E. Rachael Hardcastle's Blog, page 2

EXCITING NEWS - Kindle E-Book Pre-Order

If you're an avid reader of e-books on Amazon Kindle, I have some EXCITING NEWS about the release of my 'Lord of the Rings meets Once Upon A Time' magical, zero-to-hero adventure novel...

To See A World is now available as a Kindle e-book pre-order for only £1.99 on your device, and is book one in an exciting YA fantasy series!

You don't need a Kindle e-reader to enjoy this title; simply download the FREE Amazon Kindle reading app to your phone or tablet to get started.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Arriette Monroe never expected to be thrust into the heart of supernatural chaos, nor did she deem herself worthy of four incredible gifts.

But when a bold time-travelling angel, an old wide man, a handsome hunter, and his sidekick save her from a vicious vampyr, Arriette reluctantly joins their quest to find the source of Haeylo's evil... Pandora's box.

Along the way, she must master her extraordinary powers, and learn what they might mean for the future of her species. Because although Arriette thinks she's walking Pandemonium, her new friends think she's their saviour.

And they're willing to prove it.

The Day I Lost Pandora (Again): Discovering The Chronicles of Pandora

An introduction to The Chronicles of Pandora, my 'Lord of the Rings' meets 'Once Upon A Time' magical, zero-to-hero adventure for YA readers of fantasy.

If you've been following me for a while, or if you've read any of my young adult fantasy novels, you may be familiar with Arriette Monroe and her adventures to locate and protect Pandora's box on the futuristic planet, Haeylo.

The series was a 2010 creation; my first attempt at self-publishing a fantasy series, as I previously wrote women's fiction novels under the name E. R. Hardcastle in my late teens. I called the books: "World", "Heaven", "Infinity" and "Eternity", under the series, "The Recruit Adventure". William Blake's poem "Auguries of Innocence" partly inspired me to write them, and, you might say, birthed the supernatural powers I imagined while I worked my 9-5 call centre job dreaming of bigger and better things.

At the time, I wasn't long out of full-time education and had released two books already under that name. Big surprise—I wasn't the coolest of kids in high school, and part of me just wanted to separate that person from the talented writer I knew I could be. My classmates were aware I wrote novels and a few of them probably read the first, but let's just say it did NOT move me up the social ladder. Yeah, I know... shocker! So, with authors like J.K. Rowling using their initials with success, I thought it made sense to distance myself. And for a while, it worked fine.

Come 2017-2018, I began to see I'd made mistakes not only in the early books I released (though I will never say they were terrible, because I'm extremely proud of them), but in choosing a name I no longer connected with. I decided I needed to do some re-writes, spruce up my branding, and kickstart my writing career as E. Rachael Hardcastle. Authors like George R. R. Martin made using a name and an initial (or two) work, so I thought it made sense. My original novels went out of print, and I re-wrote and completely re-branded "The Recruit Adventure" as "Finding Pandora" with the same individual titles.

"Finding Pandora" ended up as one large paperback with four individual e-books. And, I did try individual paperbacks (oh, the covers were hideous), but when only the first novel, "World" reached #1 on Amazon and got any reviews, seeing three pointless paperbacks made me... sad. At least the reviews were decent! Phew!

E-books were increasingly more popular—I owned and used an Amazon Kindle (with the original keyboard which I still own to this day!) and knew the benefits of having access to tons of titles on the go and for a fraction of the cost. I offered "World" free as a means to invite new readers, but if anyone still wanted a physical copy, the entire series was available in one chunky collection. And it was beautiful. The purple, pink, and electric blue background against the title and the strong female protagonist on the cover increased interest. I began to see more paperback sales than e-book sales, so I allowed myself to take a step back and move on to other things for a while. I promised myself I'd return to Haeylo, but I never did. I had 12 novels drafted for the series and only four of them ever made it to print as "Finding Pandora", despite many of my biggest fans asking me for more. I tried and tried, but couldn't pick up Arriette's story again.

Until...

After the birth of my son mid-2022, I began to feel that pull once more. I needed my familiar imaginary friend to comfort me. I do not claim to be even 10% of the badass Arriette Monroe is, but I saw parts of my former self within her character, and that strength and sass called to me. In November 2022, I met another imaginary friend, Ash, and he and I got to know one another (and a deck of gorgeous tarot cards) pretty well over the following months as I worked to release "Elemental Ascension", a dragon and elemental magic-based universe I'd been tinkering with since 2015-ish. So close to the end, I had to give Ash's story priority, and Arriette's future went on the back burner... again!

Come mid-2023, feeling overwhelmed by a full-time job, a toddler, responsibilities, and general adulting, once again Arriette tapped my shoulder and held out her arms. I wondered if I had ever really done her justice, and if was there a potential for me to not only re-brand my author career the way I should have back in 2018, but honour her with an overhaul of the series and, most importantly, the next books! Now, this is not an easy task, fellow authors... am I right? When the name E. Rachael Hardcastle appears on every printed book you've released since 2018 (a name you no longer connect to), it's difficult and expensive to suddenly decide, 'Hey, I think I'm ready to just be Rachael now, thank you very much!'.

Why? I'm now in my 30's. I'm a completely different person. I do miss teenaged E. R. Hardcastle—she carried a notebook and pen everywhere, took photos of spooky buildings, and pretty flowers, and hosted 'writing evenings' with another author every chance she got. Now I couldn't give a sh*t what my classmates think of me, nor anyone else for that matter. I've developed my skills.

