Alongside extensive touring, Peter has enjoyed chart success in territories around the world with his band’s records and songs. He is now bringing together stories from the road with the highlights and lowlights of his life so far.

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Sects, Hugs and Rock & Roll | Synopsis

Before stadium tours and chart success came years of second-hand guitars, dreadful gigs, near-breakthroughs, touring chaos and the constant hope that everything might finally change tomorrow. In Sects, Hugs and Rock & Roll, Peter Banks tells the story of growing up inside the Exclusive Brethren before finding identity, friendship and escape through music. More than a rock memoir, this is the funny, poignant and painfully honest story of a band that came close—and of one man searching for freedom, acceptance and a place to belong.

I’m a writer, journalist and podcaster from East Cowes. I have published three books and am about to release a fourth, exploring the history of BBC Television Centre. I also run the entertainment podcast Beyond the Title, where I give significant figures the opportunity to reflect on their biggest achievements.

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You Have Been Watching - The Golden Age Of Television Centre | Synopsis

Between 1960 and 2013, 101 Wood Lane, West London, was the spiritual home of British television and the site of Britain’s first purpose-built television studios. Designed by architect Graham Dawbarn in 1949, the arrival of BBC Television Centre heralded a golden age for the medium and spawned a fraternity of homegrown stars. In this literary celebration of Britain’s best-loved TV studios, entertainment writer and podcaster Josh Barry explores how Television Centre helped British television come of age across every genre.

Olha Bereza is a qualified psychologist, fluent in Ukrainian, Russian and English. She is Editor-in-Chief of The NorthStar Online Journal and, writing as Holley Dovetail, is the author of the Four Seasons of the Green Land tetralogy and Ukrainian Paws and Whiskers on the Island. Now living on the Isle of Wight, she focuses on children’s education and, as a member of the London Group of Multilingual Writers, runs weekly online creative writing classes for teenagers.

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Ukrainian Paws and Whiskers on the Island | Synopsis

On the Isle of Wight, an unlikely Ukrainian refugee family is staying with the lovely Mr and Mrs Watkins in Freshwater: a mischievous cat, a sweet but not-so-bright dog, a musically gifted guinea pig and their devoted young owner, Marusya. Normally, dogs don’t get along with cats, and cats don’t get along with guinea pigs, but this mismatched trio sticks together through everything. Settling into a new country isn’t easy, and with plenty of language and cultural mix-ups, even the pets find themselves hilariously confused. Full of humour and heart, this is a tale of friendship and furry fun.

I have lived on the Isle of Wight for more than 50 years and worked as a cartoonist for most of that time, providing illustrations for 270 books, including 14 of my own. My work has appeared regularly in local newspapers, including the Isle of Wight County Press, where I contributed for 30 years, as well as on postcards and occasionally in publications such as Punch, Country Life, Private Eye and The Oldie.

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The Original Isle of Wight Guide | Synopsis
The Original Isle of Wight Guide is a 35-page spoof guide to the Island, pairing illustrations from Victorian publications with mildly satirical captions. First published in 1987, it offers an affectionate and irreverent take on the Isle of Wight and its attractions. The author still has a boxful of copies and will happily give one to anyone who might care for one.

Sarah Burdett taught on the Island from 1972.  With her husband David she was one of the team who set up East Cowes Heritage Centre in 1992.  Sarah was involved in setting up the Brick Hack display at Whippingham Church car park, has written several books and gives talks about East Cowes and Whippingham.  She was awarded the BEM for services to Conservation and Heritage.

Brickmaking on the Isle of Wight | Synopsis

Bricks are fascinating. We see them every day but rarely look at them in any detail.  This book describes the history of brickmaking on the Island and the types of buildings in which they have been used. It includes brickmaking terminology and a detailed gazetteer of over 120 of the Island brickyards with accompanying maps and photographs of the yards and their workers. Locally provided photographs and transcripts of oral history recordings have been included to make this a comprehensive read for any brick enthusiast or Island historian. Printed in glossy full colour, anyone will become interested in bricks after a look at this book!

