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The Testament of Mariam
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mkrobinson12
 17 Oct 2010, 12:06 #102114 Reply To Post
I just finished Ann Swinfen's The Testament of Mariam. Lovely book, which takes a new look at an old story. I must admit that I generally steer clear of anything that doesn't gallop along or end with a murder on page 1, but I really enjoyed this. The work made me stop, look and think. The characters drew me in and kept my attention. If you like historical fiction, take a peek at this. Amazon YWO
Zak Spundy
 17 Oct 2010, 18:50 #102149 Reply To Post
Quote: mkrobinson12, Sunday, 17 Oct 2010 12:06
I just finished Ann Swinfen's The Testament of Mariam. Lovely book, which takes a new look at an old story. I must admit that I generally steer clear of anything that doesn't gallop along or end with a murder on page 1, but I really enjoyed this. The work made me stop, look and think. The characters drew me in and kept my attention. If you like historical fiction, take a peek at this. Amazon YWO

Well said, Rob!
No literature collection can possibly be complete without this wonderful book!

lines from the word lab
annswinfen
 17 Oct 2010, 21:33 #102158 Reply To Post
Thank you so much, guys! I appreciate you’re recommending Mariam and I’m glad you enjoyed her story. It’s the book I found most compelling to write. Mariam walked into my head and wouldn’t leave me alone until I’d written it.
Ann
Athene
 18 Oct 2010, 22:47 #102259 Reply To Post
I've just spotted this thread, and would like to add a belated endorsement - this is quite simply the best book I've read in two years on YWO.


Scias te fortasse Romanum esse si animal convivialissimum arbitreris esse caprum
(Henricus Barbatus)


my website
pam123writing
 18 Oct 2010, 23:47 #102264 Reply To Post
It's on my Amazon wish list for next month's birthday!
Three Steps to Heaven
'Til I Kissed You
Always On My Mind
A rock'n'roll romance series by Pam Howes all available on Amazon in paperback and e-Books.
Visit my website for details.
Fast Movin' Train - A stand alone love story.
Amazon links on:
website

"And, in the end, the love you take / Is equal to the love you make." Lennon and McCartney 1969
toscka
 19 Oct 2010, 11:52 #102287 Reply To Post
Did it ever find a home Anne? (i know you've been published by Random House in the past). You also write excellent extremely constructive reviews (nudging shamelessly for one on shalimar)
annswinfen
 19 Oct 2010, 15:31 #102294 Reply To Post
More thanks! This time to Rosalind, Pam and Justin. All of this has really cheered me up, in the midst of doing my Income Tax Return (ugh). (And that's my excuse for the spelling mistake in my last post. The old brain is feeling a bit fragile.) It's wonderful that Mariam's story has captured so many people's imaginations.

No, Justin, no commercial publisher has taken up The Testament of Mariam. I had a lot of enthusiasm and interest from editors, but the money men shied away. I think in these difficult financial times they are afraid to take a risk on anything unusual. They are keeping their heads down and sticking with whatever seems safe.

I'll have a look at Shalimar when I finish ploughing through the current list of jobs. University teaching started today, with a new group of students to jolly along. I don't know why I find that so tiring, but I always do.

Thanks again, everybody!
Ann
toscka
 19 Oct 2010, 16:00 #102296 Reply To Post
Anne, I sympathise. I have had 4 books now bounced back from publishers to agents of mine for exactly the same reason. The marketing department catchphrase: "What other book is this like? Where does it go on the shelf..."
annswinfen
 19 Oct 2010, 17:25 #102300 Reply To Post
Quite! The mantra: 'If you can't pigeonhole it, don't touch it!'

However, I'm glad I write books which can't be pigeonholed. YWO publishing at least gets the books out there, and the physical quality of the books is very good. I sold quite a few at the Edinburgh Festival, and it's encouraged me to set up a website, which should be live by the end of the month.

Things are changing so rapidly, I think writers have to be adept at using new ways of reaching readers. Yes, I had three books published by Random House, but it wasn't an experience of unalloyed joy, although I was paid quite well. They put very little effort into marketing. Two friends of mine, comfortably established authors with Hodder, have both been dumped. We have to take control of our own books nowadays. That's my feeling anyway.
Ann
LoopyLou
 20 Oct 2010, 16:48 #102386 Reply To Post
I'm proud to say, I have interviewed her for my blog: http://louisewise.blogspot.com/2010/07/testament-of-mariam-by-ann-swinfen.html

There are so many books I need/should read and most of them are by us on here!

___________________________________________________
http://louisewise.blogspot.com

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Louise-Wise/e/B003FW6RKM/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1Romance by Louise Wise
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