Caroline Thonger
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About My Writing
In the past 10 years or so I've written short
stories and freelance articles; have been
Assistant Editor to 'Writers' Forum'; and have
offered editorial services from home. I've been
published in the British small press as well as
other publications, including in the USA. I've
edited/published 5 books for local authors, and
last year completed a 4 1/2 year stint as Editor
for the British Women Pilots' Association (BWPA).
I wrote several aviation-related articles for the
BWPA, as well as being responsible for the
'special' 50th Anniversary edition of their
magazine, issued early in 2006.
My first children's book was published in 1996,
and after writing 5 novels in the last 5 years I
decided to tackle a completely different sort of
writing: biography. The research I've undertaken
in order to complete a biographical family
history has taken me all over Europe.
I'm a member of Writers in Oxford, of the
Society of Authors and of the Chartered Institute
of Journalists. I'm also a member of an
enthusiastic group of experienced local writers,
with whom I'm now working behind the scenes on
our new project. At the end of September 2006 we
launched the first Stratford-on-Avon Writers'
Festival, on the success of which the 2nd
Writers' Festival will take place in midsummer of
this year, over the weekend of 22/23/24 June.
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Authors' Register:
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| About Me
I was born 53 years ago, the elder of two sisters who grew up in London. I left home at 18 to
explore university and the world. I've lived in Stratford-upon-Avon, England for almost 28
years. I have two boys aged 24 and 22, and my daughter will be 21 this year - all 3 of them
are studying at different English universities. Professionally I have been a multi-lingual
tourist guide for the last 27 years.
I come from a somewhat mixed background. My father was English: eccentric and brilliant but
prone to bouts of manic depression and paranoia. He was a writer and translator, and died 16
years ago in a mental institute, aged 73. My mother was born in Germany yet worked as one of
London's first guide-lecturers. She lived to 88 and had a very independent nature which led
her to divorce my father when I was just 13.
I've always loved writing: it seems to be part of my heritage. I have been simultaneously
fascinated and troubled by the turbulent past of my German ancestors, seeking to understand
both the Jewish and non-Jewish aspects of my heritage. Now choosing to live on my own after 2
failed marriages for the first time in my life I feel free and unhindered to pursue my
writing. I'm delighted to announce the publication of my first biography in Autumn of this
year (07).
| Some of My Work
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The Banker's Daughter
Genre: Non-fiction - Biography
Status: Available for Purchase
Read a Sample
Buy the Book
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An impossible love-triangle is set against the
dramatic events of Germany's past, from pre
WWI to the Third Reich.
How will Eva, born in the last decade of the
19th century as the 3rd child of one of the
richest men in Berlin, be affected by the
horrors of WWI, the terrible aftermath of
defeat, the influenza pandemic, anarchy and
hyperinflation? Locked into a loveless
marriage, she undertakes a dangerous liaison
with an older married man. Once Hitler is in
power, her family is scattered and she suffers
the ultimate betrayal: exile from her own
country. She escapes the Holocaust by ending
up on the other side of the world. Unable to
speak a word of the language, how will she now
survive, alone and friendless, in an alien
land?
This book has been accepted for publication
by Merton Priory Press, and is being launched
on Thursday 1st November 2007 in
Stratford.
256 pages (with 76 black-and-white
photos)ISBN 978-1-898937-71-5
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Marshmallow and the Misfits
Genre: Fiction - Children's
Status: Available for Purchase
Read a Sample
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Dingo and his Gang are bored. School's boring.
Home's boring. Life's boring! Then one day a
strange new boy arrives. And a Magic Man. And
then - everybody disappears!
A full-length adventure story for 7-11 year
olds (written under the name of Caroline
Hastings). Self-published 1996. 112pp,
paperback, fully illustrated by local
artist.
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Flying With Dolphins (book 1)
Genre: Fiction - Thrillers and suspense
Status: In Writing
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Managing to evade the clutches of the
perverted Dr Dillinger, the heroine Kat barely
escapes with her life, and ends up lost in
London. With the help of a band of colourful
characters, she embarks on a quest to recover
her memory, and then to search for and finally
to rescue her long-lost brother.
A short novel (written under the name of
Caroline Hastings) of around 52,000 words.
First draft completed end of November 2001.
Accepted for publication by American online
magazine called 'The Writers'Hood' and
serialised (by me) into 8 parts during
2002.
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Flying with Dolphins (book 2)
Genre: Fiction - Thrillers and suspense
Status: In Writing
Read a Sample
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Kat's adventures take her from a crash-landing
on the island of Bermuda to the islands of the
Bahamas, where she attempts to unravel the
mystery surrounding a place called Atlantis on
Paradise Island.
Sequel to Book 1. First draft completed end
of November 2002 (written under the name of
Caroline Hastings). Still in writing (around
50,000 words so far).
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They Eat Guinea-Pigs in Peru
Genre: Mystery - General
Status: In Writing
Read a Sample
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In the early 50s, the central character Ellie
is discovered unconscious and with no
identification on the shores of Lake Titicaca.
She is taken to a clinic in Cuzco, where the
young Director and a local priest attempt
between them to unravel the mystery of Ellie's
identity. Through the recounting of her
travels in Peru, she gradually recovers her
lost memory. But who is she really? What
terrible trauma has turned her hair white?
Where did she come from originally? And how
did she end up in Peru?
A novel - first draft completed November
2004. Around 82,000 words (written under the
name of Caroline Thonger). Fictionalised
account of my grandmother's adventures in
Peru.
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Awards and Commendations
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1997: First prize in Children's Section of 'Writing Magazine'/'Writers' News'
Self Publishing Awards 1996 for 'Marshmallow and the Misfits'
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