Monday, April 14, 2014

London's Waterways - the Thames River and the canals


London's Thames River and canals make me smile. From seeing a ship called The Tolkien to watching a bird taking a bath.

The river is 346 km and features throughout english literature. The clay deposits suggest it may be as old as 50 to 60 million years old!

Taking a walk along the southbank, crossing over one of London's magnificent bridges, you can't help but feel proud of one of London's greatest treasures.

You shouldn't swim in the river, though some people do and then need rescuing. The river is not just home to sea life but raw sewage finds its way in there too.

Keep an eye out when you're by the river. You never know what you might see. In 2006, there was a whale which sadly died. Its remains went to the natural history museum for research.

This spring, take some time to discover London's Thames River and canals.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

London Book Fair 2014 - Indie writers, social media and words of wisdom for aspriing writers





On Day 1 of the London Book Fair 2014, Indie Writers talked about making millions, publishers defended the longevity of print content and book sellers talked about reduced shelf space.

The exhibitor stands were busy. All the big publishing houses - Harper Collins, Penguin and Random House looked glossy.


Non-fiction, educational and international publishers were all there. Earl's Court was brimming with networking, deal making and seminars.



According to the indie writers, word counts are coming down as reader's attention spans become shorter. They crow about all the money they are making, that they don't want or need the traditional publishing route. They call themselves CEOs and are proud they retain control of book covers and pricing.


Self-published NY Times best seller, Bella Andre, talked about making business decisions. She's an authority on the book market, but also a woman who struggles with the challenges of balancing marketing and writing.

Social media was lauded for creating communities, helping marketing campaigns and a critical tool for all writers.



There was lots of wisdom sharing. Helen Dunmore who has successfully written poetry, children's and young adult fiction, talked about the trappings of researching. "It's easier to be a writer who researches than a writer who does a first draft," she says.

Usborne Deputy Fiction Director Annie Finnis says for children's books, they are looking for good writing and a set of characters the audience will identify with.

Deputy Editor of the Word Factory, Paul McVeigh's final words to aspiring writers is to write like you'll never write again, as if you'll die tomorrow. It could happen, he adds.

On that note, if you're a writer, get writing. If you're interested in the book industry, go to the London Book Fair 2014 which is from 8 April to 10 April this year.

Thursday, April 3, 2014

The Hidden Talent in London's Local Music Scene

Tucked away behind busy Limehouse's Commercial Rd is a local London music spot in Cable Street Studios. I wasn't expecting much from the Jamboree Collective (www.jamboreevenue.co.uk/), but to my surprise thought this is the sort of place I could happily spend a Friday night.
I've gone to over a hundred music events in London and around the world. New Orleans is still one of my favourite places for brilliant music. Rio for Carnivale has the most amazing vibe. Word on the street these days though, is that London's local music scene is pretty awesome.

So people tell me about Dalston which is a hub of activity. I hear that for years Adele performed in her locals in south London. A friend mentioned this place called Jamboree and we thought we'd take a look.

What impressed me was the intimate surroundings and it was a change from the typical bars, pubs and clubs which litter the street. It was a great place to go for a drink and a bit of decent music. 

One artist in particular caught my attention. That night Josienne Clark shone briefly in her floral print dress. She was part of an ensemble country group. This girl, her voice was magic. 
In fact, the BBC think so too. According to her website, she is BBC Radio 2 Folk Award 2014 Nominees ‐ Best Newcomer (Horizon) and Best Duo.

Josienne Clarke is the sort of singer you stop and listen to. When you hear her singing live, you simply want more. Check her out. she has tge potential to be a star one day. Her website is - http://josienneclarke.co.uk/
Incidentally, there's all sorts of history and shenanigans at Cable Street Studios, where Jamboree resides. Timeout has written all about it. If you are interested,  take a look at - Time Out - Limehouse's Cable Street
London's local music scene is a change from the pubs, bars and clubs littered on every street. They're off the beaten track and they're usually by word of mouth. Whether you live in London or here on holiday, it's worth a night out in a local music spot.  Who knows what you might discover.

For other live London gigs, take a look at