Author Interview: Laurence Read

If you enjoy reading historical novels, then “Danube Legion” by Laurence Read might just hit the spot. This historically accurate Roman army war novel is set in 2nd century Hungary/Danube region. Although it is a “war” novel, the novel mostly concentrates on the legion “behind the scenes”. Here’s a quick summary before I chat to author, Laurence Read.

BOOK SUMMARY

The Roman war machine is on the move

But behind the Centurions and Legionaries, a vast support network grinds into motion, mobilising a new legion towards a hostile river border, its human cogs turning across Roman society: from downtrodden bath slaves, to legionary blacksmiths trying to get through the day, from unscrupulous traders who supply food and materials to corrupt politicians with their own cynical motives.

Danube legion is the darkly amusing story of what happens behind the scenes – the chaotic, the venal, the incompetent and the corrupt. In amongst it all, and driving most of it, is Lady Lassalia, a ruthless merchant out to ensure her place in Roman society.

THE INTERVIEW

Hi Laurence 👋 Thanks for joining us! Tell us a bit about yourself 😊

Hi, I’m Laurence. Well, having graduated from Hull University Drama Department my career took some odd turns and, via TV journalism and PR, I ended up in the natural resources sector. Over 25 years or so I travelled the world meeting exciting people and smoked a lot of Marlboro Lights sitting on plastic chairs waiting for the rain/sun/riot to go away. I now live in Hampshire, vaping and waiting, with little hope, for the rain to stop. My family is also Anglo Hungarian so we spend a lot of time in Hungary, where the book is laregely set in.

Who or what inspired you to write “Danube Legion”? 

I’ve always been fascinated by the classical period (a wide timeline admittedly). When you look at Trojan’s column a question comes to mind of ‘how did they get all that stuff there?’, having watched ‘stuff’ and people being moved about into areas far far away of which we know little I thought it might make a good book. At times I also wondered if writing a book about the Roman army that isn’t interested in battles was a fundamentally stupid idea, but I think there’s enough mayhem within Danube Legion to keep more bloodthirsty readers interested.

“Danube Legion ” is a Roman army war novel set in Hungary – with a twist.  This novel although historically accurate, isn’t really about the battles – it’s more what’s behind the scenes in setting up a legion in the Roman Army.  There’s a lot of humour in the writing  and I adored the characters – especially Lady Lassalia ! 😊 Did you base a lot of your characters on you and people you’ve met in life? Which character did you enjoy writing about the most?  Which character was the hardest?

Why thank you. Well..possibly characteristics of some who I’ve known made it in there, Lady Lassalia was very easy to write as was the Imperial Nephew. I did struggle with Scaurianus but after I delved into his back story a little, his time torturing circus hooligans who smashed statues up post match, it all seemed to come together a bit more. On the historical accuracy bit I did make up the ‘River Goats’, but that did come from a fascination with Roman hydraulics- what the hell was the Water Organ, anyway? I’ve also had an entertaining exchange on water born artillery pieces but I’m sticking to my ‘Skorpions’ on that one.

Hypothetically speaking, if Danube Legion was made into a film who would you pick to play the main characters, especially the feisty Lady Lassalia?

Easy for Lady Lassalia- Shoreh Aghdashloo. For the others..David Gyasi as Galba the armourer, Hugh Skinner as the Nephew, Rufus Sewell as ‘the Scipio’ scion, Damian Lews as the Emperor Trajan, Stephen Graham as ‘2’, the nearest to Peter O Toole (Michael Fassbender? although that would mean this is essentially Band of Brothers- Rome with the casting) currently possible for the Skipper and Sam Troughton as the Governor of Pannonia Inferior.

This novel is set in Hungary, where you spend a lot of your time when not in the UK. However,  if you could visit any country/place in the world, to base your next novel in, where would you go and why? 

I’m messing about with a fantasy novel set in 1850’s Germany. Central Europe fascinates me and ideas about Thirties Years war also abound.

Are you a bookworm? What is your favourite genre and/or authors? Kindle or actual book? 

Once I was, now less so but still read, mostly on the kindle. I really enjoyed the Blue Flower by Penelope Fitzgerald while on holiday in the Rhine Gorge this year. One of many books my partner recommended to me and I usually willfully ignore (so she claims).

 Is “Danube Legion” available to purchase worldwide?

I believe it is, certainy on Amazon.

Growing up had you always wanted to be an author or did you have other career aspirations?

I always loved writing, it just took me a very long time to get to a novel.

As I have already mentioned, you spend a lot of time in Hungary. It is a place I haven’t visited, so what are the top 3 things that you love about Hungary?

Hmmm… Its certainly not a ‘have a nice day’ culture which I really enjoy. Hungary is one of the most beautiful places on earth whether sipping coffee in Budapest or out hiking in the countryside (plus when you get to know it your family can all scream at the television ‘Thats Hungary’ whether it be a period piece, fantasy or Marvel epic). A lot of culture- go see the Budapest Opera, even if you dont like the singing; decor and enormous salted pretzls make it all very worth while.

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

This is my Ron Swanson moment- I own two pairs of shoes: one is an ancient black pair of RM Williams boots, one is an old pair of brown RM Williams boots. Depending on location I shall be in one or t’other. Carhart trousers, shirt and (as its winter),a fisherman’s jumper my partner believes I sew myself into during October like some sort of medieval peasant. I also have a continually rewaxed, much mented jacket that looks and smells as if a fox has lived a full and active life within it before expiring. 

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites ?

Rooster Sailing

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

Er…Im resisting family presssure to buy a new coat.

Boots or Shoes?

I have long narrow feet, at the risk of sounding like a cheerleader for Andrew Forrest: RM Williams boots are the only footwear that has ever made sense. Just to be clear I have no commercial relationship with any Australian shoemakers but am very very open to the idea if this gets picked up on their Meltwater (you have to try).

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc

Laurenceread@danubelegion on ‘X’, sometimes posted but was told I was a bot a few months ago so have been less engaged.

Fabulous chatting to you, Laurence! Thank you for the review copy of Danube Legion – I was pleasantly impressed by your novel, and I adored Lady Lassalia! 😊

Linda x

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Laurence Read. photo credits go to Damien Lewis.
Thanks also to Ben Cameron of Cameron Publicity & Marketing

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An Interview With Journeys Made

In the bleak mid winter is a splendid time to fondly look back on travels made and to make plans for further adventures. It is also approaching the Christmas season … and I have the ideal gift idea for travellers. It is a gift that reminds you of your travels and gives an added incentive to make some more. From Journeys Made, it is a luxurious leather travel key ring with a Pandora – like token, engraved for each destination visited – whether it’s a country, city, town, state or island. Founded in 2021 by Jade Scammells, I caught up with Jade to find out more about her gifts, her travels and her fashion tastes 😊 Hi Jade & welcome !

Hi, I’m Jade Scammells, the founder of travel gift company, Journeys Made. I created Journeys Made as a way for me to stay connected to the experiences I’d had and memories I had made around the world. I founded the business shortly after closing my travel agency due to the pandemic.

What inspired the founding of your company, Journeys Made?

At a time when we couldn’t travel I found myself reminiscing on my past adventures and wanted to create something that kept all my travels in one place, a keychain that I could carry with me wherever I went. So that’s what I made, a leather travel keychain that holds engraved destination tokens each representing a place visited.

I love the idea of collecting tokens for countries visited or even cities, mountains, US states and  you can get personalised tokens done too. What is currently the most popular token asked for?

The most popular country token that people ask for is France, which makes total sense as it is consistently the most visited country in the world. Spain, Italy, Scotland and Greece follow closely behind for the top 5 most popular country tokens I sell.

Apart from the keepsakes, you also sell stainless steel necklaces to collect tokens on.  Have you got any other ideas in the pipeline for future Journeys Made items? 

