Category Archives: Author Event

And now for something completely different!

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After around 50 presentations on my usual topic of ‘Disappeared Department Stores of Edinburgh’ I wondered if I should investigate another area of potential interest. I mulled this over for many weeks. One day, for absolutely no reason at all, a subject popped into my mind:

The hydropathic movement in Scotland. I googled it and a number of fascinating papers appeared. I was hooked. This led to further research and the location of the excellent research of Alastair Durie and collaborators. They had researched the area very thoroughly indeed and I enjoyed reading the various papers and documents. However, I was left with one big question –Why? Why was Scotland such a hot bed of hydros? Why there? Why then? Who went? What were they looking for? Did they find it? And, of course, the inevitable –What happened to them? An early Scottish boom and bust industry?

As I enjoy presentations to groups large and small I have put my thoughts and findings into a presentation and already have bookings for it. I am slightly concerned about it as this is only my personal take on a large subject area but it should be interesting to share it and discuss what others might think of the light the subject casts on the persona of the Scotsman and woman of the 19th century.

Hello, I’ve come to do a talk

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That’s what I find myself saying as I enter the various church halls, community halls and meeting venues throughout the area. Recently, I’ve really been around, as they say. I’ve arrived to apparently deserted halls in the middle of nowhere only to find large gatherings of lively ladies all chatting away and ready to listen to their bemused speaker. Larger gatherings in prestigious locations seem peopled by the same sorts of ladies.

The world of ladies’ clubs and associations seems huge; infinitely varied and yet with so much good will, friendliness and old fashioned charm. Hospitality seems a common denominator and refreshments are always on offer. The catering can linger in the memory for a long time. Who could forget the lemon cream sponge at Westfield SWI or the delicious lunch at the Royal Scots Club?

I don’t know whether I prefer larger gatherings with people sitting in serried rows or smaller groups sitting in a semi-circle around me. It’s perhaps easier for audience members to speak out at the smaller events but, even with audiences of 100+, there are people brave enough to ask interesting questions or share fascinating reminiscences. I’ve learned so much in this way.

These talks are genuinely a two way thing for me. I can only hope that people enjoy the talks as much as I enjoy going around carrying them out.

Back to Work!

By Posted in am writing, Author Event, department stores, new writing, People's Friend, Short Story, Womens Groups Tagged , , 1 Comment

Back to reality after the Summer off recuperating from knee replacement number two. I’ve not been idle though.  The People’s Friend have bought several more stories including ones about Murrays Department store of distinction. A new story was out last week. It was about a bus. Bit of a change for me.  In a forthcoming edition my current favourite character Mickey Bligh, the very honest 10 year old boy, goes to a wedding. Other guests and especially the bride probably wish he hadn’t! I did enjoy writing a child’s eye view of such an occasion. Out of the mouths etc!

I’m all ready for my various engagements over the coming Autumn and Spring. Few groups of ladies will be spared the sight of me and my presentations over the months to come. I’m really looking forward to meeting you all.

Rabbit rabbit rabbit…

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Well that’s what I have been doing. I’ve been talking at a whole host of events and visits to all sorts of groups and at lots of different locations from libraries to bookshop to housing complexes. Anywhere that people want to hear about the ‘Disappeared Department Stores of Edinburgh’ and my inadvertent wandering into this area of social history I’ll be rabbiting on.  Its been a two way street too: I’ve heard fascinating reminiscences of people’s experiences on both sides of the counter in these  wonderful old stores.  I’d never have guessed that my novels would lead to this interesting new facet to life.

A few more events coming up.  Hello Leith Rotary tonight and Morningside Library next week.  Already lots of bookings for the autumn and next spring too. Just have to get this next knee replacement out of the way. Oh well. I’ll have lots to think about during my enforced convalescence.

(The rabbit featured is a carnelian netsuke that I’m very fond of.)

New Year, New Horizons…

By Posted in Author Event, department stores, Edinburgh, history festival, new writing, Novel, People's Friend, Public libraries, Scotland, Womens Groups Tagged , , , Leave a comment

2018

There was a busy Autumn session including a presentation on ‘Disappeared Department Stores’ at ‘Previously- Scotland’s History festival’, Loanhead’s wonderful new library, Stockbridge’s wonderful old library, Barnton and Cramond Community club and a double page feature in the Sunday Post.  I’m just about ready to face 2018!

