Devon Book Club discussion

NOW - to the competition and reading challenge. The A-Z OF DEVON WRITERS

I'm excited about this. We have a fabulous literary culture in Devon and lots of wonderful writers - but how many of them do you know and are you missing out on some great books? Since I started Devon Book Club I've been amazed by how many writers there are and blown away by the quality of their writing and what lovely people they are. SO LETS CELEBRATE THEM IN 2017.

The competition is really simple (I don't want to tax your busy brains too much!) and should be fun - AND THERE IS A PRIZE (read on)

1. Nominate as many LIVING Devon - based writers as you wish, who have published a book (much as I value those who have passed away, I want to celebrate those who are enriching our lives and community today); self published or otherwise
2. For every writer you nominate that I don't have on my list you get a point
3. Fiction or non - fiction writers, for children or adults
4. Guess the total number that we will identify together (this will be the decider if there is a tie)
5. You get an extra point for a writer whose surname begins I,U, X, Y or Z as I don't have any of those
6. Nominations close at midnight on 31st January 2017
My own NY Resolution is to read one Devon writer for every letter of the alphabet!

And the prize? Jane Holland has kindly donated a second copy of her new book "Lock The Door". Thanks to Jane.

AND THE CHALLENGE?
You have until 15th December 2017 for this one.

1. I invite you to read at least one living, Devon - based writer for each letter of the alphabet.
2. Each time you complete a book, please leave a short review on Facebook or Goodreads AND on Amazon (this will help bring our local authors to the attention of wider readers)
3. Those who manage a writer for 10 different letters of the alphabet will get one draw ticket, those who manage 15 two draw tickets and those who reach 20 or more three draw tickets.
At the end of each quarter I will tell you who the top 10 authors are.

I don't know what the prize will be yet but there will be one

I hope you will enjoy this and let's give a big shout out to our local writers

What an excellent idea, well done Ian!

Clare wrote: "What an excellent idea, well done Ian!"

Thanks - hope people will get engaged with it - feel free to play!

What about cheating?

Jane wrote: "What about cheating?"

Haha. I trust you all. Book lovers are honourable people.

Brilliant idea, Ian. Where do you want us to post our lists? on here?

Elizabeth wrote: "Brilliant idea, Ian. Where do you want us to post our lists? on here?"

On here - on Facebook or on Twitter - I'll keep track

Okay, will do. And if a writer has more than one persona, with different names and different genre, they are listed in all guises:
Sophie Duffy, Elizabeth Ducie, Cathie Hartigan, Kate McCormick, Margaret Barnes, Sharon Cook, Jackie Juno, Margaret James, Su Bristow, Linda Mitchelmore, Sally Flint, Ginny Baily, Patricia Fawcett, Tarja Moles, Terri Nixon, Richard Hardie, Tim Hannigan, Hilary Mantel, Damien Boyd, Simon Kettlewell, Carla Vermaat, Babs Horton, Theresa Driscoll, Anne Allen, Oliver Toolley, Simon Dawson, Maggie Whitehouse, Lynne McVernon, Pamela Vass, Trevor Williams, John Hogarth, Rosie Smith, Lillian Harry, Tina Burton, Ann Widdecombe, Roger Whale, Andy Brown, Sam North, Jane Feaver, Jane Bidder, Sophie King, Michael Jecks, Tess Read, Kathryn Aaltro, Simon Hall, Jane Holland, Victoria Lamb, Elizabeth Moss, Beth Good, Hannah Coates, Helen Hollick, Graham Hurley, Iain Chamberlain, Julie-Ann Rowell, Matt Harvey. I'm sure there are more; I'll be back!

Great idea Ian, but I think Liz Ducie has stolen all my authors! I'd better have a think.... I suppose I can't nominate myself?!

Tom Vowles! Yay! Got a V!

My post seems to have disappeared, so forgive me if it appears again. BASteadman, and Tom Vowles, a v, Ian!

B.A. wrote: "Tom Vowles! Yay! Got a V!"

B.A. wrote: "Great idea Ian, but I think Liz Ducie has stolen all my authors! I'd better have a think.... I suppose I can't nominate myself?!"

B.A. wrote: "Great idea Ian, but I think Liz Ducie has stolen all my authors! I'd better have a think.... I suppose I can't nominate myself?!"

