Local authors shine

South Molton’s Jo Blake (pictured right) is celebrating after her win at the international Author Elite Awards in America for her debut book ‘Shy Skye Flies High’, which she wrote during the first Covid-19 lockdown. She was picked out of hundreds of authors from all over the world to claim first prize in the children’s and middle grade category.

“What this means is more people will see my book, which will help empower children who find social interaction difficult,” Jo told Molton Monthly. “Shy Skye Flies High is written to help them have those important conversations about how they’re feeling. Finding support when they are younger, so that they will grow up resilient and believe that they can be who they dream to be.”

New South Molton history book is launched

Author Derrica Hodgson is launching her latest book this month, looking at life in South Molton as it recovered from the terrible losses of the Great War. ‘When the clock was lit by gas - South Molton in the 1920s’ (below), aims to show a true picture of people’s lives through the decade, and put on record local history that might otherwise have been permanently lost.

There will be a book launch at South Molton Library on Thursday December 2nd at 7pm, with an opportunity to meet the author over a glass of wine. All proceeds from her new book go to North Devon Hospice.

Jo with her award, shipped over from the USA Photo: Karolina Andreasova

Parrot publishes prose!

Coco is no ordinary bird... residing in George Nympton this feathered friend has branched out from being an online sensation to writing a book (pictured right)!

‘The Random Thoughts of a Christian Parrot’ views the world through the eyes of Coco the parrot, lifting the reader out of their normal perspective of things. The 176 pages are not only full of ‘parrot wisdom’, but also include quotations from the likes of Albert Einstein, Mother Teresa and Captain Sir Tom Moore. His messages mix humour with current events, science and the wonders of creation, and issues such as difference and diversity - underpinned by Biblical text.

All proceeds from the book are helping to fund a new ‘Outdoor Church’ initiative for young people at West Anstey on Exmoor. The hardback, which features a foreword by Bishop of Crediton Jackie Searle, is available from the Age Concern shop in South Molton, the community store in Bishops Nympton or online from Amazon. Or you can send a cheque for £12 made out to ‘The Oakmoor Group of Churches’ to: Coco the Parrot, Parkstone, Broomhouse Lane, George Nympton EX36 4JE.