This week in Coronation Street, Wayne Hayes returned.
Debut novel - out now
"Gripping family saga set in 1919, written with humour and warmth"
Discover my Cosy Crimes & Historical Sagas
Discover my Cosy Crimes & Historical Sagas
Sunday, March 31, 2019
Corrie weekly update - The wonder of Wayne
I've been writing Coronation Street weekly updates since 1995 and this week's Coronation Street has just gone live here.
This week in Coronation Street, Wayne Hayes returned.
This week in Coronation Street, Wayne Hayes returned.
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Author awake
boom boom boom shake the room
was that the fresh prince of bel air
oh my god my book is at number one in waterstones in town
how long will it last
don't question it enjoy it
and I yelled to the cabbie 'Yo homes smell ya later'
what day is it
aldi tomorrow
walk the dinosaur
boom boom shakalaka boom boom
it's still only half past two
i need to get back to sleep
meditate
meditation, ooh-ooh, meditation
meditation is all you need
if you wanna be the best
my book is at number one in waterstones in town
boom boom boom shake the room
walk the dinosaur
BELLE OF THE BACK STREETS
Monday, March 25, 2019
Cover reveal: Pearl of Pit Lane
Absolutely chuffed to bits to be able to reveal the cover of my third novel, Pearl of Pit Lane.
Pearl of Pit Lane is released in November this year in hardback, audio and ebook and in paperback in March 2020.
'Put me to work on pit lane, would you? Is that all you think I'm worth?'
When her mother dies in childbirth, Pearl Edwards is left in the care of her aunt, Annie Grafton. Annie loves Pearl like her own daughter but it isn't easy to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. Annie knows the best way to supplement their meagre income is to walk the pit lanes at night, looking for men willing to pay for her company.
As Pearl grows older she is unable to remain ignorant of Annie's profession, despite her aunt's attempts to shield her. But when Pearl finds herself unexpectedly without work and their landlord raises the rent, it becomes clear they have few choices left and Annie is forced to ask Pearl the unthinkable.
Rather than submit to life on the pit lanes, Pearl runs away. She has nothing and nowhere to go, but Pearl is determined to survive on her own terms...
You can, if you'd like to, order it here.
BELLE OF THE BACK STREETS
Sunday, March 24, 2019
My writing week: London, New York, Paris... and Middlesbrough
What a whirlwind of a week it's been.
To London this week for a meeting which I can't say anything about just yet. While there, I called into the D C Thomson Building on Fleet Street where there's a People's Friend magazine celebration going on.
It's the magazine's 150th anniversary this year and I've been lucky enough to have already attended a party up in Dundee. Find out all about it here in my write-up, it really was an amazing event.
Also, I've been invited to be a guest speaker at a Meet The Authors session at The People's Friend magazine's 150th anniversary weekend in late May. Find out more here!
And the day after London I travelled again by train to Middlesbrough, just over an hour from home. I was there to sign BELLE OF THE BACK STREETS books, my debut novel and what a wonderful time I had. People were very friendly and whether they bought a book or not, they stopped to chat and wished me well.
Today, I'm having a rest. It's a sunny, warm day outside and there's weeding in the garden to do.
PS: I never did make it New York or Paris... but you never know what could be next!
BELLE OF THE BACK STREETS
Corrie weekly update - Tara Rana
I've been writing Coronation Street weekly updates since 1995 and this week's Coronation Street has just gone live here.
This week in Coronation Street everything fell apart.
This week in Coronation Street everything fell apart.
BELLE OF THE BACK STREETS
Saturday, March 16, 2019
Corrie weekly update – Salty, Malty, Lolly, Corrie
I've been writing Coronation Street weekly updates since 1995 and this week's Coronation Street has just gone live here.
This week in Coronation Street, a hen do went wrong and motives were made for an explosion next week.
This week in Coronation Street, a hen do went wrong and motives were made for an explosion next week.
Debut novel - out now!
