Maria Donovan is an author of fiction and non-fiction. She won first prize for Flash Fiction in the Bridport Prize 2019. Her published works include a short story collection: 'Pumping Up Napoleon' and a debut novel, 'The Chicken Soup Murder', which was shortlisted for The International Rubery Book Awards and a finalist for the Dundee International Book Prize.
1. February is named for februa – associated with ancient rites of purification.
The Roman poet Ovid, born in 43 BCE, wrote in his Fasti, a half-finished work on the calendar: ‘The fathers of Rome called purification februa‘. Continue reading “Five February findings”
Dorset Writers Network workshop, with Rosanna Ley, Saturday 3 February, 10-12.
Venue: The White Room, The Chapel in the Garden, Bridport.
Anyone who has read Rosanna Ley’s novels will know how important a sense of place is to her writing. Continue reading “A sense of place – with Rosanna Ley”
Some years ago and in another country, I used to go out with someone who questioned all manner of received wisdom. ‘How do you know that?’ he’d say. ‘How can you be sure?’ What a great time he must be having now, in the era of fake news. But still … I challenged myself to write down some assumptions. What do I know (or think I know) about January? Continue reading “5 Things I think I know about … January”
‘A book launch is a bit like a wedding, except that you’ve done something to deserve it.’ Continue reading “Launching the Soup!”
On Tuesday 21 November, I’ll be reconnecting Bridport Past to Bridport Present with the launch of my debut novel, The Chicken Soup Murder.
I like solitude. Even before I needed peace for writing (though, come to think of it, I’ve managed to work with the sound of sanding and drilling going on for the past few years) I liked being on my own: to hear my own thoughts and observe the world and dream, not having to talk (except to myself) or be derailed by someone else’s thought train.
And then you take yourself and your work out in public …
Tuesday 26 of September 2017 was that special day when I saw my novel as a book, with a life of its own, for the first time.
Gestation time for a novel is almost always a lot longer than it takes to produce a human baby. Continue reading “Novel? Due date delayed”
Coming soon – Due date 15 September 2017
Available to pre-order now through Amazon Continue reading “The Chicken Soup Murder”
How sweet the reward for a job done. Delicious rhubarb and elderflower sorbet from West Bay.
The job: completing the author questionnaire or A.Q. to go with my forthcoming novel The Chicken Soup Murder.
What is an A.Q.? Continue reading “Author completes questionnaire: deserves ice cream”
Books reviews with the occasional interview thrown in for good measure
Adventures in reading around the world
The blog of Poet & Book Reviewer - Rachel Carney
Some Thoughts on Literary Matters
"Well, there’s so much to read, and I’m so far behind." Wallace Stegner
Connecting the Americas, Bridging Cultures Supergringa in Spain: A Travel Memoir
Memoir, Narrative Creative Nonfiction, Personal Essays, OWN stories and more.
Bilingual leftist content for Kernow - Dalgh kledh diwyethek rag Kernow
Writer, TV Critic, Broadcaster
for writers and readers....
Epic fantasy & military sci-fi author.
facts and fiction
The Online Home of Writer Alexis Paige
A Variety of Posts
Rachel McAlpine writes, blogs, draws and podcasts here
Oh, do not ask, “What is it?”/Let us go and make our visit.
Travels around the world and daily life
A Blog about magic, fiction and art
Teaching the art of composition for photography.
Maria Donovan 