by Diana Hockley
This week we have something a bit different, Diana Hockley does a mini-review of the book Food and Noël Coward, and then interviews the author Julie Vellacott.
Food and Noël Coward Julie Vellacott
Review by Diana Hockley
I knew nothing about Noël Coward before I read this account of part of his life. In fact, mad dogs and Englishmen were all I knew of the, not inconsiderable, sum of his talent! My friends and I knew the words well enough to enjoy singing them and roaring the “Mad Dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun…” line was great fun.
A complex man, charming and forthright, his interest in food is possibly not well known or indeed forgotten in this modern life. Should you wish to reacquaint yourself with this aspect of Mr. Coward’s outrageously clever life, this is the book for you!
Great fun and a good read 🙂
Interview with Julie Vellacott:
KRL: What is your favorite genre, and did you always want to write when you were young?
JV: Crime fiction – particularly police procedurals. Yes, I’ve written since I was a small child – the usual stories and plays to be performed to the family.
KRL: When did your first novel come out? What was it called, and would you tell us a little about it as well as subsequent books?
JV: Not a novel, but the first book I’ve published under my own name is Food and Noël Coward – published early 2023. It’s creative non-fiction and is my take on NC’s attitude to food and how he used it in his writing.
Julie Vellacott
KRL: Please tell us a bit about Noël Coward?
JV: Sir Noël Coward was a many-faceted and talented man who wrote plays, poetry, short stories, songs, and a novel. He acted in plays and films, sang in cabaret, and was widely admired as a wit and bon vivant.
KRL: Do you write to entertain or is there something more you want the readers to take away from your work?
JV: Food and Noël Coward was written purely for entertainment – it’s a lighthearted tribute to someone I’ve long admired. I hope it makes readers smile.
KRL: Do you have a schedule for your writing or just write whenever you can?
JV: I write every day, usually in the morning.
KRL: Do you outline? If not, do you have some other interesting way that you keep track of what’s going on, or what needs to happen in your book when you are writing it?
JV: Yes, when writing stories or the novels I am now attempting, I prepare an outline. I may not stick to the outline – the characters can take off in different directions. I keep copious notes of ideas about plots and characters.
KRL: What kind of research do you do?
JV: I read everything I can about the subject matter. I usually do research as it’s required rather than do a lot of preparation before commencing a project.
KRL: If you had your ideal, what time of day would you prefer to write?
JV: I love writing in the morning, usually with my second or third cup of tea. And also, in the evening if time permits.
KRL: Did you find it difficult to get published in the beginning?
JV: My first attempts at getting published were articles in magazines and I had quite a lot of success. I approached a publisher with ideas about a collection of stories for a group I belonged to and he was very keen to help. It was a lucky break.
KRL: Do you have a great rejection/critique or acceptance story you’d like to share?
JV: When I went to see the publisher mentioned above, I really only wanted his advice about publishing and how to obtain an ISBN. He had to say several times that he would love to publish the stories before it sank in!
KRL: Most interesting book signing story-in a bookstore or other venue?
JV: The grandest venue was the Australian Embassy in Singapore where our groups’ short story collections were launched. There were several dignitaries present and the writers were rather overwhelmed.
KRL: Any advice for aspiring or beginning writers?
JV: Write about what you know and enjoy. Take advice, do writing courses but then just get on with it and write every day. As with most things, practice is essential.
KRL: Future writing goals?
JV: I’m working on two consecutive contemporary fiction novels, set in Australian towns. I plan to attempt a memoir which will be a collection of anecdotes and stories.
KRL: Writing heroes?
JV: Too many to list – Ian Rankin and Ann Cleeves are among them.
KRL: What do you like to read?
JV: I read voraciously, usually British crime fiction. Also, contemporary fiction with strong women characters. I read some poetry every day and also enjoy memoirs, the classics and history.
KRL: Favorite music, TV and/or movies?
JV: Classical music is the soundtrack to my life but also enjoy the rock and pop music from the years of my youth – 1970s and 80s. I watch too much television and enjoy British and Australian humor and, of course, crime drama. Love a good story well told.
KRL: Pets and a little about where you live.
JV: I live in the beautiful Scenic Rim in SE Queensland in Australia. I moved here about twenty years ago to take up an interesting job. Now retired, I enjoy the peace and lovely scenery. My house is ruled by a very large ginger cat called Tiggomy.
KRL: What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
JV: I owned and ran an interior design company and a restaurant in my younger days. Also worked in hospitality, teaching, and entertainment in several countries. Born and live in the country but consider myself to be a city person.
KRL: Website? Facebook? Twitter?
JV: www.julievellacott.au facebook.com/whiskingupstories
goodreads.com/book/show/123314706-food-and-no-l-coward
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Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.
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