Come and meet  Chichester Book Club authors Jane Rusbridge, Gabrielle Kimm and Isabel Ashdown at Bognor Library on March 19th, at  7.30pm.

Gabrielle Kimm, His Last Duchess, was published by Little, Brown in 2010 and long-listed for the RNA Novel of the Year. Her second novel, The Courtesan’s Lover , shortlisted for the Impress Prize, was released in November 2011. Gabrielle lives and works in Sussex.  As well as her writing, she is also an English teacher, and has taught in a number of local schools.

His Last Duchess (Sphere) is ‘ full of fascinating period detail and simmering with tension’ – Lancashire Evening Post.

Isabel Ashdown’s debut novel Glasshopper was twice named in the press as one of the best books of 2009. Her second novel, Hurry Up and Wait, was published by Myriad in June 2011. Isabel grew up in East Wittering, and the Sussex Coast continues to be an important influence in much of her writing.

Her prize-winning entry to the Mail on Sunday Novel Competition was described by judges Fay Weldon and John Mortimer as ‘magnificent’ (Glasshopper, 2009).

Jane Rusbridge’s first novel, The Devil’s Music (Bloomsbury, 2009) was nominated for the 2011 International IMPAC Literary Award. Her second, Rook (2012) is set in Bosham and explores the mystery surrounding Harold II burial place. The Rusbridge family has farmed in the local area for generations and Jane gains much of her inspiration for setting and atmosphere from the Wittering seascapes.

‘a highly original, fresh, new talent of rare quality’ – The Lady

Join Chichester Book Club authors Isabel Ashdown, Gabrielle Kimm  and Jane Rusbridge for readings and conversation over afternoon tea at The Beach House in West Wittering.

Date: November 3^rd

Time: 4pm

Place:   The Beach House, Rookwood Road, West Wittering, Chichester, West Sussex PO20 8LT Tel: 01243 514800 email: info@beachhse.co.uk

Cream teas: £4.75 for tea for one, 2 scones, clotted cream and jam Cakes: £2.95.

BUY THE BOOKS from The Beach House in advance and on the day at the special event price of £5.

About the authors:

Isabel Ashdown’s debut novel Glasshopper was twice named in the press as one of the best books of 2009. Her second novel, Hurry Up and Wait, was published by Myriad in June 2011. Isabel grew up in East Wittering, and the Sussex Coast continues to be an important influence in much of her writing. Her prize-winning entry to the Mail on Sunday Novel Competition was described by judges Fay Weldon and John Mortimer as ‘magnificent’ (Glasshopper, 2009).

Gabrielle Kimm’s debut novel, His Last Duchess, was published by Little, Brown in 2010 and long-listed for the RNA Romantic Novel of the Year. Her second novel, The Courtesan’s Lover, shortlisted for the Impress Prize, is released in November 2011. Gabrielle lives and works in Sussex.  As well as her writing, she is also an English teacher, and has taught in a number of local schools.

His Last Duchess (Sphere) is ‘ full of fascinating period detail and simmering with tension’ - Lancashire Evening Post.

Jane Rusbridge’s first novel, The Devil’s Music (Bloomsbury, 2009) was nominated for the 2011 International IMPAC Literary Award. Her second, Rook (2012) is set in Bosham and explores the mystery surrounding Harold II’s burial place. The Rusbridge family has farmed in the local area for generations and Jane gains much of her inspiration for setting and atmosphere from the Wittering seascapes.

‘a highly original, fresh, new talent of rare quality’ – The Lady

Click on the image for more details.

`A sharp expose of the devastating effects of the taboos that govern motherhood.’ Alison Macleod  (Shortlisted for the National Short Story Competition 2011)

The Funtington Literary Society have chosen The Devil’s Music as their 100^th read and I’m delighted to be invited to their monthly meeting on Wednesday 26th October to discuss the novel and answer their questions.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of being a published author is talking with those who have read The Devil’s Music, listening to readers’ views and disagreements, answering questions when I can and, sometimes, having certain details pointed out to me that I hadn’t noticed or considered myself. One early reader of the hardback version, for example, told me he thought cat flaps were not invented in the 50s. I tried to find out whether or not they were, but as I couldn’t be sure, I had to edit the cat flap out of the paperback version.

