E. Rachael Hardcastle's Blog, page 4
April 30, 2021
Monthly Meow (April 2021)
We're ending April with a bunch of awesome updates, and some sneak peek clips of the new Noah Finn audio! Check it out...
Noah Finn & the Art of Suicide - Teaser (Book 1), Clip 1!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uNORmOugxQTeaser clip no.1 (the book's blurb) is now live on my YouTube channel for you to enjoy.
A huge thank you to voice actor George Scaife for his talent on this project, and for bringing Noah Finn's story to life. This book is really close to my heart, as is its sequel, and I think George's amazing work has only improved it!
I don't currently have a release date for this audiobook, as there is still some work to be done in the background - stay tuned to my Monthly Meow updates for more on this in May 2021.
CCB Signs Blogger Girlboss.Guru!Sure, this is more Curious Cat news-worthy than it is for my personal platform, but I'm including it here because this is a super exciting project I'm now working on! The Girlboss.Guru platform (links below) is mental-health and journaling-focused, which are both really important to me personally and in my business. It's no secret I suffer with anxiety, and my personal journal is my best friend for so many reasons, I cannot count them.
The reason Curious Cat Books signed this anonymous journaling therapy blogger—as currently the house is focused mostly on paperbacks and e-books—is through my love of its subject, and how much I want to promote and support journaling as a form of self-therapy (and an awesome hobby).
As GB will be writing anonymously, CCB will be assisting with the management of the blog. On her behalf, I'd like to thank the first 50 Instagram followers for their support after just 1 week of the #gbg platform existing! :D
So the #gbg platform will run on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter under the following handles, and the blog's content officially launches on September 1st 2021 - until then, Girlboss will be sourcing and offering beautiful (low-cost) journals on the marketplace side of her website, and is gathering useful content from mental health professionals and talented journaling advocates for a weekly blog post. September 1st 2021 will see 10 original posts go live, written by Girlboss herself (all with free printables!), and new content will then begin from the 15th.
You can subscribe to the Girlboss platform for FREE, and will receive a gratitude memo printable direct to your inbox when you do so. You'll also then get a notification when the blog is up and running. Until then, enjoy inspirational quotes and advice through her social media platforms each week. Be sure to like, follow and comment to help spread the word.
Support Mission: Wellbeing on Buy Me A Coffee and buy Girlboss a £5 coffee to help build her platform and keep the blog running.
www.facebook.com/girlboss.guru.blog
www.instagram.com/girlboss.guru
www.buymeacoffee.com/girlboss.guru
#girlbossguru #gbg
The Universe Paperback Countdown!It's only 1 month to go until The Universe Doesn't Give A Sh*t About Your Book is released in paperback! My brutally honest guide to self-publishing your manuscript is already available in e-book and hardback, but if you're a paperback person, on June 1st 2021 the matte softback can be yours, with pre-orders running until then through all your favourite retailers.
Pre-order your copy now on Amazon.
That's it for April 2021 - thank you so much for reading the blog, and I hope to catch you next month! Stay safe everyone.
Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel, as teaser clips 2 and 3 will be going live in May, both snippets from chapters within the book.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9olDnLndyshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0heYIc4Jqos
April 1, 2021
Monthly Meow (March 2021)
Welcome to another jam-packed Monthly Meow! Let's see what's been going on behind the scenes this month as we creep closer to the end of lockdown in the UK!
In Universe in Paperback!I love a snazzy hardback with a beautiful dust jacket as much as any reader, but I appreciate they can be more expensive to buy and more awkward to read. So, I listened to the feedback you all provided and decided to release a paperback edition of my self-publishing guide, The Universe Doesn't Give A Sh*t About Your Book.
Read the blog post here: https://www.erachaelhardcastle.com/post/the-universe-in-paperback
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7n9rkpN-0p0From June 1st, you'll be able to buy both a hardback edition (with the previous cover) or a paperback edition (with the cover below) of the title, which is a 'crash course' and desk guide for self-publishing your first book. The title will also continue to be available in e-book with the new white cover.
PRE ORDER NOW FOR £9.99: https://amzn.to/3m0Iz1K
Bluetooth In SchoolsMy co-writer David and I would like to thank this teacher @bexrowlands18 on Twitter for posting about the books she received for her school's PSHE lessons. Mrs Rowlands purchased three copies of Bluetooth and the World Wide Web, our fun children's book with an insect and technology theme, signed for three different classes.
We hope you all love the stories and enjoy the bonus goodies available through the erachaelhardcastle.com website. If you or someone you know has purchased any of my titles, get in touch to access the extra features through a special link!
Let's Talk About FailureCovid-19 threw a spanner in the works for a lot of creative entrepreneurs this year and last, so I wanted to reach out and offer a heart-felt bit of advice from one businesswoman to another about the acceptance of 'failure' and how we define and judge our success against other people.
I did this in a YouTube video at the beginning of the month, which I hope helps those feeling stuck and disappointed. There is a light at the end of the tunnel... keep going!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNh_iB0chB8Noah Finn in Audio!
This month, I've been working with a local voice actor to record the voice of Noah Finn for both my visionary novellas, Noah Finn & the Art of Suicide (1) and Noah Finn & the Art of Conception (2). I'm pleased to offer an exciting update: the recording of book one is now complete, and we're ready to move on to the next stages!
Watch this space and my social media platform/s for clips of the audiobook coming soon, and for the release of the cover, which I'll hopefully be posting in the next few weeks.
Check out the announcement on my blog: https://www.erachaelhardcastle.com/post/an-exciting-announcement or refresh your memory in the YouTube video below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxa4KioyzVAMy Love of Comic BooksYou may have seen also on my blog and social media that I've been buying and enjoying comic books in various genres this month. I needed a way to get back into reading due to my busy schedule rarely allowing me the time or energy to get stuck into paperbacks right now.
So, I purchased the Walking Dead compendiums, all 18 of the TrueBlood comics (plus the pre-TV show comic 'The Great Revelation', both Extinction Parade graphic novels by Max Brooks and a bunch more!
Read part one of my comic book discovery post here: https://www.erachaelhardcastle.com/post/comic-books-1
Read part two of my comic book discovery post here:
https://www.erachaelhardcastle.com/post/comic-books-2
That's it for the March update - stay safe, stay curious, and I'll catch you again in April for more new and exciting updates! Thank you for reading.
March 18, 2021
The Universe in Paperback
Exciting news this month as the paperback edition of my self-publishing guide, The Universe Doesn't Give A Sh*t About Your Book: A Brutally Honest Guide to Self-Publishing now has a release date!
Originally released in November 2019, my first hardback book received amazing endorsements from professionals in the industry. But I know a hardback isn't ideal for everyone; I've had requests over the past few months to release a paperback edition alongside the hardback and e-books already available.
