‘It’s a year ago this week since I published Apokeri Bay,’ I remarked while unwrapping an Aldi Titan chocolate bar. An amusing name for a treat that would fit snugly in a gnome’s shirt pocket. My partner lounged on the sofa, watching another rerun of Would I Lie To You, and barely raised his head. …
One year as a published author and what have I learned? Read More »
I picked up the House at Riverton by Kate Morton and flipped to the back cover. The very bottom line stated ‘one of the most successful debuts of all time’ – now that’s a way to get my attention. Coming in at almost six hundred pages, this was going to be a significant investment of …
The days are lengthening, it’s not dark on the morning dog-walk and life is pushing up through the grass. Snowdrops are swaying in the breeze, along with cyclamen and hellebores and I’ve even sees some early flowering daffodils. Yes, winter is slowly loosening its grip – hooray we all cheer. However, I did have to …
This week I had the great privilege of chatting to the Let’s Talk Stories group at Gateshead Libraries Blaydon branch. The group meets once a month to discuss all things book related and there are similar groups at their other branches. I arrived bright and early, armed with my book (as I hadn’t expected anyone …
Let’s Talk Stories and praise for local libraries Read More »
The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katrina Bivald was my final read of 2023. And by that, I mean I finished the last page with less than an hour before the bells rang in 2024. For me, winter is a time for bracing walks and then with glowing cheeks, retreat indoors to snuggle up …
The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katrina Bivald Read More »
I’m very excited to announce that I’ll be at Blaydon Library on Wed 7th Feb, 11am – 12pm to chat about my debut novel Apokeri Bay. If you’re able to, why not pop along and quiz me on the first part of my trilogy, where I get my inspiration and what’s coming next! I can’t …
After a few days of continual rain, it was a relief to find clear skies. I wouldn’t have to don waterproofs to reach The Guisborough Bookshop with my box of goodies. And more importantly, less inclement weather would hopefully encourage people to stray outdoors for a book signing. The wonderful independent bookstore team had affixed …
To celebrate Libraries Week, local contemporary fiction writer, Jackie Watson, has gone back to the very place that inspired her love for writing – the library. Jackie Watson was motivated to write the Greece-based trilogy after a recurring dream and explains: “As a kid, I loved our weekly library trip where I’d burst through the …
AUTHOR RETURNS TO THE BEGINNING IN LIBRARIES WEEK Read More »
Online book purchasing might have rocketed in recent years but some would say nothing beats browsing in a real bookshop. There are a myriad of quirky, cute and welcoming options in the UK, from waterside Hillbillies, Gairloch to The Edge of the World, Penzance. In North-East England is the award-winning Forum Books with its exceptionally …
Newcastle-born writer, Jackie Watson, has partnered with award-winning Wigwam Studios for her first women’s contemporary fiction novel. Apokeri Bay is the first part of a trilogy set in Lefkada, Greece and follows a feisty young Geordie woman who arrives in a quaint seaside village full of secrets. Wigwam Studios (winner of the 2022 Creative StartUp …
Author Teams Up With North-East Creative Agency for Debut Novel Read More »