Featured Authors*

Meet some of our published authors. We are absolutely passionate about books and the authors who write them. We believe that talented authors deserve to be published and read.

Our authors come from various walks of life and from around the world, and publish in a wide variety of genres.

Among our authors you’ll find doctors and medical professionals, accountants, police, artists, journalists, nutritionist, theologians, business leaders, educators, athletes, scientists, students and retirees.

Our authors publish in categories as diverse as: children’s and young adult,  fiction/novels, historical, poetry, short story collections, academic/educational, biography, history, hobbies/general interests, inspirational & self development, theological, Travel, True Stories and much more.

Our authors publish for a variety of reasons - whether to enhance their professional influence and visibility or see their cherished work in print. Whatever the publishing goal, we endeavour to help each of our authors achieve their unique vision of publishing success.  

Robert Mann

Ron Palmer

Andrew Malloy

Although I was born in Cardiff, South Wales in 1957, I consider myself Scottish as my family hailed from Scotland’s Central Region. The son of a professional footballer, I returned home in 1962 with my parents to settle in the small Stirlingshire town of Denny.

I did okay at school and especially loved English, winning top prize in a fifth year essay writing competition. I guess that success must have ignited a passion for the written word as I began to voraciously consume stories and novels of almost every genre from To Kill a Mockingbird to White Fang - from Catcher in the Rye to High Citadel.

The urge to read has never left me, but, unfortunately, a particularly hectic and busy lifestyle would take its toll, often curbing my enthusiasm to pick up a pen or tap away on a computer.

After leaving school, I worked in a variety of jobs including banking, stock control, sales and management before deciding I could be better off working for myself. In 1997, an insurance colleague and I started up an industrial cleaning business, re-investing some of our profits into a children’s nursery in 2006. Both businesses are doing well despite the recession.

My main leisure interests are football, golf and playing bass/singing in a local semi-professional band. What with the businesses, the band, two wives (present one, Sue!), four children (two grown up plus 7 year old Dani and 3 year old Stephen) and not forgetting Daisy the Border Collie, the opportunity to write can be incredibly limiting at times. However, a combination of the unfaltering support of my family and friends and the fact that my body can function pretty well with very little sleep, can sometimes provide me with opportunity to power up the laptop!

Over the years I have become more and more interested in crime thrillers, especially those written by some of the more talented American writers. James Patterson, Jeffery Deaver, Dean Koontz and Richard Montanari are among some of my favourite authors who have provided me with great inspiration in my search for that ‘perfect story.’

I completed my first novel, Only the Strong, in late 2008. The story is set in 1994 in the Balkans region during the conflicts there and details the dangerous mission and subsequent life and death struggle of a British government assassin. To date this remains unpublished although it was firstly accepted by a literary agent who, unfortunately, failed to convince a publisher to take a chance on an unknown author. Maybe I’ll look to revisit this story at some point in the future.

I had more luck with my second book, Frantic!, which was accepted by a publisher almost straight away, finally releasing in January 2011. Sales have been going really well and I have had a fair bit of exposure in the local press, The Falkirk Herald running a half page article a few weeks ago. I have also had spots on radio shows Black Diamond FM and Radio West Fife and am hoping to appear soon on DJ Mike Riddoch’s breakfast show on Radio Clyde.

Pneuma Springs very kindly accepted my third book, Bible John – Closure, which is due for release on June 16th. I have found the process very satisfying and fulfilling and hope to approach Pneuma with my next project, a biography which will highlight important events in my father’s footballing career. I know that this is a deviation from the crime fiction theme but I feel that this is a story worth telling. Memoirs of a Hard Man – The Danny Malloy Story should be ready for submission towards the latter part of the year.

As for the future, I would like to return to the genre I enjoy – crime fiction – and have many ideas for further adventures involving the same cast of characters as appeared in Frantic and BJ.

Published Work(s):

Bible John - Closure

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I was born in a tiny village in County Cavan in the south of Ulster. My parents were primary school teachers. Because there was no secondary school available I was sent as a boarder to two convent schools, St. Mary’s College Mountmellick, County Laois, and later to The Cross and Passion College in Kilcullen,  County Kildare. In each of these schools I was lonely, and missed my parents. After secondary school I trained as a nurse in St Lawrence’s Hospital in Dublin and in 1957 emigrated to Canada.

I have been making up stories all my life, a practise not encouraged either by my parents or my teachers.

I felt I missed something in life by not attending university so in Canada I attended Laurentian University for an undergraduate degree and The University of Toronto for graduate work. I have worked in health care and in the civil service.  In the Nineties I began to take courses in writing and in 1995 had a short story ‘Jody” accepted for an anthology, ‘She’s Gonna Be’. Thus encouraged I began a novel, The Music of What Happens’   which was published in 2001. Then I began to write ‘To Know the Road.’ - which is now being published.  I have in draft my third novel, ‘Between Two Dusks’ which I hope will soon be ready to send to a publisher.

Although fiction by its nature is lies, I think it often contains an underlying truth, and ever since mankind left messages on cave walls, writing and also music is what we leave to our children.

Annie Coyle Martin.

Published Work(s):

To Know the Road

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A Scottish born author whose first novel was about a family in 1960s Glasgow has penned a sequel in which they all move to Addlestone.

They say 'stick to what you know' and that is exactly what Scottish born author Avril Dalziel Saunders did when penning her latest book.

The 60 year old wrote her first novel, based on a family in 1960s Glasgow, five years ago and after pressure from fans who wanted to find out what happened to the characters she decided to write a sequel which saw the family in the book move to Addlestone.

'Chasin that Carrot' has now been published, and was released on October 31.

Avril, who moved to New Haw in 1971 and now lives in Addlestone, said: "When I wrote the first book, I always said that I would never write another one, because I'd already achieved what I wanted to achieve.

"But I had letters from all over the world, including from Canada, America, Australia and South Africa, asking me what happened next, and asking me to write another book.

"But the problem I had was that the first book was based in Glasgow, and I left Scotland in 1971, so I was worried that references to Scotland might not be accurate anymore.

"So I decided to move the characters down to where I do know, which is Addlestone and New Haw."

Parts of Church Road in Addlestone are mentioned in the book, including the old Nat West bank which stood on the corner of Brighton Road, and the old library.

Also visited by the characters are the railway station and shops in West Byfleet, and St Peter's Hospital in Chertsey, where a new baby is born into the family.

Avril added: "People always say you should write about what you know, which is what I tried to do.

"I've lived in the Broadway in New Haw, and in Church Road, Addlestone, so the book really is based on my neighbourhood really, although the characters are fictional.

"Certainly getting published this time around was much easier, because publishers already knew who I was."

When Avril first moved from Scotland, she lived in The Broadway in New Haw, and then she moved to Addlestone and Kingston.

The mum-of-three now lives in Addlestone with her husband Jim, but her three children have grown up and left home. She has three young grandchildren.

Avril said: "It's difficult to know if I'll ever write a third book.

"People have contacted me to say that I should branch off and write something else linked to the family, but I don't know.

"I think my grandchildren are keeping me busy enough at the moment, but I'll see how it goes."

Published Work(s):

Chasin’ That Carrot

Mammograms Save Lives

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Chasin’ That Carrot

Mammograms Save Lives

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Chasin’ That Carrot

Bryony was born in Enfield but spent most of her youth growing up in the North East of the UK near to Hartlepool before moving southwards again. She now lives in the remote wilds of Suffolk with her husband, four children and two dogs and cats where she is also a teacher.

She has always enjoyed writing, ever since she was a child and can't remember a time where she hasn't wanted a book in her hand. Following sixth form she took a degree in English and Drama at Roehampton University and gained a 2:1 honours and was then successfully offered a job for the East Anglian Daily Times in Ipswich as a junior reporter. Reluctantly she had to turn the offer down due to personal circumstances. Instead, she ended up doing a PGCE at the Cambridge University Homerton College and then embarked out in a new direction and a career in teaching. Bryony jokes, “If the situation had been different, I'd have been in print much quicker!”.

The seeds of her debut novel, "Mystery, Deceit and a School Inspector"  actually began back in 2001, however it got put on a back burner for a few years as domestic life and work took over. She says, “I got my inspiration for it from work, and my school at the time had also just undergone an Ofsted inspection. I just started thinking, What would happen if...and it went on from there. Obviously none of the characters are real people! I just took some of the more obvious character traits of people I know or knew, whether at work, socially or just by reputation, then blew them up to bigger proportions. When I come up with an idea, I try to visualise it as if it is happening on a screen. Then I write down what I see and feel, as well as what I want other people to see and feel. Usually, I try to picture characters in a certain setting and think about how they would react.”

She says, “Getting published on a no cost basis with Pneuma Springs Publishing was a real boost and gave me the springboard to do much more of what I really love doing, writing! (with plenty of reading thrown in for good measure of course)”. She now writes to appeal to the teenage mind.

“It's a constant juggle balancing writing and book promotion with work and home life but it's something that's a real passion for me now so I always try to find the time to write from somewhere. I also have a very supportive family so that helps a bit too. My second work, which has recently been completed and polished with some great feedback from a writers and readers site is a novel for the Young Adult genre titled OTOLI.  I have plenty more ideas for the teenage reader. Watch this space, as the saying goes!”.

Published Work(s):

Mystery Deceit and a School Inspector

OTOLI

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Mystery Deceit and a School Inspector

OTOLI

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Mystery Deceit and a School Inspector

OTOLI

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I’m proud of my humble background, born into a loving family in the small Cheshire village of Bosley. Sadly my Father died when I was nine years old leaving my mother Lucy to look after my sister Cynthia and I until we could fend for ourselves.

I left school at the age of fifteen with no qualifications but managed to secure an engineering apprenticeship at a nearby mill. It was hard work with long hours and I had to study at a college of further education until I was 22 years of age. Having completed my apprenticeship, I was promoted to the drawing office but then developed itchy feet and thought of ways to broaden my horizons and travel the world.

