07 Thursday Aug 2008
Don’t judge a book by its cover, some might say. But this one, a throwback to vintage pulp fiction, drew me in fast. As a fan of film noir, I already had a taste for hard-boiled crime. Not only is the cover to die for, so is the title – Death Was The Other Woman – and its mordant wit sets the tone perfectly, casting a shadow over the narrative as the reader hunts for the elusive ‘whodunnit’. Continue reading
02 Saturday Aug 2008
Posted in Books, Fiction, Marilyn Monroe, The Mmm Girl, Updates
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‘The Mmm Girl shows Marilyn Monroe as rational and strong, though also fighting the sadness inside her…the real person, created and affected by the actual details of her life…Tara Hanks beautifully conveys Marilyn’s feelings of loneliness and being an outsider…her writing leaves room for the imagination…the last pages of the novel are simple, sad and heartbreaking’ — Magical Marilyn
A review of The Mmm Girl and an interview with me appears in the latest Magical Marilyn magazine. You can read it here.
06 Sunday Jul 2008
Posted in Books, Brighton, Marilyn Monroe, The Mmm Girl, Updates
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About ten years ago, I regularly read poems and short stories at the Caxton Arms in Brighton. Then when I started writing novels, the urge to perform dwindled. Just a few months after moving back to Brighton, I was asked to read at the ABCtales Evening at St Michael And All Angels’ church on July 5th, as part of the Clifton, Montpelier And Powis Festival. Seven Dials has long been my favourite area of Brighton, so I was very glad to return and be recognised on my home turf.
ABCtales was one of the first websites I searched for when, always the late developer, I discovered the internet way back in 2003. Editors Tony Cook and Mark Brown encouraged me from the start, and I regularly posted my draft chapters. ABCtales offers aspiring writers a chance to share and receive feedback on their work, and many of its eclectic membership have gone on to achieve publication and acclaim. Continue reading
16 Monday Jun 2008
Posted in Books, Film, Marilyn Monroe, Non-Fiction
In Marilyn Monroe’s case, a picture really is worth a thousand words. Some of the most sumptuous photography books have been graced by her luminous presence. Marilyn Monroe: Platinum Fox, by Cindy De La Hoz, is dedicated to Marilyn’s image and film career, rather than her private life. It is wonderfully designed in a vivid, retro style evoking the 1950s, the decade when Marilyn became the world’s sexiest cultural icon. Twentieth Century Fox was the studio where her career began and ended, and each of her productions, from bit parts to blockbusters, are covered in detail.
Some film stills and publicity shots included here have never been seen before. The text lacks some depth but is light and entertaining, with plot summaries, character profiles, snippets of dialogue and trivia from behind the scenes. The main drawback of the book is it doesn’t cover some of the great work Marilyn achieved outside her home studio, from early gems like The Asphalt Jungle to classics like Some Like It Hot. But it is still a great introduction to Marilyn’s meteoric career, and a testament to her extraordinary love affair with the camera.
Related books: Blonde Heat – The Sizzling Screen Career Of Marilyn Monroe by Richard Buskin; Marilyn At Twentieth Century Fox by Lawrence Crown.
12 Thursday Jun 2008
Posted in Books, Brighton, Marilyn Monroe, The Mmm Girl, Updates
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An evening of live literature featuring writers from www.abctales.com
The next ABCtales evening will be held at St Michaels Hall, Victoria Road, Brighton on Saturday July 5th – starting at 8 p.m. Admission £3 (£2 concessions). Tara Hanks, a long time ABCtales member, will be reading from her latest book, The Mmm Girl – the story of Marilyn Monroe, in her own words.
There’s still room for readers so if you want to come along and read (maximum time 10 minutes) then email tcook@abctales.com
The evening is part of the Montpelier, Clifton and Powis Festival. All are welcome so do come along. St Michaels Hall is just five minutes walk from the station and right in the centre of the City.
Hope to see you there!
Tara Hanks 
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