Gill Hoffs

Location Warrington, England
Occupation Writer / mother
Website http://gillhoffs.wordpress.com/

About Me

I worked with children with a variety of behavioural problems until I had my son in 2007. Early 2010, I started having weird [usually painless] migraines. I'd always enjoyed reading and writing, but never usually managed to put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, in a manner I liked. However, the migraines seemed to change all that and suddenly I had beginnings, middles and endings and words flowing in my head.

I've had work included in print anthologies, magazines and e-zines, performed, and published online. Book-wise, I've written a supernatural thriller and the first in a series of crime thrillers set in Warrington, England where I used to live - I'm currently looking for representation/publication for both - and I'm researching a nonfiction book about amazing rescues in Scottish waters and writing a darkly unusual thriller.

One of my books was recommended for shortlisting for the Virginia Prize - it didn't quite make the cut but what a thrill to get that far! I'm still buzzing from it. My nonfiction book on a Victorian shipwreck is due to be released by Pen & Sword in the UK in January 2014.

If anybody has any true tales they would like considered for the rescues book, or just fancies a chat, please feel free to contact me at: gillhoffs@hotmail.co.uk

My collection of fiction and nonfiction - "Wild: a collection" - is out now from Pure Slush in both print and e-book format.

http://www.lulu.com/gb/en/shop/gill-hoffs/wild/paperback/product-20190137.html

http://www.lulu.com/shop/gill-hoffs/wild/ebook/product-21005948.html

Find out more at http://gillhoffs.wordpress.com/

Why do you write?

To put it simply - I can't not. The only way to get the stories out of my head and allow room for thought [and more stories] is to write them down. There are few things out there more thrilling and satisfying to me than getting work published, or performing it for an audience [reading at the Edinburgh Festival in a side event was fantastic fun!].

Any favorite authors? Books?

Jeremy Scott - author of the nonfiction books 'Fast and Louche', and 'Dancing on Ice' [a tale of polar exploration in the 1930s] is my favourite author. His work is wildly entertaining, beautifully descriptive, and full of feeling. Apart from that I enjoy a wide mix: science, history, murder mysteries, and SF, including Ray Bradbury, Val McDermid, Graham Masterton, John Connolly, Karin Slaughter, Oliver Sacks, Simon Garfield, Dennis Lehane, Neil Gaiman and Nathaniel Philbrick.

Gill Hoffs's Wall

Linda Simoni-Wastila – Jun 13, 2012

Hi Gill, thanks so much for reading and commenting on THE RUNAWAY--much appreciated! I am puzzled by your comment, though--the story IS through Josh's eyes. Do you mean change from 3rd to 1st perspective? Thanks, and peace...

Marcus Speh – Dec 16, 2011

Gill, "<a href="http://pureslush.webs.com/protein.htm">Protein</a>" at Pure Slush is a hell of a piece. The entrance into the workshop of death, with lines like: "Bunches of them, open beaked and broken necked, heavy in death." — absolutely over the sea fantastic. Allusions of mythical decay (bluebeard), and of Hitchcock in reverse. Loved this.

Robert Vaughan – Nov 01, 2011

Gill, thanks a ton for your thoughtful comments on Wrestling with Genetics. So thrilled to see you in conversation with Susan Tepper in Monday Chat as well as all your successes lately. Makes me so thrilled for you.

Ivan Reyes – Oct 30, 2011

Thanks for your comment, Gill! Twas a very nice thing to say! :)

Joani Reese – Sep 06, 2011

Gill: Thank you for your reaction to "The Lost Boy." Perhaps if we all tell these stories enough, no one will forget the past.

Jack Swenson – Sep 06, 2011

What got me was that "Tony" fed LIVE mice to the snakes. Yikes! Thanks for reading & commenting on my story.

Susan Tepper – Sep 05, 2011

Gill thanks so much for what you said about my story "kid", really appreciate!!

Jack Swenson – Sep 05, 2011

Thank you for your support, Gil. Glad you liked my story.

Jane Hammons – Sep 04, 2011

Thanks so much for your sweet comment and fave on Lettie in the Ozarks. I hope it is part of a book someday!

Joani Reese – Sep 03, 2011

Hi Gill: I appreciate your visit to "Abstinence" and your kind comments. Thanks!

Jack Swenson – Sep 02, 2011

Gil, thanks for reading and commenting on "Flying." Much appreciated.

