Amanda Fleet's Blog, page 13

Testing, testing... 1, 2, 3...

Last week, I was recording myself reading some extracts of Aegyir Rises for Stu Lennon, to use in the 1857 podcast he does. Things I've realised as a result:

My cat is evil, and even the promise of Dreamies doesn't appear to distract him from his goal of having a starring role in the recordingsAs soon as I need to record, my mouth fills with spitI am unable to swallow silentlyI also develop the overwhelming need to clear my throat as soon as the record button is pressedMy accent is weird - a bit of posh BBC newsreader blended with the odd flat northern vowels and a light sprinkling of Scottish (having lived here for so long, and being married to a Scot).I hate my voice
I was also so keen to try and make the opening few lines as emotional as possible, I made myself cry.

Interview with bestselling author Malcolm Hollingdrake

I’m delighted to welcome back to the blog Malcolm Hollingdrake, the author of the bestselling Harrogate Crime Series of books featuring DCI Cyril Bennett. Hello Malcolm!
Hello, always my pleasure. How times have changed since we last chatted about my books.

You’re releasing the latest in The Harrogate Crime Series, “Threadbare”, today. Can you give me a flavour of what’s happening in this one? What does DCI Bennett have to face?
Indeed, as you know DCI Bennett proposed to Dr Julie Pritchett at the end of the last book. ‘Threadbare' begins with that proposal and for Cyril things move from there. However, his team have other things on their minds. Finding an elderly man and his carer dead by what they believe to be snake venom brings its own confusion. This is swiftly followed by another death, originally thought to be suicide. An old photograph, a link and the collection of disparate people seem to have a connection. David Owen and April Richmond come into their own leading the chase to find the murderer before the death toll rises.

Can readers dive straight in, or do they have to have read the previous books in the series?
They can dive straight in. I have given any information they need in the prologue. I do try to make all of my books, standalone reads.

What inspired this book?
The story was inspired by seeing the benches that you find throughout Harrogate, especially on The Stray and a painting I have long admired in the Atkinson Gallery, Southport. I visited the Frith exhibition at the Mercer Art Gallery and was so moved by his work I had to place Cyril in there to begin the story proper.

Who is your favourite supporting character in the book? Why are they your favourite?
What a lovely question. Leonard’s mother. It might seem strange but both Leonard and his mum were modelled on a family who lived close to me as I was growing up. I have always been a people watcher and I still take characteristics or the things people say and add them to my books. I’m a bit of a magpie to be honest. These true elements of life help make the written words live.

Writers often have to ‘kill their darlings’. What did you have to edit out of this book?
If anything, Cyril. It has been thoroughly enjoyable developing Owen’s character and building the partnership with April. A different dimension and an alternative perspective. Great fun.
I always cut when writing. What I thought worked on one day, on a read through it doesn’t seem as exciting or relevant and so the delete key plays a major role … key role in fact. It’s when you cut five thousand words through being dissatisfied where it becomes more daring and important.

A little bird tells me that you’re working on a new series at the moment. Are you able to spill any beans? What can you tell me about that?
This is so exciting for me. Nine Harrogate books and I know my characters so well and so creating a new series has been wonderful. The original idea came when I was commissioned by my then publisher to write a new series. I liked the idea of creating something new but I didn’t feel I was ready. However, now is the correct time to produce this trilogy. I have a working title, ‘A Decent April’. The others might be ‘A Decent Murder’ and “A Decent Death’. You can guess the name of the DI … yep, Decent. They are set in north Merseyside and the surrounds. It has been great fun to find new streets, new sights, sounds and smells and develop new characters. I will be sending the first out to see if I can attract a publisher. I want to keep the Harrogate Series independent.

You’re now independently published. What’s the hardest aspect of that? What do you wish you’d known before you went independent?
Advertising and marketing. Once you become an indie author/publisher you have to wear many hats, develop many skills and keeping all of the plates spinning takes time, support and money. Even with ten books published, five audiobooks I could not make a living from writing. It’s a hobby. If anyone is going independent here are two things: Make the manuscripts the best you can. Invest in a good proof reader and editor. Invest in a quality cover design and if you’re thinking of writing a series, have that in mind from the start.

What have been the high spots about being independent? What has come as a pleasant surprise to you about it all?
Controlling when your book will be published. If you are with a publisher you might wait twelve months. I decide when my book goes out. I control the book's design from page to cover. It rests on my shoulders and although that can be worrying, it’s also exciting.

How do you measure ‘success’ in writing? Sales? Reviews? Personal satisfaction? Something else?
To receive a positive comment from a reader whom you’ve never met is the best feeling in the world. To chat to people who have become friends, found through my writing, brings great pleasure and finally, seeing people take the trouble to come and hear me speak and read at literary events … that’s humbling.

What would you give up, in order to be able to be more successful (if anything)?
Success is relative. Give me positive comments and I’m happy. If people buy one book and then another, I’m happy. Success, I’m sure brings its own pressures and demons. Where I am is fine.

And now a few questions that aren’t about writing!

