Not Writing But Blogging

Stella Duffy doing this instead of writing …

contact

Agents
for books : Stephanie Cabot at Susannah Lea Associates.
for books/stories adaptations to film/tv : Lucinda Prain at Casarotto
for theatre : Rachel Taylor at Casarotto

Book events
Zoe Hood is my publicist at Virago

Other work
To contact me personally about speaking, mentoring, workshops etc, email me here.

Social media
Twitter : @stellduffy
Instagram: @stellduffy

If none of that works for you, leave me a comment message here and I’m sure I’ll see it eventually.

93 thoughts on “contact”

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  1. Have just listened to your short story on BBC4

    It was SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDIOUS

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  2. thank you! I really like how they made it too – beautifully read by Adjoa, the music, tone etc. very happy with it.

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  3. Good morning!
    I’ve just been catching up with Georgia Beers’ blog and found her “Bywater Blog Tour Presents…Stella Duffy” entry.
    It made interesting reading, certainly, but I was taken aback on reading your views on selective “coming out”.
    I was 40 when I realised I was gay, married (unhappily) for 18 years and absolutely terrified. Over a period of a few years I came out to family and friends, with varying degrees of trauma and success.
    Now, at 61, my marriage long finished and in a Civil Partnership, I am completely out. Except…well, no, not really.
    Of the “older” (ha!) generation in my family only my widowed aunt survives. She’s 87, very prim and proper and over the years has recounted her experiences as a young woman during the Second World War. Some of those experiences included predatory “mannish” women who lurked on railway station platforms, waiting to pick up innocent young girls. At least, that is how my aunt tells it and whatever near-misses she experienced (I gather she was “saved” on more than one occasion) have left her with a deep mistrust of lesbians and an obvious discomfort at the very thought of us.
    So…I’m not out to my aunt. I have no idea how she views my relationship with my partner. It’s not discussed and for all I know my aunt considers us to be “companions”.
    What I do know is this: of her three nieces, I am the one closest to my aunt. I look after her financial affairs, am called on in emergencies, visit as often as I can. If I came out to her, there’s a very real risk she wouldn’t be able to handle it.
    I’m not concerned for myself. I’ve already survived coming out to husband, parents, sons and sisters, friends and work colleagues. I’ve lost some along the way and there’s nothing that can rock my world any more than dealing with all that, yet my aunt? How would SHE cope? If she couldn’t face the knowledge that I am gay, if she couldn’t look me in the eye and be comfortable with that, she’d lose the one person she’s relied on for years. She’d be far more isolated, both in fact and emotionally than she is now (and I know of no-one else who hugs her) and all because I decided EVERYONE should know I’m a lesbian. It’s not worth the risk.
    So, I’ll continue to filter my life to my aunt, telling her only of things I know will keep her comfortable. I make no apologies for doing so – for me, it feels the right thing to do. If she ever asks me outright I will be totally honest but if that day ever comes she will obviously have already guessed and be dealing with it on her terms.
    For now, I stay silent on the lesbian aspects of my life, knowing that even though it took me years to realise I was born this way, I’m still just an normal person, holding down a normal job, living a normal life.
    That’s all my aunt needs to know.

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  4. Thanks for your thoughts, as I said in my piece (which is also on this blog, here), I don’t believe we only come out for ourselves/for our own families, I believe we have a DUTY to be out to make a difference for younger LGBT and – in the case of your story even more so perhaps – for older LGBT. Yes, it’s often hard, but given the amount of incredibly brave people out in countries where their lives are at stake, I doubt whatever the repercussions of you being out to your aunt would be as bad as it is for them, who literally put their lives on the line for their own honesty.
    I think it’s also time we stopped assuming all older people are ignorant or narrow-minded – both my parents would have been 90 this year, both fought in WW2, both were absolutely fine about my sexuality (and neither of them came from the kind of liberal middle-class background that might be assumed to make it easier for them). I really reject the idea that older people can’t be generous and open and understanding – GIVEN THE CHANCE. And of course, when we buy into the idea that our sexuality is shaming, when we hide it from them, we also help them believe that too.
    At base, I simply don’t believe it is enough to be out for oneself. The world isn’t fixed yet. The personal IS political, and we need to be out for all those who REALLY can’t as well – perhaps even for your aunt’s best friend who has never been able to tell your aunt the truth?! (Or indeed, for your aunt – I’m sure it must have occurred to you she might actually be gay and never have been able to live the life she wanted due to her own and society’s pressures?)
    I do also understand this can seem like a hard line to many people, but I never yet met a person who didn’t benefit from being honest. I wish you all the best in your continuing journey – as I’m sure that for you, as for ALL of us, coming out, being out, is a daily and constant challenge.