Foster Trecost – Aug 31, 2011

Hi Gill. Just a little thank you for spending some time with Blank Checks - I really appreciate the read and your comments. fos.

Jack Swenson – Aug 25, 2011

Thanks for your read & fav for "Visting Sally." Yes, indeed; "visiting" hurts sometimes. Almost always as a matter of fact.

Foster Trecost – Aug 22, 2011

Hi Gill, thanks for reading and commenting on The Pretenders, and a BIG thanks for pointing out my titular typo! fos.

Foster Trecost – Aug 20, 2011

Hi Gill, Thanks for reading and commenting on Eight States Away - I really appreciate both! And thanks for the fave, too. fos.

Jack Swenson – Aug 18, 2011

Nope, not a tot of rum. I was just a tot when I signed the pledge, though. Many moons later, I quit drinking. Thanks for the kind words and the *.

Neil Serven – Aug 18, 2011

Hey Gill. Thanks so much for reading and digging "Earworm." Glad you enjoyed!

MaryAnne Kolton – Aug 06, 2011

Gill, loved Snow go. But then I'm partial to most everything you write. . .

Marcus Speh – Aug 03, 2011

gill, as a red head (?) you are biased, but i still thank you for your kind comment on "ginger"!

MaryAnne Kolton – Aug 03, 2011

Gill, Hope Angus and all are on the mend. Thanks for taking the time to read Tree Car Crash. Ten acceptances last month and I'm critiquing your work??? I am not worthy. . . .

Penny Goring – Aug 02, 2011

Thank you! So happy. Onion style X

Jack Swenson – Jul 29, 2011

You have a sharp eye, Gill. Nobody else spotted the forbidden word! Thank you for your wonderful comment about "The Bicycle."

Jack Swenson – Jul 29, 2011

Oh, and thanks for the fav!

Jack Swenson – Jul 29, 2011

Gill, thanks for weighing in on the Great Bicycle Controversy. It's my fault, too, because I stirred the pot! I'm afraid I'm a troublemaker by nature. Have to admit it has been fun.

Ivan Reyes – Jul 26, 2011

HA! What a coincidence!

Foster Trecost – Jul 26, 2011

Hi Gill, just wanted to thank you for reading and commenting on Cactus, both here and on FB. I really appreciate the time you spent. Fos.

Cherise Wolas – Jul 26, 2011

Gill,

Thanks for the nice words on The Lake Husband! I appreciated it.

Jerry Schatz – Jul 24, 2011

Gill, thanks for your comments on "Pieces," and thanks for the fave!

Joani Reese – Jul 23, 2011

Hi Gill: Thank you for your nice words about "The Human Condition." I appreciate that you stopped by.

Jack Swenson – Jul 22, 2011

Thanks for the tip, Gill. The Further Adventures of Mimi and Nancy? Coming right up.

Jack Swenson – Jul 21, 2011

Oh, no--another "tot" hater! Probably because a tot is something else in England. What do you call a "small child"? My dictionary says that's what tot means. Kids? Young'uns? Yuk! Children? Covers too much ground. Toddler? No that's a young tot--someone just learning to walk. Ah, me.

Eryk Wenziak – Jul 19, 2011

Thanks, Gill, for reading my 'beautiful and gross' piece! I agree on that one! More gross, I think. :-) Have a great day!

Ivan Reyes – Jul 19, 2011

Thanks, Gill. Her name is Cricket, but also goes by Pig. She is a Yorkie/Schnauzer I believe.

Lorenzo Sewanan – Jul 18, 2011

ok. so i'm relieved that manolos is not based on real life. good stuff!

Susan Tepper – Jul 18, 2011

Gill thanks for reading and commenting on my poem Untitled. I like that you found it creepy and menacing, it's a new take on that one.
cheers! susan

Joani Reese – Jul 16, 2011

Hi Gill: Thanks for stopping by to read "Soir Bleu." I appreciate it much. Love your page photo.

FM Le – Jul 16, 2011

Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my poem. Interesting take! :) Welcome (seems you're new by the comments on here)!

J. Mykell Collinz – Jul 16, 2011

Hi, Gill. Thanks for reading 'Mercury Unbound-6.' I greatly appreciate your comments and suggestions.

David Ackley – Jul 15, 2011

Thanks, Gill, for the kind notice for 'that ringing.'

Jack Swenson – Jul 15, 2011

Gill, glad you like the visuals in my story "Old Age." It really is about showing and telling, isn't it?

