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DECEMBER 15TH 2009 JANET OPENS NEW LIBRARY IN NEWCASTLE
The queen may have recently opened Newcastle’s Central Library but Janet had the happy task of declaring open a new library at Interactive Development in the city’s West End!
She gave some festive readings – one from her recent novel, The Tea Planter’s Lass, and the other from her childhood memoirs, Beatles & Chiefs which was about a mince pie crisis.
‘It was a lovely visit,’ said Janet, ‘and the students asked plenty of questions. When I told them about my new venture into mystery writing, they asked me to come back and read from OVERLANDERS, and said they’d like to act it out with their drama group!’
Afterwards, Janet was shown around the new library which the students are running themselves, and then they went off for their Christmas lunch.
Interactive Development is a specialist training and education provider for young adults with learning difficulties and disabilities and runs a host of different courses at their site on the West Road.
Janet said, ‘there was a real buzz about the place, and the staff and students went out of their way to be friendly.’
 
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JANET HAS STARTED A BLOG FOR BOOKS AND TRAVEL
She is blogging about her overland bus trip to Kathmandu which she took in 1976, having just left school.
Janet writes: “This blog is for those who love both books and travel (or simply like to indulge in armchair travelling with a pile of books by the side!) I'll highlight things of interest in the book world and also of independent travel. I'm starting by travelling back in time to the 1970s and the overland trail to India which I took as an 18 year old, just out of school. Have a look at my daily diary entries and photos. Some of these places are impossible to visit at the moment,
but I can give you a flavour of what they were like in the golden age of the hippy trail.”
In the blog she is also reflecting on her family’s links with India, where her Scottish Gorrie grandfather worked for the Indian Forestry Service from the 1920s to 40s.
  
Readers’ reactions –
‘A true Intrepid. I do envy you, and I love your diary entries and photos.’ – Rory MacLean, Germany
‘Excellent’ – Emma, UK
‘Hi Janet read your diary great stuff I wish I had had the courage when younger. I can't wait to read the book. The photographs were wonderful I felt a little of what it must have been like to be there. What wonderful memories you must have.’ – Margaret, UK
‘Fascinating – how very adventurous.’ – Sue, UK
‘I am awash in nostalgia – great stuff!’ - Debbie, New Zealand
‘Found it fascinating. Going to pass it on to some friends.’ – Tom, USA
‘Looks excellent, and I look forward to reading more about your travels.’ Vicky, UK
‘Just looked at your new and exciting diary. It is fascinating and makes me wish I had been brave enough to go on such travels.’ – Wendy, UK
‘I’m absolutely loving the diary.’ – Rob, UK
‘Excellent stuff. You were far more adventurous than I was at 18.’ – Mikael, USA
‘Really interesting and I got a real feel for the places you visited and will look out for more posts.’ – Belinda, UK
Visit Blog
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BOOKGROUPIES - JANET NOW RUNS AN ONLINE BOOK GROUP ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER
bookgroupies is there for members to swap reading suggestions, book reviews and alerts about forthcoming author events, festivals or workshops – anything book related! If you’re on Facebook or Twitter, she welcomes newcomers to the group.
To take a look, follow the links:
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GIRLS’ NIGHT IN
Recently, Janet took part in a special event at Hexham Library, Girls’ Night In. She was one of a panel of five authors (all members of the Border Reivers – the Northumberland branch of the Romantic Novelists’ Association) who were talking about their work and life as a writer.
There were many questions from the audience and discussion about writing, over a festive glass of wine and a mince pie. The audience could also have their nails painted and went away with a goody bag of books and cards.
 
The author panel was chaired by Michelle Styles (historical M&B). Alongside Janet were Prue Phillipson (historical novels), Anna Louise Lucia (romantic suspense) and Abigail Bosanko (romantic comedy).
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- Wed 17 March: Girl's Night In event, Cramlington Library, 7pm - Janet will be talking about her books and writing life.
- Fri 19 March: Hexham Library Reading Groups' event, 7pm - local reading groups will be discussing Janet's new novel OVERLANDERS and hearing about her overland trip to Kathmandu in 1976.
- Friday 07 May: Girl's Night In event, Wooler Library, 2pm - Janet will be part of an author's panel talking about life as a writer.
- Sat 10 July: South Shields Central Library, 2pm - Friends of South Tyneside Libraries will be hearing Janet talk on 'Journeys' with readings about travelling to Skye in the 1960s from her childhood memoir BEATLES & CHIEFS, and her new novel OVERLANDERS which was inspired by her travels to India in the 1970s.
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| New
Books |
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Overlanders – novel in progress
Janet's new novel, Overlanders, is in progress at the moment - you can read the first chapter in PDF format by clicking on this link: Overlanders Chapter 1**
** Requires Adobe Reader - use button below to download Adobe Reader software.
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The Tea Planter's Lass
Janet's latest book is now available as follows:
- Paperback (published by Headline) ISBN 978-0-7553-3093-5
- Large print (Magna) ISBN 978-0-7505-2883-2
- Audio book (Soundings) ISBN 978-1-4079-0319-4
For more information about this book click on book cover >>
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Handful of Stars
"A Handful of Stars" is now
available in paperback, large print and audio.
For more information about this book click on book cover
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Beatles and Chiefs
Featured on BBC Home Truths, Beatles and Chiefs is Janet’s
delightful memoir of a Beatle-mad, ex-pat Scot growing up
in the north-east of England in the 1960s, and of the MacLeod
family’s annual pilgrimage back to the Isle of Skye.
For more information about this book click on book cover
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Contact
Janet by e-mail:
janet@janetmacleodtrotter.com
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