Ghosts of Essex

I discovered an excellent book called "Ghosts of Essex" by Becky Puttick.I thought I'd share some of the stories with you.
The Manor House at Weeley is said to have a helpful ghost. It would appear that this ghost would tidy up whilst residents were out. Once a complete dinner service was taken from the kitchen dresser, cleaned and returned. Also this ghostly housekeeper gave the whole kitchen a good Spring clean. Several old-fashioned hairpins were found scattered about the place and some occupants said they saw an old lady drifting about.
The Essex County Hospital at Colchester is also supposed to have had a ghost in the children's ward. A man, a patient there when he was small, saw a nun a black habit coming towards him. She spoke to him and gave in a toffee from a brown paper bag; he ate  the toffee and watched as she walked down the ward and vanished.
Another ghost was often seen in Clacton's old Kinema. The tale went that a projectionist committed suicide there many years before and it was he that was haunting the building. After the cinema closed the building was turned into a wallpaper shop and a girl working there had a terrifying experience. She went up to the store room on the top floor and returned screaming she had seen an old man up there. From his description it would appear that he looked like someone from an old gangster film. This apparition was seen by several other shop assistants. In 1993 the shop was remodelled and two workmen decided to camp out in the building to save on hotel costs; after one night they changed their minds insisting that they were kept awake all night by the ghost stamping about the upstairs rooms.
I'm pretty sure I've never seen a ghost - but visitors to the cottage I used to live in when a child insisted they heard someone going up and down stairs.
I have an open mind about such things - like most people I've definitely stepped into a house house and felt a decided chill. I've also picked up happy vibes; perhaps these emotions are somehow stored in the walls of the building - rather like the negative from the film– and then subsequent inhabitants are able to access these images.
until next time
Fenella

New Year - New Writing?

I'm not a great believer in new year's resolutions but I think the idea does help to focus the mind on what one wants to achieve in the next 12 months.
 2011 was not as productive as my previous years as far as new writing goes. I usually write four Regency romantic adventures of varying length and one longer book. Last year I wrote a young adult  urban fantasy, which is almost ready to be sent out to a couple of agents and editors. I edited five books for Aurora Regency and wrote one long novella for People's Friend. Certainly not my usual prodigious output.
I think this was down to two things: Moving to a large  riverside village means that I'm finding there's far more to distract me then there was when I lived in an isolated farmhouse.The other, that my health has been rather precarious since August.
Therefore this year I'm setting myself some achievable goals. I intend to place the five long historical novels that are languishing on my computer and am prepared to do as much rewriting as necessary to make them desirable. If I can't find a print publisher then I will go indie, or digital only. I also am determined to find the first of my Young Adult, Urban Fantasy a suitable home.
As for  new writing– I wish to complete at least the next in the Young Adult series and another Regency adventure. A modest output– but the rewriting is going to occupy a fair amount of my time.
How many of you have made resolutions? Do you think you will be able to keep them?
I suppose if I was pushed I would say my resolutions are these- write more and eat less!
Happy New Year
Fenella

Christmas at Hartford Hall

Do you like my new cover?

I am delighted to say that my latest book with Musa, Aurora Regency, Christmas at Hartford Hall is now available. A Regency Cinderella story complete with a handsome ‘Prince Charming’, two nasty sisters and a wicked female relative.
When Elizabeth’s grandfather died there was no sign of a will and she, to her consternation, discovered she was now dependent on his heir. The new Lord and Lady Hartford and their twin daughters arrive and reduce her status to that of a servant. Elizabeth is determined to leave Hartford Hall in the New Year and work as a governess. However the arrival of Sir James Worthington to make an offer for Lady Eleanor only adds to her difficulties…
I do hope you enjoy it - it was great fun to write.
Fenella

What shall I write next?

Yesterday I finished my first Young Adult Urban Fantasy. I'm expecting the edits for my fifth Musa Aurora Regency,  Christmas at Hartford Hall, any day so have a week to decide what my next project will be.
I have written in various genres but so far am published only with Regency -  over twenty-five published titles in six years. I would love to see my Victorian saga or one of my WW2 books available too.
As a change from historical I started writing my YA book last year - yes it has taken me  a year to finish. The longest of any book - normally I write fast and complete a book in less than three months. I moved last December which threw me -however I've managed to write a fresh  Regency and spent many weeks editing books for Aurora.
Back to the YA - was it the  different genre that slowed me down? That it was the first contemporary? The first fantasy?  I hope not. I loved writing this and will be sending it out to agents in the New Year. Should I start the second in the series now? I have three books planned and a further two with the secondary characters taking the lead.
The problem I have is that I also want to write another Jane Austen linked book and have already planned out two stories. I would like to write a Victorian novella for People's Friend - something different from my light Regency romances.
I have until the edits are done to decide.
Any suggestions? Another tried and tested Regency?A second YA fantasy? A JA linked book? A Victorian novella?
best wishes
Fenella

