A Special Friendship

A friendship formed at an Exeter community centre has given confidence back to short story writer, Linda Lewis.

When Linda moved back to Exeter in 2017, the first thing she did was go to  the Beacon Community Centre’s Friday drop in. There she met Pearl Palmer, a lady who enjoyed reading magazines like the People’s Friend.

At that time, Linda had lost her confidence. “I have sold hundreds of stories to magazines but when I told people I was a writer, they assumed I meant novels, “ said Linda.

“When I said I wrote short stories for woman’s magazines, they weren’t impressed. Meeting a fan like Pearl, showed me that what I do is worthwhile. She loves my uplifting stories because they bring a smile to her day.”

Meeting a ‘fan’ gave Linda the confidence to approach a  publisher, Alfie Dog Fiction to ask if they would publish a collection of her short stories. They said yes.

The book, Saving Sam and Other Dog Tales was launched on Wednesday at the Beacon Community Centre’s Meet and Remember Lunch Club, with Pearl in the audience. The book is available on Amazon.

The community drop-in runs from 10am - 12noon and there's homemade cakes, hot drinks, Knit and Knatter, free games of pool, Linda occasionally runs an art table and Pearl's always up for a game of Scrabble!