I joined the Merchant Navy and this was the break I needed to get me away from my roots, in the discovery of pastures new.

As it transpired, the life at sea proved to be unsuitable for me and after my initial training and one trip to the Far East; I decided to move on once again.

I secured a position as a design draughtsman with an engineering manufacturing company, which was to expand my engineering skills, but still it was not what I really wanted to do. I am a very social individual and love meeting people and discovering new things and places. My fortunes substantially changed when I was appointed by James Walker & Co Ltd as a trainee technical sales representative. This was to be the beginning of a long career lasting almost forty years and following several promotions along the way; I finished up as an Industrial Marketing Director, responsible for the global Metallurgical Industry.

I have a strong sense of humour, which forms part of my make-up and personality My reputation includes being there when things go wrong and this, has been the case on many occasions during my working life.

My personal life has been enriched with a loving wife Pat plus our two children Tracey and Robert. They have shared in my humour and supported me at critical times in my career.

The inspiration to write first came from a couple of senior work colleagues who asked me to record my memoirs following my retirement. My first book “Funny How Things Work Out” is to be published shortly and I now have a taste for further projects.

I am biding my time, waiting to see how my first publication is received and that will determine whether there are other genre that might attract my attention. Whilst humour is my subject, like everyone, I do have a serious side that could well be my inspiration for future literary works.

Published Work(s):

Funny How Things Work Out

Onwards and Upwards

A Long Journey Back

Author's Website - amazing-life-stories.webs.com/aboutchris.htm

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Funny How Things Work Out

Onwards and Upwards

A Long Journey Back

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Funny How Things Work Out

Onwards and Upwards

A Long Journey Back

Christiana Oware Knudsen was born and brought up in Ghana. As a young, newly trained schoolteacher, she met the Danish, medical doctor, Peder Christian Kjaerulff Knudsen, at Koforidua, Ghana in 1955. They married and had three children. Later on they moved to Denmark to settle. However, her family connection with Denmark goes back long before she met her husband. As her book, THE THEOLOGIAN SLAVE TRADER shows, her mother’s family legend is interwoven in the affairs with the Danish slave-trading fortress, Christiansborg, over three hundred years ago. Also, over one hundred and fifty years ago, Christiana Oware Knudsen’s grandfather, Nana Kwaku (O)Ware, a regional chief, the ‘Gyasehene’, of the kingdom of Akyem Abuakwa, traded with the Danes for Danish guns, gunpowder and schnapps in his young days. This family trade continued with the British, after Christiansborg Fortress was sold to the British in 1850.

Christiana Oware Knudsen holds a Cand Phil. degree in Social Anthropology from Aarhus University, Denmark. She has carried out research and published books in the field of Female Circumcision (THE FALLING DAWADAWA TREE: Female Circumcision In Developing Ghana, 1994), and Tribal Markings in Ghana, (THE PATTERNED SKIN: Ethnic Scarification In Developing Ghana, 2000). She has also researched in the UK, on topics such as Distant Spiritual-Healing as complementary to medical health care.

Her Ph.D. degree was awarded by Derby University, England, and her theses is to be found in the British Library, London. Recently, she has published a satire (CHRISIIANSBORG FORT: Danish West Africa Revisited, 2008) about some Danish tourists’ failure to reach their destination: the old Christiansborg Fortress in modern Ghana, due to their serious problems with excessive materialism.

Now a pensioner, she lives in Spain where she continues to research and write.

Author's website

Published Work(s):

The Theologian Slave Trader

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I was born in Gosport, across the shores of Portsmouth Harbour. As a child I grew up in Portchester close to Fareham in Hampshire and I now live in Andalucia in the south of Spain.

I have worked most of my life either in the holiday industry or in advertising. I also write news articles for the media and work as a creative copywriter for website designers and SEO marketing companies on a freelance basis. Five years ago, I graduated as a language teacher, teaching English as a foreign language to Spanish students. I taught both children and adults and really enjoyed my work, but due to long and unsociable hours, I decided to give up teaching as I hardly saw my family. It was during the time I was teaching that I began writing short stories for my lessons. My students enjoyed the stories which encouraged me to start writing my first book.

`Whittington Manor’ is my second book and the interest shown by the media even before its release date has been amazing. I have been invited to talk on several radio stations in Spain, Gibraltar and in the United Kingdom. There are a few news articles, press releases and interviews on the horizon too.

I think it is fair to say my inspiration comes from within myself. I’ve always had a vivid imagination and I’m a romantic at heart. I’m also fascinated by history and love stories to do with the paranormal and with my next book, `The Ghost of Bluebell Cottage,’ I combine all of these interests. Writing is my true passion in life and for me; there is nothing more rewarding than expressing my ideas and imagination in words. It’s very hard to accept rejection from publishers and literary agents but when Pneuma Springs accepted my work for publishing, it was a fantastic feeling of achievement. My dream is to be a successful author and I sincerely wish that people who read my books, enjoy them as much as I enjoyed writing them.

Published Work(s):

Whittington Manor

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Author’s website

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Cliff is the son of an English Mother and a Canadian Father. His Grandparents, Christian and Helena Steffenson, emigrated from Copenhagen Denmark to Canada in the latter part of the nineteenth century, and his Mother’s family are from the north east coast of England. He is a family man, married to Sylvia for forty-eight years, and they have five children, two sons and three daughters, and several much loved Grandchildren.

Cliff served a full apprenticeship as a contracting electrician in the fifties and early sixties. Although trained as an electrician, he has done many other jobs as they came along, including cleaning the toilets in Winnipeg‘s city hall, farming, refrigeration engineer, and working as a guard. As he says, when you are up against it you have to do anything to make a buck. He has lived and worked in England and Canada, mostly on the Canadian prairies where most of his family still live. Cliff has travelled extensively in the Canadian bush, especially in the wild Canadian Northland where life, as Robert Service once said, could still hang by a thread when things go wrong. It was while camping and fishing in the Northland that Cliff got to love the sparsely populated North and learn some of the ways of the native people, and he has in fact blood relations in the Sioux nation.

The vast untamed wilderness of Canada has inspired Cliff to write, and the wilderness still fills him with awe. It is a place of great beauty but also a dangerous place where one can never take anything for granted.

Cliff is now retired and lives on England’s North Eastern seaboard in the Victorian village of Seaton Carew, and spends his days writing novels. His debut novel ‘Iron Dogs’ is being offered for sale in several countries. He also has another novel in print called ‘Up the snakes and down the ladders.’ Iron Dogs is in fact the first of a trilogy and he is presently working on the other two books, the second of which, he hopes to bring out this year, or early next year. Cliff was not sure what retirement would mean for him, he had some vague idea about long lazy days taking it easy in the sun, but since starting to write novels, writing has become more than an interest or a hobby. It would be fair to say that he now regards writing as a second career, and he would dearly love to become the author of a best seller some day.

Published Work(s):

Iron Dogs

Blog: http://irondogsthriller.blogspot.com/

Cliff and Sylvia

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Dawny Webb was part of the creative world from the get-go.

Her mother and father met on the stage and Dawny was born in the proverbial trunk. Within months her father was telling her wonderful stories as he memorized his lines.

Her mother practiced her newest scripts before a mirror in the theatres' green room where Dawny sat patiently in a big leather chair and listened to all of it.

Although instilled with a great feel for writing, it wasn’t going to be Dawny’s path for a while. She moved to New York and became a costume designer where she started her own boutique outside of NYC. She sold her designs to Sak’s Fifth Ave, designed coats for the Broadway production ‘Make Mine Mink’ and was costumer designer for an MGM production in Hollywood. Reese Witherspoon’s first movie, ‘The Man in the Moon.’

She stayed in California and is concentrating on her first love, writing. She has published several articles and written many short stories. She is presently working on two new novels. Thrillers. “They’re fun to write”, she tells us.

Published Work(s):

Perilous Exile

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I was born on St Valentine’s Day in the year 1930. An only child, I was brought up in and around the city of Bristol where my father, a locomotive fireman with the Great Western Railway, was based at the engine shed near Temple Meads station.

My education was during the war years at Cotham Secondary School which I left in 1946 with the school certificate of the University of Oxford. Fortunately my grades were good enough to earn me a five year engineering apprenticeship with the Bristol Aeroplane Company where I spent my entire working life. During my apprenticeship I was awarded Ordinary National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering and Higher National Certificate in Production Engineering.

My early career was as a Jig and Tool design draughtsman. By virtue of my occupation, I was deferred from military service until 1954 when, at the age of twenty four,  I was enlisted in the Royal Air Force. Since I had married my wife Jean in 1952, I did not take too kindly to being forcibly separated from her for the two years of National Service.

On my return, I sought a career change and became a programmer in the early days of commercial computing. Subsequent progress led me to a position as a Systems Analyst, a post I held until my retirement in 1988.

I have always enjoyed writing and wrote several short stories one of which won a competition and was published by the Bristol Evening Post earning me £20. This has been my only publishing experience until I wrote, and had accepted, ‘A Reluctant Recruit’ the tale of my time with the RAF.

I am now 81 years old but still enjoy writing and am working on two other books which I hope to see published before anno domini takes a hand in my creative abilities.

Published Work(s):

A Reluctant Recruit

Call Me Valentine

Earning a Crust

Jean and Derek

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A Reluctant Recruit

Call Me Valentine

Earning a Crust

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A Reluctant Recruit

Call Me Valentine

Earning a Crust

Derek Smith was born in 1931 at the Selly Oak Hospital Birmingham to parents who had relocated from Merseyside.

He attended Yardley Wood School and in 1942, shortly after returning from the Staffordshire village of Yoxall where he had been an evacuee, he won a scholarship to Moseley Grammar School.

After leaving school he worked for the International Nickel Company at their Research and Development Laboratories in Birmingham and continued his studies on a day release basis.

