Category Archive: News

I was on holiday with my friend Wanda. On the first morning we went down to breakfast and we were joined by a lady from our group. Then Wanda said. “There is a pair of knickers hanging on the tree outside my window.”

“Oh they are mine this lady said. They flew out the window when I was unpacking.”

I used this event in my book Earthscape when relating some of the odd things that happened to Janie a holiday trouble shooter when she visited different hotels.

“Well she arrived at this hotel in Gran Canaria that she was to give the once-over; apparently she was really taken with her room. The resort was warm, lush and green, everything she had imagined. She said that she threw open the French windows, and the verdant smell of honey suckle blossoms and sea salt wafted in and she felt her senses soar. So then she turned to unpack her case, the clothes she had so carefully packed back in England. She piled out onto the bed, tee-shirts and shorts and a few nice dresses for the evening,” I stopped there and gave them a grin. “One dress in emerald green silk was very crumpled so she shook it out in front of her; a pair of gossamer thin, pale pink panties sailed out of the French doors and landed in the palm tree outside her window, fluttering like a flag over the main entrance of the hotel,” I said. “Jayne likes to announce her arrival.”

Had a nice review from the local book club.

A delightful story about a young Asian girl, Leena longs to succeed in life.

She wants to go to university and be independent. But her parents have other ideas.

Like all good stories it has many twist and turns, before everything turns out okay.

Highly recommended

Pat Santanna Mill Hill London.

Self-publishing can sometimes lead to mainline publishing. One of my first books: Aphrodite’s Secrets published about ten years ago, with Capall Bann Publishing, it was about sexual problems and sexual dysfunction and it had a small A-Z of aphrodisiacs at the back, three and a half years ago I self-published a portion of this book with a small introduction on sexual problems, and a larger section on the A-Z of aphrodisiacs.

In January 2013, I received an enquiry from the American publisher Skyhorse. They had seen my book and were interested in publishing it. They wanted an introduction and an even larger A-Z of aphrodisiacs and asked if I could supply it. I said yes, when do you want it? So in August last year I sent a draft manuscript which they accepted. They sent me a contract and an advance of $1000 dollars. The book will be published in May this year in hardback, then in soft back and e-book. They are also working on a Spanish language version.

Linda Louis Dell

The Arranged Wedding from Linda Louisa Dell

Leena Purri lives with her family, Mum, Dad and brother, Sevi, in Tonbridge a town in southern England. Next door are the Prices, their son Jim and their daughter Dawn. Alastair Price the elder brother, left home under suspicious circumstances. Leena, nineteen, is working in an office but she wants to go to university.  Her parents arrange a marriage to a local boy, Rajput Gowda, who comes from a wealthy local family. Things do not go to plan when Leena’s best friend, Pretti, elopes with Rajput. So, reluctantly, Leena’s is allowed to go to the University of Brighton, where she shares digs with an English girl called Janie. They are soon good buddies and acquire a circle of colleagues, one of them being a young man called Alum. Leena and Alum always argue but secretly they love each other, but they are both too stubborn to admit it. Things are further complicated in that Alum’s best friend, Pieter, thinks he is in love with Leena and Leena’s room-mate Janie is in love with Pieter. Interwoven into Leena’s story is that of her neighbours, the Prices, who have a difficult relationship and a family secret.  Their daughter, Dawn, becomes involved with Benji, an Asian street trader, much to the consternation of her mother.  Leena helps us tell this story with the aid of her diaries.

“When third generation Asian girl, Leena, learns that her traditionalist parents have arranged a wedding for her with an Asian boy in whom she has little interest, a fascinating sequence of events is set in motion which shows how very different such family arrangements are within the culture and context of modern-day England with a lively, sparky young female who has ideas of her own about her future. The twists and turns of the ingenious plot, the well-observed characters and the pace of the writing will keep the reader captivated and absorbed throughout, while the novel’s resolution comes as a delight and a surprise. Strongly recommended”.

Robin Squires, author and scriptwriter.

A few more weeks and my new book the Arranged Wedding will be out on amazon and amazon kindle.

My fiend and ex BBC script writer has done a lovely review for me.