As an entrepreneur I always have ideas on what I could do with Journeys Made; what new items I could create, how I can elevate the current products – perhaps by introducing new colours, different metals. Someone once suggested I make an exclusive keepsake out of solid gold! At the moment, I’m focusing on collaborating with brands to get my products in their stores. My dream would be to get my keepsakes on cruise ships, stocked in their onboard gift shops. 

As Journeys Made is based in the UK, are your products on the website available to purchase & ship worldwide? 

Yes they are. I ship to every country in the world, including the British Forces Post Office for those serving in the HM Forces abroad.

Thinking back to your own past travels, what places are in your top 3 destinations?

That’s a tough question because I’ve been very fortunate and have travelled quite a bit. I’d say in third place would be Finland because it was an experience like no other, the scenery is absolutely breathtaking and the locals are so friendly. Second place would be Mexico, it will always have a special place in my heart as I went here on my honeymoon, but I love Mexican food and all the Mayan ruins. My top destination would have to be Costa Rica, this country is incredible, the food is fantastic, the people are the friendliest people ever – everyone is so happy, the landscapes vary from the Arenal volcano to the Pacific coast beaches, it’s so diverse, and of course, I can’t forget the wildlife; toucans, monkeys, sloths, we saw them all. There is so much to do in Costa Rica, from relaxing on the beach to canyoning through the rainforest, it’s a truly eye-opening destination.

Have you visited any places that you felt didn’t live up to your expectations? 

We went to Washington DC as part of a twin-centre New York – DC holiday, we took the Amtrak from New York and stayed in DC for 3 nights, I found it quite disappointing. I thought it would feel empowering to visit but it didn’t. There were protests outside the White House, coach loads of tourist groups everywhere, and bizarrely not many food options that appealed to me for dinner. I do think spending 3 nights in Washington DC was too long, we did all the landmarks and a couple of museums in one and a half days, I would say a maximum of 2 nights here would have sufficed. Visiting the Lincoln Memorial and Reflection Pool was really great though and quite moving.

Bucket list time… what’s place is top of your list? 

Another tough question, there’s so many places on my bucket list. The top for me would be the Maldives, I know it’s cliché but I live such a busy life and the idea of being on an island listening to the sea and enjoying quality family time together is bliss.

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

I do prefer a basic style – neutral colour t-shirts or long sleeves, paired with some jeans and ankle boots. Although, I do love knitted jumpers when the weather turns cold, you can’t beat that cosy feeling of being wrapped up warm.

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?

I love H&M, that’s my favourite shop, and I do like Apricot.

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

I’d love a new pair of Chelsea boots, we’ve recently bought my daughter some and I’m jealous because they look great!

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

I feel like boots are always a great choice because they go with a lot of the clothes I wear. Plus, I spend most of my time either running around after my toddler or handmaking my products so I need to be wearing something sturdy and comfortable.

For pinning later

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc so that readers can find out more about Journeys Made. 

My website is: www.journeysmade.co.uk

You can also follow Journeys Made on Instagram: www.instagram.com/journeys_made

Many thanks for joining me on the blog,Jade. The leather key ring is really well made and I love the discs to remember and collect…. I will hopefully be adding some more to mine in the future!

Linda x

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Jade Scammells of Journeys Made ( Pinterest & header photo by Linda Hobden).

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Review: White Horse Vintage

This week I’m reviewing some vintage clothing ….well, my son Jack was the lucky recipient … supplied by White Horse Vintage, a new small business based in rural Cumbria. Cumbria isn’t exactly awash with clothing outlets – vintage or otherwise – so business partners Scott and Aaron decided to ignite their passion for 80s and 90s fashion and set up White Horse Vintage. Scott told me that he wanted to encourage more people to dress in a more environmentally friendly way by using pre loved garments as opposed to new. And who am I to argue?

Who are White Horse Vintage?

https://www.whitehorsevintage.co.uk

White Horse Vintage sell a range of vintage clothing – specialising in workwear, leather & denim jackets and jeans – brands like Levi’s, Wrangler & my particular favourite jeans brand, Diesel. Other items such as bags, denim skirts, windcheaters, t shirts are also available – catering to an unisex market, although erring towards menswear. This makes a delightful change actually – there are not a lot of outlets/websites that cater for the teenage/young male market. The website itself is very clean, easy to follow and the ordering process is simple. All items are described in detail, so you know exactly what you’re getting. There is free shipping on orders over £40 too.

White Horse Vintage is like a denim paradise – the jeans are certainly covetable and still look good. They have been lovingly worn and cared for. In fact, White Horse Vintage makes sure that all jeans that reach them are in good wearable order; and any they receive that are not in a sellable condition get sent to a local seamstress to turn them into trendy upcycled accessories such as bucket hats, bags etc . I was very impressed by that initiative and the tote bags do look pretty smart – so if you’re a lover of bags, check them out!

THE ITEMS

My son Jack agreed to review (and model) some items from White Horse Vintage. Being a second year university student , he was more than interested in finding clothes that he feels comfortable in, that are practical (zipped pockets!) , that are durable, environmentally friendly, and financially viable. He certainly was impressed with White Horse Vintage. So what did he receive?

He got a fabulous black leather biker jacket. Jack initially felt that the jacket was a lot heavier than his faux leather jacket he was used to wearing. Now it is a favourite! He loves the versatile zipped pockets, I love the style and my motorbike mad husband wished it was a size bigger for him to wear instead! Vintage pieces are definitely made to last and this gem of a jacket is a grand example.

He received some bleached blue denim Diesel jeans which were in a straight legged style – Jack prefers the baggier look in the leg rather than the recent skinny jean fashions and he was more than pleased with these. They reminded me of a similar Diesel pair I owned in the 80s, and they were my favourites at the time. Jack said the jeans are really comfortable to wear. Another gem.

He also got a grey Nike t shirt which set off his ensemble to a T. Although the tee is a basic style, it is still well made and looked brand new. In fact, all items supplied were in excellent condition. All the items were packaged with care and attention in a box, with a chocolate sweet inside (thanks Scott 😊) and shipping was quick after ordering.

For Pinning Later

CONCLUSION

What a refreshing change to see a company providing a range of practical, wearable clothing for young men at reasonable prices. Yes, White Horse Vintage does cater for all; but the range of vintage menswear provided is second to none and definitely welcomed. I am especially impressed with the range of jeans on offer. I’m keeping an eye out for Diesel jeans in my size ….My score 10/10

My thanks to White Horse Vintage for the clothing; Jack Hobden for modelling the said clothes; Ivan Drazhev for the photographs of Jack – his work can be found on Instagram : @drazhevphotography; clothing photos by Linda Hobden .

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A Hush At Midnight Book Tour

I’m so pleased to be part of Marlene M Bell’s “A Hush At Midnight” book tour. Based in Texas, author Marlene M Bell raises sheep when she’s not writing – and I couldn’t wait to chat to Marlene about her fabulous novel, and her love of sheep. But first, here’s a quick summary of “A Hush At Midnight” …

BOOK SUMMARY

Celebrity chef Laura Harris dwells on the horror of finding her mentor’s body in the groundskeeper’s disheveled bed—pillow and bedding half covering her open eyes—purple bruising around her mouth. A grisly snapshot in time revealing the Texas woman’s last moments during her attack. The elderly matriarch from the small town of Stenburg has left the physical world, and Laura is shattered.

She is catapulted headlong into the pursuit of a casual executioner, one bold enough to comeand go from the crime scene with ease, dropping bizarre crumb trails designed to mock thedeceased. But Laura herself doesn’t go unnoticed. As she digs deeper, she is followed and bombarded by warnings to leave the state.

When the victim’s attorney informs Laura that she’s to inherit the entire Stenburg fortune, the last act of kindness has made Laura the main person of interest in the investigation.

Message by message, Laura is methodically taunted by someone so deranged and driven they’ll do whatever it takes to dislodge Laura from Texas – permanently.

