Karen Banfield, Writer

11/06/2024

Another anthology I am proud to be a part of, the third published by Leighton Buzzard Writers. It was inspired by the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War I in August 1914. Taking this theme as inspiration, local writers, both members of the group and the wider public, have produced works of both fiction and non-fiction, along with illustrations by local artists to form a fitting commemoration of life, loss and love in Leighton-Linslade.

In this anthology, I had two stories; one called Two Letters, heres a snippet...

"I had such mixed feelings whenever the post arrived, dreading bad news and hoping that Ernest had managed to write again. We’d had a letter from Earnest only yesterday, telling us about a soldier who signed up the same time he did, and had grown up in Regent Street. I never minded what Ernest wrote about, as long as he put pencil to paper I stayed connected to him, even when he
was in this other world."

Find this on amazon to read the full story and more!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bridge-Between-Two-Worlds/dp/1326028855/ref=sr_1_12?crid=38P89V55R7UYP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ij7XY3EW_BvSl4_smsj9QUdq-tht1tORf8umhjjeWlvRkdcZQXHwU-PJRnVC87MHzigQx_kIPcJCLhadmOSAcZt7aO0Gn-AGBScW8EwsRMGnMWjViCgsxqbPraa9GopNx2e4IRBirwkOOOevqMfDBz3sge5tmE-ewdUgIz07LqDT0xjrpis7Kg3rSe5gLFw_CFb8vY2WMc0tqWnDr77-Ayxv9NcmfwAMXSKPng5fY2QWIMoVzWtdO3hd2TX5Sv0xYo4ih_L8Sb8U-qEJzqBkayeQO6UkJJnSRPwXPnO96-o.iDxRlZW33qAKtj_e1Aum7Jk5IXiZE8zlVH9MuQkc-4g&dib_tag=se&keywords=a+bridge+between+two+worlds&qid=1718112151&sprefix=a+bridge+between+two+world%2Caps%2C224&sr=8-12

01/06/2024

Tales Terrible and Mysterious from the Buzzard was the second anthology published by the Leighton Buzzard Writers Group. I was very proud to be part of the local group when they accepted my entry to be part of this anthology with my story; The Phone Call.

"I slowed down just to pass the speed camera, but hit the accelerator straight after. I found myself praying that I wouldn’t lose Jimmy, not after all we’d been through together. I couldn’t work out how he’d managed to escape the house when I was sure I’d locked it up. I should have realised something was going on. I'm so careful now, it’s inconceivable I would have left the door open. But I didn’t think like that, my worry for Jimmy clouded everything. The traffic slowed down for no obvious reason and I pressed my horn, shouting “move, will you, move”.

You can read more of this story and others by many talented writers by owning your very own copy. Buy it here on Amazon
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Terrible-Mysterious-Leighton-Buzzard-Writers/dp/129105877X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2RPLRWI9IV45B&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.E3ATWJaYZ-sbzZo6goKi1A.omI7PjayontyK7mME5mbTEQs44C2-hHhzT5kpVYPzBs&dib_tag=se&keywords=tales+terrible+and+mysterious+from+the+buzzard&qid=1717246434&sprefix=tales+terrible+and+mysterious+from+the+buzzard%2Caps%2C77&sr=8-1

27/05/2024

This anthology featured my first printed story, Dressed for Success. Here's a snippet of the quaint little story I had published.

To his horror he saw the picture of Rupert Bear waving at him, on the side of his navy blue socks. He uncrossed his legs and looked at his other leg and saw the same cheerful pattern. He recognised the pair as those bought him by his brother in law, George, last Christmas. George always chose useless presents each year and Ronny now remembered taking them out of the packet and tucking them at the back of the drawer. He had not given them another thought. Yet today of all days he had put them on. As soon as he got home he would take them off. He couldn't let Vera find them, else she would think he had worn them deliberately to spite her over the tie issue. He sat back in his seat pulling his trouser legs down as far as they would go, and desperately hoped that no one from the company had seen them.

26/05/2024

I've been reorganising a book case and have come across all of the anthologies I have been a part of.
The first one I was part of was called Down the Middle. I had a story printed as part of this anthology called Dressed for Success.

Look out this week for an excerpt of that story and of the stories I have in other anthologies printed over the years.

14/05/2024

I've been writing short stories for over 30 years, there's even some on dot matrix paper and some that are typewritten! The team are working through all of the printed stories to collate them into anthologies. A lengthy process but an exciting one!

13/05/2024

So pleased to raise such a lot of money for such a brilliant theatre and art centre with Murder by the Home Fires in 2019. Thank you so much for welcoming our Murderous Family into your extended theatre family. Queens Park Arts Centre

Our thanks to Karen Banfield and the cast and crew of 'Murder by the Home Fires', which raised over £550 for the Centre at the weekend and received glowing feedback from audiences. The team will be back again next year for 'Murder Around the Clock'!

13/05/2024

Some more snaps from the Literary walk with MK Lit Fest and The Parks Trust Just another huge thank you to Flora and David who managed to pull off such a lovely event on such a lovely day.

13/05/2024

Absolutely honoured to be invited back by MK Lit Fest this year for their Literary walk alongside The Parks Trust. We took a stroll around the city of Milton Keynes, stopping at various points for a spot of Poetry and Short stories from those who had been included in this years and last years anthology, with the addition of some lovely historical facts of the city. It really was lovely to be included and have the privilege to read my story to such a lovely audience.

13/05/2024

Last year I entered into the MK Lit Fest short stories competition named Green spaces in the City. I was lucky enough to be short listed and featured in their anthology. Its such a pleasure to be included in their local artists anthology.

You can find my story, My Secret Hobby on page 17.