“When third generation Asian girl, Leena, learns that her traditionalist parents have arranged a wedding for her with an Asian boy in whom she has little interest, a fascinating sequence of events is set in motion which shows how very different such family arrangements are within the culture and context of modern-day England with a lively, sparky young female who has ideas of her own about her future. The twists and turns of the ingenious plot, the well-observed characters and the pace of the writing will keep the reader captivated and absorbed throughout, while the novel’s resolution comes as a delight and a surprise. Strongly recommended”.

Robin Squires, author and scriptwriter.

More news soon.

Linda

Self-publishing can sometimes lead to mainline publishing. One of my first books: Aphrodite’s Secrets published about ten years ago with Capall Bann Publishing, was about sexual problems and sexual dysfunction and it had a small A-Z of aphrodisiacs at the back; Three years ago I self-published a portion of this book with a small introduction on sexual problems, and a larger section on the A-Z of aphrodisiacs.

In January 2014 I received an enquiry from the American publisher Skyhorse. They had seen my book and were interested in publishing it. They wanted a small introduction and a larger A-Z of aphrodisiacs and asked if I could supply it. I said yes, when do you want it? So in August last year I sent a draft manuscript which they accepted. They sent me a contract and an advance of $1000 dollars. The book will be published next May, 2015 in hardback, then in soft back and e-book. They also want to work on a Spanish language version.

I also published a book of short stories a few years ago, The Story Tree, and have since been asked to contribute a short story to a Christmas anthology published by Alfie dog. It did not bring in a lot on royalties. In fact, I have only received £4.90 so far but there were twenty contributors and it all helps with getting your name out there. Alfie dog have an online site where you can buy short stories for as little as .39p each. Well worth a look. They often run a short story competition and do anthologies on different themes including children’s stories.

I worked as a therapist in four John Lewis stores for about 15 years and they asked me to write a Christmas story for their staff magazine one year, the story was called Christmas Decorations. Several years ago I was asked by an English language teaching book if they could use one of my articles as a teaching aid. It was an article about Chocolate that had been in The Lady magazine.

It is now in their current work book for IGCSE in ESL English language course.

At times writing, publishing and especially self-publishing can be a challenging, lonely and disappointing business.

But sometimes something wonderful happens and it all feels worthwhile, but there are also the rejection days. Try if you can to always find something positive, and learn from every experience.

Linda Louisa Dell

I am making some progress with my new novel the – Arranged Wedding. My friend Sally Ann is proof reading it for me as this moment.

And I hope to get it out on Amazon in the New Year. Does anybody have and ideas for the cover. I thought a pretty Asian girl? Do you have and good pictures?

I had a surprise on Sunday morning when the draft of A to Z of aphrodisiacs came through on my email from Sky Horse publishing in New York asking for final edit by this Saturday the 15th November.

Panic, no well yes actually. But I have got it done. They have really cut the text, but it is going to several full page  pictures.

The publishing date is for May 2015.

Self-publishing can sometimes lead to mainline publishing.

Self-publishing can sometimes lead to mainline publishing. One of my first books: Aphrodite’s Secrets published about ten years ago, with Capall Bann Publishing,  it was about sexual problems and sexual dysfunction and it had a small A-Z of aphrodisiacs at the back, three and a half years ago I self-published a portion of this book with a small introduction on sexual problems, and a larger section on the A-Z of aphrodisiacs.

In January 2013 I received an enquiry from the American publisher Skyhorse. They had seen my book and were interested in publishing it. They wanted an introduction and an even larger A-Z of aphrodisiacs and asked if I could supply it. I said yes, when do you want it? So in August last year I sent a draft manuscript which they accepted. They sent me a contract and an advance of $1000 dollars. The book will be published next year in hardback, then in soft back and e-book. They are also working on a Spanish language version.

Many people are suffering in the bedroom just as much as the boardroom it was revealed this month – with sales of sex related products rising by 400 PER CENT.

Job losses and financial strife brought on by the global credit crunch have seen an increase in sex aids over the last few months.

With all the uncertainty over jobs, mortgages and savings, men and women are clearly turning to sex to have some fun, but some are finding that their libido is suffering from the related stress.

The turn over of fantasy items has increased 150 per cent on average over the past month nationally with London seeing the biggest rise. ”French maid and fireman outfits, nurses uniforms, rubber and leather – they are all flying out of the stores. With so much bad news in the papers, on the radio and television, people clearly want a little escapism.

