Brindle Books Ltd are proud to announce our latest release. 'Her Fame is Oblivion', episode 6 in author Mark Bridgeman's ERASED series of eBooks, is available now.
Her Fame is Oblivion (New release from Brindle Books Ltd)
Circus Freak Nation by Patrick J Sacchetti
27th January 2024
A chance to catch up
with Patrick J Sacchetti, author of Circus Freak Nation.
Interview by
Richard Hinchliffe
The release of Circus Freak
Nation has given me the excuse and the opportunity to catch up with author
Patrick J Sacchetti. Some of you may be aware that I interviewed Patrick way
back in August 2022 for the release of his previous novel, Heaven’s Assassins.
If you didn’t catch that interview, or simply want to read it again, you can
click HERE
So, when I saw that Patrick had
released another title, I couldn’t wait to get hold of a copy, and to get in
touch with the author himself and ask him a little about it.
RH: Briefly, and
without giving too much away, what is Circus Freak Nation about?
PS: Circus Freak Nation starts out as a murder mystery of a
college girl murdered in the classic Chicago Holy Name Cathedral Catholic
church. The girl's family hires a private detective agency, Heavens
Assassins Detectives, to find out what is going on with the investigation into
her murder. This drags the agency, and its detectives, into a spider's
web of various dubious characters with a variety of evil acts simultaneously
taking place. The various characters and related insidious acts they are
tangled up in seem unrelated at first. Little by little, as they dig
deeper and deeper, all the characters and all their dubious acts really are connected.
Everyone is manipulated, controlled, bought, and sold, by a handful of
narcissistic power players in the United States. All the book's
characters end up being moved around a chess board in a game of toxic chess
where there is only a chosen few making the moves, letting a majority of the
American citizens take the losses, while the power players gain their riches.
Really, everyone is complicit in this, and no one is innocent. Except for
the poor, dead college girl, of course.
RH: How does this book relate to, or tie in with your
previous work, Heaven’s Assassins?
PS: Heavens Assassins was the group led by Luke
Augustine, who is now the main detective in Heavens Assassins Detective
Agency. Whereas in the book Heavens Assassins, the core group got
out of legal entanglements any way possible, in Circus Freak Nation the
group has to depend on the law and support law and order and become certified
private investigators in the process. Nicola Esposito is with the agency, as
well as Luke's neighbourhood friend since childhood, Anthony
Testicolli. Stephanie Bennavutti is still Luke's main girlfriend and
provides the support and guidance that the entire agency needs when things get
difficult.
The main difference between the two books is that in Circus
Freak Nation, this is more of a social and political satire, taking shots at
the power players and their followers who obediently take all the orders
delivered down from the top. I take aim at those who manipulate the
media, manipulate the political environment to fool people and are
simultaneously total hypocrites in the process. At times the social and
political climate in America has taken on more of a Circus Freak show than that
of a civilized powerhouse nation.
RH: How did you first get into writing books?
PS: Growing up as a kid I was fortunate to have a great local
library stocked with provoking books. The idea that there are people in
the US that want to ban books because a selected few individuals object to the
contents is beyond crazy. It's the Thought Police and fascism is what it
is. Growing up with books allowed me to expand my mind, laugh and learn,
and travel in my mind, leaving my small-minded Chicago blue collar suburb
behind without leaving the library reading room. Who could ask for more
than that? Rock music and local blues was big in my neighbourhood, and I
loved writing reviews of rock and blues albums while in high school and then
while at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale IL. I'm not a
professionally trained author and will never be compared to Cormac McCarthy or
one of the other greats. I've always had a lot going on in my mind and have a
touch for taking the stock of situations and satirizing them. Having
people interested in what I write, laughing and being scared at the same time,
is the ultimate reward.
RH: What are your
favourite books and authors, and why?
PS: The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Murakami is in my
opinion, one of the top five modern novels because of its dream-like
quality and ability to make the reader think, laugh and be afraid all in the
same chapter. The journey that Murakami sends the book's
protagonist on takes the reader along for the ride. You feel all the
thrills, chills and excitement and it feels like you're right there along with
the main character. And few books can do that. Another modern
classic, must read and favourite of mine is The Things They Carried by Tim
O'Brien that chronicles his adventures in the Vietnam war while in the 23rd
Infantry Division. The short stories are a collection of incidents, some
real and some made up, that enlighten the reader on what really went on in the Vietnam
war. And to realize that everything is not what it appears to be.
