April Newsletter

This is present me wishing past me had realised making a new year resolution about posting my newsletter on the 1^st of each month was going to trip me up come April. Maybe it’ll be so run of the mill that no-one will mistake it for an April Fool’s joke?

Publication and Writing News 

 No recent publications, but I am currently back working on my summer serial. I just submitted part two so fingers crossed I’ll be starting on part three later this month. Luckily, it’s so bright this spring, which really helps with replicating the summery mood in the serial. There’ll be goat rides, brine therapy and a ghostly bride.

I also submitted the proposal for my longer post-World War II piece set on the Norfolk Broads, so fingers crossed!

Due to health issues the serial has been my main focus so I hit my deadlines. With the longer days and warmer evenings, I’m hoping I’ll get more time to work on side projects – and cooking! I’d love to do a few blog posts about the local dishes I’ve featured in my stories.

Preview

💚

Willow Blyth was the most beautiful girl in the village. She wandered the woodlands for herbs to make remedies for whatever ailed a man, not any of this witchcraft nonsense.

I could not stop thinking about Willow. Her very image was stitched upon my mind. I lay in bed, drowsily dipping in and out of sleep.

Willow had an easy smile, as if she had been born with her sunset red lips upturned. One of my sisters once told me Willow reminded her of our cat Dandy when she sat by the fire and eyed us the same way a heron waits for the shimmer of a fish.

Her hair was a mystery to me, as she always had it tucked underneath a bonnet. Once, I had caught the tantalising glimpse of a lock of hair, like a head of corn curling around her ear. I was often tempted to pluck at her ribbon ties, to see the whole wheat field tumble free.

I awoke mid-breath when I caught an odd smell in the air. It was not the last wisps of the blackberry syrup we had drunk with supper. This smell was a clean, sharp scent. The same as when I strode out across the fields after a heavy night of rain.

I looked out of the window. The sky was not dark or bright. It was every shade of green: the moss that crawled on the walls when the rain would not let up, or the grass that peeped through when winter ended.

The colours swirled and entwined. The mist seemed to crook a finger and beckon.

- The Green Mists, The Wherryman's Daughter Short Story Collection

Writing Tip

Now, this one is very important to writers, artists, any sort of creative… sacrificing to the Great Muse so we actually get our inspiration. According to folklore books, hundreds of years back the nearest book burner or commissioner who didn’t pay their invoice was chased through the marshland and left for the Muse to find. 

Nowadays, we have to provide a more human alternative.

So… what does the Muse prefer? It depends on the medium. For writers, it must be a first draft engrained with the author’s sweat, tears and endless papercuts along with chocolates and perhaps a bottle of blackberry syrup. (Seasonal gets bonus points, so get grabbing those Easter eggs!)

… but if there’s too many plot holes, then that tastes very bitter. If the Muse is enraged, one blow of their lips and the words will fly from the pages to vanish into the night. Therein lies the origin of writer’s block.

April Fools 😉

About the Author

Kitty-Lydia Dye wanders the beaches for inspiration with her dog Bramble. Her historical fiction has been influenced by the local myths roaming the haunting landscape of the Norfolk marshes. Many of her short stories have appeared in The People's Friend magazine. She has also released a collection inspired by Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera. She enjoys knitting dog jumpers, gazing at the waves at night, exploring church ruins as well as taking part in amateur dramatics (and played the part of an evil flying monkey!)

March Newsletter

I’ve made it to another 1^st of the month blog post, even though this really hasn’t been my year. I’m not going to get into details. Instead, let's focus on happier things. I’m sharing some scenes from my dusty shelved stories that will hopefully see the light of day in the future😊

Publication and Writing News 

For writing news, the final six parts from my longer series was accepted. I’ve finally said farewell to a group of characters I’ve been writing about for almost eight months – I’m feeling bereft now! I can’t wait to show off when it starts appearing in weekly instalments. 

I’m now fully enmeshed in my new project and have started the first uncertain footsteps of submitting a proposal, so fingers crossed. All I can say is that my main inspiration came from Roy’s department store and Brundall during the war years.

