What a busy year it was! The first few months were spent editing and signing off for publication, “People I Met on the Way” by Fr Joseph Dillon, a Brazilian memoir of a Divine Word missionary from Dublin who has spent 50 years in Latin America. He is a champion of social justice, the environment and herbal and floral remedies. What a pleasure it was to welcome ‘Padre Jose’ to Scotland for his Book Signing Tour in May. Gavin’s Mill Milngavie was his first stop, and he spoke vividly to a full-house. He later celebrated the launch of his book at St Andrew’s in Bearsden before heading to Dublin to continue his book-signing tour.
More info on Father Joseph can be found on his website:Link to Fr Joseph’s website
His book can be purchased by clicking on the button below.
Milngavie Week in June was a fantastic community event. I was asked to judge a Writing Competition for local secondary pupils. The title of the story was ‘Monarch for the Day’, a story inspired by the King’s Coronation. The entries were captivating and Gabrielle Sinclair was a worthy winner. During this week, I also presented at Milngavie Library. It was a wonderfully relaxed evening where I was able to talk about the semi-biographical memoir of my grandmother in my first novel Howth and also how much times have changed particularly for women in the 21st century.
By July and August it was time to promote my children’s novel: ‘Vikings and Skylarks on Cumbrae.’ Irvine Maritime Museum was my first stop, with workshops and activities. There was a wide age range of children with their parents, and I was amazed to see how much interest there is in the Viking legacy on the Ayrshire coast.
Cumbrae Soaps in Millport for a Book Signing afternoon was next. Not only does Amanda, the shop owner, sell wonderful handmade soaps, candles and melts, but she invests in local authors, jewellers and craftspeople. Her shop is a treasure trove and a real window on the world. Link to Amanda’s shop
Belladrum Festival in Inverness was a huge highlight. Presenting ‘Vikings and Skylarks’ in the Verb Garden, and thankfully, my ‘gig’ not clashing with Katie Tunstall or Travis, the audience was international, with a passion for Scottish history, particularly stories based on true events.
Finally, I returned to Cumbrae Primary School for my final Author Visit of the year. And what a morning we had! The children re enacted the story of Moranne and Sten from Vikings and Skylarks and they predicted a variety of endings. They were warm and welcoming, and I finished the afternoon, with a beautiful walk around Fintry Bay. What more could I have wished for in 2023?
