The Undead: The First Seven Days (The Undead series Book 1) - RR Haywood

The Undead: The First Seven Days is Season One of one of the UK’s most successful horror-comedy series.

THE ICONIC BRITISH SERIES THAT HAS REDEFINED A GENRE AND BECOME FAR MORE THAN A ZOMBIE STORY.

First published in 2012, now fully rewritten in 2025.

When a deadly infection spreads across Europe, Howie’s ordinary life is thrown into chaos. As the world crumbles around him, he teams up with his autistic best mate, Dave, and a ragtag bunch of misfits to face an enemy unlike any other, the undead. But this isn’t just any infection. It evolves. It learns. And it’s getting smarter every day. Howie soon discovers nothing is quite what it seems, and neither is he. With blistering action, horror, heart, and the occasional terrible decision, The Undead follows Howie and Dave as they become the last unlikely heroes to stop the infection before it becomes cleverer than them.

Which, honestly, wouldn’t be that hard.

"My name is Howie. I was named after my father, Howard, but having two Howards was confusing, so I became Howie. I am a supermarket night manager. This is my account."

The Undead. The First Seven Days Compilation Edition. Days One to Seven.

Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Amazon & Audible bestselling author, RR Haywood. One of the top ten most downloaded indie authors in the UK with over four million books sold and nearly 40 Kindle bestsellers

*WINNER OF DISCOVER SCI-FI BEST RELEASE OF 2023*

 

What did I think?

WOW!!! This book is OUTSTANDING!  I have just read 720 pages of non-stop action yet still want more, although I'm not sure my arm muscles could take much more as this is one very chunky book. 

I'm not averse to horror but I don't normally read it, however, this is more of a multi-genre novel filled with action, adventure, suspense, humour and of course gore.  As the night manager of a Tesco store, Howie is a very unlikely hero but he is fighting for his life and that of his family when a deadly virus turns people into ‘zombies not zombies’.  Luckily, he runs into one of his colleagues, Dave who is a one man killing machine when faced with danger.

Vividly written, the whole book reads like a TV show and it is incredibly bingeworthy.  It is quite gorey at times but I was completely invested in Howie and Dave's stories so I didn't feel the need to hide behind my virtual sofa at all.  I felt like my eyes were on stalks at times as the infected closed in but I loved every second of the non-stop action.

Whilst reading, I discovered that my sense of humour is very partial to a poo joke, of which there are plenty.  You can't beat a bit of toilet humour during a zombie apocalypse and the humour perfectly balanced the fighting and killing action.

Gripping, fast-paced and highly addictive, The Undead: The First Seven Days is an incredible novel that I wouldn't have put down if it wasn't so heavy!  Do not be put off by the size of this book, it is absolutely fantastic and completely unmissable.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

Amazon

BLOG TOUR: The Devil's Magus - Marius Creed

 

When Mark Benedict receives a cryptic warning that his brother James is in mortal danger, he and James’s estranged wife, Sam, are drawn into the hidden world of a secret society led by the charismatic and ruthless occultist, Sir Giles Worsley.

Worsley, a Magus, commands an order steeped in ritual magic and esoteric doctrines inspired by The Golden Dawn and Thelema. James, once his brightest protégé, has risen swiftly through the ranks – until he discovers the horrifying truth behind Worsley’s ambitions. Attempting to escape, he is killed in a demonic confrontation… but his astral form endures.

As forbidden rites threaten to unleash unspeakable forces, Mark and Sam – unknowingly aided by James – join a psychically gifted woman and a sceptical mercenary unprepared for the horrors that await them.

An electrifying blend of psychological thriller and supernatural horror, The Devil’s Magus is a gripping descent into arcane terror, where sacrifice and salvation walk hand in hand.

What did I think?

I really enjoyed reading The Devil's Magus; it's dark and disturbing and very entertaining.  Horror isn't a genre I would normally read but I'm so pleased that I picked up The Devil's Magus as the supernatural thriller element completely drew me in.

