Helen Hollick's Picture Diary

2012-01-28T12:17:00.000Z

Know your Tall Ships

2012-01-03T15:01:00.001Z

Best Wishes for Christmas

2011-12-22T08:56:00.003Z

5th December - A Chapter of Authors....

2011-12-05T16:29:00.003Z

... or should that be a chatter of authors?

Dinner at the Reform Club, London as guests of Dominique Raccah MD and inspiration behind our US publisher - Sourcebooks Inc

Dominique

Authors James Forrester, Elizabeth Chadwick - me

Plus Shana Drehs - my lovely US Editor

The Reform Club, St James Street, London

Ready for Dinner

Gabrielle Kimm, Jane Odiwe, Amanda Grange

Phillipa Ashley & Francesca Simon

Monica Fairview
(from whom I stole these photos)

authors Jane Odiwe, Amanda Grange & Phillipa Ashley

Fabulous evening!
More images to follow asap

More information: http://monicafairview.blogspot.com/

King Harold Day 8th October 2011

2011-10-09T13:36:00.000+01:00

A wonderful evening with Bernard Cornwell

2011-09-30T18:47:00.002+01:00

Bernard Cornwell - author talk at Waterstones, Piccadilly

London 2011

Full article:

My Personal Tribute to Bernard Cornwell

August 16th London - Victoria Station

2011-08-20T13:07:00.001+01:00

A lovely lunch (and a pot of tea) with Anne from Long Island NY.

Signing a copy of
Bring It Close for Anne

My readers may perhaps recognise Anne....

this is her (as Tiola)

on the back cover of the new SilverWood published edition

of Bring It Close

and the front cover of

(Draft version cover)

National Side Saddle Show

2011-08-16T18:03:00.000+01:00

Three Day Side Saddle Show

Venue: Addington Manor Buckinghamshire UK

I'm surrounded by pirates!

Even at a Horse Show!

Cutlass Kate Cap'n Ace and the wench Lauren

Fancy Dress Class

Notice the ship on Ace's rump?

They came 3rd

1st & 2nd were little kiddies who deserved the higher placings!

that's me, doing my Mumsy bit

don't exactly look fierce do they?

Ace looks like he's asleep

it took me hours to sew that ship on!

(and blue ribbons - of course)

That's my skirt the wench is wearing.

Grr looks better on her than it does on me!

Lauren mounte

but Kathy (Cutlass Kate) had to ride in the actual arena

Adults are allowed to ride without a safety hat in side saddle classes, but not juniors.

Below

Lauren riding in the Concours d'elegance costume class

The juniors have to be skilful at disguising their hard hats.

Lauren did Ok with a green one to match the Royal Rifles costume

which she borrowed from Kathy

(she has 3 brothers serving in Afghanistan in the Rifles)

above:

Kathy riding aside in the Family Mount

and in the Handy Horse

So, on to Kathy's Concours d'elegance costume class

It is 1760 and we go to the American Colonies. The roads were rough and rutted, not suitable for elegant carriages, so the ladies would often prefer to ride aside down the main thoroughfare of Williamsburg, Virginia, to attend luncheon at the Governor’s Palace, or pay a visit to the milliner or dressmaker.

This blue on white vintage fabric has a drop front which is laced and boned and cut to an eighteenth century Dutch pattern of stylised tulips and other flowers.

The kerchief is of lawn, and the lace lining the hat and edging the sleeves is a tatted lace - an open type of lace which compliments the delicacy of the gown. Lace was highly valued – and was frequently an item used for contraband by smugglers.

Of a genuine vintage period, the hand-made mittens are also of lace.

The flat crown of the straw hat is typical of this period, and was actually purchased in the milliner’s shop on Duke of Gloucester Street, Williamsburg.

doesn't she look lovely

(said proud Mum)

The Royal International Horse Show July 2011

2011-08-01T19:17:00.000+01:00

Kathy competed in the Side Saddle concours d'elegance (historical costume) class

at the Royal International Horse Show (Hickstead)

0n 31st July 2011

Kathy has been competing at Hickstead, in various events, for about 14 years, but has never managed

to qualify for a final in the main International Arena.