Belle of the Back Streets
Belle of the Back Streets
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
A Day In The Life of Glenda Young
Frost magazine have interviewed me for a feature called A Day In The Life. It's focused on my writing life so there are details about an hour-long coffee break and lots of lovely biscuits. It also tells you a little of my writing schedule and how I try (but don't often win at) being disciplined when working from home.
It's a good, fun read and it's here.
You might also like to read Frost magazine's review of my debut novel Belle of the Back Streets.
It's here.
Woman Magazine: This week's hot read
Woman magazine is one that my mam used to read when I was growing up.
And today I'm in it!
Well, Belle of the Back Streets is ... and they've listed my debut novel as This Week's Hot Read.
I am absolutely over the moon!
Belle of the Blog Tour - read all the blog reviews
Belle of the Back Streets went on a Blog Tour in early March 2019 during the week of the paperback launch. I've never been on a Blog Tour before - but then again, I've never had a novel published before either, so this has been a very steep learning curve for me. Anyway, the Blog Tour went very well. The reviews were stunning and I was very moved by the book bloggers' words.
Below are links to each of the reviews and I do recommend reading each one. With thanks to my publishers at Headline and Anne Cater for arranging this.
 |
| Ann Cater: #BookBlogger at Random Things Through my Letterbox. Book Reviews for the Daily Express. Blog Tour Organiser for authors & publishers. |
Day 1: Northern Reader
"Tragedy, grim events and so many challenges ... immensely readable and difficult to put down when you have become involved with the characters. That is the strength of this saga ..."
Day 2: Varietas
Day 3: Waggy Tales
"...extremely well researched and cleverly plotted ...I can’t wait for the next instalment from Glenda Young. I think this is a name we will become very familiar with and I highly recommend Belle of the Back Streets."
Day 4: ChellesAndBooks
"A brilliant debut novel from Glenda and what a lovely story it is."
Day 5: Donna's Book Blog
"... a thoroughly enjoyable story and an excellent piece of historical fiction – very highly recommended!
Day 6: Herding Cats
"I cannot wait to pass on my recommendations to friends and family and to spread the word about this truly wonderfully written, heartwarming novel"
Day 7: Jaffa Reads Too
"Belle of the Back Streets is this author's debut historical saga and from the strength of her writing I am sure we are going to see much more of her excellent stories in the future."
Day 8: Cheryl M-M
"It’s written with a flair of Cookson... It’s a dramatic read at times and yet simultaneously also a cosy read, with just enough danger and heartbreak to keep the pages turning... It’s historical fiction with a strong sense of family and community."
Thank you again to all of the book bloggers for taking the time to read and enjoy my debut novel. I really do appreciate it!
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Win Belle of the Back Streets, Inside Soap magazine
The magazine, and my book, are in the shops now!
Short story The Housekeeper's Secret in My Weekly magazine
There's a very special competition in this week's My Weekly magazine to win one of ten copies of my debut novel Belle of the Back Streets.
The magazine also carries an exclusive short story I've written, called The Housekeeper's Secret and I do hope you enjoy it.
Friday, March 08, 2019
My interview on BBC Radio Newcastle
Yesterday I was interviewed on BBC Radio Newcastle by DJ Lisa Shaw. I had been invited into the studio and was very much looking forward to it.
But on the day before I was due to go in, I came down with a heavy cold and had to cancel my journey to Newcastle. Instead, the BBC kindly did the interview with me by phone from home.
I was invited to chat about my debut novel Belle of the Back Streets and you can listen to me if you'd like to.
I start talking at 20 minutes and 33 seconds
And then again at 38 minutes and 35 seconds.
You can listen to the interview here.
Belle of the Book Launch
Last night was one of the most amazing nights of my life and one I will never forget. It was the book launch for my debut novel Belle of the Back Streets.
The book is set in Ryhope, the northeast coal mining village I grew up in, in 1919 and follows the life of Meg, a young girl who takes on her dad's rag and bone round.
