Thursday, 14 May 2026

Bird Boy by Christopher Bacon

I am happy to share details of Bird Boy by Christopher Bacon, a novel I was privileged to work on with Christopher through my own business Creative Services Yorkshire. The book is a childhood memoir with gorgeous illustrations by Christopher's talented wife Heather.

I was honoured to feature in the acknowledgements.

The book can be found here:

https://www.waterstones.com/book/bird-stories/christopher-bacon/heather-bacon/9780948545344

Other books written by Christopher are Between the Woods and the Sea which also features Heather's illustrations:

And Bird Stories, again with fantastic sketches of birds by Heather:

The book can be found here:

https://www.waterstones.com/book/bird-stories/christopher-bacon/heather-bacon/9780948545344

I also worked with Christopher on a planned novel with the working title 'As long as you get it right' which is a fantastic mix of memoirs from Christopher's time as a paediatrician with a Sherlockian thread running through to encourage readers to diagnose the patients like Sherlock solves cases. I really hope Christopher returns to this book in the future when he has finished promoting Bird Boy.

One of my other clients has written a lovely cosy crime which I would liken to Thursday Murder Club but with a poetry club in a small village and a beheaded victim found at a wedding, which I enjoyed working on with her.

I have also just finished manuscript appraisal and editing of another writers novel, an epic fantasy entitled Age of Affiliation for children, by J. B. Tallis which will be published shortly. Further details can be found on Facebook and Instagram but I will of course share further details shortly, and look forward to promoting his book upon publication.

Excitingly, I am now working with a new client on a psychological crime thriller and I will feature her previous novels in an upcoming blog post (and the new one when it is published).

Should my followers be interested in manuscript appraisals, editing, proofreading or writing services, please do not hesitate to get in touch: www.karen.naylor.csy@outlook.com

I also run bespoke creative writing workshops for schools and groups, the next ones scheduled will take place in a primary academy in Leeds in July.

I look forward to hearing from you, but for now, a reminder of Christopher's novel:

Cornerstones newsletter

Here is the latest Cornerstones newsletter with details of the upcoming Bath Novel Awards deadline and more:

Cornerstones: Upcoming Bath Novel Awards deadline, EYN course dates and author news

MAY 11

READ IN APP

Dear authors,

We hope you’re well and getting lots of writing and editing done this spring!

The Bath Novel Awards submission deadline is May 31st, with the Longlist Prize a fully funded place on our Edit Your Novel the Professional Way course run with the Professional Writing Academy – an 18-week, MA-level online course worth £1,980.

We have now set the dates for the EYN course in September, starting September 30th, and applications are now open. You can apply or find out more information on our website here.

We also have some exciting authors news and articles to share with you about debut manuscripts, an author’s journey to publication and the benefits of writing retreats.

Louise Austin is a debut author and EYN alumnus who previously won the Cornerstones PWA prize for most promising manuscript in the Bath Children’s Novel Awards in 2022.

You can read the announcement of Louise Austin’s book deal with Macmillan in The Bookseller here.

You can also find the full interview with Louise Austin and the Bath Children’s Novel Award following the release of her debut novel Alex Abbott is [Un]Dead here.

Fiona Dixon has published with HarperCollins Children’s Books, and recently enjoyed a book launch for Crow at the Waterstones in Gower Street, London. You can read about Fiona’s road to publication and ten things she’s learned as a debut author on the PWA website here.

Traditionally published by Bedford Square, this is Gay Marris’s second book, and you can find out more about her debut novel and journey to publication in a Behind the Book blog with Gay Marris on our website here.

In other news, you can read the latest Writing magazine article from our Editorial Director, Monica Chakraverty, about the value of a writing retreat here. There are a few spots still available in our Professional Writers’ Retreat in Scotland’s ‘House of the Year’ later in September, do get in touch with the office for a programme and further details if interested.

That’s all from us! As always, feel free to reach out with any updates or new materials – we love hearing from you.

Very best,

The Cornerstones Team

RESTACK

Wednesday, 13 May 2026

Creative Kirklees Topic Update newsletter

Here is the latest newsletter for my followers to peruse:

Creative Kirklees
Topic Update

Monday, May 11th • Monday, May 18th

Here's your weekly update based on your interests and topic choices.

Thank you for subscribing.

Kirklees Libraries

Pop-up Café at Cleckheaton Library

Sat, 16.5.2026 10:30 - 12:00

Come and have coffee, cake and a chat at the café run by the Friends of Cleckheaton Library. 1st Saturday of every month. Read more

Gup Shup and Chai Group at Birkby and Fartown Library

Wed, 13.5.2026 09:30 - 12:00

Refreshments every week (term time only) Read more

Craft Group at Denby Dale Library

Wed, 13.5.2026 13:30 - 15:30

Arts and crafts session. Bring your own crafts or take part in a group project Read more