At last this year - ambition achieved!

She was called forward out of 24 competitors in the preliminary judging for the final

and achieved 8th place

We are delighted!

Ace went superb, and didn't they both look smashing?

Waiting in the collecting arena for the Final

that's me - and Lauren who came along as our (superb) groom

and into the main arena...

line up

presentation

(can't see Kathy, unfortunately - nice of Ace though!)

Bristol Pirate Party - July 10th 2011

2011-07-12T16:46:00.001+01:00

I can't think of a nicer way to spend a Sunday. Sailing up and down the river Avon at Bristol (UK)

mooring at various points for a whale of a pirate party!

The Matthew

The Matthew Website

The present Matthew is a faithful reconstruction of the boat used by John Cabot when he discovered Newfoundland in 1497, becoming the first European known to have set foot on the American mainland.

The Matthew was built to cross the Atlantic on the 500th anniversary of Cabot’s famous journey. Today, she is moored alongside Brunel's ss Great Britain, as part of Bristol's visitor attractions.

The Matthew - as she appeared in
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

With Helen Hart of SilverWood Books

Steve from Radio Bristol and
the two Helens judging the
Pirate Fancy Dress Competition

One winner

and another

Pirate Apprentice Callum with his Uncle Stuart
and two Helens

I stayed overnight in the Premier Inn part of the Llandoger Trow - said to be the Tavern that inspired the Admiral Benbow in Treasure Island and where Defoe met with Selkirk (the real Robinson Crusoe)

The Llandoger Trow in the 1930's
before a bomb blasted
two of the gables

Built originally in the 1600's the Llandoger Trow
then, only occupied one gable
- the others were merchant shops

click here for more pictures

Pirate Coffee?

an afternoon in the park

2011-05-25T22:57:00.000+01:00

I spent the afternoon in Kensington Gardens talking books, writing, characters, ideas and squirrels with a Facebook friend, Paula Mildenhall, over in London from Oz.

We met at her hotel at about 2.15 & didn't stop talking until I left at about 6.30!

Fabulous lady - wonderful afternoon.

You know, I love my writing, I could never give the "demented scribbling" up. It's great when I hear from my readers saying they love one, several or all of my books.... but the icing on the cake?

Meeting these fantastic people face to face for a coffee and a chat and realising I've found a new fabulous friend; I certainly have with Paula!

Royal Weddings

2011-04-28T22:13:00.002+01:00

In celebration of the Big Day...

a few beautiful royal brides!

Queen Victoria

George VI & Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyons
our present Queen's mother & father

Princess Elizabeth
(now Queen Elizabeth) & Prince Phillip

Princess Margaret
(Queen Elizabeth II's sister)

Princess Anne &
Cpt Mark Phillips

Lady Sarah Ferguson & Prince Andrew

Diana Princess of Wales
& Prince Charles

Prince Edward & Sophie Rhys-Jones

And

Catherine's dress

Beautiful Bride!

New Start for my Books

2011-04-28T13:53:00.000+01:00

My new publisher -

I just love this logo which will appear on the spine etc

2011-03-22T12:12:00.000Z

Launched today - Sourcebook Inc's Facebook Page dedicated to their British Authors - looks like fun!

facebook The British Babes Book Brigade

2011-03-08T12:01:00.001Z

Wonderful evening at the RNA Pure Passion Awards - great to applaud Elizabeth Chadwick's award for To Defy A King.

Met some lovely writers - and fantastic to meet my previous editor, Lynn Drew (Head of fiction at Harper Collins) again

some photos here - check out the shoes, handbags, the staircase & the fireplace in the Ladies' Loo - oh and the winners of course!
romantic novelists association blogspot

among the lovely ladies (& gents) my thanks to Carole McGrath, Nikki, Sue, Liesel & Barbara for their company

Good friends, good food, good wine - good time!

2011-02-20T16:03:00.000Z

I escaped the daily trudge for a few days & went AWOL to Aylesbury to stay with some very good friends of mine, Towse, Graham & Broni

From the train (Marylebone to Ayledbury Buckinghamshire - about an hour) I went to the rendezvous point...