Previews

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Lizzie nearly flung herself away when the woman gripped her shoulders. The witch’s nails were painted reds and greens from the spices she ground.

“Look into that fire, child,” she demanded. “Watch the way it dances and think on the hurtful things that were said to you.”

Lizzie’s frantic thoughts conjured slender figures, imps swirling around each other in mockery of how she dreamed of dancing with Tom Green. Her vision darkened at the corners until that rosy centre was all she knew.

The witch put her thumb to the girl’s forehead. She flicked it as if casting something on the fire. For a moment, the flames seemed to surge and snap louder.

“There. I’ve thrown them away.” Now, she crouched, turning Lizzie's head so it was her dark eyes she focused on, a tiny reflection of the flames fluttering within. “Replace those foul words. If you weren’t you, if you be a stranger, what would you say to this little girl sitting in my chair?”

What Lizzie wanted to say came as if dredged from elsewhere. They were her mother’s words, near forgotten after so long.

“My kindness is my bounty. My body is my strength. I am beautiful.”

The woman pulled away. Lizzie blinked; trance broken. Colour leeched back into the cottage and the fire became just a thing in the background, no bigger than her cat.

- Secrets in the Tudor Court 

Widow Knocke stood on the edge of the pier with only a tattered shawl and a lantern as her companions. Sea spray slithered undisturbed on her flushed face as the moon held her gaze.

The pure light focused her mind. She was listening.

As the storm roared and gulls shrieked, Widow Knocke caught the tip and thrust of bells. Not the ones safely tucked away in the church on the clifftop behind her, but ones that had been lost so many years before, alongside its village and people.

Whenever the waves were harsh and violent, they rocked the drowned bells. Their song no longer the joyful announcement of christenings or weddings, instead a warning. A promise of misery if a ship was out at sea.

- The Drowned Bells

Writing Tip

Just a quick writing tip this time. This is something I used to struggle with: character names. Whenever I need to come up with a new name, I turn to my bookshelf and combine authors. Philippa Gregory and Charlaine Harris become Pippa Harris. Diana Gabaldon + Angela Carter = Diana A. Carter.

As I’m the type to umm and ahh over whether a name sounds good, it helped me be a bit more decisive.

See you all next month!

About the Author

Kitty-Lydia Dye wanders the beaches for inspiration with her dog Bramble. Her historical fiction has been influenced by the local myths roaming the haunting landscape of the Norfolk marshes. Many of her short stories have appeared in The People's Friend magazine. She has also released a collection inspired by Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera. She enjoys knitting dog jumpers, gazing at the waves at night, exploring church ruins as well as taking part in amateur dramatics (and played the part of an evil flying monkey!)

Happy New Year! Writing News

It’s a brand new year full of possibilities! I hope everyone had a great night celebrating.

As always, November and December are busy times for me personally as I took part in an annual pantomime. This was my fourth show and we did a parody of Treasure Island. I was so excited to be able to play Jim Hawkins, although this version of him was a little more cowardly. I’m amazed I still haven’t got around to writing a pantomime themed short story.

Here’s a lookback on my writing news since the last time I posted on the blog.

Publication News

There were a few short story releases in The People’s Friend Special.

In Too Deep (The People's Friend Special No. 267) is a smuggling family drama inspired by the sea shanty Blow the Man Down.

Silent Night (The People's Friend Special No. 269) is a Christmas tale about a village coming together to celebrate even though Puritans have banned merry making. 

Caught Red-Handed (and that’s literal for this story!) (The People's Friend Special No. 270) is a New Year’s Eve mystery with a stolen necklace, blackmail and Victorian calling cards. All are available via the Readly App.

Writing Tip

Of course, all anyone is going to talk about is New Year Resolutions. The most fun ones are trying something new. So, in the context of writing and reading, why not try a genre you’ve never been interested in before? Even if you don’t enjoy the experience, it might help fire up some fresh ideas or pick up a writing technique that’s used more often in another genre.

I’ve got plenty of resolutions for this year. My main one is being more consistent on social media and sharing more previews of my work. Posts on this blog can be pretty sporadic, with random days chosen for writing up the newsletter, so I’m going to try and schedule them to go up on the 1^st of each month.