Publisher: Ewephoric Publishing (October 1, 2024)

Print length:  350 pages

MY INTERVIEW

Hi Marlene and welcome to the blog 👋

Hello 😊 My name is Marlene Bell but I use a middle initial to differentiate myself from the artist Marlene Bell who lives in the Northeast. I write as MARLENE M. BELL. I’m also an artist, photographer, and raise sheep when I’m not writing novels and marketing sheep-related gifts from my catalog and website. The sheep aspect of life began when I married my husband in 1982. We live in rural East Texas and escaped the San Joaquin Valley of California in 2012.

Who or what inspired you to write A Hush at Midnight?

My series installments were moving right along at a steady pace but I’d noticed the reviews pointed out an issue I’d developed in my writing. Because I knew my main character as well as I knew myself, I’d allowed her and others to falter. Backstory had taken a front seat more than it should have. A Hush at Midnight is the first standalone mystery I’ve written. The characters are different and the location moved to Texas to give myself a fresh feel for a new adventure. I felt this book was necessary to bring me back to the basics of characterization more as a refresher of the little things that made a main character stand out as a force to readers.

I really enjoyed reading your book, A Hush at Midnight and I particularly enjoyed the characters of Laura, her dad Zane (and his lady friend!) & Brent. What character did you particularly enjoy writing about? What character was the hardest to portray?

Writing quirky characters has to be my favorite thing to do when crafting an interesting story. Not so quirky that the reader feels the person is too far-fetched, but more believable. We’ve all met characters that stopped us in our tracks long enough to ask ourselves if they were for real. I have a few of these in A Hush at Midnight.

I think Jordan the groundskeeper was the most difficult because of his age. I tend to write like I speak in daily life. Writing a twenty-something young man (when I’m female) is the most challenging. Choosing the correct slang or lingo for a generation a few decades behind me will always be the most challenging for my work. My developmental editor calls me on this in every manuscript. “She sounds too old for her age…” or “You’ve added a few years to her by using that term.” Things like this keep me focused on terminology as much as the actual story. At age fifteen, I was going on thirty, so It’s not a surprise for me to write characters who sound older than their years.

I enjoyed the combination of thriller mixed in with a bit of romance; and the “relationship” between Laura & Hattie.  So, hypothetically speaking, if A Hush at Midnight was made into a film, who would you envisage to play the main characters?

I’d love to see wholesome actors and actresses for this book because I’m not a fan of what I see coming out of old Hollywood. Hallmark and the Hallmark Channel has the right idea when choosing their personalities to represent them. As an example, I could see Nikki DeLoach as Laura Harris and Kristopher Polaha as the attorney who represents the victim, Hattie. I love, love Kris Polaha’s smooth acting style and how well he settles in with just about any female actress he works with. My favorite Hallmark movies include him as the lead male. Nikki is also one from their culinary cozies that would fit my book-to-movie nicely.

The novel is based in Texas and briefly features England too. What made you pick that location for the novel?  

Having moved to Texas after being raised in California, I was surprised how beautiful East Texas is and how living in the area makes me feel good no matter how crazy the world gets on the outside. I had to write about this woodsy place and give my readers a sense of what it’s like to be here. It was a matter of time before a book of mine landed in Texas. The English aspect is also one of my favorite places since I’m a collector of sheep porcelain and love Staffordshire. The UK is known for Staffordshire and loads of sheep grazing the hillsides of England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. James Herriot, the veterinarian from books and television, has his share of sheep in his practice. It’s a habit of mine to put a little bit of me in my stories. Sheep seem to find their way into most everything!

Growing up, did you envisage yourself as a writer or did you have other career aspirations?

Writing never entered my mind, but I was always a creative or sorts. I have the natural ability to draw and paint, so becoming an artist was my goal as a younger person. Either painting beautiful pictures or taking them with a camera. It wasn’t until our 4H club asked me to write a how-to book on raising sheep, that I went the way of an author.

Is A Hush at Midnight available to purchase worldwide?

Yes. All of my novels are available through Amazon including some on Ingram Spark and Barnes and Noble. Occasionally, the ebook can be found on other online outlets. My children’s book in hardbound is available only through me. Amazon does carry the eBook and paperback version of Mia and Nattie, however.

If you could visit any place in the world to inspire your next novel, where would you go and why? 

I’m currently researching an area to send one of my main characters to in the next Annalisse series book. Having a sea port is the only criteria. If your readers have suggestions, I’d love to hear them! The destination must be someplace exotic with an interesting culture. Part of the fun of writing is the research. Perhaps I’ll take out a world map, close my eyes and let my fingers find the next destination!

Are you a bookworm yourself? If so, what genres (or authors) do you usually like to read? And are you a kindle or “proper book” fan?

I am now, but wasn’t always a reader. It wasn’t until my attempt at writing suffered, that I understood the importance of reading other authors. A lot. The more I read, the easier the words flow. I used to be a staunch romance person, but switched to mystery and crime fiction once I found my comfort zone there in my own writing. I have a Kindle but never used it. I prefer the old-fashioned feel of a paperback in my hands.

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

That’s easy. On a ranch we wear jeans, boots, and a comfortable shirt. The less cumbersome the better. We can be hot and humid here in Texas.

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?

I’m a bit of an online nut when it comes to ordering merchandise. Just like our sheep; I never met an online company I didn’t like. This began when mail order catalogs were all the rage in the 1970s and 80s. It’s the reason why I also have my own mail order catalog and offer sheep-related gifts on ewephoric.com. Placing orders in catalogs and waiting for the merchandise to arrive was my favorite pastime in my twenties while I worked in an office for someone else. I still order…but instead use credit and no longer send bank checks. From clothing shopping to food items, and of course books, there is nothing that escapes my curiosity online. My book giveaways usually include unique items I’ve found that relate to each new novel. Our sheep products are also purchased from vendors online.

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

While indoors, I move around in flats and comfortable shoes. I do like the ankle high boots also, though. Winter is coming so it’s more boots for me! With three closets and a cedar chest full of clothing, this might be the first time I won’t be ordering anything more for drawers full of jeans.

Boots or Shoes?

Ranch duties on a sheep facility require boots, especially for the occasional snake that happens to cross in front of me! On our pond or dry land. Exposure of skin at the ankles can be hazardous to your health in the woods or a pile of leaves in the fall.

Links you would like to share:

SOCIAL MEDIA and websites

Facebook Author Page:  fb.me/marlenembell  

(Personal Page) https://www.facebook.com/marlene.bell.3194

X (Formerly Twitter)  https://www.x.com/ewephoric     @ewephoric

BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/profile/marlene-m-bell

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17642396.Marlene_M_Bell

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marlenemysteries/

Ewephoric sheep and gifts website: https://www.ewephoric.com

BOOK TOUR DATES

Great to catch up with “ewe”, Marlene ,on your book tour! Thank you for the review copy of A Hush At Midnight. All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Marlene Bell.
Photography credits: Dalton Photography ; blog header pic – Linda Hobden

Linda x

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An Interview With Dubs Universe

Footwear this week! 😍 My guest is Stuart Davis, co-founder of Dubs Universe – a sustainable children’s trainer brand. These trainers are inspired by children and designed by parents. They feature iconic sugarcane soles – as well as being made from recycled plastic bottles – how cool is that? 😎 To tell us more, let’s welcome Stuart onto the blog…

Hello! 

I’m Stuart, co-founder of Dubs!

Prior to founding Dubs, I was  in the advertising industry as a creative producer. 

I have an awesome sister, Samantha – who throughout my life, has been the person who inspires me the most. She is heavily disabled; became very ill when she was 3 (I was 4). Despite what she has been through, she is constantly smiling. She keeps me grounded and real.

I’m married to Kirsty,  an awesome, smart and funny lady.  She’s the best.

And my daughter… my bonkers, supercharged little girl Leila who is now 7 (7!). She’s my best friend.

What inspired the launch of Dubs Universe?

Dubs was inspired by my bonkers, supercharged little girl and her crazy fast-growing feet and the fact that I lost my job during the first lockdown.