Elizabeth wrote: "Okay, will do. And if a writer has more than one persona, with different names and different genre, they are listed in all guises:
Sophie Duffy, Elizabeth Ducie, Cathie Hartigan, Kate McCormick, M..."

Blimey - good going!

Haha - I already have you on my list so you can't get a point for self nomination! And can I check - Tom Vowles or Tom Vowler? Cant find Tom Vowles on the internet

Well, I think Elizabeth has won this one but I couldn't see Kathy Shuker or Joanne Graham on her list... :-) I looked at the challenge and initially decided it might be too hard but now I have seen the length of Elizabeth's list I am thinking it might be possible after all... I won't bother trying to guess how many there will be but I suspect the number will surprise me :-) Well done all of you Devon authors- keep it up!

Oh, and how could I forget: Alice Oswald who has just won the 2016 Costa Poetry award for her latest book of poems, Falling Awake. What a literary county we live in!

Ellen wrote: "Well, I think Elizabeth has won this one but I couldn't see Kathy Shuker or Joanne Graham on her list... :-) I looked at the challenge and initially decided it might be too hard but now I have seen..."

Hi Ellen - I know you like a challenge. You are right that Kathy and Joanne Graham weren't on there but I have them already, as I do a large number of Elizabeth's suggestions so it is all still to play for and there is still a month to go.

The challenge itself is set out in the challenges thread so go to it!!

If you find any missing authors make sure you post them. There are well over 100 so far and climbing

I suspect they're already on your list, Ian, but I haven't seen Wendy Percivall's name or Michael Jecks yet. Oh and also Felicity Goodall (historical, non-fiction) and Michelle Heatley.

This is a very kind initiative on your part: to support Devon authors in this way. Sure I speak for us all. Thank you. (And thank you, Ellen, for the mention.) :-)

Chris Waters

Kathy wrote: "I suspect they're already on your list, Ian, but I haven't seen Wendy Percivall's name or Michael Jecks yet. Oh and also Felicity Goodall (historical, non-fiction) and Michelle Heatley.

This is a ..."

Yes - I have Wendy and Michael but not Felicity or Michelle so 2 points to you

Elizabeth wrote: "Chris Waters"

Don't think I have Chris Waters either! an extra point to Elizabeth

No-one has guessed the total number of writers I will find yet!

Give it a go - I started with just short of 90

374 in total :-)

Elizabeth wrote: "Okay, will do. And if a writer has more than one persona, with different names and different genre, they are listed in all guises:
Sophie Duffy, Elizabeth Ducie, Cathie Hartigan, Kate McCormick, M..."

Elizabeth - don't suppose you have any details of their work you send me under separate cover if I tell you which ones I didn't have (I do have a lot of them)

Elizabeth wrote: "374 in total :-)"

Blimey - that's specific! We will see. If that's right there are a lot more out there for others to nominate. I've less than 150 at present

Ellen wrote: "Well, I think Elizabeth has won this one but I couldn't see Kathy Shuker or Joanne Graham on her list... :-) I looked at the challenge and initially decided it might be too hard but now I have seen..."
Great idea Ian. And thank you Ellen, for the mention. There are so many talented writers in Devon, it's lovely to see them all recognised this way.
JG x

Do I count as a Devon author? I was born in Barnstaple, went to school in Crediton, college in Exeter and my parents live in Blackawton...but I live in Nottingham at the moment. Anyway, feel free to add me to the list if I do :)
Clare Harvey x

Joanne wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Well, I think Elizabeth has won this one but I couldn't see Kathy Shuker or Joanne Graham on her list... :-) I looked at the challenge and initially decided it might be too hard but n..."

Thanks Joanne - we are certainly rich in talent locally

Clare wrote: "Do I count as a Devon author? I was born in Barnstaple, went to school in Crediton, college in Exeter and my parents live in Blackawton...but I live in Nottingham at the moment. Anyway, feel free t..."

Hi Clare - you are clearly a cherished Devonian! For this competition I limited it to contemporary authors living in Devon but, just for you (as you've been a great supporter of the group) I will invent a category of expat Devonian writers and include you on the list. x

And there's me.
Devonshire born and Devonshire bred
Strong in the arm and thick in the head

Jane wrote: "And there's me.
Devonshire born and Devonshire bred
Strong in the arm and thick in the head"

Yup - I have you already - in the Devon Maids category haha

Ian wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "374 in total :-)"

Blimey - that's specific! We will see. If that's right there are a lot more out there for others to nominate. I've less than 150 at present"

Err, it was a guess; a number pulled out of the air. Could be wildly inaccurate!

