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The Steeple Times is an online magazine with a following of upto 880,000 unique views per day on our best day yet.

  • We have 91,000 daily subscribers by email.

  • We typically average around 320,000 unique views per day.

  • We currently have 65 contributing authors who range from students to the actor, writer and producer Steven Berkoff and the champion jockey Frankie Dettori.

Combining a mix of society's last word and both wit and wisdom, The Steeple Times covers food, drink and fine dining as well as luxury, travel, the arts, individuals of influence and current affairs in the United Kingdom, America and elsewhere. We are best described as being akin to "a cross between The Huffington Post and Private Eye".

 

The magazine's following is affluent, engaged and international. With 41% of readers coming from the UK and 38% from America, The Steeple Times also has strong presence within Canadian, Italian, German and Australian territories.

 

Tag: Author

September 14, 2018

Picture of the Week – A Bottled Baroness

by Matthew Steeples

Racist Marie-Claire, ‘Baroness’ von Alvensleben spotted dashing for sparkling wine as she ‘works the room’ at chi-chi antiques fair   Last night at LAPADA, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting innocents complete with her trademark helmet hairstyle, Marie-Claire ‘Baroness’ von Alvensleben perched on a bench at the entrance.   The wannabe Elnett ambassador’s eyes beamed when … Continue reading “Picture of the Week – A Bottled Baroness”

April 20, 2018

Potted Trolls

by Matthew Steeples

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling is right to speak out against those of the belief that social media trolls should simply be ignored suggests Matthew Steeples   As someone subject to daily abuse on social media at the hands of mostly deranged, aged right-wing trolls, I was truly impressed that the author J.K. Rowling took … Continue reading “Potted Trolls”

November 19, 2017

Lord of the Thatch

by Matthew Steeples

Former Wiltshire home of ‘Lord of the Flies’ author Sir William Golding for sale for 562% more than he sold it for in 1985   The one-time home of the author and Nobel Prize in Literature and Booker Prize winner Sir William Golding, CBE (1911 – 1993) has gone on sale for £795,000 ($1.1 million, … Continue reading “Lord of the Thatch”

October 1, 2017

Madness in Madagascar

by Sarah Tucker

Author and travel writer Sarah Tucker visits Madagascar and laments its future   Every year I’m sent press releases that tell me I should visit a place before it loses what makes it special. Vienna, the Maldives and Istanbul have all been on the “go before they go” itinerary, but Madagascar had never been one … Continue reading “Madness in Madagascar”

September 30, 2017

Gabriel and Sarah A. Chrisman

by General

Port Townsend, Washington State residents Gabriel and Sarah A. Chrisman live as if they are Victorians. A bike shop employee and a writer respectively, the couple have never owned mobile phones and live in a house built in 1888 with a “period appropriate icebox” instead of a fridge and oil lamps instead of modern light … Continue reading “Gabriel and Sarah A. Chrisman”

September 10, 2017

The Icing on the Cake

by Matthew Steeples

Octagonal Victorian Gothic landmark in Westchester County, New York available for rent; Bono was filmed there and it includes the only domestic Egyptian Revival room in existence   A Victorian Gothic house in Irvington, Westchester County, New York that resembles a wedding cake has been put on the market to rent for £30,300 per month … Continue reading “The Icing on the Cake”

May 27, 2017

Robert Adam

by General

With such a name, this suave gent just had to design landmarks. University of Westminster educated and Hampshire based Robert Adam (born 1948) followed his more famous namesake (1728 – 1792) and became a designer of “progressive neo-classical style buildings” in 1975. He won “the richest prize in architecture” in January 2017 and counts the … Continue reading “Robert Adam”

April 6, 2017

Billionaire Battersea

by Matthew Steeples

Historic Battersea mansion for sale for the same sum it was marketed for in 2011; it has been mostly empty throughout the intervening period and was renovated by the late billionaire Malcolm Forbes   Billionaire publisher Malcolm Forbes was a man who liked to live large. He had a huge yacht named The Highlander, threw … Continue reading “Billionaire Battersea”

February 23, 2017

A £5m Fixer Upper

by Matthew Steeples

Belgravia flat offered for £4.95 million in spite of featuring collapsed ceilings, ripped out light fittings and holes in the walls   Before putting a property on the market and having it photographed for a sales brochure, most would clean up and make the space look appealing. In Belgravia, however, the owners of a £4.95 … Continue reading “A £5m Fixer Upper”

January 13, 2016

Noelle Blackman

by Matthew Steeples

The Steeple Times asks Respond charity CEO Dr Noelle Blackman: What’s on your mantelpiece?

