Money Saving Tips for the Festive Season

Last Updated: 19 July 2024

AD* | It doesn't seem like more than five minutes since we were basking in the warm glow of summer (or as warm as the British summer gets, anyway) but believe it or not, the festive season is almost upon us once again. While the thought of trees and decorations, cosy jumpers and nights watching films with your loved ones might fill you with happy memories and anticipation, there's always one thing that can spoil your Christmas - the dreaded festive pinch.

Reading Round-Up: September/October 2017

Last Updated: 19 July 2024

Happy Halloween! Winter is on the horizon and we all know what the colder months mean - more time for reading! With this in mind, it's also time for the penultimate reading round-up of 2017.

Interview: Charlie Laidlaw

Last Updated: 19 July 2024

It's time for another interview here on The Writing Greyhound! Today, I'm pleased to welcome author Charlie Laidlaw to TWG to chat about Scotland, fiction writing and his novel The Things We Learn When We're Dead.

Grab a Budget-Friendly Bouquet this Autumn

Last Updated: 17 July 2024

AD* | With the temperatures plummeting and the nights drawing in, this time of year can often feel dull, grey and gloomy. Even when you're all cosied up at home, it's all too easy to find yourself drifting off and dreaming of glorious summer afternoons and bright spring mornings.

Interview: Jessica Koch

Last Updated: 17 July 2024

Today, I'm pleased to be able to bring you an exciting interview with indie author Jessica Koch, celebrating the release of her novel So Near the Horizon.

Why Should You Be Embracing Ethical Fashion?

Last Updated: 17 July 2024

AD* | Saving the planet, going green, becoming more eco-friendly - these are all things we've heard before. But while you might think you're doing good for the environment by recycling and turning the tap off while brushing your teeth, have you thought about the impact your wardrobe could be having on the planet?

Book Review: Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger

Last Updated: 17 July 2024

In the state of Texas, American football is a religion. And nowhere is more fanatical about its football than the small town of Odessa. There, every Friday night from September to November, a bunch of seventeen-year-old kids play their hearts out for the honour of their high school. In front of 20,000 people.

Styling Tights for Autumn

Last Updated: 17 July 2024

AD* | When summer's long, hazy days finally end and autumn is well underway, one of the most exciting things is finding a new wardrobe to go with the new season.

Interview: David Meredith

Last Updated: 14 July 2024

Sci-fi and fantasy combine with a unique young adult twist to create author David Meredith's latest novel, Aaru. To celebrate, David stopped by The Writing Greyhound for a chat and a catch-up about books, writing, and all the other important things in a writer's life.

Introducing Daydreaming Designs

Last Updated: 14 July 2024

AD* | As a massive bookworm, I'm also a big lover of pretty much anything book-related. From bookmarks and bags to decorations and artwork, bookish swag adorns my home, making it a real haven of peace, relaxation, and, of course, plenty of books!

Interview: A.H. Richardson

Last Updated: 14 July 2024

Fans of Agatha Christie and English countryside settings rejoice because today I am pleased to welcome author A.H. Richardson to The Writing Greyhound for a chat about everything bookish.

One Week in Wales: Day Seven

Last Updated: 14 July 2024

Missed the last instalment? Catch up here. 

The morning of our last full day dawned crisp and clear, weak sunlight filtering down over Brecon and casting a hazy glow over the distant mountaintops surrounding the town. Despite still feeling a little tired from yesterday's excursions, we vowed to make the most of the day and round off our holiday in style before the long drive home the following day. To that end, as we enjoyed a sumptuous breakfast supplied by the lovely Gail, we finalised the plans we had already outlined the night before.

Interview: Ted Galdi

Last Updated: 14 July 2024

On the lookout for the perfect thriller to sink your teeth into this weekend? Author Ted Galdi is here to talk all about his writing, his inspiration, and his latest novel An American Cage.

One Week in Wales: Day Six

Last Updated: 14 July 2024

Are you up to date with One Week in Wales? Catch up with the series so far.

