Linda Acaster's Blog

Both writers and readers tend to think of in-person author events taking place on a broad platform – library talks, the ubiquitous literary festival – but in East Yorkshire one man who can’t find time to complete his own debut novel has found the time to set up a bookshelf in a coffee shop.Realising just how difficult it is for indie authors to get their books in front of prospective readers,

Base image by dsdkcgl via PixabayWelcome to April! Yes, Spring is in the air and new beginnings abound.Some months ago I was approached to contribute to a series Crimewriter Penny Grubb was facilitating on aspects of writing fiction, to be showcased on the Hornsea Writers webpage as Extracts From... Oh gosh, where to start when every aspect is interconnected? And there it was, staring at me:

  Wood carving by unknown artist, Stanton Country Park, Wiltshire. (c) Linda AcasterWhat happened to January and February? Apart from the eight weeks being lost to grey skies, rain and flooded roads, that is. This is the problem with more temperate UK winters. With a lack of snow in East Yorkshire it is all so dowly, damp and depressing, not helped at all by needing to be careful

And a Happy New Year to you! I trust you enjoyed the end-of-year Festivities and are now feeling both replete and wide-eyed for the forthcoming year. Dry January, is it?Well, not here, at least not yet. We are a family which believes in the full ‘twelve days of Christmas’, even if it is more a midwinter celebration of Eat, Drink and Make Merry. There are malts and mince pies still to be

Image by Castleguard via PixabayOnce again I return with my traditional Christmas post, because, as with all good Traditions, it has the right amount of fact while not taking itself too seriously. And at the end of yet another tumultuous year, we do need a bit of not taking oneself too seriously!  Let it raise a smile as snippets are retold over a glass of something warming and yet

A single morning's crop. Image by (c) Linda Acaster It was a busy month, to say the least, not helped by British Gas arbitrarily deciding to change the household billing system and then having the temerity to advise me – three times – that it had been corrected. Can you tell I’m getting ready to hit social media??October also means we have been inundated with apples. We are lucky to have

 It’s been a rare couple of months. First I inaugurate a History themed publication on the digital platform, Medium, and now I set up a Newsletter on Substack. Is it too much – or perhaps a dearth – of sunshine? Haven’t I enough filling my days? After all, there is such a thing as overcommitment. But which creative ever owns up to that? The newsletter came about after I attended a Zoom talk by

20th century concrete pillars at Woodhenge. White, light blue, & red tops showing. Image by (c) Linda AcasterWhat happened to August? In fact, where’s September disappearing to?Normally regarded as ‘high summer’ in the UK, in late August Summer finally arrived. Friends visited, the vegetable and flower beds went into true English Country Garden mode (and with them the weeds), and we did a bit of

Part of the Ring of Brodgar, Orkney. Author's image and draft cover of a digital publication.It's been quite a July. On the one hand, the weather has been anything but summer-like. On the other, and after much procrastination, I've finally taken tentative steps in opening my own digital publication on the Medium platform.For those who have not come across it, for a fee (monthly US$5 or annual US$

 Smashwords - the Ebook distributor I use to reach Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Scribd - starts its Summer Sale today running throughout July. As well as epub format, it offers mobi for a Kindle.Great news! Many of my titles are included, offered at 50% discount.Link to my Smashwords Sale Page:https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...% Discount automatically applied at checkout)