Society of Authors Regional Christmas Lunch

Yep, first Christmas lunch of the season today. Society of Authors regional lunch and very nice it was, too. Turkey and all the trimmings, but so pleased I chose chocolate torte over Xmas pudding, because that was gorgeous (and MUCH bigger!). Oh, and I should mention that the company was brilliant - which, of course, is even more important than the menu!!

AND yesterday copies of the large print version of 'Never Be Lonely' (the novel before the last one) arrived in the post. Very nice new cover and print so large I reckon I could read it without my magnifying glass (erm, that was a joke - honestly!!)

Half finished novel is currently on hold while this author gets to grips with Christmas preparations of the kind that don't involve cooking anything.

RNA Winter Party

Off to the Romantic Novelists' Association Winter Party in London tomorrow. Travelling there with my author friend Nora Fountain - the train journey will pass in a flash with so much to talk about - and hoping to meet many more friends when I get there!

The Next Big Thing

My Next Big Thing

Posted on November 18, 2012 by Pam Fudge

I have been tagged to write a post about my next big thing by DJKirkby  The way it works is that I answer the questions below and then tag 5 other bloggers to do the same on their blogs on the 28th November.

What is the working title of your book?

I am currently working on It’s In The Cards which will be my eleventh novel.

Where did the idea come from for the book?

The idea for the book came when I sat down with a pad and played around with a few scenarios set around family life and threw in a few ‘what ifs?’

What genre does your book fall under?

Women’s fiction.  I would say my writing style bears a passing resemblance to Cathy Kelly’s and Jane Elizabeth Varley’s because they also deal with family issues.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

I would leave that decision up to whoever was in charge of the casting for the film.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Not everyone has a burning desire to fall in love and be married.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

So far I have followed the traditional publishing route and I hope that will continue.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

The manuscript is only half complete and so far it has taken 3 months.

Who or What inspired you to write this book?

I’ve always taken to heart the advice to ‘write about what you know’ and I know an awful lot about family life.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

A Comment from TheBookBag regarding a previous book was ‘If you’re looking for a deep book which you’ll ponder over then this isn’t the one for you, but if you’d just enjoy a good, light, well-written read then look no further.’ I would say that is what I'm aiming to achieve with each book that I write.

Tagged bloggers

Nora Fountain

Helen Summer

Adam Dickson

Liz Gordon

BrunaZanelli

Talk by author Helen Summer in Portsmouth

Helen Summer (author of the brilliant book Running Crazy) will be speaking and signing books at the Portsmouth Book Festival at their Book Marathon event, Portsmouth Library at 2 pm on 27th October.

Sherborne Literary Festival

Brilliant day at Sherborne Literary Festival with Helen Summer - well worth the early start! We went to a very funny and informative talk by author Carole Matthews (new novel 'With Love At Christmas'), had lunch in the town, and then enjoyed another great talk by author Sophie Hannah (new novel 'Kind Of Cruel'). The weather was kind, we didn't get lost (well, only once - briefly!) and not at all on the way home. Well worth going!!!

A very writerly time

I seem to have been doing a lot of lunches and other writers' events lately. 17th September I was at the SWWJ lunch just outside of Dorchester, a brilliant meeting and lunch at a beautiful manor house set miles from anywhere - or so it seemed. (All those narrow lanes with high hedges were a quite scary nightmare - especially when I met a tractor coming the other way!!).

I met the lovely Helen Summer - author of the fabulous Running Crazy - for coffee on 5th October. OMG, can we both talk - it's 'cos we're writers of course and have s-o-o-o much in common!!!

Today I've been to Fareham to the Dunford Writers' Day. Which was hard work but so much fun. What a bunch of talented authors - I was honoured to be included and so pleased with a very positive critique on the first chapter of my new book.

Now then, what's next on the calendar????

