Wallsend Library with Helen Aitchson (centre) and Elle Blair
I had a great evening on Thursday at Wallsend Library with the local authors Helen Aitchson and Elle Blair.
We had a lovely group of readers who asked all types of questions about books, our writing process and what were next plans.
I met Helen a couple of years ago when we were both invited to visit Low Newton women’s prison. Helen was doing a creative writing project with the women there and I’d been asked to talk about my book The Stand-Up Mam.
She has written a number of novels from women’s fiction to crime and thrillers. I’ve recently read one of her latest books, Finding Arthur Whittle and really enjoyed it - very uplifting and intriguing.
I’ve also just finished Elle’s debut novel In Deep Water. It was such a page-turner! The central character is an uncompromising, tricky female detective. I loved following her journey and how she tackles the problems that come her way.
At the end of the night it was great to see the audience buying our books because they were so enthusiastic about our stories. Library events like this one are a great opportunity for self-published authors like me, in particular, as it puts us in front of potential readers in the best possible way.
Big thanks to Clare Pepper of North Tyneside libraries who organised the event and is an amazing champion of authors like me.