We’re all in the middle of a lockdown with covid-19. Are you naturally an introvert and finding this relatively easy? Or naturally an extrovert and finding this tough? What’s helping to make it more bearable?
I’ve not had a TV for many, many years and I am comfortable with this. Obviously, I’m concerned for those on the front line but if I can help by staying at home so be it. I can write, paint, make stained glass windows if I need further distractions. Music is a huge part of my life and there’s endless amounts I still need to discover.

What’s your favourite meal to make?
Risotto – strangely enough it’s Cyril Bennett’s too.

What’s your favourite meal to eat that someone else has made?
My wife’s Yorkshire puddings. However, I now do all the cooking but she would make them if asked.

What are you reading at the moment?
I am reading at the moment which is strange for me. It was a requested birthday gift. ‘A Race with Love and Death.’

I know you don’t have a TV, but are there any box-sets you’ve binge-watched? If so, what?
Black Adder WW1 and Band of Brothers. That’s it!

Thank you so much for letting me bombard you with questions!
Thank you very much indeed. As a final note may I just thank readers for supporting my books, it means a great deal to me. Please keep safe.

You can catch up with all of Malcolm’s news at the following places:

Twitter at: https://twitter.com/MHollingdrake
Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMalcolmHollingdrake/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malcolmhollingdrakeauthor/
His website is at: https://malcolmhollingdrakeauthor.co.uk/

The Harrogate Crime Series:Only The DeadHell's GateFlesh EvidenceGame PointDying ArtCrossed OutThe Third BreathTreble ClefThreadbare
Also by Malcolm:Shadows From The Past
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Find some new crime to read

Yes, there's been quite enough about fantasy the last few weeks. Time for my crime readers to have a turn!

Well, in the same way that a group of fantasy writers got together to produce a veritable feast of books available in Kindle Unlimited, a group of us have put a selection of crime books together for you. Again, they are all in Kindle Unlimited, and most of them aren't more than the cost of a cup of coffee for those of you not in Kindle Unlimited.

Fill your boots. Or at least fill your Kindles!

Where to go to see all these?

You go RIGHT HERE to find them all!!
Let me know who you've discovered?

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A quick reminder... Subscribers to my newsletter get a free novella – the prequel to The Wrong Kind of Clouds – and all my special offers.
No spam, I promise.

Interview with Martin Shannon

Martin ShannonI'm delighted to introduce you to another online friend this week - Martin Shannon, author of the Tales from Weird Florida series. The latest installment - Beaten Path - is out today!

Martin, welcome! When did you first start writing? And what made you start?
I first started writing in grade school. Thankfully, this was before the world turned color and prior to the internet, so none of those stories will see the light of day. Since that time I resumed again in 2016 when a health scare reminded me to “get busy living.”

What was the first full-length novel you ever wrote? (I realise this may not be the same as the first book you have had published!)
My first novel was “The Bone Line” which is currently available on Amazon. It was finally published last month. It’s the story I always imagined as a kid growing up in a sleepy beach town in South Florida. In my mind’s eye, there was always something more mysterious just beneath that simple veneer. The Bone Line is a middle grade adventure (I called it a STEM-venture) that dips its toes into those paranormal waters.

Your new book is just out. Tell me more about it?
Beaten Path is the third book in the five-part Tales of Weird Florida series. The book centers on our hero, Eugene Law, West Florida’s favorite Magician/Wizard as he navigates his new reality. Without giving away book one in the series, Gene is in rough shape due to some questionable decisions. In classic middle act fashion, our hero is “up to his armpits in alligators,” and not exactly sure which way is up.

What prompted you to write it?
Read more »

Interview with Kendall Grey

I'm delighted to welcome to the blog, Kendall Grey, the author of Asgard Awakening books.

When did you first start writing? And what made you start?
I started writing in August of 2008. I’d read Stephenie Meyers’s TWILIGHT books and thought I could write a book too. I was sorely mistaken. Ha! After taking tons of writing classes, reading tons of books about writing craft, and rewriting my story tons of times, I finally published my first novel in 2012. I probably should’ve started with the research portion before jumping in feet first, but hey, live and learn!

What was the first full-length novel you ever wrote? (I realise this may not be the same as the first book you have had published!)
My first novel was an urban fantasy romance called INHALE. It’s about a whale biologist who falls for a rock star Sentinel in the Dreaming. Oh, and they save the world together. Or maybe just Australia. Close enough. :-)

Your new book is just out. Tell me more about it?
DRAGGED is the third book in my Asgard Awakening urban fantasy comedy series. The Norse god Loki wakes up in 2019—sans a penis, plus two breasts—and has to find her immortality runes at the risk of … well … dying. DRAGGED takes Loki and her friends to San Francisco, where they get involved with a drag show only to discover that the judge is someone from Loki’s past who has a vested interest in making her miserable. Typical Norse stuff. Haha!

Read more »

Discover a new series...

Well, if we're all going to be stuck inside, self-isolating and avoiding COVID-19, we might as well ensure our Kindles are well stocked with books, right??

Right.