In 1952 he was called up for National Service in the Royal Air Force and joined Number 256 Squadron based in Western Germany. He was demobilised in 1954 and in 1956 went to work for the Steel Company Wales near Swansea. In South Wales he, his wife Marjorie and their two boys, Roger and Duncan, lived in the village of Pennard on the wonderful Gower Peninsular, the first ever designated ‘area of outstanding natural beauty’.

In 1978, after 21 years with British Steel, as it had then become, he moved to a new plant being built by the Aluminium Company of America (ALCOA). Unfortunately, the British arm of the company fell into financial difficulties and his new job became redundant.

In 1983 he graduated from the University of Wales with a degree in integrated sciences that gave him a teaching qualification and he became a Physics teacher at the Blake School in Somerset. His children, now grown up, stayed in Swansea when he and his wife moved to live on the Somerset levels in the village of Othery. He continued teaching until he retired in 1996 and now spends his time between his home in the Carmarthenshire Millennium Coastal Park near Llanelli and the town of Ontinyent in the province of Valencia, Spain.

On the principle of ‘use it or lose it’ most of his pastimes lead to some form of exhaustion and include mountain climbing, hill walking, cycling and swimming. In quieter moments he paints in both oils and water colours and, of course, attempts to write.

Published Work(s):

No Cousin of Mine

Wild Strawberries

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No Cousin of Mine

Wild Strawberries

About the authors/editors

Ernest was born into a fishing tradition in Kingston upon Hull in 1910 at 3 Park View cottages, Diversion Rd.

His father, as his grandfather and great grandfather before him, were fishermen originating from Margate in Kent in the mid 19^th century.

Whilst his father was at sea Ernest’s mother died when he was just eight years of age thus leaving him, his three brothers and his sister alone. He then had to find help and St Vincent’s, one of many orphanages in the city, answered his call.  Ernest, along with his three brothers, was looked after by the Sisters of Charity.

At the age of fourteen he left St Vincent’s and, as many others did, signed up as deckie learner on his first deep sea trawler heading for Iceland, spending the next 15 years in the fishing industry and achieving a boatswain’s ticket in 1930.

At the outbreak of war in 1939, Ernest then moved into the Merchant Navy Fishing section and eventually the Royal Navy (Harry Tate’s Navy), mostly doing escort duty in the Indian Ocean.

While stationed in Ipswich Ernest met Dorothy Pulham and in 1942 they married.  At the end of the war they set up home in Hull and Ernest went back to fishing until1950 when he continued his link with the sea by taking a position as Fishery Officer with the North Eastern Sea Fisheries Committee which involved a move to Hartlepool with his wife, son and daughter.  In Hartlepool the couple completed their family with another son.

Ernest retired in 1975 and began to devote his spare time to his family and to his hobbies of painting and writing his memoirs.

When Ernest died in 1985 his books had not been published.  In 2007 his daughter Margaret, his son Barrie and his grandson Jonathan decided to undertake the task of editing his memoirs for publication and incorporating supporting information from their own researches.

Trawlers & Trawler Folk is Ernest’s second book and follows on from the story told in his first book - St Vincent’s Home Boys which is mainly a memorial record of things witnessed and experienced during the years 1918 – 1924, when he was in a Roman Catholic orphanage for boys.  Trawlers & Trawler Folk traces his adventures in the Humber fishing fleet between the wars and gives an insight into the harsh realities of sea fishing at that time.   Ernest’s career in the fishing industry began by working from the city of Kingston upon Hull in several vessels such as the Thomas Hardy and Cape Barfleur.  He developed a deep love of the sea and the natural beauties around him, while observing with wry humour the human stories and characters of his crew-mates.

Margaret and Barrie feel very proud and privileged to have been able to contribute to getting Ernest’s books published.  

Published Work(s):

Trawlers and Trawler Folk

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I was born on the 28th of March 1935 in London. My father was a busy General Practitioner in Hampstead. After my younger sister arrived we moved into Fenton House which is now a National Trust Property. I am told they have redecorated since I marked a wall with my boots during a temper tantrum.

I was educated at Charterhouse, Caius College Cambridge and St Bartholomews Hospital. After qualification I worked as a junior doctor in St Bartholomews itself, Great Ormond Street Hospital for sick children, the Royal Northern Hospital, Leicester and Portsmouth.

The hardest job was Senior House Officer at Great Ormond Street. I had one night off every five weeks. Somehow my wife, for we had married as soon as I qualified, having been engaged for two and half years, found time to have two boys and hold the family together. When I was appointed a consultant urological surgeon in Portsmouth I was at home so much that my elder son assumed I had lost my job and offered his pocket money back to help.

All this was fifty odd years ago and now I am retired. Since retirement I have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. This has meant a complete change of lifestyle, no golf, virtually no fishing and even Contract Bridge has its problems.

In the fifty-one years we have been married we have had seven grandchildren and one delightful grand stepson.

Apart from professional writings; chapters in text books, papers and case reports, I have written three articles in ‘Trout and Salmon’ and a potted biography of a local character. I have recently taken on the editorship of the quarterly newsletter of the ‘Friends of Nottingham’

P.G.Wodehouse is one of my heroes for I have always believed that English is a wonderful language for its beauty, accuracy and versatility. It is a privilege to write in it.

Published Work(s):

Never Mind Where the Ball Went and other Golf Stories

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Fred was born in Stoke-on-Trent in 1941 during the bleak times of the war years. His father was a coal miner and his mother worked in the pottery industry. Stoke was a bleak place in those days. Money and jobs were hard to come by, but Fred received a good standard grammar school education. Favourite subjects. English, Art and Science. On leaving school at the age of 15, Fred gained employment as an apprentice motor engineer, gaining his City and Guilds. He later became a Regional Manager for a national motor components distributor.

Even as a young child, Fred was writing stories and relating them to anyone who would listen. He married in 1962 at the age of 21. When his son and daughter were born, his writing took a back seat. It was revived temporarily when he divorced in 1975, when a few more short stories were written, but viewed only as a pastime, he never attempted to get them published, and sadly most of them were lost in time.

In 2003 at the age of 62 Fred suffered a mild heart attack prompting him to take early retirement, emigrating to Cyprus, where he decided to take up his writing seriously. To date, Fred has had 3 novels published and 15 short stories, which he has not yet submitted for publishing.

One of his inspirations for writing was a T.V. series called ‘The Outer Limits.’ A series of stories based on the unknown. He enjoyed the story lines but found some of them, for him had a disappointing ending. This inspired him to write his stories in that genre, convinced he could give them a better ending. Fred also gets his ideas for his stories based on the observations of every day characters and happenings, adding a touch of the unknown and a twist in the tail.

Surprisingly Fred has two favourite authors from totally different backgrounds.

Charles Dickens and Stephen King. Charles Dickens because of his genius for description, placing a character in the room with you and making you part of that story.

And Stephen King for his ability to create a most incredible story that you find believable but unbelievable at the same time.

Published Work(s):

Deadlier Than The Male

A Genuine Fake

JOSS

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Deadlier Than The Male

A Genuine Fake

JOSS

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Deadlier Than The Male

A Genuine Fake

JOSS

I’m Grahame Howard and I have been writing for around 20 years.

I was born in Nottingham but after finishing my time in the Army, I settled with my family in Dorset. I am married with 3 children and 5 grandchildren.

After becoming a Christian in 1980, I trained to be a pastor with The Elim Pentecostal movement and pastored a church in Dorset for a time. In 1993, I went to university and trained as a social worker. Following jobs working in Mental Health and Childcare I transferred to bereavement work in a hospice where I now remain.

In 1990 I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis after suffering with many symptoms for quite a few years. It completely took over my life and I became housebound. In 2000, after 10 years of suffering with this dreadful disease, I had stoma surgery for an ileostomy. There was really no other way forward.

As I had been writing for many years and because I could find no other book that would suit my needs, I decided to write my own book about ulcerative colitis which featured my 10 year ordeal. I felt led to put my thoughts down on paper so that they would hopefully help fellow bowel sufferers in the future.

All Bagged Up was accepted and published by Pneuma Springs in 2008/9. The book has opened up the way for me to give chats at local stoma groups and a local newspaper – The Western Gazette, interviewed me late last year, placing a nice editorial in their publication.

Since then, I have had 3 other titles published through Pneuma Springs. These are children’s fantasy books that form a series:

The Wishing Book

The Wishing Book 2 – Return to Mars

The Wishing Book 3 – Extermination

I am about a third of the way through The Wishing Book 4 but that is for the future.

I suppose my inspiration comes from within. I class myself as a creative person with interests in art, photography and writing. There is something within me that just needs to get out. Writing helps me fulfil this need and because I write mainly children’s books, I can re-live my childhood which is always good fun. My wife always says that I’m like a big kid anyway.

I suppose my dreams initially were to be a successful author. However, that ambition soon wanes after receiving many rejection letters from publishers. It is such a competitive area to break into. My dream had to come down a little and it changed to being a published author. Pneuma Springs gave me that opportunity in early 2009 and the feeling was amazing.

If you’re an author who is struggling to get published, don’t give up when the rejections come your way. Keep going. It is sheer determination that helps you get through. Keep going.

My books can be viewed on my website

www.authorgrahamehoward.co.uk

All Bagged Up

The Wishing Book 1

The Wishing Book 2 - Return To Mars

The Wishing Book 3 - Extermination

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All Bagged Up

The Wishing Book 1

The Wishing Book 2 - Return To Mars

The Wishing Book 3 - Extermination

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All Bagged Up

The Wishing Book 1

The Wishing Book 2 - Return To Mars

The Wishing Book 3 - Extermination

Country: United Kingdom River Tweed /Berwick upon Tweed / Scottish Borders

Hometown: Nottingham (my favourite get-away-from-it-all place)

Occupation: Retired, after lifetime spent working in the commercial printing trade from apprentice to manager/director/representative, consecutively of several international and regional companies.