Lunch at the The King's Head Inn (ah we have good taste!)

The King's Head in the Market Square, is notable as being one of the oldest public houses with a coaching yard in the south of England.

The oldest part of the building is of 15th century design but the cellars are much older, dating back to the 13th century and may have been part of the local friary.

Lunch was absolutely scrummy although we ate indoors as it was too cold to sit out in the lovely old courtyard

(and I hope the elderly lady who fell over on the cobbles is OK. She went down quite a whack - one of my friends saw it all happen and helped the lady get up, sort herself out. Oh and thank you to the taxi driver who took her to the car park... and boo hiss to the first taxi driver who refused to help.)

Out to dinner the next night - The King's Head meal was nice enough, but the The Bottle & Glass

was superb. I don't think I've had such a delicious meal for a long time. The sticky toffee pudding is not to be missed!

Their blog site (though a little out of date) states:

"Welcome to the Bottle & Glass in the beautiful hamlet of Gibraltar near Thame. Our ethos is affordable, good quality food, prepared from locally sourced produce with friendly staff catering to all your personal requirements. A roaring log fire, candle lit tables and tasteful decorations to create a wonderful environment."

Nothing I can add to that! Just wish I lived nearer so I could partake of a fabulous meal yet again.

Oh well next visit..... um, mates, when can I come again?

(although, I suppose, it is only an hour's drive from London....

....and it is my birthday soon.... )

The British Museum

2011-02-12T16:07:00.000Z

The is where I met author Richard Denning a few days ago for a chat and a coffee.

The Rotunda
British Museum

By the huge sweep of steps is a good place to wait if meeting people.

2011-01-04T19:19:00.000Z

My beautiful Sea Witch box made especially for me by Carol a friend from the USA

Actually - these photos are of the original box which she made for my graphics designer Cathy Helms of Avalon Graphics but rather than beg my daughter to upload new images - and having to find the camera in the first place - I've pirated Cathy's photos that she sent me.

I so loved her box I cheekily asked for one too. And Santa delivered it!

This will be something that I will treasure for a long, long time - it is absolutely beautiful!

Christmas Kitten

2010-12-26T17:39:00.000Z

Rum the dog says "Hrmph. Wish Santa would take that pesky
little black thing someplace else!"

More photos of Miss Mab

2010-12-03T12:54:00.000Z

also known as Trouble.... :-)

Trouble? Me...?... Ow?
^ ..^

Our New Kitten

2010-11-28T12:48:00.003Z

Meet our kitten - officially named Mab - but more commonly known as Trouble

She's already shown she can write better than me by pouncing on the keyboard - loves chasing the cursor on the screen. and spent the night asleep on my desk.

Obviously keeping watch for the mouse.

Appledore - North Devon

2010-11-27T22:10:00.001Z

The Bar (looking out to sea)

Looking towards Instow

Where the Taw and Torridge meet...

One End Street

Add caption

Market Street

Five Days in Devon

2010-11-07T12:58:00.002Z

Two highlights of my few days away - strolling through the narrow streets of Appledore, and meeting with Mandi from Bideford People to chat about Jesamiah and the Sea Witch Voyages.

photo - courtesy Bideford people

Ripples In The Sand is set in and around Appledore and Instow and the estuary of the rivers Taw and Torridge along the North Devon coast. A sand bar has always made shipping coming into the safety of the rivers hazardous, yet Bideford and Barnstaple were huge centrees of trade in the 16-1800's.

I wanted to bring Sea Witch and Jesamiah to England to make a change of scene for the novels, and decided on the Instow area because that's where my editor, Jo, lives and I'd had a chance to do a fair bit of exploring around there. Plus I could use the enigmatic Exmoor for a few scenes (and bring the famous Doone family into the story!)

When I started writing Ripples I had decided that Jesamiah would be bringing in a cargo of tobacco from Virginia, so imagine my excitement when I discovered that Bideford was the main centre for the tobacco trade in the 1700's. I couldn't believe I'd stumbled on a fact I had no previous idea of.

