White Light Red Fire

Inspired by Braveheart, a late 13th-century Scottish warrior who led the Scots in the First War of Scottish Independence against King Edward I of England. “White Light – Red Fire” is a story about a strong aggressor looking to conquer a smaller nation. The story is however situated in a different time and place. The aggressor desires the natural resources of the land. A red stone, othium, is inert until in the hands of an old alchemist who can turn the dull red rock into a weapon of power and destruction.

The Dancing Debutante reviewed

‘Elfrida’s memoir evokes an era of film stars and glamour, travel and excitement, debutantes and dancing – they were the times of her life and she records them with directness, honesty and verve. It was an era I lived through too, names I remember, and her story is fascinating, a joy to read. You won’t put it down.’

Sandra Howard – author

The 70th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy

In June 2014, all eyes were on the D-Day landings Beaches and the sites of the Battle of Normandy. The 70th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy was commemorated by many Allied Heads of State and hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world.

Author of ‘A Teenagers War’, James Brearley attended the celebrations and met Ed Miliband, David Cameron and Princes Charles.

The E-book revolution, breaking through in the digital age

“It’s impossible to sell animal stories in the US.” So said one American publisher after rejecting the manuscript of George Orwell’s Animal Farm.

He was spectacularly wrong, but not alone among the literary establishment in rejecting some of the world’s best-known and most-loved books.

For centuries, agents and publishers have acted as gatekeeper of the printed word that gives authors access to a potential audience of millions.

But a growing army of writers, emboldened by new technology and the proliferation of e-readers, are rejecting the traditional publishing model. Read the article

Booksellers have publishers 'over a barrel'

Publisher and former Conservative Party politician Iain Dale has hit out at the big booksellers, including WH Smith, Waterstones and Amazon, saying they have publishers “over a barrel”. Speaking at the recent Independent Publishers Guild conference, Dale also repeated a call he made ten years ago to abolish “sale or return”.

Read the article

Do you have the write stuff to be a novelist?

The book industry is in the middle of an existential crisis as the rise of e-books, self-publishing and the internet threaten to overturn its traditional business methods.

The printed book risks going the way of the cuneiform tablet, papyrus scroll or vellum parchment, say the doomsayers.

Yet, the rapid changes in technology are proving a boon to many struggling authors, disappointed by a growing pile of publishers’ rejection letters.  Read the article

Mereo editor Chris Newton – Radio 4 interview

Chris Newton is a published author and former journalist. His great experience in interviewing and gathering interesting information and his skill at writing are an important part of the Mereo service. Chris has the ability to match his writing style to the subject and to the needs of the client.

Has the Book a Future? London Book fair 2014

International publishing is in the throes of the biggest upheaval it has faced since the advent of the paperback in the 1930s. Giant publishers are merging to square up to new digital media giants. From the London Book Fair Peter Day asks a basic question: can books survive

Listen to the interview