Walking with Witches
Current mood: excited

It's been an exciting year - and it's about to get even more so. My novel, 'Walking with Witches' (www.walkingwithwitches.co.uk) is at the printer. I've been running round sorting out events - and the week leading up to Halloween is crammed! I have events at libraries, Borders, Fenwicks Department store, the Literary and Philosophical Society...and more. I can't wait to see the printed book - the pdf looks fabulous, but I want to see the actual pages...

Currently reading : Dream Country (The Sandman, Vol. 3) By Neil Gaiman Release date: 1991-09-24

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Walking with Witches
Current mood: adventurous

Hi Folks

I have had an idea - or could that be a cunning plan?  I am going to use a newsletter to help readers share in the writing and illustrating process for my new book, 'Walking with Witches', to be published Halloween 2008 by Tyne Bridge Publishing. From ideas, through research, how characters develop - it will all be there...together with chances to win prizes, get hold of giveaways only available to subscribers, and the chance for UK subscribers to attend a rather special Halloween party. There will also be news about events at (amongst others) the Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle Upon Tyne, Durham libraries, and a chance to see the book being launched by Newcastle Libraries at the Northern Children's Book Fair.

This group will run alongside a website for the book which is, as they say, in development...

The group is newsletter only. That means it won't clog up your mailbox! I hope you would like to join :)

Walking_with_Witches-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

lynn
x

Currently reading : The Witches of Fife: Witch-hunting in a Scottish Shire, 1560-1710 By Stuart Macdonald Release date: 01 July, 2002

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Libraries I love
Current mood: busy

I spent some wonderful hours in great old libraries this week. I've been a member of the Lit and Phil in Newcastle for a couple of years, and as it has a starring part  in my new novel, 'Walking With Witches' I spent some time wandering around writing notes. Got some funny looks as I mumbled away to myself - but hey! I should be used to that now. I had an amazing experience up on the balcony (oo-er, Matron! Titter ye not...). I am not, and never have been afraid of heights. Yet I got to the corner of the balcony near the music room and felt disorientated, then alarmed. I had to hold on to the rail and backed away as inconspicuously as I could whilst trying not to squeal in an unbecomingly girlish fashion. The further I got from the music room, the better I felt. I went downstairs, had a cuppa and soon forgot as I leafed through the delightful books I had gathered for my research. Anyway, later that day I was telling Jay, my good friend who is illustrating the novel with beautiful pen and inks, about my day. I started telling him ghost stories about the library (I'd heard a couple of folks talking in the library) and read bits from 'Otherworld North East' a new book I had bought. Incredibly, near to where I was standing when I felt odd, there have been reports of a spirit - who is apparently a witchfinder, according to investigators...he didn't like me, natch...

I also spent a lovely afternoon at the Black Gate (near the Keep) and joined the Society of Antiquaries. Fabulous - ancient books, friendly helpful members...found out LOADS of background about my witches.

((happy sigh))

Oh well - back to work. I have a book about organics to be finished by Feb 15th so must fly...where's that broomstick!

Links:
http://www.litandphil.org.uk
http://www.newcastle-antiquaries.org.uk/

Currently reading : Common Bodies: Women, Touch and Power in 17th-Century England By Laura Gowing Release date: 01 November, 2003

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Success!
Current mood: blessed

I am delighted to say, my meeting went well and the publishers loved my synopsis. My novel (as yet untitled - better get thinking...) will be published in time for the NCBF in November. So spring and summer will be spent in damp graveyards and dark places, poring over dusty tomes and scribbling - happy sigh. Even better, the illustrator who is a master of gothic imagery is one of my best friends - so much chocolate will be consumed and evil cackling will be taking place.

If you're interested in witch trials and spellcraft, you'll like this...so keep watching this space!

Currently reading : Witches and Witch-Hunts: A Global History (Themes in History) By Wolfgang Behringer Release date: 13 September, 2004

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a writing opportunity for horror/dark fantasy writers

Hi Folks!

This dropped into my inbox today - I haven't written for these folks yet myself but it is surely worth a look? Anyway - wish me luck - I have an important meeting about my next book this afternoon...EEK!!

