C.L. Peache's Blog, page 35

Day One! Newark to Hazelford – Wednesday 19th July

Well, after all the thinking and all the planning it was finally time to set off. Of course, the rain poured down as we prepared our boat to leave. We said our final goodbye to our marina friends and with a tiny break in the downpour, we finally left Kings Marina in Newark, our home for just over a year and in total around 16 years including living in a house.

It was with mixed feelings we cruised past all the places which are so familiar to us, the Church Spire of St Mary Magdalene’s church ((OOhhh Peachy in all the excitement you didn’t tell anyone about your new story in the Fosseway Writing Group book; Writings on the Wall!!)) You’re right Brackets – for those interested I’ve popped the link below. This book is a collection of short stories from members of my writing group. My story focuses on the church as mentioned.

Writings on the Wall by Fosseway Writers

I’ve just had a moment where I’ve realised, I’m actually on the boat, writing! What with one thing and another I’ve been lucky enough to have many books published but that all involves editing and rewriting so it’s exciting to start something new! ((Wait for it people, you know Peachy will try and get a book out of this new adventure. You just know it! It will probably be a pub and toilet guide to the canals in the UK! Thrilling, utterly thrilling. I can’t wait… I might go on a new adventure which involves shutting down my hard drive and having a break for a while))

Anyway, as usual when we set off on a new adventure, I generally share our experience with a little snippet of what we’re doing via this blog. I’m not sure how long I will blog for as I will also be creating vlogs for YouTube – maybe you could let me know if you want blogs as well as vlogs? ((Can I vote?)) No, Brackets. No.

It’s going to be all change as we get used to not being plugged into the mains at the marina and have water at the end of our pontoon and the Elsan ((I knew it! Two seconds in and she’s mentioning toilets – it was the same with her New Zealand book!)) We try and work out how everything works as we are now addressless which is weird in itself. I love holidays and exploring new places but I’ve always had a fixed point to come back to.

Today we cruised not very far from Newark and managed to get our favourite spot at Hazelford Lock. We moored right at the end of the wall which means we overlook the river. Later in the evening after a couple of walks around the lock area watching the rabbits scurry away, the butterflies fluttering and the bees busy about their business we sat back on the chairs and started the process of relaxing into this new life.

Later as I settled at the dinette doing a jigsaw and listening to my audio book. The Sonning pleasure boat from Newark cruised past with music pumping and people having a grand old time – a little snippet is shown on my YouTube vlog which will be out soon or out now depending on when you’re reading this. ((Ohh good cross promotion there Peachy. We will make a marketing person of you yet! I mean you’re going need something to fall back on when your words bring you nothing!))

Well… day one done. Bloody brilliant. x
If you want to see more pictures and videos then find me over on Instagram or Facebook

Some stats and info:

Miles/Distance: 8 miles
Locks: 1 (Newark Town Lock – operated by key or the lockie)
Tunnels: 0
Swing Bridges: 0
Money Spent: £7.89 at Waitrose for final bits and bobs.
Facilities at Hazelford Lock…
Toilets: Yep – clean and tidy
Elsan: No
Bins: Yes
Showers: No
Waterpoint: Yes and excellent pressure
General : This is a really lovely area to explore. The main lock area is wildflowers and wildlife and it’s about a 20-minute walk to Fiskerton where one of our favourite pubs is, The Bromley. There is also a village shop.

Exciting update… big changes & book news!

Hello!
Well, finally I can share some exciting news and a little snippet of the next bit of exciting news! ((It’s about time Peachy and that’s all i’m going to say on the matter.))

If you follow me on social media it won’t come as a surprise that we have announced that next week we plan to untie our ropes and cruise the canal network in the UK! It’s a big step to give up our residential mooring but one we had to do. It’s all come about a bit sooner than we originally intended but sometimes life throws them little curve balls. ((To be honest Peachy you’re old enough to know better than to plan things in life!)) You’re not wrong there Brackets.