In 2017, I released what is possibly my most controversial title, "Noah Finn & the Art of Suicide" as a means to deliver a very important personal message to the world. 2023 me—Rachael Hardcastle—has decided to listen to my own advice. I've come a long way, and I deserve it.

"World" and "Heaven" (books one and two) are now "To See A World", and this is the introductory nove to Arriette's story, and her wacky gang of supernatural friends. Books three and four, "Infinity" and "Eternity" are now "Of Heavens & Wild Flowers". This new edition will also be released in early 2024!

You may be wondering why I took four novels and made them two. Well, some were originally a little shorter, but follow on from one another perfectly, so I figured they would read better in two chunkier titles. Hello, value for money! And honestly, I HATE smaller spines; they are impossible to design.

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I would have been releasing the next installments as "The Resurrection of Pandora" and then the "Rise of Pandora" with four smaller novels under each (eight total). With the above in place, as I'm re-writing, I'll be releasing them as only four.

Yeah, I have a headache now too!

Did you make it this far? Thanks so much for your support and your time. I'm glad you're still with me and I haven't bored you to death... yet—shall we continue and risk it?

To read more about my 'Lord of the Rings' meets 'Once Upon A Time' magical, zero-to-hero adventure series for YA readers of fantasy, please visit the home page where you can access the first three chapters of "To See A World" absolutely FREE.

If you would like to buy copies of books 1 first, once I announce the release date I will be posting links to various platforms and retailers offering it. I may even have some signed copies available via my online store if you're UK-based, so be sure to check those out first (as they'll come with freebies!).

Finally, please do join my mailing list so you don't miss any updates! You can do this using just your email address via the home page.

Rach x

IN THE NEWS - JUNE 2023

IDLE TRUMPIT MAGAZINE

In June's edition (Issue 499) of The Idle Trumpit (a community magazine), my new book Elemental Ascension can be seen featured on page 24, where pre-orders are announced with a picture of the glossy hardback front cover!

You can read the latest edition of the Trumpit at https://www.thetrumpit.com/.

BCB RADIO

On July 3rd 2023, I'll be on BCB Radio at 11:45am to talk about the release of my new novel, Elemental Ascension, due to hit shelves on July 11th 2023.

SNOOP CHARITY EVENT

Don't forget, you can meet me at the SNOOP Summer Fair on 12/08/2023. See my upcoming events for more info.

An early pre-order release for Elemental Ascension!

It's always an AMAZING feeling when you can get your hands on something you've created, poured your heart and soul into, and you get to see a beautiful finished product. It's even better when you can distribute it to the eager fans who purchased a signed pre-order a whole three weeks before the official release date! How else would I say thank you for their loyalty and support?

The hardback books arrived from Ingramspark, with a stunning glossy dust jacket and a full-colour case-bound cover beneath. In this video, I unbox the first batch of pre-orders, which I've been signing and shipping out, and I'll talk you through what you'll get if you order for the next batch via Etsy (you can view my store here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/CuriousC...)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4pULizqA_g

This week, I've been signing and packing these special pre-order gift sets for a lucky few, filming their orders, and posting them to YouTube and socials. I want to extend a massive thanks to SOPHIE, EMILY, and DENISE whom all pre-ordered through me (or through Etsy) and I hope you love opening and enjoying the pack I've personalised for you. If your video hasn't been shared yet, you can watch it below (links to YouTube).

The first unboxing is for EMILY. I selected a pretty heart-shaped key for you, and somehow managed to pull one of each suit in the cat-themed tarot stickers, too! Your tagline is 'THE KEY IS THE KEY'. I hope you're looking forward to discovering what that means in relation to the plot and my protagonist, Ash the Elemental.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_YBsTX4jNM

The second unboxing is for DENISE. I selected a swirly key for you, and you pulled a lot of pentagon card stickers - apologies these weren't more varied but they are all lovely, I promise. Your tagline is 'BLESS ALL WHO WATCH'. BE BRAVE LIKE ASH. I hope you enjoy listening to the amazing Lindsey Stirling soundtrack with your QR code.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbc9LF_46hw

The third and final unboxing is for SOPHIE. I selected a flower-style key for you, and pulled you some unusual tarot card stickers that you can use in the back of your book (see the SIGNIFIER page following the Epilogue) or in a journal. I included the tagline PLEDGE TO DRAGONBORN, just like Ash did in the beginning. Will you pledge your heart to Dragonborn, too?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5zVhD864uM

It's not too late to get your hands on a gift set for £20 including free delivery to a UK address with Royal Mail. I'll sign and personalise your book, choose you a key (also a bottle opener), randomly select some cat-themed tarot stickers, and add your extra goodies before posting.

This is the store link: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/CuriousCatBooks

I think this design of key is my favourite, by the way, but I didn't manage to select this one for any of my pre-orders so far. Maybe you'll be lucky! I've kept one of these for myself, that I plan to attach to my keys in case of a tavern emergency ;)

Thank you to anyone and everyone who is ordering Elemental Ascension. I can't wait to hear what you think! <3

Rachael xxx

I Met TJ Klune!

I've been reading a lot this year; I find it relaxing after a busy day, and love to wind down in bed with a story I just can't put down. So far this year, I've read tons of fantastic novels, so I'm going to share my thoughts on a few I found particularly special.