The two brothers who have supernatural powers reminded me a little of the TV show Supernatural and there's demons to be fought in this book too.  The characters (both human and demon) are depicted so vividly that they almost pop out of the page and I was frightened to look behind me when I was reading; not that I could tear my eyes away from the book to even glance elsewhere for a second.

The gripping plot is filled with peril and my heart rate rose as the danger levels increased.  There are some scary and gory scenes to both delight and repulse the reader so you need a strong constitution when you're reading this thrilling book.

Riveting, scary and very fast-paced, The Devil's Magus is a very impressive debut novel. Marius Creed's writing is very evocative and descriptive but you can't hide behind the sofa when you're reading a book, as much as I may have wanted to.

I received a gifted paperback for the Love Books Tours Instagram Tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

About the author:

Marius Creed spent much of his life interpreting unseen forces — as a science teacher, naval officer, training specialist, meteorologist, and oceanographer — before turning his gaze inward, toward the darker mysteries of the human mind and spirit. Having lived in Hong Kong and the United States, he has now retired to his native Cornwall, where the brooding moors, rugged coastlines, and enduring folklore provide endless inspiration. The Devil’s Magus is his debut novel — a beautifully written tale where forgotten rites, forbidden knowledge, and personal sacrifice collide. Rich with arcane detail and existential dread, it marks the culmination of a decades-long fascination with what lies beyond the veil — and those who dare to peer through it.

Website: www.mariuscreed.co.uk

Instagram: @mariuscreed

X: @CreedMariu97855

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BLOG TOUR: Darker Days - Thomas Olde Heuvelt

When the darker days fall, the debt must be paid, . . . get ready for the chilling new folk horror from the Hugo Award-winning, bestselling author of HEX - from the publisher of The Exorcist and perfect for fans of Shirley Jackson and Stephen King.

In Lock Haven, a quiet little town in Washington State, there is a very special street.

Bird Street. The residents of Bird Street are all successful, wealthy, healthy and happy. And their children are all well-mannered and smart and high achievers.

At least they are for eleven months of the year.

In November, however, the ‘Darker Days’ begin. For November’s the month when things take a turn for the worse: accidents, bad luck, familial conflict and illness take hold. And it is in November that a stranger comes to Bird Street to collect the debt owed by the residents.

Because, you see, there is a price that must be paid for all the happiness and good fortune they enjoy for the other eleven months of year. And that price is one human life. Every November. Without fail.

And so it has been for over a hundred years. To ease their guilt, the residents of Bird Street seek out individuals – usually the elderly or the terminally ill – who wish to die with dignity and are content to be helped on their way.

But this year, things don’t go to plan. This year events take a terrifying turn . . .

Propulsive and haunting, Darker Days is a devastating modern take on the Faustian pact, and begs the question: how far would you go for your own happiness?

 

What did I think?

Darker Days is the perfect book for spooky season; it is dark by name and dark by nature so it's not a book for the faint-hearted and does contain some upsetting scenes of assisted suicide.  

The residents of Bird Street have all made a deal with the devil, who they refer to as 'The Accountant', and he turns up every year during the 'Darker Days' to take repayment in the form of a human life.  The residents don't just kill people at random; they seek out people who are ready to die and help them to commit suicide.  It sounds like a simple plan, until the sacrifice changes their mind...

My heart was pounding as I was reading Darker Days and I'm not sure whether I was rooting for the victims to change their minds or the residents to finally pay their debt as time started to run out.  It is very creepy when The Accountant turns up and the death scenes are incredibly upsetting and disturbing.  I was shocked and devastated on occasion, which just goes to show the strength of the writing and Thomas Olde Heuvelt's amazing ability to paint haunting pictures in the reader's mind with his vivid words. 

Dark (as the title suggests), disturbing and chilling, Darker Days is a fantastic horror novel that will stay with me long after I turned the final page.  It left me wondering what I would do if I was in any of the characters' positions and I honestly can't answer that.  Wrap up warm when you read Darker Days as it will chill you to the bone.  Highly recommended.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

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BLOG TOUR: Eerie Exhibits - Victorial Williamson

Five unnerving tales of the weird and uncanny from award-winning author Victoria Williamson.