Marital status: peacefully married for over 40 years with grown up son and daughter.

Education: Nottingham College of Art (after Sec. Mod) and sales training in UK and abroad

Religion: Church of England

Military Service: Four years in South Notts Hussars and now lifetime member of Royal Artillery Association

Interests and hobbies: I always enjoyed reading and started writing short stories verse, and novels, plus articles on current affairs, on retirement, in order to do something different and challenging. Other interests are gardening, touring Southern Counties, Northumberland and Scottish Borders, and snapshot photography. (Mainly landscapes and National Trust Gardens) Currently a member of Eastwood Writers Group and New Writers UK

Favourite Classical Authors: Thomas Hardy, John Buchan, Walter Scott, Conan Doyle,

Charles Dickens. Robert Louis Stevenson

Favourite Modern Authors: Peter Robinson, Ian Rankin, Simon Beckett, Michael Connelly, Nigel Tranter

Favourite books: The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy, The Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T. E. Lawrence, Montgomery of Alamein (autobiography)

Favourite Poets: John Masefield and Rudyard Kipling

Published Writings: Murder mystery novel ‘Sins of the Father’ and ‘Captain Damnation’ and other strange tales (anthology of 28 short stories), Villains and a Pig called Monty (Nottingham Evening Post.) The Curse of Marry Tapp, (Northern life Magazine.) Remember Me, (First Edition Magazine.) Let loose the Dogs of War, (Open Magazine.) Little Nelson, (Northern Life Magazine.)

Many short stories: poems and blogs on Triond, Authspot. Trifter, Bookstove, plus YouTube videos

Email: harry@harryspen.co.uk

Website: http://www.harryspen.co.uk
Blog: www.harrysjots.blogspot.com

Updated Bio

Published Work(s):

Captain Damnation and other strange tales

Sins of the Father

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Captain Damnation and other strange tales

Sins of the Father

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Captain Damnation and other strange tales

Sins of the Father

Henry Disney was born in Dorset in 1938. From the age of 3-7 the War resulted in himself and two sisters being separated from their parents, who were stuck in the Sudan. On leaving school in 1957 he did his National Service in the Royal Artillery, becoming a bombardier on active service in Cyprus before becoming a subaltern on Salisbury Plain. He then read Natural Sciences at Cambridge University (with a part I in zoology, botany and geology and a part II in zoology). He was then Assistant Warden of the Flatford Mill Field Centre in Suffolk, mainly teaching field zoology. On marrying the Centre’s secretary, Audrey, they were obliged to leave for a lack of married accommodation. He was then the Medical Entomologist at the Dermal Leishmaniasis Research Unit in British Honduras (Belize), employed by the Ministry of Overseas Development. His research was mainly on the ecology of sandflies (Phlebotominae) and mammals in relation to a parasitic infection contracted by people working in the rainforest. He returned to Bristol University to study for a Certificate in Education. He then joined the Overseas Staff of the Medical Research Council as the Medical Entomologist at the Helminthisasis Research Unit in Cameroon. His work was mainly on the ecology of blackflies (Simuliidae) in relation to river blindness (Onchocerciasis). Having produced three children, each born on a different continent, he and Audrey returned to Britain; where from 1971-1984 he was Director of the Field Centre and National Nature Reserve at Malham Tarn in North Yorkshire. He also carried out research on the natural history and taxonomy of flies (Diptera); mainly on meniscus midges (Dixidae) and scuttle flies (Phoridae). From 1984-1998 he was the Field Studies Council Research Fellow in the Department of Zoology of Cambridge University, primarily researching the natural history and taxonomy of the scuttle flies of the world. Following his 60th birthday he was forced into early retirement by a lack of Research Council support for insect taxonomy, despite having by then been the author or co-author of more than 300 scientific papers on Diptera and despite Cambridge University having awarded him both a Doctor of Philosophy degree and a Doctor of Science degree for his published contributions to our knowledge of Diptera. He continues his research on the natural history, taxonomy and evolution of world scuttle flies at Cambridge University’s Department of Zoology.

Apart from the above sketch of his formal curriculum vitae, he has been involved in other activities. These include being co-founder and co-editor, with Dr Sally Corbet, of the acclaimed Naturalists’ Handbooks series, serving as a Ministerial Appointee on the Yorkshire Dales National Park Committee, serving on the World Health Organisation’s Scientific Working Group on Filiariasis and on their Advisory Panel for the Onchocerciasis Control Programme, being an adviser to the Sri Lankan Ministry of Education on their field centre programme, being a Governor of Kirkby Malham Primary School, being a churchwarden of the parish of Kirkby Malham, and at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Cambridge, being a Pastoral Selector for the Anglican Church’s Advisory Board of Ministry; being a participant in the Royal Entomological Society’s Project Wallace expedition to Sulawesi in 1985; and being a Director of Dervish Mine Clearance Limited (concerned with clearing antipersonnel landmines). Otherwise, and (according to him) far more important than all the above, he is a husband, father and grandfather.

Published Work(s):

Reiteration

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James McCarthy lives with his wife Carmel and son Richard in Dublin Ireland. He has written features for the press and 'Me and the Foreign Girl' is his first novel. He was inspired to write it after reading, 'The Perfect Storm.' He has read some of his short stories on the East Coast Radio.

He is a member of the Wednesday Café Writers and they meet each week in Carysfort College Dublin. They critique each other's work and drink loads of coffee to increases their creative edge. The fact they enjoy it is of secondary importance.

He has a number of interests and hobbies. He cycles a lot and is also a member of the Countrywide Hillwalking Association (CHA). At weekends he is usually found walking somewhere in the Dublin or Wicklow hills with the CHA. He is a member of, ProBus, Rotary, the Tuesday Club and the Crab-apples. He says, 'it's is a privileged to have them all as friends'.

He has worked in several areas, Teaching, Career Guidance, Psychology and Statistics. He has a Ph.D from Trinity College Dublin.

Published Work(s):

Me and the Foreign Girl

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Jeremy Lousada was born in Somerset in 1941.  He grew up in Italy, Austria and Tanzania where his father was in the Colonial service. On leaving school he served for a year with the Royal Hampshire Regiment but a yearning for Africa drew him back there and in 1960 he joined the Rhodesian Police in which he served for ten years. On leaving he worked for a while in industrial security, the civil service and Local Government, ending up as Town Clerk of Kariba, then the largest hydro-electric project and man made lake in the world. In 1981 after Independence he moved into the management of hotels and sports clubs, in Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia, finally becoming the Bursar of a group of private schools in Zimbabwe.

He met his wife Jean in 1969 and they were married in 1970 and have two daughters and four grandsons, one family in Britain and one in Australia.

His passion is boats, and in 1995 after living through a minor revolution in Malawi, and the children having left home, they decided to take time out and do something different.

Everything which could not fit into two suitcases was sold and  a 26 foot yacht, Rainbow, bought in England. They sailed her via the Rhine, Main and Danube to the Black Sea then through the Bosporus and Corinth to the West of Greece before returning to Zimbabwe.

The decision to leave Zimbabwe was made in 2003 and they now lease a small convenience store in Cheltenham. Rainbow was sold and as much time as is possible is now spent in France on a small barge, Pebble.

Two Dachshunds at Troy was written initially as a present for his wife. His second book “A to Z of Englishness” is available as an e-book from Amazon, written as a foreigner’s guide to modern England, it is a humorous and sometimes satirical look at modern England.

Published Work(s):

Two Dachshunds at Troy - A dog’s tale

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I started out as a teacher with the minimum qualification of a teacher's certificate, which enabled me to teach in any local authority school, but after several years of successful teaching, I decided that I wanted to do a more specialist job and went on to do a degree in art and craft. This led to the qualification of 'Art Teacher's Diploma (ATD) and to a post as an adviser to teachers in one local authority.

My writing developed through helping my colleagues with their teaching. As my career developed, I gained a variety of experience, moving on from being a classroom teacher, to becoming a head teacher in a small school to a post as adviser to primary school teachers. I enjoyed this work very much and spent some time running courses for teachers as well as looking at what was happening in their schools and doing all I could to help teachers develop their work. The job involved running courses for teachers as well as working with them in the classroom. It was at this stage that I started writing books for teachers. My first book - 'Art and Craft in the primary school' was published by A. and C Black in 1961. It sold well and went on to be published in new editions at a later stage.

My final post was that of Chief Inspector of schools for the County of Surrey. Here I had a large team of some fifty inspectors who all worked with the teachers in the Surrey schools. We worked together to help our head teachers and teachers do well and help their students achieve good results. I went on to write and publish many books to help the teachers in our schools over the years. Altogether I have written and had published some thirty-nine books on different aspects of education, many of which have gone into second and even third editions.

As well as running courses for teachers, I also received many invitations to lecture teachers in other parts of the country and abroad. I lectured in South Africa, Japan, Geneva and Sweden as well as in many part of the United Kingdom. This gave me a broad perspective on education which was a valuable background to my writing and to my daily work.

I studied for a Masters degree in education and eventually, just after I retired, to a PhD. I was also awarded an OBE, for services to education, during my time in Surrey.

I have also had three fiction books published since my retirement (with thanks to Pneuma Springs). I very much enjoy the writing process and shall probably write several more fiction books.

Published Work(s):

The Girl with Two Names

Coming Second

A Life transformed by Kindness

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The Girl with Two Names

Coming Second

A Life transformed by Kindness

I was born in the village of Cwmafan near Port Talbot in South Wales in 1948. My mother was a housewife who had six children, of which I am the youngest. My father's profession was coal hewer and he worked underground in the local Bryn and Glyncorrwg mines. I married my wife, Adrianne, in 1971 and our son Ian was born in 1979. Ian and his wife, Tina, are expecting their first child soon.

I attended Glanafan Grammar School in Port Talbot from 1960 to 1966. My first full time job was as an industrial chemist with the Steel Company of Wales (now Corus). After five years I joined BP Chemicals, Baglan Bay in a similar capacity.