Also, I Met TJ Klune in May 2023 at a book signing for the Wave of Nostalgia shop in Haworth, UK! He was so kind and offered to sign my books, then posed for a photograph with me in the independent store. TJ is a fantastic writer, and I'll be enjoying his new book, 'In the Lives of Puppets' before I do my next book review post. Watch this space.

Important: some of these reviews may contain a few spoilers, as I'll be typing these straight from my 'Book Club Journal' notes.

The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim The Stranger in the Lifeboat by Mitch Albom Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune

THE DREAMERS by Karen Thompson Walker

Format & Genre: Paperback | Thriller/Sci-Fi

Started/Finished: 11-18th May 2023

Overall rating: 4.5*

an inquisitive exploration of humanity's reaction to something out of their control

I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in the science behind dreaming, what happens to us in a coma, alternate realities, or time-traveling. The author's writing style is matter-of-fact and straight to the point, and it's in the third person, present tense. Apart from the pretty blue cover that attracted me in The Works to pick this title up, the blurb also caught my attention.

This story opened my mind to questions I wouldn't have considered ordinarily, like dreams actually are, and the research into them.

In the book, a small town is affected by a virus that causes its victims to fall into a deep sleep. It had me wondering how I would react in a similar situation, especially as it features a couple with a new baby, and how the husband copes when his family are sleeping. I worried and I panicked for them; it made me feel out of control—vulnerable, as I'm sure it would anyone else in their situation.

I'm a fan of books that 'get on with it', and flowery descriptions tend to bore me. This book met my needs, because the author didn't mess around with too many sub-plots. She told the story clearly. it was an inquisitive exploration of humanity's reaction to something out of their control. It reminded me a little of an adult's Sleeping Beauty (only darker) and after I'd finished reading the novel, I found myself pondering the passing of time, and how for some, time seems to fly when others clock-watch.

It lacked a further explanation behind the outcome, so I gave 4.5* instead of 5*. I still wasn't satisfied as to whether the sleeping virus causing dreams was merely that, alternative realities they experienced, premonitions or time-travel, or why some died when others woke.

THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA by TJ Klune

Format & Genre: Paperback | Fantasy (SIGNED)

Started/Finished: April 2023

Overall rating: 5*

a marvellous introduction to TJ Klune's imagination

I'd been wanting to read this book for a long time, and many recommended it to me. I picked up my copy in Waterstones, and I absolutely loved the cover. I'd heard great things about the writer, and I'm so glad this is the first of his I read—it was a marvellous introduction to TJ Klune's imagination, and has led me to purchase many more of his books and attend a signing in Haworth, UK in May 2023.

The story reminded me of how I felt as a teenager. It definitely reached my soul and squeezed, drawing tears and laughter, sometimes in the same chapter. The author is clearly creative and imaginative, and has insights into humanity's flaws, but also what makes us all unique.

I love a story with a happy ending, and this book was like an enormous, warm and fluffy hug. I was incredibly sad to finish it, and wish I could have the opportunity to read it again for the first time.

I'll be reading 'In the Lives of Puppets soon! I'll let you know what I thought :)

It's a gentle story with morals and values, and follows a social worker for magical creatures in orphanages as he investigates one with dangerous residents. His personality, and the personality of the children (including Lucy, the antichrist and a green blob named Chauncy) all have a depth I individually feared and adored. I resonated with them all in some way though, and it reminded me of the times I felt lonely or misunderstood in my youth. They all seemed to represent what may be deemed as a 'flaw' or a 'weakness', yet as children they were innocent despite not being so innocent in the eyes of the world around them.

In the end, the protagonist Linus followed his heart and focused on his happiness. He trusted his instincts. The characters got the happy ending they all deserved, just as we all should.

SIX CRIMSON CRANES by Elizabeth Lim

Format & Genre: Paperback | Fantasy (Waterstones Exclusive)

Started/Finished: March 2023

Overall rating: 4*

an empowering story for young women, promoting independence, strength, resilience and determination

Wow, what a stunning cover! I'd re-read this book to refresh my memory for the sequel, The Dragon's Promise, which currently awaits me on my office bookshelf.

I was sure this would be more dragon-focused, so I went with 4* rather than 5* because whilst it's an amazing story, I felt it misled me a little at the beginning as a dragon seemed to be one of the main characters, then disappears. He does so with purpose, however, and the story takes off and circles back to him towards the end, setting up the sequel.

The princess is banished with a bowl on her head and told not to speak a word, for if she does, her brothers who have been turned into cranes by their step-mother will die. So Shiori goes on an adventure to defeat her and find her way safely home to warn their father, falling in love with an unlikely hero along the

way. This is a fantasy, so I tried not to scowl too much when trying to figure out how nobody knew who she was, even with a bowl on her head—I thought there would be other signs, certainly to those who had seen or met her already. A certain degree of acceptance is required I think when reading a story like this, based on mythology and similar to a fairy tale.

Like a fairy tale, it's captivating and the world-building is deep. The mythology behind the cranes was really interesting, and there's an unexpected twist at the end. I'm fairly good at predicting the outcome of stories (as an editor, I look for the breadcrumbs along the way) but the author was clever, and the outcome shocked me.

It's an empowering story for young women, promoting independence, strength, resilience and determination. Fight for what you believe in and for those you love. Fight for what is right.