On BBC Radio Solent today

I really enjoyed sharing a spot on BBC Radio Solent's Katie Martin Programme today with Nicola Gale from West Quay Waterstones. We were discussing J K Rowling's new book and looking at the subject of authors changing genres and how easy or difficult that would be. I've had a go at a few different genres myself in the past with varying degrees of success. Would I change genres again in the future? Well, I would never say never!

Lunch and other stuff

It was the RNA (Romantic Novelists' Association) Southern Chapter lunch in Southampton today. Great bunch of writers attended - all doing really well, in spite of the recession. Amazing what determination can do! Shame about the food, but that was a minor details.

Great surprise when I got home to discover an email from Katie Martin of BBC Radio Solent. When I rang her back as requested I was invited to join a panel of speakers on Wednesday discussing books and writing. I didn't need to think about that very hard - or at all really. Looking forward to it!

New book programme for radio

Well, it was the recording of the book programmes (2) for the radio today. Quite a different experience to that of simply being interviewed in that I was also being expected to give an opinion on various literary topics. No one will be surprised to hear that I wasn't lost for words at any point!!

The blurb for Not What It Seems

I've just sent off the blurb for my new novel (it's the little snippet that goes on the back to non-authors) to the publisher. How come it takes almost longer to write 120 words ABOUT the book than it took to write the whole book in the first place? Okay, I am joking - but only just!!

Another book accepted for publication!

Amazing! Novel number 10, 'Not What It Seems,' has just been accepted for publication. It obviously pays to just be quiet and get on with the writing sometimes. I must do it more often!!! 

Echo Magazine 4 August 2012

Following my interview with Maria Court of the Daily Echo (Bournemouth) she has come up with a great full page feature - with photos - in today's magazine supplement. Covering publication of my latest novel, Turn Back Time, there are also snippets about my life and about my beliefs. She's done me proud!

Interview with the Echo

Today it was Maria Court from the Echo who interviewed me. She was lovely, too, so any nerves just disappeared as we chatted and I probably talked far too much! I think the feature will be in the Echo magazine.

Really enjoyed the interview!

Katie Martin from BBC Radio Solent was just the nicest interviewer and a really lovely lady. Bright and bubbly, she seemed genuinely interested in my books and in me. Obviously very good at what she does because I wasn't nervous at all. If you missed the interview and are desperate to hear it, go to the Solent site and click on Katie Martin's name for today's date.

BBC Radio Solent Interview

Off to Southampton tomorrow to be interviewed live on air at 2.15 by BBC Solent Radio's Katie Martin about my recently published book, Turn Back Time. Nervous, moi?? I shouldn't be because I spoke to her on the phone last week and she sounded lovely and very friendly.

Waterstones, Bournemouth and the Olympic Torch

Helen Summer was at Waterstones, Bournemouth signing copies of Running Crazy today, so I popped in the wish her luck and to watch her busily signing away. It's a great read for runners and non-runners alike.

Still on the running theme I was thrilled to have my photo taken with marathon runner, Barry Light, and the Olympic Torch. Barry carried the Olympic Flame during the Portland to Bournemouth leg of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay. You can support his 60in60at60 Challenge by going to his web-site www.60in60at60.com

Blog re: launch on halebooks

Here’s the link: http://halebooks.wordpress.com/2012/07/12/pamela-fudge-turns-back-time-as-she-launches-her-new-book-at-waterstones-poole/

New book finally started!

Last night I finally started on chapter one of the new book. I've been dragging my heels for far too long. No title yet, but it will come to me sometime soon, I'm sure. Today my publisher invited me to write a piece covering the recent book launch for Turn Back Time for their blog and BBC Radio Solent have offered me an interview!!

Had a wonderful time at the book launch on 29th June 2012 for Turn Back Time. Thanks to Dee and Glen at Waterstones, Poole, who hosted the event, and thanks to all the lovely people who turned up to wish me success and to all those who bought copies of the book as well. I've already received 3 favourable reviews, so a million thanks to those super-fast readers who took the time to share their thoughts - so happy that you enjoyed the book!

