tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77996543442561646302024-03-20T08:09:13.821-07:00carmen capuano authorCarmen Capuano Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03869312874780761952noreply@blogger.comBlogger585125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799654344256164630.post-27690634538414733322024-03-08T04:56:00.000-08:002024-03-08T04:57:00.272-08:00Future Perfect has arrived...<p> Timing the launch of new books is never easy but this year I've gone all out to publish two new books for World Book Day and for International Women's Day which falls on the following day. </p><p>So if you'd like to take a look at Future Perfect for FREE, simply click on this <a href="https://read.amazon.co.uk/kp/embed?asin=B0CW1K34Y2&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_Z81P1RQP4CH8HQRQX25M" target="_blank">link.</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLJWEYc-59u-XAx-wkcXa6UaYEL4MSKPYPbk6s1S_9wJ5EQUnXXfeaCSrKkiL1hTb8HkE_h7IXljrLKEgfv-Q7bps_7AsWD3GiMor9F_lHw7vV9lS64G9ZDy_MbXn063YqdHYyzncpZ6lqi3wGeyALRa4b9QqmR3r9E6POFSBio_RuPoFGKzl87xkTQ/s796/Future%20Perfect%20paperback%20pic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="574" data-original-width="796" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLJWEYc-59u-XAx-wkcXa6UaYEL4MSKPYPbk6s1S_9wJ5EQUnXXfeaCSrKkiL1hTb8HkE_h7IXljrLKEgfv-Q7bps_7AsWD3GiMor9F_lHw7vV9lS64G9ZDy_MbXn063YqdHYyzncpZ6lqi3wGeyALRa4b9QqmR3r9E6POFSBio_RuPoFGKzl87xkTQ/w548-h396/Future%20Perfect%20paperback%20pic.JPG" width="548" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Carmen Capuano Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03869312874780761952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799654344256164630.post-44564144919525873332023-11-17T03:12:00.000-08:002023-11-17T03:12:26.064-08:00Book Week, Scotland<p><span style="font-size: medium;">I am absolutely thrilled and delighted to have been invited to be a part of Book Week, Scotland. I hope to see you there! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheg7eFr8mVvtAnT6zeIOlCd5UqDRqMMU4BhnIdXglrASt8QJppeUVhsSrVTi_fCByFc80fbJN4aMTWXQilYvMOc4xHkDKqdWfl3zU3lRtYKVOQ1DjniGqnC2c69r0NO8YxGuGTWYOPTiy9VECdbNqkzTkBQo-wAHAcA7DbwnSmQr1MzJkIoF56QNJjOQ/s2245/CREATIVE%20SCOTLAND%20AND%20BOOK%20WEEK%20SCOTLAND%20presents.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2245" data-original-width="1587" height="597" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheg7eFr8mVvtAnT6zeIOlCd5UqDRqMMU4BhnIdXglrASt8QJppeUVhsSrVTi_fCByFc80fbJN4aMTWXQilYvMOc4xHkDKqdWfl3zU3lRtYKVOQ1DjniGqnC2c69r0NO8YxGuGTWYOPTiy9VECdbNqkzTkBQo-wAHAcA7DbwnSmQr1MzJkIoF56QNJjOQ/w422-h597/CREATIVE%20SCOTLAND%20AND%20BOOK%20WEEK%20SCOTLAND%20presents.png" width="422" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>Carmen Capuano Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03869312874780761952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799654344256164630.post-82254049399489384792023-11-01T05:50:00.004-07:002023-11-01T05:50:54.985-07:00Just James<p><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 14px;">James, somewhere on the </span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 14px;">autistic</span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 14px;"> spectrum, is heartbroken when the object of his admiration doesn't </span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 14px;">reciprocate</span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 14px;">his</span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 14px;">feelings</span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 14px;">. </span></p><p><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)" face="-apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IBh_06rQG_g" width="320" youtube-src-id="IBh_06rQG_g"></iframe></span></div><br /><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)" face="-apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><p></p>Carmen Capuano Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03869312874780761952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799654344256164630.post-42696049995830463562023-10-30T04:22:00.002-07:002023-10-30T04:22:23.718-07:00It's a sell out!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimidmCwO8DQlVFwPxqd7LySAPV86QGeghOm2CiIdEs2Ew2atxzPx6EEj4Z1iJUE7dLSjZnmv7Efk3q02Rcoif8klc4xpGmwPMCX24vIXma3dYcgyfJRb_KzHYWwrV50U7_DvcBvWvNGtdYQBQm0KXv6SbCE9S9m8kCNqYPs7U6GXl5anAtZyGJACnH_Q/s1543/9781916877184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1543" data-original-width="1000" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimidmCwO8DQlVFwPxqd7LySAPV86QGeghOm2CiIdEs2Ew2atxzPx6EEj4Z1iJUE7dLSjZnmv7Efk3q02Rcoif8klc4xpGmwPMCX24vIXma3dYcgyfJRb_KzHYWwrV50U7_DvcBvWvNGtdYQBQm0KXv6SbCE9S9m8kCNqYPs7U6GXl5anAtZyGJACnH_Q/w151-h234/9781916877184.jpg" width="151" /></a></div>Over the weekend I took part in a book signing event and was delighted to sell out of The Boy Who Rescues Pigeons. So I will be placing a new order for more copies. Please contact me at Carmencapuanoproductions@gmail.com if you would like to purchase a signed copy of any of my books.<p></p><p>On the 28th October, I also brought out the second edition of The Owners, Volume 2: Storm Clouds. Since most books are now bought as ebooks, I have a couple of copies of the first edition of this book left. Only 200 copies of the first edition were ever printed, so these are now a limited edition. Please contact me to purchase a signed copy. <br /></p>Carmen Capuano Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03869312874780761952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799654344256164630.post-66925091594542389642023-10-20T04:39:00.001-07:002023-10-20T04:39:26.354-07:00Want a free read of a chapter? <p> Have a free read on me. Click <a href="https://read.amazon.co.uk/kp/embed?asin=B0CL6QLM1D&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_40N5G4HGN8JD3TMWFRCF" target="_blank">here.</a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZmBVmUDYSflPfdQN-sl4bDAMm-wZDLtE2BtUhBCNXi8DIGt8ZBA25WJEhPbXbsnVYSLPNcGxmmiTz5V9AKjx95F0VGm1Uy6s2tVQP_8lp-TQYrg4y9PBMAbU_iNZNG0QdSstk7-Ygb9yt5Qpes_r7vLM95kaoQq0HzKFC95K2RSbm6lk37PoRhGYAQ/s1600/9781739524418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1036" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZmBVmUDYSflPfdQN-sl4bDAMm-wZDLtE2BtUhBCNXi8DIGt8ZBA25WJEhPbXbsnVYSLPNcGxmmiTz5V9AKjx95F0VGm1Uy6s2tVQP_8lp-TQYrg4y9PBMAbU_iNZNG0QdSstk7-Ygb9yt5Qpes_r7vLM95kaoQq0HzKFC95K2RSbm6lk37PoRhGYAQ/w259-h400/9781739524418.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Carmen Capuano Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03869312874780761952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799654344256164630.post-70343136376818738562023-10-18T04:47:00.005-07:002023-10-18T04:47:45.743-07:00CURSED - out now!<p> I'm delighted to tell you that Cursed is now available to buy. You can find it on Amazon or contact me to request a signed copy. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHeNwfvODsJiHKxu8qxdMcda9ZX63YPO4VV2dT1dcjCMgISrdK0-ffBCkWXrboxkpLflCvktuCjcW9C1pG5uZeRBqynDklriwU4AQwsuTkLF71cQ67c5_97DPrVj6LWcZt1owcb1vgHDELmYYEedSpMgzs-GxKaIyx2WlRCSfkaDep81v2RFLgoig6tA/s786/Cursed%20pic%20of%20paperback.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="786" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHeNwfvODsJiHKxu8qxdMcda9ZX63YPO4VV2dT1dcjCMgISrdK0-ffBCkWXrboxkpLflCvktuCjcW9C1pG5uZeRBqynDklriwU4AQwsuTkLF71cQ67c5_97DPrVj6LWcZt1owcb1vgHDELmYYEedSpMgzs-GxKaIyx2WlRCSfkaDep81v2RFLgoig6tA/w420-h310/Cursed%20pic%20of%20paperback.JPG" width="420" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Carmen Capuano Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03869312874780761952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799654344256164630.post-33248734562628525462023-09-14T01:10:00.001-07:002023-09-14T01:13:02.184-07:00I've been a little quiet recently. Here's why...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJ6lZN48QuJg202XjMlNiaVG9R5o60S2yjQ4yeuCCrFO112x3Mi8hy28i-8Ar1490DC9-H3JlPvDiDtLhiY5sG5e4PeG2Xws3iNhN-MS5AbL_9I51PgQIcX3zPPIow51cjjx677yCJtjTEbSSIe7RHeqZ4-scggGZ-dY_6NtXeozZf8LXpeEqyH6FAQ/s597/zena%20mock%20up%20v2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="597" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJ6lZN48QuJg202XjMlNiaVG9R5o60S2yjQ4yeuCCrFO112x3Mi8hy28i-8Ar1490DC9-H3JlPvDiDtLhiY5sG5e4PeG2Xws3iNhN-MS5AbL_9I51PgQIcX3zPPIow51cjjx677yCJtjTEbSSIe7RHeqZ4-scggGZ-dY_6NtXeozZf8LXpeEqyH6FAQ/w480-h339/zena%20mock%20up%20v2.