BEST SELLING ESSEX NOVELIST MARTINA COLE LAUNCHES HER NEW BOOK AT OUR NEW FOYLES OF CHELMSFORD

Best selling Essex novelist Martina Cole's new book BETRAYAL was launched at the brand new Foyles bookshop in Bond Street, Chelmsford on Saturday. 

Hundreds of Martina's fans were there to buy her new title and she spent several hours signing books for them. Martina has been friends with us all at Brentwood Writers' Circle over the years since her first book 'Dangerous Lady' was published in 1992 and our paths have often crossed since she came to Brentwood's Ursuline School to outline how her writing career started. 

Martina was also a member of our Society of Women Writers and Journalists and is known for encouraging and helping young writers.

Do visit us at www.swwj.co.uk and also the new Foyles book store where you can also enjoy coffee and cake in their little cafe area. Friendly staff and super sales team. twitter @swwj #swwj 
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FABULOUS NEW BOOK FOR CHILDREN - AN ALPHABET OF AWFUL ANIMALS FOR ADULTS

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John Holder is also well known for his work in the classic tradition of humorous illustration, dating back to Victorian times. In 2012 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from Anglia Ruskin University for his lifetime contribution to illustration and drawing at Cambridge School of Art. 

John's drawings are wonderful.  Wait till you see how cleverly he has illustrated the animals in this book with snippets of verse from nearly 80 creatures from A for Aardvark to Z for Zoo-keeper, via a huge variety of creatures both mythical and extant, such as a gargoyle, the Jellyfish and a Witchetty Grub - lots of fun and, as the above gentleman have suggested, perfect for the loo bookcase, as well as the bedside table.      

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I still write about winemaking for HOME FARMER, which is one of the most popular British magazines at present, one that covers all kinds of practical self-sufficiency in garden, allotment and, of course, the kitchen.  Love making preserves and my wine. I know my favourite magazine is sold widely in the UK, and now in my local W H Smith store. . 

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At the end of last month, friends and family of Mike Edmonds, actor and Simon J Frith film producer with his team, all congregated at the Institute of Contemporary Art in The Mall in London.  This was the long awaited evening of the screening of  UNDER THE RADAR, a wonderful film about the life and times of Mike whose acting career has taken him all over the world. 

STUART WALLACE'S NEW ARTWORK

I've just discovered the unusual and brilliant artwork of Stuart Wallace in Denver.
Take a moment and look at his wonderful designs 
 http://stuartwallace.wixsite.com/artwork

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STARTING OFF SOME NEW COUNTRY WINE FOR THE GREAT MAGAZINE HOME FARMER

When writing columns for magazines (and as a freelance writer, this is my fourteenth regular column) it's wise to plan ahead, sometimes months ahead and this is what I am doing this week.