As a new-ish Dad at the time, I was gutted when Leila’s feet were too big for her brand-new shoes…that…she’d only worn twice and were now destined for the bin. I actually turned them into flower pots – anything to keep her entertained.

My co-founder and good friend Gary, a graphic designer, and I used to catch up on Zoom weekly for some sanity. During these chats, I would often moan about my day, especially how Leila had outgrown another pair of perfectly good shoes that she had worn only twice. Gary understood this frustration all too well. He recognised that comfort, aesthetics, and sustainability had to go hand-in-hand, but the amount of waste generated by children’s shoes was alarming.

We discovered that 2 million shoes are thrown into landfills every week in the UK alone, with children’s shoes contributing significantly to this problem. This revelation led us to set an ambitious goal: “How do we make the Immortal Sneaker?”

Taking advantage of Leila’s naptime, I dedicated those 37 minutes each day to research, learn, and connect with anyone knowledgeable about shoemaking and sustainability. These efforts eventually culminated in the creation of The Dubs Universe, where we began to address our ambitious challenge and bring our vision to life.

Have you always had an interest in fashion/footwear designing or did you have other career plans whilst growing up? 

I’ve always had a love for sneakers. As in, I have favourite styles and brands that I love. But job wise, I spent most of my career in the advertising industry as a creative producer, most recently at M&C Saatchi where I held the position of Creative Operations Director. Ironically, my first job out of Uni was a dustman, at a recycling plant.

As a creative producer, I worked with brands such as Adidas, Coke, Airbnb, producing all types of content from TV adverts, press adverts to those annoying advert banners that appear on websites.

Towards the latter stages of my career, I oversaw production departments and helped agencies and brands navigate the complex world of creative production from an operations POV.

I’m interested in your brand name – Dubs Universe – why did you specifically pick that name? Were there any other contenders?

Oooh great question.

The name “Dubs Universe” comes from two main ideas. First, when kids are just starting to talk, they tend to use the front of their mouths and say words that are simple and easy to say, like “Peppa Pig” or “Postman Pat.” I wanted to pick a word that felt playful and was easy for kids to pronounce, which is how “Dubs” came about.

Second, I wanted the brand name to become synonymous with shoes, like how google and hoover are brands, yet people say: “Google it” or “Hoover the floor.” It’s exciting to hear kids and parents say, “Go get your Dubs on” or “Where are my Dubs?”—it’s a sign the name is becoming part of their daily language, which is really cool.

We did originally start with the name “Bumpers,” but an old shoe brand in Italy raised concerns, so we pivoted to Dubs Universe—and I think it turned out even better!

I love your ideas of using eco-friendly materials to make your trainers – recycled plastic bottles, sugarcane, chrome free leather and recycled foam.  I’m struck by the fact you use sugarcane – what exactly is a sugarcane sole and its benefits? 

So sugarcane soles are made from a material derived from the sugarcane plant. This material is created by using the sugarcane’s natural sugar content to produce a more eco-friendly version of EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate), which is commonly used in footwear for its lightweight and cushioning properties. Our sugarcane is called ‘Braskem I’m green’. It’s  a renewable resource, meaning it can be grown and harvested annually without depleting natural resources and it has a much Reduced Carbon Footprint. And what was super important for us, after many, many tests (!) Sugarcane soles offer excellent cushioning and flexibility, providing comfort for little feet during all their adventures.

What is currently the most popular colour & style ? 

The Flex, our debut shoe, is still the most popular. And it’s a close call between the All Black, which is great as a school shoe and the Midnight Blue, which is loved by Boys and Girls

As you are based in the UK, are your items available to purchase overseas?

We are! But shipping costs often put customers off from overseas. 

On your website, you talk about a scheme to sell outgrown Dubs for cash. What does that entail?

We’ve just launched our pre-loved site, where parents can sell outgrown Dubs for cash (think Vinted, but just for Dubs) or exchange the cash for Dubs store credit, which can be used to get money off their next pair. It’s a fantastic way to keep our shoes on kids’ feet for longer and help parents effortlessly declutter.

Have you got any new trainer styles in the pipeline for 2025?

We have two styles ready to go! 

The Dubs Stomp – which is another velcro shoe – but has a big chunky strap.

And my favourite is the Dubs Bounce – which is more of a high-top! We always wanted to design kids shoes that we would wear ourselves. I can’t wait to get these guys in stock!

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

Well, if it’s just chilling, on the school run or popping to the shops – I’m almost always in Nike AIr Max. They are so comfy! But if I need to be a little smarter, then I have smarter sneaks, brogues or smart boots.

Do you have any favorite shops or online sites?

I always try to shop British independent brands where I can.

For kids shoes, I love Zig and Star https://zigandstar.com/

For me, I recently discovered &sons who I’m really into at the mo https://andsons.co.uk/

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

I love the outdoors and camping – and I really need to upgrade my winter jacket! I hate being cold.

Boots or Shoes?

Boots. They’re more versatile. You can make boots look super smart when required, but can’t walk through the woods in the winter, to a cozy pub in shoes!

For Pinning later

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook/twitter etc so that readers can find out more about Dubs Universe.

https://dubsuniverse.com

https://www.instagram.com/thedubsuniverse

Thanks for the chat, Stuart ! Fabulous designs, fabulous eco friendly materials- and cool to boot too! 😊

Linda x

All photographs have been published with kind permission of Dubs Universe

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Spotlight On The Bristol Pound Legacy

It’s been budget week in the UK … and talk of money, finances and taxes leads me to the interesting story of The Bristol Pound. The Bristol Pound was a local currency that operated from 2012 to 2021. Among its aims was to build community wealth and to raise awareness of the importance of local trading. The Bristol Pound was the first local currency to have digital and paper money from the outset; and was the first local currency to be accepted for payment of local taxes. Working for The Bristol Pound, my guest this week, Diana Finch, wrote a book “Value Beyond Money”, outlining the story of The Bristol Pound …. I caught up with Diana to find out more…. Hi Diana 😊

Hello. My name is Diana. I live in Bristol, but I only moved here because I got the job at the Bristol Pound. Before that I lived in many different places – Bath, Wiltshire, Devon, Kent, London and Edinburgh. I’m a mother of two grown up girls. In my spare time I currently enjoy dancing and playing the piano badly. I’ve worked in accounts most of my life, and for the last 24 years, I’ve focused on leadership roles within the voluntary sector.

Who or what inspired you to write the interesting Bristol Pound story  “Value Beyond Money”?

When it became clear that the Bristol Pound would be wound up on my watch, I suggested to the board that when the time came, I’d like to write a book to leave a legacy for the organisation. At first it seemed like an easy thing to offer, but as the time got closer, I realised that writing a book would be more of a commitment than I’d thought! 

Your book highlighted the enthusiasm, hard work and encouragement; as well as the importance of the aims; and unfortunately, its eventual closure in 2023 encompassing the Bristol Pound/BristolPay. It really is a “warts ‘n’ all” tale. Although you were not involved at the beginning of the Bristol Pound set up; did you discover anything surprising during your research that you were perhaps unaware of? 

I was really completely unaware of the story as it unfolds in chapters two and three of the book – from when the founders first met, through the height of its success and fame, right through to when the organisation was really struggling (which led to the vacancy for managing director being advertised). The biggest surprise was that so much of our funding was to create a mutual credit scheme that we never actually got off the ground! Part of me wishes I’d known more when I joined. But then maybe I would have felt more constricted in what I could do. But the main thing is, I’m really pleased to have understood all that background to my work now, as it puts it into a fuller perspective.

The Bristol Pound/ Pay aims were to raise awareness of the importance of localisation of trade to help towards reducing food miles/co2 emissions and to build community wealth by trapping money in the local currency.  It was the first local currency to have digital & paper money from the outset; and the first local currency to enable the payment of local taxes in the local currency. Who was attracted to the ideals of the local currency and why, do you think the attraction wasn’t maintained or extended? 