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I've been busy publishing books and preparing even more books for publication. </span></div></div><p></p><p>Working with the amazing performance chef and former athlete, Zena Weeks, we have brought out the recipe book <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeFj7XEe1UqYGBnOFvWpmF4AO88INUzW8WRO76UBorWNf4xkQ/viewform?usp=sf_link" target="_blank">Recipes for Performance Sports</a>.</p><p>It has been carefully crafted for performance athletes but in actual fact the recipes are so healthy and nutritious, they are great for everyone. </p><p>You can order your copy by clicking on the link above. </p><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Carmen Capuano Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03869312874780761952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799654344256164630.post-27697221578518354882023-08-31T03:03:00.006-07:002023-08-31T03:40:19.352-07:00The Crown Series 4...<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Let me start by saying that I'm not a huge fan of period drama. I watched quite a bit of it when I was in my teens and the choice of TV viewing was limited to what broadcasters decided to transmit, so up until now I have only dipped in and out of series 1-3 of <i>The Crown</i>. But Series 4 came with the promise of a period of history I actually knew about first-hand. I had lived though it, so my curiosity was aroused. I'd seen the sumptuousness of previous episodes of the show and the stellar performances of the cast in a variety of other roles so my expectations were high.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Any dramatisation of real events is made by merging the representation of the facts and the interpretation of them by the writer, the director and the producers. So in order not to be swayed in my judgement of the series by my memories of that time, I watched an episode and then the real footage before and again after, for comparison.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">What struck me straight away was that <i>The Crown</i> has been made with the advantage (it could be argued, disadvantage) of very long-reaching hindsight. As such it represents key figures - Charles and Diana - as equally complicit in creating a fiction for the nation. In particular, it portrays Diana both as fundamentally dim and/or naïve, whilst also being manipulative and cunning. In truth it's difficult to see how she could be <i>both</i> dim and cunning simultaneously. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I was a teenager when Charles and Diana married and these scenarios played out in real life. Whilst I've never been particularly interested in the monarchy, nor a fan of them in general or of Diana in particular, like every young girl of the time I followed the romancing of the Princess-to-be and watched the royal wedding. I saw the camera footage that captured Diana's doe-eyed gaze upon her future husband, the seemingly shy girl who was still willing smile for everyone she met. And I saw the way Charles seemed genuinely taken by her. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">In <i>The Crown</i>, Diana's coyness is over-egged. Forced even. She appears to already know her eventual fate of readily discarded and unloved wife, not to mention the legacy she will leave behind her with her premature death. Every scene is over-played for more than it's worth... and then some. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>For younger viewers or those who have no first-hand recollection of this period, and in particular for those not residing in the UK, it might seem that the writing was on the wall. Indeed in many scenes the viewer almost feels as if there must surely be a violinist waiting in the wings for a grand entrance. </span><span>Whilst I am no real fan of the monarchy, I admit to feeling uneasy that Diana is made out to be a simpering, cunning yet whimpering ingenue, whilst Charles seems torn between his heart and his duty. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">What is represented on screen is a duplicitous relationship where both parties seek only to fulfil their own needs and wants. And in that, perhaps in truth it is no different to any real courtship. Except for one thing. Re-watching the real archive footage I couldn't help but believe both Charles and Diana entered into marriage in the belief that they could make it work. Yes, we all know in hindsight that Charles still had a dalliance (for lack of a better word) with the very married Camilla going on at the time, but let's face it, he wouldn't have been the first man to believe that he could get over one woman by getting under another...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The script has been well written, the dialogue realistic and all too plausible and I cannot fault the amazing performances by the excellent cast, which includes Olivia Coleman. Therefore I feel the fault is in the direction. The too-simpering coy looks of Diana, the hesitant, falseness of Charles, the almost <i>tally ho</i> attitude of Camilla's every scene. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">It's not the words they speak to one another that rings so untrue, it's the tilt of their heads, the arch of their backs, the tell-tale signs that they don't believe a word they utter. And that, dear friends is what happens when you already know the ending of a story. Charles couldn't fall in love with Diana because he couldn't fall <i>out of love</i> with Camilla. Diana died. The rest, very literally, is now history and Camilla is now Queen Consort. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">But did this little triangle of human beings know that's how things would turn out? Could they have had any inkling? Of course not. Sad to say that if the direction had been played differently I would be raving about The Crown Series 4. Unfortunately it wasn't, and I'm not. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Carmen Capuano Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03869312874780761952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799654344256164630.post-38903966558679277262023-08-29T03:52:00.000-07:002023-08-29T03:52:05.323-07:00Review of The Crown<p> Look out for my review of the TV show, <i>The Crown</i>, coming soon...</p>Carmen Capuano Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03869312874780761952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799654344256164630.post-60928688131439445532023-08-17T04:47:00.001-07:002023-08-17T04:47:28.897-07:00SALE!<p><br /></p><p>Recently I was asked to write a few lines about what libraries meant to me as a child, for a publication. This is what I wrote: </p><p><i>I was a voracious reader as a child, and tackled books that were far beyond expectations for my age. </i></p><p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkqP9L4rqo5fcp61RkgdC9xjG3707Oj_XwqwCGrASIgyZcWGufGCA32143x2GKzdOLncEna3KZG-hcqEFkUmOMzETL_K86ZeF_XnDJsf91PVKaje1s35zpaJsmEtcayknXsxUstIahbKQaE12qCOLv5jitj14A-vdGslBH28Ogsg1bXjyuaGiHaPR0Q/s2000/9781916877108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkqP9L4rqo5fcp61RkgdC9xjG3707Oj_XwqwCGrASIgyZcWGufGCA32143x2GKzdOLncEna3KZG-hcqEFkUmOMzETL_K86ZeF_XnDJsf91PVKaje1s35zpaJsmEtcayknXsxUstIahbKQaE12qCOLv5jitj14A-vdGslBH28Ogsg1bXjyuaGiHaPR0Q/w173-h231/9781916877108.jpg" width="173" /></a></i></div><i>Libraries were my salvation. There, amongst the scent of wood and polish, the librarians with their hair held tightly back in a bun and stacks of books that never judged me for the poverty that prevented me from buying fresh, crisp books, I lost, and found myself. </i> <p></p><p>But writing those few lines made me think. I've spent a lot of time writing books over the past decade and a half, and I've watched prices creep up on everything from petrol to bread. Has it had a knock on effect on my sales? Well yes. But I'm no longer chasing the dream. I don't have to. So instead of raising my prices in line with inflation, I'm going to do the opposite...