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Silver Sound 4 November 2016: Village People



Today’s guest was author Debbie Young. Debbie has written a number of author guidebooks, including Sell Your Books (SilverWood Books) and Opening Up to Indie Authors for the Alliance of Independent Authors (jointly with Dan Holloway). She has also published two collections of essays, both inspired by life in the Cotswold village of Hawkesbury Upton – All Part of the Charm: A Modern Memoir of Village Life and Young By Name.

In addition Debbie has published a number of short story collections, including the Christmas themed Stocking Fillers. She is now working on the first in a series of murder mystery novels set in an English village not unlike Hawkesbury Upton – except, of course, for the murders!

Debbie has also written the book Coming to Terms With Type 1 Diabetes to raise funds and awareness for the JDRF. JDRF is the largest charitable funder of research into a cure for the disease, which affects both her husband and her daughter.

Amongst her many activities, Debbie is the founder of the Hawkesbury Upton Literary Festival. All events are free and it’s a wonderful chance to enjoy a day in the village and listen to readings and talks. The next festival is on 22 April 2017. For more details see the HULF website.

 
Author Debbie Young at the BCfm Studio
National Memory Day Writing Competition - Debbie’s work is very much based in her local community, and it’s an excellent example of the advice often given to writers to “write what you know”. So if you feel inspired to have a go, or if you are already writing, you might be interested in the National Memory Day writing competition. National Memory Day is an annual celebration of poetry and creative writing for people affected by memory loss, and the first National Memory Day is 18 May 2017. The competition is for poems and short stories, and includes a Best Young Writer Award and Best Primary Carer Voice Award. For details see the National Memory Day website

Diabetes - If you would like more information or advice about diabetes you might find the following links useful:-




You can listen to the show here (10 to 11 am)


Silver Sound is broadcast by BCfm 93.2 fm between 10 am and mid day on Thursdays and Fridays. I’ll be back on the show between 10 and 11 am on 2 December 2016 with another fabulous guest!




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