Sport has played a major part in my life. At various times I have cycled, played squash, tennis, soccer and cricket, but my main sport was rugby where I played mainly centre and wing. In my early thirties I suffered a torn knee cartilage and was forced to retire from rugby. Wanting to keep fit, I started running and joined Port Talbot Harriers. I have been Welsh Masters javelin champion in my age group since 1998. I am currently treasurer of Port Talbot Harriers and president of Welsh Masters Athletics.

I retired in 2002 after just over thirty years service with BP. In line with the general decline of industry in South Wales, BP shut down soon after.

I enjoyed writing essays in school, but was influenced by the industrial nature of the area to follow a scientific path. I enjoy all types of music and also play guitar. I have been in several bands and my current project is a surfing instrumental band called 'Marconi Beach Sound'. It seemed only natural then to write a few songs. I also wrote a few poems and when I retired I started a writing course which led me into other forms of writing. To date I have had several short stories and poems published in magazines and have also written three books.

The first was a Welsh language biography of singer/songwriter Geraint Griffiths called 'Hewl'. The second, 'Chester to Chepstow', is the account of my 600 mile cycle journey around the coastline of Wales. The third, 'Lyricks and Limericks', is a light-hearted look at the relationship between song lyrics and poetry.

'Hewl' was launched on the Welsh language TV station S4C and all of my books have been featured in the local press. I have won the Acorn magazine first prize for flash fiction and recently won our local poetry societies monthly challenge.

I am currently working on a book of poetry aimed at 9-12 year olds, with the emphasis on humour, which will hopefully be published soon. I want to continue writing songs, poems and short stories and hope that people get as much enjoyment out of reading them as I get from writing them.

Published Work(s):

Lyrics and Limericks

Chester to Chepstow

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Lyrics and Limericks

Chester to Chepstow

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Lyrics and Limericks

Chester to Chepstow

I was born in Gedling, Nottingham, in 1943. My working life was as follows: factory worker, warp knitter, soldier (twelve years), British Coal employee (twenty years) and for the final ten years I worked at Nottingham University.

A couple of years before I retired I began writing by penning the odd poem. Short stories followed as my enthusiasm for writing increased. My first novel, Brook Breasting, is the direct result of one of those short stories. Several chapters of a sequel are already on the 'drawing board'. At some stage I would like to put together an anthology of my short stories and poems.

On my retirement I joined the Eastwood Writers Group. I enjoy the once a week meetings with like minded people. Listening to what others have to offer and their different approaches to writing, is an education.

Apart from trying to make sure my work is grammatically correct and the punctuation sound, I don't follow any other rules of writing. As for ideas and inspiration, well, mine come from studying people and going for walks in the fresh air. It also helps to have a notebook and pen handy at all times.

Published work(s):

Brook Breasting

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Warwickshire-born Julius Falconer, educated in Leicestershire, Birmingham and Italy, is a former translator and a retired teacher, who has taught at schools in Cornwall and Scotland.

He now divides his time between a cottage in central France and the house in Yorkshire which he shares with his daughter and her husband. He was widowed in 2000.

As well as some booklets and several dozen papers in professional journals, he is the author of twelve murder mysteries featuring the diffident and cultured Inspector Wickfield. Because the stories are set in Worcestershire, he has featured in the Worcester News, on BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester and in the online Newsletter for the Worcestershire tourist board.

His hobbies include music, gardening, walking and reading.

Visit Julius Falconer’s Website

Julius Falconer Facebook Page

Published work(s):

(Chronological order of release)

1 - The Spider's Banquet

2 - A Death Twice Twice Avenged

3 - The Longdon Murders

4 - The Unexpected Death of Father Wilfred

5 - Mr Carrick is Laid To Rest

6 - The Bones of Murder

7 - A Time to Prey

8 - Troubled Waters

9 - Tempt Not the Stars

10 - Jagger

11 - The Wichenford Court Murder

12 - A Figure in the Mist

13 - The Waif

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A Death Twice Twice Avenged

The Longdon Murders

The Unexpected Death of Father Wilfred

The Spider's Banquet

The Bones of Murder

A Time to Prey

Mr Carrick is Laid To Rest

Troubled Waters

Jagger

Tempt Not the Stars

The Wichenford Court Murder

A Figure in the Mist

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A Death Twice Twice Avenged

The Longdon Murders

The Unexpected Death of Father Wilfred

The Spider's Banquet

The Bones of Murder

A Time to Prey

Mr Carrick is Laid To Rest

Troubled Waters

Jagger

Tempt Not the Stars

The Wichenford Court Murder

A Figure in the Mist

The Waif

I was born in Malta in 1961 where my father was doing his National Service. I was brought up in Guisborough, Cleveland, where my father was a local solicitor and my mother was a primary school teacher.

I joined the Women’s Royal Army Corps as a Data Telegraphist in 1979 and then left in 1982 having served in Cyprus for over a year. I then worked in local government in Swindon, Wiltshire within the Finance Department. Having spent two years doing my “A” levels at night school, I decided in 1989 to give up work and return to the North East to go to university. I was offered a place at the University of Teesside and spent a fantastic three years studying politics, international relations, sociology and history. I was awarded a first class honours degree in Humanities in 1992, and then I went to York University for one year to do my Post Graduate Certificate in Education.

As a newly qualified teacher I was successful in gaining a job at Grangefield School in Stockton on Tees as a history teacher. I have been there ever since, although I am now the Head of History in the school. After I had been teaching for a while I decided that I wanted to further my studies and I embarked on a Master of Philosophy research degree programme at the University of Teesside, researching Thornaby Aerodrome and 608 Squadron. My research meant that I had to interview many of the veterans who had served either at the Aerodrome or as part of the squadron. Many were in their eighties and did not understand the idea of the degree, they thought that I was writing a book, so when I had completed the MPhil, I wrote the book as a thank you to all of the men and the families who gave up their time to talk to me and to share their photographs and their memories.

Over the research period I have written several newspaper articles and I was also the Project Historian with the Thornaby Gateway Spitfire Group, who had successfully placed a bid for funding to build a spitfire VB on Bader Roundabout in Thornaby as a lasting tribute to the men who had served at the Aerodrome. Around the area where the aircraft is sited, there are 3 interpretation boards which I wrote, which contain a potted history of Thornaby Aerodrome prior to World War II, during World War II and after World War II.

I am now working on my second book which is about the Auxiliary Air Force as a whole. The area fascinates me because the Auxiliary Air Force was made up of men who volunteered to give up their time to train to fight for their country whilst still holding down regular jobs. I love history, and in particular local history. It has given me the opportunity to talk to so many interesting people and I intend to carry on my research in the future.

Published Work(s):

The Kipper Patrol

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I was born in Brazil and I have been living in England for the past 20 years.

I have got three children and I work as a part-time Teaching Assistant in my local school.

I have been writing children’s stories for the past 10 years. I started by writing stories for picture books, then short stories and it gradually built up to a long work of fiction.  

I always wanted to write a fantasy story with little, different twists where the hero would not be so “nice” or “innocent” but on the contrary, a bit naughty, with problems and try to show that even a person like that could change and be useful for a good cause and become a “hero”. In my book, when it comes to the quest itself, I did not want it to be gloomy or ugly, but beautiful and tempting. I tried to show that appearances can really be deceptive and also dangerous. The quest is not to destroy the villain himself but his legacy.

Ultimately, I would like to write a children’s novel that could be fun and open-minded with a clever, enthralling plot that could also be unforgettable.

I hope my book will be well received and children will be able to enjoy it and, “maybe” learn something good from it and make them feel a bit better about themselves.

Webpage - www.marciaandrade.com

Twitter @kidsreadingbook

Published Work(s):

Gust’s Maze

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Born in Leicester, June 1942 and raised in South East London, after a short time in the printing industry I was a mechanical engineer for the majority of my life, and promoted in the eighties I remained an engineering manager until I retired.

With pressure of work, raising a family and my interest in restoring Vintage and Classic cars, I never found time for writing other than poetry and was proud to have six of my poems selected for publication in “20th Century Poets” in 1977. Encouraged by this achievement I decided to write about a romantic encounter I had as a teenager but only completed the first chapter.

I read a great deal at school with Thomas Hardy and Tennyson becoming my favourite author and poet. Influenced by their work I wrote many poems and short stories and was encouraged by my English teacher to continue writing after I left school.

I married Patricia the girl next door in Sept 1966, and moved to Sidcup, Kent in 1970. Although we have been married nearly 45 years, we have actually known each other for 52. We have two sons, one in Sydney Australia and the other in Florida U.S.A. and have travelled quite extensively since the mid eighties.

Since retiring I took up my pen again and finished the story “April in September” I started writing in the 70s and finding it easy to write about the romantic encounter I had, have since written a romantic novel “The Guitar Man”. I am now busy writing a compilation of short stories I hope to publish soon, about a since departed uncle of mine and the hilarious events from the life of this likable rogue.

My inspirations come from personal experiences, people from my life and The Isle of Wight, a part of the world I love and hold very dear. When it comes to fiction I find it easy to write about romance and the picturesque scenery of the island, and will be starting another novel set on the island quite soon.

Published Work(s):

The Guitar Man

Maurice and Patricia

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I am from the North East of England from a town called Grimsby where I spent my whole childhood until my time at university. There was only a small Jewish community at this time and unfortunately this has dwindled to almost nothing in the last few years. But I look back very fondly at my home town and the beautiful small synagogue I used to attend.

