14th October 2019
Village Whispers Anthology
Today I received my copy of Village Whispers by Yeovil Creative Writers, an anthology of short stories written by members of the group. My short story Inseparable, about elderly identical twins, is amongst the twenty-nine featured within its pages. It illustrates that however close you are to somebody and however much you think you know them, it’s possible for an unexpected event to shatter you’re illusions. I joined YCW in 2005 and am no stranger to the short story format having concentrated on it during my early writing years, producing stories in a wide variety of genres. Even though I now live in East Devon, I stay in touch with the group which helped and encouraged me on my writing journey and am delighted to be part of this project.
13th April 2019
I’m delighted to announce the publication of Viral City (Happy Deathday: Part 3) which is now available on Amazon in both e-book and paperback formats. It can be read as a standalone novel in its own right, or as a follow on from Parts 1 & 2 – Happy Deathday and Resurrection.
6th April 2019
Happy Deathday series (Parts 1 & 2) reduced for one week in run up to the publication of Viral City.
Viral City, (Happy Deathday: Part 3) can be read as a stand alone novel. But for those who would like to catch up with the story so far and read the first two parts of the series, Happy Deathday and Resurrection are currently on a Kindle Countdown for one week only at a price of 99p/99c. If you’re a very fast reader you might even be able to finish them both before the publication of Part 3! Click on link below:
30th March 2019
VIRAL CITY (Happy Deathday: Part3) – COVER REVEAL
Another milestone on the road to publication! I’m very pleased to be able to reveal the full cover for the paperback version of Viral City (Happy Deathday: Part 3).
22/06/3042. The Colony is no more, reduced to ashes by an inferno. What remains of it has been filled in and returned to the Earth. However, for some, the last days within its walls are not so easily erased. Now, facing an uncertain future, they must forget the past and make their way to the city of Resurrection hoping to build a new life.
But the colonists were not the only thing that escaped that day. Struggling to come to terms with the revelation that she is pregnant Sarah, alone, knows the terrible truth. A deadly mutated flu virus has been let loose after centuries of containment and is about to threaten the survival of everyone in its path.
And its arrival will set off a devastating chain of events that will have far-reaching consequences for the destiny of the whole of humanity. It must be stopped. But …
HOW CAN YOU DEFEAT AN ENEMY YOU CAN’T SEE?
27th March 2019
HAPPY DEATHDAY SERIES – PART 3
Another publication milestone! Title and cover reveal for the third part of the Happy Deathday series coming in a few days. Watch this space!
27th February 2019
Really excited that my paperback proof copy of the third part of the Happy Deathday series has arrived and is looking really good. All the hard work leading up to this point has been worth it. Now starts the process of reading through it and discovering that, what you thought was a completely corrected version, is not. It always amazes me that despite the fact that you’ve edited it to within an inch of its life, there are always missing punctuation marks to be discovered! Back to work then …
4th January 2019
A BLOG FOR 2019
Happy New Year! So my Xmas decorations will soon be taken down; the last of the mince pies and chocolates eaten; turkey curries made and stored in the freezer, awaiting a time when I will be able to face the thought of another mouthful of poultry. Now is the time to make the New Year resolutions. Amongst the usual candidates featuring more exercise and a healthier diet, I plan to start a blog. It will be about the things that interest me, things that have caught my eye and made me think – a mix of science and technology, the arts (in particular literature, cinema & television), space exploration and environmental issues. It’s true that one of my resolutions for 2018 was to start a blog! This year will be different. It’s going to happen … it really is. First blog post coming soon.
29th October 2018
HAPPY DEATHDAY SERIES – PART 3
At last, after many months delay, I have finally finished writing the third part of the Happy Deathday series (title to be announced). Editing is underway and the cover design is in progress. Now starts the lengthy process of preparing it all for publication and more edits! The publication date is planned for the Spring of 2019. Watch this space for further updates.
24th April 2018
AUTHOR TALK AT LOCKSIDE WI
I have been invited to do a talk at Lockside WI, Pewsham, Wiltshire on the 24th April. This will be my first WI visit, so I’m very excited to be doing something a bit different. I will be focusing on the idea that it’s never too late to write your first novel, as I know!
12th June 2017
BRYANSTON SCHOOL – Author Talk and Creative Writing Workshop
On the evening of the 12th June I shall be doing an author talk and creative writing workshop with Year 9 pupils at Bryanston School, Blandford, Dorset.
20th October 2016
Launch of Outside the Box at Yeovil Literary Festival 2016
My latest novel Outside the Box will be launched at the Yeovil Literary Prize Winners event (Yeovil Literary Festival) on Thursday 20th October at 3.00pm in the Johnson Studio (Octagon Theatre, Yeovil).
21st September 2016
Outside the Box now published!
One tricky problem…
One unlikely hero…
One extraordinary adventure…
Forced to take early retirement after he suffers a heart attack, Jim Bagshaw settles into a sedentary lifestyle, overseen by his wife Marlene. The only respite he has from her daily regime of oily fish, muesli and his nemesis, cocoa, is his beloved television, a machine of imposing dimensions that dominates the faded surroundings of their run down house. From the comfort of his armchair, Jim spends his days watching the reality TV shows he loves.
That is until the day his friend George shows him an advert in the local paper, offering “the right person an exciting opportunity to help with a project of national importance”. To Jim’s amazement, he appears to be exactly what they’re looking for. Feeling this might be his only escape route, he makes contact.
What happens next takes everyone by surprise, not least Jim, as he embarks on an adventure that will change his life and his death … forever.
A satirical romp with a dystopian twist.
Available from Amazon in kindle and paperback formats:
March 2016
During two weeks in March, I will be doing a series of author talks and creative writing workshops in secondary schools in Dorset, as part of the Dorset Public & School Library Services NEW HORIZONS BOOK AWARD 2016 and its associated creative writing and arts competitions. The Award is given to the best debut novel for young people published between January 2014 and July 2015.
sue yockney 