Wednesday, June 10

Val Yellow


Friday, May 1

Val Yellow Publishing

Val Yellow 
Writer/Trainer
I have a passion to write.
I love to tell stories.
I have a need to travel the world and writing about my journeys.
It fascinates me to be able to put my words on paper, to find other people interested in my ideas and what I have to say.
My ambition is to keep my memories alive, for my imagination to flow and for others to read and hear my words.
When I write people respond well and are able to relate to my straightforward style. I write in plain English, partly because I am... 

Dyslexic and Dyspraxic
Due to my impairment I wish to acknowledge the support I receive for the editing, proof reading, critiques and advice.
I have written and published several travel articles with photographs. 

I also write short fiction stories, plays and articles. 
And a writer of fictional books for children.
Please Click on 'Links' below...
...to web sites on left hand side/or above in this blog 
to enable you to view articles I have published...   

2019/20
Self Published Books for sale
I have now rewrote/re-published these first '2 BOOKS' below...
(first published 2015/11)
FOR 'Apple' iBookS - click on bookS below... 
FOR: 'Amazon' bookS - go into your preferred search engine...

'Watchers' 
'Hedgie The Hungry Hedgehog'
The books below I/We have also published 
(some with Art - my hubby)
A photo/diary books on my/our travels & Life...
BUT: they are not for sale to the public
USA Camp America 1979 by Val Yellow


Greece, Skyros Island Retreat 1992 by Val Yellow
Madeira Wanderings by Val Yellow & Art Smith

'My Publishing' up to 2022 by Val Yellow

'My Experiences in China 1992' by Val Yellow
'Working in Zimbabwe VSO 1996/7' by Val Yellow
'Israel Kibbutz 1980' by Val Yellow
'Getting Married 1999 & Our Story' by Val & Art

1998/9 Egypt 'Now Engaged' by Val & Art

2008 Malaysia, Cambodia and Borneo by Val & Art
(Not published for the public) 
Zoe-by Val Yellow
(Not published for the public)
Peru-2004 by Val and Art
(Not published for the public)
India and Bhutan-1986 (val) -2006 (Val & Art)
(Not published for the public)
Ireland - Campervan trip 'Wild Atlantic Way'-2019 
(Not published for the public)
Scotland - Walk 1999 and Campervan Trip-2018 
(Not published for the public)
There are more BOOKS to come... these are of my travels over the years 
and experience of working in order countries.
...watch this space....

2015 
'Watchers'
(Republished in 2020)  
Self Published Book 
Watchers
Target Readership: Children aged 8yrs old and upwards including Adults

‘A young girl Mia has a mystery to resolve, 
a family crisis to solve and a little girl who needs her help.’

The day after thirteen year old Mia discovers an ancient magical book in an antique shop the police arrest her mother. Mia is left frightened and alone, with only a short message from her mother to give her any clues. The note tells her to go on a long journey to a village called Boscastle in Cornwall.

Here she meets her Nana, who she never knew existed, and Jen a young girl, who becomes her friendenemy. She also discovers the eerie Museum of Witchcraft and a labyrinth carved on a rock.

Very soon, Mia is thrown into a frightening adventure where she needs to find answers to many questions. What is the significance of the beautiful necklace her mother gave her? And who are the mysterious Watchers?

With the help of the musty old book and the necklace, Mia shifts back in time to the 17th century where she meets the young girl Tara and her dog Tatty. Mia and Tara discover they have similar birthmarks and that they are from the same, troubled family.

Tara is in great danger; the witch-hunters have snatched her mother and are threatening to burn her at the stake because they believe she has used witchcraft. Mia must help Tara save her mother, but they are being chased by witch hunters on horseback, and have to journey through freezing snow and terrifying tunnels to unravel the clues and mystery surrounding her ancient family...and her troubled family in the present day.

Only Mia can find the answers as she is drawn back into the dark world of the 17th century. But will she be able to get back into her own time?

I hope you enjoy the magic Val Yellow
2012

Self Published Book 
My husband and I have now completed and produced
a Photograph/journal of our 3 week trip in March 2012 to...
New Zealand Hired-Campervan Trip-2012
(Not published for the public)
...ALSO...
In Wanderlust Travel Magazine - My Husband Art's 'Photograph'
(see below) - became photograph of the week
and I received 'Editors Choice' on my written
'Whale Watching in New Zealand' 
..with the same photograph..
2011
(Republished in 2020) 

ANOTHER CHILDREN'S 
Self Published Book 
‘Hedgie The Hungry Hedgehog’
Target Readership: Children aged 4yrs old and upwards

It all began one cold winters night. Elizabeth (Lizzie) was in her bed reading in another room. 

I her Nana Val and her Grandpa were sitting watching television, when all of a sudden we noticed a movement outside the patio doors. 

I rose from my seat and switched on the outside light and there it was again, feeding from the bowl of food Lizzie and Grandpa had put out earlier that evening. Then it moved over to the water bowl with its back to us. 

I crept out of my seat switched on the outside light and went to fetch Lizzie. Lizzie sat for ages watching the hedgehog feeling until it was time for her to finally go back to her bed to sleep, Lizzie said she was hungry but really wanted to stay up to watch and talk about what she had seen that night. 