Graham Brown has written and performed poetry for many years. He runs regular Open Mic poetry events on the island and a creative writing group at East Cowes Library. He has several collections to his name including the most recent, Rainbows In The Dark (Naked Figleaf Press, 2024).

Rainbows in the Dark 

Graham Brown’s slim collection Rainbows in the Dark is a voyage from boyhood to old age through the eyes of a shrewd and observant writer. From pathos to bathos and back, the poems offer an unflinching reflection on personal memories of family betrayal, first love, missed opportunity, ageing, and the effect of losing a loved one. Punchlines often creep up unexpectedly to hit hard at the heart of life’s emotional legacies. Yet, the poet never gives up on that sense of hope and humour that makes us human, all too human. 

Shirley Anne Camfield is a music teacher living on the Isle of Wight. Over the past three years, she has discovered a passion for writing and illustrating children’s books. What began as a creative journey has grown into a joyful adventure, and she has now written and self-published eight books. She is also working on a middle-grade novel and loves bringing imaginative stories to life for young readers and their families.

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The Woodland Talent Show | Synopsis

It was just another day in the woodland, and the woodland crew were feeling a little bored—until someone came up with the idea of holding a talent show. Soon everyone is caught up in the excitement as the animals prepare to show off their hidden—or not-so-hidden—talents. Everyone thinks they know who the winner will be, but do they? The fifth story featuring Shirley’s woodland characters, The Woodland Talent Show is a story of achievement and participation, celebrating the idea that everyone has their own special qualities, no matter how big or small.

Ian Caro has been a theatre lighting designer, a ghostwriter and a media lawyer. He has written some two-dozen non-fiction titles (as Ian Harrison) and three novels: Henry V. (the sporting life of Henry Valentine, The Overlooked and Spurned.

Fault Lines: 25 Unsettling Stories by 5 Island Writers

Ian Caro, Emily Gillatt-Ball, Jean G-Owen, Crispin Keith and Hillard Morley

Fault Lines is an unsettling collection of 25 stories by five Island writers tracing the hidden fractures in human nature. Structured around five themes—Betrayal, Envy, Greed, Guilt and Secrets—it explores the pressure points where ordinary lives begin to split, summoning the eerie, unresolved and morally ambiguous. Several stories are rooted in Isle of Wight landscapes; others venture beyond the Island to probe deeper into the human psyche. Blending psychological realism with a speculative edge, Fault Lines moves from lyrical to sardonic, cerebral to surreal, inviting lovers of gothic, literary and genre fiction to walk the fine line between shadow and light, feel the tremors beneath their feet and prepare for when the ground gives way.

Eric Ferris started writing at the age of six. Sixty-four years later, he thought he might finally have enough for a book—and perhaps even have acquired a little skill in his passion for writing dark poetry. He has worked variously as a research scientist, grape picker, musician, second-hand shopkeeper, Morris dancer and council worker. His writing has appeared in numerous ’zines and small publications, most recently The Figlet and Brevity.

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The Valley of the Shadow | Synopsis

Eric Ferris is a dark poetry and horror author whose rhyming work explores the shadows of the human mind. He is a master shapeshifter. Using themes of myth, magic and mystery, his poetry delves into mortality and duality, subtly inviting the reader to stare down their own fears—perhaps even serving as a catalyst for uncovering their own hidden inner truths. A haunting sadness meanders through the book, combined with a use of language that cuts and flashes like broken glass. The book creates an unsettling atmosphere that lingers long after the final page has been turned.

I am a retired serviceman living in Ryde with my wife, Sue, and our two dogs, Daz, a big black Greyhound, and Mollie, a black-and-white Collie. I have been writing for 12 years and have published two collections of poetry inspired by the people, experiences and companions that have shaped my life.

