Acclaimed Sidmouth author shares insights into forthcoming thriller

Sidmouth is a melting pot for creativity and talent - helped by its close proximity to a stunning sliver of Jurassic coastline - which is what attracted Sunday Times Bestselling Author, Jane Corry, to the town.

The acclaimed novelist, writer and journalist, who has lived in Sidmouth for 11 years, spoke to Nub News about life by the sea and her latest book 'I Made A Mistake' due to be published at the end of May.

"My new thriller, as with much of my writing, draws on Sidmouth and the surrounding area for inspiration," Jane explained.

"It's about Poppy, a mother of two teenagers, who's been married for 23 years. She never thought she was the 'kind of woman' to have an affair but then she bumps into Matthew, an old flame.

"Poppy lives with her mother in law, 70-year-old Betty who has her own love secrets dating back to the 1960s.

"There's a dual perspective with a nostalgic touch.

"The book alternates between Poppy and Betty's stories, both in the present day and the past. The settings are London and Devon.

"It felt natural to draw on the beautiful Jurassic Coast.

"My husband and I moved here eleven years ago. He knew it as a child but I had never been before.

"However, I've always loved the sea. My grandfather was in the Merchant Navy and although he died before I was born, I feel it's in my blood.

"I usually walk with my dog by the sea at least twice a day (although we're more restricted now obviously).

"I also swim with a friend for about eight months of the year. And yes - I do wear a wetsuit!

"Sidmouth has so much to offer. Five years ago, I helped found the Sidmouth Literary Festival with Winstone Books.

"We have a great committee of locals who are all unpaid volunteers, dedicated to spreading the love of reading.

"Our festival director is Liz Gordon who runs the PR business, Brilliant Fish."

With it being 'World Book Night' yesterday, we asked Jane about her Penguin thriller 'The Dead Ex' which was selected as a recommended title to encourage reading

"The event is run by The Reading Agency and yesterday was special as it was the tenth celebration. It's a way of highlighting the power of reading and making it more accessible for people."

Below are Jane's five top tips for readers:

1. Don't have time to read? Go to bed early with a book. Even ten or fifteen minutes can be enough.

1. Never feel as though you have to finish a book you're not fully enjoying. There are so many narratives out there to adore.

1. Try different genres. Don't rule out categories. Give anything a try. Also, experiment with different styles of writing; short stories, poetry, quick reads.

1. It doesn't have to be a traditional paperback. You could listen to audio books or download onto your iPad or Kindle.

1. Want to write yourself? Try thinking of a first line for a novel: one that makes people sit up and take notice. For example: 'This morning I met a mermaid...'

With the imminent release of 'I Made A Mistake'; Nub News is running a 'pop-up' book club, inviting people to read Jane Corry's previous novel - 'I Looked Away'.

In a month, we will hold a public discussion of the novel. You can also pre-order 'I Made A Mistake' from local bookshops, or by clicking here or here.

For more information on Jane's work, visit her website here.