Will I keep to it? Fingers crossed!

May Round Up

So, it’s the end of May and here in Norfolk the miserable weather has returned. I’ve recently sent off several story proposals and currently I don’t have any publishing news to share.

There’s a weary anticipation – waiting to hear back on submissions, waiting for the rain to let up so I can finally finish the raised bed I’m making for my pumpkins – while hoping the sun will soon emerge.

My great-gran used to say, “Don’t throw your clout until May is out,” which is from the original proverb “Ne'er cast a clout till May is out”. Basically, don’t put away your winter gear as there’s no promise good weather is near.

Let’s all have our fingers crossed for June tomorrow!

April Round Up

Only last month in my March Round Up I was writing how spring has arrived, flowers are in bloom and everything was looking hopeful. Now in Norfolk the wind bites into me whenever I’m out walking the dog, my washing keeps getting soaked and any hint of sunshine and warmth is fleeting… which is why this month’s blog post is about reluctance.

March Round Up

It finally feels like spring is here. Daffodils in bloom, rooftops swarming with starlings, pigeons and doves, and most writers are now getting stuck into their latest projects.

I’ve recently had an acceptance for a short story inspired by St Bartholomew’s church in Brisley, which will probably appear in a few months. I’m also waiting to hear on a larger submission, so fingers crossed for that one.

My main goal for spring is complete or at least it will be when the 2^nd of April arrives 😊

Writing News ?

My highlander romance novella, previously titled The Rogue Redcoat when it was published by The People’s Friend, is available for pre-order on Amazon. This is my original version as the People's Friend pocket novel is now out of print and the large print Linford Romance edition is only available via UK libraries.

The Redcoat’s Honour is set during the Highland Clearances in 1816, the Year Without Summer. The beautiful cover art is by Marcia Dye. Pricing is £2.50/$2.99.

February Round Up

Thank goodness for leap years! I’m frantically writing this today. I got so caught up with planning out my latest work in progress that I forgot what side of the month we’re on.

Writing News ?

Last month, I mentioned I was finishing up my serial. It’s a Norfolk countryside to coast family drama with countryman’s favours and mustard. The story is all finished up now. I actually received an acceptance for the final part straight after January’s blog post 😊

My newest serial is still in the proposal stage. This one will be set in Suffolk (and from earlier posts you’ll guess where) with spooky goings on, an attempted murder and a goat cart ride that goes horribly wrong.

My author copies for The Rogue Redcoat also arrived 🩷 This large print edition is available in UK libraries.

As for the kindle edition, here is the gorgeous cover created by Marcia Dye. Now all I have to do is add the title.

Preview !

As it’s a leap year, here’s a scene where my leading lady decides to take the reins.

⚔

By Odin, she was stunning. He felt a stir within him. And yet she was a nun, a woman wed to her Christian God, forbidden and untouchable.

It made her even more appealing.

“When I was at prayers,” she told him, “a vision came to me. I must come to this heathen place and offer myself as your bride. And convert you to the true faith.”

A held breath of silence, then the hall roared with outrage.

Grimulf hoped desperately she spoke the truth. His curse hungered within him, snarling and pacing, whispering all were out to get him. One night he might snap and kill them all.

This woman offered salvation. If she spoke true, he would get on his knees and worship her.

– The Bride Who Rode in With the Storm, published by Satin Romance

WRITING TIPS @

This month’s writing tip is how I get inspiration for my story locations. It’s a hoarding problem I should probably curb, but I like to collect free maps and leaflets, particularly when Norfolk's Heritage Open Days are near. Often these will have little snippets of historical places of interest. I like to use them as a checklist for short story locations.

Local newspapers are another source of inspiration, even just scrolling through their websites, particularly the nostalgia section. I recently read about The Maritime House, which was known as the Sailors' House. It was a place where shipwrecked sailors would stay back in the late 1800s and it's definitely going to be the setting for a future Great Yarmouth story.

For my mustard serial, one of my scenes was directly inspired by a card that I stumbled upon while desperately searching for a notebook (and couldn’t find so I had to use said card to write in – I’ll share it when the serial comes out).