I am currently a research scientist working in the Biotech sector. My work primarily involves engineering and artificially evolving proteins to improve their properties for study and drug discovery. I feel very fortunate to be working in science as I have the opportunity to investigate the workings of biology on a molecular level and play the most interesting game of all; tinkering with nature. I have always been religious on some level but I have grown to be more observant of Jewish traditions later in life while I undertook my degree in science. This learning in both science and religion initially created conflicts within my mind, how could they both be true and what of the perceived contradictions between religion and science. However I soon realised that once one scratches the surface of these two worlds of thought, these initial contradictions dissolve and I realised both science and religion are not only compatible but on the same page, both enlightening the other. A famous proverb in Judaism is that one can study the Torah (Old Testament) and understand the world, or one can study the world and understand the Torah. After some time I put my thoughts down onto paper and eventually worked these thoughts into a book. I have published a book on the parallels between science and Genesis called "The First Six Days".

I hope that my work can help religious individuals from the Abrahamic faiths to understand and embrace science. Science is such a vibrant, interesting field of study and is one of humanities’ greatest tools to better our lives and understand our world. Science and religion may be speaking a different language, but they are both a journey into reality on different levels.

Published Work(s):

The First Six Days

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I began writing as Neal James in 2007, when one of my short stories made it into the top ten of an international competition, and I began to realise that I had a wealth of factual information at my fingertips which I could convert into fiction.

My background is that of a miner’s son. Educated through the state system to degree level, I found work after college in accounting, and that is where my qualifications lie. However, a broad industrial working life has also provided me with sufficient data to mould a number of plotlines into novels, some of which are still on the production line, so to speak.

I draw storylines from a variety of sources, depending on the genre in which I am currently working. My short stories vary in style, and to date have included Crime, Horror, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Humour and Espionage. Authors who have provided this inspiration have included James Patterson, James Herbert, Isaac Asimov, Terry Pratchett, Deric Longden and Jeffrey Deaver.

Through Pneuma Springs, I have two published works, “A Ticket to Tewkesbury” and “Short Stories Volume One”, already in circulation with another “Two Little Dicky Birds” shortly to join them. Future novels will include “Threads of Deceit”, “Full Marks”, “The Rings of Darelius”, “Day of the Phoenix” and a second anthology, “Short Stories Volume Two”.

Although I have never attempted any further competitions, there has been coverage of my work in the local press. The Derby Evening Telegraph, The Ripley & Heanor News, and the Derbyshire Times have carried regular features over the past couple of years, and Radio Derby carried an extended page on their website. I have also given addresses to reading groups in Newcastle upon Tyne, Battersea, Litchfield and Codnor. Reviews of both books has, to date, been very positive and there is an increasing clamour for the sequel to “A Ticket to Tewkesbury” – this will be “Day of the Phoenix”.

I suppose the main aspiration of any writer is to see his or her work in the bookshops, and I have achieved a measure of success here also. Waterstones in the UK, and Barnes & Noble in the USA both carry my two published works in their portfolios, as do Amazon. Hitting the best seller list would be the ultimate. “A Ticket to Tewkesbury” has made it on to the National Library database of Australia. Both of my current books are widely available in all UK libraries.

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Published Work(s):

A Ticket to Tewkesbury

Short Stories - Volume One

Two Little Dicky Birds

Threads of Deceit

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A Ticket to Tewkesbury

Short Stories - Volume One

Two Little Dicky Birds

Threads of Deceit

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A Ticket to Tewkesbury

Short Stories - Volume One

Two Little Dicky Birds

Threads of Deceit

I was born in Pancras London 1939. I went to sea at the age of 16 in 1955. I lived in Mitcham Surrey until 1964. When I married an Australian lass I moved to Melbourne.

I have worked as a Merchant Marine Steward, Forestry and bridge worker, cook, publican and salesman.

Life at sea and travel to many lands inspired me to take up where my English teacher left off.

My first effort at a novella was 'Drifting Beneath the Red Duster' and I'm now working on a new book. 

I would like to bring my grandfather's history as a professional soldier from the age of 14 in 1892 Indian Army, Boer War, WW1, village postman and musician to life in my next book.

I enjoy golf and long walks on the Mornington Peninsula where the sea and countryside are very special.

Published Work(s):

Drifting Beneath the "Red Duster"

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Nicola Burgher is an experienced, registered Public Health Nutritionist who has been working professionally in the field of nutrition and health for over 10 years. She qualified with a Master's degree in Nutrition at King’s College London, following a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Science at Kingston University. She is also a full member of the Nutrition Society and registered with the Association for Nutritionists - The professional body for the registration and regulation of nutritionists.

Since graduating, Nicola has worked with a number of leading food manufacturers including Yakult, Kellogg's, Seven Seas, and currently as Nutrition Manager for Muller Dairy providing nutrition expertise and playing an active role in the Government’s public health agenda by contributing regularly to Government consultations on diet and health.

More recently, her passion for nutrition and health was brought to the forefront within the Christian arena where she serves as a credible voice in her field, educating churches on Bible-based nutrition principles. Indeed, she is nutrition spokesperson on Premier Christian Radio Station, has appeared regularly on Revelation TV and is keynote speaker at a variety of UK-wide conferences and seminars.

Nicola put pen to paper after the passing of her father who was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and with her debut publication "The Creator's Diet - Biblical Insights for Healthy Eating" widely available for purchase she is now an author in her own right. The book describes a comprehensive list of foods which constitute a healthy diet whilst also providing a biblical perspective on food and healthy living in easy-reading format. More recently, Nicola launched her ministry online at www.nicolaburgher.com to further support the work she does within the churches and community.

As well as working in a professional capacity, she is called as an ambassador of her faith giving public appearances and seminars on the role of nutrition in health and wellbeing whenever possible. Her passion is to see the tide of ill health reversed through educating and empowering individuals to make positive food choices that will impact their overall health, that of their families and generations to come.

Published Work(s):

The Creator's Diet

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Born to parents who were both accomplished writers, it seemed inevitable that I would inherit the writing gene!  I moved to England from Nigeria nearly two decades ago in search of adventure and to pursue my career.  Although I studied medicine and am now practising as a General Practitioner, writing (and reading) has always been the one thing I enjoyed doing and could get lost in.  I have been writing for as long as I can remember. 

I love to write about issues that touch me deeply, and my inspiration usually comes from the lives of ordinary people around me.  My relationship with God is paramount and affects the things I write about and the way I see things in general.

In addition to Pearls of Wisdom, I have written and self published two other books, Lord I Want a Baby and Beauty for Ashes as well as co-authored an anthology of poetry and prose based on women in the Bible, Perfume – the story of a Saviour. In addition I have also had several short stories and articles published in both Christian and secular magazines.  A few years ago, I had the privilege of appearing on a women’s chat show on cable television with the co-authors of Perfume – the story of a Saviour.

I am currently involved in leading and shaping the Women’s Ministry at my local church and have been a speaker several times at our conferences as well as during our Sunday Services.  I hope to spend more time writing in the future as I believe that it is a powerful way of getting the gospel out and reaching more people than are in my immediate sphere of influence.

Published Work(s):

Pearls of Wisdom

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I was born in Bexley in 1944 and although I have written poetry most of my life, only started writing a novel five years ago and found the creation of "The Two Lands" an exciting experience whereby the book almost wrote itself.

Having come from an artistic background - my father was an artist - I have been a full-time professional artist since 1987 though am now retired and only pursue my watercolour painting when a commission is required. I created the cover illustration for my book too. I have been engaged on and off with writing the sequel to "The Two Lands" and this is about two-thirds complete.

Apart from receiving a prize in Japan for my watercolour painting, I obtained First Prize in the Bexley Adult Literary Competition in 1977 for my poem "Open Spaces."

I continue to aspire to the writing of more fantasy material."

Published Work(s):

The Two Lands

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Peter Hodgson was born in Preston, Lancashire. From an early age he felt the desire to write detective stories. After reading Conan Doyle's The Hound of the Baskervilles, he produced a novel and a series of short stories based on a Victorian detective whose methods were similar to those of the great Sherlock. The stories were written for fun - but at least it was a start.

During his years at secondary school Peter taught himself to play rock and roll/country piano, and he eventually formed a band called 'Great Balls of Fire.' He played and sang on the clubland circuit for thirty years, and during this time he recorded several albums and a CD called Rockin' Daddy, which was featured on Radio 2.

The 1970s saw a stint at Poulton Teacher Training College where he earned a Certificate in Education. His chosen subjects were ecology and humanities. Peter's dreams of becoming a teacher were never fulfilled. For the last thirty years he has worked as an energy analyst at a major industrial site in the north-west of England.

Now retired from music - but still working as an analyst - Peter has returned to his love of writing, though he admits it is difficult to find the time to do it. However, he has had two books published by Pneuma Springs, and has ideas for a third book which he hopes to develop and complete in the fullness of time.

Peter's interests include true crime, criminal profiling, the paranormal, science, philosophy and wild flowers. He enjoys watching crime documentaries and films - particularly psychological thrillers. He is married and has three adult children.

Everyday he takes his chocolate Labrador, Sonny, for a walk. 'It's important to be able to escape the daily grind, ' he says. 'Whether it be walking, reading or writing a novel, life becomes much more meaningful.'

Published Work(s):

Critical Murder

Jack the Ripper - Through the Mists of Time

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Critical Murder

Jack the Ripper - Through the Mists of Time

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Critical Murder

Jack the Ripper - Through the Mists of Time

Peter Wilks is a graduate of London School of Theology and formerly the Chief Officer of MV Logos, the mission ship run by Operation Mobilisation, which sails around the globe taking the gospel to the nations. Since then Peter taught with Rev. Rod Anderson at Liberty Bible Training Centre and assisted Rod and Julie Anderson in the formation and ongoing growth of the international prayer ministry; Prayer for the Nations. More recently he is on the Bible teaching staff with Christ for the Nations UK and involved in pastoral ministry. Peter accepted the position as global communications co-ordinator for Go To The Nations. Peter travels regularly abroad with GTTN teams to support churches in Europe and further a-field, seeking to encourage and raise up the next generation of the church. Peter has a strong desire to ‘see people grow’ which regularly engages him and his wife Felicity in teaching and discipleship. They have three grown-up children and live in Bognor Regis. Further resources by Peter can be found at www.pearlministries.org.uk including contact details.

