June 2026

Art by Cristina Schek:

Jonathan Harker Enters Transylvania, 

Armour Studies Series, 2023

June’s blog

Hi all, welcome to this month’s blog.

Throughout May, I have, in the main, concentrated on research and have discovered a couple of topics I’d like to share with you. The first is the word "gloomth"! I had never even heard this word until I met the extremely talented artist, Cristina Schek.

I met Cristina by complete chance; one of her art exhibitions was being held in Kensington, London, during May, and I just happened to come across it. A particular image caught my eye immediately; more on that later. But back to gloomth: it perfectly captures the essence of gloominess in a more poetic sense, while conveying a dark, emotional experience. In some of the situations in which DCI Caron Dell finds herself, gloomth might be the perfect noun! If my research is correct, gloomth was a word coined by Horace Walpole in the eighteenth century. Incidentally, he created and built Strawberry Hill in London, which is firmly on my list of places to visit. It sounds extraordinary, so does Horace Walpole! There is a link to self-publishing here; records show he wrote and printed his first published work in 1764. Seemingly, the first private printing press in England was held at Strawberry Hill. Cristina Schek and the Strawberry Hill website provide further information.

My second discovery is Cristina’s art, in which one piece captures an image (shown at the beginning of this month's blog) which I had already formed in my mind for my third DCI Dell book, Friends to the Death. Cristina has kindly allowed me to share this and has provided the following information:

Cristina Schek
Jonathan Harker Enters Transylvania, Armour Studies Series, 2023:

Jonathan Harker, a solicitor created by Bram Stoker, was kept a prisoner by Dracula; this particular image shows the solicitor entering Dracula’s castle.

At this time, you may wonder what relevance Cristina’s art has to a modern, justice-seeking, robust detective, but bear with me. All will be revealed in due course. I hope my research will do that particular chapter justice. You can check out Cristina’s website for more information: https://www.cristinaschek.co.uk/.

I just wanted to highlight for those who are interested in poetry that they should give Elaine Cusack a read—her webpage: Home - Elaine Cusack. I have also just finished reading “The Princess of Felling”, by the same author, a memoir from Elaine’s teenage years. It’s a great read, and I can relate to some of her tales! A very interesting story, with poetry and real-life experiences.

There are several book club visits planned over the next few months, and I have been in talks with North Tyneside Libraries about launching Friends to the Death – currently looking at 2027. I will keep you posted as things progress.

Finally, Dying to Stay Young and Where is January Blue? They are both available to purchase from:

               Amazon: Kindle Unlimited, e-book, Paperback and Hardback

               To the Moon and Back – Front Street, Tynemouth, North Shields (paperback)

               The Bound – Park View, Whitley Bay (paperback)

               Also available through my website – see the contact and pricing tab for further details

Sarah’s Star book club is later this week, and for our June meeting, we’re taking a different approach. This month, we've booked a paint-and-sip event where each of us will create a scene from our May book club choice: Wild Dark Shore. Our impending painting event has forced me to imagine the story’s surroundings in far more depth, resulting in a different reading experience – a good one, that is.

Stay safe, and I hope the month of June is good to you.

Glynis

 

May 2026

Hello, and welcome to May's blog.

April was all about research for my next novel, Friends to the Death. I have met a couple of very interesting people from the Association of Retired Fishermen; both had many stories to tell. The pride and sense of devotion to a challenging career at sea never seems to leave you: it's a serious business, and a risky one.

I have also discovered some interesting facts about local superstitions, tragedies, and the many families who have suffered at the hands of the sea: they are a testament to why so many situations had to be avoided on a sailing day. Some superstitions have diminished over the years, and now I know why it was unlucky to wave your loved one off from the quay. Having lived in Cullercoats and North Shields all my life, I continue to enjoy the heritage that surrounds us. Visiting the Old Low Light Heritage Centre: Home - Old Low Light on the fish quay, enabled me to view one of their exhibitions: No time for waste, which runs until the end of May. Some of the facts were shocking to say the least. So, my research will continue over the next few months.

The Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC) has invited me to speak about my writing journey in September. This will be held in The Word in South Shields: more details to follow nearer the time. BIPC have been extremely supportive, as I took the leap into publishing my stories - I am very grateful for their unwavering encouragement.

Finally, our book club in April was its usual, hilarious self. Banter and laughter, agreeing points and disagreeing opinions were aplenty - it is brilliant. I can't wait for this week's shenanigans - and cake! 

The warmer weather will hopefully stay for a while, so enjoy it while we can. Have a wonderful May.

Glynis

 

April 2026

Hello, and welcome to my blog for April. 

So, March was a busy month, with my Cullercoats Library event on the 3rd and an interview with NE Alikivi - thank you for taking the time for a chat, where we talked about my early days of creative writing through a Q&A session. The link to our discussion can be found by clicking here: CRIMINAL MIND with Cullercoats author Glynis Drew | ALIKIVI UK: NORTH EAST MUSIC & CULTURE 

NE Alkivi is an informative, supportive site that shares numerous interviews with actors, musicians, and writers. It also includes documentaries which are filmed in the North East of England. Check it out for further information: https://alikivi.com/  

After the release of Where is January Blue? I have been delighted with the number of readers interested in both my first and second instalments of the DCI Caron Dell series. It's great to chat to folk and learn what people think may happen next! Very intriguing scenarios have been put to me. And as always, I am grateful for your support.

I have taken the plunge into TikTok, though I am not fully confident in what I am doing! So I have undertaken a Clicks to Content course through North Tyneside Business Factory. A good investment of time, great explanation and guidance were provided.

Alongside the business side of Drew's Fiction, I have begun research for my third book: Friends to the Death. Plotting, planning, and all kinds of ideas are currently running through my head, and I am looking forward to sharing my story with you. But I need to be patient; there are areas I need to explore further!

Thankfully, I am back to Sarah's Star book club on the 2nd April. Due to book launches and other commitments, I missed a couple of recent gatherings. Still, I'm really looking forward to tomorrow, because I miss those ladies, our robust conversations, and the cake!

Anyway, take care of yourselves, have a very Happy Easter, and let's hope warmer weather is not too far away.

Glynis.

March 2026

Hello, welcome to my very first Blog! It is all a bit daunting to be honest, but here we go.

After attending Bay Tales for the third time (28th Feb 2026), I hope I have learned some tips from the excellent panel members and moderators, to assist with my imminent book event on the 3rd March. My first book chat is taking place in Cullercoats Library, North Shields. I will provide an update after the event - fingers crossed everything goes well! Coincidentally, Cullercoats Library was almost like my second home when I was younger. Instead of completing my schoolwork, I would spend hours reading mystery stories; my grades suffered! My creative mind didn't.

Writing creatively from a young age, I finally took the plunge into self-publishing my own series of crime-fiction novels, and have produced the following:

  • Dying to Stay Young was released in June 2025 and introduces DCI Caron Dell.
  • My second in the series has recently been published through Kindle Direct Publishing: Where is January Blue?

Two very different crime fiction novels featuring DCI Caron Dell and her team of investigators, each officer with their own story to tell.

Next on my writing agenda is Friends to the Death, a DCI Caron Dell crime novel. An intriguing tale involving four male friends celebrating their 40th birthdays together. Not everything is as it seems: murder is on someone's mind. Planned release date is 2027.

I wish you all a very happy March, and, thankfully, Springtime is just about here!

Glynis

March 2026 - update

Huge thanks and gratitude to Elaine Cusack and Clare Pepper for their support on 3rd March, each brilliant and extremely supportive. Thankfully, Clare was on hand to provide more refreshments for our half-time break, most of which were enjoyed before we started!  

So, my first ever book chat/signing was very enjoyable from my point of view - I shouldn't have worried too much, everyone was so kind. I met some wonderful people, from book club members to avid readers, and I hope to meet them again sometime. 

When I started my writing journey, I never expected to receive the amount of encouragement which was evident last night—a genuine heartfelt thanks to family and friends who have believed in my DCI Caron Dell novels for so long. 

 

Thanks to each and every one of you for your support, especially during our National Reading Month of March.

Take care of yourselves and each other.

Glynis

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