Editor 
Little Mix became one of the world’s most successful girl bands after coming together on the X Factor in 2011. Jade, Jesy, Leigh-Anne and Perrie enjoyed Number One hits, platinum albums, sell-out tours. … and collected three Brit awards. In their official best-selling autobiography, Our World, they talk about the highs and lows of pop … Read more
When he was growing up, Tony Hadley was an outsider. He never quite fitted in. By the age of thirteen he had set his heart on becoming a singer. Instinctively he knew he would, one day, be a star. Ten years later, as lead singer with Spandau Ballet, he had made it. Publisher: Sidgwick & … Read more
Cheryl became an iconic star, one of the most photographed women in the world. In her first official book she offers a revealing and intimate glimpse behind the scenes of her busy life – from the recording studio in Los Angeles to backstage in Dublin on the opening night of her tour with the Black … Read more
For as long as I can remember I have loved department stores so when the TV series, Mr Selfridge, launched in 2013 it was right up my street. Here was the captivating story of a towering London landmark, one I knew well. I soon realised how little I knew, however, about its charismatic founder, Harry … Read more
Before the first series of Mr Selfridge aired in 2012 I knew little about Harry Selfridge. I had been to Selfridges on London’s Oxford Street many times without ever giving a thought to the man behind the store. Yet it was clear there was something special about the place; something that set it apart from … Read more
I was already busy writing When Harry Met Rose: Mr Selfridge and the Search for Love when I went to a workshop with the author Simon Brett at the Writers’ Centre in Norwich in 2014. It was a short session, a couple of hours, and was part of the Noirwich festival, so the theme was … Read more
Singer and broadcaster Mica Paris is passionate about women taking control of their lives. In Beautiful Within, Mica shows how we, like her, can overcome negative pressure to build a happy, wonderful life – no matter what size, shape or age we are. Publisher: Simon & Schuster LtdISBN: 9781847370853Type: Memoir I absolutely believe if you … Read more
“Once I have it in my head what I want to write about I tend to plough on doggedly until I reach the end.” Chris Hill, author of The Pick-Up Artist I’m delighted to welcome award-winning author Chris Hill to the blog, just as his new novel, The Pick-Up Artist, launches. “Hi Maria and thanks … Read more
“I love her and that’s the beginning of everything.” F. Scott Fitzgerald When the new series of MR SELFRIDGE launches on ITV in January, 2015, I, for one, will be glued to my television. For me, there is something utterly fascinating about Harry Selfridge. In an era bound by convention, he stood out from the crowd. … Read more
Growing up during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, Eamonn Holmes was inspired to enrol on a journalism course, but even after landing a job as a television anchorman he felt he couldn’t give up his bar job just in case things didn’t work out. He learned the rules of reporting the hard way – at … Read more
The documentary series, Royal Marines Commando School, on Channel 4, ranks as some of the best TV I’ve seen in years. Watching the recruits tackle the world’s longest, toughest military training in their quest to become the best of the best has been a real eye-opener – terrific drama. The regime at Lympstone, in Devon, is … Read more
I cannot remember when I first read a Robert B. Parker novel. All I know is that, once I found him, he was all I read for a while. One book after another. Now, I have a couple by my bed and if I’m ever stuck for reading matter I pick one up. Doesn’t matter … Read more
[quote]Nothing you write, if you hope to be any good, will ever come out as you first hoped.’ Lillian Hellman. For a long time I didn’t like to call myself a writer. I didn’t feel worthy, even though I had been a journalist, feature writer, won a couple of awards. I had also written some … Read more
There is a story I really want to see published. It’s the autobiography of a woman who is funny, brave, strong, inspiring – and much more besides. A woman who has lived an extraordinary life, been through dark and difficult times, and somehow emerged in one piece to tell the tale with wit and wisdom. I … Read more
Leigh Russell is a prolific crime writer whose debut novel in 2009, Cut Short, was shortlisted for the CWA New Blood Dagger Award. I first encountered Leigh at a London Writers’ Café event, where she spoke about juggling writing with teaching commitments, and the meticulous research that goes into her books. STOP DEAD, the latest … Read more
I can’t remember when I first read The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery. It was a long time ago. It’s one of those books I feel I’ve always known, one that has been with me throughout my life. It’s a book I like to keep close so that I can put my hand on … Read more
‘Understated and reserved … terrifically measured –’ Josh Hollwey, Open Pen magazine. I am not a prolific short story writer. I find it a difficult form. This is one of my few forays into that world and it took me some time to write a piece I felt happy with. Since it was shortlisted for … Read more
I love ghostwriting. For me, it’s one of the best jobs there is. Imagine sitting down with someone interesting, hearing their story, and then putting it onto the page in a way that’s true to them and engaging to readers. Without question, it’s a privileged position for any writer. Over the last few years I’ve … Read more
There’s a huge appetite for crime and thriller books. We love to read them and many of us are hard at work writing them. Little wonder, then, that when the London Writers’ Café organised an event on this popular genre the turnout was impressive, despite it being a murky old night. Downstairs at the Shooting … Read more
I never really bought into Jimmy Savile as a quirky eccentric. All that now-then, now-then stuff got on my nerves. If I’m honest, I found him repellent. A bit of a weirdo. And now we know the truth. It seems he was a prolific and predatory sex attacker who abused young girls and boys over … Read more