Newsletter October 2024

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Here we are in Autumn again, how quickly time flies by. Oscar the Owl has been flying around too. Here’s his latest outings:

• ·       I was invited to give a talk to St Leonard’s Church’s Over 60’s group on my Journey to Publication. I was made very welcome and I presented the talk in an informative, fun and interactive way. It went very well and I was able to talk to many of the ladies afterwards over a cup of coffee and biscuit. I sold 10 books at this event and it boosted my confidence to take on other bookings. 

If you know of a church group, MU/WI, Ladies group etc. who would like a visiting speaker, do ask them to contact me: sueflint13@hotmail.com. 

• ·       The National Trust, Sutton Coldfield invited me to have a stall at their October meeting where I was able to sell a few more books. The visiting speaker talked about Capability Brown which was really interesting. I am booked in for a stall in November too.
• ·       On the 5^th October I attended Birmingham Literature Festival with two other ladies from the Tamworth Tap Writers group. This was most excellent and although presented from a journalistic point of view the information given was useful for novel writing too. I found it confirmed such a lot of what I have included in my novel writing. We made a day of visiting the second city, finding The Exchange building quite easily and seeing the improvements to the area since we last went to Birmingham. Only 16 minutes by train from Tamworth.    
• ·      10^th October I took part in a Society of Women Writers and Journalists zoom with Penny Holroyd, Agent of picture books for children and fiction and non-fiction for all ages. Having book 2 of Oscar the Owl in its final stages I was interested to hear Penny’s insights into the publishing world. Well done SWWJ for this very informative zoom and relaxed atmosphere for the attendants. Many questions answered and encouraging information to help in the process of getting an agent and published by a main house publisher.
• ·       Wednesday 16^th October we had a delightful day at a local primary school. I read Oscar the Owl to three classes of children who were all attentive and some asked good questions – one in particular wanted to know how the illustrator got the pictures into a book. I explained about drawing a draft and digital art, saying that Rosa had been to university to study and is now an accomplished artist/illustrator.

 

Comments received after the visit: 

'A beautiful story to teach pupils about positive thinking, manners and friendship.' From a teacher.

 'I like Oscar the Owl, he helps me learn new things' From a pupil.

 

• ·       Kingsbury Methodist Church craft stall/table top sale on Saturday 19^th was well attended with some interesting visitors. I was with Oscar the Owl and Christmas tree felt owls, and my sister with her very beautiful crochet garments, toys, blankets etc. We both made sales and I had good conversations with the Minister and Stewards of the church, a lady publisher from the Ukraine, two teachers and a man from Grange-over-Sands, near Morecambe Bay, Cumbria (an area I used to know very well) who was visiting his relatives.
• ·       Rosa Brown, artist of Oscar the Owl, has encouraged me to be active on Instagram!! I had made a ‘reel’ (mini film) back in May but hadn’t had the confidence to post it. So, I uploaded it and have since posted two more! Follow us on Instagram @sueflint13 and Rosa displaying her wonderful artwork on Instagram @flontiere or www.flontiere.com.

Hope your autumn is going well. Let me know if you don’t wish to receive the newsletter and I will remove you from the circulation list. Thank you to all who take an interest, your support is very much appreciated.

Next stop CHRISTMAS. Don’t forget ‘Oscar the Owl’ book for 3-7-year -olds – full of wise words, caring morals and delightful pictures.

Available from Amazon https://amzn.eu/d/bqy7S7x or email me for a signed copy to be posted to you. (email address as above).

 

Coming to England Review

 A theatre play at The Garrick, Lichfield,Staffs.

based on the True Story of Baroness Floella Benjamin's life.

Arriving at the newly refurbished Garrick theatre, we were greeted by the sound of school children, quite a considerable amount of them! Renovations in the theatre were not yet complete so no coffee to enjoy whilst we waited for the auditorium doors to open. 

The stage was set with a television boarder and fuzzy black and white backdrop (which older members of the audience will remember when the television was off air). Then the Playschool theme tune and words came on. 'Here's a house, here's a door, here's the windows - one, two, three four.....' I said all the words of its introduction out aloud. I felt so much younger!  Floella, played by Julene Robinson, bounced onto the stage and had a lovely 'high five' 'hello' song to greet us all into her life. 

We were introduced to her family, the way of life in Trinidad, both with family, school life and hopes for a future - her father wanted to be a Jazz player in England. Then we were treated to songs about the lovely foods and the carnivals with dazzling colours and brilliant costumes with feathered headdresses in sunny Trinidad. 

Her father left for England saying he would send for them. Then her mother left with the two youngest children leaving Floella, her elder sister with an 'aunt' (she wasn't a blood relative and treated the girls badly, and the boys were separated from the girls. Her two brothers were not fed properly and made to fight for their food. My heart squeezed at the thought of being abandoned with only hope of ever seeing her parents and siblings again. Letters sent from England didn't get to the children, so no news was received for 18 months.

