​PRESS RELEASE
 
A humorous book of poetry written by a former accountant from London has been published.
Averse to Poetry by Garry Davidson, who now lives in Chile, features such poems as Sniffer Dog, Robin Hood, British BBQ, A Cockney Night Out (with subtitles), The Church Bells, Flowers, Thou Shalt Love Thy Neighbour as Thyself, The Blind Man. If they don’t make you laugh, you're a lost cause and there's no hope!  
Garry Davidson is a skilled writer and poet, a master of word play and double entendre.
“I find all Garry's poetry enjoyable and while often lighthearted, he doesn't shy away from difficult subjects such as loss, grief and suicide or the menopause, always putting his own spin on things,” says publisher Tim Saunders.
Garry was born in Islington, London, in 1955. From an early age he displayed a keen interest in art, design and writing which he has continued as a hobby over the years. He started working in an office environment for what is now called HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in 1975, shortly after the introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT). He left HMRC after 10 years and continued to specialise in VAT for the next 25 years working in both the accountancy profession and the private sector. Garry retired in 2010 and relocated to Chile. He lives in the country near to the capital Santiago with his wife, dog Mokka, and two cats, Sooty and Poppy. He spends most of his time now honing his artistic skills. He is a life long supporter of his beloved Arsenal Football Club.

​PRESS RELEASE
 
A Herefordshire man has had a novel published.
Graham Phipps from Tupsley has written The Strange Tale of Mary Smith.
The nineteenth century American slave trade is the main subject of this novel juxtaposed against social work and spiritualism in modern Britain. Through the dreams of Mary, a white girl in contemporary Herefordshire, a story of drudgery, romance and healing in America unravels against a backdrop of white supremacy.
“It's a well researched novel with some skilful writing,” says publisher Tim Saunders. “The contrast against Mary's father's job as a social worker makes for interesting and sometimes humorous reading.”
Graham is retired and lives with his wife. He enjoys walking in the Herefordshire countryside and meeting up with friends and family. His first book, Apparently I’m Not Everyone’s Cup of Tea, was a memoir based on some humorous scenarios through his work as a support worker. Having some episodes left over, but not enough to warrant a full book he made a note of them. Some time later he had a daydream of a relationship between an enslaved girl and the plantation owner's son, but again felt there wasn’t enough material for a full book. Then a thought occurred to him. Why not combine both elements to create a novel?

PRESS RELEASE
 
A Berkshire poet has finally realised the dream of having her own book published.
Rhyme and Reason, published by Tim Saunders Publications, is a collection of the best poems that Susan O’Brien from Windsor has written over the course of her life-time and includes her responses to personal tragedies as well as more humorous work. 
“I started writing poetry at 14 or 15 years of age,” says Susan. “I personally prefer poetry to rhyme and each poem I have written has a reason, hence I have called the book, Rhyme and Reason.”
Publisher Tim Saunders adds: "I enjoy reading Susan's work. Poetry is immensely personal and I always find it a privilege when a poet shares their innermost thoughts."
Her book is available in all good bookshops and online.

​PRESS RELEASE
 
An exquisite new series of art books celebrating the garden has been released.
A Year in My Garden: The Artist and the Gardener by Sue Goodchild is published by Creative Coverage.
Sue devotes a book to each season and contemplates how the garden of her renovated French farmhouse changes throughout the year. Writing with vast experience and knowledge, Sue captures her surroundings in beautiful drawings and watercolour paintings. This combination should be appreciated by art lovers while also proving informative for gardeners.
The series is available in ebook, paperback and hardback from all good bookshops and online.

"We Cry to Thee by Stephen Constance is regularly borrowed from Ross-on-Wye library," reveals local resident Graham Phipps. 
A number of happenings disturb the tranquil pastoral scene in the picturesque village of Waterton. Suicide, a fatal car accident and a child contracting polio all indicate that something supernatural is affecting the community and the discovery of a black altar in the woods does nothing to allay this impression. Set against a background of a village school in the early 1950s, the broad dialect of the children is both humorous and poignant and the narrative contains plenty of contrastingly different characters like Bob Allen, a somewhat dissolute but compassionate teacher. Then there’s the man-eating Lizzie Johnson... The culmination is horrific.