January 12, 2016

Donal Skehan

by General

Dublin born Donal Skehan morphed from being part of a boyband to being recognised as one of the most popular food bloggers after being endorsed by Nigella Lawson and Jamie Oliver

January 9, 2016

Rowling in the Depp

by Matthew Steeples

JK Rowling pays £22 million for a yacht previously owned by Johnny Depp

December 9, 2015

Janan Ganesh

by General

Journalist, author and political commentator Janan Ganesh is a regular on Andrew Neil’s Sunday Politics.

August 15, 2015

Danielle Rollins

by General

Described as being “vivacious” and a “tastemaker”, Danielle Rollins admits to having been a “very odd child”.

July 28, 2015

Beaten by Bloomberg

by Matthew Steeples

Michael Bloomberg offers £2 million above the £15 million asking price to see off three other bidders and buys George Eliot’s house by the River Thames

Brendan Jay Sullivan

by General

A former sidekick of Lady Gaga, New York based bartender turned DJ and author Brendan Jay Sullivan wrote a memoir of his time with her in 2013

Constance Briscoe

by General

The author of Ugly and Beyond Ugly, Clapham based Constance Briscoe is nothing but a shameless disgrace.

July 20, 2015

Debbie Bancroft

by General

Debbie Bancroft spends her days amongst the upper echelons of New York and Southampton yet considers the word “socialite” to be “meaningless”.

July 4, 2015

Beware of the bitches; bitches beware

by Matthew Steeples

Matthew Steeples reviews Steven Berkoff’s first novel: ‘Sod the bitches!’ whilst the author shares his take on it in a video exclusive

June 27, 2015

Harry Cole

by General

A former associate of Guido Fawkes’ Paul Staines, Harry Cole became The Sun’s Westminster correspondent in June 2015.

June 25, 2015

Baroness Marie-Claire von Alvensleben

by General

Though convicted and sentenced to a six-week suspended jail sentence for a racist tirade in December 2013 in which she claimed “brown people are ruining London”, Baroness Marie-Claire von Alvensleben continues to parade around as if still acceptable in polite society.

June 21, 2015

Leandra Medine (AKA “The Man Repeller”)

by General

New York based fashion blogger Leandra Medine claims she “may have been Ernest Hemingway in my last life, or Prince” on her personal Twitter handle

June 5, 2015

The Writers’ Block

by Matthew Steeples

Former home of Ian Fleming that is currently owned by Sol Campbell for sale for £6.75 million

Christine Walkden

by General

Christine Walkden describes herself as a “gardener, horticulturist, plantswoman, lecturer, trainer, garden centre advisor, tour leader and guide, broadcaster, writer and photographer”.

May 25, 2015

James Wong

by General

Ethnobotanist, TV presenter and garden designer James Wong is the author of Grow Your Own Drugs.

May 8, 2015

Ann Barr (1929 – 2015)

by General

Despite defining “The Sloane” and “The Mayfair Mercenary”, the co-author of The Official Sloane Ranger Handbook lived out her final years in Notting Hill 

April 19, 2015

Where’s Jack?

by Matthew Steeples

Readers who spot and photograph Charles Mitford Cust’s van will be sent a free signed copy of his novel ‘Union Jack’

Emma Sayle

by General

Describing herself on Twitter as “London’s proper little madam”, there’s a lot more to Emma Sayle than meets the eye.

February 22, 2015

Josie Goodbody

by General

With a name worthy of a Bond Girl, Josie Goodbody has morphed from working in public relations in London to writing novels in Uruguay.

February 19, 2015

Pippa’s post

by Matthew Steeples

Pippa Middleton offered £100,000 job at a strip club in Croydon

January 5, 2015

Jeremy Lloyd OBE (1930 – 2014)

by General

The co-creator of the BBC sitcoms ‘Allo ‘Allo! and Are You Being Served?, Essex born Jeremy Lloyd began his career as a road digger, light-bulb inspector and paint salesman.