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  5. Hi Stella – good to hear you on BBC Ldn. As I’m also a South Ldn Kiwi writer I thought I’d invite you along to my monthly Gypsy music night this Thursday (27) 8-11pm Upstairs At The Ritzy – featuring the divine Ana Bon-Bon. I think you will like Ana a lot. Free entry and you get to walk there and band along your much loved Coldharbour Lane.
    Best
    Garth

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  6. ah, how kind. I love the gigs upstairs at the Ritzy. sadly am not free this Thursday, but thank you so much for inviting me. Ana Bon-Bon already has a stunning name, so she’s at least halfway there, right?!

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  7. i am 3/4 way through singling out the couples – just wanted to say marvellous book – well done you for an insightful, fun and brilliant way of writing about relationships with fun and enthusiasm and love the twists and couples – thank you Uma

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  9. Hey Stella
    Long time no see since YLAF ceased to run. I was wondering if I could ask for some help/advice? Casee (my wife) has written and recorded a Christmas Song which she has released in aid of Cancer Research UK through justgiving (www.justgiving.com/Casee-Wilson) – so far raising over £280. We’ve got the local paper involved but I’d love to get it further afield. I’ve sent some emails to various places but not getting much back. Any advice on how to get this picked up by the wider media? This is providing a great source of strength and support for our friend who is being treated for lung cancer so we’d love to really raise some serious money and keep her positive and fighting.
    Thanks
    Gemma

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  11. Just wanted to say thanks for a quite inspiring day at st deiniols. I hadn’t realised you were a fellow Buddhist. Maybe I’ll see you at some festival.

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  12. hah, as I did evening gongyo, I wondered if maybe someone there had been practicing! thank you for being a great workshopee.

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  13. Hi Stella. Thanks for your words about the C of E announcement today. I’ve shared it with our network on Facebook.

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  14. Dear Stella,
    I would like to invite you to attend Catfish Theatre’s production of the absurdist comedy, ‘The Bald Prima Donna’ by Eugene Ionesco at The Cockpit which is running through August on 13th, 14th, 17th, 21st at 9.00pm and 25th at 7pm.
    We would love for you to come and write about the show so please let me know if you would like a couple of complementary tickets..

    For more information please go to: http://www.thecockpit.org.uk/squat or http://www.catfishtheatrecompany.com or why not watch promo interview with our male cast members: http://youtu.be/70D9rnGR2P8

    I hope to hear back from you.
    Kind Regards,
    Ashleigh Owen

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  15. thanks for asking me Ashleigh, I’m afraid I’m not really up for any more theatre this month, after a summer of making work/directing, I really need to concentrate on my writing this month. I hope it goes well for you.

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  16. http://janejustwriting.blogspot.co.uk – Please tell me what you think. I am sure i posted this earlier but it’s not appearing. I appear to have become Luddite!!!! I would appreciate knowing what you think of my writing as I am writing a book. Not just about my stepson Joe but also about the rest of our very special family. (Please believe me I am not asking you to read that, just a couple of these blogs about the death of Joe)

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  17. Dear Ms. Duffy,

    Hello, I was wondering when (or if) Theodora will be offered on kindle in the US.
    Will it? Please consider it, if it is not too much bother. I’d love to see it in that format.

    Thank you.
    Phil

    Madison, Wisconsin

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  18. I don’t know, I’m sorry. In fact, I thought it was! feel free to lobby my publishers Penguin …
    Stella

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  19. Hi Stella,
    Am organising Northwich LitFest here in Cheshire for June 2013 and wondered whether you’d consider being a guest speaker? Met you at Aubin & Wills (with Damian) and again at Gladstone’s Library (where you gave me a guided tour!). On the latter occasion you said ‘Why didn’t you ask me?’ (to be a speaker at the 2012 LitFest)…so this is about 2013…and I’m asking!!