Tim O'Brien has stated his daughter asked him which stories were true and which
short stories were made up. He refused to tell her. He only said
the stories that seem too wild to be true are true stories, while the more
normal stories are the made-up affairs. The book came about because of what Tim
O'Brien felt was the public's opinions of the Vietnam war that were only based
on ignorance instead of reality. I feel the same applies to Circus Freak
Nation, that there are too many people in this country who wallow around in
ignorance like pigs stuck in mud instead of finding out what is really going
on.
RH: Which part of the writing/publishing process do
you enjoy most?
PS: The part of the writing/publishing process I really
enjoy is brainstorming and letting the words fly, hitting the page as hard and
harmful as they want to. One of my friends told me to just let it loose
when writing Circus Freak Nation. Meaning to let whatever I felt or was
thinking at the time to get it down and not be afraid of the appearance of
perceptions it may cause. Let my honest opinions and thoughts just
decimate the pages. Then fortunately for myself, I found a great local
Chicago editor by the name of David Aretha, to help me compile everything into
an interesting, messy but fun ride of a novel. That plus I get to
correspond with interesting, book loving nerds like me across the pond in the
UK, like yourself, Richard.
RH: Who is most likely to read and enjoy your book?
PS: The people most likely to read my book are the more
intelligent, liberal, open-minded people. People who love books and love
idea's and want to read something that enlightens them, frightens them and
makes them laugh, all within the front and back covers. Also, those who have
been wondering what the hell is going on in America will like this book tremendously.
RH: What do you like
to do when you’re not writing, and does it inspire you, or is it an escape from
writing?
PS: While not writing I really enjoy music and used to play
guitar. Played a lot of classic rock and roll and Chicago style
blues. My collection and knowledge of music is pretty large, and I still
have an appetite for what new music is being created out there. You know,
what are the kids listening to? I like to consider my writing to be
street savvy, rock and roll-based type, storytelling. So, music has had
an influence not only on my life but also on my writing.
RH: Do you have any
promotional events planned, or are you considering any marketing ideas for your
book?
PS: As far as promotional events or marketing events, I'm going
to reach out to Good Reads and put a description of Circus Freak Nation out
there. I'm going to ask some Marketing minded college graduates for some
of their marketing ideas. Google will be a resource used for a while until I
get a better feel for this part of the process.
RH: What are your plans,
especially in terms of other books or projects?
PS: I've already been thinking of the
next book and have been kicking around an idea where people who are shot and
killed in the Chicago area are brought back to life through a DNA
database. Their DNA is taken from this database, and they are brought
back to life in a factory that specializes in bringing the shot and killed
back. An expensive cost that only the Country Club set can afford.
However, I'm not sure if that is going to be the main topic or a secondary
topic in the book. All I know is that my good friends from the Heavens
Assassins Detective Agency will be involved somehow in some way.
Circus Freak Nation is available now.
You can purchase it from Amazon in the United States by clicking HERE
Or from Amazon UK by clicking HERE
More from Brindle Books: Our Merch Store is now open!
12th January 2024
We are happy to announce that, in addition to our marvellous and growing range of books, Brindle Books Ltd now have a merchandise page where you can purchase printed t-shirts, mugs and other goods. The selection of items on offer will continue to grow, so it's worthwhile bookmarking the page and checking back with us periodically to what's been added.
To visit the merch page and see the full range currently on offer, either use the Menu bar at the top of the page or click HERE
A Different Kind of War (Wellington's Dragoon Book 4) by David J Blackmore
1st December 2023
Brindle Books Ltd is happy to announce that our latest release, 'A Different Kind of War', the fourth book in Dr David J Blackmore's popular Wellington's Dragoon series is available now:
An unhappy and angry Michael Roberts returns to England expecting to be wasting his time at the Regimental depot instead of fighting the French. He soon discovers that the war is also being waged in England, although it is a different kind of war.
New Release from Brindle Books Ltd: 'Unseen Follower' by Sophia Moseley
14th November 2023
We are pleased to announce our latest release: Unseen Follower by Sophia Moseley is available now.
