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Developing Characters – short course with Isabel Ashdown

Posted on by Isabel Ashdown

Do you yearn for a bit of time and space to work on your characters?  This weekend writing course at West Dean College could be just the thing you need – led by novelist and tutor Isabel Ashdown.

west-dean-college

The breathtaking setting of West Dean house and gardens provides a haven of peace and tranquility in which to study and work – and if you feel like really treating yourself, residential options are available.

Date: 25-27 November 2016

Venue: West Dean College, Nr Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 0QZ

Isabel Ashdown Website HeaderCourse Content: Great characters are at the heart of great fiction – the most compelling stories contain unforgettable characters we are curious about and believe in. Through guided discussion, exercises around point of view and hands-on writing this course will help you to transform your existing characters and encourage you to unearth a few new ones along the way.

For full course details, please visit the West Dean College website here.

Presenting … Little Sister by Isabel Ashdown

Posted on by Isabel Ashdown

Little Sister by Isabel AshdownTrapeze are delighted to share the stunning new cover for Little Sister … out on ebook April 2017 and in paperback July 2017!

To keep up with all the news, competitions and events in the run up to release, you can sign up to Isabel’s newsletter here – we promise not to spam you with endless emails (it only goes out once or twice a year) 🙂

 

‘My Life in Books’ by Isabel Ashdown

Posted on by Isabel Ashdown

Colour Coded ShelfieThis month I’ve had the pleasure of chatting to book blogger extraordinaire, Anne Cater, about the books that have shaped my reading life.

Read more about my choices here, from Roald Dahl to Raymond Carver, from Adrian Mole to Catherine Dollanganger …

New Isabel Ashdown novel announced for 2017

Posted on by Isabel Ashdown

Trapeze logo #2We are delighted to reveal news of the forthcoming novel from Isabel Ashdown, recently announced in a two-book deal with Trapeze, the exciting new imprint from The Orion Publishing Group.

Sam Eades, senior commissioning editor at Orion said of the acquisition: ‘The complex relationship between sisters continues to fascinate readers, from Rosamund Lupton’s Sister to SK Tremayne’s The Ice Twins. A sister can be our closest friend, and also our deadliest enemy. What is so clever about Little Sister is that Isabel Ashdown offers something fresh and distinctive. She pairs an unforgettable premise with two intriguing narrative voices that will have readers hooked from the very first page. I’m delighted to have signed Isabel Ashdown to new imprint Trapeze, and she has lots of in-house fans who can’t wait to see what she will write next!’

Sam Eades, Isabel Ashdown and Kate Shaw

To read the full article, including comments from Isabel and her agent Kate Shaw, click here.

For all enquiries regarding foreign rights, interviews and review copies please email Sam Eades: Sam.Eades@orionbooks.co.uk

Subscribe to Isabel’s newsletter here

 

BBC Radio 4 Open Book – Heatwaves in Fiction

Posted on by Isabel Ashdown
BBC Radio 4 Open Book

SUMMER OF '76 by Isabel Ashdown, COVER, April 2013This week Isabel has been up chatting with Mariella Frostrup and author Joanna Cannon on the subject of heatwaves in fiction – with a particular emphasis on the summer of 1976, the year in focus in both Isabel’s Summer of ’76 and Joanna’s The Trouble with Goats and Sheep.  If you missed the first broadcast, you can listen again here (where their feature starts approx 9 mins in).

Thanks for listening!

OUT TODAY: a new winter story from Isabel Ashdown …

Posted on by Isabel Ashdown

Myriad are delighted to announce the release of an ebook-exclusive short story from Isabel Ashdown.

A Quiet Winter by Isabel Ashdown
£1.00 from Amazon Kindle

Inspired by the characters and events of her novel Hurry Up and Wait, ‘A Quiet Winter’ is a short story to savour by the fireside – and a treat for any readers impatient for Isabel’s next fiction offering!

Two years after her father’s death, Sarah Ribbons prepares to spend the festive season on her own in his crumbling old cottage. It’s not the idea of being alone that bothers her – she’s determined not to be a burden on well-meaning friends who try to coax her into joining them for Christmas – in fact, Sarah thinks she has life as she likes it: firmly under control.  But when an unexpected email raises the ghosts of a distant past, she finds herself questioning this way of life – and discovers friendship in the least likely of places.

This story is available on Amazon Kindle. It can also be read on your PC, tablets and smartphones via other ebook stores or by downloading the free Kindle app on your device.

Wishing you a very Happy Christmas, from Isabel and everyone at Myriad

ps several of Isabel’s books are in the 99p Kindle Deal this week – offer ends on Friday 4th December!

Petworth Christmas Fair

Posted on by Isabel Ashdown

Leconfield HallThis November you can find Isabel along with fellow authors Jane Rusbridge and Gabrielle Kimm at Petworth’s historic Leconfield Hall for the Christmas Gift Fair.

The fair brings together a wide range of Christmas gift sellers, and the three Sussex authors will be there to chat with readers, sign books – and in true festive spirit, they’ll even gift wrap them for you!

Date: Saturday 28th November
Venue: Leconfield Hall, Petworth
Time: 10am-4pm
Free to enter

A Rather Literary Supper Club at The Spread Eagle, Midhurst

Posted on by Isabel Ashdown

The Spread Eagle Supper Club

This November Isabel will be The Spread Eagle’s guest of honour at ‘A Rather Literary Supper Club’ in Midhurst.  The book club, which celebrates Sussex authors past and present, includes a delicious supper and is held in the hotel’s King Edward VII suite.  Isabel will be joined by her fiction editor Vicky Blunden, from UK publisher Myriad Editions.  Everyone welcome – booking details below:

Date: Thursday 12th November
Venue: The Spread Eagle Hotel, Midhurst
Tickets: £28, to include 2-course supper and wine
For full details and how to book, please follow this link.