Ian wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "Okay, will do. And if a writer has more than one persona, with different names and different genre, they are listed in all guises:
Sophie Duffy, Elizabeth Ducie, Cathie Hartigan,..."

Happy to do that, Ian.

Elizabeth wrote: "Ian wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "Okay, will do. And if a writer has more than one persona, with different names and different genre, they are listed in all guises:
Sophie Duffy, Elizabeth Ducie, Cath..."

Thanks

Re the number - you are so well connected that you may be right. Nominations have slowed now but there is still time to go!

May I add..

Lesley Pearse

Tom cox

Thanks x

Have you got Karen Hayes, Bill Wahl, Teresa Driscoll, Marion Lindsey-Noble? Sorry, I haven't got your missing letters though! xx Su

Diana wrote: "May I add..

Lesley Pearse

Tom cox

Thanks x"

You may indeed - thank you 2 points. If you can post any details of their work even better

Su wrote: "Have you got Karen Hayes, Bill Wahl, Teresa Driscoll, Marion Lindsey-Noble? Sorry, I haven't got your missing letters though! xx Su"

I have Teresa but 3 points for the others - can you send any brief details of their work and if you know them nudge them to get in touch with me?

Thanks Su

Karen Hayes - Cloud Music and lots of others
Bill Wahl - The Art of Impossibility
Marion Lindsey-Noble - The Green Sari

Su wrote: "Karen Hayes - Cloud Music and lots of others
Bill Wahl - The Art of Impossibility
Marion Lindsey-Noble - The Green Sari"

Many thanks

Ian wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "Okay, will do. And if a writer has more than one persona, with different names and different genre, they are listed in all guises:
Sophie Duffy, Elizabeth Ducie, Cathie Hartigan,..."

Ian, which ones do you want details about?

have you got Iain Chamberlain and Virginia Griem on your list?

Ian wrote: "Clare wrote: "Do I count as a Devon author? I was born in Barnstaple, went to school in Crediton, college in Exeter and my parents live in Blackawton...but I live in Nottingham at the moment. Anywa..."
Haha, expat Devonian, love it! :) xxx

Elizabeth wrote: "have you got Iain Chamberlain and Virginia Griem on your list?"

Iain yes Virginia No. Thanks

Clare wrote: "Ian wrote: "Clare wrote: "Do I count as a Devon author? I was born in Barnstaple, went to school in Crediton, college in Exeter and my parents live in Blackawton...but I live in Nottingham at the m..."

Haha - You can take the woman out of Devon........ x

Can I add myself? Kate Vane

These authors were mentioned in an article against library closures in Plymouth. Don't know if they are on your list
Babs Horton, Steve Spence, Jenna Laing, Kenny Knight, Ben Serpent and Thom Bolton. They are all new to me

Can I add myself to the list? I might have to, since no one has ever heard of me! But I do exist, I live in Devon and write books...

Kate wrote: "Can I add myself? Kate Vane"

Got you already Kate so afraid not! Who else do you know that hasn't been covered so far?

Sue wrote: "These authors were mentioned in an article against library closures in Plymouth. Don't know if they are on your list
Babs Horton, Steve Spence, Jenna Laing, Kenny Knight, Ben Serpent and Thom Bolto..."

Excellent - I have Babs but not the others so 4 points - do you have any details of them?

Simon wrote: "Can I add myself to the list? I might have to, since no one has ever heard of me! But I do exist, I live in Devon and write books..."

Hi Simon - you can indeed. Thanks for making contact - could you leave an intro to yourself on the saying hello thread. Be great to get to know you and your work

Simon wrote: "Can I add myself to the list? I might have to, since no one has ever heard of me! But I do exist, I live in Devon and write books..."

Also, could you join the group and like the FB page - helps me keep in touch

Have you got Sandra Greaves? She wrote The Skull In The Wood, a children's ghost story set on Dartmoor- I only know because she's apparently visiting my sons's School later in the month to talk to the kids (sorry am on iPhone app so can't link the author or book).