Book Launch - 29th June 2012 4.30pm

Almost ready for the launch of my 9th novel, 'Turn Back Time,' tomorrow at 4.30pm Waterstones, Poole.I'm a bit nervous, because publication of a new book is always a big deal for any author, but also excited. The book cover, courtesy of David Young (who also did the previous 3) looks absolutely great. If you've never been to a book launch, come along and perhaps buy a signed copy or, indeed, any other book from the shop. I'll be joined by family and friends and a few strangers, too, and we always have a great time.

Running Crazy by Helen Summer

I was at Waterstones in Poole yesterday morning for a book signing by author Helen Summer. Lovely lady and what a great book. As the blurb for Running Crazy says, 'Imagine running a marathon. Now imagine running over 100 of them. Incredible true stories from the world's most fanatical runners.' I started reading Running cazy last night and, quite literally, could not put it down. You can read more about Helen and her book on www.helensummer.co.uk

More to being an author than writing books!!

I spent the morning with Liz from brilliantfish www.brilliantfish.co.uk as she dragged me kicking and screaming into the 21st century by directing me to Facebook and Twitter. Then I found myself running late for my interview at Forest FM 92.3 www.forestfm.co.uk with presenter Steven Long, and made it for my slot with 3 minutes to spare. I raced through the door and straight into the studio puffing like a steam train. It was well worth it because Steven is a lovely interviewer and really makes his guests at ease. We talked about my latest novel, Turn Back Time, how I came up with the idea for it, how I set about writing my books generally and he also asked for any recommendations I had for new or would-be writers out there. I had just one and that would be to join a writers' group or course - for the company of like-minded people and for the information, which will be invaluable. That's what I did and I'm quite certain I wouldn't be a published author now if I hadn't joined that first creative writing class all those years ago.

Book Launch at Waterstones, Poole

I spent the morning with Liz from brilliantfish www.brilliantfish.co.uk as she dragged me kicking and screaming into the 21st century by directing me to Facebook and Twitter. Then I found myself running late for my interview at Forest FM 92.3 www.forestfm.co.uk with presenter Steven Long, and made it for my slot with 3 minutes to spare. I raced through the door and straight into the studio puffing like a steam train. It was well worth it because Steven is a lovely interviewer and really makes his guests at ease. We talked about my latest novel, Turn Back Time, how I came up with the idea for it, how I set about writing my books generally and he also asked for any recommendations I had for new or would-be writers out there. I had just one and that would be to join a writers' group or course - for the company of like-minded people and for the information, which will be invaluable. That's what I did and I'm quite certain I wouldn't be a published author now if I hadn't joined that first creative writing class all those years ago.

Bournemouth Festival Of Words

Why not come along and join Della Galton and me on 21st April when we talk about our lives as published authors as part of The Bournemouth Festival Of Words? Details are below or to find out more about this and other events on the programme contact info@bournemouthfestivalofwords.org.uk

We look forward to answering lots of your questions on how to get published and about writing in general.

Writing romance Meet the local romantic authors, Pam Fudge and Della Galton 2.00 – 4.00 £3.00 The Kinson Hub, 1599-1601 Wimborne Road BH11 9AW If you’d like to write romantic fiction or just simply enjoy the genre, local authors, Pam Fudge and Della Galton, will be speaking and answering questions about writing romance. Pam is the author of eight romantic novels with a ninth due out in June 2012. Della is the author of two romantic novels, seven novellas, three non-fiction books and is a commissioning editor for an erotica publisher. She is also the agony aunt for Writer's Forum Magazine.

A Good Start To The New Year

I love the feeling of stepping into a brand New Year! The old one ended well with two short pieces and a short story accepted and this one has started well with another novel well under way and a short story already submitted. Turn Back Time was accepted for publication at the end of summer 2011 and will be published in June 2012.

Good luck to all of you writers out there - both new and established. I have a feeling that 2012 is going to be a great year for us!!