How many friends and followers do you have on social media? Tens, hundreds, maybe even thousands?
Hidden in the shadows of the digital realm, an ominous presence lurks.
In Unseen Follower, the virtual world become a labyrinth of secrets. A place where you cannot know who is watching your every click, tracking your every move.
The twenty-first century obsession to be part of the global social circle may lead you into the clutches of the follower who monitors your every post, every like, every share.
That person who glanced at you from across the road or stood behind you in the supermarket; you don’t know them, but they may know where you live, where you work, and where you buy your coffee.
Do you know who’s following you?
Based on real events, Unseen Follower will make you question who is.
The book is available now in eBook and paperback. You can purchase it by clicking HERE
New Release from Brindle Books Ltd: The Grassington Murder by Mark Bridgeman
10th September 2023
We are proud to announce our latest release, The Grassington Murder by acclaimed True Crime author Mark Bridgeman.
The Grassington Murder - Fact or Fiction?
On the 1st April 1766, the quiet Yorkshire Dales
market town of Grassington was rocked by the disappearance of its popular local
doctor, Dr Richard Petty. When the doctor’s body was finally discovered, the
fearsome Tom Lee, already a notorious highwayman, was arrested. The townsfolk
of Grassington were convinced of Lee’s guilt, but could they prove their case
in court before Lee could kill again?
Best selling writer, Mark Bridgeman, (author of The Dark
Side of the Dales), presents his meticulously researched story of Tom Lee – the
man who thought he could escape the gallows.
The Grassington Murder includes Joseph Robershaw’s original
version of the story, ‘Tom Lee: A Wharfedale Tragedy’ (painstakingly
transcribed from the original publication by Mark), and in print here for the
first time in more than a century.
Thanks to some newly unearthed evidence, Mark also questions
the truth of the accepted legend surrounding Tom Lee and asks: How many other
murders did he commit?
The book is available from selected retailers, or can be purchased directly from Amazon by clicking the link below:
Brindle Author Sophia Moseley Joins Local Writers for Bookshop Relaunch
3rd September 2023
The owner Jenny Eagles, invited local authors along to chat with guests and promote their latest books. The opening was very well attended and the shop was soon full of guests enjoying a glass of bubbly and chatting to the authors about their books and what inspired them.
People were intrigued by the premise behind Sophia’s book, My Time Again, and it led to some interesting discussions! Sophia sold several copies of My Time Again and shared a few snippets from her next novella.
Brindle Books Titles Now Available from Blackwell's.
28th August 2023
In addition to our most popular sales platform over at Amazon and other outlets across the web, Brindle Books Ltd titles are now also available from Blackwell's.
Blackwell's, (established in 1879), is a trading name of Waterstones Booksellers Ltd.
CLICK HERE to see our books on Blackwell's website.
BRINDLE BOOKS AUTHOR INTERVIEW WITH SOPHIA MOSELEY
Sophia Moseley is an established feature
writer for magazines, writes a regular column for the local press, and a
children’s author; My Time Again Sophia’s first short story for
adults, is now available and published by Brindle Books Ltd.
Living near the Pearl of Dorset, having spent
most of her working life in the City, then joining the Arts & Culture
industry, Sophia has written for both local and national magazines, including
Liverpool’s Lifestyle Monthly, Nursery Education Plus, Woman’s Weekly, Archant
Press, and Dorset Life Magazine. From chatting to Duncan Bannatyne to
researching into historic houses, Sophia has interviewed celebrities and had
exclusive access to both public and private collections.
Sophia has also written biographies for
private clients and run creative writing workshops in both primary and
secondary schools. She is a Member of the Society of Authors and Authors’
Licensing and Collecting Society.
BRINDLE: In
about three sentences, what is your book about?
SOPHIA:
It’s
about fate and destiny, about the decisions you’ve made, and if you could wind
back the clock and change them, would you? But it’s not just about being able
to change your mind; what happens to the people you know, do they cease to
exist, or does fate ensure their existence no matter what?
BRINDLE: When
did you first get involved in writing/ When did you first become involved in
this subject?
SOPHIA: Since I could
first put pen to paper, I have always wanted to write. I started with poetry
and as a child, had several poems published, and got paid for them, which was
terrifically exciting! My imagination and curiosity have never diminished.