A room full of screaming butterflies.

An unsettling smile on the face of a carved sarcophagus.

A painting that draws its viewer into the disturbing past.

A stuffed bear that growls in the dead of night.

And a shell that whispers more sinister sounds than the sigh of the sea…

Dare you cross the threshold of the old Museum and view its eerie exhibits?

 

What did I think?

I do like to read spooky tales now and again so I thoroughly enjoyed Eerie Exhibits by Victoria Williamson.  

There are five stories in the book based on museum exhibits and although they are separate stories, some of the characters reappear.  They are very creepy tales and it reminded me a little of early Stephen King books where anything out of the ordinary could happen.  So prepare for the unexpected when you pick up this book but you will still be surprised by these eerie exhibits.

It's quite a short book at 225 pages and it's very easy to read so you could dip in and out of it or read it cover to cover.  It's almost like a virtual museum visit to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow as Victoria Williamson guides the reader through each gallery and tells her imagined story behind some very interesting exhibits.

Chilling, weird and entertaining, Eerie Exhibits is a creepy collection of spine-tingling short stories that will chill you to the bone.  A recommended read, especially for a dark and chilly night.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

Amazon UK

Amazon USA

Amazon Canada

About the author:

A lifelong storyteller and daydreamer, Victoria Williamson is an author and teacher who has lived and worked in Africa, China, America and the UK.

Victoria grew up in Kirkintilloch, north Glasgow, surrounded by hills on the edge of a forest estate where many of her early ghost stories and fantasy tales were born amid the magical trees and spooky old ruined buildings.

After studying Physics at the University of Glasgow, she set out on her own real life adventures, which included teaching Maths and Science in Cameroon, training teachers in Malawi, teaching English in China and working with children with special needs in the UK.

A qualified primary school teacher with a degree in Mandarin Chinese from Yunnan University and a Master’s degree in Special Needs Education, Victoria is passionate about creating inclusive worlds in her novels where all children can see a reflection of themselves in a heroic role.

Victoria’s experiences of teaching young children in a deprived area of Glasgow, many of whom were asylum seekers, inspired her debut novel, The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle, an uplifting tale of friendship between Glasgow girl Caylin and Syrian refugee Reema.

Victoria writes fantasy, adventure, science fiction and contemporary issue novels for Middle Grade (9-12), Teen, and Young Adult readers. Many of her books have been inspired by children she has met on her travels, both abroad and in the UK. She is currently working on a Middle Grade novel exploring the issues faced by a boy with ADHD who is struggling to fit in with his new step-family, and a spooky adventure novel for Teens, centred around a cast of characters with special needs including deafness, Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy.

Twenty percent of her author royalties for The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle are donated to the Scottish Refugee Council.

You can find out more about Victoria's books, school visits and upcoming events on her website: www.strangelymagical.com 

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(Don't) Call Mum - Matt Wesolowski

HE ALWAYS COMES FOR YOU…

Leo is just trying to catch his train back home to the village of Malacstone in North East England. But there’s disorder at the station, and when a loud young man heading for London boards the train accidentally, a usually easy journey descends into darkness and chaos. The train soon breaks down in the middle of nowhere, and as night falls, something...or someone steps out of the distance. Is it a man or something far more sinister?

When one of the passengers goes missing, Leo fears that a folkloric tale whispered to him in childhood might be the culprit.

(Don’t) Call Mum blends Matt Wesolowski’s trademark voice of mystery, folklore and humour in this heart-racing tale.

 

What did I think?

The North East's very own Prince of Darkness is back and Matt Wesolowski's new book, (Don't) Call Mum, is darker than ever.  It certainly gave me the creeps and sent shivers down my spine.

Leo is one of a handful of passengers who boards a late night train from York to Northumberland.  There may only be a couple of passengers but, just like real life, there's always one annoying one who talks loudly on their mobile phone and Annoying Angus seats himself in the same carriage.  It soon becomes clear that Angus has got on the wrong train and that's when things start to get really weird.  Eeeeeek! 