Another example is readers’ reactions to Andrew, the main character. Many readers think of him as autistic, and some have congratulated me on my portrayal of an autistic man.  I, however, have never thought of him as autistic but as someone emotionally damaged. When, in one book club meeting, a clinical psychologist suggested Andrew suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, her diagnosis made complete sense – but I hadn’t worked it out for myself.

So, I’m looking forward to discovering which points the Literary Society will raise for discussion on the 26th!

Funtington Literary Society was founded in 2003 and meets monthly in members’ homes. The group is open to all who are interested in literature. Membership is free.

Buy The Devil’s Music direct from Bloomsbury for £4.95 here

‘explores, in finely wrought language, family secrets, impossible choices and the way memory  distorts and knots the truth’ Laura Wilkinson. Amazon 5*

The Devil’s Music is September’s book of the month for readers and book groups around Littlehampton and I’m looking forward to visiting  Inspire Leisure, at The Windmill studio, The Green, Windmill Road, Littlehampton, Sussex BN17 5LH on Tuesday 4th October to talk about the book.

Time: 6pm                            Cost: £2.50

I’ll be reading from The Devil’s Music, chatting about the inspiration behind it (the clue is the ball of string!) and answering readers’ questions.

If you’d like to read The Devil’s Music in advance, Bloomsbury are selling copies online for only £4.95 here

You’re more than welcome to come along and join the discussion.

Afterwards I will be signing copies of The Devil’s Music, which also will be available to buy at the special event price of £5.

Hope to see you there!

Kate Angus, Library Manager said, “The school is delighted to host the event.  It is the first of its kind and it will be great to meet local authors and discuss their captivating fiction.”

The event, to be held at the school on 14^th October, promises an evening of readings and conversation with the three award-winning authors, all of whom have strong connections with the local school.

“It’s wonderful to be invited into a school with such close personal connections,” says Isabel, a former pupil whose latest book is partly inspired by her schooldays at CHSG in the 1980s.

The featured books are The Devil’s Music by Jane Rusbridge, His Last Duchess by Gabrielle Kimm and Hurry Up and Wait by Isabel Ashdown.

Part of Jane’s novel is set in a seaside railway-carriage house, like those in Wittering. “We hope people will read the books prior to the event,” she says, “and come loaded with questions to ask the authors.”

Gabrielle’s book opens in the baking heat of a 16th century Tuscan summer.  A former teacher at CHSG, she says, “All three of us have had daughters at the school and we’re delighted to be helping the school raise funds through ticket sales.”

It’s a public event, and tickets cost £5 each, which includes a free glass of wine.  To book: contact Kate Angus or Susan Mulkern at CHSG on tel: 01243 78701401243 787014 ext 2606 or email: kangus@wsgfl.org.uk or ask at Chichester Public Library.

The Devil’s Music by Jane Rusbridge: £4.95 from Bloomsbury or £6.82 from Amazon or £7.99 from Waterstone’s or £5.10 Kindle Edition

His Last Duchess by Gabrielle Kimm: £4.48 from Book Depository or £4.49 from Amazon or £6.59 from Waterstone’s or £3.99 Kindle Edition

Hurry Up and Wait by Isabel Ashdown: £5.86 from Book Depository or £5.87 from Amazon or £8.99 from Waterstone’s or £1.49 Kindle Edition

Also, please check out the new ‘Local Authors’ book bay instore at Waterstone’s, Chichester – supporting and encouraging readers and writers in our city.

I’m delighted to be invited to the  Lime Cafe in Worthing on Tuesday 26^th July as guest author for this month’s book club event, which is organised in conjunction with Waterstone’s Worthing. The cafe menu looks very enticing and the evening, which begins at 7. 00pm, will include a quiz, informal readings, discussion and Q &A. I’ll be more than happy to answer any questions readers have about The Devil’s Music, my journey into publication or the writing process. There will also be an opportunity to have your copy of The Devil’s Music signed.

Buy The Devil’s Music from Waterstone’s Worthing or online direct from Bloomsbury, here

Location: The Lime Cafe, St Pauls Church, Chapel Road, Worthing, BN11 1EE.  For the map, click HERE.