This is the first short story for adults I have
written, so it’s a new genre for me, but a short story packs a punch, and I
like that.
BRINDLE: What
got you interested in this subject in the first place?
SOPHIA: I have always been
curious about destiny and fate, and believe strongly that what will be, will
be. But it’s how you get there that can be altered. But then that raises the
question, how do you know if where you are now is where you are meant to be?
BRINDLE: What’s
been your highlight/biggest achievement in this field?
SOPHIA: Because it’s a
cliff-hanger, when people told me they couldn’t put it down until they had read
it from cover to cover, I knew I’d achieved my aim. The theme also resonated
with many people, and that’s what I wanted, to tap into the reader’s
psyche.
BRINDLE: What
is it that drives you to write?
SOPHIA: It’s an unstoppable
desire and need that I have always had. Writing is the same as breathing for
me, it’s quite simply what I do. When I write, I enter a different world where
anything is possible, it’s my escape route from life. I have dozens of
notebooks and pads full of ideas.
BRINDLE: Can
you tell us about your research methods?
SOPHIA: I’m very
inquisitive, and a great one for listening to people, always asking questions,
trying to find out about them, their lives and who they are; and I like to dig
deeper, discover the unknown, uncover secrets.
BRINDLE: What
are the best and worst things about being a writer in this field?
SOPHIA: I think the best
thing is turning the ordinary into the extraordinary; seeing something in the
everyday, and make it thought provoking.
The worst thing? Time. I never have enough time, and
with short stories, you need to write the next one quite quickly; and I suppose
criticism. There’s a little piece of me in every page I write, but it’s
something every creator has to accept.
BRINDLE: Which
authors etc. are your biggest influences?
SOPHIA: More recently, Santa
Montefiore, Philippa Gregory, and Paula Hawkins. But when I worked in the City
during the 90s, I read all of Jeffrey Archer’s books, though not sure I should
admit that! But I also love poetry, especially the romantics; Keats,
Wordsworth, Byron, and Brian Bilston makes me laugh.
BRINDLE: What
do you think is the most important quality/skill for a writer in your field?
SOPHIA: Looking at things
from a deeper and different perspective, not taking things at face value.
Asking questions but also drawing on personal experience; empathy is very
important too.
BRINDLE: What
are your future plans?
SOPHIA: To complete my
novel for younger readers, and an adult story based on a well-known environmental
disaster that happened a few years ago. They are my current WIPs.
BRINDLE: Can
you tell us a bit about your writing process? (location/time/words per
day/schedule etc.)
SOPHIA: It all depends on
whether it’s fact of fiction. For the biographies I have written, it’s asking
the right questions and deciphering their family history. But with my fiction,
I draw on human nature and behaviour, adding contemporary issues to tie it together.
I do my writing at home, but I have a full-time job,
so my word count and writing schedule varies from week to week. Evenings,
weekends, and holidays are my writing times. I always aim for at least 500
words when I am short of time, then around 1500 at other times. But to be
honest, I don’t always count, I just write.
BRINDLE: What
advice would you give to new writers in your field?
SOPHIA: Always ask
questions; look around you and be curious, never stop wondering about things,
and never give up.
If you are a published, (or self-published), author,
and would like to be the subject of one of our author interviews, please email
us at: contact@brindlebooks.co.uk
Put the words ‘Interview request’ in the subject
header, and tell us a little about yourself in the message. If your book is
available online, please paste a link to it in the message. We’ll get back to
you with further details and some interview questions.
The Real Indiana Jones And Other Mysteries Unveiled in ERASED by Mark Bridgeman
6th July 2023
A new book by Scotland based author Mark Bridgeman examines the mysterious disappearance of Percy Fawcett, dubbed 'the real Indiana Jones', along with six other mysterious cases in ERASED: Missing Persons Mysteries from Around the World.
The book itself is a revolutionary new interactive hybrid of paperback and eBook, using QR codes at the end of each chapter to guide the reader to further information about each case, along with links to websites and various missing persons databases from around the world.
Some of the online content can only be accessed through the QR codes in the book, being located on unindexed pages on the internet. The book also contains QR links to an exclusive bonus story and a reader's competition, enabling entrants to win a hamper of goodies related to the book.
ERASED is available from a range of book retailers, and signed copies are available directly from the author.
