More interviews to come over the next few weeks of the authors and poets who will be taking part in our Book Fair:  http://www.narberthbookfair.co.uk/.

There are forty of us so, obviously, there are many genres for both adults and children. There will be talks an writing and books, poetry readings, creative writing workshops for adults and fun workshops for children, activities for the children and a fun book trail through Narberth, the gorgeous little market town in Pembrokeshire.   

All free!!

And, of course, there will be the chance to chat with all the authors and to pick their brains on all aspects of writing. Even to buy their books and have them personally signed.

And, as usual, there will also be the writing competition: this year is a poetry competition: Submit a poem, in any form, of 20 lines or less, on the subject of : –

Books and Reading.

Having outgrown our previous venue we have been lucky to hire the Queens Hall: https://www.thequeenshall.org.uk/ who have been very generous in their support of the event.

Although, five years ago,  I started organising the book fairs on my own I was soon joined by Alex Martin: http://amzn.to/2hZCgt2  and Thorne Moore: http://bit.ly/2rc5qyA. Unfortunately Alex has moved on to pastures new  (although is still a great supporter), so Thorne and I have been joined by Elizabeth Sleight. Elizabeth is involved in the charity we are supporting through our raffle; The Harriet Davis Seaside Holiday Trust For Disabled Children: http://bit.ly/2sNyeKQ . 

Our next author is the lovely Sally Spedding.

 

Welcome, Sally, as usual with all our writers I’d like to ask you why do you write?

Because  I am impelled to.

 What do you love most about the writing process?

Honing the first draft.  Also, research.

 What book that you have read has most influenced your life?

 ‘Les Parisiennes. The lives and deaths of women in occupied Paris.’  By Anne  Sebba.  A remarkable and moving account.  Whenever I feel hard done by, I think of those brave women Resistance fighters, and others who risked their own lives by sheltering the hunted.

 If you could have been the author of any book ever written, which book would you choose?

Dante’s ‘The Divine Comedy.’

 How many books have you written? Which is your favourite?

Eleven.

 As Sally isn’t going to tell us her favourite I think we should have a look at one or two of her titles

What genre do you consider your books? Have you considered writing in another genre?

Crime chillers is the most convenient ‘box’ I can think of, although the whole ‘genre’ construct is artificial.  Life can’t be packaged in that way, can it?

 Could you tell us a bit about your most recent book and why it is a must-read?

‘The Yellowhammer’s Cradle’ set in rural Argyll in 1850 explores fear and superstition during the upheavals of the Clearances.  Secrets and lies abound, and all the while, the bottomless Loch Nonach lurks nearby…

In three words, can you describe your latest book?

Darker than dark.

What was the inspiration behind ‘Cut to the Bone.’  (2015)

 

Living in a surreally gated estate in the Midlands, with deprived London ‘overspill’ just over the road.

How long did it take you to write?

Two years, then I had to trim off half of it for one publisher, and replace the missing bits for another. However, the good news is, it’s just been optioned for a film.

 Do you have any hidden or uncommon talents?

Often knowing where to look for ‘lost’ items. Sensing events before they happen.

 What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Drawing my characters’ faces in the margins. (The first draft is always in longhand) This brings them to life…

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Researching – often what’s kept hidden.  Also, studying racehorse breeding from the first three Arab stallions.  ‘A misplaced academicism,’ as my Mum once complained!

 What is the most amusing thing that has ever happened to you? Not particularly to do with your writing

As a youngster in the London Underground, I thought the man in front was my Dad, and promptly leapt on his back, kicking his sides, saying, ‘you’re Kilbarry, and I’m Major Weldon!’  (My three-day event heroes whom I’d seen competing at Glanusk Park, near Abergavenny) These days, I’d be had up for assault!

Give us a random fact about yourself.

A mongrel, like most of us.

Links to Sally:
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