WHEEL OF FORTUNE Launch Day!

Wasn’t it a brilliant day? Even several weeks after WHEEL OF FORTUNE’s book launch I’m still buzzing. The sun shone, crowds gathered, and everything ran on rails.

I’m also taking a step back and reviewing the event as a whole. My first thought is that releasing a book involves so much more than writing it and throwing a party. Yes, the lengthy process of editing and negotiations over cover design – all the itsy-bitsy aspects of producing the final version – is complex and time-consuming and I can’t thank LizCarter at Resolute Books enough for all her input and support.

The event itself was something else again, involving lots of people and moving parts especially as we weren’t launching just one book, nor even two, but two books AND a business. This required mega amounts of coordination and a first-class honours degree in organisation. Thankfully, the members of Resolute Books have this in bucket loads.

Thanks to everyone at Resolute Books and fellow Resolute authors: Paul Trembling, Sue Russell, Ruth Leigh Writes, Edward de Chazal, and Sarah Nicholson. We were spoilt for choice with a superb selection of meats, pies and local cheeses from Framptons Of Bridport, and delicious canapés and St James cake by talented Nick Leigh.

The very gifted Jason Smith of Social Shapes organised photographs of the event (herding authors is no easy task I can tell you) and ensured it was recorded for posterity. Lovely guests travelled from far and wide and bought many books (thank you!) and we had eight dogs to add to the joy of it all. Congratulations to Paul Trembling for his release of his chilling crime novel, LOCAL KILLER and to Resolute Books for making it a day to remember.

Date:: June 14, 2023
Categories:: News
Tags:: authors, book launch, book release, Brampton's of Bridport, crime writer, Dorset, garden, historical mystery suspense, historical novel, historical novelist, Jason Smith social media, Local Killer, new book, new business, novel, novelist, Paul Trembling, publishing, Resolute Books, Social Shapes media, The Tarnished Crown, Wars of the Roses, Wheel of Fortune, writers, writing history

Countdown to Book Launch Begins

The countdown to the book launch has begun with just over two weeks to go until Wheel of Fortune‘s release. And I’m still waiting for delivery of the books. It’s always the same at this point – the ‘will-they-won’t-they’ trepidation, those first-night nerves. This is the sixth book launch I’ve done since 2012 and I’ve never not had the books for the big day. There’s always the risk that the much anticipated box won’t arrive in time, that the distributer has mislaid the order. Or perhaps the lorry has been waylaid by book-loving gremlins en route… No, that last is implausible. Gremlins don’t read.

Meanwhile, preparations continue apace. Not only is Wheel of Fortune due for release by Resolute Books on 20th May, but my good friend and author, Paul Trembling, is launching the latest instalment in his Local series – Local Killer – on the same day. I had the privilege of seeing an ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of Local Killer a while back and it is a cracking read. I’ll be writing a full review of Local Killer shortly.

It struck me how different our writing styles are, reflecting the different genera in which we write. His – taut, sparse, tense – the epitome of great crime thriller writing. Mine – with tension woven throughout a longer, multi-layered narrative, where the historical landscape is peopled by complex personalities negotiating a web of political and personal dilemmas. The varied styles of authors writing in different genera is one of the aspects of literature I find so enjoyable – mystery, suspense, thrillers and, of course, history – set in any location and in any period. When it comes down to it – and whatever the genre – it’s all about story.

There is one type of story of which I am not particularly fond, the one where the author has a queue of eager readers waiting for a signed copy of her book – and an empty table. I haven’t read that story yet and I’m determined not to write it. Roll on 20th May and my box of books!

Local Killer by Paul Trembling and Wheel of Fortune by C.F. Dunn are published through Resolute Books on 20th May 2023

Date:: May 4, 2023
Categories:: News
Tags:: author Paul Trembling, book launch, book release, book-loving gremlins, C.F. Dunn, C15th, hidden history, historical, historical mystery suspense, historical novel, history, Local Killer, Medieval, new book, novel, publisher, publishing, Resolute Books, Richard III, stories, The Tarnished Crown, Wars of the Roses, Wheel of Fortune, writing, writing history

5* NEW BOOK REVIEW for WHEEL OF FORTUNE

Only one week to go until the book launch and WHEEL OF FORTUNE has a 5* review!