,THE STRANGER IN THE LIFEBOAT by Mitch Albom

Format & Genre: Hardback | Visionary/Metaphysical (SIGNED)

Started/Finished: May 2023

Overall rating: 4.5*

symbolic for believing in something greater than ourselves

I read all of Mitch Albom's books regardless of their storyline. I love his work, and would recommend any of his past books to lovers of fiction about life after death—his gentle approach to answering some of our biggest questions is a talent I wish I could live up to.

It's a fairly quick and easy read. The plot isn't heavy, but there is a fantastic twist towards the end that sets up the finale. The chapters are emotive and smooth, and written in first person when the main character is writing notes as he floats in a lifeboat following a mysterious disaster that causes their skip to sink.

There are other Mitch Albom books I enjoyed more, but this is up there with The Time Keeper and The Five People You Meet in Heaven. The theme felt very much like 'we are all lost at sea, we all have personal struggles only we can truly understand', and it was symbolic for believing in something greater than ourselves. Even if/when others are unkin

d or deceive us, we should be patient, empathetic and understanding.

The chapters shift your opinion and perspective as you read along. As a reader, we make decisions about who we root for and who we're hoping the author will kill off. This book changes the way you think in just a few paragraphs, then in the next few pages completely shifts it back again.

It didn't make me cry, but as always with his books, there were plenty of smiles and a sigh when I read the final sentence.

UNDER THE WHISPERING DOOR by TJ Klune

Format & Genre: Paperback | Fantasy (SIGNED)

Started/Finished: 21-28th May 2023

Overall rating: 5*

is this hell a self-inflicted pit—is this a manifestation of their sadness and pain?

This book spoke to me because it explores life after death. As I wrote Noah Finn & the Art of Suicide, when Wallace awakes at his own funeral and is confused as to why there's nobody there but his ex-wife and some colleagues, immediately I knew this book would be amazing.

I was lucky enough to be able to ask TJ Klune directly about the husk creatures in this book, and though the story filled my eyes with tears, it also warmed my heart. TJ shared his experiences with grief, and explained how he'd felt like a husk when he lost a loved one. But they also symbolise a future; it's never too late, and people can be saved from darkness with help from others. It made me wonder if when we hear that 'suicides go to hell', like in 'What Dreams May Come' by Richard Matheson (you may have seen the movie starring Robin Williams), is this hell a self-inflicted pit—is this a manifestation of their sadness and pain? Can they come back from this with help?

On the cover of this book you can see the shadow of a stag, and though it doesn't play a large role in the story (which threw me a little as it's one of the main features of the cover) it did make perfect sense at the end. The stag's role is vital, and he's actually the 'manager' behind what the characters in this little tea shop are trying to do. Of all the characters, I loved Nelson the most. His ending is beautiful and serene, and well-deserved, though I did sob like a baby. It's a memorable story you'll be recommending to friends... guaranteed.

That's all for now, but I'll be back soon with another five amazing reads. You can send me your recommendations via social media, leave a comment below, or e-mail me using the contact form. Thanks for your time - enjoy!

I've Been Writing Elemental Fiction

YA Elemental Fiction

It's been a busy few months, and I'm sorry I haven't been in touch recently to keep you updated on Curious Cat Books or the writing of my upcoming release, Elemental Ascension. I won't lie, I have been hibernating and enjoying reading and taking a step back from everything for a while. I've binged some paperbacks including Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim, The Rains by Greg Hurwitz, The Chill by Scott Carson, The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay, and All That's Left in the World by Erik J. Brown.

I have a legit reason for taking time off, though... I had a son! And I wanted to spend as much time as I could with family—my focus shifted, and I wrote as and when time allowed. So I'm really grateful you stuck around to receive e-mails from me (now I've got off my backside and actually done something!). You may not have checked in for a while, and I don't blame you. But I'm back with a new website design and I've been a busy bee over the past few weeks, preparing to share some really exciting news with you all.

If you didn't intend to receive this message, do feel free to unsubscribe with my apologies. I hope you choose to stay though; it's been a while, so I'm reaching out to say hellooo (how's things?) and tell you all about my new novel, Elemental Ascension, out July 10th 2023!

Pre-order your SIGNED hardback gift set today to claim additional goodies.

,[ ,ETSY ,] or [ ,Paypal/Card , - order through the website's link]

Squeeee, it's just gorgeous, isn't it? I am super proud of this one, as it combines my many loves within the speculative fiction world into one beautiful, exciting, and truly magical novel about a cursed, lonely Salamander Elemental named Ash, and the inconvenient Tarot reading he receives from a kind and grateful marketplace Oracle.

The book is packed with sword fighting, Alchemy, Dragons, vengeful Gods, attacking pirate ships, and, of course, a forbidden love affair. I've also added a few bonus features to make your reading experience special, with scene-setting chapter pictures, a place to claim your book (and/or get it signed), and more.

Ash the Elemental is dying, cursed by his brothers in the Guard when they suspect he is a rare and dangerous Alchemist. Suffering their wrath, he escapes their anger and goes into hiding, until a generous Oracle offers to read his fortune. He insists Ash is the solution to the Land's ongoing war against their cruel government; all he has to do is brave the journey across the sea to where his misfortune began... and commit treason.