Matt Wesolowski's vivid writing perfectly encapsulates the bleak Northumbrian contryside as the train rattles through the villages, taking the few passengers further away from civilisation.  Northumberland is rife with folklore and Matt weaves some dark and spine-chilling tales through his perfectly crafted prose.  

(Don’t) Call Mum is a dark and creepy novella that simmers with tension and brims with malice.  It's a quick read but I wouldn't want to read it on the train!

I chose to read a digital ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

Forum Books

Amazon

BLOG TOUR: The Folly - Gemma Amor

Morgan always knew her father, Owen, never murdered her mother. She has spent the last six years campaigning for his release from prison. Finally, mid-pandemic, Owen is set free, but the debt-riddled pair can no longer afford (or bear) to live in the family home – a house last decorated by a dead woman’s blood. 

Salvation and the chance for a new start in life comes in the form of a tall, dark and notorious decorative granite tower on the Cornish coastline known only as ‘The Folly’. The structure is empty, prone to break-ins, and the owner needs a caretaker – food and bills included. It’s an offer too good to refuse. Morgan and Owen relocate, leaving everything of their former lives behind and hoping that a change of scene and the remote location will be good for them both. 

At first, the Folly is indeed idyllic, but soon enough that peace is shattered when a bald-headed stranger arrives. A stranger who acts like Morgan’s mother, talks like her mother, and wears her dead mother’s clothes. 

What does he want? Why won’t he leave them alone? Why does he keep mentioning the year 1976?

And what secrets does the Folly tower hold?

 

What did I think?

This book totally creeped me out!  The Folly is a short book at 156 pages but it is filled with secrets and creepy events so it can easily be read in one sitting...with the lights on!

Morgan has stood by her father, despite him going to prison for her mother's murder, as she believed he was innocent.  There's just no way he could have done it, is there?  All of this and more will be revealed in this fast-paced mystery.

When Morgan and her dad move into The Folly, their secrets add to the building's secrets and it's only a matter of time before it all comes tumbling out.  Revelations are forced out into the open by a strange man who appears to be possessed by Morgan's mother's spirit...a spirit that won't rest until the truth is revealed.

I get goosebumps just thinking about the story in The Folly and I was really creeped out by the man who is acting like Morgan's mother.  The building itself was also really creepy and I would have been packing my bags after the first night.

Hauntingly atmospheric and incredibly creepy, The Folly is a chilling gothic horror filled with secrets and surprising revelations.  It's a quick read and one I would recommend to both horror and mystery fans.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

About the author:

Gemma Amor is a Bram Stoker and British Fantasy Award nominated author, voice actor/podcaster and illustrator based in Bristol, UK. A hugely successful self-published author, Gemma has written the award-nominated Full Immersion with Angry Robot Books and multiple titles with Cemetary Gates Media. The co-creator of horror-comedy podcast Calling Darkness, Gemma’s stories have featured many times on popular horror anthology shows including The NoSleep Podcast, and in a number of print anthologies including Ellen Datlow’s The Best Horror of the Year.

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The Knock-Knock Man - Russell Mardell

Who is The Knock-Knock Man? A ghost, a killer, or the figment of a frightened boy’s imagination?

It is a question that continues to haunt disgraced New Salstone police officer, Ali Davenport, fifteen months after the devastating case that changed the course of her life. Now, after the death of her former colleague, Ernie, Ali has returned home to face a past that won’t stay buried.

Found in the disused office building where he worked as night security, Ernie’s death has been ruled as a suicide. But not everyone is convinced. Wild stories are circulating about a supernatural presence in the building, an entity that might have attacked Ernie that fateful night. With the sale of the building about to go through, Ali is hired by its owner to work Ernie’s remaining night shifts and debunk the potentially damaging story. An easy enough job, if you don’t believe in ghosts. But then Ali meets Will, a teenage ghost hunter who claims to have evidence on film…

Forming an unlikely partnership, Ali and Will soon fall headlong into a mystery that takes them through New Salstone’s macabre history and into Ali’s own dark past. As the pieces of the puzzle come together, Ali is forced to face the question of The Knock-Knock Man one last time. But what Ali doesn’t know is The Knock-Knock Man has already been watching her for a very long time…

 

What did I think?