Erased deals with seven of the most mysterious, unfathomable, enigmatic, and little known cases in history. From the streets of London to the jungles of South America, journey with true crime writer Mark Bridgeman (author of the best selling ‘Perthshire’s Pound of Flesh’ and ‘The Nearly Man’) into a world of unanswered questions, unseen perils, and unspoken family secrets.
What really became of the missing millionaire, the Hollywood actress, the missing hiker, or the real Indiana Jones? Is the answer out there somewhere, or are they Erased forever?
OUR WEBSITE AND CONTACT EMAIL IS UP AND RUNNING AGAIN
OUR WEBSITE IS BEING UPDATED - EMAIL WILL BE TEMPORARILY DOWN
18th June 2023
However, our email may not be functioning for a day or two as a result of the change.
Normal service should be restored in 24 - 48 hours, when the move is complete.
Something For Everyone at Authors Assemble, Buxton, Derbyshire, 17th March 2023
First published 22nd March 2023
Of
course, it doesn’t happen quite like that in real life, and some new authors
become disillusioned when they realise that most of the people there haven’t
come to buy their book, but to promote their own work.
Whatever
you do, however, don’t become disillusioned by this, because literary events
are a very worthwhile endeavour for authors, from the unknown first-timer, up
to best selling household names. The main purpose of events like these is not
to provide a direct selling outlet, but more to give you an opportunity to
promote your work and your brand in the long term, and to network with other
writers, publishers and book sellers..
It
is the perfect chance to learn more about the industry, to see how others
navigate the writing, publishing and marketing process. It was with this in
mind that I was delighted to attend the Authors Assemble event, held in the
beautiful surroundings of The Assembly Rooms, The Crescent, in Buxton,
Derbyshire, alongside one of the authors that we at Brindle Books are lucky
enough to represent, Dr David J Blackmore, author of the ‘Wellington’s
Dragoon’ series.
Behind The Lines is available to order from Amazon by using the following link:
The event had been organised by Kerry Fox and her team at Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust.
You can find out more about this, and future events on their website:
Home » Buxton Crescent Heritage Experience (buxtoncrescentexperience.com)
“This is our first Authors
Assemble event,” Kerry told me, “but the plan is to make it an annual event
which will, hopefully, keep growing.”
Judging
by the wealth of talent on display here today, I suspect that Authors Assemble
will indeed become a regular and important literary event, and will continue to
grow year on year.
I
managed to get a few moments to speak with each of the authors, publishers and
book-sellers at the event, and found that there was something for everyone at
Authors Assemble.
In
no particular order, here are the attendees that I spoke to:
George Cutter
George
released his first book, The Ascension of the Seventh, in 2021. He is currently
working on his second novel, which he describes as a cosmic horror mystery.
Julian Cohen
Julian
is a prolific writer who has lived in Buxton for over 20 years. He has written
many non-fiction books and other publications about young people and drugs. For
many years, he led local open-mic sessions and ran therapeutic writing groups.
He has published a book of poems and short stories, but more recently has
focussed on local history. His most recent work; ‘Buxton Pubs: Stories of our
past and present inns, alehouses, pubs and bars’ was published last year by
Buxton Civic Association.
More
information from: https://buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk/
Terry Newholm
Terry
has lived in Buxton for 9 years. He has published many academic papers over the
years, and co-edited a book, ‘The Ethical Consumer’. More recently, after
making a study of the grotesques, architectural stone heads, that grace
buildings in the area, his research has led to the booklet, ‘A Walk Amongst The
Grotesques of Buxton’.
More
information from: https://buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk/
Chris Witty, from Bookfolk UK
Chris
and Lorraine Witty are independent book-sellers, who trade as Book Folk. They
trade at Buxton market every Tuesday and Saturday, with more markets to be
announced this year. To find out more, you can follow them on Instagram
@bookfolkuk and on Facebook at Book Folk.
You
can also read Chris’s fiction and essays by visiting Christopher Witty | Substack
Alan Roberts
Since
moving to Buxton many years ago to work as a Research Scientist in a nearby
Government Laboratory, Alan has made various studies about the local area and
it’s geography. He has researched the small coal mines that had been worked in
the area, the local Turnpike roads, and several ancient water mills. These
activities led to the publication of his first three books. He has also made
detailed studies of limestone quarrying in the local area of Grin Low, along
with other research published as books.
