Over the last few weeks I’ve been introducing the authors who will be at the Tenby Book Fair, http://bit.ly/27XORTh, the first event of the Tenby Arts Festival http://bit.ly/24eOVtl
I’m almost finished interviewing them all now.
In the next fortnight I’ll be showcasing the three publishers who will be with us: http://honno.co.uk/, http://www.fireflypress.co.uk/ and http://www.cambriapublishing.org.uk/
And I’ll be sharing a post from the brilliant http://showboat.tv/ Who always video and share our Tenby Book Fair.
So far here are the wonderful authors. Please feel free to check them and their great books out: Rebecca Bryn: http://bit.ly/1XYWbtF, Thorne Moore: http://bit.ly/1P6zDQh Matt Johnson: http://bit.ly/1RUqJFg , Christoph Fischer: http://bit.ly/1svniAr , Sally Spedding: http://bit.ly/1VNRQci, Wendy Steele: http://bit.ly/1PMoF8i ,Kathy MIles: http://bit.ly/1twN3Bg , Graham Watkins: http://bit.ly/2aEgwRv , Carol Lovekin:http://bit.ly/1Y2z6HT, Colin R Parsons:http://bit.ly/1tvBc5G , Lisa Shambrook: http://bit.ly/28NMI5v: ,Alex Martin: http://bit.ly/28VLsQG , Judith Arnopp: http://bit.ly/290cJMl , Sharon Tregenza:http://bit.ly/29frGPq Juliet Greenwood:http://bit.ly/29jylrM , Nigel Williams:http://bit.ly/29racfO , Julie McGowan:http://bit.ly/29CHNa9 , John Nicholl:http://bit.ly/29NtdtX ,Tony Riches: http://bit.ly/29y3a8k: ,Wendy White: http://bit.ly/29TMCpY ,Angela Fish:http://bit.ly/2a5qY2U David Thorpe:http://bit.ly/2a9uG0V , Eloise William:http://bit.ly/2aoZk1k , Phil Carradice: http://bit.ly/2aYINV5 and Jo Haammond:http://bit.ly/2b7nMqf .And thanks to Thorne Moore for interviewing me: http://bit.ly/1VTvqGq
There may also be a short chat with John and Fiona of http://showboat.tv/ who, as usual, will be filming the event.
Today I’m really pleased to be chatting with Firefly author. Sharon Jones.
Welcome Sharon, it’s great to be meeting you here.
Let’s start by you telling us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know?
I was born and raised in Dolgellau, North Wales and as a child was enchanted by local folk tales of Idris the giant who used to sit on Cader Idris, the mountain which overlooks the town. My imagination was far too big to stay restricted within my brain, so I would constantly make up stories. I was strongly influenced by Enid Blyton’s books which I devoured, and my stories always centred on magical trees and wishing wells. My biggest secret as a child was that there was a fairy door on the crab apple tree at the bottom of our garden. If I scrunched my eyes closed and tapped three times on the door, I would be transported to the magical Crabble Kingdom and was swept away on adventures with the Crabble Fairies. Oh, and other than my sons, I don’t think that anyone else knows that I can juggle!
I love the cover! Do tell us what your book is about?
‘Grace-Ella: Spells for Beginners’ is my debut children’s book *pauses for a little squeal* It’s a funny, magical adventure about friendship and being true to yourself, for 7-9 year olds. Grace-Ella is an ordinary little girl who lives in the seaside town of Aberbetws … ordinary until one Saturday, a black cat strolls through the back door of the Bevin’s house and takes up residence. Little does Grace-Ella know that the cat will reveal that on the ninth day of the ninth month of the ninth year of her life, she will become a witch. What ensues are sparkling spells and potion commotions. Despite there being strict rules from the Witch Council about not using magic to seek revenge on a foe, will Grace-Ella be able to find a way of using her magic so that Amelia, the school bully, gets the comeuppance she deserves? Well, I guess you’ll have to read the book to find out. ‘Grace-Ella’ will publish on the 15th of September with www.fireflypress.co.uk/
Are you working on another book?
‘Grace-Ella: Spells for Beginners’ is the first in a series of ‘Grace-Ella’ books. I am currently working on Book 2. To give you a sneaky hint, the second story is about Grace-Ella’s adventures at Witch Camp, where rules are broken with catastrophic consequences, cats go missing, a broomstick battle and of course cauldrons full of sparkling magic. I also have another young middle grade story, currently under consideration with a publisher, so fingers and toes crossed for that too.
Are your characters based on real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
Grace-Ella whooshed into my mind as I was driving to work one morning. I had to execute a perfect emergency swerve and come to a skidding halt in a layby. I quickly jotted down who Grace-Ella was. She was just the ordinary young girl who sits in the classroom, but has this amazing magical secret. Mrs Bevin, Grace-Ella’s mam, is definitely based on a real person … but I can’t possibly reveal who. She is very pernickety and appearances and keeping up with the neighbours are her main goals in life. Because of this, she greatly exaggerates situations and on discovering that her daughter is a witch, her distress is almost apocalyptical. Having worked as a Primary School teacher for twelve years, I have taught many children who all have their own unique and wonderful characteristics and it’s a mish-mash of all these traits that generally make up my characters.
Do you have a day job in addition to being a writer? If so, what do you do during the day?
I worked as a Primary School teacher for twelve years, but made the difficult decision at the beginning of this year, to give up my teaching position. I wanted to give my full attention and all my energy into raising my boys and my writing. Once my book publishes, I will be available for school visits and writing workshops. I write in the mornings when my youngest son attends Nursery School. I have recently decorated and created a beautiful office space to work in and find the morning hours simply evaporate when my imagination takes hold and I’m away. I have to be alone and in complete silence to write (fuelled by coffee), so once the boys are home, it’s time to be Mam. Becoming a children’s author was always that dream that collected cobwebs in the deep recesses of my mind for years and to have now achieved that, well … quite simply, it’s magical.
Where can we find you online?
You can find me twittering on Twitter @sharonmariej (https://twitter.com/sharonmariej)
I also write a blog called ‘Sharon Marie Jones: Just Being Me’, which you can read at sharonmariej.wordpress.com. On my blog, you’ll find my journey through the tragic grief I battle, following the death of my 5-year-old son in March. Some of this journey is written as detailed accounts, some is written as poetry. I hope by being honest and open about my situation, my writing may help someone in the same, or similar situation.
Sharon’s book is now available to pre-order:
Amazon.co.uk: http://amzn.to/2aRYb1N
Amazon.com:http://amzn.to/2aLStDa
Gwales:http://bit.ly/2aRZONi
Firefly Press: http://www.fireflypress.co.uk/
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Judith Barrow 