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Di Castle
ALLi Author Member
Location: United Kingdom (the)
Genres: Memoir, General Fiction, Young Adult (YA), Other Poetry
Skills: Speaking Engagement/Lecture, Reading/Literary Event, Performance/Spoken Word
Di taught in Further and Higher Education for 35 years while collecting a hoard of unfinished manuscripts. She studied Psychology at the Open University and then undertook specialist dyslexia training. From 1994 she worked individually with dyslexic students, also undertaking specialist assessments for examination arrangements.
Di always had a love of words, writing as soon as she could hold a pen. After gaining two first prizes and highly commended awards at the Winchester Writers’ Conference she began blogging in 2012 and has written for several websites including her own blog at www.dicastlewriter.wordpress.com.
Grandma’s Poetry Book (published 2014) is a nostalgic, humorous memoir spanning sixteen years capturing the experience of a first-time grandmother on her sometimes wobbly journey. Di has sold over1800 copies mainly through author talks, craft fairs and markets.
Her second book Should I Wear Floral takes a humorous peek at life, love and leaving over the last twenty-five years. The poems stem from observations, eavesdropping and experience while several originated with news stories and memorable events such as the deaths of Princess Diana, the Queen Mother and Spike Milligan. Learn about the 'Look Down Generation', the 'Boomerang Generation' and those annoying people who are ‘Always There’.
Her poetry books open a window on many recognisable situations.
Both books are available through bookshops, and also via her website www.dicastle.co.uk
Her memoir, Red House to Exodus, is set in Harpenden, Hertfordshire between 1945 and 1965 and should be available in 2022
Di was brought up with a profoundly deaf sister so she has a passionate interest in deaf awareness. Two of her current writing projects are based on the deaf /hearing sibling relationship.
She is an accredited speaker for the WI in both Dorset and Hampshire and provides humorous talks about her writing life illuminated by her poetry readings as well as talks on Deaf Awareness and an introduction to British Sign Language.
She has three daughters and seven grandchildren.
Di Castle's books
Grandma's Poetry Book
This poetry collection spans sixteen years capturing the experience of a first-time grandmother on her sometimes wobbly journey in her new role. It includes many facets of unmissable moments and childhood milestones, some humorous and others more poignant, even sad. Such treasured times can easily be forgotten so the book acts as a nostalgic memoir. Touching and funny in turn, readers will be reminded of the joys of witnessing childhood development and the effect on their own lives. Even those yet to reach grandparenthood including fathers, aunties and primary school children have already enjoyed reading this book. Grandma’s Poetry Book makes an ideal gift for new grandparents, birthdays, Christmas and Mothers’ Day and many readers have returned to buy more copies for friends and relations. Each poem has its own laugh-out-loud illustration by an artist who has been likened to E H Sheppard.
Some comments have included ‘Pam Ayres meets Winnie the Pooh’, ‘made me laugh, made me cry’, ‘charming book’ and ‘every grandparent should have one’.
Should I Wear Floral
Should I Wear Floral and other poems takes a humorous peek at Life, Love and Leaving during many changes in society over the last 25 years, while also celebrating landmark events in Britain. Included are more personal fun verses written for family birthdays, weddings and funerals and adapted for this book.
From the irritations of mobile phones, holiday air flights, weight gain, the ageing process and stages of life to the joys of love and marriage, the quirks of retirement and sadness of separation and loss, these poems open a window on many familiar situations everyone will recognise.