So here it is! I'm thrilled to announce that you will be able to purchase your copy of The Universe Doesn't Give A Sh*t About Your Book through your favourite retail platforms from June 1st 2021.
Be sure to follow me on social media for links when the pre-order facility is up and running.
https://www.facebook.com/erachaelhardcastle
https://www.instagram.com/erachaelhardcastle/
https://twitter.com/erhardcastle
Can't wait that long and not too bothered by the occasional typo? I'm selling off the last of my unedited hardback proof copies (with the gorgeous gloss dust jacket) on my website at for just £4.99 per copy (RRP £14.99). These are signed and include a free bookmark.
If you need help with your book—perhaps you're not sure what independent publishing is all about, or you're feeling overwhelmed—you've certainly come to the right place!
E. Rachael Hardcastle offers her insight in The Universe Doesn't Give A Sh*t About Your Book, teaching you the basics of self-editing, formatting and marketing your debut book.
Whether you're already an established author or you're just starting out... Rachael can help, and she wants you to know that you're not alone on your journey to success.
March 10, 2021
Comic Books, Late & Loved: Pt.2
If you read my Monthly Meow or subscribe to my YouTube channel, you'll know this month I decided to give comic books, graphic novels and manga a try. I'm late to the game, I know, but I'm loving the illustrations and pacing of the titles I purchased.
Why I Bought ComicsFor Christmas, my partner bought me 1-3 of the Artemis comics by Lindsey Stirling. I'm a huge fan of her music, and I really enjoyed both the story, the feel and the artwork. I can read them cover-to-cover in about 20 mins each due to their length, and they're light-weight and don't involve too much brain power after a long, busy day. An hour later, I've enjoyed all 3 of the comics in the series so far, which tell the story of her most recent album.
Because I have such a busy schedule with full-time work, clients, running a publishing house, writing and housework/family life, getting stuck into a 600+ page novel is daunting for me right now. I wanted to try something visual, that didn't involve a high learning curve such as a paperback or hardback science-fiction series, that also wouldn't take me forever to finish. As I enjoyed Lindsey's comics so much, naturally this was my first thought!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxLZWpzxHsIWhich Comics Have I Bought/Would I Recommend? (Part Two)If you're new to comic books or graphic novels etc. like I am, you may be wondering which I decided to try and how I'm finding them so far. The above video from my YouTube channel in February talks you through a few, and how I'm mainly sticking for titles I'm already familiar with in some other way, such as movies, books or TV shows. You can read about those in the first blog post, just follow the link above.
If you haven't already read part 1's recommendations, check it out here:
www.erachaelhardcastle.com/post/comic-books-1. In this post, however, I'll introduce you to two others I purchased PLUS the Artemis comics by Lindsey Stirling.
The Extinction Parade
Max Brooks, who wrote World War Z (also now a movie starring Brad Pitt), released a comic series called The Extinction Parade, with some fascinating, if a little gruesome illustrations.
I stumbled upon the graphic novel online 2nd hand (pre-owned) and thought I'd give this vampire-zombie cross series a go by ordering the collected first volume (comics 1-5). This volume is followed by The Extinction Parade: War (1-5).
The series is gripping and easy to follow, with detailed and colourful artwork (but be warned, it's definitely an adult-only read!). It's gory and bloody, and some pages you could easily spend 30 minutes looking at due to the detail and action going on in the background alone. But, overall it's an amazing recommendation for any zombie fiction fans (both on and off the screen).
The feel of this volume is almost like a magazine, with thick shiny pages and a spine thick enough for text, unlike some stapled comics (like the Trueblood series in my first post). Brand new, the trade paperback edition I have retails at around £15.
The Massive
Whilst browsing the internet, I also discovered The Massive: Black Pacific by Brian Wood. To my knowledge there are also 2 other volumes in this series, and it's similar in style to the paperback above whereby it's like a thick magazine, or even a thin textbook with full-colour vibrant artwork and thick, glossy paper.
This story is about an environmental group at the end of the world, and I found it a bit harder to follow than the other comics I tried. It may be because the scenes skip back and forward in time. Not knowing the story already from another means such as TV or a novel added to my confusion, but after a second (slower) read, it made much more sense and I found I was able to enjoy it more.
What I did love about this book was the cover, and initially it's what drew me in. Plus, it had stunning reviews on the back and for the price, is a great thickness.
Artemis
Alongside her recent album, Artemis, the comics follow the story of a young woman who Lindsey cosplays in her music videos. Per comic, due to their length and feel, they maybe take 20-25 minutes to binge read cover-to-cover, which is ideal if you're new to comic books as I was in December.
The colours of the artwork really pop and the story hooks you in - there are also QR codes on the pages which you can scan to listen to the music as you're enjoying each chapter. But, the downside is these are exclusive to her official website and aren't currently available on Amazon or through other retailers. If you do manage to get a signed copy on E-bay or other 3rd party sites, be prepared to pay a high price, as I've seen what they are currently auctioned for. Brand new and purchased individually, though, they retail at about $20 (so roughly £15 each in the UK), which is reasonable for the amazing quality.
These comics feature in the video I posted to my channel, so it's worth watching to check out their stunning covers.
Here's a link to the bundle on Lindsey's site too if you'd like to order 1-3: https://lindseystirlingmerch.com/products/lindsey-stirling-artemis-comic-book-bundle.
I hope these recommendations have given you some ideas if you'd also like to check out this type of book/reading style, and of course if you have suggestions for me, I'd love to hear from you! Be sure to also go back and read blog post 1 about my love of comic books if you haven't already done so.
March 3, 2021
Comic Books, Late & Loved: Pt.1
If you read my Monthly Meow or subscribe to my YouTube channel, you'll know this month I decided to give comic books, graphic novels and manga a try. I'm late to the game, I know, but I'm loving the illustrations and pacing of the titles I purchased.
Why I Bought ComicsFor Christmas, my partner bought me 1-3 of the Artemis comics by Lindsey Stirling. I'm a huge fan of her music, and I really enjoyed both the story, the feel and the artwork. I can read them cover-to-cover in about 20 mins each due to their length, and they're light-weight and don't involve too much brain power after a long, busy day. An hour later, I've enjoyed all 3 of the comics in the series so far, which tell the story of her most recent album.
Because I have such a busy schedule with full-time work, clients, running a publishing house, writing and housework/family life, getting stuck into a 600+ page novel is daunting for me right now. I wanted to try something visual, that didn't involve a high learning curve such as a paperback or hardback science-fiction series, that also wouldn't take me forever to finish. As I enjoyed Lindsey's comics so much, naturally this was my first thought!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxLZWpzxHsIWhich Comics Have I Bought/Would I Recommend? (Part One)If you're new to comic books or graphic novels etc. like I am, you may be wondering which I decided to try and how I'm finding them so far. The above video from my YouTube channel in February talks you through a few, but I'm mainly sticking for titles I'm already familiar with in some other way, such as movies, books or TV shows.