The people who were attracted to our ideals initially were the people who already thought like us – who had a similar understanding of the economy and the importance of localisation. It’s no surprise, as our marketing messages very much focused on our purpose. We thought, I think, that once we’d got people who understood the cause on board, the use of the currency would just grow organically. But in reality, the only people who ever joined were people who thought like us. It didn’t really speak to people who hadn’t thought in these ways about the economy, so they didn’t join. And without that critical mass, we could never really grow to the point where we would either be viable as a business ourselves, or create real impact in the economy.

How much do you think people in Bristol would have benefited, in general, from having a local currency? 

It’s very hard to say. And it would have depended on other institutions really getting on board and viewing the currency as an infrastructure project, rather than a niche hobby. I think with some additional collaboration, the potential was enormous. For example, imagine if payments in the currency were made to people struggling with food poverty, instead of using that money to support food banks. We could then encourage local grocers and farmers to set up markets in parts of the city particularly affected by food poverty, which the people in receipt of the payments could spend their money at. This would be amazing. Instead of food banks undermining the local food economy, as they currently do, we could be underpinning the local food economy whilst alleviating food poverty.  And instead of people in food poverty having to put up with whatever happened to be available at the food bank, they would have choice and control over the food they buy. There are lots of ideas like that – the scope for experimenting with different ways of addressing our social, environmental and economic problems was (and is) huge.

Reflecting on other local currency schemes worldwide, is there any method or thought that could have, on hindsight, been adopted by Bristol to ensure it remained buoyant?

In South Korea, lots of local currencies have been set up in the last decade. They have been heavily supported by local governments, with social benefits being paid out in the local currencies. The reason the local authorities are keen on this is that the money they give out in benefits gets spent in the local economy. So, they achieve two positive impacts with the funding they provide – alleviating poverty and boosting local businesses. I think that kind of approach would have been really helpful, as it would have meant that the money was available to a much wider demographic, rather than only to those who align themselves with a particular economic way of thinking. At that scale, the impact would have been much greater.

I was particularly impressed to read about the artwork on the old Bristol pound notes and so I was pleased to see the souvenir notes on display on your website. They are so colourful.   Do you have a favourite or two that you are particularly drawn to? 

Perhaps it’s because they’re the notes that I know the best, but the 2018 series are my favourites. I would find it hard to choose between them. They all feel very iconic to Bristol, though I guess urban foxes (the beautiful £B10 note) are found in most towns and cities these days.

Growing up, did you always want a career in finance or did you have completely different career aspirations? 

I really had no idea what I wanted to do when I was younger. I fell into bookkeeping because I was good with numbers. And then I decided to work in the voluntary sector after I became a mother, as I started to become more aware of the numbers of families really struggling. It was only when I got the job at the Bristol Pound at the age of 53 that I really thought, ‘Now this is what I really want to do when I grow up!’

 Is “Value Beyond Money” available to purchase worldwide?

Yes – it should be available anywhere through Amazon, I think.

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

I have to say, I think I’m a bit of a mess! I try not to buy new clothes because of the impact on the environment. A lot of my clothes are from charity shops or are hand-me-downs. I also make some of my own clothes – that way I can buy organic cotton and make the styles I want. If you try to buy clothes made ethically, there is little choice, and the costs are astronomical! When I’m dancing, I wear a lot of skirts and dresses that flow or swing out (wearing shorts underneath, for modesty.) Otherwise, I’m generally in trousers or jeans with t-shirts and jumpers. In terms of shoes, they’re nearly all flat. Clumpy boots most of the winter, and sensible walking sandals in the summer.

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?

All the charity shops down the high street are my favourite boutiques! I tend to use online shops for things like my face oil and toothpaste – I try to buy products that don’t come in plastic containers, and without any chemicals or artificial fragrances. I rarely wear any makeup, and don’t possess any perfume. I don’t wear jewellery either. 

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

I’ve got some fabric that I want to make into a skater style dress. I thought I would do it in time for this summer – but it will have to be next summer now!

Boots or Shoes?

Boots for walking – more support and I find them more flexible than shoes. I’m thinking of trying out barefoot-style footwear next time I need to replace my boots. Shoes for dancing – with leather bottoms for ease of spinning. 

For Pinning Later

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc 

My author website: https://www.dianafinch.info/

Bristol Pound legacy (with shop): https://www.bristolpoundlegacy.info/

Instagram: Diana Finch (@dadafinchy) • Instagram photos and videos

X: Diana Finch (@DianaJFinch) / X

LinkedIn: Diana Finch | LinkedIn

Thank you Diana for chatting to us today. Thanks also for the preview copy of “Value Beyond Money”.

Linda x


All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Diana Finch

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My Year Of Casual Acquaintances Book Tour

I’m so pleased to be part of the book tour for author Ruth F Stevens’ latest book, My Year Of Casual Acquaintances. And, my oh my, what a fun read it was – it was a delicious mix of laugh out loud moments, sad moments and great “people watching” type moments. Just the type of book to read when it’s cold outside but also great to pack for your holidays too. Before I introduce Ruth onto the blog, here’s a quick book summary to whet your appetite…

BOOK SUMMARY

When Mar Meyer’s husband divorces her for another woman, she reacts by abandoning everything in her past: her home, her friends, even her name. Though it’s not easy to start over, Mar is young-looking, fit, and ready for new adventures – as long as she can keep things casual.

With each passing month, Mar goes from one acquaintance to the next. Among them: a fellow gym member down on her luck, a flirty hip-hop instructor, a bossy but comical consultant, a kindly older gentleman . . . and Charlie, a handsome best-selling novelist who wants more from Mar than she’s able to give. She learns something new from each encounter. But can she change enough to open herself up to happiness and true connection? Surrounded by an ensemble of quirky, endearing characters, Mar follows a tortuous and unpredictable path as she navigates the first year of her reinvented life. My Year of Casual Acquaintances is packed with laugh-out-loud moments mingled with scenes of loneliness and self-doubt that will put a lump in your throat.

MY INTERVIEW

Hello Ruth and welcome to the blog. Please tell us a bit about yourself 😊

Hello, 😊 I like to create stories that will make readers laugh and cry. A former public relations executive in New York and Los Angeles, I’m a produced playwright and author of a previous novel, Stage Seven, which was a featured selection of national online book club and Alzheimer’s awareness organizations. I volunteer as acquisitions editor in charge of fiction for AlzAuthors, a nonprofit online organization that offers books, podcasts, and other resources to dementia patients and caregivers. I’m also a proud member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association and the Dramatists Guild of America and proud grandmother to two wonderful boys. My husband and I live in the coastal South Bay area of Los Angeles, where my two upcoming novels are set.

Who or what inspired you to write “My Year Of Casual Acquaintances”? 

I’ve worked from a home office for many years, starting way before it became common practice. Every day I’d go to a nearby health club, mostly to fitness classes. Before long, I realized I was doing it as much for the social interaction as I was for the exercise. I became fascinated by the way people interact at the gym and the relationships that are formed. I thought this would be a terrific premise for a work of fiction.

“My Year Of Casual Acquaintances ” is a “funny -sad” of a 50 year old divorcee (Mar Meyer), embracing growth post divorce and her casual acquaintances she meets each month.  I absolutely loved Mar – and her determination to get a life for herself away from her ex husband and new partner.   I laughed until I cried at some of Mar’s antics and yet, there were sad moments too, with the occasional comeuppance moments thrown in too.  The characters are very believable  – did you base a lot of your characters on you and people you’ve met in life? Which character did you enjoy writing about the most?  Which character was the hardest?

Well, Mar definitely inherited my snark and my love of hip-hop classes and wine. But her life is not my life. In general, the characters come from my imagination, but some of the dialog and certain events in the story are based on real-life. For example, in the Prologue, Mar crashes her Prius, and the description of that collision is based closely on an accident I had several years ago.