PRESS RELEASE
 
An American writer has scooped a literary prize.
Zachary Ryan from Indiana has won the Best Short Story category in The Paul Cave Prize for Literature 2024 for Husband Rob's Henhouse Looking For Wife.
Zachary wins £75 and a copy of the flash fiction, poetry and short stories book.
Judge Tim Saunders says, “It’s really difficult to write humour but this ludicrous tale is full of it. You just laugh out loud at the stupidity. Just what the doctor ordered.”
There were thirty-five short story submissions by writers from around the globe so there was some tough competition.
 
Extract

“Any reason why that chicken is wearing a seatbelt?”
“Because,” the man stutters, “she’s my wife.”
Quiet nights.
“Sir, have you been drinking? Taking any illegal substances?”
 
Two volumes of The Paul Cave Prize for Literature 2024 are available from all good bookshops and online.
 
The Paul Cave Prize for Literature returns next year with more categories and prizes.
 
More information: tsaunderspubs.weebly.com

PRESS RELEASE
 
An Irish writer has scooped a literary award.
Tracy Fahey from County Clare has won the Best Novella category in The Paul Cave Prize for Literature 2024 for What happens at the end.
Tracy wins £150 and a copy of the book of novellas.
“It is an absolute pleasure to read this beautifully crafted novella, which is a celebration of excellent descriptive writing and carefully considered vocabulary,” says Judge Tim Saunders. “Not once does it disappoint. Strong, endearing characters compliment each other while thorough research or experience has played its part, too. Set in Ireland, the description of the landscape and the liberal sprinkling of humour further enhances this work. Well done Tracy. This novella really does set the standard for this award.”
Twenty-five novellas were submitted to the contest from writers from around the globe.
 
Extract
​
The main door opens. It’s an older woman, hesitant.
‘Irene Doherty,’ I read off the file title, give her a little wave. 
The two women exchange glances.
‘Mrs Doherty,’ says Mrs McCarthy, the merest hint of an emphasis on the courtesy title.
I’m already off to a bad start. It gets worse. Mrs Doherty, who has come in with a suspected chest infection, sits on the edge of her chair throughout the appointment, a vast handbag clutched to her bosom.
I quickly verify the basics of her case history. She treats me as if I’m a policewoman checking an alibi; short, curt answers, an incredulous air of how dare you rising like a nimbus around her....
 
About Tracy
 
Her work has been shortlisted three times for British Fantasy Awards (2017, 2022, 2024), for the London Independent Short Story Prize (2024) and for the Leicester Short Story Prize (2021). Her work deals principally with reimagined folklore and female Gothic. Fahey's short fiction has appeared in more than 40 Irish, UK, US and Australian anthologies and has been reviewed in the Times Literary Supplement. Her writing is supported by seven residencies in Ireland, Greece, and Finland and funded by Grants Under The Arts and an Individual Arts Bursary. She was awarded Saari Fellow status for 2023 by the Kone Foundation to research her latest collection which examines the relationship between older women, folklore and power. Her most recent book, the feminist folklore novella They Shut Me Up (PS Publishing, 2023) has been shortlisted for Best Novella by the British Fantasy Awards.
 
Two volumes of The Paul Cave Prize for Literature 2024 are available from all good bookshops and online.
 
The Paul Cave Prize for Literature returns next year with more categories and prizes.

PRESS RELEASE
 
An Australian writer has won a prestigious international writing award.
Daan Spijer from Mount Eliza, Victoria has been awarded first prize in The Paul Cave Prize for Teenage Fiction 2024 for his 5,000 word story, It’s An Ill Wind.
The prize is judged by publisher Tim Saunders and his 13 year old daughter, Harriett. “A good story is about taking the reader on a journey,” says Tim. “There’s a lot to this one from considering climate change through to teenagers helping their parents. A story for our times.”
Daan says, “Thank you for the wonderful news. I am glad that a story essentially set in the hot, dusty Australian outback resonates with young English readers. I look forward to seeing it in print.”
Daan receives £100 and a copy of The Paul Cave Prize for Teenage Fiction 2024.
Second prize goes to Nathaniel Tok from America for Silent Love. He receives £50 and a copy of the book. Third prize goes to Thomas Patel from England for The Spirit Train. He receives £25 and a copy of the book.
The prize will return in 2026.

"At Echuca Library on July 5 we hosted guest Authors Graeme Simson (author of The Rosie Project) and Anne Buist for an Author Talk event.  I was asked to recite a poem, as a local author presentation as part of the event. I read my poem, A Modern Gentleman – from the Idea 2024 book," Karen Lee Mills, Australia.