#FolkloreSunday The traditional Hunting of the Wren - 'Hela'r Dryw' in Welsh - is seldom practiced these days, but continued in parts of Pembrokeshire in particular until well into the 20th century. 1/2

I’m desperate to get out into the garden but it’s just rain and wind all day every day (unless there’s snow). What do gardeners do to relieve the agony this time of year?

On my list!

Snowy Lampeter #Cymru #Ceredigion

Mari Lwyd in Lampeter tonight. #ceredigion #marilwyd #welshfolklore

Lovely review from a super supportive reviewer.

Beautiful Mwnt. #ceredigion

Been shouting at Alexa and cursing the Lampeter internet connection this morning. Should check the news first.

Happy #FolkloreThursday! In some traditions, sycamore seeds were used in divination practices. People believed that these seeds could provide insights into the future and were often used in love spells and other magical workings. 🌳 #SeedGatheringSeason

Exciting to see The Drowning Place in the @waterstones.bsky.social preorder promotion which runs until midnight on Friday 17 October. Preorder here: www.waterstones.com/book/the-dro... #newbook #crimefiction #preorderpromo #thedrowningplace

It's #giveaway time! This month on my #newsletter, I’m going to be giving away two signed copies of Broken House! The newsletter will go out on Thursday - publication day! - so sign up now to be in with a chance to #win. Simply go to www.samhollandbooks.com/newsletter Good luck!

➡️ Exciting news! The first book in my new Frank Marshal series is FREE for a limited time. If you'd like a copy of Marshal of Snowdonia 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿, here's the link: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DXN9WZGG #crimefiction #snowdonia

We've got a range of fantastic authors taking part in Winter Haunts 2025 - here's just some of the writers who'll be joining us online for the event! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/winter-hau... #writing #writers #ghoststory #ghoststories #gothic #gothicfiction

My new Mallory book is out next week. Set in a girls school near Tregaron, West Wales, it weaves in themes of dark academia, all-female societies and characters from the Mabinogion. The Death Lesson is available from indie bookshops, Waterstones and Amazon.

No review till I get back on Monday (and even then there'll be a bit of a wait with at least ten reviews to write) but here are my thoughts on Death Rites, the first in this series from @sarahwardcrime.bsky.social classicmystery.blog/2024/11/17/d...

Fantastic review ❤️

En route to Harrogate for the festival. I’ll be around tomorrow day and evening and leaving Saturday as I have a bookshop event in Grantham. If you’re at the festival, it’d be lovely to see you and say hello.

If you're Aberystwyth on Thursday evening I'll be in conversation with wonderful @sarahwardcrime.bsky.social , talking about our new books "The Magus of Sicily" and "Quiet Bones". Hope to see you there! www.waterstones.com/events/phili...

Nice double spread in the Western Mail today. 🗞️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

I bet you’d love to read a sweeping love story set in WW2 Malta wouldn’t you? Well it’s your luck day! NEVER TEAR US APART is out NOW! amzn.eu/d/cAmjKIA

#LastNowNext #QuietBones by @sarahwardcrime.bsky.social #BrightYoungWomen by #JessicaKnoll #DesthAtFakenhamRaces by #RossGreenwood #TheHouseOfWater by @fflurdafydd.bsky.social #AnHeiresssGuideToDeathandDiamonds by #KristenBird #MyWifeTheSerialKiller by #HJGarbett #BookSky #BookBlogger

Happy publication day, @sarahwardcrime.bsky.social ! It had pinged into my Kindle when I woke up - looking forward to reading next. Cx

Death Rites by @sarahwardcrime.bsky.social www.tripfiction.com/crime-fictio... Crime fiction novel set in a fictional college in a New England town "The New England setting and its traditions are important to the story..." #booksky #blueskybooks

My local bookshop Gwisgo Bookworm will have signed copies of Quiet Bones from tomorrow. Look at those amazing spredges!

On my way to the last ever Crimefest in Bristol. I first went there in 2012 when I was writing my first novel and I’m now ten years published with a short story in the celebratory anthology being launched this weekend. Looking forward to seeing my pals. May won’t be the same without the festival.

If you’re near Aber come along and see us in July!

20% off all editing services booked in during May/ June. Developmental edits, appraisals, 3 chapter reviews. My prices are already reasonable but the discount makes them silly.