Zoe Sharp
Zoe
is the author of a long running series of novels featuring ex-Special Forces
Trainee-turned Bodyguard heroine Charlie Fox. Her latest book is the first in a
new series, The Last Time She Died, set in the Derbyshire Dales.
You
can find out more about Zoe and her books by following the link below:
Lucy Rennie
Lucy
is a communication and marketing expert, and author of the best-selling book,
‘Clarity, Communication and Connection, Three Clear Steps to Future Proof Your
Business.’ She helps small businesses to grow, develop and future-proof their
businesses.
To
find out more, use the following link:
Tricia Durdey
Tricia
has danced and written for most of her life. She has two novels published by
Cinnamon Press: ‘The Green Table’, and ‘The Dancer at World’s End.’ She has
also written a memoir about the transformative power of dance in her life,
entitled, ‘Upside Down in a Hoop.’
To
find out more, use the following link:
Ste Durham (S.R.Durham)
S.R.Durham
released his self-published debut novel, the horror thriller ‘Prey’ in 2021.
His second novel, ‘Surrogate’ was released in 2022. He is currently editing his
third novel, due to be released this year.
His
Amazon page can be found here:
Amazon.com: S. R. Durham: books,
biography, latest update
Dr Peter Collinge
Historian
Dr Peter Collinge speaks regularly at museums, festivals and community groups.
He has a large body of published work and is the co-contributing editor of
‘Providing for the Poor: the Old Poor Law 1750-1855’, along with many other
articles and contributions to historical publications.
To
find out more about his work, click the link below:
Peter Collinge | Keele University - Academia.edu
Derbyshire Writing School
Derbyshire
Writing School run creative and practical courses aimed at helping you get the
words out of your head and into the world. They offer a range of resources to
help writers and are definitely worth looking into for any aspiring author.
To
find out more, visit their website:
Daniel Henshaw
Daniel
is the author of five children’s books. One of his stories was shortlisted in
the ‘Best Novel For Children’ category at the Wells Festival of Literature in
2016, and a recording of his short story ‘Grandad’s Ghost’ was aired on BBC
radio in 2020. You can follow him on Twitter: @AuthorHenshaw, or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JeremySnails.
His
Amazon author page is here:
Amazon.co.uk: Daniel Henshaw: Books,
Biography, Blogs, Audiobooks, Kindle
Shirley Mann
Shirley
Mann is a journalist who has worked for various newspapers and broadcasters,
including BBC radio and television. She was inspired by her own parents’
wartime romance to produce her first novel, ‘Lily’s War.’ She has since gone on
to write three more novels.
Shirley’s
Amazon Author page is here:
Amazon.co.uk: Shirley Mann: Books,
Biography, Blogs, Audiobooks, Kindle
Her
blog can be found here:
Shirley Mann's Blog – Derbyshire Author (home.blog)
Louise Maskill
Louise
Maskill is an author and an editor. She reads and writes for a living and she
believes that writers deserve to have confidence in themselves and their
stories.
She
specialises in working with fantasy novelists, and with academic writers for
whom English is a second or additional language. She has a background in social
science and education, and loves to work with scholars in a wide range of areas
and disciplines.
Her website can be found here:
About
me - Louise Maskill PhD (lmaskill.com)
Sue Wilkins
Sue
is a children’s author. Her first book was ‘Alfie’s Story’ and was illustrated
by Liz Furness. She has now written six children’s illustrated story books, and
Liz has illustrated them all. Each one has its own character soft toy.
You
can find out more at her website:
Sue
Wilkins – Children's Story Books
Celia Harwood
Celia
is the author of the Buxton Spa Murder Mystery series – crime novels set in the
1920’s and inspired by the town and the people of Buxton, and featuring Eleanor
Harriman, solicitor and sleuth. Her interest in the history of Buxton, and her
experience as a litigation lawyer add an extra layer of depth to her novels.
Celia’s
website can be found here:
Curlew Press
Curlew
Press is an independent publishing business established in 2019 by two college
friends, Mark Titterton and Karl Barton. They have published a series of
walking and souvenir guides covering the Peak District, along with local
history titles. Their publications are available in local bookshops and other
selected retail outlets.
They
can be contacted by email: