After a career in libraries, I began writing in retirement and have had writing published in Best of British, Scribble and Flash Fiction Magazine, as well as in the anthologies "To Hull and Back 2018 Short Stories," "Where the Wild Winds Blow", and "A Following Wind". My verse, "The Year Before Christmas", recounting the story of Emmie the Elf, is available from Amazon and Smashwords.
I plan to publish a collection of short stories later in 2019. Watch this space...
I live in the Cambridgeshire Fens most of the time, surrounded by flat but ever-changing fields. Other times I live across a garden fence from London’s historic Epping Forest.
A Personal History The Workroom Everyone would hope to spend some time in the workroom during the day. The first workroom task of the morning was to write out reader tickets for the previous day's new borrowers and those whose tickets had expired. The book-card-in-ticket arrangement then in use is known as the ‘Brown’ issuing … Continue reading Olden Days in UK Public Libraries – #3
A Personal History Work Experience The intention for my work experience year was that I would circulate around departments and branches to get an overview of the service. I think, though, that once my college place was secured, they heaved a sigh of relief and forgot about me. Opening hours for the borough's full-time branches … Continue reading Olden Days in UK Public Libraries – #2
A personal history I am at a loss for something to write about while avoiding New Year resolutions, lockdown, or another recap of 2020 (all covered more eloquently by fellow bloggers). I will instead be recapping UK public libraries in the nineteen-seventies, based on my article published in Best of British magazine, August 2018, having … Continue reading Olden Days in UK Public Libraries – #1
A Story The network wasn’t fast but it served their purposes. Alerts were circulated and action co-ordinated, while underground supply lines sustained the sick or starving. To an onlooker they might seem inactive, but as they stretched to soak up the spring sunshine the network was crackling beneath them. Now news of an attack came … Continue reading The Network
For those with time to look online today... Christmas is a family time, but not this year. Lights may twinkle, bells may chime but no-one’s here. No clinking glasses, laughing voices carolling in rhyme. No Christmas cheer. It’s not enough to celebrate a birth; the festive season sells. But this year, inns have little cause … Continue reading Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
The Godmother by Cathy Cade is a new and modern version of Cinderella, complete with computers and webcams. After her father’s death, Cindy lives with her stepmother and stepsisters, the Uglies, in her father’s house, which now belongs to her stepmother, Baroness Malegra. Cindy lives in the basement with her dog Buttons and does their bidding, whatever it may be. But Aunt Phemie, her wonderful Godmother, has decided to visit, and change is on the horizon. Told from multiple points of view, including Cindy’s dog Buttons and her Godmother Aunt Phemie, this is a humorous new take on an old tale.
Another delightful story by the talented Cathy Cade, who brings new life and fun to this classic fairy tale. You will laugh at the high jinks of Aunt Phemie and Buttons, and frown at the very nasty stepmother.
I received a free copy of this book from the author…
