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 

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