The Walking Dead
The Walking Dead was the top of my list, but to purchase all the comics individually would have been a nightmare! I discovered they are also available in 4 chunky (and rather expensive) compendiums costing around £30 per volume. But, in the long-run, I knew this would save me money. So, I decided to try find a few 2nd hand (pre-owned) copies just in case I didn't enjoy them as much as the TV show on Fox.
Generally, I've been looking for copies in great condition at a reasonable price, but due to the size and weight, I noticed this added some considerable postage fees! If you're tempted by The Walking Dead compendiums too, it may be worth just buying them brand new depending on your location.
Something else to note with The Walking Dead Compendiums is their weight when reading, not just when shipping. I like to read in bed, but needed the support of a book cushion (a triangular-shaped cushion for tablets etc) just to hold them up without my arms aching! They are also in black and white (which I don't mind at all) but some readers prefer colour.
It's interesting to compare the stories to the TV show; which characters are different, what do they look like, and how does the plot in each book match the episodes? I thought I'd struggle not to imagine Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes, or that I'd miss Daryl Dixon (who doesn't feature in the comics but is popular on the show), but I've adapted well; it's a different experience than reading a 400 page novel, because the illustrations and artwork are there to guide your imagination.
If you're willing to commit, you can actually just buy a box set on Amazon. Click here to check it out.
Battle Royale
I've already read the Battle Royale novel by Koushun Takami and really enjoyed the story, which is occasionally compared to The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins (also a great read!). So, when I spotted the manga Japanese novels for sale online, I bought books 1-6 for an amazing price as a bundle (book 3 was missing, so I had to backfill it by purchasing this on its own).
At first, I was completely clueless about how to read these books. In England we read from left to right, but in Japan it's the opposite and so, of course, is how to read what's going on. It took me 2-3 reads of the first few pages and a search online for some basic 'idiot's guide' instructions before I figured it out. Then, it all made sense and I was off (and it definitely helped to know what to expect from the characters and plot, which is how I knew something was wrong the first time!).
I'm really enjoying the style and pacing of this series and I'm familiar with it from the movie. If you haven't watched that, I'd highly recommend it (though it is in Japanese with subtitles).
Trueblood
I've been a Sookie Stackhouse/Charlaine Harris/Trueblood addict since being a teenager. I've read all the books goodness knows how many times, and watched the series over and over too.
I didn't even know they had been made into a comic series, which I'm assuming was produced after the TV show given the characters look like animated actors from the series on HBO.
The comics are thin, and I purchased a total of 18 of them in the three different 'series': Trueblood, Tainted Love and The French Quarter, which I believe has 6 comics in each. And I got them in brilliant condition at a really reasonable price. As a lover of the books and then an addict of the show, I knew I'd love these comics equally! I do - they are smooth and easy to read, in full colour and some include bonus features or have collectable covers.
If you're ready to commit to the novels, though, you can grab the box set on Amazon here. My covers are all mis-matched shapes and formats, but I love them and they have pride of place on my bookshelf.
The only downside, of course, is that there's less room for the imagination if you've already read the books/watched the show. It's hard to see the characters any other way, as their illustrations and the artwork mimics that of HBO's show. Just something to bare in mind if you're not already a fan of the TV series.
I'll be sharing another list of my favourite comics and graphic novels so far next week on the blog (which I was not already familiar with when I purchased them), so be sure to subscribe to be notified when that goes live. I post new content every Thursday!
I hope these recommendations have given you some ideas if you'd also like to check out this type of book/reading style, and of course if you have suggestions for me, I'd love to hear from you!
March 1, 2021
Writing Superhero Fiction with Indie Author Jason Titley
Jason Titley is the author of 'Unbroken Spirit'. Like two of his sons, he has a condition called Brittle Bones and spent a lot of time in hospital as a child, where he whiled away the hours reading. Jason's love of books came very early on, and he often wrote short stories or comic books. In this interview, Rachael chats with Jason about writing superhero fiction.
How important is research to you when you're writing your first draft? What research do you have to do for your genre? For my book I did a lot of research as part of the story is set in our own world and encompasses points in history. I wanted to be as accurate as I possibly could with dates and place names, apart from that I think fantasy books on the whole are born and written in the imagination so no real research is needed.When did you realise you wanted to be a writer? In other words, why are you a writer, and how important is it to you?I have been a keen reader from an earlier age, my disability meant a lot of time in hospital, sometimes up to three months at a time. This was before the internet, mobile phones or game consoles so reading was my escapism. It has become very important to me in the last couple of years after I broke my femur in 2015 and it is refusing to heal meaning I have a lot of time on my hands. Writing has now replaced reading as my escapism, my way of keeping my mind occupied and challenged.What inspires you to write? My four year old son Harry inspired me to write this book. He loves superheroes but superheroes are always perfect, I wanted him to have a hero he could relate too.Some writers have a playlist they write to for each book, or a song that motivates them. Is this the case for you – if so, can you share some of the recommended songs? I find it easier to write without any distractions, I set up looking out onto my garden and that is all the motivation I need. I think I would end up singing along instead of writing anything.Where do you get your ideas? My ideas come from all over, I have woken up in the night and written down ideas for how characters develop or plot twists. I keep a pad and pen by the bed just in case, during the day I jot ideas down onto my phone. A photo or a piece of music can trigger an idea also.Do you have a schedule for writing, or do you write only when you feel inspired? How often do you manage to write and when you do, how many words can you manage in one sitting?I don’t have a schedule for writing, sometimes if the plot is being a bit difficult then I maybe take a couple of days off before coming back to it. Normally I can sit and start writing and before I know it three hours have passed, sometimes I find it very difficult to stop writing when I am in a good flow. The amount of words can vary in one sitting from 1000 to 5000.Writers are often labelled as loners and introverts; in your opinion, is there any truth to that?Personally speaking I would say I was the opposite, I love to interact with people. I find this helps in developing character traits and can sometimes inspire a plot route you wouldn’t have taken on your own.What would you say are the easiest and hardest things about writing a book? What do you love and hate the most about what you do? I have to say writing the book I found easy, it was as though the story had just been waiting to get out. For me the hardest is letting someone else read it and hoping they like it. Promoting the book is also very difficult and time consuming, I seem to spend more time promoting than writing at the moment.Have you ever experienced “Writer’s Block”? How long did it last and how did you overcome it?I have experienced this, I overcame it by trying to write some short stories, I finished up writing ten in the end and have published those as an anthology. In a way my writers block actually helped.When you write, do you prefer silence or busy surroundings? Do you eat or drink anything when you're sitting down to write? What sort of environment do you prefer?I definitely prefer very little distractions, I am too easily distracted to have stuff going on around me. Drinks depends on what time of day I am writing, during the day its tea or coffee, if its an evening it’s a glass of red. My go to place to write originally was looking out into my garden, however I now have created a small office in my home, when I say small I think Harry Potter may have had more room under the stairs.When you finish writing a book, how long do you wait before beginning the editing process and why? Do you edit your own work, or hire someone else to help you?Once finished I give myself a week before editing, I find that break is sufficient to get me into the right frame of mind for the process. So far I have edited my own work and that is purely down to cost.Many people advise not to judge a book by its cover. As an independent author, what are your thoughts on cover quality? Would you say it plays an important role in sales? I think a cover is extremely important, as an avid reader myself a good cover is what you make the first connection with any book. It is the starting point in your relationship with that story.Some people believe independent (self-published) authors produce books of poor quality in comparison to traditionally published books, often down to editing and cover design issues. What is your opinion on this; what would you say to those people as an independent author?For me personally, I wonder how many amazing stories would not be available if not for self published authors. Getting an agent or a book deal is much harder than writing the book in the first place. If the book has a few mistakes in it then so be it as long as the story keeps you gripped.What is your experience of publishing so far? How have you chosen to publish and why? What do you feel are the benefits of this method? So far I have published on Amazon, the process is very straightforward. For me its rewarding to finally be able to hold an actual copy of my book. If I had had to go down the normal route it would still be sitting on my laptop unpublished.Your only constraint is the limit of your imagination, every story deserves to be told.If you were asked to give advice to primary school children about writing creatively, what top tip would you share with them?Your only constraint is the limit of your imagination, every story deserves to be told.