Which characters were the most fun to write? Mar, for sure; and I also enjoyed writing about Charlie, the main romantic interest. Confession: I always fall in love with my leading men. (Don’t tell my husband, please.)  I also enjoy writing sarcastic characters like Judith, the potty-mouthed organizational consultant. Writing about Mrs. Ostrowski, the elderly neighbor with memory issues, was a bit painful because it brought back memories of my mother, who also had Alzheimer’s.

Hypothetically speaking, if “My Year Of Casual Acquaintances” was made into a film who would you cast as the main characters, especially Mar, Charlie, Henry & his new partner? oh, and the other acquaintances too?

Mar (narrator): Sutton Foster would be perfect.

Henry (ex-husband): Thibault de Montalembert, a French actor who was in a very funny television series titled Call My Agent. When I saw him for the first time, I pointed at the TV and said, “He’s Henry!” That’s never happened to me before.

Alice (Henry’s new partner): Maybe Kathy Bates when she was around 50.

Charlie (love interest): Still undecided on that one. I can picture his long, lithe physique, but the face is still blurry. If you have a casting suggestion, I’d love to hear it!

For Pinning Later

If you could visit any country/place in the world, to base your next novel in, where would you go and why? 

Every time I read a book set in Italy, I’m enchanted by the setting, the food, the characters.  So that would be my top pick. Full disclosure: I’ve only traveled to Italy once, and I need a good excuse to go back and spend more time there. A lot more time. 

 Are you a bookworm? What is your favourite genre and/or authors? Kindle or actual book? 

I lead a book club and am a member of three others, so I guess that qualifies me as a bookworm. I used to confine my reading to literary and women’s fiction. But after signing with my current publisher, Black Rose Writing, I discovered that the authors frequently read one another’s books and exchange reviews. This activity has opened me up to many genres I used to ignore: YA, memoirs, mysteries, crime fiction . . . you name it. I’m enjoying them all.  

There’s still nothing quite like holding a “real” book in my hands. But I travel so much, I’ve come to enjoy the convenience of e-books. A couple of years ago, I also started listening to audiobooks while walking, driving, or fixing dinner. I try to have an audiobook and a regular book going at all times. It’s probably doubled my reading output.

Is “My Year Of Casual Acquaintances ” available to purchase worldwide?

Yes! It’s available from all major online retailers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.org. 

Growing up had you always wanted to be an author or did you have other career aspirations?

I always wanted to be a writer of some sort. From the time I was a little girl, I would sit at the typewriter and write poems, stories, even newsletters. I guess it was good training for my PR and advertising career. 

When you are not writing, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I enjoy travel, hiking, hip-hop and fitness classes, yoga, Broadway musicals, wine tasting, book clubs, and visiting my grandsons in NYC

An Italian cup of coffee © Linda Hobden

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

Since I work from home and exercise daily, I’m pretty casual—fitness attire or shorts and t-shirts, long pants and hoodies in cooler weather. For footwear: sneakers or sandals. For hip hop classes, I wear jazz shoes, even though they are no longer considered fashionable.

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?

Lately,  I’ve been shopping at the Soft Surroundings website—I find their clothes to be comfortable but stylish. Lululemon and Athleta for fitness, REI for hiking, Uniqlo for value sweaters and packable down.

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

Smart-looking jackets! 

Boots or Shoes?

Definitely shoes—for two reasons: (1) In Los Angeles, boots are not really necessary from a weather standpoint; and (2) I inherited my father’s bulging calf muscles, and it’s always been difficult for me to find boots that fit well.

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc

Website: https://ruthfstevens.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruthfstevensauthor/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rfsauthor

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ruth-f-stevens

BOOK TOUR DATES

Lovely to chat with you Ruth! I’m still thinking who could play Charlie …..

My thanks to Ruth for the preview copy of “My Year Of Casual Acquaintances “. All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Ruth F Stevens; (other photos are by Linda Hobden where marked).

Linda x

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Author Interview: Tony McMahon

What is the link between Jack the Ripper and Abraham Lincoln? A strange question you might think. One is a notorious murderer whose killings terrorised women in the East End of London in 1888; the other was President of the USA who was assassinated in 1865. My guest this week, historian and author Tony McMahon, explores this link in his book, aptly named “Jack The Ripper and Abraham Lincoln”. This book is absolutely fascinating and I am so pleased to welcome Tony onto the blog to explain his investigations, and his book. But first, here’s a quick book summary:

BOOK SUMMARYi

A fraudulent doctor, Francis Tumblety, is implicated in both the 1865 assassination of President Abraham Lincoln in Washington DC and the 1888 Jack the Ripper killings in the East End of London. It seems incredible but the compelling evidence is revealed in this book.

We delve into the murderous trail left by Tumblety – one that stretches from America’s Gilded Age to the poverty-ridden slums of London’s Whitechapel district and explore the murky underworld which enabled his horrific crimes. He was a flamboyant huckster, well known in the newspaper gossip columns though his celebrity masked his homicidal tendencies. Arrested over clear links to the Lincoln assassination then released while others were hanged on the scaffold. Locked up by Scotland Yard as a prime Jack the Ripper suspect, but then made a daring escape. The proof is overwhelming that Tumblety, a man who possessed a grisly collection of uteruses in a cabinet of curiosities, was undoubtedly Jack the Ripper.

THE INTERVIEW

For pinning later. ©Linda Hobden
© Linda Hobden

I run several blogs. 

My London history blog: https://london-ghosts.com/

Beardy History covers everything and anything: https://beardyhistory.com/

My obsession with the 1970s can be explored here: https://the70s80s90s.com/

Everything you ever wanted to know about the Knights Templar: https://thetemplarknight.com/

Great to chat to you Tony. I found the book absolutely fascinating – thank you for the review copy. My thanks also to Ben Cameron of Cameron Publicity & Marketing.

Linda x

Photographs have been published with kind permission of Tony McMahon as well as photographs by Linda Hobden.

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An Interview With Leona Cobham

Like grandfather, like granddaughter … my guest this week is Leona Cobham, granddaughter of aviation pioneer, Sir Alan Cobham. Sir Alan Cobham was an aviation legend – he was a test pilot, an explorer and the inventor of air-to-air refuelling. Leona shares his passion of flying, travel and aviation engineering. Keen to spread the love of aviation, Leona has written a book series for children aged 7 -12 called, Aeroplane Adventures – a collection of fun stories combined with aeroplane facts and terminology. I caught up with Leona to find out more about her aeroplane passion, her books, her travels and her grandfather…. Welcome Leona 😊

Hello 😊 I’m Leona. I’m passionate about inspiring youngsters. We each learn differently but one thing that does inspire all of us is a sense of wonder. If we want to draw kids off their devices and into real life, they must get a thrill out of real life. So my books are packed with thrilling stuff. I’ve kept the stories fast-paced, easy to follow and full of adventure. I’ve recently become a STEM ambassador so I can go to schools and museums to do presentations around the themes in my books.

You’ve written a book series for children aged 7 – 12 called Aeroplane Adventures. The first book is Flying Circus Takes to the Skies and the second is Flying Circus Through Thick andThin. Who are the characters and what do they get up to? 

At the centre we have our fearless Flying Circus quartet: Woody the Tiger Moth, Spif the Spitfire, Vul, the Avro Vulcan, and Tom the F-14 Tomcat. Each talking plane has a life – and mind – of its own. Each plane has its own distinct purpose and personality. Together, they form a formidable team that’s up for any challenge, both on the ground and in the air.

Tom the F-14 Tomcat has this belief that he’s only valued for his speed. He’s determined to win a race to Australia to keep their air show alive but gets distracted by his nemesis, an F-15 Eagle, who challenges him to manoeuvres on an aircraft carrier. This is a great opportunity for me to share the excitement of landing and take-off from an aircraft carrier, engaging the arresting wire and then launching with the catapult. 

