"Hot New Releases"

It has been an exciting few weeks as I prepare to receive the proofs of my Mitford book. First of all, I was thrilled that my book was on display at The London Book Fair as part of their Autumn 2013 highlights. Mark, my editor, explained there has been a lot of early buzz about the book. What excites me most of all is that my book featured in the top 100 historical bio charts on amazon! This is exceptionally good news! Also, today it was no. 1 in amazon’s hot new releases, next to Jonathan Aitken’s forthcoming bio on Margaret Thatcher. I am extremely pleased and very grateful to those who have pre-ordered my book. I’ve also learned that the book will be released on Nov 1 in America, already it is doing quite well in their Irish history charts.

In the meantime I’ve been writing my biography on Margaret Lockwood, it has been going very well and has been a lot easier to write than the Mitford book, I suppose this is because it is in chronicle order. The first draft is complete and has gone off to the publishers for their review (fingers crossed!)
I’m planning my next project which will make use of the Mitford info I couldn’t use in my book The Mitford Girls’ Guide to Life. It is of Diana & Bryan Guinness, so I am planning a bio on their life together which will also explore Diana’s early life. I feel a lot of bios gloss over this part of her life to (as one friend put it) “get to the good stuff” i.e. Mosley, prison, Hitler etc.

I’m very busy indeed but I’d love to hear from any of you regarding the new Diana project. If you have any info, material, stories that you’d like to share please email me at mitfordsociety@gmail.com

Glenarm

Today we headed off towards Larne direction and stopped, by chance, at the Ballygally Castle hotel where we stumbled upon a small beach. Lola loved it there and she ran along the sand and into the sea. I've been dying to go to Glenarm Castle for ages, mostly because (and I read this...) Princess Mariga, aka Mrs. Desmond Guinness, lived in a gatehouse on the premises. Although, a recent commenter on my post about Mariga seemed a bit baffled by this. However, the castle is closed until May but I decided to have a look around the parts of the grounds which are opened to the public. I walked further down the lane and noticed the imposing castle, it is magnificent and I snapped a photo. There is a sign next to the gates saying 'Private' and I didn't go any further. I'll definitely return to Glenarm Castle in the summer to have a proper walk around the grounds. I drove onward to Glenarm Marina which is beautiful and then to Carnlough and home to Antrim via Broughshane. All in all, it was a great day with lovely views along the coastal road!

Book Cover!

I am so excited! My publisher has allowed me to share a preview of my book cover- Mitford blue!! 2000 copies are being printed in hardback, and if you ask me, this is going to look divine! The artist behind the gorgeous Acton-esque sketches is Tessa Simpson- who by popular demand from The Mitford Society-is selling copies of her sketches: http://society6.com/TessaSimpson/Mitford-Sisters_Print

Write up in the Antrim Guardian

The Antrim Guardian gave me a splendid write up in this week's paper. I chatted to them about my book (available for pre-order on amazon.co.uk) and my forthcoming film 'The Flower Girl' which will debut at the international film festivals this year.  Click on the images to read the article (hopefully it is clear enough). 

The Mitford Girls' Guide to Life

I've been hiding away in The Hons' Cupboard AKA my work station for the best part of 3 months now, but the good news is that I've submitted my manuscript and the next time I see it it'll be in book form! My book, 'The Mitford Girls' Guide to Life' is already available for pre-order on amazon.co.uk!  Click here to see more.

Some News

I have been very busy as of late with odd projects & my day job but I do have some exciting news!! My new book, The Mitford Girls' Guide To Life has been accepted by a mainstream publisher in the UK. It will be a leading title next Autumn. I will update more info when I am allowed to!! Off to meet my writing deadline!

Hello

Thanks for the well wishes & welcome back messages! We've had some lovely Autumnal days here in Antrim but the weather has taken a turn for the worst. Today I woke up to a sea of leaves, I love leaves but unfortunately they were followed by never ending rain and strong winds! My little cat has been dying to leave her cabin all day.