If you were asked to give advice to secondary school children about writing creatively, what top tip would you share with them and would this differ at all to the previous question?Tell your story your way, don’t get bogged down in negativity or critiques, it is only one persons opinionLots of authors struggle to market and promote their book/s. Do you have any top tips you can share with them, and what have you found to be most effective?I wish I had some tips, this is the holy grail of advice. Promotion is definitely the hardest part, try anything and everything until you find what works best for you.What is your opinion on the benefits of writing on mental health issues including anxiety and depression? Would you recommend it as a form of self-therapy; of looking inward and reflecting? If not, why?I’m sure everyone who writes pulls on their own experiences, it wasn’t until I read my first book back that I realised how much of me was in the story. Yes it can be a form of self therapy, it can give you an extra connection with the reader also. If you are speaking from personal experiences then your book will take a much purer form, you can only get so much from research.Do you believe that writing can be learned, or that you must be born with a passion and/or talent?Of course writing can be learned, it is a skill to be mastered like any other. The more you do the better you will be. You must have a passion for it and the talent is getting people to invest in your story telling.Do you believe that it's more challenging to write about beliefs, morals and values that conflict with your own? How do you feel about books that explore unusual, 'risky' themes? When reading these books, do you feel at all uncomfortable?I would imagine it would be more difficult if you are writing about something you don’t agree with, I’m not sure how much effort you would put into something like that.World-building applies to all genres, even to those where it is not necessary for authors to create unique societies, landscapes and species. No matter your chosen genre, what top tip can you give aspiring authors when world-building?When world building I would say don’t put out too much too soon, intersperse the information throughout the story when it is needed. Too much information in one go would put me off.How do you view and define success? What does it mean to you, and do you currently feel successful? If not, what would you need to achieve to reach success?For me success is people purchasing my book and enjoying it, whether it's 1 or 100 it makes no different.What is the secret to becoming a bestselling author, if you believe there is one? Do you agree an Amazon bestselling status counts, even if that status was for a free or discounted book? I have no idea what the secret to becoming a bestseller is, a good story, good promotion and luck. Of course the Amazon status counts, whether the books free or not.How do you deal with rejection, criticism and bad reviews from friends, family and strangers? What would you say to someone struggling with a lack of support, or worried about online negativity?I think any single bad review I put down to personal opinion, if there seems to be a common theme then maybe I would look at what the issue was and see if it could be rectified. Online negativity I would take with a huge pinch of salt as you do not know if that person is being truthful or not. A lot of people these days take great pleasure in trying to knock people down. If as an author you are lacking in support look for groups on social media, there are plenty which are for authors supporting each other.When shopping for a book, what do you look at first? For example, book cover, price, title, publisher, reviews etc.Cover is always first port of call for me, then the blurb on the back. I sometimes look for authors I am familiar with also. Which retailer do you prefer to shop through for books and why? Does this differ online to brick and mortar? Unfortunately book shops are very thin on the ground these days, it's Waterstones for me.Do you prefer hardbacks, paperbacks, e-books or audiobooks and why?I do prefer a paperback, its how my interest in reading started before e-books. To hold a physical copy and turn a page is still a great feelingHow do you find trustworthy professionals and freelancers to work with? Do you have a procedure for vetting someone, and what would you recommend debut authors do to ensure they are not taken advantage of?I would base anyone I chose to work with with reviews on their previous clients. For debut authors I would again join author groups and get advice from authors who have been around for years.How do you determine the pricing for your books?When I published my first two books, I set the pricing as low as I possibly could, I think I just wanted as many people to read my books as possible rather than make money. As I am still fairly new I cant see this philosophy changing for my next book either.Who is your favourite author and why do you enjoy their work more than others? Tolkien is my favourite, he was the first author that gave me an escape. As a child I spent a lot of time in hospital and reading became my escapism. Tolkien gave me a love for fantasy that has allowed me to write my book.From all the roles you play as an indie author, if you could hand over one job to someone else to complete for free, what would that task be and why?Definitely the editing, it can be a very long tedious process, especially when you have ideas for other books fighting to be written.What are some free or low-cost tools you can recommend to debut authors? These can be anything from writing software to websites, blogs to organisational tips and tricks. Grammarly is a good one for me, always catches any little slip ups.Do you agree that it's important for authors to read a lot of books in the genres they are writing?Of course it is, I’m not sure how you can write a book in a genre you know very little about.What is the biggest mistake you believe debut authors make and how would you recommend avoiding it?Vanity publishers are a no no. It seems like a great breakthrough when you get offered a deal but you have to pay some money too. There are so many free ways to publish yourself its definitely a no go for me.