Where as once well paid traders were splashing their cash in bars and clubs, it looks like they are staying home for their entertainment.

Linda Louisa Dell’s new book will surely help those seeking to spice up their love lives as well as those whose love lives may be suffering due to stress in these hard times.

Aphrodisiacs, Aphrodite’s Secrets. The book deals with sexuality, sexual dysfunction, and a history and A-Z of aphrodisiacs.

Low sex drive is very common in times of stress and can affect up to one fifth of the population at any one time. This book details an enormous range of aphrodisiacs substances, vitamins, minerals, herbs, essential oils and drugs that have, reputedly, a profound and beneficial effect on the libido. Sex magic, oils incenses, deities, problems and answers are all detailed here.

Linda previous books are the highly acclaimed Can’t sleep, Won’t sleep and Dreamtime dealt with sleep problems and with the world of dreams.

Aphrodisiacs, Aphrodite’s Secrets takes us a step further, investigating sexual problems and aphrodisiacs.

First published by Capall Bann publishing at £14.95 enquiries@capallbann.co.uk

Now available from emp3books as an e-book from Amazon Kindle price £5.95.

“This book is an insightful, sexual treat not to be missed. Not only does it cover the history and an A-Z of aphrodisiacs, it has some very good practical advice for those who are having genuine problems with sexual performance.”

Rosie’s Story

By Linda Louisa Dell

Follow over 30 years of family history in Yes and Pigs Might Fly: Rosie’s Story , also to be available as an e-book on Amazon.com / Kindle Books, the sweeping new romantic drama by Linda Louisa Dell.

Rosie Wilde, the beautiful, sensitive woman at the heart of Yes and Pigs Might Fly, is stuck in an abusive, seemingly hopeless marriage with no way out and no way to support her three children, Jill, David and Carla. After they grow up and leave home, Rosie finds the courage to leave and simply walks out one day, never to return, cutting off contact with all family. She heads down a dark road of homelessness and hardship as she struggles to cope with the years of physical and sexual abuse endured at the hands of her husband.

Meanwhile, we follow the lives of Jill, David and Carla, now grown and attempting to build stable, happy homes for themselves. Will they succeed? Set In England and in Olympia, Greece. We follow the lives of these memorable characters as they intertwine throughout the years and join them on a path to heal old wounds in the compelling pages of Yes and Pigs Might Fly.

Advanced praise for Yes and Pigs Might Fly:

“From the beginning you are immersed in the world of the Wilde family, from Rosie’s harsh marriage and life on the streets, to the lives of her children as they made their way in the world not knowing the whereabouts of their mother. I particularly loved Carla’s journey and the descriptions of her life in Greece. It’s wonderfully emotive and in my opinion the perfect holiday read.” — Lynne Chiles, writer and lecturer.

About the Author

Linda Louisa Dell, a former model, has traveled around the world. She studied Spanish, science and technology at Middx University and studied at the University of Costa Rica. Another six months were spent traveling through Central and South America, where Linda wrote her Spanish thesis on the history of Carnival in Trinidad. She is also the author of Can’t Sleep, Won’t Sleep, Dreamtime: A History, Mythology, Physiology and Guide to the Interpretation of Dreams, Aphrodisiacs and Mystic Moon, all published by Capall Bann.co.uk

This is her first novel.

Link for Writers Guild members books: www.writersguildbookscoop.co.uk
Writers Guild new members Link: www.writersguild.org.uk

Telephone number: 020 7833 0777

The Writers Guild has started a new co-operative scheme for members to self publish under the umbrella of the guild. They are offering a special membership price of only £50.00 for the next year instead of £100.00.

Offering advice and legal support on the following:

• Contacts for proof reading
• Cover design
• E – publishing
• Publicity and marketing.
• World wide sales. IE foreign language.

They will also offer the following services:

• A web page to advertise the book
• Help and advice of printing and layout
• They will help publicize previous book by their members
• Obtain ISBN numbers for their members
• A on line book shop
• They may even start their own imprint (under discussion)
• Email data base
• Models of best practice

Books will need to be completely ready to print with a cover design, but the Writers Guild can help and advise the best way to go about this, by sharing experiences and links with the right people to get your book in shape. They will consider all types of books: Poetry, plays, fiction, non fiction, and biography.