    If you’re remotely interested, perhaps you could email me for more details.
    Hope all is well with you.
    Very best wishes,
    Susi Osborne

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  20. Hi Stella,
    I contacted you (above) about Northwich LitFest for June 2013 and you asked for my email which I posted on here but it then disappeared. We may have lost contact during the chaos of Christmas(!!) but I’ll post it again just in case…don’t forget the dot!! It’s susi.osborne@hotmail.co.uk No probs if you’re unable to do it, but if you could just let me know that would be fab…thanks. Happy New Year!!!!!
    Susi xx

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  22. Oops, apologies. Yes, got it now. So, do you have a suitable date in June when you could do a reading/talk/signing in Northwich? Budget is unfortunately miniscule, but ticket sale money would go towards your expenses. 14th, 15th, 18th, 20th & 29th are booked up already, but so far any other date in June is available.Thanks Stella.
    Very best wishes,
    Susi

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  23. Hi Stella,
    Thoroughly enjoyed the Mills & Boon show, which I caught up with tonight, a really fascinating insight.
    I work in social media, community management & blogging for various clients, one of which is a cinema chain, which has proved useful for my first book!
    The book is a collection of interviews with British Oscar winners from Olivia de Havilland, to Michael Caine, and Julie Christie through to Sam Mendes. The first of a proposed trilogy, with the two follow up books centring on American and International recipients.
    I appreciate this is somewhat of a imposition but I’m writing to ask if you have any ideas as to finding a publisher?
    Warmest
    Jay

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  24. sorry Jay, as I don’t write non-fiction, it’s not my area at all. I wold suggest trying agents who deal with non-fiction first, they’re likely to have a far better idea of how the market works and what it wants.

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  25. I just watched your programme about how to write a Mills & Boon, and I would love to read your three chapters and synopsis. Have you ever published them anywhere? You could do a paywall with Paypal and I bet you’d get plenty of takers, or even as a kindle/e-book format. I would certainly cough up for the pleasure of reading what Maddie Rowe enjoyed so much!

    When I was at university, I did give it a go, but my Modern was rejected. My heroine was really hopelessly immature. But later, I did get a contract for regency historicals with a US imprint and wrote five of them. I am still writing, but now I am really writing book of the heart, which is more swashbuckling historical than romance, and your point – write what you want, write what you have to express, not what the market wants – is absolutely true.

    Thank you for a terrific programme.

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  26. ah, thank you. yes, write what you truly want to write is the only thing I can ever say to writers, chasing after markets is crazy. (especially in this economy!) I haven’t showed anyone those chapters actually – am sure I still have them. I always thought it might make a nice spooky romcom idea, so I do still have it as a possibility. one day. thank you for the vote of confidence and well done on finding your writing passion and making it work for you.

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  28. am enjoying your career trajectory, encountered you at Fringe when i covered managing the royal Scot club one night and liked you, loved your show..hear you on radio 4, then all the books n plays , like Theodora especially for the quality of research. Bliss!

    Jacinta( ex American festival theatre Co fringe venue manger of the times , now in much more mainstream employ)

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  29. How lovely of you to post! That venue was brilliant. My first solo show! That was also my first full season of Edinburgh, doing Spontaneous Combustion’s ‘True Confessions’ at Gilded Balloon, a few glorious Rupert Pupkin Collective gigs at Assembly (as was) with Jim Sweeney and Steve Steen, and then heading off very late at night to do The Tedious Predictability of Falling in Love. The show (and the audience response) that made me think I could maybe write a book. So, in many ways, it came together there … 1990. A good year for lots of reasons.
    Thank you for reminding me!

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  30. Hello, a friend of mine offered me The Room of Lost things some time ago and I really really enjoyed it! Especially enjoyed the Robert character (I think he deserves a whole book for himself!). I found your other novels on your blog and I will read them, but I was advised several times to try your short stories too. I found 2 on your blog. And 4 or 5 on Amazon. Are there more? Is there a list like for your novel? Cordially, Frédéric.

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  31. hmm, good point, no there’s no list of the short stories, but I could put one up, it’s slightly out of date (as there are a few printed since) but I will add it as a bibliography page. thanks for asking. and delighted you enjoyed RoLT.

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  33. Immaculate Conceit is slightly magical. State of Happiness def not. Hope one of them is good for you.

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  34. Well, I couldn’t choose so I ordered the two of them! Alsi I found something about your stories on your blog so I will start with that. All the best, Fred.

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  37. Worth a shot, Hi I work for a charity called worldshare We’re compiling a biscuit book and wondered in you wouldn’t mind sending us a favourite biscuit/ cookie recipe, because you are great.
    Best wishes
    Ceri

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  39. Are you the Stella Duffy who went to Forest View High School in Tokoroa in 1980 and took part in Viva Mexico?