Read more about Jason's book below:Jack is twelve and moves to a new house due to his families financial problems. Jack spends his days when not at school watching the other kids play outside and reading comics dreaming of being a superhero.Jack suffers from brittle bones, this makes him withdrawn and scared about going out to play due to the risk and the awkward questions from the other kids. He makes friends with two other kids in the street Ben and Grace when they knock on his door to get a ball that has gone into Jack’s garden.Whilst searching for the ball they happen across a magical gate that takes them to another world. In this world the three friends are lauded as heroes and saviours. They find out that there are six realms in this world who for years lived in peace, until one realm became corrupt and evil wishing to conquer and control the other realms. The once peaceful realms had to create armies to counter this evil, in a last gasp effort to rid themselves of this evil force they created a great spell and cast them into another world created by the spell. Unfortunately during the great battle some of the people from the other realms were taken into this other world and became trapped.The other world is Earth and the friends are given a quest to find the other chosen ones to defeat the enemy once and for all and save both worlds.Jack is reluctant to do it due to his condition until they are taken to the tree they worship as their god, here the three are given swords imbued with magical powers that transforms them into warriors and removes his condition enabling him to go on the quest and become the hero he has always dreamt of.Whilst inside the tree they learn about the gods that created the world they are now in and what caused one god to turn evil, corrupting the race he was supposed to look after.In this realm they find two more of the chosen and find that the final one is back on Earth/Eventually they cross back into our world, once here the lack of magic transforms them back into children again, however on their return the evil that has lain dormant for so long is now making its move. The evil entity casts a spell returning magic to our world but at the same time destroying technology as science and magic cannot exist together. His armies sweep across the globe as all weapons become useless and armies are overrun.As all this is going on in the world they have outposts of hidden cities where magic has been kept hidden from the modern world, these become havens for the survivors.As magic sweeps back across the globe the three friends regain their powers and the quest for the final chosen one begins.
Monthly Meow (CCB Edition): March 2021
On March 23rd at 6pm, CCB's own Peter Kay participated in a Facebook live event to showcase his poetry skills. To follow Peter on social media and learn more about his work, please visit his website at www.peterkaywordspace.co.uk.
Celebrate World Book Day with Peter Kay as he reads from his book, Show Me the Way to Santiago!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpseE2r8TF0The Universe to be Published in Paperback!CCB's founder E. Rachael Hardcastle will be releasing her self-publishing guide, The Universe Doesn't Give A Sh*t About Your Book in paperback! From June 1st 2021, you will be able to order a paperback edition of the title, including in-depth advice for authors, no matter which stage of the publishing process you're at.
The book will retail at £9.99, to be available across all your favourite retailer platforms and also as an updated e-book edition with the new white cover. To find out more, visit Rachael's website at www.erachaelhardcastle.com.
Alanna Betambeau Releases The Noisy Fairy Neighbours!On 19th April 2021, CCB author Alanna Betambeau is due to release her 3rd title with the company, The Noisy Fairy Neighbours!
ORDER YOURS HERE: https://amzn.to/3w74Fo3 - Only £6.99!
"Belle is very excited when her parents give her a beautiful fairy door for her birthday. With a sprinkle of magic, Belle soon finds herself with some new, rather noisy, fairy neighbours!"
Visit Alanna's website here: https://www.alannabetambeaubooks.com/
Amazing Reviews for The Ghost Butterfly!CCB is so proud to read some of the amazing reader reviews on Amazon for Adam Cornish's The Ghost Butterfly! Adam's book was released in December, mid-Covid, and is the story of a young girl befriending a butterfly.
With 5* ratings across the board, it's a charming, fully-illustrated glossy paperback, perfect for Easter gifts and bedtimes.
To buy your copy for just £6.99, visit Amazon's product page: https://amzn.to/2PEmHx3
Henry is On Sale!
This month, Amazon are offering an amazing deal on the last 2 copies of 'Henry' by John Brookes - for less than £3 with free delivery, you can purchase this lovely pocket-sized storybook about a selfish bird and how he saves the day!
Illustrated by Natalie Stead.
"Henry the magpie thinks he's the toughest bird ever. In fact, he's a bit of a bully. Will he face his fears for friendship and save Maggie from the plastic bag?"
Hurry, there are only 2 left in stock at this price. Grab yours here: https://amzn.to/3sx8QaH
Author Interviews
Rachael was lucky enough to interview author Jason Titley about writing superhero fiction for children this month on the blog.
Jason Titley is the author of 'Unbroken Spirit'. Like two of his sons, he has a condition called Brittle Bones and spent a lot of time in hospital as a child, where he whiled away the hours reading. Jason's love of books came very early on, and he often wrote short stories or comic books.
Want to participate in an author interview? E-mail Rachael and ask for the form. Just click 'Contact' on this website and fill in your details.
That's it for this month's Monthly Meow: Author Edition - be sure to check in with us in June/July for more exciting releases, updates and news. Stay safe and stay curious! Thank you for reading.
February 28, 2021
Writing Children's Fiction with Berni Hellier
In this interesting indie author interview, Rachael chats with Berni Hellier, a children's writer and author of Twinkletoes.
If you're interested in writing a children's book, you'll be sure to find Berni's experiences and advice helpful. You can find the author's contact information and links to her books at the end of this post.
