Talking on Radio Norfolk about Tormentors

 

I have been chatting on BBC Radio Norfolk with Babs Michel about Tormentors along with Mark Anderson, Head of Red Balloon, Norwich. If you are interested, please click on the link below. Our chat starts at 143 – so you may need to move the slider forward. It last 10 mins

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0hpqvlv

You may need to sign in or register to BBC Sounds! I hope you enjoy!

Author Spotlight: Derek Farmer

 

From mathematical numbers to creative words, Derek Farmer, shares his writing journey, from being a teacher to the author of a fast paced, high octane thriller that has the reader on the edge to the very last page, The Dark side of Innocence. Please sit back and meet my wonderful guest.

 What is it that inspires people to write books? If it’s to create a million copy best seller, then think again because the chance of that happening is virtually zero.

    I started writing as a young maths teacher in the late seventies. I approached Longman, an educational publisher with ideas for a set of text books with refreshing and inspirational content that would stimulate secondary kids and was awarded a contract to produce three books. It was then that panic set in. I had a young family with three children under the age of four, so I could see my spare time would be monopolised for a long time ahead.

     Then disaster struck when two out of our three children were diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and life changed forever. In those days treatment was basic and very time consuming. My writing initially took a back seat, but I knew that I had to carry on and the work took me later and later into the night and weekends.

    A series of books “Getting on with Maths” was published in the eighties.

 Despite this mammoth undertaking, the greatest achievement for my wife Jan and I, is that our two sons have reached the age of forty and are still going strong.

     After everything, you’d think I’d had enough of writing. Not a bit of it. I’d been smitten by the bug and enrolled in a local night school for creative writing. My ambition was to write a novel and I had a great plot. Even with the greatest will in the world, things don’t always go to plan. With all the pressures of bringing up our family, something had to give and sadly it was my writing.

     Eventually, my wife and I retired to Spain, for a lifestyle in the sun and my love of writing was reignited when the grandkids were born. I’d written many stories for my own children and used the old ideas to create a story with my three grandchildren as characters. They travel back in time and meet their grandparents (that’s us) in a very humorous story. The award winning SOMEWHERE IN YORKSHIRE was published in 2021 and can be found on Amazon. https://amzn.eu/d/hafnXD9  It’s written for 7–12-year-olds and grandparents love it!

     Then came the challenge of writing the novel that I’d had in my mind for so long. It’s a political thriller set in the 1980’s London underworld with a romantic element and a high body count (of course). The plot is full of twists and turns which makes for a fast paced, high-octane story and the outcome leaves the reader on the edge to the very last page. THE DARK SIDE OF INNOCENCE was published in 2023. The reviews so far are terrific and it can be purchased through Amazon  https://amzn.eu/d/3KfX7Hx

    My next project is a trilogy. It’s a saga following the fortunes of two families, beginning in mid-19^th century Scotland and concluding in WW2. The first book, THE LAIRD’S WIFE (a Victorian serial killer) is at the editing stage!

 You can find out more about Derek from his website Https://derekfarmerauthor.com

 

As always, thank you for stopping by. I hope the sun is shining on your face and in your heart. Until next time, take care of yourself and each other.

 

Pauline

Pauline’s short story with a long-term aim - Story of the Day Feature

Story of the day is about my Tormentors - Pauline’s short story with a long-term aim, is featured in e-magazine, FOLK Features.

Folk Features - is a positive news website for Norfolk and Suffolk. Every day, from Monday to Friday, you will find a POSITIVE STORY about the good folk of Norfolk and Suffolk. To read Pauline’s story, click the link.  https://folkfeatures.co.uk/a-short-story-with-a-long-term-aim/ 

Newsletter - April

Created using AI prompts and Photoshop

 Hello and a warm welcome to my April newsletter.

A huge thank you to all of you who have agreed to receive notification when published. Also  special thank you for popping along and catching up with what's going on in my world.

Are you like me, wondering if it will ever stop raining? I don't know about you, but these months of rain have about finished my off! I don't need new shoes, I now have web feet and waterproof feathers!

Yet despite the weather, nature is full of spring. Everywhere there are blooms nodding their heads in the breeze, though I think they are shacking off the rain drops. *laughs* I love this burst of life. Along the river where we live, the willow trees are splendid with their new bright yellow leaves. They are the first to say hello to spring and the last to shed their leaves as winter pushes in.

