August is drawing to a close and I can hardly believe summer is almost over already. Another month means another Round Robin, and another topic to challenge us :) This month our topic comes from author Victoria Chatham. Our characters often have some kind of psychological, spiritual or physical wounds. The process of healing forms the character’s arc. What mental, physical or spiritual…… Continue reading Why we love a tortured hero(ine)
This week I’m trying something new. I’m taking part in a Round Robin with several other authors, in which we all write an article on the same topic, and publish it on the same day. I’ve never written a post like this before, but I’m quite excited about it – especially about seeing what the…… Continue reading Abandoned: the empty mills of Yorkshire
A couple of weeks ago I divulged the exciting news that my first novel, The Silk Romance, is a contender for the Romantic Novelists’ Association Award for new writers. For the past few weeks I’ve been interviewing many of the other authors who are up for the same award, and showcasing their novels. Today I…… Continue reading My leading lady, Sophie, plus some useful sites for writers
A while ago I I conducted an experiment . I gave away my novel The Antique Love for free, for a limited period, through a website called Story Cartel. Anyone who downloaded the novel was encouraged to leave a review, and if they did, they were entered into a draw for a prize – one…… Continue reading Ten reasons to give your romance novel away for free
Today sees the release of The Silk Romance, and I can’t tell you how excited I am! Well, actually, I could tell you, but I’d have to use so many adjectives my Thesaurus would implode :) I still have to pinch myself when I tell people The Silk Romance is available here on Amazon UK,…… Continue reading Cocktails, champagne and red, white and blue. The Silk Romance book launch :)
I mentioned earlier this week, in my post Saltaire, Lyon and weavers’ stories, that I’d downloaded Liz Trenow’s The Last Telegram, a romance in which the silk industry plays an integral role. The novel has been waiting patiently for me to pick it up, and now I’ve finished it – and thoroughly enjoyed it :)…… Continue reading Parachutes, bombs and silk: a review of Liz Trenow’s The Last Telegram
A few months ago I wrote a post on silk-weaving in the city of Lyon, the setting for my novel, The Silk Romance. Today I’m writing about my home town of Saltaire, since the two places have a lot in common. Salt’s Mill, a former woollen mill Leeds-Liverpool Canal outside Salt’s Mill At first it…… Continue reading A weaver’s stories of Saltaire and Lyon, and a gallery of photos
I’m so excited to have the cover for my first novel, The Silk Romance. Here it is. Isn’t it absolutely gorgeous? I’m indebted to designer Charlotte Volnek for all her ideas. Although I’ve worked in the print industry for many years, and worked closely with graphic designers, I’m not a very good artist! I gave…… Continue reading Cover reveal for The Silk Romance – and it’s beautiful :)
This week the Romantic Novelists’ Association announced the nine contenders for the Joan Hessayon award. This award recognises previously unpublished writers who have passed through the RNA’s New Writers’ Scheme and have gone on to have their manuscripts accepted for publication. An exciting feeling – congratulations to all nine contenders! This year there’s a really…… Continue reading 10 useful things I learned from the RNA’s New Writers’ Scheme
Helena Fairfax 