I also found that there are the remains of a very old chapel on Crow Point, opposite Appledore, of Celtic origin. A place of birth and fertility. The remains of a Stone Age causeway was discovered - leading towards the Isle of Lundy, which is one those Celtic places, like Glastonbury, that has association with the dead. So - a link with birth to death. And Tiola, of course, is a midwife - birth, and midwives also laid out the dead.

So by sheer chance I had found an ideal spot that fitted perfectly with my idea for a plot.

I was to have another of those OMG hair prickling moments when I started investigating the cobbled streets of Appledore with Jo on the first full day of my Devon Break. The old Appledore streets are very "quaint". narrow, twisting and turning; a rabbit warren maze - a smugglers' haven if ever there was one.

I needed to find a suitable location to place my fictitious tavern where Jesamiah and Tiola are going to stay. I had decided on a name before I'd even started writing - either the Triple Moon or the Full Moon.

Wandering along Market Street, and studying the guide book, Jo and I came to One End Street. Named for obvious reasons. Originally it was called Cock Street, however.

Rather coyly the guide writer assumes the name was given either because a man named John Cock lived there or they held cock fights in the street. Ahem. Appledore was a sailor's port. Cock Street was not a thoroughfare (only having one entrance/exit) so any "street entertainments" would not be interrupted by passers by. Cock Street, I'm afraid, probably has a far more, um, robust - origin!

I wandered on along Market Street reading the guide book. The present Coach and Horses Tavern was there pre 1800 - though called something different, and at that time it would have had frontage onto the river and harbour (there is a later-built row of shops and cottages there now)

Then my jaw dropped and I felt that prickle of excitement mingled with an "oo-er" moment.
There had also been a tavern in Cock Street.

I'll give you two guesses as to what it was called....

Market Street - an old photograph.
In Jesamiah's time there would only have been the left hand side buildings

... Answer:- The Full Moon.

an OMG spine shiver moment! I had no idea when I chose that name for my fictitious tavern!

Me, Michael Portillo and the Microphones!

2010-10-30T16:44:00.001+01:00

Radio 4 - Part 1
I was a bit stunned last week to receive an e-mail from the BBC (oh-oh not paid my TV licence? Hang on ... Ron is over 75, we don't pay for a licence any more....) It was from someone from Radio 4 wanting my phone number (oh yes....????) Well I looked him up on the BBC website, and his credentials seemed legit. So I mailed my number.

Glad I did!
I was asked if I would take part in recording a Radio 4 programme The Things We Forgot To Remember. The subject was to be Harold Godwineson -basically, why should we remember someone who lost a battle?

Was I interested? Daft question!

Arrangements were made and yesterday (Friday 29th) I trotted off to Waltham Abbey, Essex, to meet with producer Tom Alban and the programme's host Michael Portillo. Most people in the UK have heard of Mr Portillo, but for those outside of Britain, he used to be a Member of Parliament and a Minister for various departments during the years of Margaret Thatcher. Recently, however, having quit Parliament, he has been known for hosting various TV and Radio documentaries, and as a journalist. He studied history at Cambridge.

Why Waltham Abbey? Well the original abbey was founded by Harold circa 1047, probably in thanks to God for Harold's recovery after a serious illness.
And because he is possibly buried there ... read on!

When I got to the abbey the two guys had also just arrived - said hello to Michael (nice man) and Tom(another nice man). Introductions over we wandered round to the rear of the present abbey (much smaller than the Medieval one - though possibly about the same size in ground area as Harold's original church.) We stood and chatted (into microphones) by the Harold Stone - the marker of where King Harold was possibly buried and a tribute stone to him - both set where the Medieval alter would have been. The stone was covered in floral tributes left there on 14th October. (Mine, of course, was placed at the similar stone at Battle Abbey) Michael read out the wording inscribed there.

We talked about Harold's resting place. I am certain his bones are buried on the south coast at Bosham Church, near Chichester, the Godwine's main manor house. The bones discovered there, some years ago, consist of a headless torso and only one leg - and are buried beneath the chancel arch. It doesn't take a lot of working out to realise this is Harold. (who else would it be? The only other important people would be Godwine himself or King Cnut - both of whom were buried at Winchester)

However: I am also certain in my bones that Harold's head and heart were taken to Waltham and placed beneath the alter of his original church. A full skeleton has never been found at Waltham in the area where Harold was supposedly buried - but a heart would deteriorate rapidly, and a skull could easily be missed or also deteriorate over the years.

