The Moonlight Sonata
Book Two of the Beethoven Trilogy
Cathy Fitzgerald, the longed-for daughter of Hannah and John, enjoys a charmed childhood in Rowanbridge until the harsh realities of life in 1930s Ireland bring the idyll to a shocking end. Cathy’s life changes forever.
Escaping all the demons lurking in her home village and armed with everything her parents have taught her, she finds a new home in Dublin before moving on to England to train as a nurse just as the Second World War is looming. The world needs her kindness, intelligence and industry more than ever and Cathy has more than enough love to heal every wounded soul.
But finding long-lasting love in return proves elusive until Cathy returns to Connemara, where her father had taken her as a child and where she had been so happy by the sea, skimming stones, in the shadow of the dreaded Letterfrack Industrial school.
Eventually, Cathy is drawn back to her family in Rowanbridge where the many secrets that have lain buried so long - and have shaped her family so profoundly - begin to emerge.
For Australia and USA, please order from Amazon.com
Tess Alps has written all her adult life from educational plays from her time in theatre-in-education to regular columns on advertising for The Guardian.
She read English at Durham and her long career in advertising has required many forms of writing. This is her second published novel.
Inspired by a photograph of her grandmother at a finishing school in Dublin and using snippets of memories from her mother Kay, The Moonlight Sonata is the second of three novels about Hannah McDermott and her family.
The first, The Harp Quintet, was published in April 2020 and the final part, The Pastoral Symphony, appearing in 2021, all being well.
It is fitting that this ‘Beethoven trilogy’ is making its first appearance in the 250th anniversary year of Beethoven’s birth.
Tess lives in the Chilterns with her husband; she edits the village magazine and is an avid gardener, competing fiercely in the village garden club shows.
The Harp Quartet
Book One of the Beethoven Trilogy
While Ireland fights for its independence, sixteen year-old Hannah McDermott is fighting for her own. And what Hannah sets her heart on she usually gets, much to the frustration of her strait-laced sister Stasia.
After being expelled from her school for disgracing herself in front of the new priest, she finds herself freed from the tedium of village life, from nuns, suitors and her annoying sister, and becomes the latest student at the exclusive Maple Academy, near Dublin. There she meets the formidable but impressive Mrs Fitzgerald, its principal, who recognises and nurtures her extraordinary skill as a violinist. Hannah’s life is transformed at the Academy and she finds soul-mates and makes friends for life while Dublin offers her artistic inspiration, excitement and a perfect stage for her musical talents.
But Hannah’s greatest discovery is the power of music to touch and awaken hearts.
Although, when too many hearts are woken, some are likely to be broken.
For Australia and USA, please order from Amazon.com
Tess Alps has written all her adult life from educational plays from her time in theatre-in-education to regular columns on advertising for The Guardian.
She read English at Durham and her long career in advertising has required many forms of writing. But this is her first published novel.
Inspired by a photograph of her grandmother at a finishing school in Dublin and using snippets of memories from her mother Kay, The Harp Quartet is the first of three novels about Hannah McDermott and her family.
The second, The Moonlight Sonata, will be published later in 2020 with the final part, The Pastoral Symphony, appearing in 2021, all being well.
It is fitting that this ‘Beethoven trilogy’ is making its first appearance in the 250th anniversary year of Beethoven’s birth.
Tess lives in the Chilterns with her husband; she edits the village magazine and is an avid gardener, competing fiercely in the village garden club shows.
Barley’s Biscuit, Ironbridge Gorge
A Paddle and the Golden Glow)
Following on from their adventures at Benthall Edge, Pattern’s Rock Quarry, this new adventure finds Barley the clever collie dog, and Basil his collie-dog nephew in the historic World Heritage site of Ironbridge Gorge with their human friend Mick.
They walk through the gorgeous township and also do a bit of sailing in a special boat – and some precarious climbing. The spectacular little town of Ironbridge, also known as ‘the Wharfage’, makes for a fabulous setting, but the real action revolves around the Ironbridge itself.