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The Men from the Skies and Walking with my Friends | Synopsis

Both poetry collections are inspired by three constants in my life: my wife Sue, the Airborne Brotherhood and the companionship of dogs. The Men from the Skies tells of my struggle to become a paratrooper, the knowledge and skills I acquired to stay alive, surviving the devastating IRA bombings, and my experiences fighting in the Falklands War and later in Iraq. Walking with My Friends explores the relationship between humans and their four-legged companions. Over the years, Sue and I have had the privilege of sharing our lives with ten dogs, and these poems tell something of those experiences and the bonds we formed with them.

Katie Daysh is an author of historical fiction whose books explore the voices of queer characters in spaces where they have often been underrepresented, with sea a central theme in her work. She is the author of the Nightingale/Courtney queer naval adventure series: Leeward, longlisted for the HWA Debut Awards 2024, The Devil to Pay, overall winner of the Isle of Wight Book Awards 2025, and A Merciful Sea, named among The Times Best Historical Fiction of 2025.

Stories Underfoot: Reimagining LGBTQ+ History edited by Jean G-Owen, with an introduction by Franko Figueiredo | Synopsis
Stories Underfoot invites readers to follow in the footsteps of some of the Isle of Wight’s remarkable LGBTQ+ figures, including Oscar Wilde, Virginia Woolf, Charlotte Mew, Algernon Swinburne and the irrepressible Ferguson’s Gang. Inspired by StoneCrabs Theatre’s acclaimed performed heritage walks, this illustrated collection brings together the original scripts with reflections from the writers, actors and director, alongside photographs, essays and archive material. Part theatre, part local history and part literary companion, Stories Underfoot reveals how familiar streets, coastlines and buildings can become stages upon which overlooked lives are reimagined, offering a new way of seeing the landscape beneath our feet—and the lives that helped shape it.

Julian Doyle is best known for editing Monty Python’s Life of Brian and Terry Gilliam’s Time Bandits and Brazil. He has directed his own films as well as music videos, including Kate Bush’s Cloudbusting and Iron Maiden’s Can I Play with Madness. Described by Monty Python’s Terry Jones as an “original polymath”, Julian has pursued a keen interest in ancient history alongside his film career and has written several books on the subject.

The After-Life of Brian | Synopsis

After watching the Monty Python team being crucified in Life of Brian, Julian Doyle realised that something was wrong with the familiar images of crucifixion. This observation led to 40 years of research and the uncovering of what he believes to be an extraordinary historical truth.

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“No Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam. Just hard facts.” — Daily Express

“Only a very naughty boy could come up with such an explosive book!” — The Sun

Neil Fitzsimon is blessed—or cursed—with a memory that is almost beyond belief and an attention to detail that is microscopic. His love of Chelsea Football Club is an obsession that will never die. A published music writer, he also co-wrote the music and book for the award-winning musical Jack Dagger and has written for numerous Chelsea fanzines. His trilogy—Rhapsody in Blue, A Deeper Shade of Blue and Rebirth of the Blues—combines the social history of the period with his lifelong passion for Chelsea Football Club.

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Rhapsody in Blue | Synopsis

Rhapsody in Blue is a joyous celebration of growing up in the late 1960s and early 1970s in the aftermath of England’s 1966 World Cup victory. It was a time when football and pop culture merged—an era of smoke-filled pubs, when Fray Bentos pies and fry-ups were consumed without guilt and parents had no fear of letting their kids stay out after dark. It was also a time without live TV football, when being a fan meant traipsing through the turnstiles every week. The book vividly recalls how a boy fell in love with Chelsea Football Club, cheering the Blues on week after week, while at the same time becoming immersed in the culture of street football.  Rhapsody in Blue is a moving and nostalgic tribute to a lost era and way of life.

