'Step inside Trisha World': Meet Sunday Times bestselling author Trisha Ashley
Plus: Curtis Brown scholarship for writers of low income, NCTJ Journalists at work survey, Shut up and Write! group, BBC Maestro sale and Journo Jobs
My dear wordsmiths,
I’m hoping I find you well and productive. By the time you read this I’ll be away on the slopes in my substandard begged and borrowed ski kit for my unexpected short trip to Austria - so I’m working on this earlier than usual. I’m generally at the last minute - like most journalists I see deadlines as a challenge and like to push them as much as possible (some things never change). But first, please subscribe if you are new and send me a little like so I know you are there..! If we just met, I’m Nicola, a writer, editor and journalist who lives in the northern English countryside amid the pheasants, sheep and damp grey skies. Hello!
I have a lot of respect for many authors but today I bring you a lady who not only writes about strong women, about the power of friendship and about overcoming adversity, but also lives this mantra through every part of her life.
It’s rare for me to chat to an author, agent, or publicist who does not know Trisha Ashley. She has supported and is a genuine friend to so many in a difficult industry, particularly one where the genre of ‘romantic fiction’ is often downplayed instead of recognised for what it is - real people, real issues, great writing and a powerhouse of publishing. She’s also very kind and generous; over the years I have interviewed her live on the radio (BBC Radio Lancashire)) and also via a Q&A on my website (you can read that interview HERE) and today she’s contributed a short piece despite her current obstacles - which are significant.
Trisha, whose latest book The Wedding Dress Repair Shop is published by Transworld (part of Random House) and is out in hardback right now, is pretty modest. But her back story of writing her way out of poverty, then battling sight loss (she has myopic macular degeneration) as a writer, is bloody inspirational. With the help of her family - particularly her son Robin who deserves a thank you today - she is continuing to do what she does best by adapting her tech, her working methods and her processes where she can. Many of us would have given up in the face of this but she is, like many of her characters, immensely likeable and unstoppable in the face of hardship.
But first, just a reminder that my new podcast BOOKY (National World) will be live very soon. The weekly podcast will see cosy chats with some amazing authors - all nine authors are recorded now - and I’ll share when we hit go. But you can already check out our audio promo - you can listen to it here via Podfollow - and I would appreciate your support!
Meet Trisha Ashley
Who?
I’m Trisha Ashley, Sunday Times bestselling author of romantic comedy, with over twenty novels published (I have lost count). My latest novel, The Wedding Dress Repair Shop, is already out in hardback and eBook, but will also be available in paperback at the end of March. The shop of the title is actually my heroine, Garland Fairford’s workshop in the Little Museum of Bridal Misfortune, where she repairs the donated dresses, which all have wonderful stories of their own…
What?
From being a little girl I wanted to be a writer and painter - and this has been my life, though in the last year or two my vision has deteriorated to the point where I can no longer paint. My first published work was a poem in the local paper when I was ten.
Where?
I’ve been a published novelist since the mid-eighties, but my career really went stellar with the publication of my novel Twelve Days of Christmas, which is still a favourite with many of my readers – in fact, re-reading it every December has become an annual tradition for so many, which is lovely!
What?
I often write about difficult subjects, but all my heroines are strong women who overcome their difficulties, often with the help of friends – and the power of friendship is a recurring theme in my novels. I started adding recipes at the back of my books several years ago, because readers kept asking me for the recipes for things I’d mentioned in the books – and I’ve always loved baking!
Why?
To know what my aim is in writing my novels, it is summed up in my pinned social media post: With my writing, I want everyone to step inside Trishaworld for a vacation and then walk out of the door feeling happy. And then I'‘m happy.
What do you like to read?
As to what I like to read – well, I snap up every crime novel by Kate Ellis and Elly Griffiths, I also love the quirky and amusing writing of Hazel Prior and, if you want a truly delightful historical read, I’d recommend Last Train to Paris by Juliet Greenwood.
How to find Trisha:
You can buy Wedding Dress Repair Shop HERE
Website: www.trishaworld.com
Website: www.trishaashley.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TrishaAshleyBooks
X: https://x.com/trishaashley?s=20
She’s also on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, BlueSky…
A huge thanks to the amazing Trisha!
News, events and opportunities for writers and journalists
Curtis Brown scholarship for writers of low income: The Gillian McAllister Novel-Writing Scholarship for Writers with Low Income will award one talented writer of limited financial means a free place on agency Curtis Brown’s London-based Writing Your Novel – Three Months course. The course will run from 15 Nov 2023 to 13 Mar 2024. This will be the first of two scholarship places funded by international bestseller Gillian McAllister, a second scholarship will be offered to enable an under-represented author to join online Writing Your Novel – Three Months course in Mar 2023 (details to be announced late this year). Apply via website.
BBC Maestro sale: The BBC offers affordable writing courses online headed up by successful authors - and there is currently a sale on with 40% off everything. You can, for example, access 35 video lessons and course notes by Lee Child, best-selling author of the Jack Reacher novels, for £47.50 (previously £79)
Shut up and write!: This Manchester City centre writers group (part of a global community) is friendly and open to all - from those writing a novel to personal blog or poetry. Join them on Saturday mornings at Jamaica Blue, Arndale, Manchester from 10am to 1pm.
Journalist job-hunting via Journo Resources: You can sign up for weekly emails here on Substack for Journo Resources, a site which collates the best jobs across all levels according to strict guidelines - all jobs are paid, must display a salary and internships must pay the real living wage.
NCTJ Journalists at work survey: The NCTJ (National Council for the Training of Journalists) is inviting all UK journalists to shine a light on what it means to be a journalist in 2024 by taking part in industry research. The 15-minute survey, accessible online, is not only an insight into journalists’ experiences across the different media sectors and across the four nations, but an exploration of the issues facing the workforce today.
Thank you so much all - if I survive skiing I will be back next week. Please share the word about the newsletter if you can, like, or leave a comment. It’s all seen and appreciated with a smile.
Have a lovely week, Nicola