I was drawn to The Knock-Knock Man as it sounded like something different to what I would usually read and I was not disappointed.  It's both chilling and thrilling from start to finish as a small town is haunted by the story of The Knock-Knock Man...is it a folk tale or is it real?

Weaving together two mysterious and intriguing storylines from the past and the present, The Knock-Knock Man is a real page-turner.  I love main character Ali and her nickname that fits her perfectly; she's not afraid to stand up to danger, although she is a little afraid of what she saw, or thinks she saw, in the past.  

The mysterious Knock-Knock Man totally creeped me out; I half expected to catch a glimpse of him at my own window, so this is definitely a book to read with the curtains closed.  As with any folk tales, local kids are both scared and intrigued by it and they are desperate to catch a glimpse of The Knock-Knock Man.  One young man claims to have caught him on camera but to see it is to believe it...and then you're admitting that The Knock-Knock man is real.

I really enjoyed this novel; it's definitely one I want to read again as I think I read it too quickly so I felt like I missed a few things.  That's not a criticism of the book at all, it's just so addictive that I couldn't read it fast enough. 

Part horror, part crime, completely creepy, The Knock-Knock Man is a highly original cross-genre novel that will appeal to so many readers.  Whether you read crime, thriller, supernatural or horror, I would highly recommend The Knock-Knock Man.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

Books On The Hill - Open Dyslexia Kickstarter Project

I've got something a bit different on my blog today.  I am delighted to share details of the amazing Kickstarter project from BOTH Publishing that will make good quality fiction accessible to adults with dyslexia.  You can find out more about the project by scrolling down but first I have details of the seven fabulous books.

As there are no chapters in any of the books they were all quick reads for me of between 25 and 45 minutes and although I don't usually read sci-fi or fantasy, I thoroughly enjoyed every single one of them.  

So on to the books!

Anchor Point by Stan Nicholls

Kye Beven is lacking confidence, and is ruthlessly bullied. Everyone except Dyan Varike, the best archer in the band, believes he is not good enough for the community’s defence. When Kye’s village is menaced by a despotic sorcerer, he reaches for his bow and steps up to the mark and saves his home. 

The Author:

Stan Nicholls is the author of more than thirty books and was shortlisted for the 2001 British Fantasy Award. 

He received Le'Fantastique Lifetime Achievement Award for Contributions to Literature (2007) 

What did I think?

Kye is an amazing hero who has no belief in himself but all he really needs is the belief of his friend and a little bit of magic.  A wonderful fantasy tale with a huge message: belief in yourself is the most powerful weapon.

The Four Kings of Sweden by Steven Savile

Summoned by the Swedish royalty, the Great Detective must solve a seemingly unsolvable riddle - how can the king be in three places at once? What devilry is it that has thousands of eye witnesses placing the monarch at cities a thousand miles apart? Witchcraft? Sorcery? Why? And how does this tie in to a string of crimes that seem hound the King’s footsteps? 

The Author:

Steven Savile is a bestselling British fantasy, horror and thriller writer. 

Steven was a runner-up for the British Fantasy Award in 2000 and again in 2010. 

What did I think?

You can't beat a good Sherlock Holmes mystery and that's exactly what Steven Savile has written.  Beautifully written with an engaging, entertaining and intelligent plot.

Ultrasound Shadow by Thana Niveau

A pregnant woman finds herself at the mercy of her unborn baby. Its strange dark presence directs her thoughts and controls her mind and body. 

The Author:

Thana Niveau is a horror and science fiction writer. 

Niveau has twice been nominated for the British Fantasy award – for her debut collection “From Hell to Eternity” and her story "Death Walks En Pointe". 

What did I think?

Oh my goodness, this book is so creepy!  It's horrifying, scary but absolutely brilliant.  I loved it even though it totally creeped me out.  I'd definitely read more from this author, although her books might make me want to hide behind the sofa.