Harold's body and soul rests at peace at Bosham. His Life and Love are at Waltham. I think that is the truth - but we are not meant to discover it as a certainty.

We then went inside because it was one of those days when the passing traffic of the busy main road was noisy.

Michael was very professional and calm and capable - I fluffed things several times, and completely forgot what I was supposed to be saying. I was trying very hard to be calm and capable as well though! This was very important for me and I will have no idea whether I've blown it or not until the programme is broadcast. I expect they'll cut most of me out and stick to other calm and capable professional historians, not just little me with my huge passion for supporting Harold as our rightful King. Oh well. Such is life.

I listen to radio 4 a lot, especially the Today programme (wish James Naughtie would read one of my novels for his book programme :-( Woman's Hour, Start the Week, In Our Time etc.

One thing I hadn't realised with recording for radio - we had two microphones (one each) and it was important to make sure they did not get "switched" i.e. if I was on the right, talking into the right hand mike, then moved to the left as we walked away - the right hand microphone had to stay with me... otherwise the voice direction would be different in the broadcast. Interesting!

Quite a few people came up to shake Michael's hand. Hmph. No one shook mine :-/ LOL.

The programme is to be broadcast on November 15th at 8 p.m. on BBC Radio 4. There will be a "listen again" option via computer link - so anyone, anywhere will be able to listen (probably a day later) but I will confirm all this nearer the time

I had a giggle afterwards when I popped into the White Witch in the Abbey Square - a lovely shop owned by lovely, kind people - it might be Wiccan/Pagan orientated, but if you want something different as a gift for someone - a beautiful mobile, or a ceramic fairy, that's the place to go. I often pop in for a chance to chill, relax, and receive a genuinely given hug. While in there someone remarked about seeing Michael Portillo in town - I was delighted to explain why!

By the way, there is also an excellent Pie & Mash shop in Waltham Abbey. Highly recommended.

Back to the radio.... I fluffed the ending a bit. For the life of me I couldn't remember the line I had suggested on the phone to Tom - that Harold was the last English King to die protecting his kingdom from foreign invasion. He fought for us - for the people of England - against a tyrant and a bully. That he lost in the attempt was not his fault. William had no right to the English throne. None at all - I don't know if I got that across in the recording. I don't know if I conveyed any of the passion I feel for Harold, my hero.

I did my best though. I did my best.

Ladies Who Lunch

2010-10-19T15:33:00.002+01:00

I haven't met up with Elizabeth Chadwick for a couple of years - then twice in one week! As I was in Nottingham for the New Writer's Book Fayre, I made arrangements to meet her and her friend, Alison King, for Friday lunch.

Elizabeth & Helen

Needing some help with writing Ripples In the Sand, the Fourth Sea Witch Voyage, which involves Tiola seeing into the past, I made the decision to have an Akashic Record session with Alison, an Akashic consultant.

In Elizabeth's words from her website, The Akashic Record is based on the belief that everything that happens in the world is imprinted on the Akasa which is: ' an unseen substance which is all around us all and present in every atom of this world and of the universe. This substance is capable of being impressed by the images, thoughts, sounds, smells, tastes and feelings of what it comes into contact with, and because it is in contact with everything, everything is recorded. It is like having a multi-sensory photograph or holograph being constantly taken and kept on file.’
(The quote is taken from this explanatory page by Alison - click the link above to her blog page)

Alison & Helen

I'm not ready, yet, to talk publicly about my highly interesting Akashic session as I am still digesting everything, but I will do, soon.

Alison is a lovely lady, and lunch was a couple of hours of good food and very, very good company.

Thank you, ladies, for a delightful day!

An Evening to Dine For

2010-10-13T16:00:00.001+01:00

Dinner at the Reform Club, Pall Mall, London UK, hosted by Dominique Raccah, MD of US publisher Sourcebooks Inc.

