Since launching the Socially Shared Online Bookshop, we have added over one hundred and fifty books to the site. These books were written by local female authors within the network.
Seeing the steady increase of ladies within the community writing and publishing books, we knew we wanted to celebrate and support them.
Writing across a wide range of genres, there is something for everyone, and we wanted to share this fabulous collection of books with a wider audience. Although we don’t sell from the site, we provide a platform for authors to promote their work and tap into our growing online audience.
As part of our mission to continue supporting these female authors, we highlight an author on the blog each month.
August’s author spotlight falls on Wendy Garcarz, who also writes as Wendy Charlton.
Tell us a little about yourself. (How did you get started writing? What do you do when you’re not writing?)
I have always wanted to write from when I was a child. Storytelling was my joy, my escape, my friend and my teacher. I never lost the love of reading and soaked up everything, story books, comics, magazines, and I had my own library ticket at eleven and never looked back. My inspiration was Agatha Christie, Marjorie Allingham and Ellery Queen. I love a good mystery, and although it was decades later when I decided to write my first novel, weaving a meticulous yarn was my thing. Life happens, and from a very working-class background, I needed a ‘proper job’, so I did a range of things, florist, telesales, training officer, management coach, but I loved the projects where I could just write.
I had written non-fiction books in my professional life (NHS Leadership & Organisational psychology), but I was 59 (just before Covid) before I decided to follow my original dream of writing a novel. It seemed disingenuous to coach others about following their dreams if I wasn’t prepared to do that for myself. So, I put my business into mothballs, sold my house and moved to leafy Staffordshire in a month! I gave myself two years to write and publish my novel. When Covid hit, I was 3000 words and 6 months in. I did an online course with Dan Brown (The Da Vinci Code) and began my serious attempt at my first novel. Like most authors, I write about things that have happened to me in my life, dressing them up to make them more interesting and funnier. I am still an avid reader (averaging a book a week), and my idea of an ideal gift is a book token. It is a day out to visit a real bookshop, browse the shelves, find new authors and discover new gems.
What or who inspired you to write your latest book?
We have had a number of older relatives who have experienced dementia and Alzheimer’s, and whilst they are terrible conditions, there are tender and humorous moments too. I wanted to write a compelling story that not only entertained but also provided insight into the condition and how to care for those who have it. My late mother-in-law, favourite aunt and late father were all inspirations that became the basis of some of the characters too.
What writing advice do you have for other aspiring authors?
Write what you know and what you are passionate about. It makes the process so much easier.
What do you enjoy most about the writing process and why?
Writing helps me to challenge myself to plot a puzzle that entertains my readers and keeps them guessing.
What is your next project?
Book 4, Chinese Whispers (working title), is in progress, but I have a few ideas about a new crime-busting duo that I am eager to explore.
Find out more about Wendy and her books.
You can connect with Wendy on social media or on her websites!
Wendy Garcarz
- Website Https://www.businessbuilders.biz
- Email Wendy@wendygarcarz.com
- Come out fighting link: https://amzn.to/4kIkOch
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-garcarz-06b75b2/
Wendy Charlton
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063627116949
- Daniel Grant novels: https://bit.ly/4jjvXPq
- Wendy Charlton: https://www.wendycharlton.co.uk
Dates for your diary:
Saturday 18th October – Join us for our 6th Meet the Author Event. This is a fabulous event showcasing the talent in our community. Come along to meet the authors in person and buy signed copies of their books. Kenilworth, Warwickshire 11am – 3pm.
Within the Socially Shared Business Support Network, we have a growing number of women who have written books and either had them published or self-published their work. Writing across a wide range of genres, there really is something for everyone, and we wanted to share this fabulous collection of books with you.
Check out ALL the amazing books HERE.
Interested in learning more about our online bookshop, Meet the Author, and Author Insights events? Sign up for our newsletter or get in touch with Shelley at books@sociallyshared.co.uk