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  40. Hello, and yes I am. (And now, after 34 years, I have an ear-worm of “we live at El Rancho Grande, no Ritz Hotel but it’s handy …”)

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  41. Hi, who are the NZ builders you are using? We are fellow Kiwis and interested in getting a quote. Thanks 🙂

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  43. Dear Stella Duffy,

    We were very heartened by your public protest against the recent ‘book ban’. The controversy has highlighted the need now more than ever to support books and reading in prisons.

    Since 1999 Prison Reading Groups (PRG) has been helping to set up and run reading groups inside. We now support over forty groups in more than thirty prisons nationwide, each run by a volunteer with help from the prison library.

    Choice is at the heart of becoming a reader and is at the core of what we do. Groups choose the books they read and discuss. And prisoners keep their copies to display proudly in their cells or to pass on to family, friends or others on the wing.

    There is a link below to our latest report, What Books Can Do Behind Bars, and there is further information on our website.

    Our work relies on funding. It costs about £500 a year to provide books and back-up for each group. Please support us if you can. Details about how to donate are on our website. And please tweet and facebook our message as widely as possible.

    Best wishes,
    Jenny Hartley and Sarah Turvey

    PS Our groups also welcome author visits!

    http://www.roehampton.ac.uk/prison-reading-groups

    http://www.roehampton.ac.uk/uploadedFiles/Pages_Assets/PDFs_and_Word_Docs/PRG/PRG Report Prison Reading Groups What Books Can Do Behind Bars.pdf

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  44. thanks Jenny and Sarah. I’ve tweeted the link to your site – twitter is an amazing forum for these things. I couldn’t find you on twitter, but if you do have an account, please also contact me there, so I can further share your details. @stellduffy
    (also, very happy to do an author visit!)

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  45. Hi Stella,

    I heard you speak a few years ago in Todmorden library and thoroughly enjoyed it.

    This morning I listened to Four Thought by Adjoa Andoh and didn’t realise that it was broadcast back in July. I googled Adjoa Andoh and came up with one of your blogs about a discussion you took part in with Adjoa and others in Lambeth in 2010. I didn’t realise the date (thought it was more recent). Anyway, listening to Adjoa this morning and reading the above blog I wrote a response, here it is:

    I am an older (67) poor, lower class, lesbian who comes from ‘up North.’ I have devoted half of my life to challenging inequality, in particular against LGBTs, especially youth – http://www.lesbianinformationservice.org/ and http://www.galyic.org.uk/

    I was shocked when I learnt recently, having completed an on-line brief questionnaire about income levels etc., that I am amongst the bottom 10%. But then I would be, having no savings and only having a state pension to live off.

    I will not be voting for any party at the next general election. Instead I will ruin my voting slip with an appropriate message. None of the parties reflect my concerns. I no longer trust politicians, neither national nor local ones. There might be one or two I admire (David Lammy for his brilliant speech in the House of Commons on same-sex marriage and Rabbi Julia Neuberger for her speech in the House of Lords). But I see most political parties as middle class and completely out of touch with the reality of oppressed/minority groups, especially those who are multi-oppressed and in particular those who are lower class and poor and belong to a minority group.

    All of the parties seem to worship one god: capitalism.

    This morning I listened to the very moving Four Thought by Adjoa Andoh which was broadcast back in July this year: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04csb0h

    I’m sorry I didn’t hear it then but I have now. I thought it was absolutely brilliant.

    There are many of us who are dissatisfied with the society we now live in and I want some hope of change but the current political system, and the political parties, offer me none.

    I‘m not sure that the political system is even fit for purpose, the only purpose it seems fit for is to keep powerful people in power and to continue oppressing poor people and minority groups.

    I want a political party which truly reflects society and whose main aim is to challenge oppression in all its forms, including multi-oppression. My ideal party would be one who had this as their main aim, who only accepts candidates who have real life experiences of belonging to a minority group and challenging oppression – and not just privileged ones.

    I am not a Christian (although I did attend church when I was young) but I would say if ever there was a need for a new Messiah it is now: to deal with all the corruption and greed in the world, to stop the annihilation of the Palestinians and other injustices in the world, to stop child sex abuse, to stop homophobic/transphobic bullying in schools, to stop our young LGBT people developing mental health problems and killing themselves, to stop privilege and make this society truly equal, fair and just.