How important is research to you when you're writing your first draft?The children’s books I write tend to be imaginary creative stories, so luckily, I have very little research to do. My newest book Twinkletoes is about a fairy and as far as I am aware, there is no official data on fairies to research. I did, however, have to research dog breeds to find Chief, the Cane Corso dog that features in the story.In order to write children’s books, you have to know what works. By immersing yourself in children’s books, you learn what works and what doesn’t. In order to recreate something, you have to be very familiar with it. I could never write a fantasy novel without reading one.When did you realise you wanted to be a writer? In other words, why are you a writer, and how important is it to you?I have always loved writing. As a teenager I kept A4 diaries and found writing helped me to process my thoughts and emotions. When my children were small, I wrote a few Twinkletoes books but didn’t get them published. They remained scruffy scribbles in a notepad. I finished working in 2018 due to ill health and this finally gave me time to focus on the essentials, writing being one of them! What inspires you to write, and where do you get your ideas? My late father inspired me to write. He was a natural storyteller. I believe story-telling and writing are firmly entwined. I was a teacher for many years, and I know how powerful stories can be for children. I wanted to be able to create a little bit of magic. They grow up too soon, so providing them with magical picture books was appealing to me.I don’t write to songs. I don’t mind having the radio on in the background whilst I am writing, but it’s not really a part of the writing process for me.My idea for Twinkletoes came from my Dad. When my children were little, he told them stories about ‘Pixie’ who lived in his garden. Pixie would leave treats in the garden for my kids to find. Pixie, of course was invisible to us grown-ups. My children absolutely loved it and that is where Twinkletoes stemmed from.Do you have a schedule for writing, or do you write only when you feel inspired? How often do you manage to write and when you do, how many words can you manage in one sitting?I write when I feel like writing. I would hate it to become something I ‘have’ to do! Writing is escapism for me, not a chore. I don’t really pay attention to how many words I write in a sitting. Writers are often labelled as loners and introverts; in your opinion, is there any truth to that?Well David Walliams is no introvert. However, I would say I am quite introverted. If I spend time with friends, I then need time to have some quiet time. I don’t think writers are ‘loners’, I think this is a stereotype.What would you say are the easiest and hardest things about writing a book? What do you love and hate the most about what you do?The hardest thing about writing a book is making sure the story all fits together. It is so easy to forget to tell the reader something you already know. The easiest thing... once you have decided on the plot... is describing it. I hate the formatting side of writing. I formatted my own novella but pay someone to format my children’s books. Writing the story is by far the easiest part of self-publishing.Have you ever experienced “Writer’s Block”? How long did it last and how did you overcome it?I once experienced writer’s block when writing my novella Complicated Souls. I find that if you just put it down for a while and step back from it, you come back with a clearer vision and can pick it up from there.I sometimes write with the TV on in the background or by the beach, listening to the waves. I ALWAYS have tea on hand!When you finish writing a book, how long do you wait before beginning the editing process and why? Do you edit your own work, or hire someone else to help you?I edit as I am going along and again... at the end. I pay for editors and use friends/family members to proofread too. Finding trustworthy professionals is hard. Ask for references. Ask to see books that they have worked on. I have used Fiverr for illustrators and found two amazing, talented artists. But I also had some bad experiences, so you have to do your research. Many editors do free 1000 word sample edits. Take them up on this. See if you gel. Grammarly is useful and free for editing.Many people advise not to judge a book by its cover. As an independent author, what are your thoughts on cover quality? Would you say it plays an important role in sales? I do judge a book by the cover. It’s the first thing that attracts me. I also like to read reviews. Sometimes though, a mixture of amazing and critical reviews will actually entice me to read the book to decide for myself.I think a book cover plays a huge part in marketing a book. It’s important the cover is readable and attractive so it appeals to readers. If you are primarily selling on Amazon, you need to ensure the cover is visible on a thumbnail. The biggest mistake some debut authors make is to scrimp on book covers and not get their work edited. It is so off putting to pay for a book and find that it is riddled with spelling/punctuation/grammar mistakes. Also, you may have the best book ever, but with a boring cover, it simply will not get the exposure that it deserves.Some people believe independent (self-published) authors produce books of poor quality in comparison to traditionally published books, often down to editing and cover design issues. What is your opinion on this; what would you say to those people as an independent author?I have seen some fantastic independently published books, but I have also seen some awful ones. The thing about indie publishing is anyone can do it, so everything gets through the net. The difference is good quality indie books will sell and get great reviews, poorly done indie books will suffocate in silence.What is your experience of publishing so far? How have you chosen to publish and why? What do you feel are the benefits of this method? I am glad I finally built up the courage to self-publish and get my books ‘out there’. I have used KDP to publish as it seemed the safest way as there is no initial outlay (other than paying an editor and illustrator). Having said that, if you are in writing to make money, DO NOT use print on demand services as it is the most expensive way to self-publish.If you were asked to give advice to primary school children about writing creatively, what top tip would you share with them?I used to be a primary school teacher. The best advice I would give to children is:‘Forget about the spelling and the punctuation/grammar. Write from your imagination. Write from your heart.’ I have seen some truly amazing stories ruined by kids trying to get everything right and using simpler spelling to avoid mistakes. Kids are naturally creative but somewhere down the line we box them into good writers/poor writers. This is often based on the mechanics of writing. Good writing is all about great creative ideas and exciting plots. The mechanics of writing (grammar/spelling/punctuation) can all be corrected. I would give similar advice to secondary aged children, but I’d also say:‘Write like only you are going to read it’. This is the age when kids become really self-conscious and many dread having their work read out aloud. Lots of authors struggle to market and promote their book/s. Do you have any top tips you can share with them, and what have you found to be most effective?I am hopeless at promoting my work. I really need to embark on a proper marketing strategy. Writing really isn’t about making money for me…but I’d love to reach more readers. I have done a few podcasts which help with this.If I could get someone to market my books, this it would be wonderful. Oh to have a personal publicist!Pricing my books is always difficult for me. I feel like I am ripping people off, but you have to know your worth. I look at the price of other books and adjust my prices and do free promotions too. As an indie publisher, it is difficult to compete with the likes of David Walliams who can produce a hardback for half the price of my paperback.Podcasts are great for getting you some exposure. I have done a Thomas Trimble Podcast (Las Vegas) for my book ‘Eli the Dream Traveller’, and I did one with Bare Books Podcasts for my thriller ‘Complicated Souls’. It was lovely to hear I was one of the interviewer’s favourite authors from the series. Another trick or tip is to think outside the box. For example, with my book Eli the Dream Traveller, I advertised it on astral projection Facebook groups and not just ‘author’ groups. What is your opinion on the benefits of writing on mental health issues including anxiety and depression? Would you recommend it as a form of self-therapy; of looking inward and reflecting? If not, why?After leaving teaching, I retrained as a counsellor, so I am quite familiar with mental health issues. I gave up work due to ill health in 2018 and started writing as it gave me a sense of purpose. Writing is a great therapeutic tool. It can be very cathartic to put things down in writing! Diaries and guided writing activities are amazing tools for self-reflection. During bereavement counselling, I used writing a lot as a way to help clients access their inner world. There are instances though when writing could be detrimental for people with poor mental health. E.g. if a person with depression and ruminating thoughts keeps a diary it could be counter- productive. It could reinforce negative self- defeating thoughts. So it all depends on how the writing is used. I read a wonderful book called ‘A Wildflower Kiss From Heaven’ by Natalia Shudruk, which demonstrates how journaling