A whole host of authors were there but I was lucky enough to sit between fabulous authors Barbara Erskine and Elizabeth Chadwick, two very lovely ladies.

Very good company, very good food - a very good evening!

Thank you Dominique.

Barbara, Me, Elizabeth

Photo stolen from Elizabeth Chadwick's Blog - thanks Elizabeth! :-)

Battle of Hastings re-enactment 2010

2010-10-12T13:24:00.005+01:00

After the pouring rain of earlier in the week, the glorious weather over 9th/10th October at Battle Abbey, Sussex, for the annual re-enactment was incredible. In fact it got too hot!

I was opleased to be in the shade in the main English Heritage tent down on the field - made welcome, as ever, by the staff of EH.

Living History. Paula, Connor & Rich

As with last year, I noticed Saturday was more given to the "enthusiasts" those who were interested in the history, and those of us who were there to pay our respect to Harold II. Sunday was more of a family day, grandparents & parents taking the kids somewhere for the day - a good percentage of them not knowing what the history was all about, and sadly, not caring.

I did notice very few people were cheering for the Normans again this year. Definite 'boos', while 'Godwineson! Godwineson! Godwineson!' was very distinctly heard.
As ever, of course, the Normans won. :-( Boo! Hiss!

I met so many lovely people - couldn't possibly name you all. Paula & Connor especially though, and I had a chance to chat to Robert Cronin who has posted a topic for debate on my Let's Talk of History & Kings blog.
I also met Daphne & her husband from the USA - Daphne was traveling to Nottingham on the Monday (yesterday as I write this) to meet up with author Elizabeth Chadwick, so she was on a bit of an "authors tour". Fabulous to talk to you Daphne, & I hope the rest of your trip goes well! Safe journey home & stay in touch!

The weekend was very tiring - standing most of the day and getting up & down that hill is hard work ( to add to my dodgy hip I had slightly twisted my ankle as well). Tiring but oh so very worth while!

See you all again NEXT year! Thank you to Paula Lofting Wilcox & Rich Price for the photos. I stole them from their Facebook pages, Dearest Daughter not having got around to downloading our own yet. Thanks you two!