Christopher Allen – Jul 15, 2011

Hi, Gill,
Thank you for your comment on "Nothing Between Us."

DeMisty Bellinger – Jul 14, 2011

Thank you so much for your comment on my short-short! Very encouraging!

Lorenzo Sewanan – Jul 12, 2011

thank you for the comments on "Change of Heart"!

Robert Salley – Jul 12, 2011

Thanks for the comment on "11:11AM Eastern..." Looking forward to reading your work. Cheers!

Penny Goring – Jul 12, 2011

Thank you for your lovely comment on my Ornamental Onion xx

Foster Trecost – Jul 07, 2011

thanks for reading and commenting on Hidden Reminders. I really appreciate the time you took for both. Yes, you got it just right...but it's not morbid for you to think it was her body - stuff like that could happen. Fos.

Emily Smith-Miller – Jul 06, 2011

thanks for the comment on tinsel Gill, oh btw your stories are up on Carnage ;) let me know what you think, if you like the pictures, if everything looks right, so on and so forth! cheers!

DelMePls – Jul 06, 2011

Thank you for your comment on "Madness." As far as I know, she is playing her game, and I am subject to it... It isn't exactly unrequited, for she does return the feelings, I just am at a loss on how to go forward.

MaryAnne Kolton – Jul 05, 2011

Gill, lovely response to Give Up? from a most lovely friend.
Thanks much.

Neil Serven – Jul 03, 2011

Gill, I thanked you on FB, and now I thank you here, for your kind words on "Spark and a Flash." Glad you enjoyed.

Meg Pokrass – Jul 02, 2011

you are so kind, Gil. thank you for your support for my story "Strawberry Trees". Really appreciated! Hope you are having a great weekend!

Jack Swenson – Jul 01, 2011

Gill, thanks for what you said about "My Way." Yes, maybe I got a little carried away. I'm afraid it's the way my mind works.

Susan Tepper – Jun 30, 2011

Gill thanks so much for your sweet comments on Dear Knife, I appreciate! Also love your photo with Angus, just adorabe!

Jack Swenson – Jun 25, 2011

Gill, Thanks for your comment on "Sweet Dreams." I appreciate it.

Jane Hammons – Jun 25, 2011

Thanks, Gill, for reading "Mothering in Real Time" and welcome to Fictionaut!

Robert Vaughan – Jun 19, 2011

Gill, thanks for your recent comments on my 3 Short Shorts. I appreciate them and you!

Bill Yarrow – Jun 18, 2011

Thanks for commenting on "Demolition Derby," Gill. I really appreciate your stopping by and reading my work.

Welcome to Fictionaut!

Sophie Kipner – Jun 18, 2011

Hi Gill! Thanks so much for your comment on "The Savoy" - I'm so pleased that you enjoyed reading it!

Meg Pokrass – Jun 17, 2011

Gill, thank you for your very specific and kind comment on my story "Elizabeths"! Strongly appreciated!

Jim V – Jun 17, 2011

Thanks for reading and commenting on "Likely Story".

Christopher Allen – Jun 17, 2011

Hey, Gill. Thank you for leaving a comment on "Three-handed Bridge." Hope you're doing well.

Foster Trecost – Jun 16, 2011

Hi Gill. Thanks for reading my bus story, and thanks for the comment, too - I really appreciate both! fos.

Eryk Wenziak – Jun 16, 2011

I really appreciate you reading my poem, Gill, and commenting. Thank you!

Joe Kapitan – Jun 15, 2011

Gill, thanks for reading and commenting on Sleepless #3. Much appreciated.

Gill Hoffs – Jun 14, 2011

Aw, thanks MaryAnne! As ever, I'll be doing as much as my mischief of a three year old will allow - and that will most definitely include fictionaut-ing [if that is a verb?]
All the best, Gill

MaryAnne Kolton – Jun 13, 2011

Gill, If A Bottle Of Raspberries is any indication of the quality of work you will be bringing to fictionaut all I can say is hurry and write more and post more! Welcome. Mar

Gill Hoffs – Jun 13, 2011

Thanks, guys! Really looking forward to reading and commenting here. Might even dare to try 'fave-ing' once in a while. Won't be hard to find favourites given the quality of the work I've seen via facebook. Gill

Susan Tepper – Jun 13, 2011

Hi Gill, and welcome to Fictionaut! Have fun!

Robert Vaughan – Jun 13, 2011

I am SO HAPPY to see that you have arrived on the Fictionaut scene, Gill! Welcome!

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