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  46. Hi Stella,

    I am inspired by lesbian writers, particularly because I am endeavouring this myself at the late age of 54. I realise I have a certain amount of talent, having found ‘my voice’, I am hoping, and am trying to exploit this aspect to gain success, status and wealth for myself.

    Unfortunately, I don’t have the background for prose, not much formal education etc, but have diverted into script writing and am currently constructing a film script. Hopefully be completed in just over a month or so?

    I have been using a mentor service and this guy informed me that, if I want to sell my scripts on spec, my movements being restricted by a social phobia, then I will need two well polished scripts, hopefully with a commercial bent, to try and attract Agents. I speculate about Hollywood, but know i need to establish myself here first. Thus, that is where I am placing my efforts right now.

    I also intend to try and write some prose around this script and try and sell it as an ebook to aim in the right direction for success. I might need assistance with this because I am a complete technophobe and these things mystify me?! I have recent,y joined a writers’ forum and am hoping that, when my ebook version is completed, just a few thousand extra words to expand upon the dialogue, then maybe someone there will see its potential and, with a cut of any profits made, help me out on this…? I will also look into the possibility of collaborating on a full length novel to try and gain a publishing deal. You’ve got to be a hussler and play the game if you want to get on…

    Just to end by saying the script is a story about a manage-a-trois, between the male protagonist, Alan and his best friend, Quentin, and Quentin’s girlfriend Kate who Alan falls for. Can he win her love, is the premise to explore…? To quote Quentin who is observing the two’s emotional intensity together:- ‘Life’s a bitch, Alan. You seldom get what you want from it…’. I guess for me, that’s the cliffhangar that’s yet to be tested… The Joie de vie would flood right back into my heart, a degree of that pleasant emotions that captured me when young that has so inspired my writing attempts. No guarantees, but motivation enough to lay down the challenge for myself and see where life takes me to for the future..

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  47. hi Linda, if you’re planning to publish your own work as an e-book it is unlikely any publisher would then take it on as something to re-publish, that is a very rare occurence. there are some great places that do literary consultancy (for a fee), try CornerStones, The Literary Consultancy or Lisanne Radice. I’d also suggest you look into going on an Arvon course, unlike many writers’ forums, they’re taught by professional writers, who know the business – and they have bursaries! good luck, Stella
    ps – getting a film script done in a month, it’s ok to work slowly and surely too. is very fast.

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  48. Thanks for the response Stella. I appreciate any advice you can give me. Much appreciated. I have actually been practicing writing for quite some time now, laying those one million words down that are supposed to lead to finding ‘your own voice’. I believe, hope, I have achieved this now. Time will tell. Just to mention that I studied, long-distance with a former Hollywood screenwriter, on how to construct a script properly. I have also studied books on script writing techniques and believe I know how to set out a script properly. I am half way through the second redraft, after using the The Literary Consultancy service you mentioned, where The Reader suggested I deepen and darken the plot and develop the characters’ storylines, which I have been doing over the past few months or so. I know how the story is going to advance, it’s just a simple case of putting down those creative words. So I feel scripts are no problem for me. It’s just getting an agent and establishing a name for myself within that field. That’s the ambition I have.

    I was interested in what you wrote about publishers and my ebook. I am just wondering would that apply if the novel is a more intensive and expansive take on the embryonic ebook, say an additional 70,000 words, which would alter the dynamics of the story from the original, but retain the outline of the ebook version. Would this be possible, do you think? And the reason I was thinking of a cowriter, was fhat, unfortunately, due to circumstances, it is impossible for me to travel etc, so that, even should a publisher be interested in any novel I create, i wouldn’t be able to publicise it. A major drawback, I’m afraid.

    I can see I have a high degree of talent and ability to express myself in a creative fashion. I just need to discover how to exploit this considerable advantage to my own needs. I also feel I have the commercial knack, but again won’t know till I find a way of getting these ideas out to the general public etc. Thus, I am not sure if a writing course could help me with those things above, that are really going to be the impediments to my success? A bit in dire straits where I am currently living, as it is not conducive for my health, so a bit desperate to conjure up a miracle or two to try and transform my life into the direction that will lead to a touch of happiness, tranquility and fulfilment. Sadly currently missing from my existence at present. The motivation for my quest for personal activation and success. A late bloomer perhaps? To be wished for?

