Suffolk writer to donate book income to abuse charity
Added: (Mon Mar 11 2024)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
New Suffolk author Barbara Cole turned down three publishers to go it alone and try to raise thousands for a cause dear to her heart.
The 72-year-old from Hadleigh has just released her debut historical crime novel, The Devil’s Tapestry, a novel set in Berkshire, to critical acclaim.
And a chunk of the royalties from the disturbing, yet gripping, book will go to domestic abuse charity, Women’s Aid UK.
The retired office manager said: “As The Devil’s Tapestry is to be marketed and sold in support of Women’s Aid, they asked for a copy of the manuscript to evaluate and make sure it satisfied their values.
“I’m happy to say they approved it wholeheartedly, even giving permission for their review comments to be placed on the back cover of the book.
“The manuscript was submitted to several mainstream publishers and three came back with publishing offers, all saying that the book was well-written and worthy of publication.
“But I turned them all down as they wanted far too much of my royalties and control over the book.”
The Devil’s Tapestry is based on the real-life crimes of one of Barbara’s husband’s historical ancestors – John Carter.
The serial murderer and abuser of women was executed in Reading Gaol.
His notoriety earned him a waxwork model in Madam Tussauds’ original Chamber of Horrors – until it was destroyed by fire in the 1920s.
Barbara’s epic multi-generational story follows the fortunes of four families involved and impacted by Carter’s crimes, from the Napoleonic Wars through to World War I.
While the ancestry graduate has changed some names and places, almost all of the events and characters in The Devil’s Tapestry are based on real life.
Barbara, whose favourite authors include Hilary Mantel, Elizabeth Jane Howard and Rosamunde Pilcher, added: “The Devil’s Tapestry is basically the story of the crimes of John Carter - who is called Jacob Marks in the book - and the devastating consequences of those crimes.
“Because of the contrast between his personality and that of his grandfather, and to give a clue as to why he was like how he was, I wanted to start with his grandfather’s story during the wars with Napoleon.
“The next section concentrates on what actually happened and then there’s the fallout from what occurred.
“I have weaved the facts I found through research with fiction to expand on the basic story, adding fictional characters into the mix.”
Barbara is currently writing a sequel to her stunning debut, to be called The Sins of the Mothers, which is again based on real events.
For more details, visit Amazon and search for Barbara Cole, where the paperback and Kindle formats of The Devil’s Tapestry are both available.
Notes to the editor
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