Rhymetime at Denby Dale Library

Wed, 13.5.2026 14:00 - 14:30

Singing & Activities for Toddlers Read more

Digital Drop In at Rawthorpe & Dalton Library

Wed, 13.5.2026 13:00 - 15:00

IT support drop in for help with any IT related issues Read more

Just Crafting Around at Cleckheaton Library

Thu, 14.5.2026 10:00 - 12:00

Arts, sewing and crafts session. Read more

View more by clicking here

Kirklees Museums

The National Gallery: Art On Your Doorstep

Sat, 4.4.2026 10:00 - Wed, 30.9.2026 16:00

Fourteen life-size reproductions of National Gallery paintings are to be displayed throughout the Oakwell estate. Read more

View more by clicking Go to search

Art Markets & Craft Fairs

EXHIBITION: innate by Aurora Foulds

Thu, 30.4.2026 11:00 - Thu, 4.6.2026 16:30

Enjoy 'innate' the first solo exhibition from local artist Aurora Foulds which shares her current works in progress and archived work, alongside ha ne ... Read more

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Books & Literature

Vince Cable – Eclipsing the West

Tue, 12.5.2026 18:15 - 19:15

In this fascinating talk, Vince Cable will discuss what the rise of the Asian superstates means for our future. Read more

What’s in a Story?

Tue, 12.5.2026 18:30 - 20:00

Four bestselling women writers talk all things novel writing. From mid-life wives to midwives, Christmas crackers to beach reads, a Yorkshire village ... Read more

ONLINE: A Masterclass in Story Structure

Tue, 12.5.2026 19:00 - 21:00

Whether you are a short story writer, a novelist, or a script writer, how you structure your story is key to its success. Read more

Talk: Made in Yorkshire

Tue, 12.5.2026 19:30 - 21:30

Enjoy a talk at Kirkheaton Community Centre and find out about things that are made in Yorkshire Read more

An Audience with Sunny Ormonde – The Archers’ Lilian Bellamy

Wed, 13.5.2026 19:00 - 20:00

Celebrate 75 years of The Archers and 25+ years of the inimitable Lilian Bellamy in this special audience with actor Sunny Ormonde. Read more

Stu Hennigan – Keshed

Wed, 13.5.2026 19:00 - 20:30

Yorkshire writer, poet and musician Stu Hennigan talks about his dark, complex, and visceral debut novel Keshed, an unflinching character study explor ... Read more

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Kirklees Town Halls

Life Drawing Class - Mirfield

Thu, 14.5.2026 18:30 - 20:30

Our untutored life drawing sessions are open to everyone — no experience needed. Each relaxed, two-hour session. Nude model. We provide hot drinks and ... Read more

Once Upon a Dance - Paris Cherise Dance Company

Sat, 16.5.2026 16:00 - 18:30

Paris Cherise Dance Company Presents... Once upon a time there stood a dance school filled with passion, dedication, and extraordinary talent. Within ... Read more

Hits Out of Hell – The Legend of Meat Loaf

Sat, 16.5.2026 19:30 - 22:00

CELEBRATING THE LEGENDARY MEAT LOAF Celebrating the life, music and legend of the musical maestro Meat Loaf The World’s premier show in tribute to M ... Read more

Musical Theatre Classes

Wed, 13.5.2026 18:15 - 19:15

Enrolling now for September Read more

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Children & Families

The National Gallery: Art On Your Doorstep

Sat, 4.4.2026 10:00 - Wed, 30.9.2026 16:00

Fourteen life-size reproductions of National Gallery paintings are to be displayed throughout the Oakwell estate. Read more

Storytelling: Winnie-the-Pooh (12pm Show)

Sat, 16.5.2026 12:00 - 12:45

Go on an adventure to Hundred Acre Wood, get to know Winnie-the-Pooh and friends, hear a special storytime, and discover how to draw the bear of very ... Read more

Workshop: World Dance

Sat, 16.5.2026 13:30 - 14:30

Come and join dance teacher Salma Zaman for a fun World Dance Workshop for the whole family. We’ll explore dances from around the world in a relaxed, ... Read more

Storytelling: Winnie-the-Pooh (2pm Show)

Sat, 16.5.2026 14:00 - 14:45

Go on an adventure to Hundred Acre Wood, get to know Winnie-the-Pooh and friends, hear a special storytime, and discover how to draw the bear of very ... Read more

Illuminated Lettering Workshop

Sun, 17.5.2026 13:00 - 16:00

Huddersfield Literature Festival are offering this amazing pen and ink art workshop for a fantastic price at Bagshaw Museum on 17th May! Read more

Tiny Readers

Tue, 12.5.2026 09:00 - 10:00

Tiny Readers at The Fields – A Reading Club for Parents / Carers and Young Children! Looking for a fun way to get your child (0-4 years) excited abou ... Read more

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Exhibitions

Louise Lockhart: Cake Crumbs and Lemonade

Sat, 7.3.2026 09:00 - Sun, 28.6.2026 18:00

Cake Crumbs and Lemonade will be the largest solo exhibition to date by illustrator Louise Lockhart (aka The Printed Peanut). Read more

LR Vandy: Rise

Sat, 14.3.2026 09:00 - Sun, 13.9.2026 17:00

Rise is an ambitious first solo museum exhibition by LR Vandy, created for The Weston Gallery. Read more