Whilst we enjoy the riot of spring, it is also wonderful to have the lighter evenings now the clocks have gone forward. It's a such a positive time of year.

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It's been a busy month with my latest writing project. Tormentors.

Last month I mentioned I was writing a short story about bullying. The idea was inspired after meeting an amazing young man who was horrifically bullied as a youngster. The bullying became so bad that he wanted to end his life. Thanks to the wonderful work of Red Balloon, Drayton Rd, Norwich, he is an amazing, successful man.

For me, Tormentors, has two focuses. To help create further awareness of the devastating effect of bullying and try to stop it before it begins. Also raise funds with the royalties of Tormentors going to an important charity, Red Balloon, whose primary aim is to support its beneficiaries to overcome such trauma.

 Mark Anderson the Head of Centre at Red Balloon Norwich, Drayton Road described ‘Tormentors’ as: ‘an inspirational read and resource’ that ‘should be part of any school’s PSHE, RSHE, SMSC and English Language statutory curriculum.’ 

Mark has ordered 40 copies for his special school and thanks to the royalties earned so far from Tormentors, the costs are covered.

 Tormentors is available in Kindle and paperback.

It is just 12,000 words and as one reader said, "This short book packs the emotional punch of a novel."

I would like to say a very big thank you to all of you who have bought a copy of Tormentors, your support has already made a difference. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Link to Amazon co uk

Or use the QR code

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At this point in my newsletter, I love to share a few of the photos I have taken recently.

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As mentioned above, Tormentors has taken up a lot of my time this last few months, but I have still found time to play with my Photoshop and AI. Below are one or two I have created of late, And yes, the theme is still Tormentors!

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With regard to my newsletter, if you do agree to allow me to send a link to your email address to let you know it is out, I want to reassure you that you can unsubscribe at any time, just email me and say remove me. Also I will NEVER use your email other than if I need to email you. I will never share with anyone else.

As to the content, it is designed to be fun with me sharing: my photos, snippets of information, offers or free books from award winning authors, a design or two I have created using my Photoshop and anything else that I think might interest you. It is not about my opinion on any matter. I want my newsletter to make you smile and leave you with a warm feeling.

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Celebrating Success – My Podcasts

I have several podcasts lined up, but due to time, I have not recorded any this month, but I will be back! 

If you have missed any of the many podcasts, you can catch up at https://paulinebarclay.podbean...

You can also listen to ALL my podcast on SPOTIFY!

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Oh my Goodness!

Book 3 in my cosy mystery series is happening!  I am still editing in between other distractions... sorry! Hopefully next time I can report much better progress. *fingers crossed*

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In the Cold Light of Day

Love, lies and gambling!

Bertie Costain has worked hard all his life in the building trade and now owns his own London-based company. In 1967, approaching fifty and still unmarried he enjoys a playboy lifestyle, but when he meets Kitty, an attractive, wealthy widow ten years his senior, he swiftly proposes.

Swept off her feet, Kitty adores him. The happy couple seem to have it all, but Bertie has a secret. Kitty has no idea their home is mortgaged to the hilt, or that the many expensive gifts he brings her come out of his winnings at roulette.  Proud of his apparent success and ignorant of his gambling addiction, she happily loans him large sums of money, ostensibly for his business.

Convinced with each spin of the wheel that his run of bad luck will change, Bertie gambles for increasingly high stakes, falling deeper and deeper into debt until, facing financial ruin and with nowhere to turn, he resorts to fraud. As their lives begin to unravel, Kitty learns the horrifying truth.

In the cold light of day can their love survive the pain and destruction Bertie’s addiction has wrought?  

Available in Kindle and paperback

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This Month's book worth checking out!

In the thrilling third instalment of the mesmerising fantasy series, “Leopard’s Bane," the star-crossed lovers Yalka and Peglar face their most dire test yet. With their fates intertwined, but cruelly separated, Yalka finds herself imprisoned, caught in a dangerous game orchestrated by Vancia, Peglar’s stepmother, and his vengeful half-brother, Ragul.
As Yalka faces the darkness of her captivity, her loyal friend Eylese learns of her plight and sets out on a daring mission to rescue her. However, just as Yalka manages to escape disaster strikes when Peglar is captured and brought before Ragul, now the despotic ruler of the city. He is condemned to die by hanging at the next full moon. Peglar's fate appears sealed and despair grips the hearts of the lovers as they face the looming spectre of their separation, possibly forever.
Night falls on the eve of the full moon and a crowd gathers to witness the horror. The ritual begins and Peglar mounts the scaffold. All seems lost but then as the moon rises an unexpected twist of fate sets off a startling and unexpected chain of events.
In this exciting tale, treachery and undying love collide, loyalties are tested, sacrifices made, and the power of the human spirit shines bright against the backdrop of a corrupt society. Will Yalka and Peglar find a way to reunite and rewrite their destiny? The answer lies under the hanging moon.