</p><p>On the 15th September the price of Split Decision (ebook) will lower on Amazon.co.uk to 99p and on Amazon.com to $0.99, for a short period of time. Likewise you can now pre-order the 2nd Edition of The Owners, Volume 2: Storm Clouds for 99p. Cheaper than a 2 for 1 deal!</p><p>Happy reading. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAZGSgd_BH7SttuiSHQs0MZ0-uAJtZmVISa_W9_m_ze9zuo7gfIW9VN_dQ71yabb9bV53FzrCxtsWqPLNn5ZCPv4bQ2mNGcujyFzja0loTWC7hMWYdcWbAEAyjqvz_4d2Y2mQct7mPATx09_qlbJ92PuvYNUsQx4GGuNAdsAWwjmn-M75ka5qA_u4-w/s1560/Storm%20Clouds%202nd%20edition%20ebook%20cover.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1560" data-original-width="1011" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAZGSgd_BH7SttuiSHQs0MZ0-uAJtZmVISa_W9_m_ze9zuo7gfIW9VN_dQ71yabb9bV53FzrCxtsWqPLNn5ZCPv4bQ2mNGcujyFzja0loTWC7hMWYdcWbAEAyjqvz_4d2Y2mQct7mPATx09_qlbJ92PuvYNUsQx4GGuNAdsAWwjmn-M75ka5qA_u4-w/w414-h640/Storm%20Clouds%202nd%20edition%20ebook%20cover.jpeg" width="414" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Carmen Capuano Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03869312874780761952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799654344256164630.post-22491980212346035272023-06-15T02:34:00.000-07:002023-06-15T02:34:06.830-07:00Why I do what I do<p>Two weeks ago I released the family drama <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Boy-Who-Rescues-Pigeons-heart-rending/dp/1916877184/ref=sr_1_6?crid=N3T3I6GMTUO8&keywords=carmen+capuano&qid=1686818976&s=books&sprefix=carmen+capuano%2Cstripbooks%2C140&sr=1-6" target="_blank">The Boy Who Rescues Pigeons</a>. It was to be my third book release of 2023. (I wrote about my inspiration and reason for this book which you can find if you scroll down a few posts.)</p><p>Somewhere between releasing the dystopian science fiction novel <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Future-Imperfect-Alpha-going-anything/dp/1916877176/ref=sr_1_5?crid=N3T3I6GMTUO8&keywords=carmen+capuano&qid=1686818869&s=books&sprefix=carmen+capuano%2Cstripbooks%2C140&sr=1-5" target="_blank">Future Imperfect</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Boy-Who-Rescues-Pigeons-heart-rending/dp/1916877184/ref=sr_1_6?crid=N3T3I6GMTUO8&keywords=carmen+capuano&qid=1686818976&s=books&sprefix=carmen+capuano%2Cstripbooks%2C140&sr=1-6" target="_blank">The Boy Who Rescues Pigeons</a> I realised I needed help. If you've been following my books, you'll already know that all my profits go to animal charities, animal rescues and children's charities, so paying for advertising has always been contra-intuitive for me. I wanted to be able to give money to the various global charities and rescues, and I couldn't do that if I was spending the money on advertising... But sales were less than great. And little money coming in meant that little money could go to good causes. </p><p>And then a strange thing happened. The interest in The Boy Who Rescues Pigeons was obvious, even before I released the book. This interest has far outweighed any of my other books and the love that I have felt from readers and other authors has taken my breath away. Two in particular have been a great source of information on marketing and advertising, things I'd never really done before. Between them they have advised me on a variety of marketing approaches, all of which I'm trying out. Hopefully the money spent on advertising will generate more money that I can use to help save and improve animal and children's lives. </p><p>So why do I give my profits away? Well I'm naturally frugal (some would go so far as to say tight), but I prefer the term careful. I'm not a shopper, I don't eat meat and I don't like fine wines. I'm generally happy with a Greek salad and a shandy. I don't often go on holiday as I have a low boredom threshold and I miss my pets too much and I have no expensive hobbies. Sounds boring, right? Well it probably is to most folks. </p><p>But it serves my purpose. Back when I published my first few books, I stood in the middle of the Bromsgrove branch of WHSmith and sold signed copies and every penny of profit went to a charity to support a young, disabled local girl. Being able to help her and her family in this small way made me feel a hundred times better than any material possession could ever have done. So it's not an entirely altruistic one-way transaction. I get something from it too. If I can save one cat/dog/squirrel/pigeon or help a child, then my time on this earth will have had a greater purpose. And that's what drives me. </p><p>Since I began writing, I've used my profits to help a number of other charities globally. I've never given more than £50 at a time to any cause, so we're not talking life changing sums of money for them, although I hope one day to be able to do that, but it's enough to help ease their struggle just a little. And sometimes that's the difference between an animal being rescued or not. A life being saved or not. </p><p>Many of my books deal with social issues. <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jigsaw-Girl-fundamental-compelling-contemporary/dp/191687715X/ref=sr_1_3?crid=N3T3I6GMTUO8&keywords=carmen+capuano&qid=1686818976&s=books&sprefix=carmen+capuano%2Cstripbooks%2C140&sr=1-3" target="_blank">Jigsaw Girl (currently reduced to 99p)</a> deals with teenage peer pressure, guilt, self-esteem issues and cutting, <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Split-Decision-Carmen-Capuano/dp/1916877109/ref=sr_1_1?crid=N3T3I6GMTUO8&keywords=carmen+capuano&qid=1686818976&s=books&sprefix=carmen+capuano%2Cstripbooks%2C140&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Split Decision</a> deals with coming of age insecurities, pressures and dangers, and The Boy Who Rescues Pigeons deals with isolation, lack of understanding, loneliness and a social inability to fit in. They are things that most of us will encounter in one way or another during our lifetime. Life can be tough. My books are not self-help manuals, they are compelling stories that I hope help people make sense of the world around them; that let readers see that they are not alone; and that have the power to make people really stop and think. </p><p>So now that you know all about why and what I write, I do hope you'll take a look at some of my books. Your purchase will help change the world just a little. Doesn't that sound like a good enough reason to buy?</p><p>x</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Carmen Capuano Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03869312874780761952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799654344256164630.post-74951065305982962432023-06-14T03:16:00.002-07:002023-06-14T03:16:47.265-07:00SALE! SALE! Grab a bargain...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">Sale Sale Sale...</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Jigsaw Girl is currently 99p, for a limited time only. <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKFVA20EA81I8Uh_16RM9okWkkKZ4151eb6kYjnY_m9VVNG9hDMyjDWtWu0rrar4f1NfjgpwpdWbknrNaMtfPU_iSRrnvvbE-scBqCaJdDlKKU7LhMdgXBbKYCjIpWgRJVG5e9pOy4z7MkZTfuUapdEMp16MozEHFJhiPrZ7EYhdMRrOorG8K7jg/s2700/9781916877153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKFVA20EA81I8Uh_16RM9okWkkKZ4151eb6kYjnY_m9VVNG9hDMyjDWtWu0rrar4f1NfjgpwpdWbknrNaMtfPU_iSRrnvvbE-scBqCaJdDlKKU7LhMdgXBbKYCjIpWgRJVG5e9pOy4z7MkZTfuUapdEMp16MozEHFJhiPrZ7EYhdMRrOorG8K7jg/w210-h315/9781916877153.jpg" width="210" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Get your copy now!</span></p><p><br /></p><br /><p><br /></p>Carmen Capuano Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03869312874780761952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799654344256164630.post-31620854692393827082023-05-29T00:52:00.020-07:002023-05-30T04:19:18.903-07:00About the release of The Boy Who Rescues Pigeons<p> A lot of people have asked me why it's taken me so long to release <i>The Boy Who Rescues Pigeons</i>. The answer is simple and yet exceptionally emotionally complex. </p><p></p>I wrote the book back in 2009 or thereabouts and edited it ready for publication. But I didn't publish it. I couldn't. I wasn't emotionally ready. But I am now. <br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsAQKDs2OVqDrtsXzZEySCfIDYkON9yaZb2cu54PBdT25AdeYw4ndYYRXKFZYJ9hckOOsTU7fYQupVHBcUmx6Rd91VdpU4B1BZeIUsnqxdMJiLhSx43w2RRW6uok1jpHS4vptk8yVZcWDAjWBn7qKrROvXdfKFarR7-bgKmUxPhHKn4FpTIL85a2Q/s1600/IMG-20230417-WA0000.