‘CF Dunn’s strong, hard-hitting narrative is also often intensely lyrical and poetic. I found every aspect of this novel utterly compelling.’

author SC Skillman

Find the full review here at https://scskillman.com/blog-scskillman-writer-psychological-paranormal-mystery-fiction-young-adults-and-new-adults/

Date:: March 7, 2023
Categories:: News
Tags:: C15th, cover reveal, discover, Edward IV, historical, historical mystery suspense, historical novel, Medieval, new book, novel, publishing, Richard III, The Tarnished Crown, Wars of the Roses, Wheel of Fortune, writing, writing history

* NEW BOOK ALERT*

*NEW BOOK ALERT*

Date:: March 2, 2023
Categories:: News
Tags:: C.F. Dunn, C15th, fifteenth century, historical, historical mystery suspense, historical novel, history, Medieval, new book, new book alert, novel, publishing, research, Richard III, The Tarnished Crown, Wars of the Roses, Wheel of Fortune, writing, writing history

New Book Release: The Wounds of Time by S.L. Russell

Hooray! Hurrah! The 21st March, 2022 sees the eagerly awaited launch of author S.L.Russell’s latest contemporary novel The Wounds of Time and, for me, this is her best novel to date.

Set in the fictional town of Brant, and maintaining the link with characters in each of the two preceding Brant novels – The Healing Knife and The Thorn of Truth – The Wounds of Time can be read as part of the series or as a stand-alone book.

The protagonist in this case is Janet, a strong-minded, independent woman of middling years, who has clawed her way out of a challenging childhood to become the highly respected Senior Clerk of Chambers. Top of her game and queen of her small realm, at first glance Janet is a prickly character and not someone that ticks the usual protagonist boxes. She can be abrasive, standoffish, even a touch arrogant. She doesn’t suffer fools and is quite likely to tell them as much. But beneath the hard shell is a woman with whom many readers can identify and therein lies just one aspect of S.L. Russell’s skill as a writer. The author deftly conjures a complex, believable character who faces difficult circumstances but does not neatly overcome them. Instead, Janet does what we all do: reacts imperfectly to changing circumstances, makes wrong decisions (albeit with good intentions), and alienates those closest to her as she builds a shield wall to protect herself and others. Simply put, Janet is a recognisable, multi-coloured individual, not bleached of her imperfections for the sake of narrative, but someone we grow to know and care about as we make the journey with her.

And while S.L. Russell’s books have a benign disposition (there is nothing offensive in terms of language or content) they are neither cosy nor sentimental. Each deals with life situations with a clear-sighted reality as down to earth and compassionate as the author herself. Sue Russell is the champion of real and The Wounds of Time is likely to provoke a degree of gentle self-reflection.

Tightly plotted and with a building tension, The Wounds of Time is written in a concise style with an exquisite use of language, leaving a lingering impression – a resonance akin to eating a fine, dark chocolate – delighting the senses and satisfying in its depth.

The Wounds of Time is available to order: https://amzn.to/3JqoJIk

Books in the Brant series:

Date:: March 18, 2022
Categories:: News
Tags:: A Vision of Locusts, author, book release, new book, novel, S.L. Russell, Sue Russell, The Healing Knife, The Thorn of Truth, The Wounds of Time, writer

There’s A Storm Coming: Writing Weather

Bank Holiday Monday and it’s brewing a storm. Visitors to this dramatic part of South-West England will be hunkering down on the beaches with BBQs and brollies. Others will escape into Bridport or Weymouth to explore the myriad shops and alleyways, restaurants and antiquities hidden there. Some will brave Portland Bill for a bit of wave-watching. This is where the Portland Race – a stretch of rough and treacherous water – helped the English fleet defeat the Spanish Armada in 1588. Despite the range of lighthouses on the rocky promontory the seas here are no less dangerous for the unwary. Tucked into the lee of the striking red and white striped Portland lighthouse, however, those who relish the thrill can watch the roiling seas in relative safety. Wind-lashed and chilled, it’s all but a quick dash across exposed grass to the warmth and comfort of the nearby cafe.

I’m not going anywhere today. I’m back in the C15th brewing a storm for my protagonist and her family. Consciously or not, I will write the storm into my story, a character in its own right.

All my life I have been fascinated by the changing moods of the weather. It surrounds us, affecting everything from the clothes we wear to the language we speak. So, do you find the same? Does sea-mist or thunder, thick frost or deep snow inspire you? Make you want to write, paint, sing? Because I know that I could no more neglect the weather in my writing as I can the call of spring in my garden. Today, as the wind thrashes the trees outside, I’ll listen from the tranquility of my room. I’ll watch over the edge of my laptop as the tempest rages hoping, for everyone’s sake, that this one doesn’t make it into the history books. BBQ weather this isn’t.