Ash convinces the beautiful Captain Deerbolt to help him fulfil the Oracle's prophecy. But as the Cerulean Grace sails towards Ash's destiny, she witnesses him perform an incredible incantation, proving the Guard was right about him all along. Now, to save the woman he loves and his new friends, Ash must embrace who he truly is before their time runs out.

Can Ash face his past to secure the Land's Alchemical future?

5x8" Laminated Case-bound Hardback with Dust Jacket

302 Pages

SIGNED plus Limited Edition Gift Set

,[ ,ETSY ,] or [ ,Paypal/Card ,]

If you pre-order the hardback today directly through me (or via Etsy), you'll be securing a limited gift set, including: a signed hardback, a double-sided bookmark & leaflet, Tarot card stickers, The Elemental Ascension playlist, a CCB logo sticker, black Necrosis petals and Lawful Hand Tavern decorative jewels, Ash's Alchemical key bottle opener with a personalised quote tag, and a thank you card from the author.

I'll even post it to your home in a clear protective sleeve, gift-wrapped and addressed to whomever you've treated (even if that's yourself - you deserve it!).

All this can be yours, for just £20.00 with free delivery! At the moment, I am only accepting UK orders through Etsy, but if you live abroad and are interested, please get in touch with me.

Below is a selection of the bonus pages included.

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A few shots of the book, including the back cover:

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Thank you so much for all your continued support. I hope you LOVE this story, and as always I invite you to share your thoughts and give me a heads up on social media.

facebook.com/erachaelhardcastle

instagram.com/erachaelhardcastle

twitter.com/erhardcastle

With love,

Rachael x

I've been writing a YA Elemental Magic Adventure book!

Where have I been?

It's been a busy few months, and I'm sorry I haven't been in touch recently to keep you updated on Curious Cat Books or the writing of my upcoming release, Elemental Ascension. I won't lie, I have been hibernating and enjoying reading and taking a step back from everything for a while. I've binged some paperbacks including Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim, The Rains by Greg Hurwitz, The Chill by Scott Carson, The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay, and All That's Left in the World by Erik J. Brown.

I have a legit reason for taking time off, though... I had a son! And I wanted to spend as much time as I could with family—my focus shifted, and I wrote as and when time allowed. So I'm really grateful you stuck around to receive e-mails from me (now I've got off my backside and actually done something!). You may not have checked in for a while, and I don't blame you. But I'm back with a new website design and I've been a busy bee over the past few weeks, preparing to share some really exciting news with you all.

If you didn't intend to receive this message, do feel free to unsubscribe with my apologies. I hope you choose to stay though; it's been a while, so I'm reaching out to say hellooo (how's things?) and tell you all about my new novel, Elemental Ascension, out July 10th 2023!

Pre-order your SIGNED hardback gift set today to claim additional goodies.

What's in this YA Elemental Magic Adventure book?

Squeeee, it's just gorgeous, isn't it? I am super proud of this one, as it combines my many loves within the speculative fiction world into one beautiful, exciting, and truly magical novel about a cursed, lonely Salamander Elemental named Ash, and the inconvenient Tarot reading he receives from a kind and grateful marketplace Oracle.

This YA Elemental Magic Adventure book is packed with sword fighting, Alchemy, Dragons, vengeful Gods, attacking pirate ships, and, of course, a forbidden love affair. I've also added a few bonus features to make your reading experience special, with scene-setting chapter pictures, a place to claim your book (and/or get it signed), and more.

Ash the Elemental is dying, cursed by his brothers in the Guard when they suspect he is a rare and dangerous Alchemist. Suffering their wrath, he escapes their anger and goes into hiding, until a generous Oracle offers to read his fortune. He insists Ash is the solution to the Land's ongoing war against their cruel government; all he has to do is brave the journey across the sea to where his misfortune began... and commit treason.

Ash convinces the beautiful Captain Deerbolt to help him fulfil the Oracle's prophecy. But as the Cerulean Grace sails towards Ash's destiny, she witnesses him perform an incredible incantation, proving the Guard was right about him all along. Now, to save the woman he loves and his new friends, Ash must embrace who he truly is before their time runs out.

Can Ash face his past to secure the Land's Alchemical future?

5x8" Laminated Case-bound Hardback with Dust Jacket

302 Pages

SIGNED plus Limited Edition Gift Set

If you pre-order the hardback today directly through me (or via Etsy), you'll be securing a limited gift set, including: a signed hardback, a double-sided bookmark & leaflet, Tarot card stickers, The Elemental Ascension playlist, a CCB logo sticker, black Necrosis petals and Lawful Hand Tavern decorative jewels, Ash's Alchemical key bottle opener with a personalised quote tag, and a thank you card from the author.

I'll even post it to your home in a clear protective sleeve, gift-wrapped and addressed to whomever you've treated (even if that's yourself - you deserve it!).

All this can be yours, for just £20.00 with free delivery! At the moment, I am only accepting UK orders through Etsy, but if you live abroad and are interested, please email me.

Below is a selection of the bonus pages included.