There’s a problem with the structure of the Bridge and the dogs spring into action. Barley needs all his ingenuity and Basil needs to be a trusty companion if they’re going to get out of it alive; much is at stake! This is a dangerousadventure and many things can go wrong on a hot summer’s day in the Gorge.
But there’s a really tasty and cool treat in store for them if they succeed…
Teaching in primary, secondary and special educational needs schools gave Roy Bradshaw a broad experience in the joys that a good adventure story brings to young minds (and not so young minds). Coupled with a previous career in engineering, the teaching helped to gel a problem-solving mind with fun one. Growing up in the Black Country, then moving close to Ironbridge some thirty years ago has allowed him to discover many of the local beauty spots and to use them as a background for my children’s books.
Cotswold Crime and Corruption
A gripping tale of inequality and the search for justice at a time just prior to the establishment of Dr. Barnardo’s revolutionary homes.
Lord Dorchester omits to prepare his daughter for the question of a lifetime but Tobias’s proposal is not about marriage and his introduction to Lady Louise is clumsy and calamitous. Serendipity however, plays a hand in enforcing their proximity and ultimately leads him to the very man he most wishes to haul into court. His path to justice has many challenges and he must first survive all that threatens his success as he encounters mystery, guilt and secrecy. Determined to protect innocent victims, Tobias witnesses chillingly gruesome discoveries, whilst a grieving Lady Louise moves to the Cotswolds in search of inner serenity but destiny sends further complication in her life.
An intriguing story that sees love in all its different guises.
Gail Fulton has recently moved to the Cotswolds with her husband and Border Collie, Monty. Their two daughters and a future son-in-law have also relocated to the area and they look forward to many hours of dog walks, dining out and laughter.
Gail is now retired from teaching but has also always been passionate about interior design and floral art is also. Another passion is people watching! Gail gained an M.A. in Psychology, focusing her interest on personality development and she is intrigued by body language. She so loves her visits to coffee shops and observing behaviour.
This is her first publication but she hopes not her last!
Amazon review. Highly recommend. 18th March 2021
5 Stars - Such a great read! Thoroughly enjoyed it, would definitely recommend!
Amazon review. An enjoyable read. 23rd March 2021
5 Stars - A thoroughly enjoyable, well researched and descriptively written book. A great first book from this author. I look forward with anticipation to the next.
Gripping story. 8th April 2021
5 Stars - Couldn’t put it down, great page turner with so many twists and turns it keeps you on your seat all the way through. Make a great tv drama!
At the age of twelve, Jane had to abandon her dreams of becoming a ballerina. Measuring six-feet tall with size nine feet, she reluctantly gave her tutu way, instead, sewing herself a sequinned boob tube and turning her ambitions to Top of the Pops, Pans People and the exciting world of cabaret.
Demonstrating a natural ability to stay calm in a crisis, Jane breezes through the most challenging of situations on a variety of exotic work engagements. Encouraging us to see the world through her rose-tinted spectacles, she navigates her way around compelling dramas and romantic liaisons that keep us on the edge of our seats.
Treating us to a fascinating window on the world of show business, Jane describes her exciting travels around the globe during the 80’s that eventually lead her to the remarkable Margaret Kelly, better known as Miss Bluebell of Le Lido de Paris.
“You certainly perused the box of chocolates before you decided which one you wanted didn’t you dear?” Jane’s husband commented after reading Bluebell Girl, referring to the multitude of boyfriends in the story.
“Absolutely!” she declared, “I discarded the soft centres, complicated chewy ones and eventually chose the solid, reliable, hard nut!”
Jane trained at theatre school during the 80’s and then took off around the world, devising ways and means of finding employment on and off stage. Jane’s work placements have been varied to say the least, from Can-Can dancer to dinner lady, in places as diverse as Ipswich and Tokyo. Her enthusiasm knows no bounds when there is a challenge to cope with, demonstrated perfectly in her previous book, Chemo Summer, where covering a serious topic she still manages to treat us to the full force of her witty approach to difficult personal circumstances.
Jane lives in Suffolk with her husband.
Standing up for our rights to protest
This landmark book tells the story of Joe Boyd, a working-class, recovering addict from Liverpool who joins the frontlines of environmental anti-fracking protests across Northern England.