    Just a question that you might be able to assist me on. Just wondering how to go about connecting up to the real movers and shakers in this world. Those with their ‘ear to the ground’, so to speak. Because of my impediments, getting out to socialise is impossible, but I feel I have something relevant to say to this world, with perhaps a unique, individual take on it, all but simplified due to lack of background/formal education. So, I desire to link up with other bright thinkers who could support me and assist in trying to access the ladder of opportunities that would lead to personal success and genuine contacts. I kind of need that in my life. A sort of dearth there has been, such has my extremely humble background been hampering me from, all these years. Sort of Alice in Wonderland. Really just woken up to life, recognising who I am and wishing to take part in society, with the knowledge of the restrictions on my life that has been hampering all these years. Any advice? Apologies for bothering you. You just seem like one of the right people to pose these questions to…incidentally, I listened into an interview you gave on Mariella Frostrup’s Radio 4 programme, with Ali Smith there too. Most fascinating. The type of discussions I have missed out from for most of my life. An awful lot to catch up with. Just trying to figure how best to go about that..

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  49. sorry Linda, I really don’t know what else to suggest. I honestly think that mixing with people and being out with them, in whatever way possible, is the key to writing. If we’re trying to show the world what there is, to share truths in our work, however we can, then we need to BE with people. I appreciate this can be hard, so – as you seem very adept at online stuff – perhaps a good online course would be useful. As for ‘connecting’ to movers and shakers, I’ve been working in the arts for over 30 years and have never felt very ‘connected’ myself, so I’m afraid I’m not the right one to ask about that. all best, Stella

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  50. OmG. ! I just finished reading The Purple Shroud . IT takes a lot of the author to impress this reader in the realm of historical fiction and you nailed it girl !!!!! Thank you for a wonderful novel. I have an afterglow from a book LOL Keep writing ! Please ! RSVP

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  52. Stella, I have just finished A Room of Lost things, and am in awe of the way you have captured the depth and fragility of the characters. I imagine years of observation and listening have gone into this brilliant book. Do you ever do writing workshops?

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  53. oh, thank you so much. Yes, I sometimes run writing workshops, rarely as one-offs, usually once every year or so for the Avron Foundation. Ans yes, years of paying attention went into RoLT, but while I was paying that attention I wrote several other novels. They kind of overlap for me. As you enjoyed that, I think (ope) you will also enjoy London Lies beneath, out at the end of this month, my first book for 4.5 years, equally detailed, and similar area/people, but set in 1912. Thank you for being in touch. It;s lovely to hear responses to books.

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  54. I’ve only just discovered you! I’m the same age as you and just reading ‘everything is moving everything is joined’ short stories. Also just discovered Buddhism so loved title story and enjoying the rest. Glad to have added you to my reading list!

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  56. Hi Stella, Glad to hear of museum trip to NZ. I have an out of date email for you; can you please send me your current email address?

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  57. hi David, have emailed you at VUW address, not sure that still works for you. if not, the contact email on this page goes direct to my Fun Palaces email. Stella x

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  58. Dear Stella,
    I spoke to you at Womens March at the beginning of it. Since then I have read The Purple Shroud and really enjoyed it. I did wonder if you meant to say anything about Theodora fighting for women. helping prostitutes, though there is so much speculation.
    Just bought London Lies Beneath, hard to get your books although I can download of course, its nice to have a real book.

    It might be good to include charities you support as some authors do on their website.
    I did join Womens Equality party so may vote for them. I am fascinated to read about Funpalaces sounds a great way to spend time.

    I just wanted to mention my husband Alby Stone self publishes books on amazon, also a good read if you have a chance to check them out.

    Best wishes
    Alexandra
    I was amazed how many people were at the march!

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  59. thanks Alexandra. there is quite a lot in both Theodora (the first of the two books) and The Purple Shroud about Theodora’s work as and for prostituted women, also about her bringing in anti-rape laws, return of dowry etc. Delighted you joined the party – we have much to do together! thanks for getting in touch, all best, Stella

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  60. I will reread Theodora. I was surprised that Northern Ireland changed the laws about prostitution. There has been very little about this, I have been active with Womens International League For Peace and Freedom UK, and we had meeting with Harriet Harman about changing laws to Swedish model. I am pleased Womens Equality Party is so lively.
    Best wishes Alexandra

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  61. nb – I have edited this message to remove identifying details in case this young person does not want their name public here. I’ve asked them for their permission first.
    Stella

    Dear Stella,
    I came to see you at the Auckland Writers’ Festival with my school (XXXX) and I’ve been thinking about what you said ever since.

