December 16, 2024
By Harry Mottram: Dylan Spicer of Bath has won a writing competition for the Twisted 50 series of horror anthologies. It’s an achievement that has helped to establish him as a published writer – something I suggest many people would like to do. He messaged Bath Voice to say, “Winning this competition means getting the book published in hardback and paperback, and on the Kindle store too. I completed my MA at Bath Spa University, so getting this published is very much a result of local training.”
He said: “Getting a story published in Twisted50’s latest anthology is a such a fantastic end to the year. There is a wonderful tradition of horror story anthologies, and nothing for me beats the power of a short, scary tale. To have one published in a book on the shelf is a brilliant feeling.”
For details of the stories visit: https://twisted50.com/
He joins a growing list of writers from the city who have had books of both fiction and non fiction published in recent times.
Simon Harding of Combe Down writes under the name of Nicholas Carter and has published a string of history based novels set in the English Civil War. His latest novel is Black Tom’s Red Army which features the military struggle in and around Bath in the 17th century. The volume is available on Amazon and other book sellers.
Pertinent for Christmas is Jean G Goodhind’s Murder for Christmas set in Bath. It’s one of a string on whodunnits in the Honey Driver series many with a Bath connection. Christmas isn’t Christmas without a murder story!
A modern update on one of Jane Austen’s most famous and sexy characters – if you like your men the strong silent type – and rich of course – then read On Mr Darcy’s Sofa by Hungarian writer Zita Muranyi. The publicity runs thus: “On Mr. Darcy’s Sofa is a compelling novel about love, loss, and heartbreak. Covering a range of delicate topics from death to infertility, the reader is taken on an emotive journey following a range of well-developed and interesting characters as they navigate their way through life’s ups and downs.”
Mrs Maggie Rosina Rayner has penned a trilogy of novels set in and around Bath during WW2. She covers the time when the city was bombed as well as the lives of a number of characters affected by the war. All three books can be found on Amazon and other book sites.
Non fiction now – and for those who like to get out and about Andrew ‘Able’ Lawrence‘s Bath – I Walked Every Street is a must read – or use it as a reference book. It really does cover every alleyway, footpath, lane, estate road and main road in the city. I met Abe and he said it starter out as a series of walks but once he began to cover so many roads he decided to keep going until every pavement and path was covered. And with all the building going on his work continues.
Final Journey is the Untold Story of Funeral Trains. Nicholas Wheatley’s account of this side of the funeral service may seem morbid but it is also a fascinating insight into an aspect of society we may not be aware of.
There are several books on the recent history of the city with photos showing what we have lost and how things have changed and Jenny knight’s Bath Through Time is one of the best. And with all the changes in Bath it is a genre that will never end.
If I was to name the Bath book of the year – this would be it. David G Willamson’s detailed account of life in all its aspects between the two world wars is a must read for anyone interested in the city, history and English society. Well researched and with fascinating detail of all aspects of Bath this is non-fiction at its best.
Bath Voice Monthly Newspaper is distributed free to thousands of homes and some supermarkets – distributed from the first of the month. Harry Mottram is the News Editor
Email him at news@bathvoice.co.uk Bath website: https://bathvoice.co.uk/news/
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Harry Mottram is a freelance journalist. Follow him on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Telegram, TikTok and Email:harryfmottram@gmail.com
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