Published Work(s):

Blood Up To Your Ankles

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Philip L Moore born (Philip Maw) on the 5^th of the 5^th 1961 in Basingstoke Hampshire.

My father was a bit of a conman , so much of my childhood was spent being moved from place to place, and living in children's homes, by the time I left school in 1977, I had attended 22 schools “which I can remember” possibly more!

Like many in this situation one tends to day dream and escape into another world, and I would dream up stories. I have always been into aviation, so most of what I write has an aviation theme. So to become a writer was a real challenge for me.

I am a published author of four books “Utterly Ridiculous” an aviation comedy, “Therapy” a book of poems, “Eternal Wish” an aviation themed romance novel, and Kez an aviation related teenage adventure story.  I also brought out an E-book which I cancelled called Destination Love, but cancelled this as I have found e-books don’t work well in the UK.

My work has been covered in several newspapers all over the south of England (see website :) www.philiplmoore.com

I am currently focusing my manuscripts on script writing although I have five manuscripts ready waiting for publishing deals.

I am always happy to hear from anyone who has purchased one of my books and feedback is greatly appreciated.

Published Work(s):

Eternal Wish

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Rachel K Brown was born to afro-Caribbean parents in October 1971 and grew up in Ipswich, the East of England.

Having completed her secondary education she went on to pursue her long desired career in Social Work where she worked with the elderly, children and families and vulnerable adults. During the years of studying and working as a Social Worker, Rachel regularly found time to develop her creativity in the form of writing poetry or prose for pleasure.

Although writing has always been a passion for Rachel, it was only in her early thirties where a small article was published as a star letter of the month for a Christian magazine that she began to think that maybe others may be interested in what she had to write.

Using her writings, Rachel desires to raise the profile of what being a Christian is all about, moving away from the religious form, rules regulations and politics and dealing more with the essence of creation and how to deal with life in a positive way and become effective at home and in the society, this is what her first book “What is hanging on your branch?” has focussed on. Rachel’s inspiration comes from the lifestyle and principles of Christ Jesus; in this she finds comfort, instruction and encouragement. Rachel feels that if these principles are applied to everyday life experiences and circumstances then people become better not bitter.

Rachel currently writes articles for 'Keep the Faith' monthly magazine which is read nationwide by over 3,000 churches. This has been a great opportunity since having her book published to be able to continue writing regularly and promoting her book. Rachel has received positive feedbacks from those that have read her book and have been asked on numerous occasions when she will write her second book and if she can write something on relationships, this is something that she may pursue in future.

Published Work(s):

What is hanging on your branch?

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I was raised in Essex and after a short spell working in the City of London and then for a local firm, I became a business consultant, eventually rising to the dizzy heights of a call centre project manager in the UK and India.

It was whilst on a project in Mumbai that, I wrote my first book: 'It’s the End of the World as we Know It'. This was the fruit of many years study but, being away from a busy home and church life gave me the space to write it all down.

My latest work, 'Losing My Religion', similarly comes out of many years of study and thought concerning the Kingdom of God. My desire is to open up key topics of the Bible and faith in a way that informs and challenges the reader.

Some will no doubt notice the titles of these books following and REM theme (one of my musical inspirations). My next book will probably be Shiny Happy People: an investigation of inner joy... Watch this space.

Published Work(s):

Losing My Religion - The Radical Message of the Kingdom

It’s the End of the World as we know it

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Losing My Religion

It’s the End of the World as we know it

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Losing My Religion

It’s the End of the World as we know it

I am 46 years of age and live near Newton Abbot in South Devon,  England. I started writing about four years ago due to a lack of fulfilment in my work and social life. So far I have had two books published by Pneuma Springs Publishing - 'An Icy Step To Oblivion' and '90 Minutes Is Not Enough'. 'In The Eyes Of The Beholder' has been published as an e-book and can be viewed at:

http://www.eloquentbooks.com/InTheEyesOfTheBeholder.html

When I am writing I feel alive and inspired. My latest project which is a sci-fi/horror called "Dreamers" is currently finished but yet to be published. Currently I am back working full time for Job Centre Plus but would love to be in the position to go back to writing again in the near future. I do have ideas for other manuscripts which I would certainly like to develop.

Published Work(s):

An Icy Step To Oblivion

90 Minutes Is Not Enough

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An Icy Step To Oblivion

90 Minutes Is Not Enough

Born in Bridlington East Yorkshire in June 1933 the youngest of four children, my father was a self employed painter and decorator. I attended school there from age four until 1939 when my father, fearing a threat of an invasion by German forces moved the family to Manchester. This has always seemed to be an odd move to me as Manchester was a prime target for German bombing raids. However, at age six one doesn't question an adult’s motives. After two years the family moved back to the relative safety of the coast, although the town was still being bombed.

Surviving the war years the newly elected Labour Government made provisions for further education for those young people of my age. Taking advantage of this, I moved to the art college in Hull as a day pupil with the aim to study pottery design, but this only lasted a year as my real wish was to go to sea for a career, much to my father's anger, as he had designs for me to work for him as my brother had done, I enrolled at the Nautical College, in Hull. In 1950 I joined my first ship, also in Hull to commence a four year apprenticeship for deck officer, at the end of which I took the second mates certificate.

In the following thirty-two years and further exams, I rose through the ranks to become Captain of VLCCs (Very Large Crude Carriers) of over 300,000tons. Retiring in 1986 I moved to Pender Island, BC.

Strange though it may seem I never had any real writing aspirations until I built a forty foot, foam core sloop. As often happens, or so I’ve been told, due to the very satisfying nature of building a boat one has this almost insatiable desire to build yet another one, due to cost this avenue was not pursued, but the desire was allayed by writing about this in a book called, 'Building a Foam Cored Boat.' Not only did this experience satisfy the desire, it has prompted me to write on further subjects.

To date I have had four books published; 'Travels with Himself' an account of circumnavigation of Vancouver Island, and 'A Hole in the Ocean,' an attempt to sail single-handed around the world which sadly ended in a storm in the Bass Strait between Australia and Tasmania. 'Sharks that Walk on Land' an account of the last two weeks of Captain Cook's life and what measures were taken to get back his remains for burial.

It is my intention to pursue this most fascinating, new found writing experience to the fullest.       

Ron Palmer. Pender Island. BC. Canada.

Published Work(s):

Sharks That Walk On Land

To Boldly Go

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Sharks That Walk On Land

To Boldly Go

I was born of English parents in Hendon, Middlesex, London, England.  I spent the first 4 years of my life in Hendon and then I moved with my family to Isleworth, Middlesex when my Father was transferred to Isleworth, Middlesex, where he worked as an Engineer for the Mogden Sewerage Works.  I was sent to live with my Gran when my Mother became ill and my Father could no longer look after me.  I was 7 years old when my Mother died and in the same year when World War 2 broke out I returned to Isleworth with my Grandparents and then after the war escalated I was sent to stay with Foster parents as an evacuee where they lived in Tiverton, Devon.

After the war I spent 4 years in various factories, ‘marking time’, until I joined the RAF as a National Serviceman at 18.  When I was demobbed from the Services I became ill and was diagnosed as having TB on my 21st Birthday.  After 2 years spent in hospital and in convalescence I married at 22 years of age and then after a child was conceived I was prompted to spend 10 years at night school where I achieved an HNC in electronic engineering.  After this I applied for a job with Rank Xerox where I worked for 10 years as a Technical Author writing technical service manuals for copiers.  From there I had a short period of working as a Technical Author at Rediffusion Simulation where I wrote technical service manuals for aircraft simulators.

As a child I gravitated from reading comics to the adult books that were currently being read by my foster father and then after reaching an age where I could join the library in my own right; this establishment became almost my second home where I was a frequent visitor.  I spent sometimes as much as 3 or 4 times a week going to the library where I borrowed a variety of books of a different genre depending upon my mood at the time.  Gifted it seems with a natural bent for the English language and a delight in reading, both of these have been a major source of inspiration for me to write a series of short stories and novels.

I have had one novel published by Pneuma Springs Publishing and a couple of short stories that have been published by another Press and the local paper.  I was a featured poet in the Poetry Now magazine and have had a selection of my poetry published in several anthologies.  I was second in a poetry competition in America and had my poem published by The National Library of Poetry.  Local papers in Bicester and in Aylesbury have printed articles about my successes as a writer of stories and poetry.  Over the years of my youth and throughout my life I have written a great deal of short stories of which the majority remain unpublished, I have recently written an autobiography (unpublished) and am currently working on a second novel.

Published work(s):

The Lifer

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I started my travels in Kent in the years after 1974 exploring the garden and area immediately outside our house because we weren’t allowed to cross the road – and we lived in a cul-de-sac. Holidays were wonderful, close family affairs to the Isle of Wight, Devon and Wales, usually in static caravans and then to France, Spain and the big one to Disney World, as we got older.

I started travelling properly though, when I was just seventeen with the British School’s Exploring Society (BSES) on an adventure to Greenland that would mould the rest of my life. I had never even been on a plane before then, yet I found myself traversing uncharted territory across the snowfields of a remote landscape, with people I had met only weeks before. Since developing the travelling bug, I have driven across Canada in a motor home, dived the oceans of Indonesia and the Middle East, been camel riding in Australia, swam with dolphins in New Zealand, learned about the devastation of the drug trade whilst living with locals across Colombia and been humbled by the happiness of people with so little across South East Asia.

I love to share my stories with anyone who will listen and I am so passionate about travelling and all the life experiences it brings. I’ve made some lifelong friends through my travels and done some unbelievable things.

