A small fishing village, a shunned healer, her daughter,
tradition, superstition and a world set to change.
Kerensa lives with her mother, the healer Meliora, on the edge of a
small fishing community on the Cornish Coast.
The townsfolk, who work the fish runs of pilchard and mackerel
that make their way up the Atlantic coast, call on her mother for help with
their ailments, but never for her company.
Kerensa does not know why.
Curses and superstitions whisper around her as she grows into a
competent young woman, fighting for her place amongst the people of Porth
Gwynn.
But what has caused the rift between her and the town?
And can their traditional way of life survive in the face of
changing winds?
Where the Gulls Fall Silent is
a historical fiction that explores the lives of the fishermen and women who
made their living from the rough Atlantic Ocean; the hardship they faced; the
secrets that divided them; and the community spirit that pulled them through.
A story of love, loss, hope and second chances.
Woking-based
Lelita Baldock is an author of historical fiction and crime fiction. She has a
passion for dark stories, with an unexpected twist.
It was during
her years studying English Literature at University that Lelita discovered her
love of all things reading and writing. But it would be another 15 years before
she took up the challenge and wrote her own novel.
Her debut
novel, the historical fiction Widow's Lace, is an Amazon best-seller.
Her follow
up, The Unsound Sister, saw her take a different
direction in her writing, trying her hand at crime fiction and has been warmly
received globally.
Her third
novel, Where the Gulls Fall Silent, a return to historical fiction
is available to pre-order now.
Lelita also
runs a blog and newsletter featuring
fellow authors and other creatives.
60 Second Interview:
When did you start
writing your new book?
I began Where the Gulls
Fall Silent in September 2020. We were enjoying a break from lockdown and being
able to go out and visit friends and explore the countryside really inspired my
desire to be creative again.
What was the inspiration
behind the book?
The inspiration came
from my first trip to north Cornwall in 2019. My husband and I travelled there
for a week, exploring Port Gaverne, Port Isaac and Port Quinn. The coastline
was breathtakingly beautiful and the people warm and friendly. I found myself
wanting to research more about traditional Cornish culture and the lifestyles
of the fishermen and women of the area.
Can you describe your
route to publication from concept to completed novel?
I am very much a planner
when I write. Once I have an idea I take time to research the history of the
time, any key events, how people lived in the day-to-day. Then I outline my
story in full, plan my characters and chapters. Only once that is ready will I
begin to write.
Naturally things may
diverge from the plan, but I work best with the majority of the story mapped
out and most of the research already uncovered and ready to be conveyed.
After that I send it to
a group of beta-readers for feedback. I work through their suggestions and edit
as much as possible on my own.
Finally, the manuscript
will go to my editor for the finishing editing touches.
So far in my writing
career I am self-published, so I prepare my cover and manuscript, write up my
blurb and marketing materials and publish through Amazon.
What ideas do you have
for any future books?
I have a new historical
fiction idea set in post Napoleon War France that I have been researching and
planning. I have just started to write some chapters and am loving how things
are flowing at the moment. Really enjoying the process.