Festival of Romance - Hunton Park

  

Terrace at Hunton Park

 On 21st-22nd October I attended the Festival of Romance at Hunton Park. What a wonderful venue for a great event and I found it without using my SatNav. My room was luxurious by my standards and there was unlimited tea/coffee/chocolate/fruit tea and also fruit bars, fresh fruit and biscuits. In the wardrobe in my room (which I didn't use) I discovered a hairdryer, iron and an ironing board. This.didn't leave much room for clothes for those that might have been staying more than one night.

View from the garden to the house.

View from terrace to the fountain.

Fountain  -featured in first Harry Potter film.

Drawing room

Ballroom (I think)

 You will see from the photographs that the house and grounds are stunning. At dawn, when I was out taking my photographs, there were a pair of muntjac deer on the lawn.
I apologise for the random positioning of the photographs – I've no idea how clever people manage to get the text to wrap around the pictures.

These are the brave authors who appeared in costume as one of the characters from their book.
Can you guess which book the character comes from?

Mandy Baggot;Sue Moorcroft;Jean F; Christina Courtney; Kate Allan;Talli Rowland

Jean Fullerton in Victorian costume.

Fenella Miller & Jean Fullerton doing talk..

Jean and I did a gallop through our favourite historical romance. We gave the delegates suggestions for books they might not have heard of before. It seemed to go down well.

This was the icing on the cake -The gorgeous semi naked man handing out free cupcakes -I had to include a photo of him.

Hunk with cup cakes.

I also took part in a Regency panel with Jan Jones and Annie Burrows.We could have done with a few more in the audience but I think they were all drinking coffee.
All sessions that I attended were worth going to. I particularly liked the historical panel discussing the impact of war on romance.
Carol Matthew was the keynote speaker and she was interviewed by a very glamorous young lady who I think runs a website related to romantic fiction. It was an interesting, amusing and informative talk.

Carole Mathew
 interview- not sure who the other person is..

Kate Nash and her winning band of helpers did a brilliant job and I hope that next year it will be bigger and even better.
I mustn't forget to mention the winners of the inaugural Festival of Romance Awards.
Jean Fullerton won the historical prize; Henri Gyland one the new writers award and Sue Moorcroft won the contemporary fiction award. Carole Matthews was given a lifetime achievement award.

Hunton Park at dawn.

Interview with Fiona Harper & Festival of Romance

Today I'm thrilled to have Fiona Harper on my blog talking about the forthcoming Festival of Romance.

What are you looking forward to at the Festival of Romance?

Apart from meeting other writers and readers who love a happy ending and a goose bump-inducing romance, I don't know!  This is the first ever Festival of Romance so it's something completely new. So I'm looking forward to the unexpected!

 
What will you be doing at the Festival of Romance?

I'm going to be taking part in a panel discussion on 'From Chick Lit to Hen Lit' on Saturday 22nd.  Other than that I will be attending a lot of sessions and soaking up as much as I can!

Why should readers come to the Festival of Romance?

It's going to be fun!  In this digital age we like to have an interactive component to everything.  Well, this is our chance to not just interact with a computer screen but to meet other readers who love the fiction we love face to face, along with some of the people who write our favourite romances too!
 Thank you Fiona. 
The Festival of Romance is  taking place on Friday 21st & Saturday 22nd October. Go and look at the website to see all the great things going on for readers and writers and anyone who just want a good time.
Fenella Miller

This is Fiona's latest book.

Exciting Times

After several weeks of stress and worry  Aurora of Aspen Mountain Press has been bought by a new company called Musa. All authors were offered their rights  which was a great thing  for Musa to do. We then had the choice of re-submitting or going elsewhere.
I have chosen to put Miss Peterson & The Colonel, A Cornish Maid, Lady Eleanor's Secret and Miss Bannerman & The Duke with Musa. They should all be reissued in October still called Aurora but with a new banner incorporating the Musa name. This is good as I was worried about readers thinking they were new titles. The covers, which  I love, are also staying the same.
I also have two full length books coming out with www.regencyreads sometime in the next few months. A further two will come out in the New Year.
Thank you all the Austenesque followers who entered my quiz. The winners have been announced by Meredith.
Following  this Jane Austen month has inspired me to think about writing another Jane Austen linked book. I have the outlines and first  three chapters of two already done -all I have to do is decide which one to write. When I've finished writing my YA fantasy -probably next month -I shall be starting this. I shall publish the new Jane Austen linked book on Kindle next spring.