With suspicions rising about police infiltration in the movement and gaslighting from those positioning themselves as leaders, Joe questions everything and researches endlessly in a bid to make sense of what he – and others – experience. What he starts to witness is a war on rights to protest.
Joe then turns to defending our human rights, which eventually leads him to taking on the fight and defeating the years; he goes from near death to the Court of Appeal, London.
However, Joe knows that’s not the end of the regressive road to protest denial. He continues to monitor the actions of a new group Extinction Rebellion and sees a similar pattern.
The Road to Kill the Bill will make you question everything you thought was true and face the rising fascism we now witness where our rights to protest are hanging by a thread. A real and present story with lasting implications of one man taking on the state.
Published:
June 2021
Paperback:
217 pages
Price:
£9.99
ISBN:
9-781914-424113
Publication date: 10th June UK Only
£9.99 (+ £3 P&P UK only)
Number of copies:
For non-UK orders please use Amazon Available from Amazon
Joseph Boyd is a recently graduated Public Health (addictions) masters graduate from Liverpool John Moores University.
For many years he has been involved in all aspects of environmental activism, learning about protest movements, energy policy and protest law.
This knowledge and experience led him to the Royal Courts of Justice in London to defend rights to protest in a landmark ruling.
He also has an International Studies degree from the Open University and received the Healthy Living Award at the Liverpool Echo Environment Awards.
Reviews...
28.6.2019 - ★★★★★ Compelling read A well written account of Joe's experiences as an environmental activist with the anti fracking movement, how those experiences and intelligence collected by the police and intelligence services have led to the recent implementation of the Police and Crime Bill.
GET YOUR MIND AND BODY IN SYNC FOR SUCCESS
It doesn’t have to be difficult to have SmallerKnickers™ for life – unless of course we’re totally convinced it will be!
This book provides simple-to-implement techniques, each one a small jigsaw-puzzle piece towards successful healthy-eating behaviour, for life.
This is for you, the whole you. You have the power to align your mind and body to gain a healthier lifestyle. You can reach your health and fitness goals, challenge your own limitations and overcome negativity, frustration and the dreaded yo-yo dieting.
“This is the book you’ve been waiting for. Its time is now.”
“Now I know more about why I do these things, and how I sabotage my success. And most importantly, what I can do about it.”
YOUR CHOICE: MASTER YOUR MIND, MASTER THE FOOD FANTASY™
Both Karen and Debbie are coaches in their fields of expertise and are passionate about sharing knowledge and seeing success in others. Karen Goold is an Executive Coach, and has worked in leadership, consultancy and coaching roles across a number of industries. Karen uses her interest in neuroscience to develop clients’ self-awareness and understanding of behaviour, biases and strengths. Debbie Lake has had senior client relationship roles in companies in the transport and financial services industries. Debbie has more recently built her Pilates, Fitness, GP Referrals and Reiki business working with individuals to improve their fitness, functional movement patterns and spiritual growth.
Reader Reviews...
Dr David Jolly MBChB, MRCGP, Bsc (Hons) This is a really good, common-sense book, to help people gain a healthier lifestyle.
Binny None of the old hash about dieting. This is easy to read, easy to understand and makes sense. It allows you to eat sensibly and healthily and keep you sane on the journey to healthier eating and a better lifestyle. Have read the whole book and been on the course. I keep the book by my side while watching tv so I can dip into it when I need to remind myself of what I am aiming for and why.
Front Room Beauty, Banstead Amazing book, really makes you think. I love the worksheets in the back and would recommend to all, not just those looking to lose weight.
How is it that young Doctor McDouall holds a different opinion to everyone else about local mill-owners, the Grant Brothers? Even novelist Charles Dickens appears to write glowingly of them.
Arriving in Ramsbottom in 1835, aged only 21, McDouall is appalled at the state of health endured by factory workers. He condemns the treatment of them as inhumane. However, no-one seems prepared to listen to him. This is the great age of the Industrial Revolution and the Factory System is the price that has to be paid. Possessing a fiery, idealistic temperament, he cannot stand back though. Championing the rights of workers becomes a natural course of action despite it bringing him into further contention with the Grants.