Lynn
x

Black Ink Horror
Tim Manning, Editor-in-chief

Contact: blackinkhorror@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.blackinkhorror.com/index.html
Guidelines: http://www.blackinkhorror.com/submissions.html
E-submissions: only
Pays: yes - amount not specified

Overview: "Vampires, zombies, werewolves, and other creatures of the night
are an integral part of the genre, and they will certainly make
appearances in our pages. I must caution, however, that if you do send a
story featuring one of these oft-used icons, it should present a unique
twist on it the old idea. Gore and sex are not a problem; in fact, we have
artists that are just itching to get nasty with the inks. With that said,
we prefer our extreme horror well written and purposeful. Intense,
brutally described scenes of depravity are always so much better when
presented with eloquent prose. Stories that manage to unnerve and frighten
the editor will be snatched up immediately. "

Looking for stories between 1000 and 3000 words.

Currently reading : Child of a Dead God: A Novel of the Noble Dead By Barb Hendee Release date: 01 January, 2008

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The promise of something exciting is in the air...
Current mood: grateful

Well, here we are in 2008 - how did that happen? For various reasons, the Yuletide season was not without its challenges this year - so I'm happy to leave 2007 behind.  Anyway - just when I was feeling a bit flat, an exciting new project came my way. I am having a meeting about the project this week that will be great fun and will give me the opportunity to work with one of my best friends in the whole universe :) I will let you know what happens when things are finalised...watch this space!

Currently reading : Dancing with the Devil By Jo Bath Release date: 31 October, 2002

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New writing...and old...and a new rock band. Quite a week!
Current mood: excited

I have a deadline now for The Apothecary's Apprentice. It needs to be knocked into shape by the last week of November, ready for a 'critical reader' in December. Also, some new writing. My writing partner Jay and I have decided to mutually bully one another into writing our new novels without pause. 2000 words a week. Doesn't sound much...but it is. We spent last week planning and plotting; this week the writing commences! I sat in the garden yesterday and let the writing take over. It poured out of me. Wonderful! So now I am deep in the story of The Journey Jar...vampires...gypsy shamans...necromancers...((happy sigh)).

Went to see Alex's new band this week - excellent. Four handsome young men playing on-fire rock...what's not to like? They've promised a website so watch this space...

Currently reading : We Borrow the Earth : An Intimate Portrait of the Gypsy Shamanic Tradition and Culture By Patrick Lee Release date: 01 September, 2000

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New series commissioned
Current mood: chipper

Good news! I have a new series to write  Just found out today that QED have decided to buy my proposal.

I'm currently writing a book for adults about organics for Infinite Ideas and the research is terrifying...but the new series should be fun. It's about revolting creatures...creatures that stink, squirt, slide, squelch...so kids who enjoyed my too ghoul for school books should enjoy it.

Currently reading : Magical Herbalism: The Secret Craft of the Wise (Llewellyn’s Practical Magick Series) By Scott Cunningham Release date: 01 November, 2001

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too ghoul for school
Current mood: bouncy

Hi Folks

Too Ghoul for School has launched at last! Check out the great website from Egmont:
 
http://www.too-ghoul.com/ghoul/

It was great hearing the recorded versions of The Bubonic Builders, Ghoul Dinners and The In-Spectres Call (my titles -my friend Tommy wrote another three in the series - hi Tommy!) - and the game is rather addictive too...

Lynn

Currently reading : A Field Guide to Otherkin By Lupa Release date: 30 March, 2007

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Sorry for the radio silence...
Current mood: drained

Well, there was me thinking I would blog regularly and here it is, already April! I have an excuse and a note from my mum...I have managed to have pleurisy AND pneumonia - greedy bugger that I am!

Anyway - writing...despite being grotty and missing my lovely writing group (at The Store, Dipton) I have kept working. That's because they don't pay you if you don't. I've written the last in a series of four books for Quarto - about Russia, for children. An explanation of the Russian political system from Tzars to Russian Federation? No problem. Oh - for 11 year olds...well, OK. Ah - in 400 words...erm...

Also - the 4th in my series about the haunted school - indulged my gross sense of humour so lots of fun there. Snot, poo and dandruff. Great stuff! Now, back to finishing The Apothecary's Apprentice...the vampires beckon...

Currently reading : Encyclopedia of the Undead: A Field Guide to Creatures That Cannot Rest in Peace By Bob Curran Release date: 20 January, 2006

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