January 4, 2015

Philip Mould OBE

by Matthew Steeples

This renowned art sleuth co-presents BBC1’s Fake or Fortune? with Fiona Bruce.

September 25, 2014

A cover for Coral

by Matthew Steeples

Artist Peregrine Heathcote’s cover for Jane Huxley’s new novel ‘A Woman Named Coral’ revealed at the Royal Thames Yacht Club

September 22, 2014

Kate Williams

by General

Oxford educated Kate Williams is an expert on royal history. A television presenter and author, Williams has over 10,000 followers on Twitter and has been described as “an outstanding talent” by Matthew D’Ancona. She is based in London and her works include The Pleasures of Men, Becoming Queen and England’s Mistress.  

September 21, 2014

Website of the Week: Proper Kid Problems

by Matthew Steeples

American lifestyle website Proper Kid Problems is a sartorial zeitgeist   We’ve previously featured a British website that celebrates red trouser wearing sorts and now we make an American sartorial zeitgeist our Website of the Week.

September 19, 2014

Anna Smith

by Matthew Steeples

Former Daily Record chief reporter Anna Smith has covered conflicts from Somalia and Rwanda to Kosovo. She was one of the first journalists on the scene after both 9/11 and the Dunblane massacres and now writes crime novels full time. In September 2014, she summed up the feelings of many when she wrote an impassioned … Continue reading “Anna Smith”

September 18, 2014

Julia Child (1912 – 2004)

by General

Credited with bringing French cooking to Americans, Julia Child was a lady who once stated: “I believe in cooking with wine, sometimes I even put it in the food”. A female equivalent of Keith Floyd and born in Pasadena, California, Child was too tall to enlist in the Women’s Army Corps in the Second World … Continue reading “Julia Child (1912 – 2004)”

September 14, 2014

Travels with du Maurier

by Matthew Steeples

Travelex founder puts the childhood home where Daphne du Maurier allegedly conducted two of her most illicit relationships on the market for £32 million

September 5, 2014

Roald Dahl: Literary hero

by James Murphy

James Murphy lauds Roald Dahl as a literary hero   My last article focused on Ian Fleming and Roald Dahl provides a natural sequel. Like Fleming, Dahl’s work continues to film and television from beyond his grave.

August 21, 2014

Candida Lycett Green (1942 – 2014; nicknamed “Wibz”)

by General

The daughter of John Betjeman, Candida Lycett Green was English through and through. An author, conservationist and horsewoman, Lycett Green was a bohemian member of the Private Eye set whom lived by the Reverend Sydney Smith’s “take the short view of human life, never further than dinner or tea”. She began her marriage to the … Continue reading “Candida Lycett Green (1942 – 2014; nicknamed “Wibz”)”

August 6, 2014

Wise words

by Matthew Steeples

Meghan McCain on marriage   Last week, Senator John McCain’s daughter, Meghan, took to Twitter to share her views on marriage. In announcing her views on marriage, she showed herself to be a wise and grounded young lady.

July 19, 2014

Romantic heroes: Ian Fleming and James Bond

by James Murphy

James Murphy examines his romantic heroes, Ian Fleming and James Bond   I was privileged to attend the recent Masterpiece art and antiques fair in Chelsea. For me, the undoubted highlight was coming face to face with the letters of Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, on Peter Harrington’s stand.

July 9, 2014

Jack Carlson: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

by steepleadmin

The Steeple Times asks author of “Rowing Blazers” Jack Carlson: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”   The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? Creativity and persistence.   “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours? Aut viam inveniam aut faciam: “Either I shall find a … Continue reading “Jack Carlson: “What’s on your mantelpiece?””

July 8, 2014

Frank Furedi (born Ferenc Furedi)

by Matthew Steeples

This Hungarian “former student radical” and emeritus professor of sociology at the University of Kent argued that historic abuse offences should effectively be swept under the carpet on Newsnight in July 2014. Faversham based Furedi – who is married to the CEO of the UK’s largest independent abortion provider – has previously bizarrely leapt to … Continue reading “Frank Furedi (born Ferenc Furedi)”

July 3, 2014

Who is Angelina Jolie?

by Matthew Steeples

Actor, author, playwright and theatre director Steven Berkoff leaps to the defence of Angelina Jolie

