Sara Hardy Writes

A hibiscus flower that's strong and bright! It may not seem much, but this small plant has struggled all year since I planted it, the buds and leaves eaten or dropping off. But finally it's happy and produced this lovely blossom, with more buds in sight. I take it as a good sign - why not?! Here's wishing that the New Year can bring similar signs of success and joy. Cheers.

It seems fitting to remember and celebrate honorary Commander Toupie Lowther who with Norah Hackett established the all-woman Ambulance Unit that was brought together via private funding (mainly rich ladies in the UK) and served under the French Army during World War 1. When Lowther and Hackett approached the British Army with their unit of ambulances and skilled drivers, complete with their own uniform - their assistance was declined by the British. It wasn't women's work... The French saw it differently and were delighted to accept the Unit's help. Toupie Lowther was first in command of the ambulances, and Norah Hackett took charge of the portable canteen that norished wounded soldiers while they waited for further transport. Toupie Lowther and many of her unit were awarded top war honours from the French at the end of the war. There were many dangers as they were close to the front line on numerous occasions but amazingly, thankfully, no serious casualties, though emoti

The wonderful Diana Souhami, author of so many witty, pithy and brilliant biographical works such as Gertrude and Alice, Greta and Cecil, and The Trials of Radclyffe Hall - has just won the Polari Prize in the UK for her most recent book: No Modernism Without Lesbians which explores Sylvia Beach, Bryher, Natalie Barney, Gertrude Stein - and many others. I loved this book and am thilled that it's won the 'overall book of the year'. The Polari prizes are: 'open to books of any genre that explore the LGBTQ+ experience. The Polari literary salon, which hosts the awards, was founded by author and journalist Paul Burston in 2007. Its name comes from the slang dialect gay men used to covertly communicate with each other before male homosexuality was legalised.' Unfortunately, from my point of view, submissions must be books published in the UK. The 'First Book' prize went to criminal barrister Mohsin Zaidi for his memoir A Dutiful Boy , which is the debut auth

Miriam Margolyes has written a wonderful memoir called This Much Is True , it's delightful and provocative and (as usual with Miriam) gobsmackingly truthful. She's had a long fascinating career - and life. A highly entertaining read with fascinating observations - and tantalising gossipy insights. Highly recommended. October 9th was Love Your Bookshop Day otherwise known as Celebrate Your Bookshop Week (I just made that second bit up but - why not?!). The letter 'M' is also for Marketing, the truly ghastly process of trying to get one's book noticed after the long slog of writing it and getting it published. So I was so elated when Graeme Aitken of The Bookshop Darlinghurst, sent me this link to a Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras website page. https://www.mardigras.org.au/news/love-your-bookshop-day Graeme has selected five new Australian titles for recommendation - Miriam Margolyes memoir is top of the list, and my novel, A Secretive Life , is fifth. In betwee

One of the wildest characters in A Secretive Life is the very real Dolly Wilde, Oscar Wilde's niece. I discovered her existance by chance some years ago when browsing a secondhand bookshop. I could hardly believe it, but there was Joan Schenkar's wonderful biography: Truly Wilde - The Unsettling Story of Dolly Wilde, Oscar's Unusual Niece . First published by Virago in 2000, though I didn't discover it until 2004. What a gem! Dolly really did live up to her name, and she really did look a lot like her uncle. I tried to portray the best of Dolly - with all her attendant difficulties and fabulousness - and decided to sidestep the story of her later life. She died too young, 1895-1941, and there is much mystery about how her last hours were spent. Joan Schenkar brings as many of the puzzle pieces to life as it possible - though she suggests there is more to know, if that shoebox of letters or that diary stashed in the attic ever comes to light. There is always more to f

  It's official! Here are links to sample or buy:   Amazon  (print)   Kindle   Smashwo rds A Secretive Life - by Sara Hardy Cecilia is unrepentant as she looks back over a queer life defined by lesbian love and dangerous adventure. She’s been through two world wars, enjoyed the decadence of Weimar Berlin (Gay Capital of the World) and lived to be Out & Proud. Now she’s cornered. Her bittersweet story captures the glittering LGBTQ+ underworld of the 20th century. - and if you read it and like it, please consider forwarding or posting this info. And please, take a moment to write a review for Amazon or Good Reads  or wherever. It would be so helpful, and I'd be fascinated to know what you think. Cheers - and  Thanks!

  Ta Da! Here is the proof copy of my new novel, currently the only paperback copy in the world - but that will change within the week - when the book becomes available. I'll post the access details as soon as I have them. Over five years in the making plus plenty of false starts before that (and many changes of title) - this single book arrived by post heralded by nothing more than a knock at the door and a friendly 'too easy' from the postie. To be honest, I was dusting the house at the time (a thing I do not do often enough) and allowed the parcel to sit on the table while I finished off the bedroom. I don't know why I did this... having waited so long... Nervous expectation mixed with a ton of doubt? Some perverse hyper moment of suspension?  I suppose it was because, once the parcel was opened, a new phase would begin: proof reading, to start with - will there still be little mistakes, or some whopping blooper I've missed? And also, the really, really hard part

  There came this sudden surprise of colour in the garden. I call these 'primroses' though similar plants in my local nursery have them as primula - either way they're not at all prim! A lovely show of colour in a quiet corner. Our garden has been cruelly dug up due to a major sewage problem, and the less said about all that the better. A horrible disruption in every sense - the mud my dear, the clay mud! - but some small corners like this survived, and thrived. Ah Nature.  More publication news in the pipeline... soon now, soon...

  What on earth is IndieMosh? They are a fabulous publishing team currently working on my novel - A Secretive Life - to be produced in paperback and eBook form soon - possibly by September, 2021. Very excited. You can learn all about IndieMosh here: https://indiemosh.com.au/  Further updates coming soon - here, and via my new website: www.sarahardy.com.au I wish you the very best - especially if you're in lockdown. I find that deep breathing helps!

 I have been in hibernation (or lockdown mindset) for a long while - but like the Spirit of our Garden I am emerging to greet the winter sun. I have been working away 'underground' as it were, writing and re-writing my novel, draft after draft. But today all that fiddling and reworking stops! I am done, it is done - hurrah for that. The new title is: A Secretive Life and, all being well, it will appear as a paperback and eBook in the near future. Details to follow. Hope you're keeping well, warm and happy.