Writing as Allie Grant, Deborah Glover is an Isle of Wight-based writer whose fiction combines romance, folklore and rural life. Drawing inspiration from her experiences working and travelling around the world, she brings humour and sensuality to her stories. When she isn’t writing novels, short stories or poetry, she can be found baking or singing with a local shanty band. Along Came Maddie is the first book in her series The Secrets of Jebson’s Farm, with a second instalment in development.

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Along Came Maddie | Synopsis

Oak Green is the kind of village where everyone knows everyone… or at least they think they do. Maddie thought she’d finally found her place: a life filled with passion, love and a future with Joe Jebson. But in a village built on old loyalties, not everyone is ready to let her belong. As her health begins to falter and strange, unsettling events close in around her, whispers start to surface and secrets refuse to stay buried. Is it coincidence? Is her past catching up with her? Or is something far darker stirring above the crag… watching, waiting?
Jealousy. Secrets. Sorcery. Nothing stays hidden forever.

Born and bred on the Isle of Wight, I spent much of my working life commuting by bicycle. I self-published my first book, You’ve Got a Nerve, earlier this year, drawing on my experience of living with a changed body following a cycling accident. Through the book, I aim to raise awareness of chronic pain, invisible disability, long-term recovery and the different treatments available to those affected by injury or chronic illness. Since publication, it has sold more than 200 copies.

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You’ve Got A Nerve | Synopsis

You’ve Got a Nerve is a memoir about how a cycling accident changed my life. It follows my journey through severe nerve injuries, chronic pain, multiple treatments and rehabilitation, and the continuing challenge of adapting to a very different life. Alongside the physical and emotional impact, the book explores the realities of navigating healthcare, employment and the legal process while refusing to let adversity define the future. With moments of humour along the way, it is an account of learning to endure, adapt and rebuild a life after trauma.

Janet has had poetry and short stories published in print and online anthologies. Her novel Beyond the Samovar is a tale of escape, love and loss in Russia and England in 1919–20. The West in Her Eyes follows a fictional Russian family through exile, ambition and love in the decade after the 1917 Revolution. Janet enjoys choral and chamber singing, cultivating her walled courtyard garden and buying books for small family members.

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The West in Her Eyes | Synopsis

In July 1918, Esther, daughter of an oil-rich family in Baku on Russia’s Caspian coast, longs for the European war to end so she can travel two thousand miles to the St Petersburg Conservatoire to study piano. With the Bolsheviks in control of Baku and Turkish forces infiltrating the oilfields, she and her family take temporary refuge in Persia. Civil war and rumours of the Tsar’s murder make a return to Russia increasingly unlikely. Two encounters in Tehran determine the course of Esther’s life and that of her family. As they journey across Anatolia to Constantinople and France, Esther never loses her determination to become a concert pianist.

Julia Heywood is the author of both adult and children’s books. Following the traditional publication of her adult titles, she turned her creativity to children’s picture books and has since written five rhyming stories blending humour and memorable characters with themes of kindness, confidence and self-belief. Her latest title, The Magical Days of December, celebrates the wonder and traditions of the festive season. 

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The Magical Days of December: A Journey in Rhyme To Christmastime | Synopsis

Follow one excited child through the magical days of December in this heartwarming rhyming picture book celebrating the traditions, anticipation and wonder of Christmas. From opening the first Advent calendar door to decorating the tree, visiting Santa, singing carols and waking on Christmas morning, each page captures a treasured festive moment. Created for children aged 3–8, The Magical Days of December can be enjoyed all at once or savoured a page a day throughout December, becoming part of a family’s own Christmas traditions.

Crispin Keith has written eleven thrillers, including the Lydia Twomey and Lee Turner series, a historical novel, three historical biographies, a book of short stories, several plays and a book for English Heritage. He has contributed short stories to IOW publications such as Fault Lines, The Figlet and Brevity.  24 short stories have been performed and posted on YouTube.  He writes songs based on Isle of Wight history and sings with The Brighstone Barnacles.  He is working on an illustrated book of lyrics.