At Midnight I Will Steal Your Soul by John Llewellyn Probert

A visitor to a psychiatric institution gets more than she bargained for when it becomes apparent the building she finds herself as a prisoner, doesn't want her to leave. 

The Author:

John was the winner of 2013 British Fantasy Award for best novella. His first short story collection, The Faculty of Terror, won the 2006 Children of the Night award for best work of Gothic Fiction. He is a prolific writer with over 100 short stories published.

What did I think?

Wow!  This is an excellent psychological horror.  I had no idea what was going to happen or whether what I was reading was actual reality or the interpretation of an inmate at the psychiatric institution.  Creepy and chilling, this is another author I'll be looking out for.

The House On The Old Cliff by Adrian Tchaikovsky

A collection of desperate investigators are unleashed on a mysterious disappearance, by a lawyer working for clients who care little about the quarry's fate and more for their own interests. 

The Author:

Adrian is an award wining British fantasy and science fiction author. He won the 2016: Arthur C. Clarke Award for “Children of Time” and in 2017 won the British Fantasy Award — Best fantasy novel for “The Tiger and the Wolf”.  

What did I think?

I loved the creepiness of the old house in this book and the mystery is very intriguing.  I even got goosebumps towards the end when something unexpected appears.  Very well written, prepare to expect the unexpected in this Adrian Tchaikovsky book.

The Clockwork Eyeball by Steven Poore

In an alternate 1958 Marrakesh, the cold war continues with airships, clockwork cars and deadly spywasps. Young Saif risks his life to bring a defecting Russian agent out of the country. 

The Author:

Steven is the founder member of the Sheffield SF&F Writers’. His novel: Heir To The North, was shortlisted for Best Newcomer at the BFA in 2017. He has been a number anthologies with the BFS Award-winning publisher Fox Spirit Books. 

What did I think?

Fast paced and very gripping, I loved this book.  It's like James Bond meets 24 with a fantasy slant.  The writing is excellent with spywasps that felt so real I could virtually hear them buzzing around me and an amazing car chase scene that had my heart pounding.  Absolutely brilliant!

The Breath by Joel Cornah

The scientist Hala travels to a lost planet civilisation and find it seemingly empty. The old gods of the world may be stirring in the very air she breathes as she searches for answers. 

The Author:

Joel Cornah is an author, journalist, and blogger. He is an editor for The Science-Fiction and Fantasy Network, which has included authors such as Brandon Sanderson, Kameron Hurley, as well as TV stars. He is outspoken about his dyslexia, supporting efforts to spread awareness through talks, articles, and books. 

What did I think?

A very interesting story that is surprisingly thought-provoking.  The writing paints scenes that are so vivid it's quite breathtaking to behold.

BOTH Publishing 

By Books on the Hill 

Our Kickstarter Starts April 2021 

Making exciting good quality fiction accessible to a minority group currently not provided for by today’s UK traditional mass book market and providing a new tool for booksellers to use in their drive to increase diversity and inclusion.

Who Are We Working With 

We have been so fortunate that many great authors have agreed to contribute to this project. All are brilliant authors and are names I am sure you will recognise. 

Stan Nicholls, who has been a great support to me particularly with my PhD. He is the author of many novels and short stories but is best known for the internationally acclaimed Orcs: First Blood series. 

Steven Savile, the fantasy, horror and thriller writer, now lives in Stockholm whose father is a customer of our bookshop. 

The horror duo that is Thana Niveau and John Llewellyn Probert, both well established and engaging authors and also residents of Clevedon. 

Adrian Tchaikovsky is an Arthur Clark Award winner and best known for his series Shadows of the Apt, and for his novel Children of Time. 

Steven Poore is the highly acclaimed fantasy writer who I first met on my first fantasy convention in Scarborough. 

We finish the Magnificent Seven with Joel Cornah, who also has dyslexia, and with whom I participated in a podcast on dyslexia for the Clevedon Literature 2020 'Festival in the Clouds'.

