January 26, 2016
Afternoon from a windswept UK. I’m curled up under a blankie, with the heating on, because I have – yuk – a bug, probably Norovirus but am happily recovering.
After feeling a bit better, I managed to do some editing on the new series (which will be announced soon, I promise!) and finally report on the Author Book Blogger meet-up at the weekend in Brum.
Here I am with historical author, Tora Williams
It took place in the Bacchus Bar – an amazing subterranean pub-restaurant, with a classical theme. Organised by Kim the Bookworm, we had our own section of the bar but even that space wasn’t enough to hold over 40 writers and bloggers who’d descended on the city.
Some of the authors there were old friends, but there were also many writers new to me, and lots of book and lifestyle bloggers. The authors included Cally CL Taylor, Mel Sherratt, Elaine Spiers, Holly Martin, Elizabeth Hanbury, Georgia Hill, Sheryl Browne, Alison May, Sue Moorcroft and more.
With Linda’s Book Bag, Novel Kicks, Sophie from Reviewed the Book, Kim the Bookworm and Crime Book Junkie to name a few, it was a true cross-genre meet-up that also included wrestling and book bloggers, The Blossom Twins!
Gutted not to have been able to speak to everyone but it was fantastic to hear the bloggers’ side of our story – they do so much in publicising their love of books, reading and reviewing – all for nothing more than the love of reading.
These events are going to be a regular fixture in different locations, and it’s down to Kim that they have been such a success so far.
Right: I’m off to hunker down and hope my germs and lurgy have been banished in time for the launch party of Jill Mansell’s new novel, You & Me, Always in London on Thursday.
Posted by Phillipa @ 1:11 pm |
January 12, 2016
Told you I’d be updating the blog more this year, with news for readers and writers.
Today, my agent, Broo Doherty, is at the Romantic Novelists Association blog revealing what she does all day and what she looks for in a novel.
Next month I’m celebrating ten years since I sent my first novel, Decent Exposure, to her and in all that time I didn’t know the answer to one of the questions on the blog.
And one of the statistics in the interview is terrifying… guess how many manuscripts she receives every year?
The answer’s here.
Meantime, did you know you can catch up on lots of RNA authors latest book news by following @RNATweets and the hashtag #Tuesnews on Twitter?
Back to my editing now, and a large mug of tea and a fleece blanket – it’s cold, wet and windy outside. Roll on spring!
P x
Posted by Phillipa @ 12:03 pm |
January 5, 2016
Hello and welcome to 2016, I hope it’s going to be a good one for you, whatever your plans. I’m looking forward to a very busy year in which I’m hoping to share some exciting news about a new series of books. 🙂
I spent a quiet Christmas with my family. We all shared some time together relaxing after our turbulent year. For New Year, Mr B and I escaped to the peace of the Lake District, watching the midnight fireworks over the lake on a clear moonlit night. The area has been hit by some serious flooding and its people are still recovering, but it’s so beautiful, it always makes me feel calm and happy.
Mr B took this picture of some gorgeous Herdwick sheep which is so cute, I just have to share.
The Lakes also inspired my debut book, Decent Exposure. I can’t believe it’s been 10 years since it was published. In October I’m going to mark that with a big celebration.
Before then, however, there are 1000s of words to be written, books to be edited and brought to my readers. Thank you for supporting me throughout the past decade, and please carry on reading and reviewing my books if you like them – authors need reviews more than ever!
Later this month, I’m looking forward to being a guest at the London launch of the amazing Jill Mansell’s new novel and to catching up with book bloggers and writers at a mega meet-up in Birmingham. I’ll post pictures and promise to update the blog more this year – because I plan on having a lot more to tell you. 🙂
Hope you have a brilliant January and that 2016 brings you all you’re dreaming of,
Phillipa xx
Posted by Phillipa @ 5:04 am |
December 14, 2015
Hello everyone…
Or should I say ‘Kia Ora’ because just over a week ago I was enjoying an amazing 3-week trip to New Zealand and Sydney, with my husband. We’ve been dying to visit NZ and Australia most of our lives and In November we finally got round to actually doing it.
It was a hectic buit incredible journey from the Coromandel in North Island to Milford Sound in the South Island. Every twist of the road brough a fresh, jaw-dropping view and the Kiwi and Maori people were the friendliest hosts you could wish for.
We finished the holiday with a three-night stop in vibrant, sunny and fun Sydney – heading straight from Bondi Beach to the airport!
It’s a bit of a shock to return to the soggy, grey UK where we have around two weeks to ‘do’ Christmas!
If you’re wondering aboutbook-related news, watch this space. 🙂
Until then, hope your Christmas is a peaceful and happy one, wherever you’re celebrating.
Love
Phillipa xx
Posted by Phillipa @ 5:40 am |
November 11, 2015
Love Love? Love Movies? Love Books? Join us for a celebration of the love story. Sign up for Free for the @BFI and HarperCollins BFILoveFest virtual festival on 20 – 22nd November https://bfilovefest.eventbrite.co.uk
HarperCollins and the BFI are delighted to announce their second collaboration – a virtual romance festival called #BFILoveFest taking place over the weekend of 20-22 November.
I’m delighted to be taking part in the Q&A where I’ll be revealing my must-see romantic movies plus my favourite fictional and screen couples.
The festival is an enquiry into love in literature and cinema and is part of BFI LOVE in partnership with Plusnet, the BFI’s major UK-wide celebration of LOVE on the big and small screen, running October – December 2015. The season will celebrate a broad sweep of film and TV through three key themes: The Power of Love, Fools for Love and Fatal Attractions. Timeless love stories are at the heart of the programme, with screenings of films including DrZhivago, True Romance, and Brokeback Mountain, as well as a diverse programme of talks, lectures and discussions with eminent film and TV directors, actors and screenwriters.
The aim of the #BFILoveFest is to explore the links between romantic fiction and film. The festival hopes to excite conversation and fuel debate, provoking questions such as who are the greatest fictional lovers? How has the representation of love changed in the last 50 years? Where does the future of romance lie in the digital age?
The festival will include author debates, digital forums and a further programme of events on Facebook and Twitter.
You will need to register HERE to be sent the full programme.
The #BFILoveFest is open to everyone and free, so please share and get involved.
Lots of fabulous romance authors will be involved and we’re planning an exciting and fun programme of activity on social media. There will also be give-aways, tickets & great competitions.
See you soon, hopefully with exciting news. 😉
Phillipa xx
Posted by Phillipa @ 11:25 am |