Cache | Synopsis

Susie Fallon has evidence that MI5 has been infiltrated, but she and her minder are brutally murdered in a supposedly safe house in an idyllic corner of the Isle of Wight, and the evidence disappears. It is a critical time: the Prime Minister has resigned, a successor is being elected, and the Russians are very interested. MI5 sends Lydia Twomey to find the murderers and recover the missing evidence, assisted by three inexperienced local police officers. Together they face murderous conspirators and a shadowy organisation reaching deep into government. The violence spreads to the forests of Poland and Belarus, but even if they can identify the murderer, they still have to find Susie Fallon’s hidden cache.

Jodie Kelly is a British author and journalist from Keighley, West Yorkshire, now living on the Isle of Wight. She holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Winchester, where she developed her interest in storytelling and the experiences that shape people’s lives. In May 2026, aged 22, she published her debut novel, A Lifetime Ago. Her writing focuses on character-driven stories and the emotional lives of her characters.

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A Lifetime Ago | Synopsis

After being diagnosed with dementia, Audrey begins writing a series of letters for her granddaughter, Winnie, hoping she will come to understand who her grandmother once was. Through stories of love, family, heartbreak and the life she built, Audrey tries to preserve the memories that matter most. But as the letters continue, the woman behind the words slowly starts slipping away. Before everything is forgotten, Audrey is desperate to leave behind the pieces of herself she cannot bear to lose.

Andrew Lee is an Honorary Lecturer in the Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability Education at UCL, where his work explores critical thinking for children, including how they think about climate change. He has taught for many years at schools including Westminster and St Paul’s in London and is passionate about helping children think critically about the futures they are heading into.

Continuous Blinking: Critical Thinking Stories for Clever and Determined Young Thinkers | Synopsis

Continuous Blinking is designed to help young people develop their critical thinking skills through fifteen quirky and idiosyncratic stories, with questions accompanying each one. The stories encourage young readers to think differently, question assumptions and challenge their own thinking. They can be explored independently, in the classroom, or with parents, family members and friends, making the book suitable for schools, critical-thinking groups or simply reading for pleasure.

I live on the Isle of Wight and work as a history teacher. I have written and published 7 books so far in the Young Lions series. Young Lions is the title of the first book in the series. The books follow the adventures and experiences of three young people fighting the Nazis and their fascist collaborators in occupied Britain.

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Young Lions | Synopsis

The Nazis have won the Battle of Britain and invaded England. Two young men, Sam and Alan, fight the invaders as members of the Home Guard but are defeated. They return to school and try to survive in their occupied hometown of Hereward, while Sam’s sister, Alice, begins a relationship with an SS officer. Determined to fight back, the boys form a resistance unit and soon discover they are not alone.

Edmund Matyjaszek is a poet and playwright, author of five books and three performed plays. He lives and works on the Isle of Wight. 

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The Reds & The Greys: In Defence Of The Isle  | Synopsis

The Reds & The Greys: In Defence of the Isle is an eco-fable that brings the Isle of Wight to life through the voices of its animal inhabitants. When grey squirrels threaten the peaceful existence of the island’s beloved red squirrels, the High Heron of Wootton devises an extraordinary plan—enlisting the help of a lonely schoolboy who lives by the sea to bring humans and animals together in defence of their home. From ancient woodlands to windswept downlands, readers journey through the island’s diverse landscapes, where an unlikely alliance forms against a common threat. This beautifully illustrated story asks profound questions about conservation, trust and what it truly means to defend the land we call home. 

Writing under the pen name The Brontë Mumma, Francesca McLinden discovered her literary voice when she became a mother. What began as playful updates written from the perspective of her baby, Brontë, soon blossomed into full-length musings and the Toddler on Tour series was born. With over 36 five-star reviews, Francesca is currently working on the sequel to Viva España, the aptly named Moving Fjord. When not juggling writing and family life on the Isle of Wight, she enjoys reading, playing the piano, planning her next adventure and, according to Brontë, indulging in her favourite hobby: washing.