That was the beginning of ‘Hedgie The Hungry Hedgehog’ story. Over the next few months the story of the ‘Hedgie’ evolved starting with simple telling to fantastical storyline. 

Lizzie’s ideas had helped her Nana Val developed the tale which has now been made into a small book with drawings and photographs. Most of these where completed by Nana Val. 

The book was eventually finished and sent off to be published ready for Christmas. At the same time Lizzie’s grandpa decided to make her a toy hedgehog box and we brought some soft hedgehog toys for her to be able play out the story. 

These objects were then brought in to make up the story. Lizzie only read the completed story, which was made for her into a book ready for her 2010 Christmas present. 

Over the Christmas period Lizzie asked me to play with her and read the book over and over again....

2010

Fiction Book
'Nana'
Target Readership: Children and Adults
This is about a child who writes a blog about her education, class mates and boyfriends and her love of her supportive Nana.

Fiction Book

'Girlfriends'
Target Readership: Children and Adults

Kelly, a child on the verge of adolescence, finds her family life annoying. 

With her physical changes confusing her, close true friendships seem out of reach. Of course, going to school is a daily trauma. 

The story follows Kelly as she has many adventures while struggling to find that one true friend.

Also 
working on a...
Play
'How Does She Take Her Sugar Dear?'
Target Readership: Adults

A one act play based in a Residential/Supported Living enviroment.


The play starts with an intriguing look at the inner thoughts of a young Disabled woman called Sarah.

She is the main narrator who tells us her thoughts, desires and expectations. 


She is unable to vocalise her needs apart from the odd word or sentence. 


The play is set in a residential/Supported Living home. 


The turnover of staff in the small home is fast (4 residents and 8 workers) as they are poorly paid and only trained to do the legal minimum required. This is clearly shown in Sarah’s attitude to the staff and in theirs to her. 


June and Tracy are paid to work with her every day. Rose is a visitor and used to have Sarah to stay regularly when she was younger to give her family a break. Nowadays Rose visits and takes Sarah home to stay for a few days without being paid. 


At the start of the play we learn that Sarah has just returned from a weekend staying with Rose.


This play shows a key stage in Sarah’s life. Sarah could end up staying in the home she hates, or she could get a more liberating support called ‘Direct Payments’. Then Sarah could leave the home and live more independently. Direct Payments means money instead of services from Social Services, this results in enabling people to having more control in their lives to employ staff or to use an agency of their choice. In the play we hear Rose trying to find out more about Direct Payments. 

We also hear Sarah’s thoughts where she lets the audience know what she really wants for her future. The dramatic moment of the play is Sarah trying to get Rose to understand her. At the same time June is trying to remove Sarah away from a vital discussion taking place between Rose and Tracy, her key worker. 


The play ends with Sarah making Rose understand she wants her involved in her future, to be part of a Trust, working with Sarah and her future. 


Sarah has taken the first is one step in moving away from the boring residential home to living more the way she would choose.


2009

I am mainly concentrated on writing
Children's books 
(see above)
Working closely on this book with writers groups.

I gave local
Talks 
'Travel, Photography and Writing.'
I am still writing 

Short stories 
for young children and Adults
and entering
Competitions and Travel Articles for - magazines.

2008


Commissioned by Tashi Delek Bhutan's 
In Bhutan Flight Magazine 
Published
Bhutan + Photographs. 
(see photograph below)
I gave local 
Talks  
'Travel, Photography and Writing.'
I am still writing 

Short stories 
for young children and Adults
and entering
Competitions and Travel Articles for - magazines.

2007


Articles:

Published
Tashi Delek Bhutan In-flight - Magazine 

Dzongs: A Tourists View + Photographs
See LINKS 
Jan/March 07 page 36 July/Oct 07 - Page 30

2006


 Won A Writing 
Completion
Writers Forum - Magazine 
'Exploring Bhutan' + Photographs 
Travel Writers Competition 
and
Published
Exodus Re Published in e-Newsletter... 

'Exploring Bhutan' + Photographs
Please Click on 'Links' below
and
Working on 
Plays
'Mature Love'
'Viv The Escapee - Its All About Me'
Articles:
My Weekly Women's - Magazine. 

'India Revisited' + Photographs
 Words Magazine 
Short Fictional Story

National Union short story - Competition 
Final Shortlist 
'Transparency'

2005


Articles 

Published
My WeeklyWomen's Magazine. 

'Walking The West Highland Way' + Photographs
Servas International & National - Magazines 

'Seeing Through Local Eyes?'
Letters in:
 
'New Writer' and Writers News - Magazines

'Word Perfect'

2004/5


Articles:

Published
Servas Britain - Newsletter

'Experience The Real Peru' + Photographs
YHA - Local Newsletters 

'YHA Rohan Fond Memories
and 
'A YHA Walk’
Letters in:
Wanderlust Magazine

and
Writers News Magazine
‘The New Writer’

Before 2004


Articles:

Published
BIMH - Magazine 

'Training & Research With Disabled People'
Servas - Magazine 

'Experiences In China'
Link WEA - Newsletter 

'Tutors Of Disabled People'
BIS - Magazine 

'Experiences As A Survivor'