I've got together with another 31 (yes, 31!) authors to bring you an absolute smorgasbord of urban fantasy. All of the titles in this bundle are FREE if you're in Kindle Unlimited (and many are not that much, even if you're not in Kindle Unlimited) and are the first in a series. I kid you not, you'll be hard pushed NOT to find a new series you'll love.

Where do you go for all this???

CLICK RIGHT HERE FOR OODLES OF URBAN FANTASY
Now, go fill your boots. Or at least fill your Kindles. Happy reading!

Let me know which new series got you hooked?

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It comes out once a month and subscribers get a free novella – the prequel to The Wrong Kind of Clouds – and all my special offers.
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Interviews and blog tours...

I was all over the internet last week, between interviews and the blog tour!

Here's a quick round-up of what was going on!
Interviews:Julianne Berokoff returned the favour and interviewed me on her blog:
Thick Skin, Parallel Worlds & Casting Chris Hemsworth

Wayne Turmel also interviewed me:
Demons & Being In the Wrong World at the Wrong Time with Amanda Fleet

I had a complete blast with both of them!

Read more »

Cover Reveal - War

The final book of the trilogy - War - is almost ready for pre-order. Isn't the cover amazing?? It was done by MiblArt (who did all the covers for the trilogy).

War

Thirteen demons were trapped in The Realm. So was Aegyir, their ring-leader.

All of them wanted to live forever, by stealing the life-force out of people, killing them. The only people who can stop them are the Guardians. 

Now, all of them are free and in The Realm, with only one thing on their minds: kill all the Guardians.

Can Aeron and Faran find a way to destroy the demons forever? Or will The Realm fall, and with it, Earth?

In the thrilling conclusion to the Guardians of The Realm trilogy, Aeron and Faran must fight for their honour, their lives, and the future of The Realm. But the odds are stacked against them.

Book 2 - Aeron Returns - is still available to pr-order at the introductory price of 99p/99c but don't hang about, because the price will go up after the weekend!

And of course, book 1 - Aegyir Rises is still available.
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Enjoyed reading this? Why not subscribe to my newsletter?
It comes out once a month and subscribers get a free novella – the prequel to "The Wrong Kind of Clouds" - and all my special offers.
No spam, I promise.

Interview with the author Julianne Berokoff

I know! It's been a while since I did one of these, but I am delighted to share my interview with Julianne with you today.

I 'met' Julianne via a Facebook Group for Fantasy writers, recently, and we got chatting (as you do). Her new book, An Oath of Blood - the second book in the series The Fae Academy - is out now. The first book in the series is A Gift of Magic.

Hello Julianne and welcome to the blog!

When did you first start writing? And what made you start?
I think my first ever poem was written for some English assignment in middle school. It was about cats. Very deep, I know. But I had so much fun composing it! Needless to say, the years that followed were filled with terribly derivative fantasy short stories, angsty poetry, and abandoned romance arcs.

What was the first full-length novel you ever wrote? (I realise this may not be the same as the first book you have had published!)
The first book I wrote was called What Do You Know of the Dream Walkers. I know, quite the mouthful. It’s a YA fantasy about a girl who can cast an indestructible version of herself anywhere she pleases.

She has no idea what she’s doing. Her best friend is a bird. And someone is definitely trying to murder her. Hilarity ensues.

Anyway, I finished the novel, panicked, and buried it somewhere in my documents folder. Insecurity is a funny thing, isn’t it? But I’ll publish it one day!

Your new book is just out. Tell me more about it?
Yes! An Oath of Blood is the second book of my Urban Fantasy Academy series, The Fae Academy.

Vienna Defante is a straight-shooter princess with a knack for knives who’s thrown into an academy on forbidden Seelie territory.

And why yes, she is being stalked by demons. I’m glad you asked.

In her second semester, Vienna uncovers literal buried secrets in Noqtu Academy. She dives into this mystery because (no spoilers) her family is horrible and someone on campus is trying to kill her.

Normal teenage stuff, right?

What prompted you to write it?
I just love academy fantasy books. Probably because I want to attend one. Desperately. C’mon Hogwarts.

What are you working on at the moment? Are there already plans for the next book after this one?
Yes! Book 3 is coming in April. That’s what I’m working on now!

Read more »

Cover reveal... Aeron Returns

Cover for book 2
I'm so excited to be sharing this with you. The book will be available for pre-order from this weekend (just as the first book, "Aegyir Rises" goes live). The design MiblArt did, based on the brief I gave them, is amazing. The reason behind the Viking/Norse influences you can see in the background become apparent in the book, and I just love the depiction of Faran in the cover. The typeface they've chosen for the trilogy is perfect.

And... I can also share with you the blog tour details for "Aegyir Rises". Make sure you follow all these guys on Twitter, to see what they're saying about the book and to get some exclusive excerpts.


It's been a long haul, but I'm almost there!

And... last but not least, there are a couple of days left to get "Aegyir Rises" FREE, if you sign up for my newsletter. The newsletter comes out once a month, normally, and has some of my news, plus will also be featuring other books you might not have heard of, but I think you'll enjoy.

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Sign-up before 23:59 GMT on February 20, 2020 and get a FREE copy of Guardians of The Realm Book 1: Aegyir Rises* indicates requiredEmail Address *