1st March – Writers Group
I joined a group of writers at Tamworth Library which was lovely. We chatted over coffee all things writerly. Erin Green, a well-established author, was able to help me over problems that being a new author brings that I hadn’t bargained for. Thankfully, the first year after publication was very enjoyable but since the second book arrived so did some difficulties. With some assurances from Erin, my old adage of ‘perseverance pays off’ came into play and now the issues are resolved. I have just finished reading her latest book ‘Retreat to the Lakeside Cottage’ which I have reviewed on Goodreads. I identified with the theme very much so as the retreat was about writers having a week away to write, or not in some cases!
6th March
– World Book Day school (visit 1)
St Leonard’s Church of England Primary School – Assistant Headteacher Laura Cook welcomed me to read Oscar the Owl having pre-arranged a schedule of classrooms to visit. She had also told parents of my visit and those who would like a copy of the book had pre-ordered/pre-paid, which was amazing.
The Secretary showed me to the staff room and my morning began going from class to class reading and answering questions. The children were a delight, well behaved and attentive. During a break 19 children were waiting in the school hall on benches and came up to me at a table one by one to sign their books. I always ask how to spell their name as I have been caught out a few times assuming I knew how a name was spelt. ‘Jax’ was a new one for me and of course Hannah can be either traditional or modern without the ‘h’.
I had
recognised a few children that I knew from the Diddy Disciples group at church
and, on the following Sunday when they were asked what they did in their church
group, (it had been about Lent, Ash Wednesday etc), one boy looked at me and
said it had been World Book Day! It was as if he had just remembered I’d been
to school on the Monday. It caused a laugh and after the service I introduced
myself to his mother and explained I was the visiting Author and the Oscar the
Owl book was written by me. She was
happy to realise the connection.
7th March
– World Book Day school (visit 2)
Two Gates Primary School – Assistant Head Teacher, Sophie Smart, had made a morning schedule of classroom visits for me. The smaller ones listened to the reading of Oscar the Owl and his footwear with interest. The classes where they were learning about ‘editing’ was where I was able to talk about the process of writing and they asked many very good questions. I had to smile at ‘do you ever feel like giving up?’ but answered honestly about reading your work over and over again – yes, sometimes, but the only authors who don’t get published are those who give up.
In another
class the teacher had the children being very artistic. They had drawn and
coloured in their own book covers with titles and their names. Wow, I was blown
away as I was invited to look at them all. Some had even thought about the size
and shape they wanted their book to be and not just A4 as the paper they used.
I was so impressed!
Saturday 8th – Kingsbury Methodist Church Craft Fayre
I joined again with a lovely bunch of people who sell various items. Unfortunately, not many of the general public attended but stall holders all chatted and supported one another. Two customers who bought Oscar the Owl and his footwear told me how well the first book had been received by their grandsons – one in particular found the yellow pages of book 1 a great boost to the child’s confidence in reading – he normally said he couldn’t read but suspecting dyslexia the grandma had taken a copy when I had explained my choice to colouring the pages to make words stand out. He had read it from beginning to end without any trouble! Hurray! I love this sort of feedback.
Friday 14th – West Midlands Society of Authors meet up.
A first for me as normally we meet via zoom. Another interesting group all sharing their successes and struggles, it was decided to keep the zooms on alternative months and that different members would lead the group when meeting in person. I will see how that pans out. I always feel that writing for children is a group apart from novelists and non-fiction writers and, as I’m not yet a published novelist, I have little to contribute.
Tuesday 18th – National Trust meeting at Sutton Coldfield Methodist Church
A very interest
talk about magpies was given and it certainly challenged how we perceived
larger birds in our gardens. This was the last ‘talk’ meeting of the season and
besides books and jigsaws, I was the only table for people to browse during the
gathering and break. Only one sale but nice to be part of this worthy
charitable organisation.
22/23rd March – In the News
Several authors I know posted on social media about having had up to 13 of their novels swiped by Meta (the company that now owns Facebook) for the purpose of training Artificial Intelligence (A.I.). How disheartening for would-be authors! It certainly had a spirit-numbing effect on me. Even though the Society of Authors and other supporting organisations will work and campaign against this practice, I fear the damage has already been done for many and even if there is forthcoming compensation in years to come it cannot make up for the broken hearts this will cause.
I was very down-hearted. Just imagine in years to come that there will be robots writing novels, robots making pictures for the covers rather than artists drawing/painting/creating them. My mind ran riot with futuristic thoughts and of giving up pursuing writing/producing books. However, back to daily life and doing my best, I carry on.
24th March – Arden Hall Ladies Group, Water Orton.
What a delightful group to talk to about my ‘Journey to Publication’. Lots of interaction and questions. Afterwards during the tea break and chat lots of ladies purchased a book for a grandchild or a friend who had a child. One lady was taking her copy to a relative in Australia – so I can add Oz to my list of where Oscar the Owl has flown to.
A review was
received from Phyllis Lea – “your visit to our group was amazing; a very
interesting talk of your life. We all loved your books and having them signed.”
5th April – A craft fair at Oaklands Village, Swadlincote.
Oscar the Owl was
positioned by the impressive bar of this retirement village (thankfully
closed). There must have been at least 30 stalls of lots of lovely gifts for
all ages. Visitors came and browsed and I was impressed with the facilities
available – especially the Bistro, craft room and gardens. I will be booking in
again before Christmas hopefully.
17th April – A return visit to Honley Library
Here I read to
children and parents attending an Easter event. It was surreal seeing my name
on a poster and being introduced as a ‘real author’. I wonder if I will ever
get used the title? The children were delightful and listened well, the parents
were interested too – a question of how I was inspired was asked. The other
activities were pairing the shoes, making an Easter card and hunting the eggs.
I was presented with a bunch of flowers and I gave each child a sticker of an
owl reading books which they had on their t-shirt or dress. Two little boys, 13
& 15 months old were taking their first steps and I was very happy to help
them toddle back and forth to their parents. No Oscar’s were in attendance but
an Olivia was happy to see Oscar’s sister with her name in my new book.
This beautiful library is set in a village of Honley in Holme Valley, Kirklees, West Yorkshire. It is run mainly by Elaine Fenton and volunteers. The books are well stocked and arranged. They hold lots of activities for all age groups. If you are a walker or visitor to the areas, do pop in, you will be made most welcome, but you can look at their website too: https://friendsofhonleylibrary.org.uk - it is colourful and interesting. Their hope for the future is to have more storage space and toilet facilities for wheelchair users and mothers and babies.
This part of
the country is very scenic and not far from Holmfirth where ‘Last of the Summer
Wine’ television programme was filmed. Here are a few pictures from our stay
‘up north’:
Spring time around Holmfirth area.
You are invited to an
OFFICIAL ON-LINE BOOK LAUNCH of Oscar the Owl and his footwear.
Saturday 10th May
2025 10.30 – 11.15 am.
FREE to attend.
Do join me on a zoom where I
will present Book 2 of Oscar the Owl,
talk about the theme,
pictures and special launch price, PLUS a free gift for one lucky attendee.
Email me on sueflint13@hotmail.com to register and I will send you the zoom link.