There’s a new Murrays story in the People’s Friend January Special out on 24th January and two more submitted. Fingers crossed.

Changing direction slightly, I’m now working on a detective story featuring a recently demoted female detective constable. Its set in the West Highlands and I’m hoping it’ll be as much fun to read as it is to write!

 

A Busy Autumn in Prospect

By Posted in Asperger Syndrome, Author Event, department stores, Edinburgh, new writing, People's Friend, Portobello Book Festival, Public libraries, Social history, Womens Groups Tagged , , , , Leave a comment

e014f6ad5d46f48264e0f7e990f72caa--fall-coloring-pages-coloring-sheetsWell the Autumn session of talks and events has kicked off in style. A cheerful evening at Juniper Green WI set the scene. Lots of nice ladies with happy memories of the old stores.

To Morningside next week for another talk then a session at the Portobello Book Festival in their historic fiction slot the following weekend. Its all go.

Meanwhile People’s Friend have published another of my stories. U3A keeps me busy in various groups and, in my other life, I still run my groups for late diagnosed men and women with Asperger Syndrome.

…and we’re off!

By Posted in Author Event, Edinburgh, new book, new writing, Novel, Short Story, Social history Tagged , , , , , , Leave a comment

Book Launch 2‘Assured Attention,’  book 2 in the series about a large Edinburgh department store now moving into the 1980s, was launched on Monday 31st July at Blackwell’s Bookshop, South Bridge, Edinburgh.

An attentive audience appeared to enjoy the interview of the author carried out by Gordon Lawrie from Comely Bank Publishing and came up with some interesting and challenging questions of their own!

Not least among these was which person would Jane Tulloch choose to read the books for audio recording. Hard to say. There are male and female voices required. Jane’s choice of Judi Dench was purely a default selection. Perhaps?  Hannah Gordon might have been best? Food for thought anyway.

It was a very friendly evening all round. Blackwells, as ever, did us proud.

Assured Attention- (to animals!)

By Posted in Animals, Author Event, best selling novel, department stores, Edinburgh, new book, new writing, Novel, pre order, Writing about animals Tagged , , , Leave a comment

The attentive reader will have noted that the first book in this series: ‘Our Best Attention’ featured a variety of animals: an embarrassing dog, a quiet cat, some cheeky monkeys (always the best!), chinchillas, quail and a Mynah bird. The little monkey draped over the title was a clue to the inclusion of animals.

In Book 2 ‘Assured Attention’, there are cats again, one, Bluebell, is Miss Murray’s own pet but a new visitor to Murrays ‘Department Store of Distinction’ has a chapter of her own.  This time it is she who adorns the title of the new book. Look out for the little Birman. Not all the staff at Murrays will have only two legs by the end of the book.

A dog features too. This time a rather depressed collie. Sad you might think,  however, he has a starring and unexpected role in a staff selection dilemma. Warning- its not what you might expect!

‘Assured Attention’ is available for pre order on Amazon Kindle and will be released to coincide with the official launch on 31st July.

Save the Date!

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Assured Attention (Medium)

‘Assured Attention,’ which is Book 2 in the series about Murrays Department store of distinction in Edinburgh, will be officially launched at Blackwells Bookshop, South Bridge Edinburgh on 31st July. The author Jane Tulloch will be in conversation with Comely Bank Publishing supremo Gordon Lawrie  and refreshments will be served. More to follow nearer the time but please put a note in your diaries!

I’m Back!

By Posted in Author Event, department stores, Edinburgh, memories, new book, new writing, People's Friend, Short Story Tagged , 1 Comment

Well its been a long winter for me and my knee. Thankfully, things are improving and I’m now out and about again. In fact I think I’m back in a big way. My latest book ‘Assured Attention,’ a sequel to ‘Our Best Attention’ is almost ready for publication. There have been sneak previews on Facebook and Twitter. The People’s Friend have published five stories, some of which are set in Murrays (department store of distinction,) others are in more diverse settings including a call centre, a sports centre and a school.  More are to follow. My hibernation has been productive.

Requests for talks and author events are coming in a steady stream and already the diary is filling up. Fine by me. I always enjoy these events and love hearing people’s reminiscences of departed department stores.

Meanwhile Africa is calling …