If you want to follow our travels, please click on this link to YouTube to follow our adventures… I’ve also launched… ((I can feel a request for cash about to happen. Lock up your safes, hide your purse people!)) my Patreon account which you can find out more about on my website – I won’t give you the hard sell. ((and that is why you’ll always be poor, Peachy. Pull at the heart strings, get some click bait titles going off!)) Nope, never! I hate it when you click on a link to something and you quickly realise it’s a load of nonsense – do not say anything Brackets… not one word! (( ))

So, to other exciting news. Not only is my Rom-Com book Finding Love doing well but my publisher has decided to publish Power of Nature in paperback this week. With everything else going on it’s been a struggle to keep up with everything but I’m trying my best to enjoy all these amazing firsts… like receiving my authors copies, signing bookplates, organising my first ever book signing at my local café who have always been very supportive. It’s so much to take in on top of leaving Newark next week but at least life is not boring. There will be more news on Power of Nature ((Oh great leave everyone on another cliffhanger why don’t you!))

Right, that’s it from me. It’s currently 4.36am precisely as for various reasons I won’t bore you with I couldn’t sleep last night and I thought I might as well use the time productively rather than let the ‘overthinking’ brain take over. This blog will be live on a Friday and yesterday, Thursday was the start of Newark Book Festival and I’m due at the Town Hall at 7am to help set up ready for the first day. ((You’ve officially blown my mind. I have no idea what you’re talking about with these days)) Don’t worry Brackets I have no idea what I’m talking about or if I make any sense most days.

The next time my blog comes out I will have been hopefully cruising for a few weeks and living, effectively, off grid as no luxury of a marina and mains electric etc! eeekkkk.

Take care x
((Please do sign up to Peachy’s Patreon account or buy her books – i cannot take the moaning and whining if this venture isn’t successful. If not for Peachy, do it for me. Thanks people ))

Publication day and cake!

I have so much exciting news to share and I don’t know where to start ((As all readers prefer Peachy… start at the beginning!))
So…
As you can see from the picture I have a new book cover reveal ((I mean who knew, it’s been all over social media all day. Here’s me trying to watch some funny cat videos and your names pops up… again!)) and who releases a book without a book cake? ((Well plenty of people actually Peachy because not everyone is addicted to cake!)) yes, but it’s not just a cake – it’s coffee cake – with no walnuts I will add, as why ruin a good cake!

Finding Love is a romance novel and my 13th story to be published and it’s super exciting as usually the books published with Saga Fiction have either been available on the app or as an eBook but Finding Love is in paperback and… not only that… oh no, i’m not allowed to tell you that bit! I have a meeting with my publisher next week and might be able to share more! ((Oh great! The old, i have exciting news but cannot tell you and the ‘exciting news’ is actually just click bait!)) I promise it’s not click bait, anyway to the new book…

Here is the blurb…
Loved bingeing Firefly Lane? How about And Just Like That? Then Finding Love is for you!

Best Friends Kate and Sam have practically grown up as sisters their entire lives. Kate’s parents are like Sam’s parents, Sam’s problems and joys and troubles are like Kate’s own. So when Kate’s mother is put in a medically induced coma after what was supposed to be a routine operation, both their lives take an unexpected turn.
Except you never know if love is lurking just round the corner…

Find out more by clicking this link… Finding Love

Finding Love has been a wonderful book to work on. The characters made it all very easy for me by more or less writing themselves. Added to that some wonderful suggestions from my editing team at Saga Fiction means I’m very proud of this novel and I really hope you like the story.

Right, I’m off to eat the last piece of cake and enjoy watching the book climb the charts and possibly drink a glass of fizz or two! ((like that’s any different to any other day Peachy!))

If you love a romance/rom-com then i hope you read Finding Love and if you love reading it as much as i loved writing it then please do leave a review x

((and what about the other exciting news you have?)) Erm, I’m not allowed to share that yet either. ((I’m out. I’m unsubscribing, unclicking, unliking and unfollowing you. In fact i’m going to short my own circuits. I’m done. This is too much.))

Calm down Brackets. I promise it will be worth waiting for. Why don’t you calm yourself down by reading my new book…

When should you give up on a story?