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A few shots of the book, including the back cover:

[image error][image error][image error][image error]

Thank you so much for all your continued support. I hope you LOVE this story, and as always I invite you to share your thoughts and give me a heads up on social media.

facebook.com/erachaelhardcastle

instagram.com/erachaelhardcastle

twitter.com/erhardcastle

With love,

Rachael x

The Monthly Meow (2/4)

This update is a little late (Ok, a LOT late!) but for good reason. So much has been happening at CCB over the past few months, I can't include it all here. I have some excellent and exciting updates for you from CCB's talented authors, including two brand new releases, but I've had amazing news and progress of my own (which is why this newsletter isn't on time). Managing all that and deciding what to put in this update has taken a bit longer than I predicted, but let's dive into it.

The Fabulous Mr Frank and the Cupcake Catastrophe

The debut children's title by author and illustrator, Kate Ainsworth, hit the shelves on the 4th April 2022, and since then the title has been selling amazingly! In fact, the book has sold SO well, that for a while following the release date, Amazon's stock had completely run out, causing some of Kate's readers a bit of an extra wait for their orders.

However, we're now thrilled to see the stock has been replenished, and the title is available for purchase via Amazon, Waterstones, Barnes and Noble and so many other popular retail platforms.

This title is the first larger-sized children's book CCB has produced in the landscape size, and with its glossy cover and colourful interior, it truly is a wonderful, fun title for children to enjoy. If you're a lover of dogs (or baking), your family will really enjoy reading about Frank's first adventure with his pals, and there's a second on the way! Kate signed to CCB to produce the sequel to the Cupcake Catastrophe, due to go into production around September time (2022).

Purchase your copy today for just £7.99 with Waterstones! Or, you can buy at Amazon. You can also follow Kate and the real Mr. Frank via her website and social media - check out https://www.fabulousmrfrank.com/

A Very Alternative Coast to Coast

Despite only releasing Kate's book in April this year, CCB has also scheduled the release of Peter Kay's second title with the company, titled 'A Very Alternative Coast to Coast'. Peter's upcoming title is fiction and follows a group of friends approaching retirement as they walk across the North of England.

We're excited to be releasing the book, all being well, on June 1st 2022. At the moment, the title is in the final proofreading stage. As you can see from the image (author's proof copy), the book has been very well read already and is a matte-finished 5x8" paperback.

When the book is released, the RRP and purchase links will be shared on CCB socials and by the author. Please check back in June for this information. Peter is also planning to donate the royalties from this title to charity as well as his first book, Show Me the Way to Santiago. We will ensure details are available upon release.

Submissions Now Closed

Despite submissions closing in February 2022, CCB has been receiving submissions for the past few weeks which unfortunately due to the volume of emails coming in, I've been unable to consider for publication this year. Due to CCB's current size, we are only able to help a handful of authors each year, so it's super important that interested authors follow the guidelines and ensure their submission is received within the dates stated on the website.

I've already reached out to those authors who CCB may be able to help this year, so if you haven't heard back already or had contact from me, please accept our apologies that we're unable to publish your book at this time. This does not mean your book is not good—I wish CCB could take on everyone and help hundreds of people a year, but at the moment we are limited and forced to select just a few new titles and their authors to join the team.

If you'd like to work with CCB for freelance jobs, or if you want to query how to submit your book for consideration next year (January-February 2023), please feel welcome to get in touch. Whilst we are fully booked for publishing services at this time, I may be able to assist with one-off tasks depending on the author's schedule, so it is always worth reaching out via e-mail or Facebook messenger.

Thank you to everyone who submitted to CCB. I'd like to wish you all the very best with your books!

Paperless Contact

From January 2023, CCB will be going paperless; the PO Box address on our website and in some of our printed books will no longer apply, so you'll need to contact CCB via e-mail or Facebook messenger in the new year.

I know this decision may cause some inconvenience for a handful of authors and businesses who have, until now, preferred to post their correspondence to CCB. Please accept my apologies for any issues this may cause, however I do feel going paperless for all our mail is the best decision, and will be easier, cheaper for all, and of course better for our environment.

A reminder of the CCB email address is curiouscatbooks@outlook.com and you can still reach out to me on Facebook at @erachaelhardcastle (FB and IN) or @erhardcastle on Twitter.

Friendly Shout Outs

CCB would like to thank the author of this title for the invite to the book launch of Call It What You Will. Luke Hudson has written a collection of poetry, which is out now on Amazon.

You can follow Luke Hudson on Instagram.

Also, here is a purchase link on Amazon if you would like to support the author.

I also love seeing books I've worked on hit the shelves! A huge congratulations to C. H. Degosserie, who has published her first children's book.

'The Six Children' is the first novel of C.H. Degosserie, a young author from Belgium. Follow Emma and her friends embarking on an intergalactic adventure to uncover mysteries within the Pandema galaxy!

As you all know, encouraging young people to read more and write creatively is really important to Curious Cat Books, so we are thrilled to see this title appear on Amazon.

We wish these new authors all the best!

CCB History

I can't believe it's been five years since Made In Leeds filmed me at Low Ash Primary School for TV - I worked with the school to produce two short story books, and we've repeated this process almost every year since! Here is a link to the video of my interview from 2017.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71Grtp_AnvE

Also, 12 years ago on April 21st 2010, I became an author for the very first time! I self-published my women's fiction title, The Soul Sanctuary (now out of print) with Lulu.com. I was a student in high school at the time, and remember seeing the cover as I drove home during a study break to collect the delivery with a friend. I sat in the driveway and cried because I was so proud and overwhelmed (and happy) to see my name on the cover of a book!

