshop ‘Writerly Well-Being’ by Katherine Bolton was extremely helpful. I have written this newsletter using well-being ideas gleaned at this session.

 

If you write for pleasure, short stories, novels, songs, poems, scripts etc this is the place to be. Dates for next year – 8-13.8.26 – bookings taken from 1.1.26. www.swanwickwritersschool.org.uk.  Days of talking the talk, eating, drinking, walking, sleeping, learning, socialising – all this and so much more. Thank you committee for all the hard work that goes into organising it each year.

Rosliston Forestry Centre stall 23.8.25

 

This country park has long been a favourite place for a walk around the lakes, taking children to the slide, roundabout, sand play area and ballpark. The café is good and Alice’s owl handling sessions are a must. Her knowledge about each owl is exceptional. https://ardbirdsofprey.com at https://www.roslistonforestrycentre.co.uk

I had a lovely young customer who remembered me from a school visit earlier this year and so signed a book her dad bought for her. Thank you Dahlia, meeting you was a special moment.

Lastly, a great big thank you to those who take interest in my work, it is very much appreciated. I'm especially touched when another Oscar the Owl book is in a child’s hand and more so w
hen I receive a picture and a review on Amazon. Here’s the latest, isn’t it lovely ...

 

To come in the next newsletter: Wedding news.

*Picture taken from Oscar the Owl and His Footwear – Autumn – “Oscar is wearing his black shoes.  They look smart for going to a wedding, school or a party. Shiny shoes make him feel grown up and proud.”

* Copywrite Picture by Rosa Brown www.flontiere.com

Oscar the Owl books 1 & 2 are now available on Amazon. https://amzn.eu/d/f14OOcC and https://amzn.eu/d/bqy7S7x

Notes:  

• If you know anyone who would like an author visit to a café, school, ladies’ group etc. do give them my email address.
•   All photos of children are with parent’s permission.
•  If you no longer wish to be on the mailing list, please do let me know.

Thank you for your support.

Sue x

Newsletter May/June 2025

 As part of advertising my children’s books I try to keep up with social media. Doing a selfie video is strange, but each time I do one I get a little more used to it.  The latest one is available @sueflint13 on Instagram, Sue Flint, Author on Facebook, and YouTube @sueflint8253.

On Friday 17^th May I met Anne Boleyn – well Lesley Smith, who took on Henry VIII’s wife’s persona and gave an hour monologue of her life. It was brilliant. I am not usually into history but this was such a good way for learning more about Anne Boleyn, her family set up and how she came to be with King Henry. The sadness of lost babies and not bearing a son and heir was palpable as the emotions flowed into the church space. Her ending was tragic but her greatest gift to us was Elizabeth I.

The Family Tree Café - Book reading and signing.

  

This café area was ideal for the children and parents to gather. It was advertised for 3.30 – 4.30 pm and people arrived in dribs and drabs, so a good job I had pictures for the children to colour in whilst parents ordered drinks and lovely cakes. The reading of both books went well and the children were attentive and interacted when asked questions. Sales and signings followed before they left. With thanks to my friend Carolyn Goodall for accompanying me, taking photos and having conversations with the visitors. Thanks to all the staff for making us welcome and serving us.

There is new little reader in the family – Ava-Rose who received her copy of Oscar the Owl and His Footwear. Here she is looking at the pages. Isn’t she cute?

 

As a couple we now have 13 Great-nephews and 6 nieces and 2 great-great nieces. Time to stop counting I think!  

Wild swimming – super weather for it! The water temperature at Dosthill quarry crept up and at 22 degrees in the water, I even swam without a wet suit. Thanks to Karen for being a swim buddy and taking photos.

  

The quarry is spring fed, high in magnesium and home to some large fish. Divers have access in the middle to a depth of 26 metres and swimmers go around the sides. It is a quarter of a mile round and I usually manage two laps.

A lovely evening was spent with fellow writers and church friends on the summer solstice. Lots of lovely poems and stories were read out and delightful puddings to devour in the interval.

It’s been a while since I had an outdoor stall at Lullington Open Gardens and Classic Car event. Stalls on the green were browsed by visitors and I loved meeting parents, children, grandparents, a teacher and the couple who ran ‘Owls r us’ set up from Coventry.

June 11 years ago – home-made items on what looks to be a cold day as I’m all wrapped up.

28^th June 2025 was a scorcher! I’m now selling my published children’s books. I enjoyed meeting the beautiful rescue owls and Zeke with his colourful dinosaur t-shirt looking cool. Harper aged 4 was a chatty customer too.

          

Summer holiday time – don’t forget to pack a book or two to keep your little ones happy in your home or garden, cottage, caravan, hotel or beach.

 

https://amzn.eu/d/bqy7S7x Oscar the Owl - is about manners, kindness etc. 

https://amzn.eu/d/f14OOcC Oscar the Owl and his footwear – through the seasons.

Stay hydrated and slather the suntan lotion on.

HAPPY SUMMER EVERYONE.  SUE