When writing shorter stories, imagery is a great way of creating a vivid scene in the reader’s mind. This doesn’t just apply to historical stories. A modern story might have great characters and an emotional connection, but might still need something else so it stands out. A unique setting could be that extra ingredient.

And, most important of all, get out and enjoy wandering around that location (or stalking its streets on Google maps).

See you in March!

About the Author

Kitty-Lydia Dye wanders the beaches for inspiration with her dog Bramble. Her historical fiction has been influenced by the local myths roaming the haunting landscape of the Norfolk marshes. Many of her short stories have appeared in The People's Friend magazine. She has also released a collection inspired by Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera. She enjoys knitting dog jumpers, gazing at the waves at night, exploring church ruins as well as taking part in amateur dramatics (and played the part of an evil flying monkey!)

January Round Up

Hello to the new year, although I’m guessing that feeling has finally sunken in as it’s the end of January 😊

Writing News ?

Did you make any resolutions? I sort of did. Even with a house move several years ago, I still managed to take loads of clutter with me, so I’m hoping to tackle it. This also includes my ten shelves, one box and two moving bags of books, so I do wonder if I’ll be in my fifties when I do finish them!

The new year for a writer also means deciding what goals to prioritise. Currently, I’m doing the finishing touches on the last part of The People’s Friend serial I’ve mentioned in past blog posts. I think I’ll feel adrift once it’s sent off, as I’ve been working on this for nearly half a year. 

Hopefully I’ll be able to start a new one, perhaps set during the summer.

Alongside fleshing out ideas for several short stories, I’m planning on putting more time into my timeslip fantasy novel. So far, the working title is just Robin. My goal is to start approaching agents with the finished manuscript either by the end of this year or the beginning of next.

Now, how about some more recent news?

PUBLICATION NEWS #

Back in October 2022 my highlander romance, The Rogue Redcoat, was released as a pocket novel by The People’s Friend. On February 1st it will be re-released by Ulverscroft for their Linford Romance series as a large print edition available in UK libraries.

 

 One soldier in the ranks was not all he seemed...

When Tabitha Wynmere’s younger brother is kidnapped, she steals his spare uniform and braves the wild beauty of the Highlands. What she doesn’t expect is to have a knife held to her throat by a handsome, battle-scarred Scotsman hiding in the woods. 

However, Hamish is more involved in her brother’s disappearance than she realises.

 🗡

I can’t wait to get hold of my author copies. As well as large print, I myself will release a digital version under its original title, The Redcoat’s Honour, in a few months’ time, so look out for another fantastic cover by Marcia Dye!

Also, I’ve recently had some ratings on Goodreads and Amazon. Five stars on The Wherryman’s Daughter and four stars on The Howl of the Hessian Hound. Thank you! I’m always ecstatic when I get good news like this. A lovely review or rating is a great present for a writer.

Preview !

It’s the year of the wood dragon, so here’s a little scene from a past People’s Friend short story, Here Be Dragons.

 🐲

A light entered his eye. “You’re after the dragon as well, aren’t you?”

Tilly leaned forward, Jacob grunting as he slid on her lap. “Tell her the story, Father.”

Mr Ramworth stuck his legs out to dry. Harsh lights flared over his face as he struck a match.

“That dragon was a menace. The beating of its wings was mightier than any storm. When mists crept across thick as snow, it was like a strand of night broken free, slithering through fields to blacken crops and poison wells.

“But one girl knew the dragon loved music. She lured it underground with her fiddle and a millstone was rolled into place. Some say her music can still be heard wandering the tunnels.”

I blinked away the bright spots shimmering from the intensity of the fire. Flames roared, quick and huge, yet cold crept into my bones.

“Peace came,” the story continued, “but that was long ago. Stone and earth soon erode. That shadow you see gliding through the marsh water might not be mere riverweeds.”

WRITING TIPS @

For this month’s tip, and as I’m working on my final serial part, I’m sharing how I approach magazines with a serial pitch. All publishers have their own guidelines, so always keep that in mind first. 

