First let me say that I am a huge fan of David Walliams. Specifically, his comedy. I love Little Britain, Walliams and Friend, and all his appearances on shows like The Big Fat Quiz. I really enjoy his comedic style, with his signature build-up, pause and dry punchline.
Continue reading “LEGO book review: The Boy in the Dress” →
I must confess that I haven’t actually read Practical Magic. It’s one of my favourite films, which doesn’t really count, I know. Truthfully, I didn’t even know it was a novel until I saw a Tweet about the release of its prequel, The Rules of Magic.
Happily, having since ordered Practical Magic for later, I decided to tuck into its prequel over the Christmas break.
Growing up, I knew my parents were different to other kids’ parents. They did their own thing. They listened to Black Sabbath and had a collection of vinyl records from the seventies. I used to watch The Muppet Show with my mom. We’d picnic in the park and eat junk food. The garden was my wonderland where I could literally do anything I wanted – dig holes, climb trees, stay out all day. I was so wild sometimes I’d sleep on the ground using the dog’s furry belly as a pillow.
Continue reading “Looking back at being different” →
There is something so wonderfully comforting about nostalgia. Obviously, I’m referring to the good parts. The terrible, terrible things of the past can f*ck right off.
Continue reading “In praise of Agatha” →
I’m super excited about this. My new novel, Mine, has gone to print and is scheduled for release 10 February 2018, just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Anyone who was into Neopets knows all about Spooky Food. My little shop of horrors was full of spooky delights – Pumpkin Cookies, Spooky Doughnuts, Ichor Ghost Toast, Chilled Eyeball Custard. I’ve outgrown Neopets, but my fascination with spooky food remains, which is why come Halloween, I tend to go all out.
Continue reading “Spooky Food Recipes For Halloween” →
Imagine my surprise at seeing a new short story anthology written by a friend and fellow Trade Secrets contributor available for free on Amazon.
Continue reading “LEGO book review: Dark Shenanigans” →
Wink Poppy Midnight by April Genevieve Tucholke wasn’t what I was expecting, which I guess is why you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover. I did. The gorgeous black cover looked gloriously spooky and immediately caught my eye when I visited The Book Lounge to spend some birthday vouchers. I loved the assortment of owls, moons, apples, spiderwebs and stars set against the black background. I added it to my Halloween reads pile.
Continue reading “LEGO book review: Wink Poppy Midnight” →
Halloween is less than a month away. It’s about this time every year that I start frantically Googling horror movies I haven’t seen and listing scary books to read in October. This year I dove into a Halloween read early. Technically, There’s Someone Inside Your House is only being released in October – just in time for the big night – but I was lucky to receive an advance copy.
Continue reading “LEGO book review: There’s Someone Inside Your House” →
I hosted a workshop on short story writing at this year’s Open Book Festival. Some of the greatest writers in the world are known for their short stories – Edgar Allen Poe, Ernest Hemingway, Franz Kafka, Nadine Gordimer – and South Africa is home to some of the best.
I love short stories, writing and reading them, and wanted to share some tips for aspiring writers.
Continue reading “Notes from my Open Book Short Story Workshop” →
Sally Partridge