June 30, 2014

Wally of the Week: Tony Parsons

by Matthew Steeples

Comparing phone hacking to Jihad is simply ludicrous   In yesterday’s Sun on Sunday, “warm heart[ed], acid tongue[d]” Tony Parsons ranted about the “waste of money” that has been the “assorted inquisitions into the newspaper industry”. Whilst much of what he stated is true, the way in which he linked this to the war on … Continue reading “Wally of the Week: Tony Parsons”

June 23, 2014

Erika Leonard James (E. L. James)

by Matthew Steeples

The highest earning author of 2013, Erika Leonard James raked in £33.3 million that year and £10.6 million in 2012. Her Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy has had readers hooked but despite her wealth this adult romance writer continues to live modestly in west London. With over 500,000 followers on Twitter, James has set the … Continue reading “Erika Leonard James (E. L. James)”

May 16, 2014

The new life of Max Clifford

by Matthew Steeples

An insight into the new life of Max Clifford   In a press release sent to The Steeple Times, the author Ian Hitchings has revealed details about disgraced publicist Max Clifford’s new life in Wandsworth Prison. 

April 16, 2014

An adult Disneyworld

by Matthew Steeples

Donna Leon’s portrait of Venice has telling similarities to our view about what Central London has become   In yesterday’s The Times, author Donna Leon was interviewed about her latest novel, By Its Cover. Born in America, but a longtime resident of Venice, Leon made telling remarks about what the city where she lives has … Continue reading “An adult Disneyworld”

February 28, 2014

An outworldly place

by Sarah Tucker

Sarah Tucker visits Antarctica   I was on the ship that didn’t get stuck in the ice at Christmas. In the wake of Prince Harry who trekked there and was airlifted back, I went via Patagonia and Buenos Aires (a phenomenal city where they genuinely dance in the streets and they miss their archbishop), to … Continue reading “An outworldly place”

December 27, 2013

The arrivals and departures of 2013

by Matthew Steeples

The births, deaths and innovations of the year   2013 has been a year of change. Much new has reached us but sadly many have left us and amongst them have been Iain Banks, Joan Fontaine, Sir David Frost, Richard Griffiths, Cory Monteith, James Gandolfini, Lou Reed and Paul Walker.

December 17, 2013

An ugly mess

by Matthew Steeples

Constance Briscoe charged with third count of intending to pervert the course of justice   Constance Briscoe had it all: a successful career as a barrister and part-time judge, a large house in Clapham and friends in high places. Today, as she is charged with a third count of intending to pervert the course of … Continue reading “An ugly mess”

October 12, 2013

A Rolls-Royce goes West

by Matthew Steeples

1960 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II formerly owned by Prince Chula Chakrabongse of Siam for sale for just £55,000   Prince Chula Chakrabongse of Siam (1908 – 1963) – the “Little Prince” – was well known for his White Mouse Racing team in the 1920s, 30s and 40s. He spent much of his later life with … Continue reading “A Rolls-Royce goes West”

October 2, 2013

Respect the dead

by Matthew Steeples

‘The Daily Mail’ should apologise for their attack on the late Ralph Miliband   The Daily Mail has rightly come under fire for describing the late Ralph Miliband as “hating Britain” and using a picture (since removed) of his grave captioned “grave socialist”. It is time, instead of digging his feet in, that the newspaper’s … Continue reading “Respect the dead”

September 30, 2013

Jack Monroe (also known as “A Girl Called Jack”)

by Matthew Steeples

This acid tongued blogger describes herself as a “freelance food-and-politics-gob” and responded to one of our articles by stating “I want no association with your s**t”. The Independent are the ones who ought to be ashamed: Why on earth do they choose to be associated with this lentil loving moralising menace?

September 2, 2013

Bedding down

by Matthew Steeples

Sarah Tucker recounts an interview with Sir David Frost   I was once lucky enough to interview Sir David Frost. He was one of my interviewees for a show I devised for Sky called Who’s Been Sleeping in My Bed? Others in the series included Lord Menuhin and Anita Roddick.

August 30, 2013

Georgina Bloomberg

by Matthew Steeples

The daughter of the billionaire publishing magnate and politician Michael Bloomberg and his Yorkshire born wife, this passionate equestrian divides her time between New York and Florida. A New York University graduate and generous philanthropist, Bloomberg has written three “young adult” novels: The A Circuit, My Favorite Mistake and Off Course. She featured in Jamie … Continue reading “Georgina Bloomberg”

August 21, 2013

Meghan McCain

by Matthew Steeples

The tattooed daughter of Senator John McCain once suggested that “Republicans are scared shitless about the future” and voted for John Kerry.