I never imagined I'd launch my own publishing company, host an event with my favourite Waterstones store, or help as many authors as I have in these past 12 years. Thanks to writing, I've met some incredible people, including one of my closest friends and a fellow writer, J. A. Myers. I got to co-write a book with my dad and go on tour at WHSmith stores around Yorkshire, UK and I've also inspired kids in schools across West Yorkshire, which is something I hope to do more of in the future.

Thank you to everyone who helped to make the past 12 years possible. If you can, please help CCB authors to achieve this too by supporting their work, sharing their updates and attending their events.

That's all we have room for this month for the Monthly Meow update. I'm hoping it won't be so long until the next one, where I can share other exciting updates about CCB titles with you all. Thanks for reading!

World Book Day 2022: An Interview with Kate Ainsworth

Happy World Book Day!

To celebrate World Book Day , CCB funder E. Rachael Hardcastle chats with author Kate Ainsworth, who is releasing The Fabulous Mr. Frank and the Cupcake Catastrophe with the company on April 4th 2022.

"I'm Kate Ainsworth, the author and illustrator of children’s picture book series The Fabulous Mr Frank.

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I started on this exciting journey back in 2020, when I decided to finally put pen (and colour) to paper, with an idea that had been bubbling away for a while—a series based on my very own French Bulldog Frankie.

​

Through this I have discovered a new passion for creating fun and playful stories & illustrations that capture children’s attention and expand their imagination."

Read more about Kate and her title at https://www.fabulousmrfrank.com/

Describe yourself in three words or phrases.

Eternal optimist. Obsessively organised. Fun loving.

Describe The Fabulous Mr Frank from The Cupcake Catastrophe in three words or phrases.

Pesky. Adventurous. Diva dog.

What is your favourite scene in The Fabulous Mr Frank and the Cupcake Catastrophe, and why?

When Frank and his super dog crew get baking in the kitchen to replace the cakes Frank accidentally smashed to the floor.

I love this scene because one of the characters (a chihuahua called Kid) does very little to help proceedings, but still ends up with egg on his face.

What was your favourite book as a child?

I have so many fond memories of my childhood books. I was only thinking today how wonderful it is that my parents still have a bookcase full of these in their spare room (and that I should do this too when my kids grow older).

I would have to say that my favourite of all these treasures was ‘The Velveteen Rabbit’ by Margery Williams. I had a precious toy bunny as a child that looked just like the Velveteen Rabbit and I felt such empathy for The Boy when he had to part with his bunny. It is such a bittersweet story but I always loved the fact the bunny became real in the end.

If you could be a famous book character, who would it be?

Phileas Fogg from 'Around the World in Eighty Days'. Mainly because I love exploring and travelling about whenever I can. I don’t like to visit the same place twice; the world is too big and there is too much to see!

Why do you think sharing stories is so important?

For me, it’s all about expanding our imagination and exploring—whether that be other worlds or times, seeing things from other people’s perspectives or discovering yourself. Throughout every age and stage a story can open our minds to things we never thought possible, it can take us away from the day to day and transport us somewhere else, simply by painting a picture in the mind’s eye. I think that is pretty special.

If you could share one other CCB story for 10 minutes, which one would you pick?

I would definitely share the story ‘Brother Butterfly’ by Alanna Betambeau. This heart-warming tale with beautiful illustrations is treasured by me and my children.

Read more about Kate and her title at https://www.fabulousmrfrank.com/

Purchase Kate's recommendation (Brother Butterfly by Alanna Betambeau) here: https://tinyurl.com/yckrhw3t

World Book Day's website: https://www.worldbookday.com/

Happy 4th Birthday CCB!

I started Curious Cat Books for a very important reason—well, several if we're being honest!—and they have been a vital part of building and growing the company over the past four years. I understood my 'why?' from day one, and have continued to develop how I work (and what I offer) based on those initial goals ever since.

When you're looking for a publisher (or indeed any professional to help you with a project as personal as your debut), you'll want to know why they do what they do, who is the brains behind the business model, what their motives are, and what they're going to do for you and the manuscript you've slaved over for, potentially, years. So I wanted to share a more in-depth mission statement here on the CCB blog. Get to know me and my morals and values before you query with CCB to know if I'm the right fit for your book.

I got rejected, too.

In 2009, I began to query agents and traditional publishers for my debut novel. I was 17 and inexperienced at the time, but hopeful because I began to receive responses that said my book was 'good, but not what we're looking for' or 'good, but not something we'd be able to work with right now'. They liked it, I think, but it either wasn't a fit for their target audience or it was, but they were looking for a different genre at that time. Some publishers didn't respond to me at all, and some responded (but I'd rather they hadn't, because I couldn't read the handwritten comments anyway). A few said they wanted to be the sole publisher queried (rather than sending out your book to several at the same time) but either would not respond or would, but within 6 months. This made planning and lining up another publisher impossible. One publisher in particular, I will always remember, replied 'we don't publish poetry' and sent everything back. This frustrated me, because I didn't write poetry. I wrote fiction. They had seen a snippet from my favourite poem at the front (the poem that inspired the novel) and had not bothered to turn the page any further.

