Explore the thin veil between this world and the next; and virtually visit Antelope Canyon and the ancient city of Prague
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Hello from wintery Bath, There are places in the world that we always plan to visit and then life happens and we never quite get there. Well, twenty plus years ago, I saw a picture of Antelope Canyon, Arizona, USA, and a few weeks ago, I finally made it! It was a quiet, cold November day and there were hardly any people around as a small group of us descended into the lower canyon with a Navajo guide, and slowly made our way through the narrow, winding slots. The bright sun shone down through the waves of rock and for some precious moments, I was alone. I'm not sure where this might emerge in a story, but last year, I visited Death Valley and that turned into a thriller, so perhaps this might go the same way! Is there a place you have always wanted to visit? Click reply and let me know! The Buried and the Drowned is out nowIf you missed the Kickstarter and you'd like to check out my short story collection, The Buried and the Drowned is out now. These dark, thrilling short stories will take you from the volcanic shores of Iceland to the silent depths of the Pacific, from the catacombs of history to the frontiers of genetic science. These stories explore the thin veil between our world and the next, between myth and reality, science and the supernatural. Available now on my store, JFPennBooks, as well as Amazon and your favourite online stores, plus, you can order at your local bookstore or library. Click here for The Buried and the Drowned If you backed the Kickstarter and enjoyed the stories, I'd really appreciate a review on JFPennBooks or your favourite store, or Goodreads here. Alchemical history and beautiful architecture: Prague with Lisa M LillyIf you've recently enjoyed Dan Brown's latest book, The Secret of Secrets, you might enjoy another virtual trip to Prague. What draws a mystery writer from Chicago to the cobblestone streets and alchemical history of Prague? How can a city’s mystical atmosphere inspire a novel, and what happens when grief follows you to one of Europe’s most beautiful destinations? Lisa M. Lilly shares how Prague captured her imagination, weaving the city’s gothic romance and ancient legends into her latest detective novel. From the astronomical clock that’s been marking time since 1410 to the legendary golem still said to rest in a synagogue, discover how this city became both a setting for fiction and a place of personal reflection. Click here to listen or read at Books and Travel
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J.F. Penn
For readers who want to escape ...
Hello from Bath, While I love ancient Gothic cathedrals, I also enjoy visiting gorgeous modern architecture and art, and Coventry Cathedral is a wonderful example of this, which I visited last week! If you'd like to come on a tour, you can see some photos above and more in my article below. Click here for Coventry Cathedral No writing news at the moment, as I am working on my dissertation for my Masters in Death, Religion, and Culture, but ideas for the next ARKANE thriller are bubbling away...
Hello from Bath, I'm just back from a long weekend in Bruges and Brussels in Belgium researching my next ARKANE thriller. I saw relics of the True Cross and the Holy Blood. Very cool! Some photos above and more on Facebook and Instagram @jfpennauthor. I'm still working on my dissertation to finish up my Masters in Death, Religion, and Culture, but I hope to have more news about books to come before the autumn. In the meantime, thanks to everyone who joined the Kickstarter for Bones of the...
Hello from Bath, Spring is here and I recently attended a reunion back at my Oxford college, which was strange but also wonderful to see old friends and where they have ended up in life after 30 years. There was a moment in the old hall when a bell rung and Grace was said before dinner and the years fell away. Precious memories indeed, and you can read/listen to me talk about Oxford in this episode of my Books and Travel Podcast on Decadence, Discipline, and Dreaming Spires. Writing-wise, I...