    I’d never really heard of any LGBT+ writers before, and seeing and hearing you talk freely about being gay, as well as hearing about your novels, was something I found really inspiring. I remember when you were asking the audience what you should talk about, and when you said that you were gay I was so surprised (and amazed) that you were able to share that with us.

    (I was almost tempted to put my hand up and say, ‘I am too!’)

    And I just wanted to thank you so much for showing that you are proud to be LGBT. It had a really big impact on me and gave me the confidence to come out to a few of my close friends 🙂

    Thank you!

    – XXXXX

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  62. Just to say it was lovely to meet you at Harrogate, and thanks for the advice at the train station. Such a good place for advice. All that coming and going focuses the mind. x

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  64. Thank you for a great evening talk at The Eltham library last night- so enjoyed it , both of us. London Lies Beneath is a great read but also emotionally a roller coaster. Many poignant moments but when Shimon sold the hat at the end … sob sob ( links back to teeth hat? ) Just loved it! Thank you so much
    Laura

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  66. Hello Stella, I noticed that you delivered a workshop titled ‘Improvisation: Live Writing’ back in October which I sadly missed. I was wondering if you were delivering any more workshops of this nature any time soon that I could attend? I am Co-Artistic Director of an improvised storytelling company called the Adventure Bureau and I’m always on the hunt to top-up my skills in this area. Kind regards, Katie

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  68. Hello Miss Duffy,

    I writing you on behalf of Gijón City Council in Spain, regarding an invitation to a Seminar on Performing Arts Policies next February (6 and 7). Maybe Proffessor Bianchini has already told you something yet. I like to have your personal e-mail and adress to send you the invitation and some information about the Seminar. If you’re so kind to sen it to me,we would be most grateful.

    Best regards

    Jorge Fernández León

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  70. I did a wonderful Arvon course with you and Steven Magrs nearly 10 years ago. You both showed me how to be serious about my writing, b but still have fun. And I now have a two-book deal! May I send you the first novel?

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  72. that;s brilliant news, congratulations. I’m up to my eyeballs in deadlines though, sorry, so can’t read anything extra (am also a slow reader!) – I look forward to it coming out!

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  73. I would like to talk about toy story 4. Online it says your calling it racist,anti feminist, and allot of other things. Yes the original toy stories were better but kids don’t notice all these things. They see funny toys helping a new toy find its way back to the family. I mean if you looked at Spongebob they are very disturbed and thier names have sexual connotations but kids still love ’em. So understand that critiquing a kids movie is not gonna lead anywhere. I do respect your work as a writer.and I am trying to write as well but this caught me off guard a bit.

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  74. Hi Clayton, yes it does say that online – however in the radio programme I did NOT say it was racist, I – along with other reviewers – said it was a shame it was not more diverse in its lead characters. sadly I’m not responsible for the sensationalist headlines article-writers give these pieces. And how I wish they hadn’t, given the abuse I’ve been getting on social media. You might want to listen to the full programme here to get the context : https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00066xf
    I’m glad you like my work as a writer, and good luck with yours.

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  75. Hi Stella,

    I was very happy to see your tweet yesterday about the recent #GayFootballer Twitterstorm and your detailed clarification to people commenting (including a confused gay man) on why this DOES matter – in succinct 140 character messages, which is impressive, bearing in mind this is a more complex issue than some people understand it to be.

    I don’t know if you’re a football fan but I wrote a novel a while back about a high profile gay male footballer who comes out, in an attempt to imagine what might happen if one ever did. Sadly, that didn’t materialise this week so I’m still stuck in football fiction land on this one.

    I have a handful of agent names already but can you please suggest anyone in the agent/publishing world who you think might be sympathetic to this type of story? It’s always been a bit complicated for me because football can be a huge turn off for readers but it feels more topical now.

    Much appreciated – and not compelled to reply if this is off your radar (:

    Thank you

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  76. thanks for being in touch Leo, I’m afraid that’s well out of my range in terms of knowing who cares about these things. My experience with most agents though is that they are far more enthusiastic about LGBTQ subject matter than they used to be – and most publishers too. So I see no reason for the subject matter to put anyone off – I would say though that a coming out story is unlikely to be enough for most agents & publishers – there have been so many coming out stories, and what really makes a book worth reading is as much about the characters, the relationships, the location/setting as it is about the plot – so those things need to matter just as much as the coming out part of it. apologies if you already knew that, but just in case! good luck with it.