can help people through grief.Do you believe writing can be learned, or that you must be born with a passion and/or talent?Some people are born with a great natural flare for telling and writing stories. I think there is an art to writing but everyone can write. Some people just need more scaffolding than others.Do you believe that it's more challenging to write about beliefs, morals and values that conflict with your own? How do you feel about books that explore unusual, 'risky' themes? When reading these books, do you feel at all uncomfortable?Yes, I have difficulty writing about beliefs, morals and values that conflict with my own. I don’t think I have written a book that deals with a risky theme but I’m pretty sure I would feel uncomfortable with a theme I found distasteful. World-building applies to all genres, even to those where it is not necessary for authors to create unique societies, landscapes and species. No matter your chosen genre, what top tip can you give aspiring authors when world-building?Whatever world you create, be it fantasy or real, make sure it is believable and consistent. Authors should ask themselves questions (and answer them of course). What does my world look like? How does it feel? (climate/landscape), What dominates the world? I suppose it’s about asking yourself ‘what if?’ questions. In Twinkletoes, I create a world where real life overlaps with the imaginary. It’s set in a typical back garden with flowers and a wishing well, yet there are homes in trees and an invisible fairy that can talk to animals!How do you view and define success? What does it mean to you, and do you currently feel successful? If not, what would you need to achieve to reach success?Success is finding contentment in life. I know that sounds like a cliché but it’s true. I think every author would like to write a bestseller, but for me, just seeing my work in print, and receiving good feedback makes me feel happy. If just one person loves my story, this is success for me!What is the secret to becoming a bestselling author, if you believe there is one? Do you agree an Amazon bestselling status counts, even if that status was for a free or discounted book? I think the secret to becoming a bestselling author is based on 3 factors:a) writing a great book b) being lucky enough to be discovered by a big publisher c) writing a book pertinent for the times. I think Amazon bestselling status does not necessarily correlate with ‘great book’. Bestsellers can be created by marketers who know how to manipulate Amazon and have the resources to do so.How do you deal with rejection, criticism and bad reviews from friends, family and strangers? What would you say to someone struggling with a lack of support, or worried about online negativity?I have never submitted to publishers so have not had to deal with rejection. Receiving criticism is part of the writing experience though. As my late father would say:‘You can please some of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.’ The hardest part is receiving a low star review with no explanation. But you have to focus on the positives. It’s not in my nature to focus on the negatives. I do think that you have to be prepared for criticism before putting yourself out there. Writing is quite an exposing art!What question/ comment do you hate receiving in relation to writing? Why do you think it frustrates you so much, and have other authors agreed with you? What answer/s do you usually give?I haven’t really been asked any questions about writing that I dislike, let alone hate. Most people are genuinely interested in the process and I enjoy answering questions that they have. Where do you shop for books, and what type of books do you read?Amazon is where I buy most of my books. I love Kindle too. On the high street I love Waterstones, but my 23-year-old daughter, a real book worm often takes me into charity shops looking for books or small independent bookstores. I read all types of books. If money was no object, all of my books would be hardbacks with protective sleeves. But in reality, the majority of my books are dogeared paperbacks. I recently tried an audio book and thought I would hate it… but I LOVED the experience. You can clean the kitchen, iron, walk the dog and listen to a great story!Do you have a favourite author?I don’t have a favourite author. There are so many great authors I could never have a favourite. It’s like asking me my favourite Roses sweet!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Berni Hellier was born and bred in Swansea, South Wales. She likes writing adult thrillers but also picture books for younger children. She is a wife and mother to two young adults. She loves spending time with her family and friends, and her naughty fox red Labrador Woody. She is a retired teacher and counsellor. She loves the beach and nature and is happiest when she is throwing a ball into the surf for Woody to retrieve.
Find her on FacebookThis author is not directly affiliated with Curious Cat Books and is a guest on the blog. Please see this website's policy regarding links and recommendations.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Twinkletoes and the BurglarsRelease Date: 12/2020
Twinkletoes is a feisty fairy with unexpected powers. She is only visible to children and animals. When Twinkletoes gets angry her feet light up and sparks begin to fly. Can Twinkletoes save the day?
Join Twinkletoes as she tries to tackle two bungling burglars. Your child will love the fact that you can't see the fairy in the book but they can. Beautifully illustrated children's picture book.
DEAR RACHAEL..."The interview questions were very though provoking and really made me think about what I do and why I do it. I suppose the questions helped me to evaluate my relationship with writing and my books. I enjoyed answering the questions and it was a fun activity to do." - Berni HellierWant to complete your own interview? Get in touch now to request a copy of the questions.
Monthly Meow: February 2021
I blinked and February was over. This year is moving so fast; I wish last year moved at the same pace. We now have a light at the end of the tunnel, and I'm hoping we now have mostly good things to come in 2021. Speaking of good things...
An Exciting AnnouncementNoah Finn & the Art of Suicide and its sequel, Noah Finn & the Art of Conception, are being recorded in audio this year as I work alongside a talented voice actor in my area. This is the first audio project I've worked on for my fiction books, and I'm super excited to share this with you.
More on this amazing news as the production develops, so stay up to date and follow me on social media for snippets and other updates as they come in!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxa4KioyzVAhttps://www.erachaelhardcastle.com/post/an-exciting-announcement
The Sale of All SalesTo celebrate World Book Day, I'm running a promotion through my website for an extra 20% off my online store (including all sale items, signed books and merch).
I've further reduced some of my bestselling titles too, and Finding Pandora is now only £5 in paperback (the lowest it has ever been!). These necklace bundles are the last 2 I have, and are just £8 each down from £14.99.
But stock is limited, and I'm not getting certain editions back in... so grab them while you can.
Use code WORLDBOOKDAY at the checkout between now and March 7th 2021 for an extra 20% discount. Postage fees still apply. www.erachaelhardcastle.com/shop. Happy reading!
Discovering Comic BooksThis month, I discovered comic books and graphic novels. I'm starting with the series I'm already familiar with, and this video from my YouTube channel shows a few of the titles I've been enjoying.
Of course, on that list is The Walking Dead, Trueblood and Battle Royale. Give me a shout if there are any others you'd recommend (not Marvel/DC related).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxLZWpzxHsIRachael's 6 Read RuleAfter receiving a few requests for this topic over the past few weeks, I decided to film a video to explain the easy self-editing stages of my '6 Read Rule'.
If you're writing a book of your own this year and you're not sure how to iron through for any errors before sending it off to a professional, check out my free tutorial below and be sure to grab your free PDF alongside it.
Get your PDF on my publishing website, https://www.curiouscatbooks.co.uk/post/a-summary-of-rachael-s-6-read-rule. Be sure to subscribe to the blog for more useful tips.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMDYeWCz2ZgNew Desk Journal for Female AuthorsI've designed a beautiful printable PDF journal for female publishing professionals. It includes lots of useful sheets for you to download once, then print and re-use as many times as you like.
For all 29 pages, it's only £4.99 for the instant PDF download, including a variety of colourful spreads and layouts. Buy it here: https://www.erachaelhardcastle.com/product-page/author-s-note-desk-journal (follow this link to see a list of the spreads included).
Samples as seen above are the title page, the book signing checklist and the borrowed books page (so you can keep track of which friends have your favourite titles!).
What Am I Working On?Bluetooth 2
This year, my plan was to release the next Bluetooth & the World Wide Web story with my dad, David Hardcastle. BT fans will be pleased to hear the book is finished and is now going through the editing phase.
We don't yet have a release date for this title, but we'll be announcing it this year through my platform, so check back soon (and be sure to follow me on social media).
Pandora 2
I've also been thinking of returning to the Finding Pandora series.