How To Get involved 

We are launching a Kickstarter beginning in April 2nd 2021 for 30 days, with the focus on paying for the printing of our books and giving us starting capital to continue to print more titles. 

There will be many ways you can be involved in this. You can contribute on the Kickstarter website itself. There will be a number of different options of donating money, in which you will receive rewards, such as ebooks of a title or a paperback of one or more of the titles to be published. In addition a unique reward from authors who are contributing to the project. 

You can still contribute outside the kickstarter. We are happy to receive your help in the shop, where we will have a donation box available.

The Project

Books on the Hill is passionate about helping people who have dyslexia, or have any difficulty with reading, to access the joy of good fiction. There are great books out now for children with dyslexia, with specialist publishers like Barrington Stokes and mainstream publishers such as Bloomsbury doing their part. However, there are sadly very few books for adults with Dyslexia in traditional mass market publishing. 

Dyslexia is a learning difference that primarily affects reading and writing skills. The NHS estimates that up to 1 in every 10 people in the UK have some form of dyslexia, while other dyslexic organisations believe 1 in 5 and more than 2 million people in the UK are severely affected. 

Dyslexia does not stop someone from achieving. There are many individuals who are successful and are dyslexic. Famous actors, such as Orlando Bloom; Entrepreneurs like Theo Paphitis, and many, many more, including myself. All of who believe dyslexia has helped them to be where they are now. Dyslexia, though, as I can attest to, does not go away. You don’t grow out of it, and so we are acknowledging that and trying to without being patronising, create a selection of books that will be friendly to people who deal with dyslexia every day. 

Since we started the project in 2019, Books on the Hill have had many adults customers with dyslexia come in shop the asking for something accessible to read. For example, one customer asked if we stocked well known novels in a dyslexic friendly format. Unfortunately we had to say no, as they just don’t exist. We explained what we are trying to achieve by printing our own and she replied:

“I have been reading [children dyslexic] books but they are a bit childish so am really happy I have found your company!! Thanks so much again and thank you for making such a helpful and inclusive brand - it means a lot. “

This response is not isolated. We have had many adults come in to the shop with dyslexia, who do not read or struggle to read and they they believe dyslexic friendly books would have real impact on their reading for pleasure.

The Team

Books on the Hill is Alistair Sims. He is the manager and commander-in-chief of the bookshop (though his partner, Chloe and his mother, Joanne, who set up the bookshop with him, may disagree with this description ). Alistair is dyslexic and has a PhD in history and archaeology. Alistair could not read until he was 13 and is passionate about helping anyone who has difficulty reading. He is the driving force behind BOTH Press and has been involved in every step in this project, from finding award winning authors to contribute, the cover design, and the road to publication, including setting up for distribution. 

Books on the Hill are collaborating with Chrissey Harrison, who is also an local author and member of North Bristol Writers Group. Chrissey and Alistair have designed the book-covers together, with Chrissey creating the finished product we now look on at awe with. Nearly all the design work has been done by Chrissey, and she is also in charge of the printing process, typesetting. We are so proud and appreciative to be working with her. 

Special mention must go to Harrison Gates, who runs Nine Worthy, and who has dedicated his time and expertise to produce our print catalogue for us free of cost. 

Joanne Hall is an author, editor and formerly the Chair of BristolCon, Bristol’s premier (and only) science fiction and fantasy convention. We must give a huge thank you to Jo for proof reading the stories free of cost. 

Vicky Brewster has edited all the new stories by the authors. She specialises in editing and beta reading long-form fiction. Vicky is a great professional editor.

Facebook: @indpendentbooksonthehill 

Twitter: @booksonthehill 

Instagram: @booksonthehill 

www.booksonthehill.co.uk 

75 Hill Road, Clevedon, BS21 7PL

Click HERE for the Kickstarter

Author Interview: Q&A with Bekki Pate

I found a female horror author to be so unusual that I just had to do a special Q&A feature with Bekki Pate.  Many thanks to Bekki for putting aside some time to answer my questions and if you haven't read The Willow Tree yet, make sure you pop over to Amazon to pick up this spine tingling book for Halloween.