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Toddler on Tour: Viva España | Synopsis

Dive into this travelogue with a twist, told through the eyes of loveable 16-month-old Brontë. Fuelled by milk, curiosity and a plethora of baked goods, Brontë throws herself into the world of travel while undertaking her toughest challenge yet: supervising her parents. Share the twists and turns of her adventure through the Iberian Peninsula, experiencing the magic and wonder of ancient ports and vibrant cities from a totally unique perspective. It’s Spain, but not as you know it!

Hillard Morley studied English and Drama at Durham and Exeter Universities before a long career in teaching. She is now sub-editor at Figmentum. She is the author of two novels, The Shadowing of Combfoot Chase and Quintet, has contributed to an anthology of dark stories, Fault Lines, and has published short stories widely in literary journals. She won the OWT Short Fiction Prize and has been featured on BBC Upload. She still performs and recently reprised her role as Charlotte Mew in StoneCrabs Theatre’s Stories Underfoot literary walks.

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Quintet | Synopsis

When Tom marries Queenie, harmony seems assured until fate takes a curious and unsettling turn; instead of human children Queenie gives birth to a litter of five kittens. What follows is a beguiling tale of transformation and devotion. With dry humour and creeping unease, Quintet explores how love mutates under pressure. Part suburban fable, part gothic allegory, this sardonic novella shimmers with tension and wonder—a searing study of what it means to care for what we create, even when it no longer resembles us.

I have been interested in wild orchids for over 50 years and have seen nearly all of the 56 British species. I moved to the Isle of Wight in 2019 and discovered that no one had written a concise guide to the Island’s orchids. With 18 species still present and a further eight now lost, there was a story to be told. When Covid arrived, I decided it was time to write one.

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In Search of Wild Orchids: A Guide to the Orchids of the Isle of Wight | Synopsis

For five decades, Stephen Oakes-Monger, known as “The Orchid Man”, has dedicated his life to tracking, studying and protecting the wild orchids of the Isle of Wight. This book explores his passion for these rare flowers and the relationships forged along the way: between uncle and nephew, fellow enthusiasts, and those drawn together by a love of the natural world. It also chronicles Stephen’s tireless campaigning to protect orchids from habitat destruction, roadside cutting and neglect. Combining vivid descriptions, photography, expert insight and personal experience, it is both a guide to the Island’s orchids and a portrait of lifelong devotion.

Charlie Panayi is a UK-based entrepreneur, property investor, business operator and author of Excuses Will Kill You. Drawing on his experiences of fear, loss, business and personal responsibility, he writes and speaks about the choices that shape our lives and the importance of taking action rather than allowing fear to determine the future. Charlie is also the founder of Zoe’s Law and the Isle of Wight Sun Safe Schools campaign, initiatives inspired by the loss of his sister to melanoma.

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Excuses Will Kill You | Synopsis

Excuses Will Kill You explores the choices we make and the stories we tell ourselves that prevent us from moving forward. Drawing on personal experiences of fear, adversity, entrepreneurship and loss, Charlie Panayi challenges readers to recognise when excuses become barriers to growth. Rather than offering quick fixes or motivational slogans, the book presents practical reflections on responsibility, resilience and taking action even when confidence is absent. It encourages readers to question their own thinking, embrace accountability and make decisions that lead to lasting change.

Andrew Rigsby lives in Ryde and has been writing for over 50 years, with his first poetry published in 1975. He is the author of three non-fiction books covering a diverse range of subjects, including gun crime, military history and humour.

KIDSPEAK - Are we there yet? | Synopsis

Begun in 2010, KIDSPEAK – Are We There Yet? is a collection of anecdotes inspired by the things children say. Despite its subject matter, the humour is aimed firmly at adults. A word of warning: this is not a children’s book.

I’m a retired surgeon who worked at Stoke Mandeville and also in war zones and disasters around the world. I have lived on the Isle of Wight for 26 years.