Armed with plenty of knowledge and insider info from the locals about the best places to visit, we had outlined a brief plan for the day before bed the previous night. This part of the Beacons is apparently full of must-see attractions, so we wanted to catch the highlights and make the most of our trip before we moved away up to Brecon itself for our penultimate night.

A Flash of Inspiration - That Moment!

Last Updated: 14 July 2024

Life Unfinished was published recently, after a gestation of some twelve years. It is a fictionalised biography of the Austrian composer, Franz Schubert, exploring his problematical relationships, his sexuality, the places he visited, and, of course, his music! To many people that would sound esoteric, overly intellectual, a topic hard to sell in today’s cut-throat market. How was it that I chose it as the subject of my first novel?

One Week in Wales: Day Five

Last Updated: 14 July 2024

What happened on day four? If you aren't up to date with the series, you can get caught up here.

Just as we'd hoped, day five dawned bright, sunny, and vastly different to the dismal downpour of the previous day. After breakfasting and packing up our gear, we decided to make the most of the upturn in weather by sticking around to explore the last remnants of the Pembrokeshire coast before heading inland later that day for the second leg of our trip.

Spotlight: Angels' Whispers by J.F. Cain

Last Updated: 14 July 2024

Alex Meyers, a dynamic, global entrepreneur, has an advantage that no other human has ever had: he is protected by Aranes, the Superior of the Angels. While he is skiing, he dies in an avalanche, but his all-powerful protector breaks one of the ethereal world’s most important rules and brings him back to life. Alex falls head over heels in love with the beautiful Angel, who appears to him in human form. But she disappears just as suddenly as she had appeared.

One Week in Wales: Day Four

Last Updated: 14 July 2024

Missed day three? Catch up here before continuing on to day four!

After the hectic goings-on of the previous day, it was no surprise that we slept like logs, tucked up safely away from the elements in our B&B for the night. This was just as well, really, as day four dawned grey, cloudy, and full of rain. In fact, the rain continued without stopping all day, making us even more glad about our decision to forego further camping attempts for the rest of the trip.

One Week in Wales: Day Three

Last Updated: 15 June 2024

If you haven't started the series yet, catch up here before continuing with the story!

Do you remember where we left the story after day two? A peaceful, quiet, perfect evening. Well, day three couldn't really have been more different.

One Week in Wales: Day Two

Last Updated: 15 June 2024

If you haven't read day one's adventures, start at the beginning first!

After the long drive into Wales the previous day, it was no real surprise that we slept well. Plus the room was amazing, which really helped!

#NextLevelManners: Business Etiquette for Millennials

Last Updated: 15 June 2024

Do you prefer to receive text messages over phone calls? Would you rather check in with your Facebook ‘friends’ than reach out to them one-on-one? How many times an hour do you feel it necessary to check in on social media through Instagram or Twitter? When you are online at the local Starbucks, do you look forward to catching up on your smartphone and see everyone else doing the same?

One Week in Wales: Day One

Last Updated: 15 June 2024

One week, one couple, one summer holiday.

That was the recipe for our summer holiday this year as we prepared to head across the border for a sightseeing trip of mid to south Wales, Pembrokeshire and the Brecon Beacons. Fitting all that into one week was always going to be challenging, and our jam-packed itinerary said everything we needed to know about that, but we love adventure, walking and travelling so this was the perfect getaway for us. 

Spotlight: Storm of Attraction by Lily Black

Last Updated: 15 June 2024

Love is worth fighting for.

What are Screen Dry Eyes?

Last Updated: 15 June 2024

Have you heard of the term 'screen dry eyes'?

Getting to Grips With the Heart of a Detective

Last Updated: 15 June 2024

Many readers like their detectives tough; emotionally unavailable, unshockable, an eye unseared by any of the harrowing things they have to see. Detectives are allowed to be alcoholics (indeed it is almost encouraged), divorced, yes. Smokers, of course. Scruffy, yes, within reason. They can have all sorts of human weaknesses, except, it seems, displaying emotion in front of the reader.