Q: What inspired you to write The Willow Tree?

A: I have always written stories – my first attempt at a proper novel ended up in the bin – it was awful – this was my second attempt. I wanted to write a story that I would want to read, with strong characters, pushing the boundaries of what I found scary and horrific.

Q: How long did it take you to write The Willow Tree?

A: Altogether, probably around seven years – there were gaps though as I attended university and had my first full time job. Because of these gaps, it went through many different transformations, finally ending up the way it is now. This was good in a way as I developed a completely different writing style over the years, and the gaps where I left it made me realise, when I came back to it, which parts were atrocious and needed fixing.

Q: Do you find that the next book in the trilogy is easier to write now that you have the foundation for the story or is The Willow Tree the yardstick by which all future books shall be measured?

A: I made a silly mistake when writing book number two – I wrote it in a non-linear way and so half-way through I got completely confused and had to go back over and over to correct mistakes. The lesson I learned was to write things linearly – some writers can write different parts of the story in whatever order they want, but unfortunately I'm not one of them.

Q: When did you decide to write a trilogy? Did the idea come all at once or did it grow as the story progressed?

A: I think I always wanted to write a trilogy – it gave me chance to spread the whole story out and not rush through it in one book. Plus it leaves the readers wanting more, and my books can become something of a collection rather than a one time story.

Q: It's so unusual to see a female author in the horror genre. Who were your main author influences and do you have a favourite book of theirs?

A: When I was growing up I absolutely adored Goosebumps and Point Horror – these books were my initial influences, and later on it became Stephen King and Richard Laymon. I find writing horror so much more exciting than any other genre, and I find I'm better at it.

I would have to say that Stephen King is my favourite author – an obvious choice I know, but he writes in such a gripping way, as though he's talking to you, and telling the story that way, rather than on a page. 'Lisey's story' is one of my favourites – it did start slow and I thought I wouldn't like it, but it soon grew creepier and creepier until I ended up checking my bedroom for monsters before going to sleep.

Q: Who is your favourite character, good or evil, in The Willow Tree and why?

A: I really like Nick – he's so flawed and such a pleasure to write. He appears in all my books in some way and the transition from what he is now, to what he becomes by the end of the third book (and he actually appears in a fourth book I'm writing currently!) is something I am very proud of.

Q: I enjoy watching the tv show Supernatural, and mentioned it in my review of The Willow Tree. Was The Willow Tree influenced by Supernatural, or any other tv show or film?

A: It wasn't actually influenced by Supernatural, but the similarities are interesting! I only realised this when I started watching Supernatural and thinking 'wow, I have that in my story! Oh, and that too!” My TV influence is definitely Buffy The Vampire Slayer – I was (and still am) obsessed by this TV series; I don't think a series has gripped me in such a way since.

Q: What are your writing routines?

A: My writing routines used to be after work and at the weekends, I would plan out a few chapters in advance and then write those chapters, giving myself deadlines. Now, I write whenever I have a spare half hour or so, as my 12 week old daughter takes up most of my time!

Q: When you're not writing, what do you enjoy doing?

A: Spending time with my daughter and my partner – my family are the most important thing in my life. Apart from that I am a huge book nerd – I would love to lock myself away for a while sometimes with a pile of books, and just read.

Q: Finally, the question that everyone will ask after reading The Willow Tree: when can we expect the next book in the trilogy?

A: It's out on 20^th November, both in ebook and print! For updates, you can follow my facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/BekkiPate1?ref=hl

About the Author

Bekki Pate was born and raised in Nottingham, but currently lives in Wolverhampton with her partner. She works in clinical trials within the NHS, and in her spare time she is an avid reader. She has recently given birth to her first daughter and is enjoying the precious time spent with her during maternity leave. She tries to read a wide variety of books, from horror to romance, but her favourite author is Stephen King; whom she considers to be an absolute genius. She enjoys being close to the famous Cannock Chase; as it's where she goes for a bit of peace and quiet, as well as inspiration for new stories.

Read my review of The Willow Tree here
Buy The Willow Tree from Amazon here