Woody meanwhile, the wooden biplane, has low self-esteem and feels the other aeroplanes are more capable than him. While he compares himself to Tom, the supersonic F-14 Tomcat, and fears that his relative lack of speed will hamper the team effort in a race to Australia, it’s actually his unique ability to land on a very short, unsurfaced runway which eventually saves the team because he collects the equipment Tom needs to refuel mid-air. Whereas he thought Woody, the little wooden biplane, would be the weak link in this race to Australia, in fact Tom is the one who runs out of fuel and jeopardises their chances. And it’s Woody who helps Tom out. But the friends don’t shame Tom in his moment of humility, so Tom is able to feel that friends go the extra mile for each other in times of need and friendship isn’t conditional on him always being at the top of his game. 

When we hear the characters’ thoughts, we feel close to them. The message to young readers is we all have gifts to bring to the table. We are all heroes on a journey.

Who or what inspired you to start your writing career? 

I believe it’s important to get children back into reading. Children are reading less than any previous generation; a third of children surveyed said they couldn’t find things to read that interested them. Yet research shows that strong reading skills are key to successful learning. So, I felt compelled to combine exciting fiction, which is enjoyable to read, with plenty of facts. Many children groan at the thought of learning, but I honestly believe it’s possible to enjoy the process. By combining feel-good adventures with facts about aviation, my readers see how aeroplanes pull off the feats they do. 

I am also passionate about giving children life skills within the books: how to come back from making mistakes, how to ask for help without losing face, how to feel enough; ultimately, how to develop an inner feeling of significance which doesn’t depend on the approval of others. I do this by creating a world of flawed, lovable characters. This concept that we’re lovable despite our flaws is key for child development. It’s ok not to be perfect, it’s ok to make mistakes. And we need not be ashamed of them. The characters find themselves in situations which generate relatable emotions like fear, embarrassment, and conflict. And through the characters’ point of view, we tackle these situations. We see how they can be resolved.

The two Aeroplane Adventures are collections of fun stories with messages about teamwork and friendship interwoven with lots of facts about aeroplanes. What do you enjoy most about writing for children?

I’m an impatient reader myself, and so are most children. When writing for children, you need to keep up the pace by maintaining suspense and having a pressing problem that must be solved. There needs to be an important ‘why?’ in the story. I enjoy this challenge. Also, Ilike to infuse my stories with humour, adventure, and a feel-good factor. I think these elements are important in children’s literature, particularly these days when there are so many dark stories on the market. I think we learn best when we’re having fun and when we feel safe. It’s comforting to laugh at life’s predicaments sometimes. We are not perfect, and my message to children is: ‘That’s ok!’. I create flawed, lovable characters because grasping the fact that we are lovable despite our flaws is fundamental to healthy child development.

I create scenarios where children can see how our individuality is a good thing. We each offer value in our own way. We don’t want a world where we are all good at the same thing and weak at the same thing! For example, Woody the little biplane, may be slow but he can land on unsurfaced runways which is a pretty handy little skill! It saves the team on a race to Australia in my first book. It also means he can fly slowly without stalling which enables him to guide the Chinook when the team are putting out a forest fire in the second book. All the characters are different, like we are. The message is to look at your unique characteristics and consider what value you can bring to any situation.

Your grandfather is aviation pioneer Sir Alan Cobham – does your love for all things aviation stem from your background?  

Aviation has always held positive associations for me. My grandfather was passionate about encouraging people to fly and enjoy flight. I grew up seeing aviation as thrilling and inspirational. I have adopted flight as a metaphor: inspiring young readers to get into the pilot’s seat in their own lives, to spread their wings, and fly.

What do you love most about flying/aeroplanes?

I remember being on flights with my dad as a child. When the aeroplane had taxied to the top of the runway and the captain was seeking clearance from air traffic control, he would always say “look out of the window, we’re about to take off”. And to this day, I get a burst of adrenaline when I’m sitting in an aeroplane at the top of the runway. The pilot opens up the throttles and you can feel the plane trembling; then he eases off the brakes and we go hurtling down the track. The air passing quicker under the wing than over it generates lift and we get airborne. It’s still the most thrilling thing for me. And I’m not even in the pilot’s seat. It’s those emotions I want to pass on to the next generation. 

An airshow is a great start for those of us who love ‘things-that-go’. The sound of a fighter jet epitomizes raw power; then there’s the sensation of the blast from the slipstream, the smell of the jet fuel, and as for the sight! Even an airport is pretty exciting. It’s simply awesome to see a 560-ton A380 lift into the sky. I mean… HOW?

You have spent some time working in a forest recuperation project in Brazil and did volunteer teaching in a shanty town.  What did those experiences teach you?  How hard was it to adapt to life in Brazil? 

My experiences in Brazil and working as a classroom reading assistant have given me anunderstanding of different learning styles which I keep in mind when I am writing. I try to cover the visual learners with a plethora of clear diagrams, the contextual learners with background stories where they can see the technology in operation. For example, when Nighthawk gets lost, the other planes struggle to find her because she is a stealth plane and she has a very small radar return. This gives my reader a visual on how radar works. For those who can’t get enough information and love to research stuff, there’s plenty of information in the glossary section. I’ve made it easier by emboldening words in the text that are referenced in the glossary.

I encountered cultural differences when I moved to Brazil, and I realised that accepting differences is a life skill. I write about this in my books. It’s never easy to gracefully accept alternate points of view if they seem to threaten ours, is it? In a story called Hats Off to Spifin Book 2, the Spitfire is challenged to tolerate an alternative take on an episode from history that’s close to his heart. Through his character arc in this story, my readers see how Spif’s flexibility doesn’t weaken him. In fact, his ability to keep calm and remain untriggered elevates him from fine leader to great leader.

Are you a bookworm? What is your favourite genre and/or authors? Kindle or actual book? 

I am a collector of books and I have had to adopt a rule: if a book comes in, then one has to go out and be donated to the local library. I read a lot of aviation books, mostly non-fiction. I choose physical books because I often underline good sentences. I like audiobooks but end up buying a copy of the physical book as well!

Are your “Aeroplane Adventures” books available to purchase worldwide?

Yes, they are available from to order from bookshops and also on Amazon. I have published US versions of the books for those who want American spelling. The word aeroplane/airplane is the first one that causes confusion!

Growing up had you always wanted to be an author, pilot or did you have other career aspirations?

I am a born researcher. I go down rabbit holes on a wide variety of subjects from aircraft carriers to eighteenth century French textiles! I love looking after living things; I wanted to work with plants and animals from a young age, and I did so, though my work in Brazil with forest recuperation. 

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

I have discovered ‘history bounding’. I like floaty dresses that take me back to another time in history. I go for natural fabrics wherever possible: cotton, silk, and wool. When I walk my dog, I imagine myself in a Jane Austen novel! Once I am bored with an item of clothing, I get out my fabric scissors and cut it into a new item. 

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?

I like unusual styles that go with my ‘history bounding’ so I shop from a very wide variety of sources. The clothes I like are verging on costume. But I just wear one element of the costume at a time. I saw a lovely blouse on Sezanne recently with a ruffle collar. That’s the sort of thing I like.

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

I’m not very good at wearing heels so I’m looking for some pretty suede lace-up flats which I can convert into ‘going out’ shoes with ribbons instead of shoelaces…

Boots or Shoes? 

I go back to wearing boots as soon as Autumn begins. I get on much better with heels if I’m wearing boots. And I think knee boots look great with a knee-length skirt. Timeless.

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc

My website is:

www.cobhamwings.co.uk

The Amazon links to my books are as follows.

Book 1: Flying Circus Takes to the Skies

Book 2: Flying Circus Through Thick and Thin

Great to chat with you Leona! I hope your books will not only encourage budding young aviators to spread their wings and embrace the thrill of travel; but to also discover how to help each other, acknowledge our different strengths and to nurture long lasting friendships.