Finally, the four children were reunited and on the ship travelling to England, without any specific adult supervision, to be reunited with the rest of the family. They arrived cold and dismayed at the way white people reacted towards them. 

As the stage changed to drab London scenes it was a terrible reminder of prejudice at the time of the Windrush. I'm sure in some parts of England some of these prejudices still stand but to our shame. Where would we have been without extra nurses and doctors in our NHS? We invited people into our country for filling gaps in our workforce and then, in public places, discredited them and made them feel like outcasts. Thankfully times have changed and diversity is more common place. 

Floella's story is one of perseverance, patience, determination and kindness showing the school children in attendance that education is key, success is made by your own hard work, reaching your goal with a smile on your face and a good heart, standing up for yourself and knowing what is your problem and what problems are not yours. 

I took the opportunity to meet Baroness Floella Benjamin earlier this year, at the House of Lords in London. She is the President of the Society of Women Writers and Journalists (SWWJ) of which I am a member. It was a surreal day, she is a marvellous ambassador for our organisation and the many charities she supports. She is still smiling at 75 and is still as beautiful as she was on Playschool. I don't know who liked the programme more - me as a young mum or my daughter!! We are both Playschool babies.

The story book for children is available from Amazon

I was glad to see so many primary school children at the theatre and hope they will remember it when they are older. I hope the senior school children will discuss the issue of racism in their school, that the younger generation will not have the struggles that Windrush people experienced and that all people embrace change and diversity.  

An excellent production well-acted and sang. Simple scenery and lovely costumes fitting to the era. 

Well done everyone. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Newsletter August/September 2024

 Yay. More Celebrations.

T’was a special birthday for me on 31^st August but before that, the month went well for Oscar the Owl.

With my husband Peter at Christopher's The Peel Hotel Tamworth

Spa Experience with my daughter, sister and niece at Hoar Cross Hall

10^th-16^th August – my annual visit to Swanwick, The Writer’s Summer School. This year I joined the volunteer’s team and checked delegates into their rooms, then did three sessions of selling raffle tickets throughout the week.

Many courses were available to pick and choose from but I only did a few this year, opting to work on editing my novel instead. One of the two-part courses I attended was led by visiting publishers. Their presentation included some 3-minute slots on stage for attenders to pitch our work to them! It was a nerve-wrecking experience but I was glad I did it. From this they selected six people and offered a publishing contract.

It was my 9^th year attending and The Summer School were celebrating its 75^th year. I met up with four others from The Society of Women Writers and Journalists and quite a few other delegates I have got to know over the years. There are always lots of new people to meet, chat to at meal and coffee breaks, finding out where they are from and what they write.

Oscar the Owl had books in the Bookshop and he loved having fun out and about in the beautiful grounds.

With Karin and Julia

Back home there was a lot to catch up on and preparations for having guests visiting. Unfortunately, a close friend was unable to visit due to covid in her family

but neighbours and friends enjoyed some Oscar cup-cakes as it was also one year since the book launch.

Happy September everyone. 

Thank you to all who follow me on social media and send messages. It is great to connect:

 

Facebook: SueFlint, Author

Twitter/X: @tweetsue13

Instagram: sueflint13

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com

Blog: https://sueflintsfs.blogspot.com

 

 

 

 

If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, do let me know and I can take you off the mailing list.

 

July/August 2024 Newsletter

 Celebration 2 of this year came mid-way in July – Our 50^th Wedding Anniversary. Here we are celebrating in Derbyshire with afternoon tea, Ipswich and later in Constable Country.

What lovely weather we had on our Middleton’s Coach trip to Suffolk staying on the coast at Ipwich looking over the harbour with expensive boats. Highly recommend The Salt House Hotel salthouseharbour.co.uk and www.middletonstours.co.uk

Needless to say, Oscar the Owl had a holiday from being taken out and about so much. But on 21^st July we were back at Hoar Park for a table top sale in the red barn craft event. https://www.hoar-park.co.uk/

          

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OSCAR THE OWL – one year since published into a book.

Many copies have flown to new homes up and down the UK and abroad. Thank you to all who have purchased a copy from me, at an event or from Amazon. I’m truly grateful and it makes me so happy. And a special thank you to those who have written a review too.

Monday 5^th August saw us at The Bank Coffee House, Alrewas, near Burton-on-Trent. We were made so welcome and enjoyed a small audience of 3 girls and one boy, with their parents. The children coloured owl pictures as they waited for the book to be read to them and then were very observant pointing out things in the pictures.

What a lovely venue – nice décor, gifts and card to buy and delicious coffee and cakes etc. You’ll find it just off the A38. http://www.thebankcoffeehouse.co.uk/

Thursday 8^th August we had an interesting train trip to Worcester and paid our second visit to the independent bookshop, Script Haven. https://scripthaven.co.uk/ where Leena invited children and parents in and I read Oscar the Owl to two groups.

