Publications
Miss Veal and Miss Ham
As well as being involved in the utterly engaging 26 Bridges project with my new writing friend Jayne Workman (of which more later) Muswell Press have published my debut novel Miss Veal and Miss Ham. Launched on the 3rd of July. It is getting very positive responses and is available through all the usual outlets! I was delighted to be asked to participate in the Why Words Matter podcast on writing about place this month and talk about its centrality to my writing.
Here follows the thumbnail of the story Miss Veal and Miss Ham.
It is 1951 and behind the counter of a modest post office in a leafy Buckinghamshire village Miss Dora Ham and Miss Beatrix Veal maintain their careful facade as respected local spinsters. Together they have built a life of quiet dignity and service in rural England. Now over the course of one pivotal day their carefully constructed world begins to fracture. Changes that will lead to heart-breaking decisions for Miss Veal and Miss Ham. At the heart of this intimate, moving and witty novel is a story of resilience, the dignity of love that cannot be spoken, and the challenges that come when the future no longer feels safe.
As well as being a celebration of love in old age and determination through adversity the novel engages with quite a few subjects for further opportunities for articles/podcasts: The ‘original’ post office scandal of 1947 when thousands of temporary post office workers were let go after the war with no pension or redundancy pay, despite decades of service; the secret life of many lesbian women in the 1920-1950s; and the treatment of women at the end of the second world war when over 1.4 million women lost or left their jobs for the returning men to take over – by act of parliament no less!
Learn more: www.vikkiheywood.com
– Vikki Heywood
Poisoning on Parker Road
I’m a New Zealand chapter member, and fellow 26-er Sir Bob Harvey spoke at the launch of my non-fiction tale, Poisoning on Parker Road: Two Deaths, One Family and and the Secrets In Between. Here’s a link to my site’s landing page:
Poisoning on Parker Road | Lindsey Dawson
The book’s front and back covers give you background info. It’s a story that starts with a young English settler’s nasty death in Auckland, NZ, in 1892 and then pushes on with what happened to his survivors later after they retreated back to Britain. I couldn’t have done the research without the help of a generous English antique dealer who was willing to share with me precious family docs and photos he’s had stored in his attic for decades. After that, I was ferreting around for Canadian and US info. Hands across the sea are a huge help when writers are digging to uncover old truths – plus of course the massive resources available on the likes of ancestry.com and other genealogy sites.
See pics of book cover, Sir Robert speaking at the launch, and me signing books. Possibly picture over-kill!
– Lindsey Dawson
Berlin and beyond
After the publication of my ‘Berliners’ poem by Paekakariki Press in November last year, I’ve developed plans for a Dark Angels ‘Walking with words’ trip to Berlin 9-13 October. We’ll visit places I wrote about in the poem, and it will be an evocative few days in which we’ll read and write inspired by this fascinating city. Get in touch if you’re interested, we have just two places left, so be quick.
To help you get in the spirit of things, I’m pleased to say that an audiobook version of ‘Berliners’ is now available on Spotify. https://tinyurl.com/ptnu9md5
I read the whole poem on the audiobook but if you’d just like the book itself, you can get it direct from the publisher.
– John Simmons
Troutfishing on the Tees
I now have a proof copy of the book Troutfishing on the Tees – Me and Tony Blair. It was so good to actually feel it in my hand, and we are all set for a launch in September/October.
One other thing…
Last month, I was invited to my alma mater Brasenose College to read out my article in “Nosedive,” the in-house arts magazine, at an event to commemorate 50 years of women at BNC.
The day was a huge success with ex-cabinet members and eminent astrophysicists among the female speakers. In particular, best-selling author Sarah Vaughan (best known for Anatomy of a Scandal) gave a really good talk about novel writing.
– Graham Dransfield
News and Invitations
Are you – or do you know of – a translator with experience of turning words from one language to another? As part of the Why Words Matter podcast series from 26, Wendy Jones is looking for writers to help shine a light on the art of translation – how words and even whole books get rewritten in a different language and how much is lost (or even gained?) in the process. If anyone is interested in taking part, please contact Wendy direct at wendy.jones@sacksjones.co.uk She’s especially keen to hear from someone who translates to or from a non-European language – and ideally, since she already has female contributors lined up, she’d like a male voice to help with voice differentiation in the podcast.
– Wendy Jones
Substack recently published an article on the use of AI on their system. I thought it might well be of enormous interest to 26 members. Link here.
– Paul White
Had a busy Bradford Literature Festival: 3 talks (JB Priestley, Brontë-themed, Medieval Broad Ford); 1 walk (Undercliffe Cemetery) and a session for 800 primary students on Yorkshire inventors.
Brontë Footsteps in Keighley was another walk I led, in the guise of their nursemaid/housekeeper Nancy de Garrs, relating the family’s links with the town – very over-looked in the Brontë story.
– Irene Lofthouse
Recommendations
Much to my surprise, I’m recommending some terrestrial TV. It’s the three-part mini documentary series on Janes Austen – the Rise of a Genius, from the BBC. Informative for sure, but also massively entertaining, and I defy you not to be driven straight back to the books, or to fill in the gaps for any you haven’t yet read. Joyful. https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002661h/jane-austen-rise-of-a-genius
– Martin Lee
Last Rites: this was such an evocative and moving piece of theater and dance. How does an estranged son acknowledge his father’s death – the man who wouldn’t ‘listen’ to his deaf son? What rituals will the son carry out, come to terms with his anger, grief, loss. Poignant performance by Ramesh Meyyappan. A part of Bradford 2025 City of Culture. https://bradford2025.co.uk/event/last-rites/
– Irene Lofthouse
Karla’s Choice by Nick Harkaway
If you love John le Carré’s Smiley novels then you’re in for a treat. Author Nick Harkaway has given le Carré’s greatest character a new lease of life following his father’s death in 2020. This is no hard-hearted attempt to cash in on the Smiley legacy, but a brilliantly realised novel that bridges the gap between The Spy Who Came in from the Cold and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.
I won’t attempt a précis here. Needless to say, like his father’s novels, this has pace but also rewards those who pay close attention to the characters, their fears and motivations, and the larger workings of the state machinery and players who ultimately call the shots.
– Andy Hayes