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.
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 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 9th 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