 Although my friend Christine lives in Worcester, I had not before spent time walking around the town so took the opportunity to do so before our train trip back to Tamworth. Wow, it is a larger city than I thought.

There’s a Penguin trail for people to follow and children could tick off having spotted them (we have an elephant trail in Tamworth). Such lovely artistic talent on display.

 

 

Lastly, but not least, meet Tommy. He was the lucky winner of a ‘Giveaway’ on Twitter/X. His grandma Louise in Nottingham, shares the same birthday as Oscar and was chosen to win a copy of my book, a T-shirt and knitted owl. I see Postman Pat has the T-shirt on. I just love to receive pictures of children reading Oscar the Owl – Tommy seems engrossed in the pictures. Super cute.

And now it’s time for me to undertake more writing lessons at Swanwick Writers Summer School at The Hayes Conference Centre, https://www.swanwickwritersschool.org.uk/ where, this year, I will be meeting and greeting, selling raffle tickets and having my book in the bookshop as well as attending workshops, enjoying the grounds and WRITING of course! SWSS are celebrating 75 years this year, a fab introduction to writing of any genre, editing, publishing, script writing, etc. Do look them up for details.

 Footnotes:

1.      All photos printed with permission.

 

2.      If you no longer wish to receive these newsletters do let me know.

Book Review

 

 

Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing Inc.

ISBN: 9798328446402

Review (as requested by the Society of Women Writers and Journalists (@SWWJ) for their members magazine)

A captivating start encapsulating a mystery and re-kindled love. The innocence and chivalry of the era is charming.

Kitty has a chaperone, Miss Steele, as her father is trying to marry her off into wealth. Her mother is ill and her sweetheart has returned from war hiding from someone who wants him dead.

There are mysteries to unravel – one within Kitty’s family, and the other in her true love’s family. It has the reader guessing the plots and keeps you page-turning to see if your suspicions are correct.

Henry, H as Kitty likes to call him, and Kitty, hold onto thoughts and feelings which keep their relationship at bay but desire builds within them as chances to be alone together are few. They wrestle with their own inner voices questioning their integrity.  As their secret relationship deepens, so too does the plot.

A ball is the scene of lovely dresses and dignified dancing. Horses and coaches arrive and the evening reveals more of Henry’s Waterloo experience and the antagonists are declared. An unwanted pursuit of marriage scares dear Kitty.

Two evil characters loom large towards the final chapters and fears of an unhappy union appears likely. Leading up to the ending is a tense gallop. A race against time; an army of good chasing evil. Will Kitty be Lost or Found? Will Henry’s love conquer the dire situation they find themselves in?

I was enthralled all the way through, all the characters gave life to the tale. I would recommend Jenny’s book to those who relish period dramas.

OSCAR ON TOUR June 2024

 

In the Yorkshire Dales

Staying near Holmfirth – ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ country for two weeks.

The rolling hills, narrow lanes, stone walls, farms and villages are a change for Oscar the Owl from the town of Tamworth in Staffordshire. He was invited to attend two locations and we enjoyed sharing our book with the children and adults we met.

First was Hepworth Pre-school – a short drive from Totties, along Scholes Road by Jackson Bridge Dike. Children came inside from playing in the sunshine, to hear Oscar’s wise words, see the pictures in the book and to tell me ‘My sister has a wobbly tooth’ and ‘my sister can run fast’. (There were children’s races later that day) They sat on the floor and listened well.

The teachers/leaders were helpful and a book-signing followed. I was told that as it was the last Monday of June a Festival is held each year to commemorate the end of the 1665 Great Plague during which the village had been closed off. A procession of villagers walked to Scholes village and back accompanied by Hepworth Brass Band. Local children are given a tea after the procession and there is entertainment. A pig roast is held in the evening at The Butcher’s Arms pub.

 
Inside Hepworth Pre-school and view of Hepworth village. Pictures taken from websites.

Honley is another village in the Holme Valley passing through New Mills and Brockholes from Totties. Its library stands proud at the bottom of the High Street hill.

Here a table of Lego and two computers were in use and a delivery of books arrived – some pre- ordered and others to refresh the shelves. In this quaint library, that is a community group hub, little seats were arranged for children to hear stories read to them.                 

                                

The library was founded in 1936 but the Honley Book Club ran from 1750 to 1823. More recently, heading towards closure, The Friends of Honley Library was created in 2013 and volunteers help to keep the service of books and community group going. Do look them up https://friendsofhonelylibrary.org.uk or visit if you are in the area.

 I was made most welcome by Elaine Fenton who kindly took these photos in a colourful, vibrant area of the library for children.

 

With grateful thanks to Carolyn & Stephen for accommodation in their home with pets Abi the dog to walk in the countryside with and Phoebe the cat as company too.

                                     An Oscar Shelfie and Oscar’s café, Holmfirth.  

Oscar the Owl book is available from Amazon https://amzn.eu/d/bqy7S7x or if you would like to receive a signed copy please email me at sueflint13@hotmail.com.