I'm currently working on my dream project with a great group of creative individuals, so that is beginning to take up a lot of my free time but I hope it is worth it. I've also just finished writing my book which I've been working on for the past year and a half- the subject matter is probably very predictable...my idols, all six of them ;-)

I'm off to Prague in two weeks for a little trip so expect Culture In A Cold Climate, Czech style!!

Autumn in Antrim

Good News!

I've been taking a break from my excursions because of two reasons, the first reason is this awful weather, rain doesn't bother me but torrential rain combined with strong winds is a recipe for disaster when you're treking through a field or forest! The second reason is that I co wrote a script and it has gone into production in LA, today is the first day of principal photography- that is industry speak for filming (I didn't know that until recently!) So, as you can imagine I am very excited, and pinching myself because it just seems extraordinary to me!

Anyhow, once everything calms down I'll be on the go again!

Friendly Cows

 I used to be terrified of cows, that is, until they were placed in a field right next to the horses, then I had no other choice but to walk past their field. It always scared me how they charged toward the fence and then stood uniformly in a line, pushing and shoving. Until a few days ago I used to approach the field very slowly and then sprint past. Slowly I've been getting used to them, but tonight I left Lola at home (she'd instigate an animal to attack her) and I stood at the fence and watched them run toward me, it was sort of that fight or flight scenario and then I veered toward the fence, and bit by bit I began to pet them and feed them some grass. I got used to them and was sort of able to judge their behaviour, although, they were all dairy cows and quite small in stature, so that wasn't so bad. And then I realized they're very friendly!!

Jubilee Celebrations!

I ventured down to the newly renovated Castle Grounds today to see the Jubilee celebrations, the grounds were crowded with people picnicking and listening to the live band (Royalists or enjoying a freebie?) There was also an exhibition of the Queen's portraits.

And then we returned that evening to watch the lighting of the beacon which accidentally set the grass on fire!  Some Non-U people were moaning that it was quite mediocre, but they failed to realize what it symbolizes, their loss!

All in all it was a good show! The rainy weather kept me indoors today so I watched the Jubilee coverage and enjoyed the spectacle from the comfort of my house! Tomorrow I am going to see a screening of one of my favourite movies A Streetcar Named Desire at the Old Courthouse. 
 

The other night Mark and I slipped through the railings to take these photos of the Italian tower, moat and newly renovated gardens.

Home To Roost

Today I received an autographed copy of Deborah Devonshire's memoirs "Home To Roost" needless to say I am thrilled!

The Mitford Family Album...

I've scanned some rare photos for The Mitford Society from the out of print The Mitford Family Album by Sophia Murphy (Debo's youngest daughter). And also some photographs from Decca, The Letters of Jessica Mitford. So, if you're going to steal these please do credit where you found them because you won't find them anywhere else on the net!

Merry Christmas from the Treuhafts! Dinky, Bob, Nicholas, Benjamin & Decca, 1950s

Pamela

Pamela & Tom

Pamela, Nancy, Diana & Tom, 1914

Decca & Dinky

Lady Redesdale & Debo at The Grand National, 1937

Unity

Diana & Bryan Guinness

Diana & Bryan Guinness, 1932

Debo in Switzerland, 1931

Diana & Sir O at Tullamaine Castle, 1951

Lady Redesdale & Debo

Debo, 1934

Sir O & Diana, 1936

Nancy & Peter Rodd in Brighton

Debo, Decca & Unity on a cruise

Unity, Decca, Lady Redesdale & Debo

Unity & Diana in Munich

Pamela

Decca in Portugal, 1936

Debo signing up for National Service, 1941

Debo on her wedding day, 1941

Pamela & Derek Jackson

Decca & Bob

Unity & Decca, 1930

Decca

Nancy & Decca in Paris

Decca & Lady Redesdale on Inch Kenneth, 1959

Decca the pop star, 1996

Debo with Aly Khan

Debo with Kick Kennedy

Debo, 1950s

Debo in an unsual hat gifted by Evelyn Waugh