After several months, I signed with an agent who told me he was 'doing me a favour, being so busy with all the other authors'. I made the mistake of taking this as a compliment rather than seeing it as a red flag. It wasn't long before a request for payment from that agent arrived in my inbox (for editing he wanted to do) because, 'the book needs work'. Before, he and I hadn't spoken over the phone once, and any updates or feedback I did receive, I'd had to request several times. I understood how busy he must have been, but I began to worry. Thankfully, the initial feedback was, 'it's with X publisher, and they seem impressed'. But then, a few days later, I'd be told, 'it's a no, they're not happy with the prose'. When I asked him to elaborate, he said, 'they like what you write, just not the way you've written it'. It was time for plan B.

I think I stayed with the agent for the first year until 2010, then chose not to renew my contract. A relative asked if I'd considered 'self-publishing' (I hadn't... I'd never heard of it!). The idea sounded intriguing though, and when I made a list, the benefits were undeniable. I'd been made to feel small and unworthy so far, and no longer wanted to fight against already established authors for my place. I couldn't and wouldn't win when the publishers I was interested in already represented so many successful, prolific writers.

I wanted to prove to myself and others I could get so far on my own. I chose my platform and did my research. It took a while to learn the skills and systems I needed. Laws and procedures were a nightmare—copyright and legal deposits blew my mind! But I did it.

I figured out my 'why?'

When I decided to launch Curious Cat Books four years ago*, initially it was to publish my own titles. I think I even once said in an interview that I'd never represent another author, because managing my own books was hard enough work. In the beginning, it was. But over time, I picked up practices and techniques, hacks and systems that helped me to streamline my processes to improve quality and speed, etc. Soon, I realised I had tons more to offer.

I could see there was a gap in the industry from social media posts. Authors wanted straightforward, honest advice from someone who had been there, done that, and who were still fighting for success themselves—somebody who wasn't afraid to say, 'this is how I did it, but it may not always be the way forward'. I knew I could be that person. I wanted to see indie authors given recognition for their talent because they deserved it. I saw a future where all books would be considered for the shelves of the biggest retailers based on their quality and not on their 'status' (in other words, not only because a big name was backing them or they were already famous, but because the book was special).

There has always been space for authors who work hard and dedicate themselves to make it in this industry, despite the brush they seemed to instantly be tarred with when they proudly announced they were self-published. I've seen the light drain from people's eyes when they've talked with me in the past—interested and engaged until they heard me say 'self-published'. So many conversations were ended because of it.

Authors wanting to expand their knowledge, willing to take constructive criticism and learn from their mistakes have always deserved the same opportunities as those with traditional contracts, not to suffer others upturning their noses. Something else I have physically witnessed happen.

I wanted to prove talent (a bloody good book!) and the investment of blood, sweat and tears leads to success. It doesn't matter how a book is brought to life, as proven at a recent CCB event. I asked a room of 100 people to raise their hand if they knew the difference between self-publishing and traditional publishing... there weren't many hands in the air, and it gave me joy. Those readers would therefore buy a book because it looked and sounded amazing, not because of how it had landed on the shelves.

The authors I wanted to help

Immediately, I mapped out the types of writers I knew I'd be able to help. Authors with something to say (a message to share) or something to prove; people who wanted to make a difference if given their moment in the spotlight. I have always believed books are time capsules and not only document history, but protect the morals, values and beliefs of that author at that specific moment—they live on when we cannot, and they leave a piece of someone's heart and soul behind for future generations to embody. Authors who think and feel the same are my kind of people: passionate, creative, imaginative. They see a future beyond their own success, and in my opinion, it is these writers who will one day lead the way forward in this industry.

Whether an author wants to hold their book to achieve this for their children or for the world makes no difference. It is the acknowledgement that their art is not only for themselves that I look for. I work with writers that want to see their book in print because yes, it's been a lifelong dream, but also so their grandchildren and great grandchildren will one day know them through their stories. I work with writers who hope to be bestsellers and lift the spirits of people all over the world, because they, in their youth, had to suffer feeling less than their incredible selves, and want to prevent others struggling the way they did.

In conclusion, I love this industry.

Independent publishing builds self-confidence, image and belief. It pushes us to be more and to do more outside our comfort zones. Rejections do give you that thicker skin, but deciding to create something (and then actually doing it) with little to no external professional help not only screams bravery and strength, but it indicates to me that they have a thirst for knowledge. There is nothing wrong with wanting to learn how to do things on your own (as far as you can) to prove your worth whilst enjoying the benefits and rewards along the way. It does not make a writer lazy or 'a cheat' to bypass the traditional methods of publishing a book, nor does it mean the book isn't good. Believe me, self-publishing isn't a way to avoid gatekeepers, because it places the decisions and reviews in the hands of the most important gatekeepers ever... readers! Achieving their approval without an initial injection of financial or professional support is impressive to say the least.

Overall, I want authors to have faith and believe in themselves. I've worked alongside authors with Dyslexia who thought they would never hold their book in their hands because of it. Of course you can! I've worked with authors who have so much to teach others, but are afraid of the spotlight, so didn't think they could publish a book. Of course you can! Anyone can be an author if the book is good enough thanks to the independent publishing universe, and I am so grateful for it and so proud of all the authors who have chosen CCB so far.

If writing a book is your dream and you think I can help you bring it to life, please get in touch. CCB is a small publisher and can only take a handful of books per year at the moment (submissions are open January 2022). I wish I could take them all!

I'd love to hear about you and your manuscript, and to hear more about your vision for the future of publishing.

Rachael.

*CCB turned 4 on January 13th 2022.