Linda x

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Leona Cobham

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Author Interview: David Griffiths

Every now and then you come across a novel intended for the YA market but actually the storyline is so riveting and the writing is so eloquent that it appeals to older adults too. “How To Hear Ghosts” by David Griffiths is one such book. I was hooked from page one! The storyline delves into such topics such as whether there is an afterlife, the reality of mental illness and the lure of psychic shows. The characters are totally believable, and the subtle twists and turns in the storyline certainly kept me entertained. How could I not interview the author, David Griffiths?! 😀 Before I introduce David to the blog, here’s a quick summary of his fabulous book:

BOOK SUMMARY

In the wake of his mother’s death, 16-year-old Ollie is thrust into the world of his uncle, Dominic Quinn, a renowned stage medium. Communing with the dead runs in Ollie’s family – or so he believes. But as he starts to hear voices in his head, he must confront the possibility that they are no more than a spiral into hereditary madness.

Haunted by the mysterious letter that plagued his mum’s final days, Ollie embarks on a quest for answers. With the help of one of his uncle’s mysterious books and the support of his classmate, Hannah, Ollie delves into the secrets surrounding his mother’s past.

But as he navigates the blurred line between reality and the paranormal, he must face a daunting question: will it make him famous like his uncle, or dead like his mother? In this gripping young adult novel, Ollie discovers that sometimes, the most terrifying ghosts are the ones we carry inside.

THE INTERVIEW

Hello. I’m David. I’m an ex-English teacher based in Liverpool who’s had a life-long obsession with all things Gothic – that’s something often frowned upon by other English teachers. I recently started teaching at Manchester Met University where things are more liberal, and since then I’ve gone from writing about ghosts to actually becoming one – I’m currently working as a professional ghostwriter, which is a fascinating experience … except I’m not allowed to tell anyone what I’m writing about! 

Who or what inspired you to write “How To Hear Ghosts”? 

My inspiration for writing about the uncanny dates back to childhood. My parents, bless them, had the idea that we’d save money if we booked a holiday abroad out of season. This turned out to be true. Unfortunately, when we arrived at the hotel the place was completely and utterly deserted. (N.B. Never underestimate the importance of other human beings when it comes to enjoying your overseas holidays.) I was bored and increasingly spooked by the enormity and silence of the empty hotel. I turned to literature for solace. Unfortunately, the only book I’d brought with me was Stephen King’s “The Shining”. Let’s say it intensified the experience. I still find myself glancing over my shoulder whenever I’m walking a hotel corridor and happen to pass by room 217.

How To Hear Ghosts ” is a YA story that delves into the reality of mental illness, theory of afterlife and the role of mediums.  The characters are a fabulous mix  – from the main character Ollie, his Uncle Dominic – a phoney medium, Ollie’s school friend Hannah , to Marsha – Dominic’s hard nosed agent. Did you base a lot of your characters on you and people you’ve met in life? Which character did you enjoy writing about the most?  Which character was the hardest?

It’s hard to write a novel in first person and not include some element of your personality in your main character. At first, Ollie was a wittier, more entertaining (and more troubled) version of my teenage self. But it’s important to give your protagonists their own distinct identity, which emerged eventually, as all strong characters do. As for basing characters  on real people, Dominic Quinn is certainly a product of the strange climate we’ve all lived through during the last six or seven years, which have seen a bewildering rise in the number of populist politicians and chancers who have emerged to charm and seduce voters with comforting notions that a “black and white”, simple solution can solve their complex problems. Dominic is a similar type of snake-oil salesman.

It’s a huge cliche to say that the characters in a novel “talk” to the author and start writing the story themselves. It sounds phoney and pretentious but it’s true. Marsha virtually barged into the room and took charge of my pen, telling me I’d better buck up and organise things more efficiently. She’s awful and ultimately sinister, perhaps, but I absolutely adored her. She made things so easy because she’s so assertive.

With “How to Hear Ghosts” I tried to subvert the Young Adult Gothic tradition which, since Twilight, focusses on female protagonists. I wanted a young male hero but I wanted the book to appeal to male and female readers. I also wanted to avoid the usual cliches of helpless female and strong, silent, brooding male (who’s usually a vampire). I probably over-thought it initially. But that ended when Hannah came into the story. She’s stronger than Ollie and certainly no one’s idea of a side-kick or plot device. When she appeared it was natural and right.

What do you enjoy most about writing novels for young adults? 

Writing for young adults is something I’m drawn to because those teenage years are so dramatic. Everything you experience is so intense: if you fall in love, it’s HUGE. If you feel hurt or angry at someone, it’s an even bigger deal than when it happens later in life. All our feelings and experiences are so amplified, whether it’s by hormones or the newness of the situation. It’s not always pleasant, of course, and I’m particularly keen to avoid romanticising it. It’s the period where you find yourself wising up to life, hopefully.

If you could visit any country/place in the world, to base a future novel in, where would you go and why? 

It may seem boring or obvious, and I’ve already visited the United States. But I’m wondering whether the USA I visited and loved eight years ago will be the same USA I’d be visiting a year from now. The Ancient Chinese had a curious saying: “May you live in interesting times.” It was intended as a curse of sorts. America is going to be an awfully interesting place soon, (and always is, however often you’re used to seeing it on TV,) and who knows how current events might influence any story you might choose to set there?

Are you a bookworm? What is your favourite genre and/or authors? Kindle or actual book? 

I’m proud to be a bookworm. Most of the great ideas I’ve encountered in life have come from being a bookworm, whether it’s fact or fiction – which is honestly a bit of a false distinction. My all-time literary idol is Emily Bronte. (Still find it spooky how she shares her birthday with Kate Bush, by the way.) I also have to buy everything David Nicholls writes the day it comes out. Can’t recommend him highly enough. I used to regard Kindle as Satan’s plaything but started reading them recently. It’s OK. Just gimme an actual book please.

 Is “How To Hear Ghosts” available to purchase worldwide?

Yes! Proud to announce it’s available everywhere.

Photo by Linda Hobden

Growing up had you always wanted to be an author or did you have other career aspirations?

As a teenager, my literary ambitions were placed on hold for a few years while I mastered the guitar and played in local rock and indie bands. With the passing of time, it can be seen that Kurt Cobain’s status and reputation were never seriously threatened.

I must admit I have never been to see a medium or attend a show but I do appreciate that many people do feel comforted by getting a chance to have some sort of contact with their loved ones; and I am respectful of the role such mediums do play in certain circumstances. When researching for your book, did you discover anything unexpected? 

My research included visiting mediums for private readings and seances, as well as watching them perform on stage. I’m loathe to call myself a “believer” because there are so many obvious charlatans out there. I wouldn’t want to recommend them to anyone. But the second person I went to see was really quite unsettling. I still have a sound recording of the encounter I had with him, and it’s extraordinary to listen to it now and hear how accurate he was. In fact, it’s even more bizarre listening to it now because you can hear him basically predict things that did come to happen subsequently, which no one at the time could have foreseen, and which I didn’t take a great deal of notice of until later. I’d prefer not to go too deeply into it: suffice to say, I’d forgotten about some of the details on the recording and didn’t listen to it again until two years afterwards. But I think it ended up influencing the book’s rather ambiguous approach towards the paranormal.  

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

It’s hard finding anything that will make you look cool once you’ve lost your hair (though some have managed it). Personally, I’m resigned to being unadventurous – shirt, black trousers, black shoes etc, unless I’m at home, them I’m all trainers and (urk) jeans.

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites ?

For clothes, it’s Next and M&S (- no real innovations to report).

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

We’re off for a week in the sun in two days, so a mad scramble for a decent pair of flip-flops is very much in order.

Boots or Shoes?

A new pair of shoes always instills confidence. Not sure why. I’m sure Freud would have something to say about that. The only time boots give me confidence is if I’m hiking in the Lakes.

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc

Great to chat to you David! Thank you so much for a review copy of “How To Hear Ghosts” – I really rate it!

Linda x

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of David Griffiths .

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