New Year, New Books

Happy New Year to all my readers!

First, of course, is the news that the first in the new series, The Alexandrians, Death Plays A Part, was released on Boxing Day and has collected some lovely 5 Star reviews on Amazon.

Next, the sixteenth in the Libby Sarjeant series, Murder Dancing, is now up for pre-order, and both print and ebook will be released on March 24th. I've just worked out that this is actually my twentieth book, not counting the short Libby, Murder at Mallowan Manor, which came out for Christmas last year. Sixteen Libbys, two romances, How To Write a Pantomime and Death Plays a Part. Blimey! I think that deserves a celebration, don't you? Oh - and not to mention the pantomimes and the musical. My dad would have been so proud.

I hope you all have a healthy and successful 2016, and thank you for buying the books.

Death Plays a Part - and reminiscences

I've just read a blog about blogging by social media friend, Carol Hedges, here: A Blog About Blogging and it made me wonder how long I'd been doing it. October 3rd 2006! Gosh. I initially wrote far more frequently, but it strikes me that a) there weren't as many blogs then and b) Twitter and Facebook hadn't got going. I keep in touch with readers, family and friends on Facebook, but still occasionally write this blog, which has now taken to being put out as my equally infrequent newsletter. However, those early blogs were fascinating. I was still acting and directing, I was a brand new grandmother, and a fairly new novelist. And I was even contemplating dating, something that very soon bit the dust.

And now, in other news. The new novella I mentioned before is now a reality. It is up for pre-order from Amazon here: Death Plays a Part and will escape in January. Perfect, my publishers say, for the New Year blues!

Happy Christmas, everyone.

A little bit of news

Despite my best intentions, I never quite manage to post here regularly, but as it's nearly December and there is a tittle of news, I thought I would.

Libby 16, Murder Dancing, is coming up to the finishing line and should be released in the spring of 2016. It has been a terrific struggle this one but then, it gets harder the longer you go on, in my opinion, not easier.

BUT... after a good deal of toing and froing, discussion and debate, I can now announce that a new mini-series is about to appear. I wrote most of the first novella while I was in Turkey in September, having done a good deal of research over the summer at home. It is set in the Edwardian period, 1907 to be precise, and centres around the young proprietress of a seaside concert hall. Regular readers of Libby Sarjeant books might think this has a familiar ring, and they'd be right. I don't know why the story of Dorinda grabbed me so strongly, but so far she's been a  musical play: a Music Hall Musical called Summer Season and the back story in Murder in Midwinter. This time I have my children to thank for the title - son Miles coming out the winner with Death Plays a Part - and my agent Lisa Eveleigh for everything else.

There's no link yet for you to rush out and buy it - and don't forget, print lovers, it will only be in digital format at first. As soon as we have one I will, of course, let everyone know. As a sort of taster, here's a nice picture of a seaside poster of the era. (we're not in Scarborough, though, you understand!)

Is this a record?

I haven't written a new blog post since July 27th, and it is now October 18th. This is very remiss of me, even if not many people read it! I think I might have to do a bit better because I may be about to start a marketing campaign. I can't say anything about it just now, but very soon I shall start shouting, so be warned.

In other news, I spent a happy two and a half weeks in my favourite place, Adrasan in Turkey, with some of my favourite people. Photographs can be found in blog posts from previous years, and nothing much changes. If I have enough money, I shall be back there next year.

I received texts while I was away asking me to audition for a play, and one asking if I would take part in someone else's  ten minute showcase play. So next year I will be playing the part of the Judge in Whose Life Is It Anyway, a nice little cameo part, which is what I prefer these days. Gone are the days of Shirley Valentine and Woman In Mind. And in November I shall be in the showcase play, hiding in the background.

This last week I have had the youngest son Leo staying with me. He goes back to Brighton today and Phillipa, second daughter, arrives from Bristol for a few days on Tuesday. It's all go. Meanwhile, I carry on writing. Murder En Pointe, which was to be the next Libby Sarjeant book has now been renamed Murder Dancing as the team at Accent Press decided En Pointe was a little too esoteric.

More news very soon, so until then, keep safe.