Published inThe Slow Journeyman·2 days agoMember-onlySt Julian’s Church, Tenby, PembrokeshireOne of Tenby’s Hidden Gems. The hollow, muffled boom of the waves smashing against the harbour groyne seeps through the stone walls. I feel protected and cocooned by this tiny building, perched right beside the beach. Outside, tourists bustle, despite the inclement weather, some being very British, wearing shorts and…Pembrokeshire5 min readPembrokeshire5 min read
Published inBusiness of Writing·May 31Member-onlyPassport to PublicationHow to break into the travel-writing market — three travel writers share their secrets. — This article first appeared in the July 2023 issue of Writing Magazine. The American travel documentarian Anthony Bourdain said, “Travel is not a reward for working, it’s education for living.” While a break away at this time of year can be a great way for us to recharge our batteries…Travel Writing8 min readTravel Writing8 min read
Published inGardening, Birding, and Outdoor Adventure·May 30Member-onlySaint Mark’s FliesWhy These May Insects Are Every Photographer’s Nightmare — I love May. As a photographer here in the United Kingdom’s Welsh Borders, the landscape comes alive in May. The greens become vibrant, the leaves on the beach trees are well on the way, the oaks are just beginning to surface and the rapeseed oil fields are a golden hue…Insects3 min readInsects3 min read
Published inGlobetrotters·May 29Member-onlyExploring Exmoor’s CoastA trip along England’s sumptuous Somerset and Devon coastline — “I can see Wales from here!” I point across the Bristol Channel towards the faint outline of the Welsh coast, 15 miles away. My nephew picks up a pebble from Watchet beach, flicks his wrist, and skims it into the sea. “Yes, Uncle Simon,” he sighs. “And I can see…Exmoor8 min readExmoor8 min read
Published inThe Slow Journeyman·May 21Member-onlyWhinlatter’s Wow Trail.Is this the Lake District National Park’s best view? — Opened at the end of March 2023, Whinlatter Forest’s new Wow Trail really puts the WOW into Whinlatter’s woodland wonders. At 4 ½ miles long, this arboreal wander is just a ticket for anyone wanting to relax amongst nature, spot some wildlife, do a bit of forest bathing, and grab…Lake District7 min readLake District7 min read
Published inGlobetrotters·May 7Member-onlyThe Great Welsh Border Castle ChallengeHow many ruined castles can you visit in one day? — “Uncle Simon, why is there a goat on top of that castle wall?” My nephew stares at the white adult goat fifteen feet above us. A series of frantic bleats fill the air and, suddenly, three sure-footed kids join their parent on the narrow, stony ridge. …Travel9 min readTravel9 min read
Published inBusiness of Writing·May 2Member-onlyConnecting with ConsultantsWhy writers should consider calling in the consultants to improve their writing business. — The first Thursday in June is International Consultant Day. Businesses call upon consultants to help them overcome a specific issue within their organisation, and the principle is no different for writers. Even if we don’t think of our writing as a business, we are operating as sole traders. That makes…Consulting7 min readConsulting7 min read
Published inWriters’ Blokke·Apr 19Member-onlyPirates Ahoy!How writers can tackle piracy on the choppy seas of copyright infringement — ‘I don’t want to worry you, but have you seen this website?’ Those were the words from a concerned fellow author who’d found all her books were being offered for free, as PDF downloads, via an unscrupulous website. I searched for my name and found nine of my books listed…Copyright5 min readCopyright5 min read
Published inGlobetrotters·Apr 15Member-onlyHistoric HerefordThe English city that was once in Wales — “You have arrived at your destination,” my SatNav proudly declared. I switched her off. Modern technology can get it so wrong sometimes. The leisure centre car park was not my destination, but the start of today’s journey around the historic city of Hereford. I pulled out a paper map and…Travel8 min readTravel8 min read
Published inBusiness of Writing·Apr 8Member-onlyBookTok BusinessThere’s pressure for writers to be on TikTok — but is it for every writer? — This piece first appeared in the May 2023 issue of Writing Magazine. In 2022, the Publishers’ Association attributed some of 2021’s five per cent rise in book sales to the social media platform TikTok. …Booktok8 min readBooktok8 min read