Originally, there were a further two volumes, but I only decided to release books 1-4 as a collection in the paperback you'll already know of (catch up with the series here - it's on sale right now).
But, I get A LOT of requests for another volume of Arriette Monroe stories, so I've decided to continue work on The Resurrection of Pandora (books 5-8) this year.
Fans of the series will know it's a huge paperback because it includes 4 full-length novels and bonus material at the back. It's steady going between running my publishing company and my other responsibilities, but I wanted those who have been in touch to know it's in the pipeline! I'll keep you as updated as I can!
Secret ExtrasIf you're new to my platform and have just recently purchased a book or started following me, you may not yet know there are tons of hidden extras on this website for you to discover. From behind the scenes facts to downloads, PDFs, activity sheets and links, there's something free for you to enjoy as a thank you for your support.
This was announced in December, so check out this video from YT!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3CpQkAfWe8How to access
Follow the link in your e-book or type it into your web browser to unlock a bunch of extra goodies relating to your book. If you purchased your book through this website, look for the leaflet or card included in the parcel and type the link provided into your web browser. If you purchased your book through a retailer such as Waterstones or Amazon, send Rachael an e-mail and request your bonus links (just provide the book's title and your order number).
This Month on the BlogIn case you missed this month's blog posts, here are the highlights:
https://www.erachaelhardcastle.com/post/hobby-through-your-creative-block - I wanted to talk a bit about how each of my additional hobbies help me in other areas of my life—how can an unrelated hobby help push us through creative blocks? I discuss crochet, playing violin and making jewellery. https://www.erachaelhardcastle.com/post/journaling-through-anxiety - Most of my regular readers know I suffer with anxiety, and over the years I've developed some useful journal spreads that can be helpful when I'm feeling a bit blue. A. I wanted to talk about three pages I keep active in my journal to help with anxiety, depression, OCD and any other mental health troubles.That's it for this month - thank you all for reading my updates and following my progress. I'll be back at the end of March with some more news. Stay safe, stay curious, and I'll catch you then.
April 10, 2019
April 2019 Update
Bluetooth & the World Wide Web, 28/06/2019Earlier this year, my dad pitched an interesting story idea to me one day over coffee. This isn't unusual, as he's awesome at coming up with unique stories, characters and worlds for me to explore through my writing. This one, though, really stuck with me, because I'd been toying with the idea of writing a children's book for a few months. Truth is, I'd arrived at a bit of a standstill (I know, I know... Writer's Block isn't real and my blockage was all in my head) but I needed something fresh and exciting to get the cogs turning again.So, I began to put pen to paper (fingers to keyboard) in order to get a first draft done, inviting my dad, David Hardcastle to co-write the book with me as its original creator. After lots of drafts, lots of editing, lots of working lunches and proofreading, our story is finally ready for readers to enjoy. #BBCWeAreBradford also recently invited us to chat on their morning BBC Leeds radio show about the upcoming release and the work I do with schools and local businesses to encourage West Yorkshire's young people to read more and write creatively. We're hoping Bluetooth & the World Wide Web will bring families together at bedtime and might also encourage older children to read independently and build their confidence.
Ooh, and we've hired a FANTASTIC and very talented illustrator (to be announced soon) who is currently bringing our ideas to life! We CAN'T WAIT to show you!We're so excited to be releasing Bluetooth & the World Wide Web on June 28th 2019 that we're actually going on tour! The managers and their staff at our local WHSmith branches here in West Yorkshire (and a few elsewhere!) will be hosting some book signings with us over the next few months to celebrate the release, along with some additional venues. Be sure to check www.erachaelhardcastle.com/events, as we'll be adding more dates soon (and there will be fun photo opportunities at each of them).We're both looking forward to sharing this story with our loyal readers, and would like to thank everyone involved in advance for their hard work, help and support. From our BETA readers, to our mascots, bookstores to the media, Curious Cat Books is thrilled to be working with you all! Watch this space!Second WHSmith Book Signing SuccessIt was a real pleasure and honour to be invited back to WHSmith Trafford Centre, Manchester for a second book signing at the beginning of this month. We spent almost a full day at the store, meeting readers and signing copies of my three current releases.
I'd like to give a shout out to everyone who met me and bought books on the day, and of course to WHSmith for embracing independent authors and supporting them. I'm THRILLED to now be working with other branches around the UK this year too.I can also now announce that WHSmith Trafford Centre will be stocking paperback copies of Finding Pandora: The Complete Collection, Aeon Infinitum: Run For Your Life and Noah Finn & the Art of Suicide in store! If you missed me at the signing but would like to try one of my bestselling fiction books, please check their shelves in the next week or two. Also, if you visited and took photos or purchased books from me on the day, feel free to upload your snapshots to social media and tag me on Facebook @erachaelhardcastle, Twitter @erhardcastle and Instagram @erachaelhardcastle.Horton Grange Primary SchoolDespite posting an update specifically dedicated to this lovely Bradford school earlier in the month, I wanted to include them here in my update to highlight their Aspirations Week. I was pleased to be invited to chat with the children during six 30 minute workshops for their Year 3 and 4 classes, inspiring and encouraging the children to write some fun short stories and to run a competition. 
Each class wrote and submitted one story each, and I had the difficult job of choosing one winner from each to display proudly on my website. If you haven't already had a look, please do go and check that out! World Book DayUsually I'm writing or working on World Book Day, so it's rare that I get to enjoy it through a group activity or a planned event. However, this year it was great to be invited along to St Cuthbert's Church, Wrose, Shipley to celebrate with Wrose Rocks, a creative and artistic community group. I got to meet some excited children and their parents and to listen to a funny reading of various children's books. Some of the staff were also dressed up as their favourite characters! Ooh, as you can see by the picture I also got to debut my Finding Pandora banner! Pretty, right?Thank you again to both the church and Wrose Rocks for having me.
In Your Area - Press Release Goes LiveWe are so lucky to be included on the In Your Area events website, announcing the release of Bluetooth & the World Wide Web. I'd like to say thank you to the team there for posting this on their forum, and to everyone who has read, commented and shared so far. You can read their article HERE.Mirage: Speculating on Speculative Fiction with Bryan Aiello Thank you again to New Yorker Bryan Aiello who very kindly featured an interview with my dad and I on his podcast, Mirage: Speculating on Speculative Fiction. If you haven't yet discovered Bryan's podcasts, be sure to subscribe to his channel and listen to some other interesting author interviews.Thank you for stopping by to read my April update. I'll be sure to keep the website as current as I can to ensure you don't miss out on events, news and more. If you haven't already done so, please do consider joining my Tribe, which you can do from the home page of my website - you'll receive some extra goodies as a thank you for your interest and support. You can also follow me on social media:www.facebook.com/erachaelhardcastleww...