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="1600" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsAQKDs2OVqDrtsXzZEySCfIDYkON9yaZb2cu54PBdT25AdeYw4ndYYRXKFZYJ9hckOOsTU7fYQupVHBcUmx6Rd91VdpU4B1BZeIUsnqxdMJiLhSx43w2RRW6uok1jpHS4vptk8yVZcWDAjWBn7qKrROvXdfKFarR7-bgKmUxPhHKn4FpTIL85a2Q/w246-h168/IMG-20230417-WA0000.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>The story centres around Lucas Reverential Pertwee - an unusual boy in an unusual situation. Lucas finds and takes in an injured pigeon and in caring for and helping to heal the bird, he manages to emotionally heal himself. The character of Lucas is based upon me and my eldest child, Ryan. We are both raw, bleeding hearts when it comes to animals. <p></p><p>But the core of the story is actually about my dad. Or rather my step-dad, Gerald McCammick. He took me in as his daughter when I was six and strove to provide a physically safe environment for me. I make the distinction here because ours was not always an easy relationship. Both of us were emotionally scarred by life and there are things that regardless of how hard you try, you never fully recover from. So we trundled along with the occasional drunken rage on his part and teenage truculent slamming of doors on mine. </p><p>I'm not seeking to trivialise these moments. They were part of our lives. A big part. But they also never really shook the bedrock that our made-family was founded upon. We both knew we loved each other. </p><p>Of course there is much more to this story than I've put down upon this page. But that is for another time. Or perhaps never. </p><p>When I wrote the book I told my dad that I was dedicating it to him. He just smiled and said, "Oh aye, very good Carmen." But I know how much it meant to him. It didn't matter that I couldn't bring myself to publish it for so long. We both knew the dedication was forged in each line of text I'd written. Publishing the book wouldn't give it any more validation than it existing in the first place. And when my dad died a few years ago, it didn't matter that I still hadn't brought out the book. The time wasn't yet right. </p><p>So what made the time right now? I don't honestly know, except that deep inside I recognised the change. I'm 56... and six. I'm still that little girl. I still rescue pigeons. </p><p>The Boy Who Rescues Pigeons is available from June 1st, in time for ordering for Father's Day. Take a look at all my books <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=carmen+capuano&crid=29CROVVI2F6LE&sprefix=carmen+capuano%2Caps%2C1394&ref=nb_sb_noss_1" target="_blank">here.</a></p><p>x</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Carmen Capuano Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03869312874780761952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799654344256164630.post-75972144976579790052023-05-08T03:19:00.004-07:002023-05-08T03:19:36.870-07:00Coming very soon...<p>I'm thrilled to announce that The Boy Who Rescues Pigeons will be coming soon. Keep your eyes peeled!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fR3O4Ss18E0LgSyeTnE7PNBC5Ks9ke4HbA-mW8yxR-v0hY4YXULaNKnMEj79-MFgOoSbdw_sLuHXTcyZGl1mvVthePF_Fr4Mkh2sh_sMiw6AuVtA7O6j14yVMACh1jh6lNEYYByqkK6j8bm8_X4RaA59opNT1PfIfRx0URG7g3Evujfn5KOEkGE/s1600/IMG-20230417-WA0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1309" data-original-width="1600" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fR3O4Ss18E0LgSyeTnE7PNBC5Ks9ke4HbA-mW8yxR-v0hY4YXULaNKnMEj79-MFgOoSbdw_sLuHXTcyZGl1mvVthePF_Fr4Mkh2sh_sMiw6AuVtA7O6j14yVMACh1jh6lNEYYByqkK6j8bm8_X4RaA59opNT1PfIfRx0URG7g3Evujfn5KOEkGE/w441-h361/IMG-20230417-WA0002.jpg" width="441" /></span></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Carmen Capuano Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03869312874780761952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799654344256164630.post-638252686873752612023-04-10T03:04:00.000-07:002023-04-10T03:04:03.905-07:00New release. Future Imperfect<p><span style="background-color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">SHE’S AN ALPHA. AND SHE’S NOT GOING TO LET ANYTHING STAND IN HER WAY. </span></span></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">When a young Alpha’s fiancé is injured and declassified to a Delta by ELSA, the dome’s Enhanced Living System Autonomy, she has to set out across the ravaged world to bring him safely back. Luckily Fortitude Smith isn’t just any ordinary Alpha. Unfortunately ELSA isn’t what it appears to be either.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">From the author of Split Decision and Ascension, comes a brand new sci-fi novel, Future Imperfect, that will <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>captivate and enthral science fiction readers worldwide. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">In this dystopian future, people live according to their birth classes. Beta and lower live in the outside world, whilst Alphas are protected in the dome, watched over by ELSA – the dome’s AI. But ELSA has more than one secret.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJpKoARL8qZbK_FhAe-lLXw4e_GF9g7O8fpCdqj4uX6Vl2p92jyRDz2627u_Q2v1dCnv6P-bWFswk-poeEwekG2LpyJmY8nO900O6ZjDxHrE0y1nXdUltRXMuZMNcYtpPQToA9BQjNDte2hs_n-k4VqZYEHpv3rOeBC7nZ2wZ9cA4ZTqSYSxEo_Q/s1000/Future%20Imperfect%20ebook%20cover%20my%20resize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="648" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJpKoARL8qZbK_FhAe-lLXw4e_GF9g7O8fpCdqj4uX6Vl2p92jyRDz2627u_Q2v1dCnv6P-bWFswk-poeEwekG2LpyJmY8nO900O6ZjDxHrE0y1nXdUltRXMuZMNcYtpPQToA9BQjNDte2hs_n-k4VqZYEHpv3rOeBC7nZ2wZ9cA4ZTqSYSxEo_Q/s320/Future%20Imperfect%20ebook%20cover%20my%20resize.jpg" width="207" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Part of a new duology, Future Imperfect is an insight not just into the fruitful imagination of its <br />author, but highlights a very realistic and plausible future world. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">“Technology has moved on in leaps and bounds in my lifetime and the development of artificial intelligence has been simply astounding. I actually wrote this book about 10 years ago and back then AI was almost in its infancy compared to where it’s at now. And so my vision as well as other truly visionary authors is on the cusp of being realised.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">There is so much tech in the world that sometimes I fear losing our humanity is inevitable. I can only hope that the world envisaged in Future Imperfect and Future Perfect do not come to pass,” Capuano says.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Capuano is no stranger to conflict within her books and indeed the lives of her characters. Known for her perception and sensitivity to her characters and their situations, Future Imperfect promises to be as perceptive and engrossing as her other books. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Future Imperfect is out now and available now in print and ebook versions from Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other reputable online book retailers. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">If you enjoyed Split Decision or The Owners by Carmen Capuano then you’ll love Future Imperfect.</span></div></div>Carmen Capuano Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03869312874780761952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799654344256164630.post-72968430401112541572023-03-16T04:53:00.002-07:002023-03-16T04:53:38.309-07:00<p> <b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">NEW BOOK, ‘Family: Life’, explores
the duality of its themes with passion and rare insight. </span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With her
latest book,</span><i style="font-size: 12pt;"> </i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">author Carmen Capuano
takes the reader on a journey both exciting and insightful. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Delivering a heart-wrenching story about
infertility wrapped inside a wider arc of themes of conservation and animal
rights, Capuano has the reader swaying from one viewpoint to another, one