Amazon co uk

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I have, once again, signed up to do the 10km Norwich run in September.

This year I hope to be able to raise funds for Red Balloon, Drayton Road, Norwich. Details to follow.

In light of this, I am back on on the streets, if it would only stop raining, it would be so much more fun! 

Pic taken as I headed to the finishing line July 2023

That's it for this newsletter. It's another bumper one and I hope you enjoyed it.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to read it.

 Please share with your friends and I hope you will take a look at Tormentors... thank you!

If you would like me to email you with the a link to the next newsletter, please email me  using the contact form in the right hand column.

Until next time, I hope the sun is shining on your face

and in your heart.

Take care. Look after yourself and each other.

Hugs

Pauline

5.0 out of 5 stars - The punch of novel in the space of a story

 Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 March 2024

This short book packs the emotional punch of a novel. Dillan's predicament is conveyed with agonising intensity. His predicament as a victim of bullying is harrowing, and what is so masterfully done is the fear and powerlessness he feels. The whole situation is so convincing. You're grabbed from the very first sentence and once begun you won't be able to put it down. I couldn't. Very highly recommended, especially as the royalties go to a charity which works to help those who are being or have been bullied.

A fantastic review for Tormentors. I am overwhelmed with the reviews so far. Thank you to everyone who has bought a copy of Tormentors. It means a great deal to me.

Available in Kindle and paperback from all Amazon sites

Amazon co uk

Hugs

Pauline

Tormentors - First 5 Star Review

 Poignant Story  - a review from a reader in Canada

 Tormentors is a poignant tale of a victim of bullying. Dillon is as afraid of the bullies as he is of telling someone that it's happening.

Pauline Barclay has done an excellent job of portraying the situation in a realistic but sympathetic way.

I sat down with it yesterday afternoon and didn't get back up until I had it finished.

Well done, Pauline!

 

 

Tormentors is fiction - a short story of 12,000 words.

It is written in the hope it will help create, as wide as possible, an awareness of bullying,

helping to understand the signs and the consequences and to stop it before it damages lives.

 All royalties from the sale of Tormentors will go to Red Balloon, Norwich - "Nurturing through Education"

 Available in Kindle and paperback

Amazon co uk

Tormentors - Royalties to Charity

 

Now in Paperback!

 Whilst Tormentors is a short story, 12,000 words, 60 pages in total, the price is £4.99.

 For those familiar with using Amazon to publish your work, you will know they set a minimum price for your book. This is because they take over 40% from sales. To ensure I get at least £1 royalty (royalties will go to charity) from the sale of paperback copies and Kindle downloads, I have set the price as £4.90 for paperback and £1.80 for Kindle.

This means the charity Red Balloon, Norwich will receive at least £1 per copy sold.

I will also be selling signed copies local to where I live with any profit going to the charity.

 However, it is not just about raising funds, but to help create as much awareness as possible about the evilness of bullying and its consequences.

Bullying can be life changing or worse; life ending.

Tormentors is fiction - a short story of 12,000 words, but some of what happened to Dillan happened to Sam, a real victim. You can read Sam’s posts by scrolling down through the pages or clicking the links at the bottom of this post.

 Tormentors is a gripping, utterly heartbreaking page turner.

Dillan Mortimer, a happy intelligent thirteen-year-old,

 suddenly finds his life is about to change when a new boy,

 Connor Brooks, joins their class.

 Connor instantly befriends Dillan’s classmate,

 Bradley Jenkins.

Bullying will What follows will change Dillan’s life forever.

 

Kindle – Amazon UK is £1.80

Paperback – Amazon UK is £4.99

 

All royalties from the sale of Tormentors

All royalties from the sale of Tormentors

 will go to RedBalloon, Norwich, England.

Links to Sam' posts

 Bullying, life threatening, life ending

Bullying! What does it mean to you?