Not confining his protests to the cotton town of Ramsbottom, McDouall is attracted towards becoming a leader in the militant movement of Chartism which, raging like wildfire throughout the industrial North, crusades for working class people to be given the right to vote.
With McDouall delivering impassioned speeches across the country advocating the use of physical force to overthrow the Government if necessary, Ramsbottom’s Revolutionary Doctor reveals the turbulence of the times and the deep conflict developing between ‘two nations’ within one country. Armed insurrection appears inevitable when Parliament is not only unwilling to agree to Chartist demands but sets out to exact hefty retribution on ‘ring-leaders’ like McDouall. While nothing seems to daunt him, incurring two separate prison sentences as well as a period of enforced exile in France, he is eventually destined to die in mysterious circumstances in Australia at the age of forty.
This is the compelling story of a courageous young man who sacrifices his career and family to fight for a cause that he must know will also ultimately cost him his life.
Nigel Jepson lives in Ramsbottom and is a keen supporter of Ramsbottom United. He moved to the area in the mid-90s after taking up post as Head Teacher at nearby Haslingden High School. His last UK head’s post was at Kearsley Academy in Bolton from 2010 to 2014. ‘Retired’, he has carried out interim work abroad in the meantime, serving as Principal in Dubai during 2016 and carrying out a teacher training programme in schools in New Delhi in 2018.
When you have produced the final draft of your book, it is always advisable to have the text read and checked by a professional editor or proof reader.
You may have friends that are willing and competent to do this and we can advise you on the type of editing that is required.
We can offer four levels of editing as well as proof-reading.
You choose which, if any, are appropriate in your case: 1. Edit of sample pages and short report (£30)
We will edit a few pages to highlight editorial issues so that you can look for similar problems throughout the book.
This will reduce the amount of further copy-editing required when the book is finished. 2. Broad structural editing and criticism (£5 per thousand words)
A structural review is particularly relevant for works of fiction.
The structural reviewer will address the following main areas and produce a short report for the author ” Read More 3. Copy editing (£10 per thousand words)
A copy-editor takes a close look at your text, line by line, with an eye to grammatical errors, repetition, inconsistency and lack of clarity. The copy editor will make changes to the text, with suggestions for rewriting, grammar, and punctuation. When you receive the edited version, you have the final choice about accepting of rejecting the individual changes. 4. Proof Reading (£8 per thousand words)
Proof reading is a line-by-line check that the book is ready for publication. Proof readers will make small corrections for punctuation, grammar and spelling but they will not make significant changes to the text.
A proof reader will identify any significant issues and add comments to the text so that you can make those corrections yourself. 5. Consistency Scan
If you decide your book doesn’t need a full proof reading, we offer an electronic scan to search for common errors and inconsistencies. This looks at issues such as inconsistent spelling and inconsistencies of hyphenation and capitalisation.
We can also identify inconsistencies in the spelling of proper names. 6. Cover text
The quality of the text on the cover is very important as it indicates the quality of the writing in the book.
The title, sub-title and back-cover blurb are all important elements and we can work with you to make sure that these are correct and effective.
Copy Edit
Copy-editors get the raw material into shape for publication i.e they edit the copy.
When they have finished, the designer can lay out or typeset the book and produce a proof.
It is quite normal for the author to make additional changes after a book has been copy-edited.
Working through the material, the copy-editor may identify errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, style and usage, but also very long sentences and overuse of italic, bold, capitals and exclamation marks.
They should correct or query doubtful facts, weak arguments, plot holes and gaps in numbering.
In fiction, they should also check that characters haven’t changed their name or hair colour, look for sudden changes from first to third person among other things.
The Copy-editor is not a proof reader and should not be expected to find all of the errors in the text particularly if the text is badly written to start with.
This is the job of the proof reader.
The final proof should be checked by a proof reader or an experienced reader friend before going to print.
It is almost inevitable (and acceptable) to miss a few errors which can be corrected in a later edition.