I don't suppose anyone took a picture with me in it? :-/

Anyone interested in the battle itself go to Guardian.co.uk for some great photos

~~~~
At one point on the Sunday afternoon - just as I was speaking to Daphne and Chip from Colorado USA I turned round to discover my chair had gone missing. I was stunned! My chair? Who stole my chair! Bloomin' Normans.... I have just received this from Daphne:

'After the battle was over, we walked around the abbey for a while waiting for some of the traffice to clear out. As we were walking back to the car, we saw something that we thought might belong to you.... '

That's it! That's MY chair! A victim of the battle, cut down in its prime, a Saxon chair.... LOL :-D

Guest speaker King Harold Day buffet supper

2010-09-23T20:42:00.001+01:00

Reading from Harold the King

about my area - Waltham Abbey

click the links to read the articles
Guardian Series - Waltham Abbey

Laughing with Vice Chair Isabelle

Battle Abbey 2008

2010-09-22T18:07:00.001+01:00

Helen & Robin Jacob (1066 the Movie producer)

Signing copies of Harold the King in the English Heritage tent - Battle of Hastings re-enactment.
I'll be there again this year 9th/10th October

The Forever Queen - Publisher's Weekly Review :-)

2010-09-13T20:08:00.000+01:00

excuse the self-promotion wide grin - but I've had a fabulous review from Publisher's Weekly and I'd like to share it with my blog friends:
The Forever Queen
Helen Hollick, Sourcebooks Landmark, $16.99 trade paper (656p) ISBN 978-1-4022-4068-3
(NOV)
Hollick gets medieval in this excellent historical. As a young teenager, Emma of Normandy is married off to Aethelred of England to secure an alliance in 1002 C.E., and though initially frightened of her crude and violent husband, she soon learns that his bluster is a cover for his weakness and cowardice. When Aethelred dies, his throne is taken by a Viking usurper, Cnut, who claims Emma along with the crown. In him, Emma finds a love that she doesn't expect, but constant political treachery threatens their marriage, their lives, and the inheritance of their children. Hollick does a remarkable job of bringing to life a little known but powerful queen, as well as the milieu and world she inhabited. The scope is vast and the cast is huge, but Hollick remains firmly in control, giving readers an absorbing plot that never lags over the course of a fat, satisfying book.

More Horse Stuff!

2010-08-25T21:10:00.004+01:00

Kathy did well at the National Side Saddle Association show in Buckinghamshire. Wearing the same costume as pictured below for the Royal International, she was awarded third place. She was up against some stiff competition, so we were delighted!
Then Shinglehall Casino, our two year old youngster, received First Premium at the British Equestrian Federation’s Futurity Grading. To non-horse people, this means Lexie (as we call her) has been assessed and passed as a prospective UK sports horse – the human equivalent would be getting an A+ grade in an examination. I'm very proud of Kathy, Ace and Lexie! Well Done!

My daughter at the Royal International Horse Show 1st August 2010

2010-08-03T22:06:00.018+01:00

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My beautiful daughter, Kathy, competing at the Royal International Horse Show in the side saddle concors d'elegance costume class.

We were rather gutted that although the judge loved her outfit she couldn't award her a "place" as Ace (the horse) was too upset by annoying flies & was not behaving in his usual gentlemanly manner. The idea of the class is elegance & having your horse fidgeting & kicking out (even because of irritating flies) is not "elegant". I entirely agree with the judge - but the judge said Kathy would have come 2nd or 3rd! :-(

Never mind. Next time Ace will be drowned in fly repellent!

Enjoy the photo's!

July 2010 The US invasion of All Things Harold

2010-07-23T12:54:00.024+01:00

My dear friend James from New York's Long Island (now a friend of my whole family!) came to stay with us for a week. Main intention: to explore anything & everything to do with Harold Godwineson

Bosham, Sussex. Steps like this are depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry. The tide comes right up to them - and it is probable that Bosham is the site where King Cnut tried to 'stop the tide from coming in' (actually he was trying to prove he was not God, so could NOT stop the tide. See my novel Hollow Crown/Forever Queen (US title) for the full story!

Bosham Church:

Battle 1066/2010. Duke William built an abbey on the site of the Batttle of Hastings in pennance for the violence he had caused (proof that he had no right to the Crown of England & that Harold was murdered!) On 14th Ocotber 1066 this is where Harold stood his shield wall - and the view down the hill (to where the Nasty Normans were massed)

looking back up the hill

Me reading a scene from Harold the King "They will come again," Harold said, "but for them we will make it worse still!"
~~~~~~~~
James with 1066 producer Robin Jacob & asst producer Lance Prebble in my back garden (sorry about the background of next door's scaffolding!)
~~~~~~~
Harold Godwineson mounted on his horse with hunting hawk in his hand .... and James Hanna on HIS horse:
with HIS hunting bird? Hmm, maybe a swift isn't _quite_ the same thing?

Two lovely people James & my daughter, Kathy

New Covers - New Beginnings!

2010-06-30T23:17:00.001+01:00

My previous publisher - Discovered Authors - is transforming into a new publishing house, CallioPress. Primarily this is to incorporate bookselling in the American market and world-wide trade, but the chance to become a fresh, new, business was seen as a good opportunity. DA authors have been informed of the change - most have welcomed the standardised contracts and we are looking forward to a bright and exciting future.
I sincerely wish CallioPress every success.

So here are my new covers for my Sea Witch series and the UK editions of the Pendragon's Banner Trilogy.

They are designed by Cathy Helms http://www.avalongraphics.org and in a future article on my Muse and Views Blog: www.helenhollick.blogspot.com I will share the trials and tribulations of designing new book covers!

Naturally I will be delighted if you decide to obtain these new copies (available from Amazon.co.uk from around mid-July: make sure you click on the new covers, or if ordering from a bookstore use the new isbn numbers to ensure you don't get the old versions.

The new Sea Witch books will be available in the US as soon as possible - but the US Pendragon's Banner series is published by Sourcebooks Inc, so are a completely different edition to the UK ones.

However - I plan on obtaining postcards of the covers, so please contact me for further information. (authorAThelenhollickDOTnet)

Oh and take a look at my website www.helenhollick.net that is also new and fabulous! My thanks to Cathy and webmaster Mal for all their hard work these past few weeks. Much appreciated you guys!
(tip, make sure your zoom level is not set too high or the centre text box will hide the "wallpaper" behind.... )
enjoy!

a little bit of trumpet blowing...

2010-05-10T17:19:00.003+01:00

seen in Barnes & Noble, Washington DC. Can't help feeling good !

My Garden & the New Greenhouse

2010-05-07T10:32:00.009+01:00

well, you've heard me talk about it - here it is!

from outside the kitchen back door looking left:

the greenhouse
note my husband's pigeon loft at the end of the garden. The only homing pigeons in the UK which can't find their way home LOL :-)

from outside the back door looking towards the pond & my "office" window (my desk is right beside the window)
This is the pond

The ivy covers the underside of the "stairs" from the upstairs flat and the cat is Scrabble (aged 18ish)

Side Saddle Horse Show

2010-04-20T18:39:00.010+01:00

These were taken on Sunday 18th April - my daughter Kathy competing in the side-saddle costume class. She came 4th

She is wearing a costume based on the Sharpe TV series & the King's Royal Rifles

2010-04-13T14:27:00.001+01:00

Thank you everyone who sent me birthday greetings today. Nice to know I'm remembered!

Barnes & Noble...

2010-03-25T20:39:00.004Z

Whoo Hoo! Front of Store at Barnes & Noble for Shadow of the King!

(this was in Houston - thanks for taking the pics Ashley!)

Sunday 28th Feb 2010

2010-02-28T20:05:00.000Z

My daughter Kathy took the new horse to a showing show today - no idea how he was going to behave, especially under side-saddle.
Was a good chap. They came 4th. Very pleased :-)

2010-02-16T16:25:00.001Z

(These pics were taken in mid January)

The new horse, Ace, is settling in well. He still needs a bit of muscle tone building up, but he's a nice lad. I wish Kathy well with him.

December was not a good month

2010-01-08T10:20:00.005Z

I spent 3 weeks in bed with a leg injury (it was not good company LOL :-) At times, unable to put any weight on my leg I found myself having to crawl to get to the bathroom.

Then my daughter's horse, Elswyth, was diagnosed with an irrepairable foot problem, so there was no choice, we had to put her down. Needless to say, we were devasteted.

Kathy riding Izzy (her stable name) side-saddle at Harold's Park Farm, October 2009

Izzy will be greatly missed.

