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Welcome

I started this blog in 2013 to share my reflections on reading, writing and psychology, along with my journey to become a published novelist.​  I soon graduated to about twenty book reviews a month and a weekly 99-word story. Ten years later, I've transferred my writing / publication updates to my new website but will continue here with occasional reviews and flash fiction pieces, and maybe the odd personal post.

ANNE GOODWIN'S WRITING NEWS

A chance to win a copy of my next book

23/3/2023

8 Comments

 
Today I’m revealing the cover of my novel, Lyrics for the Loved Ones, which will be published on May 15th. As the novel is set mostly in a UK care home during the pandemic, I thought the anniversary of the first lockdown would be the perfect occasion to show off the gorgeous design. 
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Click the link below for a larger view of the cover. The e-book is also available to preorder via this link

Preorder Lyrics for the Loved Ones

or you can try your luck and see if you can win a copy on one of these fabulous book blogs

Between the Lines


​Literary Flits

After half a century confined in a psychiatric hospital, Matty has moved to a care home on the Cumbrian coast. Next year, she’ll be a hundred, and she intends to celebrate in style. Yet, before she can make the arrangements, her ‘maid’ goes missing.

Irene, a care assistant, aims to surprise Matty with a birthday visit from the child she gave up for adoption as a young woman. But, when lockdown shuts the care-home doors, all plans are put on hold.

But Matty won’t be beaten. At least not until the Black Lives Matter protests burst her bubble and buried secrets come to light.

Will she survive to a hundred? Will she see her ‘maid’ again? Will she meet her long-lost child?

​Rooted in injustice, balanced with humour, this is a bittersweet story of reckoning with hidden histories in cloistered times.
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I wasn’t sure how I’d pair this post with this week’s flash fiction prompt: shots fired. Although there are dark episodes and a couple of deaths in the novel, no shots are fired as far as I can recall. (Not that it isn’t chiselled onto my brain from the number of times I’ve had to read it recently!) Then I heard on the news this morning about a spring Covid vaccination booster being released for those who are extremely clinically vulnerable, so I’ll soon be queueing up for mine. That’s a kind of shot, isn’t it?
Although Lyrics for the Loved Ones is set before we had a vaccine, I have drafted some scenes for a possible sequel that includes the immunisation rollout. In one, Clem, trying to get her life back after government-sanctioned injustice, becomes a vaccination volunteer. You might remember her from a previous 99-word story when she has to garner her courage to apply for the training.
Shots fired into white skin

Clem prepares the needle. The man removes his jacket and thrusts a Union Jack tattoo in her face. Bile sours her throat like love betrayed. Yet, silently, she chuckles. “You realise it’s upside down?”

“Bollocks.”

“People assume it’s symmetrical.” She points a blue-gloved finger along the left-to-right diagonal stripe. “The white should be thicker at the top.”

​The syringe approaches his frescoed skin. “Sharp scratch.” Quick in and out, the instructor taught her. Dithering hurts more. She jiggles the needle slowly into the muscle and slaps a flesh-coloured plaster over the puncture wound. A dark-brown dot enhancing the flag.
 

Thanks for reading. I'd love to know what you think. If you've enjoyed this post, you might like to sign up via the sidebar for regular email updates and/or my quarterly Newsletter.
8 Comments
Charli Mills
31/3/2023 04:58:02 am

Oh, Anne, congratulations! I've been waiting for this book ever since you decided to pursue it! I didn't realize you worked Black Lives Matter into the story. And, I see your sky blue cover, lovely! Great flash, too. I find the flag an interesting focal point for humor and metaphor.

Reply
Anne
1/4/2023 04:05:49 pm

Thanks, Charli, I can't completely remember but I think I'd just started writing when BLM happened, although I already had the injustice Clem experienced woven into the plan. Of course, Matty responds in characteristic manner – I'm excited for you to read it.
We're generally more conflicted about our flag in the UK then you are in the US, but Clem was one of the patriots until the government betrayed her and others like her. Glad you felt it worked.

Reply
D. Avery link
1/4/2023 02:12:59 pm

Ha! Clem gets in a shot or two, doesn't she?
That's a lovely cover, and title. You did it! (again!)

Reply
Anne
1/4/2023 04:07:31 pm

Yay, thank you, I'm pleased with both although can only take credit for the title – and that was a long time coming.

Reply
Norah Colvin
2/4/2023 12:09:40 pm

I've preordered the ebook. Can't wait to read it. Probably should have ordered the paperback. Yes, might do that at well, now that I think about it.
Great flash. I think Clem made her point.

Reply
Anne
3/4/2023 11:11:13 am

Thanks, Norah, the paperback isn't on preorder, at least not yet. I don't know why but the setup isn't as straightforward as for ebooks.

Reply
Geoff
9/5/2023 08:25:50 am

Got the pre order. Sounds a terrific sequel. And can’t wait for the TV adaptation. Who’d you imagine playing Mattie?
PS hope spring’s springing for you and you’re pushing through the loam?

Reply
Anne Goodwin
9/5/2023 03:41:24 pm

Thanks, Geoff. Can always dream about the screen version, but Julie Walters would be great in her Mrs overall persona.
The garden is extremely soggy but the wildflowers are beginning to bloom.

Reply

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