Date:: May 3, 2021
Categories:: News
Tags:: 1588, Bank Holiday, Bridport, C15th, changing moods of the weather, coast, Dorset, English fleet, fifteenth century, history, inspired to write, lighthouse, novel, Portland Bill, Portland Race, protagonist, rough seas, sea, Spanish Armada, storm, story, there's a storm coming, weather, Weymouth, writin up a storm, writing fiction, writing weather

Following Breadcrumbs: Tracing Historical People

Sir Hugh Hastings, de jure 10th baron Hastings, (c1447 – 7th June, 1488) is one of those tantalising figures that populates C15th English history. We have scant information about the man and I have been unable to trace an image of him. The little we do have leaves a trail of breadcrumbs that leads to notable people and events. We know he was knighted and acted as Sheriff of Yorkshire (1479 – 1480), and that he was also steward of Tickhill castle, near Doncaster, Yorkshire. This is where he enters my orbit of interest.

Son of Sir John Hastings (of Elsing Hall, Norfolk) and Anne Morley, Hugh married Anne Gascoigne (before 12 April 1455). Together they had five sons and six daughters who survived long enough to be named and noted.

From the Patent Rolls we gain a little more insight:

On 20th June, 1482, Hugh made a will. Given the date this, presumably, was before leaving with the invasion force to Scotland under the leadership of Richard, Duke of Gloucester.

On 25 May, 1484, Richard of Gloucester – now Richard III – rewarded Hugh Hastings for his services against the rebels in Buckingham’s rebellion. He granted him ‘the manors of Wells, Warham, Sheringham, and Wiveton, Norfolk, worth £101 6s. 7d. a year, to hold, in tail male, by military service, at a rent of £8 16s. 7d. a year.’ (Complete Peerage) What role he played is unknown.

Hugh survived the change of regime in 1485 long enough to die where he was born, in Fenwick, West Yorkshire, on 7th June, 1488.

If time were not an issue, if I had lifetimes to spend on research, it is people such as Hugh Hastings I might choose to study. Theirs is a voice seldom heard.

I am currently working on The Tarnished Crown trilogy, a historical suspense set during the turbulent years of the 15th century in the period we now call The Wars of the Roses. Blood will out.

Date:: January 31, 2021
Categories:: News
Tags:: 10th Baron Hastings, 1482, 1484, 1485, Blood of Princes, blood will out, Buckingham's rebellion, C15th, castle, Degree of Affinity, Doncaster, Edward IV, Fenwick, fifteenth century, historical, historical mystery suspense, historical novel, history, Hugh Hastings, knight, manors, novel, rebellion, research, Richard Duke of Gloucester, Richard III, sheriff, steward, study, suspense, The Tarnished Crown, Tickhill, trilogy, Wars of the Roses, Wheel of Fortune, writing, Yorkshire

Proof Is In The Reading: proofreading the new novel

I’ve spent the last few weeks holed up and proofreading. This is the last stage of preparing a novel for publication. It went through structural and copy edits and then to a professional proofreader and to me. This is my last opportunity to spot errors and make minor amendments. There are always some no matter how thoroughly I’ve editied it before. Sure enough I spotted an inadvertent name blip, winced at the number of times I used ‘winced’, and noted armorial colours that mysteriously changed. That’s what proofreading is all about and I am thankful for the absolute professionalism of the team handling the production of my book.

Proofs for Wheel of Fortune are back with the editor. It’s now time for a thorough purge of my study before resuming editing the second book, Degrees of Affinity. How does so much detritus build up when I’m not looking?

To be fair this mountain was largely the result of boxes being deposited in my room. Accumulated over thirty years, this ‘stuff’ had to be sifted and sorted, trashed and filed one box at a time.

I’ve completed that task. Now I have a lifetime of books to go through, organise and get onto the shelves. First off are the numerous books on a variety of historical topics associated with research for The Tarnished Crown trilogy. Next come those collected in childhood – well-thumbed and with annotations and observations scrawled in a childish hand. The history books from university are another load. The comments have matured, become somewhat pithy at times, and reflect a more searching mind. The stacks that have accumlated since are well-read but pristine. Notes are now made on slips of paper and secured within the pages. Many have been gifts from my family, always on the hunt for presents for Christmas and birthday. It is a time for reflection as I come across old favourites, and a time of preperation before I continue with the second book.

Date:: August 12, 2020
Categories:: News
Tags:: author, copy edits, Degrees of Affinity, editing, editor, first book, historical novel, history, new book, novel, proofreading, publishing, research, second book, series, structural edits, The Tarnished Crown, trilogy, Wheel of Fortune, writer, writing