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Travels and Natural History Around the World | Synopsis
The fourth and final volume of memoirs written during the Covid pandemic, Travels and Natural History Around the World draws on the author’s experiences in 118 countries. With a particular focus on natural history, the book also explores geography, people and architecture, alongside wider social and political issues including apartheid, corruption and race.

Kathryn Rossati is a poet and novelist living on the Isle of Wight. As an AuDHD and disabled writer, their work is shaped by lived experience, a deep love of the natural world, and echoes of myth and magic. They are currently one of five poets shortlisted for the role of Isle of Wight Poet Laureate.

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Vampyr, Ghost, Assassin | Synopsis

When Wyn Gatteaux discovers the body of a human girl in his garden, his carefully ordered life begins to unravel. Vampyrs don’t drink blood—that’s only a human myth—but within hours, Detective Cerry Vanell, heir to a feared line of vampyr hunters, arrests Wyn’s parents and leaves him trapped under guard. Desperate and alone, Wyn attempts to send a message to his aunt in Worldunder, the hidden city beneath the streets where non-humans seek refuge. His plea for help goes unanswered. Worse still, the ghost of the dead girl, Sera, appears at his side, unable to stray far from him without being dragged back by an unseen force. With a relentless teen assassin on his trail and time slipping away, Wyn must risk everything to free his family and sever his connection with Sera before the Vanell family do their worst.

Lily Frilly Knickers and Rabbits & Their Night-Time Habits | Synopsis

Did you know that rabbits are most lively at night? So, when we are all fast asleep and the sky is dark and full of stars, whilst the moon softly shines and we are warm in our beds, those naughty little rabbits, get up to all kinds of things! Have you any idea or thought as such, that our dear little furry friends get up to so much? Here in this book all will be revealed, of Missy and Mr. Bun’s night-time habits!

Writing as Stevie Turner, Glenda Shepherd is a multi-genre British author of romantic suspense, humour, paranormal stories and women’s fiction. She divides her time between East Anglia and the Isle of Wight, where she has a holiday home in St Helens. She has written 13 novels, six novellas, a memoir and numerous short stories, with her work recognised in several writing competitions. Her latest novella, Holding Hands, was shortlisted for the 2025 Page Turner Golden Author Writing Award.

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Holding Hands | Synopsis

Elderly widower Tom Hopkins is lonely. Between going to bingo, taking bus rides for the sake of it and trying beginners’ line dancing, he spends time volunteering at the eye clinic of his local hospital. There he meets Ellen Wilkinson, a wealthy widow, and the two become close. Ellen’s son, Bob, is convinced that Tom is a gold-digger and is determined to put a stop to any plans for marriage. But neither Ellen nor Tom is prepared for the lengths Bob will go to in order to scupper their relationship.
The voice of Tom rings loud and clear, bringing his character and those he encounters to life. The minute observations are spot on and are often qualified by the kind of sharp, erudite comments that reflect his advanced years. Excellent writing. Judge Stewart Carry

Having spent most of my working life as a worldwide consultant for a major software company, I developed a passion for travelling. Now I combine that passion with researching foreign locations for the plots for my novels. I’ve written five cosy murder mysteries set in the 1920/30s at various location around the Mediterranean. I write the sort of murder mysteries that I like to read—so no dark psychological thrillers or blood and guts. If, when the reader finishes the book, they feel they've been sitting in the sun somewhere in the Mediterranean, then I will be happy that I’ve achieved my main objective. Books so far: Murder on Crete, Murder on Malta, Murder in Martigues on the Côte d'Azur, Murder in Paphos, and the latest book The Corsican Assignment.

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The Corsican Assignment | Synopsis

A 1930s Cosy Murder Mystery. Lady Huntingdon-Billinghurst, serious, conscientious and patriotic. Briefly married, then widowed during World War One. She refuses to retreat to her manor house and mourn. Not when she has a mission she must complete.