heartfelt belief to another.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtERGwNVuK0vTUeIql7mnG7Hrg38yo1dPNdpqzTpo3adQo3r6V9bUbuEJmDRD8l3RUJ-BMX4bzdK3VJ9g7WM_l-95AuBOadyES04OauBOdi5zJCpbgm8rM7xVePiHWrDX3tLUaSXc5jbo0SjsVB8gdUyerI5CBLh8UKKcpgm4OYAMEUqAV7u-d-9A/s2470/Family%20life%20ebook%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2470" data-original-width="1600" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtERGwNVuK0vTUeIql7mnG7Hrg38yo1dPNdpqzTpo3adQo3r6V9bUbuEJmDRD8l3RUJ-BMX4bzdK3VJ9g7WM_l-95AuBOadyES04OauBOdi5zJCpbgm8rM7xVePiHWrDX3tLUaSXc5jbo0SjsVB8gdUyerI5CBLh8UKKcpgm4OYAMEUqAV7u-d-9A/w157-h245/Family%20life%20ebook%20cover.jpg" width="157" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Adapted from
the screenplay of the same name by Paul F. Gorlinsky, </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">Family: Life</i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> powerfully examines the desperate need for a child and
weighs it up against prevalent contemporary beliefs.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />“</span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">It was
important that the reader was able to see all the intricacies of both sides of the story
and also to experience it through the eyes of the main character of Barbara
Lingorsky,”</i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Capuano says. </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">“Barbara’s
desperate need for a child becomes all-encompassing and it’s this which drives
her narrative.” </i></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Capuano is
no stranger to conflict within her books and indeed the lives of her
characters. Known for her perception and sensitivity to her characters and
their situations, </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">Family: Life</i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
promises to be no less engrossing and controversial than her other books.</span></p><p><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Family: Life</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> is priced at £2.50 (ebook) and £8.50 (paperback) and available now in print and
ebook versions from Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other reputable online book
retailers.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">One pair of primate conservationists
desperate for a child. One perfect solution.</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Primatologists
Vlas and Barbara Lingorsky are fully aware of the importance of their work as
research scientists in the Rwandan jungle. And of the danger it puts them in.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When
poachers kill an infant gorilla, Barbara is forced into consideration of her
biological clock and the memory of the loss of her own child. With Barbara now
unable to bear a child naturally, events seem to take on a momentum of their
own. It’s not too long before her longing for a family overflows into her
everyday life, and the perfect solution presents itself…</span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you enjoyed <i>Planet of The Apes</i> by Pierre Boulle or <i>The Owners</i> by Carmen Capuano then you’ll love <i>Family: Life</i>.</span></b></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"></p>Carmen Capuano Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03869312874780761952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799654344256164630.post-67895679720100467012022-07-30T05:16:00.006-07:002022-08-11T03:00:57.883-07:00BIG NEWS AHEAD<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbrjX5IxjXVgnj4vQE2oOz8pgK0s8fLN6Xf6PZVadwF0IJ7N2L_lfVfEWYaCPB_d7btvlqaEC6tnwq6K9_BAJkQX9pVjRjbH2EArPdQ33MO06CKlX7AIRPTf2_9pHWW_MO3-VKJwRcqKGg3t5VHm-zVZbgW8c-jc6_ADOw05bjsOSGV6eThLfbzQ/s913/New%20website.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="913" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbrjX5IxjXVgnj4vQE2oOz8pgK0s8fLN6Xf6PZVadwF0IJ7N2L_lfVfEWYaCPB_d7btvlqaEC6tnwq6K9_BAJkQX9pVjRjbH2EArPdQ33MO06CKlX7AIRPTf2_9pHWW_MO3-VKJwRcqKGg3t5VHm-zVZbgW8c-jc6_ADOw05bjsOSGV6eThLfbzQ/w304-h208/New%20website.JPG" width="304" /></a></div><br />Today, with big news on the way, we've been working hard to set up the socials for <a href="https://emmelineproductions.co.uk/" target="_blank"> Emmeline Productions</a>. You can now catch us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/home" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/emmelineproductions/?ref=pages_you_manage" target="_blank">Facebook</a> just by searching for Emmeline Productions. <p></p><p>We have big news coming, so make sure not to miss out! </p><p>Happy reading!</p>Carmen Capuano Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03869312874780761952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799654344256164630.post-34591217056888394992022-03-16T00:37:00.000-07:002022-03-16T00:37:02.228-07:00An audio reading of Split Decision...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVS2Q9Zzm8OlyBFldELfJ-yihjjAC8XJs_nBmexCgRYY_C4QY1X0QMIxaauYTKRnP-tfecVDI11Q6PnNAu0B6--lM62YWu5EXwl7sRA5n1fYBC5sJi3IWAywPHNXNhNE0QaguzlfUiRRO7XhpcDkpeUm2WCyEzjRQa8YBxAcofwo47tlzl0NkOPH8" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="479" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVS2Q9Zzm8OlyBFldELfJ-yihjjAC8XJs_nBmexCgRYY_C4QY1X0QMIxaauYTKRnP-tfecVDI11Q6PnNAu0B6--lM62YWu5EXwl7sRA5n1fYBC5sJi3IWAywPHNXNhNE0QaguzlfUiRRO7XhpcDkpeUm2WCyEzjRQa8YBxAcofwo47tlzl0NkOPH8" width="320" /></a></div>With thanks to Wine & Words and the amazing Sarah Jane Rose. <p></p><p>Listen to the interview and hear the book <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fm.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D4oaFz3EjauQ%26fbclid%3DIwAR2veiB4MR2r5Ey9wCzWe-tRMsb6pKFeerhHELF9mCU6spDi4HuPHuQRf0E&h=AT1ZqslYG-UCLOuVsTikP45p_nNyjp7I2lN_ZNwCFIXDlvMVzhBZbk4Lr_g_wq5rjtVFJWAo3Q-DJpOcF8wsmCKab6bjFzwXZihgXtGwAU62m2JWQxEFbqs0UwKolC5NTA&__tn__=%2CmH-R&c[0]=AT0ZTRvfXZFBObJK3xaAUpS8NgROdoh2b37cvopm_EI9yVruClyLeCYiICjWbdz9q29SMRBytTas9LoCjVVMU01Ivd2KJhpCa5bKR83d5lt7q9OOaL1-jrHW7Rm4S_jnnQeG9cp7l9Y5nXgW-oWsTISL_cU" target="_blank">here.</a> </p><p>Note: the reading follows the interview. <br /></p><p>Happy listening. x</p>Carmen Capuano Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03869312874780761952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799654344256164630.post-71845312147360495142021-11-24T23:11:00.003-08:002021-11-24T23:11:43.811-08:00Putting the world to rights...<p> Thanks to author D. M. Needom for this interview. </p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&reload=9&v=bHtNngeHK1s&autoplay=1&fbclid=IwAR1ko-MFaStQ66blhRcn8wmFggEAUuyL8D30GYqxOEKq1DwMan5ongYA-t8" target="_blank">Click here.</a><br /></p>Carmen Capuano Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03869312874780761952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799654344256164630.post-86923284140980744122021-08-11T06:31:00.003-07:002021-08-18T01:13:42.783-07:00Who am I? <p style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;">I'm Carmen Capuano. When
I was five years old I saw my father smash my mother’s front teeth right out of
her mouth. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;">And
the saddest part of that statement, is that I’d already seen it all before.</span></p><p style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;">I’m
a survivor.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;">One
of life’s hanger-on’s, a refuser of taking the easy-way out; I’m the one who
won’t give up. The one who will keep fighting, even when others would admit
defeat. Because if I do, if I </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;">actually</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
give up, I’m not sure what will be left for me.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;">Maybe
nothing. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;">So
that’s why I write.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;">I
write to prove I’m still alive.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;">Jigsaw
Girl is, I believe, one of the finest and most heart-rending books I have
written. Every line of dialogue, every situation she finds herself in, every
time she has to fight just for survival, these are the hallmarks of her life.