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  77. Hi Stella,

    Thank you so much for replying – I am hugely grateful for the advice. I’m not sure that there’s much plot, in a traditional sense, so perhaps that’s a good thing.

    As an aside, I didn’t want to confuse matters by mentioning it above but your piece on Pride last month was incredibly moving. I printed it off and gave copies to my wider family, who came en masse with me to the parade this year for the first time, as a way to explain why things are more complex than dressing up and dancing! Best wishes, Leo

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  78. ah, I love that your family Pride-ed with you. how gorgeous.
    and do make sure your story has STORY – yes, we want to make a difference with our work, but we need the readers to feel. If we’re only interested in making them think or act, then perhaps it’s better to write the piece as non-fiction. Stories need to make people feel as well – and feeling comes from the story at the core. What else matters as well as the issue? Hopefully lots!

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  79. Hi Stella,
    It’s hasn’t always been straightforward with ‘the fam’, as my hip teenage nieces & nephews refer to us – but is life ever?
    Feels very reassuring to hear you talking about making people feel because this is something I bang on about a lot when I suggest a book to someone or go see art/theatre, or football for that matter. We’re not robots, however much the world might be trying to turn us into them!
    Thanks again and look forward to more of your life-enhancing books & posts.

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  80. Hi Stella,

    I wanted to thank you for the writing workshop you ran at the Newcastle Improv Festival.

    On a practical level, I’ve adopted some of the methods you shared into my professional writing practice. Story structure going into presentations, focussed writing sprints feeding into dialogue. I’ve spread some of that knowledge among my colleagues and it’s really helped them too.

    I feel I’ve picked up some wordy judo, and I thank you for it.

    On a personal level, I just loved being in that room.

    I took up Improv to do something spontaneous; with people and with instant feedback, which is a world away from how I normally write (alone, to purpose, to deadline).

    Having these threads come together in one place has shown me there’s a different way to do this job.

    And so, sincerely, thank you.

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  81. oh that’s so lovely to hear, thank you so much for being in touch to say so. and yes, it was a LOVELY room. it all worked so well. it was a delight to be with everyone. and it’s SO goods you’re using it in your work – that’s a joy to hear. x

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  82. pl subscribe me to your e mail newsletter – if u have time to write one !

    am reading money in the morgue

    u may see mt reviews on goodreads and also friend/follow me there if u r interested

    many tks

    bev

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  84. Hi Stella,
    I am an avid reader of your work and also one of your blog followers. I’d like to send you a copy of my debut novel, Heroine Of Her Own Life (historical LG), via Amazon.co.UK. Shall I send it to one of your agents’ addresses? Please let me know the best address to use.
    All the best,
    Constance Emmett constancegemmett@gmail.com

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  85. Hi Constance, that’s very kind of you, but I am a very slow reader and start studying again (for the first time in 36 years!) next week, so while you are very welcome to send it, with my own writing and Fun Palaces and studying, I know I don’t have time to add anything other than research books to my reading pile. If you still want to send it, then via my agent at Casarotto is fine.

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  86. I understand and share a similar situation in terms of competing activities. Thanks for your honesty—I’ll save the copy for someone with a better chance of reading it.

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  90. I’m a new Indie author. (Out of the Blue)
    Just watched your documentary on attempting to write a Mills & Boon book. Loved your honesty and agree so much you have to write from the heart. Or as my English teacher drummed into us, ‘a little of what you know goes a long way in writing’.

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  91. thank you. it’s a very old doc now, filmed about 14 years ago, but I’m glad it was interesting for you.

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  92. I am halfway through Money in the Morgue. It is very neat that you have taken your friend’s notes, drafts, etc and completed this book. As I read your intro one thing popped in my head. Would you be using the word “ejaculate”? It always brought me up short. So far I haven’t seen it. It, like other words, fall in and out of favor with time. I was an elementary school teacher and I always read aloud to my class for 15-20 minutes each day. There came a time in my career that the word “hoe”(as in the garden tool) needed to be skipped over as the kids, unfortunately, knew all too well what the current meaning of that word was. Looking forward now to the second half!

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  93. Thanks for getting in touch, David.
    Dame Ngaio Marsh wasn’t a friend but a massively successful Golden Age writer. MitM is based on just 5000 words she wrote and some notes for a novel she abandoned at the end of WW2. She did indeed use the word ‘ejaculate’, as in exclaim, for her characters and so I made a choice to use her 1030s/40s terminology. I hope you enjoy the rest of the book.
    all best,
    Stella Duffy

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