August 20, 2013

Tatiana von Saxe Wilson: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

by Matthew Steeples

20 questions with founder of The People’s Book Prize Tatiana von Saxe Wilson   The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? Pursuit and success.   “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours? “Make the best better”.  

August 19, 2013

Katherine “Kate” Mosse OBE

by Matthew Steeples

This author and co-founder of the Orange Prize for Literature must often find people confusing her with the model of the same name. Most famous for her international bestseller novel Labyrinth, Mosse is a lynchpin of the “Chichester set”. She has an honorary degree from her hometown’s university and set up the Chichester Writing Festival … Continue reading “Katherine “Kate” Mosse OBE”

August 15, 2013

Yasmin Alibhai-Brown (born Yasmin Damji)

by Matthew Steeples

This Ugandan-born journalist is a self-confessed racist who loathes “white, middle class men”, yet describes herself as being a “leftie liberal, anti-racist, feminist, Muslim, part-Pakistani, and … a very responsible person”. She believes Osama bin Laden didn’t get a “respectful burial” and asked: “Why does anyone black, Asian or Arab ever vote Tory?” on Twitter … Continue reading “Yasmin Alibhai-Brown (born Yasmin Damji)”

July 18, 2013

Deceiving a deceiver

by Matthew Steeples

J.K. Rowling has no need to whinge about her pseudonym being revealed   J.K. Rowling made a fortune writing her Harry Potter series. Now that she’s been revealed as the author of a crime mystery, The Cuckoo’s Calling, using the nom de plume of Robert Galbraith, she’s whingeing.

July 12, 2013

The tables are turned

by Matthew Steeples

Matthew Steeples answers food writer Jamie Cotter-Craig’s questions   I’m used to asking questions. So far, I’ve done over a hundred “What’s on your mantelpiece?” interviews with people ranging from champion jockey Frankie Dettori to hedge fund titan Alan Miller via glamour model Leah Newman and author Kathy Lette.

July 8, 2013

Peter Jukes: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

by Matthew Steeples

20 questions with author, screenwriter, playwright and literary critic Peter Jukes   The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? ‘Duende’. Sounds pretentious I know, but it basically means follow things, people, events that have ‘soul’.   “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours? … Continue reading “Peter Jukes: “What’s on your mantelpiece?””

June 16, 2013

Anne Dunhill

by Matthew Steeples

This Roman Catholic novelist and Italian translator’s works have included A Darker Shade of Love, Web of Passion and Anita: A Memoir. A former debutante and model, Dunhill also writes about love, life and lunches on the site Angela Darling’s Blog and is a granddaughter of the luxury goods titan Alfred Dunhill.

June 9, 2013

The progress of Pippa

by Matthew Steeples

Pippa Middleton becomes a contributing editor for ‘Vanity Fair’   Pippa Middleton is most definitely someone who could be described as polarising. Some resent and mock her. Others admire her for having panache and being enterprising. Miss Middleton, the sister of the Duchess of Cambridge, to the surprise of some, has recently added another string … Continue reading “The progress of Pippa”

June 2, 2013

Put this dying dog down

by Matthew Steeples

Matthew Steeples argues the case for scrapping the Charity Commission   The Charity Commission recently appointed a new chairman, William Shawcross CVO. The author and journalist is to be paid an astonishing £50,000 for just two days work a week and even he himself admits he’s taken on a “a poisoned chalice”.  

May 28, 2013

Loyal or ludicrous?

by Matthew Steeples

Jilly Cooper defends Rolf Harris   In this morning’s Richard Kay column in the Daily Mail, it was reported that the author Jilly Cooper took to the defence of her friend the entertainer Rolf Harris before a television appearance in Dublin this weekend.  

May 23, 2013

Allard Marx: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

by Matthew Steeples

The Steeple Times asks strategist and businessman Allard Marx: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”   The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? Caterine Axelsson’s daily smile.   “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours? There is always a way. “How?” not “Why?” should be … Continue reading “Allard Marx: “What’s on your mantelpiece?””