The launch was held in The Albion Inn on Ryhope village green as the pub features in the book a lot. I'd booked a buffet for thirty people some time ago, and then spent weeks worrying that there'd be far too much food for the half dozen or so people who might turn up.
And how many turned up in the end?
Well, let's put it this way... there wasn't enough food to go around and although I know I bought 24 cakes, and I think I remember seeing them... they didn't hang around long and I missed out on eating one. But don't they look great?
Not only did I underestimate how many people would turn up, I also didn't take enough books. I took 30 along, thinking I'd be lucky if I'd sell a dozen or so. All 30 were snapped up in minutes and I could easily have sold 30 more. It's a learning experience, and one I'll take lessons from for the launch of my next book The Tuppenny Child when it's released in paperback in October 2019.
Friends old and new came to the launch including two friends who flew in from Dublin just for the bash, a friend who rearranged business meetings in the north-east so that she could be there too. My agent Caroline Sheldon travelled from London to attend, and gave a short speech, with some lovely words that put a lump in my throat.
My friend Corinne Kilvington opened proceedings with a short Q&A session about the book and my writing life and then we opened the floor to some great questions. Then Corinne and I did a reading of one of my favourite scenes from the book. (I'm the one in the checked dress). As Corinne's an actor and theatre director, as I was reading the passage from the book, Corinne did the voices, which was great. I loved this bit. In fact I loved it all and I want to do it all again.
Because so many people did turn up for the book launch, the place was packed out. The function room at the Albion was absolutely packed full of people.
Sadly, this meant that those at the back, standing room only and spilling out into the main bar, couldn't hear the talk and the reading. Added to this was the fact I had a heavy cold and couldn't shout.. oh dear.
I'm therefore looking to repeat the talk at another, larger venue in Ryhope and will post details to my events page on my website as soon as this is organised.
All in all, it was the most amazing, incredible night.
Belle of the Back Streets: My Weekly magazine review
There's a beautiful review of my debut novel, Belle of the Back Streets, in My Weekly magazine. You can read it here if you'd like to.
Seven of the words from that review have sent a shiver down my spine - in a good way!
I predict this will be a bestseller
Oh I do hope so!
Thursday, March 07, 2019
Belle of the Back Streets: Frost Magazine review
I'm having a bit of a day today, the launch of my debut novel Belle of the Back Streets in paperback.
Too poorly, with a bad cold that's knocked me for six, to travel to BBC Radio Newcastle for a planned interview today. Fortunately, the lovely people there let me do the interview by phone but it was a real effort to sound "up" when I was snivelling and shivering and trying not to sneeze.
Tonight it's the book launch and I'm having to rest up all day on the sofa to reserve any energy I have got for the bash tonight. An afternoon nap will be in order.
There's been some terrific reviews of Belle of the Back Streets so far. Another went live today on Frost magazine by writer Tracy Baines.
It's well worth a read.
Wednesday, March 06, 2019
From Soaps To Saga: My interview with Women Writers website
My debut novel Belle of the Back Streets is published in paperback this week on Thursday 7 March 2019 - World Book Day.
Women Writers website asked me to write a blog post about my love of soap opera and how (or if) it's influenced my writing, especially my debut novel.
It's a cracking read - and it's here if you'd like to read it
Saturday, March 02, 2019
For the love of it: My piece in Mslexia magazine
The last few months as my writing career has really taken off, it has brought a lot of 'oh my God' moments to my life. I've been having so many of these lately that I feel I'm constantly on the verge of tears.
And today I had another one.
Mslexia magazine is celebrating its 20th anniversary with the March 2019 issue out now - and I'm in it.
I've written a piece for "The Love of It" section on blogging about Coronation Street, setting up the blog, writing Corrie weekly updates and TV Tie-In books.
And of course, the piece gives a mention to my debut novel Belle of the Back Streets too.
Now if you'll excuse me, I think I've got something in my eye.
See also:
Paperback released March 7 2019
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