So far, I’ve had four serials published with The People’s Friend and the fifth will be appearing later this year.

My submission email is normally quite brief and will include three .doc files. This is normally the opening, a synopsis which breaks down each individual scene and a character guide detailing characters’ backstories/development throughout the course of the story and any extra info.

They’re about fifteen pages long altogether, so I’m just going to include a small sample. Perhaps I’ll upload the entirety later on if enough people are interested.

Here’s an example of my pitch for Sabotage At The Big Top (The Wherryman’s Daughter pitch is lost as that was back when submissions were mailed in) as well as the first page for both the synopsis and character bible for The Wherryman’s Daughter.

Pitch - main points are time period and genre:

Sabotage At The Big Top would be a historical romance and family drama set around a Victorian travelling circus, would this be of interest to you?

Synopsis:

Part One. Scene One: Charity is out at night, following her father as he sails the Marsh Lady. He hides smuggled brandy in the water. She is forced to return to the Copper Rose Inn in the hopes she can figure out a plan to stop him from getting it to the smuggler.

Scene Two: The next day, the local customs officer, Josiah Thiske, questions Charity about strange noises in the night. She manages to distract him and can begin setting up breakfast for the guests. Charity encounters Tom Sparrow with his dog, Bramble. Tom wishes to go on a wherry but, as her father is with her aunt and the local squire, Charity offers to take him with her cousin Alf.

Scene Three: At the back of the inn, Aunt Mariah, Owen and Lord Rosewood are arguing about Mariah and Augustus’s relationship. He believes they have been seeing one another again, which they strongly deny. Owen ends up storming off. Mariah and Augustus then begin to argue. He wants her to admit to everyone that they are together, but she is afraid of what her brother will do if he knows his suspicions are correct.

Scene Four: Meanwhile, Alf is trying to unsuccessfully fix the fencing around the inn. As he gets more frustrated, he tries to placate himself with the thought that soon he’ll have everything he needs. Charity and Tom arrive, and he goes with them to the Marsh Lady. As they sail the wherry, Charity notices Josiah watching them. Upon Charity and Tom leaving, Josiah approaches Alf, who is struggling to read a letter sent from Amelia. He helps him with this, once Alf agrees to tell him about Tom and what Charity thinks of him. Alf is worried about what he hears in the letter, as Amelia is afraid that her father plans to force her to marry a man she does not love.

Scene Five: Night arrives, and Charity is about to sneak out, planning on dragging up the casks and hiding them. However, Bramble stops her from leaving and begins to bark. Someone comes down the stairs.

Character file:

The Wherryman’s Daughter begins in the early 1800s in a village in the Norfolk Broads. Twenty-four-year-old Charity is spying on her wherryman father, Owen, as he mysteriously takes the Marsh Lady wherry out in the middle of the night.

Wherries, being small, almost graceful, were used to navigate the Broads, carrying timber, coal and ice to cities. This time, Charity’s father is carrying smuggled brandy casks.

She is horrified that he is doing this, as smuggling carried with it hefty sentences if caught, and so has to find some way of stopping him. The local customs man, Josiah Thiske, has been attempting to court Charity, and she is worried he will notice what her father is up to.

Charity and her father have been staying and working in the Copper Rose Inn with her widowed aunt and cousin, because of Charity’s mother passing in the winter from illness.

Since his wife’s death, Owen has been fading away. Charity is desperate to get back the father she knew, and knows the smuggler is using her father’s troubled state of mind to manipulate him.

💮

It's almost been five years since The Wherryman's Daughter was first serialised, but it can still be read in my anthology series, which also includes several of my other People's Friend short stories.

See you all next month <3

About the Author

Kitty-Lydia Dye wanders the beaches for inspiration with her dog Bramble. Her historical fiction has been influenced by the local myths roaming the haunting landscape of the Norfolk marshes. Many of her short stories have appeared in The People's Friend magazine. She has also released a collection inspired by Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera. She enjoys knitting dog jumpers, gazing at the waves at night, exploring church ruins as well as taking part in amateur dramatics (and played the part of an evil flying monkey!)