Meet The Author - in a Coffee Shop

Both writers and readers tend to think of in-person author events taking place on a broad platform – library talks, the ubiquitous literary festival – but in East Yorkshire one man who can’t find time to complete his own debut novel has found the time to set up a bookshelf in a coffee shop.

Realising just how difficult it is for indie authors to get their books in front of prospective readers, Graham Smith of Bridlington teamed up with Rhapsody Coffee to host a book unit in its small rear lounge. Hornsea Writers was one local group he approached.

Was I sceptical? Yes, but I’ve been proved wrong.

Graham wanted one paperback to act as a reading copy with the idea that instead of doom-scrolling through their phones, customers would pick a title and relax into reading while enjoying their coffee. If they wanted to read on, either they bought a bucketful of coffee or a pristine paperback from the bookshelf to take home.

And they do, so much so that he’s initiated Meet The Author events on the first Saturday of the month. That’s where I’ll be on 1st March – at Rhapsody Coffee, High Street, Bridlington 2-4pm.

The image is my A4 info sheet which will stand… where else but on the coffee table.

#Romance Fiction Read Dating Anyone?

A novelist giving talks to groups is one thing, being one of six novelists giving a fifteen minute background chat and reading, will be...  interesting.

But which sort of Romance will we be talking about?

As any reader of the genre knows, it comes in all shades, from baby-blush pink to red in tooth and claw. With laughs. With tears. Always with heart-thumping moments, though not necessarily due to the most expected reason.

For more information click the Authors' links to jump to their individual websites:

Rhoda Baxter writes Smart Romantic Comedy, and as Jeevani Charika she writes multi-cultural women's fiction.

Sylvia Broady's 20th century family sagas are set in Hull and Yorkshire.

Ellie Gray writes contemporary romances using settings as different as the Nile and the North Yorkshire coast.

Annie Wilkinson writes pre- and post- World War I family sagas across a swathe of Northumbrian, Hull and London settings.

Jenni Fletcher's Historicals are spread cross time periods as disparate as Roman, Medieval and Victorian.

Linda Acaster - yes, me - writing Medieval and Native American Historicals, and Fantasy Romance set in Hull and North Yorkshire. As I said, red in tooth and claw.

So note it on your calendar: Saturday 18th May at the Treasure House & Art Gallery, Beverley, 12.30-3.30pm. Come make a day of it. There is a very good cafe on hand.

Being interviewed for Radio - by Video!

I know it's already 6th, but it seems hardly two minutes since I was watching London's fireworks on the television and saluting in the New Year. My work life has been busy right across the festive period. People seemed to clear their desks in my direction before they broke up for Christmas.

As a result there are various things in the pipeline, to be revealed as they mature. The first was a joint invitation for me and Crime Writer Penny Grubb to be interviewed by Paula Coomber from Seaside Radio, which is based in the Holderness area where we live.

So yesterday we pulled up at Penny's place to indulge in a big pot of tea and lots of biscuits for what I took for granted was to be an audio interview, to be augmented by a couple of snaps for Seaside Radio's website. Imagine my horror when out of a medium-sized camera bag came a very small video camera. It's a good job it held an enormous memory card because once we started...

As readers of this blog will realise I prefer to hide behind my bookcovers, but I'm offering a straight pic of what we look like as a warning in advance of the YouTube video, which I'm told is going to be in two (long) parts. If you think this is bad enough, wait until you see me animated!