Proof Reading
Proof reading is a line-by-line check that the book is ready for publication.
Proof readers will make small corrections for punctuation, grammar and spelling but they will not make significant changes to the text.
A proof reader will identify any significant issues and add comments to the text so that you can make those corrections yourself.
If you have decided to complete this stage of the process yourself, we will send a detailed check-list to help you.
We ask you to try and ensure that the book is completely ready before we start the layout.
Once the layout has started, we expect that you might want to to make a small number of amendments but
if there are a significant number, we may need to charge for the extra time it takes to change the layout
so best to discuss this with us first.
Structural Review
In fiction, the main areas that a structural editor will address are:
Plot: Does the plot make sense? Is it believable? Is it satisfying or does it leave the reader frustrated? Themes: Are the themes effectively handled? Are there so many that the book lacks focus? Do they interfere with the plot or complement it?
Characterisation: Are your characters well developed and believable? Are they cast in a role that fits their personality? Do they sometimes behave out of character? Point of view/voice: Is the voice consistent or is it sometimes confused? Is the voice authentic? Are you using too many or too few POVs? Pace: Does the plot move forward at an appropriate pace? Should you cut that preface? Should the action happen sooner or should the tension build more slowly? Dialogue: Do your characters sound real when they speak? Is your dialogue cluttered with adverbs and beats? Do you use clunky dialogue to move the plot forward? Flow: Is the narrative interrupted by dead-ends and tangents? Is there so much back story that the main plot is dwarfed? Are there missing plot points that would give the narrative greater integrity?
In non-fiction, the principle is the same, but the specific issues are slightly different:
Thesis: Is your thesis relevant? Is it clearly defined or is it lost among marginal issues? Exposition: Are your arguments clear and cogent? Are they well researched and properly supported? Do they have a clear relationship with your thesis? Content: Are all the necessary topics sufficiently dealt with? Are the chapters weighted correctly? Is there superfluous content? Organisation: Is the information organised logically? Are tables and illustrations used appropriately? How many levels of subheads do you need and how should they be arranged? Tone: Is the tone appropriate for the audience? Do you need to eliminate jargon? Is the text accessible? Pace: Are there passages that are bogged down in detail? Do you spend too long on detail irrelevant to the main thesis? Are there areas that need further exposition lest they be skipped over?
Cover Text
The quality of the text on the cover is very important as it indicates the quality of the writing in the book.
The title, sub-title and back-cover blurb are all important elements and we work with you to make sure that these are as effective as possible.
Consistency check
If you decide your book doesn’t need a full proof reading, we can run an electronic scan to search for common errors and inconsistencies.
This looks at issues such as inconsistent spelling, hyphenation and capitalisation.
It also checks for consistent formatting of numbers and dates as well as undefined abbreviations.
Full Script Edit
The script that you deliver to us will probably constitute what the industry would classify as the ‘Initial Rough Draft’, i.e. a full screenplay written without any other professional input or advice, and probably without a great deal of rewriting. We work through your draft, line by line, scene by scene, and come back to you with a comprehensive set of notes from which you can then work towards the official ‘1st Draft’. Some of our notes will be broad and general, dealing with such areas as the overall shape and structure, pacing, plot and character development; others will be far more specific, with corrections, clarifications and suggested cuts etc. It is of course entirely up to you whether or not to take these suggestions on board, and to what extent.
Subsequent Script Edit
It is very normal and generally beneficial for the script-editing process to go through at least a couple of cycles
i.e. the rewritten draft to be worked through once again by an experienced script practitioner – though this would be entirely at the discretion and behest of the writer.
Ongoing Support
We aim to make your self-publishing venture an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
Publishing is a complex business and we treat every book as a separate project.
We explain all of the stages at the outset and we manage the project schedule for you. This will include all of the expert services you have requested for editorial, design, printing, distribution and collection of royalties, keeping in close contact with you throughout the process.
You will be allocated a project-sheet on the YouCaxton website so that you can monitor progress and ensure that all stages are properly completed.
If you would like to see an example of a Project-Sheet…
go to My project on the menu and enter…
Username: Sample
Password : welcome.