And I understand them so well.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;">I’m
neither black nor Asian, but I was raised in poverty, dragged up in the
unforgiving streets of Glasgow, daughter of an Italian, wife-beating, gambling
father, and an ineffectual mother. You think misery belongs to the ethnic
minorities? I’ll tell you now that it doesn’t.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;">But
I don’t tell you this to garner your pity; I tell you to let you see who I am.
These are my qualifications for writing this story, my badges of dishonour.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;">Look
at me, look at my pictures – you will only see what I allow you to. But read my
stories and you are let into the depths of my soul. It may not be a nice place
to be, but God help me, it’s </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;">real. </i></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;">To
date I have written 27 books, only six of which I have published. They cover
most genres because that’s how real life is – hard and gritty but also bizarre
and full of unexpected twists and turns.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;">So
why should you chose me, out of all the writers out there? Maybe because I can
tell a good story. Maybe because I’m a workaholic. Or just maybe because I’m a
tortured soul.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;">And
if there’s one thing human nature loves, it’s vicariously experiencing someone
else’s misery - viewed from a safe distance of course.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h15s8eGVqB4/YRPQ1BuhwxI/AAAAAAAAIZg/mfigWY50zYg1PJRpxr_Oeskz-dU8uOK1ACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="290" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h15s8eGVqB4/YRPQ1BuhwxI/AAAAAAAAIZg/mfigWY50zYg1PJRpxr_Oeskz-dU8uOK1ACLcBGAsYHQ/w193-h290/image.png" width="193" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;">Roll
up, roll up, come see the freak show.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;">But
that’s not all of me. I’m deeper than that, at least.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;">You
will find me charming, honest, hard-working and conscientious. The raw terror
at life is hidden, the pain subsumed, condensed, spat out onto the pristine
page.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;">You
want to know how real life can get?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;">The
book is open, all you have to do is read…<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;">Welcome
to Jigsaw Girl. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Carmen Capuano Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03869312874780761952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799654344256164630.post-47348498775007099312021-06-06T06:58:00.005-07:002021-06-06T06:58:53.086-07:00<p> Another review for The Owners is just in: -</p><p>The Owners: Alone</p><p>Carmen Capuano</p><p>Carmen Capuano brings us a different kind of sci fi dystopian adventure with The Owners: Alone! In an effort to save her young hatchling friend’s freewill, fourteen year old Loni sets out on a dangerous journey. Little do they know, there is someone across the world that shares their reservations about their society, someone that will change their fate forever. Capuano’s sci fi dystopian drama instantly felt fresh with its interesting world lore and loveable characters! I especially connected with Loni and Little’s bond and the overall exploration of the value of humanity. If you love dystopian fiction with depth and a more upbeat message, definitely come check out The Owners: Alone!</p><p>https://diabolicshrimp.com/reviews-10/</p><p><span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VPM1tRkIt50/YLzUOsgfLYI/AAAAAAAAILg/v1ED9PdvfnQnW609lot7OdmQISL8xurMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/The%2BOwners%2Bvol%2B1%2Bpaperback%2B4mg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1535" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VPM1tRkIt50/YLzUOsgfLYI/AAAAAAAAILg/v1ED9PdvfnQnW609lot7OdmQISL8xurMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/The%2BOwners%2Bvol%2B1%2Bpaperback%2B4mg.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"></div>Carmen Capuano Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03869312874780761952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799654344256164630.post-59213668985978373532021-06-06T03:16:00.006-07:002021-06-06T03:16:36.190-07:00Another review for Jigsaw Girl...<p> I'm delighted to be able to tell you that Jigsaw Girl is now 37th in its category on Amazon. If you are currently reading it, thank you. </p><p>Please do leave a review on Amazon and don't forget to tell your friends that it and Split Decision are currently free on kindleunlimted, or if you want to purchase them they are <b>below</b> £2.50 each. </p><p>I'm also delighted to see another review for Jigsaw Girl. Keep them coming in! xx</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aqCXaYb9zHQ/YLyf5p3hZfI/AAAAAAAAILM/yA0X6lw8CRU7-5ihKIGUwRz65ojmfL4UQCLcBGAsYHQ/s970/amazonreview.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="265" data-original-width="970" height="109" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aqCXaYb9zHQ/YLyf5p3hZfI/AAAAAAAAILM/yA0X6lw8CRU7-5ihKIGUwRz65ojmfL4UQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h109/amazonreview.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x8tB2WMmqao/YLyfvynAURI/AAAAAAAAILI/-fNvhjb-OxUsMe8EFQ9CMyxPqr9sNGovwCLcBGAsYHQ/s382/Amazon%2Brating%2Bof%2BJigsaw%2Bgirl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="23" data-original-width="382" height="24" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x8tB2WMmqao/YLyfvynAURI/AAAAAAAAILI/-fNvhjb-OxUsMe8EFQ9CMyxPqr9sNGovwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h24/Amazon%2Brating%2Bof%2BJigsaw%2Bgirl.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Carmen Capuano Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03869312874780761952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799654344256164630.post-864405808844582032021-06-04T04:09:00.000-07:002021-06-04T04:09:09.785-07:00A review for Jigsaw Girl<p> The first ever review of Jigsaw Girl is in, and it's 5 STARS!! I'm totally thrilled. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6_7l1FeLS1k/YLoJesJvXuI/AAAAAAAAILA/uKkPrz5t1OkU4uZcWpC6yWDdH2Y-Sb0iwCLcBGAsYHQ/s777/Goodreads%2Breview.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="777" height="241" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6_7l1FeLS1k/YLoJesJvXuI/AAAAAAAAILA/uKkPrz5t1OkU4uZcWpC6yWDdH2Y-Sb0iwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h241/Goodreads%2Breview.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Carmen Capuano Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03869312874780761952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799654344256164630.post-10794081787056750262021-06-01T01:36:00.005-07:002021-06-01T01:36:37.246-07:00Jigsaw Girl<p>Today I'd like to tell you about Jigsaw Girl. </p><p>It was a story that came to me via its main character - much the same as Split Decision did. But that's where the similarity ends. Natalie, from Split Decision, was carried along by fate in many ways, whereas Scarlett Clarke (aka Jigsaw Girl) goes as far as to make her own fate. </p><p>I've always been fascinated by the idea of consequence. And I think that comes out fully in most of my stories. It is, after all, the thing that's at the heart of every good tale. And it fills our lives, shaping the course of our individual destinies. </p><p>Scarlett is a character who is taken to the very brink. She feels responsible for the death of the fireman who died trying to save her and unworthy of the sacrifice he gave - his life for hers. During the time I spent telling her tale I felt a voyeur to her pain. I understood her sense of unworthiness the fragility of her. But I was also proud of her, the way she found her strength, the fact that she dragged herself up in order to help her brother Charlie; that she refused to go down without a fight. </p><p>So if you see yourself in her, please take what you can from this story. We are all of us flawed. We just need to find a way to be the best that we can. </p><p><b>BLURB </b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YWgpiCkExJ0/YK5CHBiLtnI/AAAAAAAAIKU/pFlo4JvfBCI36RfPh20eOHUcyL62qyAiACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/jigsaw%2Bgirl%2Boriginal.