~~~~

And then my Mum had another fall and was taken to hospital. At almost 92 she was very frail and sadly passed away in the early hours of Christmas morning.
My emotions are mixed, I am relieved that she is now at peace & she was dreading the thought of getting frailer & having to go into a care home, but well, she was my mum.

Iris Primrose Maud Turner (nee Jones)1918-2009

USA 2009

2009-11-19T21:54:00.000Z

Nottingham New Writers' UK Book Festival - September 19th 2009

2009-09-25T18:20:00.000+01:00

I was honoured to be a guest speaker at the NNW book fair It being Talk Like A Pirate Day I had a piratical theme - I spoke a little about my Sea Witch Series and how I "met" Jesamiah Acorne. So many lovely people in the audience, thank you for listening!

The New Writers Group who have all contributed to a collection of short stories - New Writers Telling Tales - a good read.

Finally - the best of luck to new author John Baird for his superb thriller Chasing Shadows launched at the festival. Available now from Amazon.co.uk visit John's website:

2009-08-09T15:30:00.000+01:00

My thanks to everyone who came along to meet me on Saturday 1st August at the Bargain Bookshop, Chingford, London (UK) "the small shop with a big heart" - a very big heart indeed, for I was made so welcome (as were the pirates who accompanied me.) I met some lovely people, made some new friends and sold some books!

And thank you to the Stationhouse Pub, for providing a wonderful lunch for me and my guests. Hospitality at it's best!