I went to University in Newcastle (much to the horror of my dad, who still hates the place I never returned home from after completing my degree!) and studied Geography – which I naturally loved – and Land Surveying, which I naturally didn’t. I decided that a career staring through a Theodolite at a levelling staff wasn’t for me and promptly joined Northumbria Police. I have never looked back and absolutely love my job. However, after working for over five years in the most deprived area of Newcastle, with the best group of people and meeting my best friend, I followed in her footsteps and transferred to Devon, where I now work as a Detective Sergeant in Child Protection, in Exeter.

My travelling is my passion, my commitment and my money pit. So my book is my way of passing on my experiences to other people, my legacy I suppose, my way of giving something back.

I’d love to think that someone might read my tales and realise that the world is a more accessible place than they thought and be inspired. I’d also like to think that people who have had similar trips to mine, might enjoy re-living their experiences by reading about them and comparing memories.

Since finishing my first book, I have revisited South America, trekked the Inca trail and travelled around southern Peru. I’m now in the midst of planning my next trip – to climb Kilimanjaro.

Published work(s):

Same same, but different

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Steve is a teacher of maths and science. He travels around his region of the UK teaching students who are too ill to get to school.

Despite a background in maths and science, one of Steve's passions in life has always been English literature and antiquarian books.

Steve was taught to read fluently by his parents when he was around four years old.

Story writing began at school where he enjoyed some early success.

With a never ending supply of bizarre short stories, since moving out of the classroom, Steve has been able to begin typing up his tales.

From appearing in anthologies and magazines, Steve's first book "In All Probability" received many positive reviews by the Press in the UK.

Opinions swayed between: "Morris has... an often disturbing imagination" (from one less flattering 2009 Press review) to "Clearly he has an active imagination and some skill..."(The Truth about Books July 2009)

Another story was chosen by a National Charity for use in their anthology.

Steve graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University in 1993 where he enjoyed representing them in soccer for four years.

With few surviving relatives and no partners or family, Steve places great value on trusted friendships and enjoys the company of the brave students he works with.

He lives in a rural 200 year old property is his adopted Cheshire, UK accompanied by a protective guardian of a dog.

He would love to write a short story for a radio play or a public reading.

Steve is currently finalising the a sister collection of stories to "In All Probability" which is hoped for release in the Autumn 2010.

Published work(s):

In all Probability

Jumble Tales

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In all Probability

Jumble Tales

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In all Probability

Jumble Tales

Life seems to have this wonderful way of throwing the most incredible ironies at us when we least expect it, sometimes for better and sometimes for worse.  I am of course delighted to say that my greatest achievement to date have come directly from my darkest days, never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined the way 2011 would pan out for me, particularly given the way it had begun.

Yet here I am a published author and internet campaigner but still feeling the effects of 2 years of payday loan hell in both my heart and my bank account!  Who would have thought it!

I think perhaps my father summed it up the best when he told me, “you were destined for this, don’t you remember when you were young?” he was of course referring to my childhood ambition to become a writer at which time I had actually written two unpublished manuscripts based upon alien invasions … needless to say the imagination and creativity were certainly there, but sadly the ability to write was somewhat missing.  My father also took pleasure reminding me at the time my favorite song was ‘Paperback Writer’ by the Beatles, for all the obvious reason!

I still find it hard to believe I actually made it as a published author and I am in awe of some of the other authors around me, who have contributed much more to the industry. However with that being said I am what I am.  Council estate born and bread in the heart of Lancashire; proud of my routes, my family and what I have achieved to date. 

I have already featured in numerous national radio and newspaper stories as a case study with the hope the website will bring even more attention. I am absolutely fearless about the challenges which lie ahead as a whole new world has opened up to me. I may one day return to re-write those alien stories of mine and for that I can only apologise!

Published work(s):

When Payday Loans Go Wrong

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Born and brought up in West Yorkshire.

I worked in the printing industry all of my working life prior to moving to Mijas Costa in southern Spain. I began my working life in the UK as a compositor and finished it as a sales director at a large multi-national printed packaging company.

I have always been fascinated with people and whilst owning The Tea Tree (tea shop) in Fuengirola, I observed many strange holiday makers. I had never worked with the public before and what a great shock that was. To me, there is no better comedy than observational, because it is always natural and completely unintentional (I think?) That was my inspiration to start writing and I have loved it ever since.

My first book is called ‘Life’s a laugh on the Costa – honest!’ and was published in 2006. It covers my experience of moving to Spain and my observations. It covers buying and renting Spanish property, buying and running a bar, the lifestyle and some of the scams that go on over here. You wouldn’t believe it. There is someone on every street corner waiting to take your money away from you and many of them are Brits. I wish the information in this book had been available to me prior to moving to Spain. I would, without doubt, have saved a fortune!

My second book ‘They’re all foreigners abroad’ is about YOU on holiday. What is it that make us Brits stand out from other tourists? We are a strange nation but I don’t think that we’re much different from everyone else, apart from maybe the alcohol consumption. Let’s face it; we Brits are not difficult to take the mickey out of whilst on our hard earned holiday.

Both books have been featured in various publications on the Costa del Sol and also in the Halifax Courier and Huddersfield Examiner in the UK.

I also write every month in a local magazine on the Costa del Sol called ‘Costa Connection’.

What am I doing now? I am in the process of re-writing my first book which will be called ‘Tea and Tortillas’. I am also just finishing off my third book which is aimed at teens and young adults called ‘More interesting than your teacher’.

Published work(s):

They’re all foreigners abroad

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I was born in London in 1955 and moved to Eastbourne in 1968. After leaving school I trained as an accountant and spent much of the next twenty five years working in Africa, the Middle East, North America and Europe. In 2006 I went to Ethiopia as a volunteer financial advisor to the government.

The first of my two published books, Injera and Chips, recounts the two years I spent in Ethiopia as a volunteer worker, the difficulties I experienced and the amusements that made my time worthwhile.

The second, Today the Garden Blooms, is a romantic tragedy based mainly in Zambia and Ireland. It tells the story of a ruthless woman who always gets her way...

During my years living and travelling abroad I became a keen photographer. I am currently working on a book based on those photographs, which can be seen on my website: trevorpoate.co.uk.

I have recently completed a series of four crime novels based on insurance frauds, which I am hoping to publish soon. At present I am working on a novel dealing with the possible consequences of global warming, religious divides, genetically modified crops and eugenics during the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.

Published work(s):

Today The Garden Blooms

Injera and Chips

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Today The Garden Blooms

Injera and Chips

I was born in Oxfordshire in 1943 and by the age of eleven had lived in nine different houses and attended five different schools as my father, a surveyor, took work in different parts of the country.  All this moving around may have given me a desire to travel and when I was fourteen, fascinated by his Zoo Quest series, I wrote to David Attenborough to ask which GCE and A Level subjects would, in his opinion, best equip me to be an explorer.

I was educated at an excellent grammar school in Leicester but my father sadly died when I was sixteen and I had to leave school and start earning a living. I joined the Civil Service and worked in central London for several years before transferring to a small, friendly office in Brighton.  In 1972, I met David on a week’s holiday in Wales and we were married five months later. I moved back to Leicester where he had a flat and worked in insurance for a time before taking up employment with British Gas in 1976. Here I worked in Customer Accounting, transferring to the Personnel Department in 1989 when I began studying for a professional qualification.  I obtained my Diploma in Human Resources Management in 1994 but the following year, the East Midlands office was closed and I was made redundant.  I then found work with an apprentice training group as an NVQ Assessor until I reached retirement age.

David and I both love travelling and experiencing different cultures but our finances restricted us to Europe until the early 1990s when we paid off the mortgage. I have always been a keen photographer and kept a diary of each of our holidays, writing up the story of each trip around the photographs in a scrap book.

When our holidays took us further afield, these trips became much more exciting and eventful.  While we were telling friends and family about all the things that had happened to us on one particularly incident-packed holiday in South America, they kept telling me I should write a book.  Eventually, I decided to attempt this and then attended a creative writing class, as a result of which the book was completely rewritten.  I sent it to Pneuma Springs and thanks to them, this first book was published in 2009 under the title ‘From Coconuts to Condors’.  I have now submitted a second book about a holiday in Central America entitled ‘Temples and Tacos’.

I have always been fascinated by rock crystals and plate tectonics and since retirement, I have been studying intermittently for an Earth Sciences degree with the Open University.  I am a lifetime member of the National Trust and enjoy gardening and, of course, photography and travel.

Published work(s):

From Coconuts to Condors

Temples and Tacos

Author's Website - www.valerieastill.co.uk

Valerie and David

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From Coconuts to Condors

Temples and Tacos

During my childhood I was always obsessed with stories and books. Living on a council estate in Liverpool, I found them to be a great means of escape for me. I would spend hours and hours reading and if I was not reading I would be sat at my mum’s computer typing away, lost in a world of the characters I was creating.

I soon realised that I was most happy when writing. I seemed unable to stop and the ideas flowed very easily from my mind. I knew from a very young age it was my passion and what I wanted to spend my life doing; creating stories for others to read.

As I got older I discovered Jane Austin and Charlotte Bronte. I was consumed by their stories and the era in which they wrote. It was such a rich time in history with many wonderful settings for stories to grow and develop. So, at the age of sixteen, I began work on Forbidden.

I attended Liverpool John Moore’s University after leaving college and took my degree in “Imaginative Writing”. It helped my writing skills grow and develop significantly. Yet I felt that in order for me to become a better writer I needed to experience life, people and places, too. So, I travelled and worked in different countries. I met all kinds of people and saw many wonderful places. This, more than anything, inspired me to want to write even more. Witnessing so much of what the world has to offer, I realised that there were so many stories and so many characters waiting to be developed.

For ten years I worked on Forbidden. I wrote many different versions yet never felt it was good enough. That is until I came back to Liverpool and felt the time was right to bring my story and ideas to life and complete the work.

I believe there is a wealth of inspiration out there and many more stories for me to write; and with each one I hope and believe my writing will grow and develop.

Published work(s):

Forbidden

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