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YWgpiCkExJ0/YK5CHBiLtnI/AAAAAAAAIKU/pFlo4JvfBCI36RfPh20eOHUcyL62qyAiACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/jigsaw%2Bgirl%2Boriginal.jpg" /></a></div><b> </b>“Do you think we’ll get another dog?” he says. <p></p><div> I’m so shocked I stop in my tracks. “After Shadow?” Breath catches painfully in my chest and I have to force myself not to scream. “Is that what you would have done if I’d died, Charlie? Ask Mum and Dad to give you another sister?”</div><div> It’s cruel and unfair, especially as the tone it’s delivered in is acidic. None of this is Charlie’s fault and he’s only nine after all. But he can’t be allowed to think that life – any life – is so easily replaceable. That like changing a lightbulb, the light of one life can ever replace the light of another, extinguished one. It doesn’t work like that.</div><div> Not for me anyway.</div><div><br /></div><div> But what if the end, wasn’t the end at all? What if it was really only the beginning?</div><p> Because that’s where my beginning started. At the end.<b> </b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>TO VIEW THE FIRST SECTION OF JIGSAW GIRL FOR FREE CLICK <a href="https://read.amazon.co.uk/kp/embed?asin=B0966Q6ZLQ&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_2AYVYVR2P7795CCG3FHW" target="_blank">here.</a></b></p><p>Happy reading, </p><p>Carmen. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Carmen Capuano Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03869312874780761952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799654344256164630.post-56120826202311919172021-05-31T02:42:00.000-07:002021-05-31T02:42:15.751-07:00Introducing author Michael Layton, QPM<p> Michael and his wife Andry are both authors and friends of mine. Here I take a look at how Michael first became a writer. </p><p><b><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">When did you write
your first book and how did it come about?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l1f3G8P20dY/YK4XckmGFBI/AAAAAAAAIJ8/UvYqiqjpJBgfdx6HAITq-ylVBX2nR198QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/mike%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1583" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l1f3G8P20dY/YK4XckmGFBI/AAAAAAAAIJ8/UvYqiqjpJBgfdx6HAITq-ylVBX2nR198QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/mike%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">In 2013 I responded to an email from Robert Endeacott who was interested
in cases of undercover policing operations relating to football hooligans in
the 80s. He is an ardent Leeds fan with no policing background but was a
previously published author. We collaborated on a film script for an Operation
called ‘RED CARD’ which was completed but remains ‘in waiting’. It is a
fictional suspense/thriller film in the mould of hooligan films for that period
although in my humble opinion better! <br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">In the Autumn of 2013 Robert, who I have only physically met on about three
occasions, suggested we write a book on the operation. <i>‘Hunting the
Hooligans’</i> describes how a covert police team brought down one of Britain’s
most violent gangs. The true story of <i>‘Operation Red Card’</i> undertaken in
1987 to tackle Birmingham City’s football hooligan element – the <i>‘Zulu
Warriors’</i> was published by MILO.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">My first, and ultimately most successful book thus far in terms of sales
– was taken on by the first traditional publisher that we approached.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><b><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">How do you find the
process of writing? (difficult, invigorating?)</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I find writing cathartic and challenging. At my age – nearly 69 years of
age, its good to keep the brain cells active. Steve Burrows and I have strongly
promoted Birmingham in many of our books as we were both born and worked in the
City. We have found this hugely satisfying.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><b><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">How true to life
are your books and characters?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ooW43_Ofb0/YK4XrOAW1WI/AAAAAAAAIKA/oGeyC0_Quc002t-GymZn8DqCIq3j3h-PQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/mike%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1583" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ooW43_Ofb0/YK4XrOAW1WI/AAAAAAAAIKA/oGeyC0_Quc002t-GymZn8DqCIq3j3h-PQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/mike%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The factual books speak for themselves in terms of accuracy. </span></b><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The series of four historical crime fiction books <i>‘Made in
Birmingham’</i> – written with a former police colleague and friend Stephen
Burrows contain characters and incidents that have elements of truth in them
based on our policing history – over seventy years collectively</span></b><b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Do you always write
in the same genre or do you mix it up?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The next four books after <i>‘Hunting the Hooligans’</i> were written
with different co-authors or on my own and related to police history and
published by Amberley. The extensive writing partnership with Stephen Burrows that
later followed has resulted in books being published – in the main by way of
self-publishing on police history, slang and humour, crime fiction and military
history. I have also written a book with my wife Andry Christou-Layton about
her life in Cyprus – <i>‘The Night the Owl Cried – A Taste of Cyprus’</i>. </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">When you write, do
you start with an idea and sit down and let it evolve, or do you make notes and
collect ideas on paper beforehand?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Every book involves a large element of research (Particularly <i>‘Top
Secret Worcestershire I & II’ </i>with Steve Burrows) but in the main I
rely on creating a framework of potential chapters and then working to fill
them in no particular order. When working with Steve Burrows on the fictional
books in particular we relied on some very complex documents relating to the
development of fictional storylines and historical facts which were blended
together.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Do you have a
favourite character and if so/or not, then why?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Rob Docker – the corrupt police officer in <i>‘Black Over Bill’s
Mothers’</i> – the character reminds me that the Police Service in the UK is
renowned for its professionalism and the fact that corruption is rare. The
character also reminds me that ‘one bad apple’ can do a lot of damage. His
character also explores <i>‘Noble Cause Corruption’</i> in the police service.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">For Steve Burrows I believe it would be Patrick Quinn – a character
based on his experiences in his youth of being a biker.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Which of your books
gave you the most pleasure to write?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">‘Black Over Bill’s Mothers – a storm is coming’</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> – a historical crime fiction book (One of the series) 1943 to 2004. Set
in Birmingham and elsewhere the book weaves together factual incidents,
including the Birmingham Pub Bombings, as well as music and culture – the story
involves serious crime, terrorism, and corruption.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">How would you
describe yourself?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">A sensitive autocrat who becomes ‘thoughtful’ at times.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">What's next for
you?</span><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">‘The Patriot’</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> – co-written with my wife
