Linda Acaster's Blog, page 16
December 31, 2016
Looking Back & Forward To The New Year
It’s often said that looking back offers only a rosy-eyed view, but I think this Yuletide between-time also offers the clearest. Ostensibly we’ve had a week off from our normal hamster-wheel activities – time for a laugh, general bonhomie, relaxation, and a needed deep breath. Assessing where we are comes easier.
Over the past few years problems with my health grew to impinge on normal life and
Over the past few years problems with my health grew to impinge on normal life and
December 23, 2016
All Things Father Christmas, Including Santa & NORAD
So... who will be dropping gifts at your hearth? Or is it you who will be leaving them?
Here in the UK it is definitely Father Christmas who will be visiting, and despite his title he has nothing to do with Christianity, or parenthood, or even humans. It is the spirit of Mid-Winter, a personification clothed in evergreen, wrapped in holly and ivy, and garlanded in red berries and
Here in the UK it is definitely Father Christmas who will be visiting, and despite his title he has nothing to do with Christianity, or parenthood, or even humans. It is the spirit of Mid-Winter, a personification clothed in evergreen, wrapped in holly and ivy, and garlanded in red berries and
December 17, 2016
Christmas Gifts & Paying It Forward
Christmas is a time for giving gifts in many forms. One is via charitable works. Readers of this blog may have noticed that I belong to a Science Fiction & Fantasy promotions group, and a couple of my titles have benefited from the group's helping hands. Now is the time to pay it forward.
Patty Jansen, the group's indefatigable co-ordinator, is organising a book promotion to benefit
Patty Jansen, the group's indefatigable co-ordinator, is organising a book promotion to benefit
December 10, 2016
Book Trailer Anyone? #4 Native American
On my quest for book trailers for some of my novels, I took advantage of an offer made by the organisers of the mini litfest at FantastiCon held recently. The novels didn't have to be SciFi/F so I opted for my Native American historical Beneath The Shining Mountains.
I did not discover the identity of the trailer's creator, but the requirements seem more or less universal. It was seen with
I did not discover the identity of the trailer's creator, but the requirements seem more or less universal. It was seen with
December 3, 2016
Free SciFi & Fantasy #eBooks!
Yes, it's promo time again. This is a joint Freebie promotion for this weekend only - 3 & 4 December.
Fantasy, Science Fiction and Horror titles are up for grabs, as is SF/F Romance, from short stories to novels to whole collections. So fill those winter wellies and try out new authors who otherwise might not pass before your eyes.
The central link to the individual titles via all
Fantasy, Science Fiction and Horror titles are up for grabs, as is SF/F Romance, from short stories to novels to whole collections. So fill those winter wellies and try out new authors who otherwise might not pass before your eyes.
The central link to the individual titles via all
November 26, 2016
Missing... Presumed at FantastiCon
Yep, last weekend (19-20th November) was spent at Hull’s Guildhall for FantastiCon, which bills itself as A Doing, Not A Buying Con, though there were plenty of books purchased, including some of mine. The paperbacks of the Horror anthology ‘666’, to which I’d contributed a 666 word story, completely sold out.
FantastiCon started three years ago as a multi-book launch event by Fantastic Books
FantastiCon started three years ago as a multi-book launch event by Fantastic Books
November 12, 2016
Book Trailer Anyone? #3 - Result!
After months of drooling over book trailers on YouTube I decided to have a go at creating one for my Horror Short Scent of a Böggel-Mann. Catch up on my tentative steps – and coming to my senses – in Post 1 and Post 2.
When an expert is needed, an expert should be researched. One of the best places to start is on Fiverr.com. Jobs, "gigs", begin at US$5, but I’d already discovered how much work
When an expert is needed, an expert should be researched. One of the best places to start is on Fiverr.com. Jobs, "gigs", begin at US$5, but I’d already discovered how much work
November 5, 2016
Speculative Fiction #99c PROMO!
This weekend – 5-6th November – I’m taking part in my first joint 99p/99c promotion for Science Fiction and Fantasy full-length novels. Torc of Moonlight, Book 1 in the trilogy, is my test title. Should you be interested?
Of course you should. There’s a choice of 180+ titles. For ease they’ve been split into groups: Science Fiction; Dystopian, Apocalyptic & Horror; Fantasy (where Torc of
Of course you should. There’s a choice of 180+ titles. For ease they’ve been split into groups: Science Fiction; Dystopian, Apocalyptic & Horror; Fantasy (where Torc of
October 30, 2016
#Horror Anthology Launch - 666
Back in the dead of last winter, Fantastic Books Publishing put out a call for professional contributions to augment its competition for Horror Fantabbles of exactly 666 words. I thought it an amusing distraction from the work-in-progress. After all, how hard could it be?
Argh!! Writing short is an artform. Writing to an absolute length is a recreation for masochists. Some ideas simply won’t
Argh!! Writing short is an artform. Writing to an absolute length is a recreation for masochists. Some ideas simply won’t
October 29, 2016
Halloween #BookTrailer for #Horror Short – Live!
I’ve been considering producing a book trailer for some time – see Post 1 & Post 2 – but it became evident very quickly that the necessary skills were simply beyond me. I did, though, learn a lot in the process, which I’ll be blogging about in a couple of weeks. Suffice to say that I turned to an expert, YourBookTrailer.
Timed for Halloween, the trailer is for Horror short, Scent of the
Timed for Halloween, the trailer is for Horror short, Scent of the
