Firstly, thankyou for the many very supportive comments re. the choice of The French Lieutenant's Woman for the book group. I haven't replied to each one, but I'm glad to know lots of people are willing to read it, and even my husband has been persuaded!
Next, and about time too, I've drawn a winner for the copy of William Boyd's new novel Waiting for Sunrise - and it is Susie (and do pop over to Susie's blog to see the pictures of lovely Otto!). Thanks to everyone who put their name in the hat, and to Bloomsbury for the book itself which will be on its way to Susie very soon.
Still speaking of all things Bloomsbury, in association with the Writers' and Artists' Yearbook, they've just launched a crime writing competition with a difference: Short Sentence is about writing a crime story in fewer than 1000 words. Click on that link for the rules and submission and prize details, and you'll also see there that this month's theme for entries is 'Deception'. If you need inspiration, you might like to look at the crime list, one of which - James Runcie's Sidney Chambers and the Shadow of Death
- I've just finished and recommend thoroughly (post on it coming soon).
Crime fiction fans may also like to know about Bloody Scotland, Scotland's first international crime writing festival, taking place in Stirling in September. Here's the 'rogues' gallery' of participating authors, and from the home page you can sign up for the email newsletter.
If history is more to your taste than crime, how about the Chalke Valley History Festival which is to be held in Wiltshire at the end of June and will feature some impressive speakers.