– the story of her father’s life during a period of conflict and turbulent
history in Cyprus.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>And a</b></span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">nother slang book which I would like to somehow link in with people
‘living with dementia’. </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Where can readers
purchase your books? </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">All current twenty-two titles can be found on <i>‘Bostin Books’</i>
Facebook Page or <i>‘Bostin Books’</i> website. They are all available on
Amazon and via traditional publishers.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">‘Birmingham’s Front Line’</span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">By</span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Michael Layton QPM</span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">(Synopsis re murder of David Harris)</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">On
Monday 26 March 1984</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">David Harris, aged 36 years, the
licensee of the <i>‘Woodman’</i> Licensed House in Hockley was stabbed to death
in Wells Street by a man described as a West Indian male.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Michael
Layton recalls:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">“I
was at Bridge Street West Police Station at the time, trying to sort out a
search warrant, and went straight to the scene to liaise with the detective
chief inspector and the detective inspector.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> We co-ordinated an immediate search of the
area and later that evening I took a statement from a witness who had rendered
first aid at the scene. I hated violence and the futility of it all. Murders
meant dropping everything else and putting a total focus into what you were
doing as the first twenty-four hours were vital – the so-called ‘golden hours’.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">A murder incident room was set up at Steelhouse Lane Police Station and
this was to become home again for a while.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Next day I was committed to ‘house to house’ enquiries in the area. This
was a detailed process that had to be meticulously planned and scrutinised and
I worked with a uniform sergeant who I trusted totally to organise it with me.
We then started doing the rounds of local pubs looking for any small lead.
Leave days were cancelled and we went onto twelve-hour shifts. This was the
norm.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Malcolm Halliday was one of the officers involved in completing ‘house to
house’ enquiries and recalls a couple of incidents, “Myself and a DC nicknamed
‘Knuckles’ ,due to his arthritis in his hands, visited one particular flat in
Newtown and spoke to a black family. One of the occupants was a Rastafarian guy
and something just didn’t seem quite right. Whilst we were chatting a little
girl aged about two years handed me a pouch. When I looked inside it was full
of cannabis. I told her to “give it back to daddy.” We were looking for a
murderer not for drugs, so we let it go but we did mark the form up to the
effect that we thought that the occupants were not telling the entire truth. At
a later stage of the enquiry it transpired that the guy had been repairing his
car outside the block of flats on the day of the murder when the person responsible
came running up covered in blood, after the attack, and demanded to be taken
out of the area.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> Not long after the murder a woman was
attacked by a black youth in the same area. He was intent on robbing her, but
she fought back and a load of CID officers who were making enquiries in one of
the nearby pubs all ran out and captured him. He had picked the wrong person
and the wrong place.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> After the murder a substantial reward was
offered for information leading to the arrest of the offender. We also had a
photofit picture of the suspect and with each passing day the potential lines
of enquiry were increasing. We spent a lot of time getting around the pubs in
the area pushing the issue and looking for that small scrap of information that
would lead us to the killer.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">On
Sunday 1<sup> </sup>April 1984</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">
a call was made to the incident room by an individual claiming to know who was
responsible for the murder. I met this person later that day with another
officer and the suspect was identified as someone called <i>‘Jakey’</i> with a
possible full name.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> I saw the informant several times over the
next few days and the information given was reiterated both to me, and a senior
officer, as well as other background information being provided on the suspect.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> There was no contact by the informant then
for some time and despite extensive enquiries being made all these enquiries
met with a negative result based on the details given.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"> <b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">On
Wednesday 18 April</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">a knife was found in the public
toilets at Smethwick magistrates court </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">in
the area adjacent to where security officers screened visitors. The knife was
subsequently disposed of in accordance with normal procedures. It was later to
form part of the evidence chain in the murder of David Harris, although we were
not to know it at the time.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"> <b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">On
Tuesday 24 April 1984</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> acting on a
lead in respect of the murder I was despatched in the evening with another
officer to Canning Circus Police Station in Nottingham to interview a potential
informant. We eventually brought the informant back to Birmingham and
identified an address in Handsworth where a potential suspect lived. Shortly
after 2am the following morning we hit the address and arrested a twenty-three-year-old
on suspicion of involvement. By the time we had searched the address and got
back to the station I had done a sixteen-hour shift and it was time to leave it
with other officers.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">I had about five hours sleep and was back in the office in the afternoon
ready to go again. This was still very much a live enquiry and lots of officers
on ‘outside enquiry’ teams were following up different leads. The criminal
fraternity never liked these situations because it meant that they would
receive additional attention from the police and their activities would be
disrupted.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"> <b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">On
Thursday 26 April 1984 a twenty-three-year-old man (Derrick Gordon) was
arrested in connection with the murder of Mr Harris.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> He appeared at Birmingham Magistrates Court the
following morning. I was not involved in the arrest but went around to the
court with the DI to observe the remand. He was a well-built guy who remained
composed and listened intently to the proceedings. He was remanded to police
cells for three days and subsequently charged with the murder.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bSRe6rJwUDk/YK4YABZnCXI/AAAAAAAAIKM/Yy_6DlM-2tga6NQXbDhilTIerS94hK9UwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/mike%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bSRe6rJwUDk/YK4YABZnCXI/AAAAAAAAIKM/Yy_6DlM-2tga6NQXbDhilTIerS94hK9UwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/mike%2B3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span><p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>Carmen Capuano Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03869312874780761952noreply@blogger.com0