Lovely time at Wrexham Carnival of Words. Thanks to came along to the event with @chrislloydauthor.bsky.social @davidpennywriting.bsky.social Marie Anne Cope and David Ebsworth.

@gwylcrimefest.bsky.social starts next Friday, April 25 with dragon parade along #Aberystwyth prom at 4 then Noir at the Bar in museum at 7. For info/tickets, see www.gwylcrimecymrufestival.co.uk

Early trip to the bakers resulted in a hot cross loaf. Perfectly spiced with a hard glaze. Then a visit to the fish van. Plaice for Good Friday dinner plus a kipper for tomorrow morning. All I could think of was the Agatha Christie story, The Thumb Mark of St Peter ( although that was John Dorry).

@pgjonesvenice.bsky.social @alishawkinsauthor.bsky.social @gwylcrimefest.bsky.social @sarahwardcrime.bsky.social @bevjoneswriting.bsky.social @louisemumford.bsky.social @chrislloydauthor.bsky.social

This 👇

I'm offering a 10% discount for any work booked in during April for up to 6 months ahead. Manuscript appraisals, developmental edits, 3 chapter review, build a book in stages. Take a look at testimonials below. I'm also offering a 25% discount for anyone who reposts this and books in during April.

New @gwylcrimefest.bsky.social PreviewShow podfollow pod.fo/e/2bdb51 apple.co/3znb7b5 @gwylcrimefest.bsky.social @gbwilliams.bsky.social @pgjonesvenice.bsky.social @sarahwardcrime.bsky.social @gbpoliceadvisor.bsky.social @sarahhilary.bsky.social @thornemoore.bsky.social @chrislloydauthor.bsky.social

Aberystwyth has a population of about 15,000. There are upwards of 6 million books in the National Library of Wales. Which means there are probably more books per head of population there than anywhere else. Take a look at some of the treasures held there with a guided tour!

Lovey visit to Hucknall Library yesterday which included a brief visit to Byron’s grave. Thanks to everyone who came.

Femals tecs? @gwylcrimefest.bsky.social has a lot of 'em! How about this for a line-up!!?? @ellygriffiths.bsky.social @sarahwardcrime.bsky.social

A pleasure to talk to @paulcrimetime.bsky.social on the Crime Time FM pod! Join Paul, @gbwilliams.bsky.social , @sarahwardcrime.bsky.social and myself as we chat about what's coming up in Aberystwyth in just over 4 weeks! podfollow pod.fo/e/2bdb51

Visit to Laugharne today seeing Dylan Thomas’s house, writing shed and grave. ‘Time held me green and dying Though I sang in my chains like the sea.’

First ice cream of the season in Aberaeron.

Wishing everyone a happy International Women’s Day from Wales. As women’s rights continue to be eroded around the world, today we celebrate the achievements of all women including leaders and feminist organisations who continue to fight injustice.

Always brilliant to pop into Gwisgo Bookworm in Aberaeron and chat all things bookish. The weather was West Wales brrr.

@gwylcrimefest.bsky.social #Aberystwyth #CrimeFiction

Writers! Anyone who would love to write! Would you like to come to a ‘Dream Author: How To Be A Happy And Successful Writer’ retreat in this beautiful place, 21 to 24 March or 25 to 28 March? Swimming, writing coaching, ace food etc!

Finished a short story and am now knitting.

And they’re flying! It’s publication day for #TheBlackbirdsofStGiles by me & @Marciathewriter as #LilaCain. We are so proud of our sweeping historical novel set in the diabolical rookery of St Giles - the dark heart of Georgian London. Can love, the bonds of family & hope triumph? Find out today 🐦‍⬛💚🐦‍⬛

Writing residency for older writers! Please share!

What a week to have a book out about political corruption and powerful, abusive men! At least in my novel they get their comeuppance. My first Anna Sharpe thriller. Out today in all formats in the UK, and in eBook and audio in the US. #NotesOnADrowning annamazzola.com/notes-on-a-d...

The best news. Mick is an absolute legend, one of the best.

New year – new challenge! You could win £100 in the Murder Squad Short Story Competition held to mark our 25th Anniversary. 1500 words. Closing date 15th Feb. All the details on the website. Good luck! murdersquad.co.uk/competition/