Amelia Salisbury, thrill seeker, flamboyant socialite and devil-may-care. Lives for her parties, her flying and racing cars and motorboats.
These two very different women, thrown together by chance, find themselves flying together to Corsica. There they become embroiled in espionage and murder. Who will help them in their adventure? The mafia? The locals? The big clumsy hound that befriends them?

If you like a cosy murder mystery with sun, sea, sand and a few laughs, then read ‘The Corsican Assignment’. Find out how they manage to overcome disasters, solve mysteries and succeed in their mission!

I’ve worked in education for some time, primarily in mathematics, but with more than a hint of English.
I had no real interest in writing for children until I saw the artwork of my colleague, Cheryl, whose drawings of mermaids were genuinely inspiring. From those initial sketches, the concept of Masara and her adventures was born.

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Masara and the Cave of Wisdom | Synopsis

Masara is a young merfolk preparing to explore a big world. Before she can begin her adventures, she must visit to the Cave of Wisdom, deep beneath the sea. What will happen there?

An artist and tutor for over 20 years, and a published author since 2020, Gail Wareham is inspired by the beauty of the natural world and its connection to our daily lives. As a botanical and arboreal artist, she creates detailed watercolour studies of plants using traditional techniques. Her more contemporary forest scenes, painted in acrylic on canvas, are linked to her poetry and prose. Gail also teaches botanical painting and has written a book sharing her techniques with others.

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The Trees from Dawn to Dusk | Synopsis

Each painting explores a forest scene and the movement of light throughout the day and is paired with a beautiful poem written by the artist. By absorbing the words and art together, it is hoped the reader can immerse themselves within nature and experience moments of stillness, reflection, and quiet wonder. The Trees, From Dawn to Dusk is an invitation to slow down, to notice the shifting colours of sky and leaf, and to reconnect with the rhythms of the natural world. This thoughtful collection offers a gentle space for contemplation, creativity and calm, reminding us of the beauty that unfolds when we simply take time to look and listen.

Karl grew up in the West Midlands and studied Children’s Illustrations at Glyndwr University in Wrexham. He worked for Ottaker’s in Coventry, was a judge in the Children’s Book Prize and moved to Isle of Wight in 2009. He has written several successful plays for the Apollo Youth Theatre in Newport and acts with various Island theatre groups. He is the in-house illustrator and advisor for Naked Figleaf Press.

The Figlet | Issue 6

The Figlet, founded and edited by Jean G-Owen, showcases the extraordinary range of writing and illustration being produced on the Isle of Wight. Now in its third year, it continues to grow in both size and reputation, becoming something of the Island’s own literary miscellany – a place to discover established writers alongside new and emerging voices. Issue 6 is no exception, bringing together poetry, short fiction, memoir, essays, humour and artwork on a rich variety of subjects, alongside pieces responding to the featured theme, Fair or Foul. In this issue, we also hold the spotlight on eco-matters, including the Biosphere Festival, The Great Nurdle Hunt and EarthMuseum.

David Yates is an Isle of Wight author, former Royal Navy serviceman and smallholder. His previous books include Bomb Alley, inspired by his experiences during the Falklands War, and Beaches, Bars and Blisters of the Isle of Wight.

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David lives with his wife, illustrator Simone Dickens, at Kingston Smallholding Goat Farm near Shorwell, where their animals and wildlife inspired his latest book, Maggie the Farmyard Cat.

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Maggie The Farmyard Cat 

Maggie the Farmyard Cat is a charming collection of 42 illustrated poems inspired by life at Kingston Smallholding Goat Farm on the Isle of Wight.

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Written by David Yates and illustrated by Simone Dickens, the poems bring to life Maggie and her farmyard companions, including goats, pigs, sheep, chickens, ducks and visiting wildlife.

Funny, touching, occasionally sad and sometimes wonderfully nonsensical, the collection celebrates the joys and realities of life with animals and is designed to be enjoyed by children and adults alike.