It’s also satisfying that I first encountered Jo as editor of QWF, a magazine recommended by my writing tutor and one that served me with two of my earliest rejections, each of which were described as ‘near misses’. Although this can be even more frustrating than an outright rejection, I did take the feedback to heart and it’s good to feel I have served my apprenticeship and even come out with a qualification of sorts!
On the reading front, our Alternative Book Club is now well under way and with the theme of ‘brothers and sisters’ coming up in another couple of months, what better time to purchase a copy of Hope Against Hope, about two sisters in a ‘slice of Yorkshire Victoriana’. As it happens, the author Sally Zigmond, is an acclaimed short story writer who was was also associated with QWF. I’ve been following her useful blog and also the story of her novel’s very long road to publication with Myrmidon.
I’m delighted that Hope Against Hope is now out and that that Sally, who had a recent health scare, is now recovered and ready to enjoy her moment in the sun. You can read all about it on the Hope Aganst Hope blog.
Ali Bacon, Author 
Congratulations! I’ve sent for a copy of The Yellow Room and look forward to reading Blue Sky Thinking.
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Oh. how lovely, Maureen.
Hope you enjoy the magazine.
The blue skies in my title are a bit fleeting, so hope you don’t find it too bleak.
At least it looks like (real) spring might be on the way soon.
AliB
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