Helping authors to make their stories shine … Editing Services for fiction and memoir
As an author, trying to choose which of my books is my favourite is like choosing my favourite child. When my kids pressed me to pick one of them as my fav, I always told them Maximus was my favourite first child and Brutus was my favourite second child. Similarly, each of the Jade Riley mysteries holds a special place in my heart for varying reasons. Continue reading Writing a Mystery Series: My Favourite Jade Riley Mystery
For my second group interview, I’m exploring the topic of inspiration: where the concept comes from, how much the book changes from that starting point, how to juggle too many ideas, and more. Seven wonderful authors from a wide range of genres have responded. Continue reading Group Interview 2: Inspiration
In The Godfather of Dance, Jade Riley Mysteries Book 1, I used song titles to name each chapter. Reader feedback about this was positive, so I continue the style for A Killer Among Friends, Jade Riley Mysteries Book 2 … The Man in the Dam, Jade Riley Mysteries Book 3 completes the creative arts triple threat with a theatre focus, so I’ve continued the tradition. Continue reading Writing a Mystery: Chapter Titles/Playlist The Man in the Dam
I’d like to invite you to join Bookish Banter newsletter, a project I’m collaborating on with two other authors: Sarah Bourne and Lisa Darcy. We aim to entertain you with quick updates about our writing lives, and to share our current reads and watches. And we promise not to bombard you; we’ll only email once a month. For more info about why I’ve started a newsletter, read on. Continue reading Bookish Banter Newsletter
For 2026, I’m trying a new approach to interviews on my blog so I can feature more authors. Rather than speaking to one person about their book, I’ll pick a topic and ask for many authors’ views. Let me know what you think.
My January topic is Writing Habits. Continue reading Group Interview 1: Writing Habits
The Winding Narrative is now eight years old! This past year has been turbulent for me professionally, as my publisher, Wings ePress, closed down, so I had to find a new home for my books. Next Chapter Publishing came to the rescue, and they have now republished my first two Jade Riley Mysteries and, hot off the press, they have published the third: The Man in the Dam, Jade Riley Mysteries Book 3. I can’t believe I now have a triology! Continue reading The Winding Narrative Turns Eight
In 2025, Mirror World Publishing released Against All Odds, an anthology featuring seven short stories about love against the odds. My story, The Value of a Sapphire, is one of them. Check out this interview I did with Mirror World Publishing talking about my inspiration for the story and more. The original blog is no longer available. Continue reading Interview about my short story, The Value of a Sapphire
The 2025 Christmas book list features fifteen books, including eleven incredible books from authors I’ve interviewed throughout the year and four of my own – two Jade Riley mysteries and two anthologies, each featuring one of my short stories.
The genres range from romantic comedy to psychological thriller, so find something to suit your loved ones’ tastes … or treat yourself. Continue reading Christmas Book List 2025
Ever wondered what it takes to write a gritty thriller? As the title suggests, Sister Butcher Sister features sisters and gruesome crime. In this discussion with author K.D. Aldyn, we delve into her inspiration, her unique nomadic lifestyle and the impact of writing violence. Continue reading K.D. Aldyn on writing gritty thrillers
In our last interview, Sarah and I discussed her writing genre change from her first book, psychological thriller, A Voice in the Night, to her second book, historical fiction, The Dilemma. And she’s done it again! Her third novel, Love. Camera. Action is a romantic comedy.
Today, we discuss her ability to shift genres, and the details of her latest release. Continue reading Sarah Hawthorn on Love. Camera. Action.
Brightside Story Studio 