Take a guess as to how much editing I’ve managed on my psychological thriller… go on… ((well, Peachy if you’re asking, I’m guessing it’s going to be somewhere near zero and since I nearly had to take over and do this blog for you…))

Yes, spot on, absolutely zero! I’m not quite sure what’s going on if I’m honest. I’ve never had writing block before and I don’t think this is as horrid as that but I just cannot seem to motivate myself to crack on. ((Why don’t you just regurgitate your usual excuse of having no time?)) I could and generally do but I was talking to someone at work the other day ((one of your infamous ‘networking’ sessions!)) and they get up at 3am to be able to exercise and read before they come to work. Now that is some serious dedication but if age has taught me anything, it’s to know my limitations and getting up at 3am is not going to work for me!

I think I’ve mentioned this before but one of the reasons I’m struggling is because I’m not writing something new. I wrote my psychological thriller in 2018 and i’ve been faffing with it ever since; with tense and style and everything in between. I keep thinking maybe this is the book which is never meant to see the light of day.((Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo we have to have Tom and Hope’s story in world!)) I know, I’ve had so much positive feedback on this story and it’s the one book my beta readers ask me about, so why carn’t I get on and finish the bloody thing?

Of course there are things in life getting in the way but can I hand on heart say I don’t have time? Yes and no. If you have a passion you find time and it is that simple but life is a bit up and down for various reasons at the moment. Does it mean this story is forever destined to loiter on my PC with the characters waiting for their story to be told? I really do not know the answer. I believe this book has so much potential and I have ideas for at least 7 books in the series but… ((perhaps you should stop starting new projects like your YouTube channel and now with this idea of writing about your life on the canals and just finish off your book first. It’s not rocket science Peachy!))

I know but I get excited by new projects, hence the delay in editing an old book. We will see. Do you have a project you really want to work on but cannot seem to crack on with?

I’m hoping that now I’m off for Easter I will have time and head space to really focus and get a good chunk of the book edited. I think once I’m focused on it I will be keen to get it finished… well, that’s the latest lie i’m telling myself.

Good luck with your projects, I hope they’re moving quicker than mine! ((That won’t be hard Peachy!)) until next month. x

Which social media platforms should you use as a writer? Here are a few I’ve tried… and i have a book birthday!

Hello, I hope everyone is doing well. How is it March already? ((Well we have this thing called a calendar and we have days, weeks, months and that makes up a year and then there is thing called time…)) alright, no need to be sarcastic!

I said I would feedback on how I’d found making content for YouTube and the scary world of BookTok/TikTok. I already use Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, although I’ve moved away from Twitter as I’ve mentioned in other blogs as it’s feels as if it’s become more difficult to engage with people.

Firstly, I set up a TikTok account which was very easy to do and then I attempted to navigate this new world. I’m just over five weeks into it and it’s not for me. As I rule I usually get on with new tech very quickly or it’s not for me ((Peachy is too old to learn too many new tricks folks. She remembers the time before mobiles and the internet!! I know! You know the saying you cannot teach very old dog’s new tricks…))

I’ve added a few videos to TikTok which received a few likes and follows and I’ve followed other accounts and tried to like videos of interest so the all-important algorithm learns what I like and don’t like ((I could tell you that after about 3 mins of looking at your social media accounts… dislikes: working / likes: everything else! Lazy!)) I’m not normally one to give up so early on something but I don’t see the value of trying to think of content for TikTok when I prefer Instagram as a platform for videos/pictures and interaction. Like with all social media if you’re going to create something successful you need to put the work in and in the interest of not stretching myself, TikTok is a no for me at the moment. Please do let me know if you’ve tried/trying it and how you have found it. Maybe one day I will come back to it but for now TikTok is a no from me. ((Ohhh I bet the shares in TikTok have dropped as we speak, Peachy. Bet they are compiling an email as we speak to try and win you back))

My experience with YouTube has been completely different. So far, I love the interactions I’ve received sharing my narrowboat adventures.  Again, I have a lot to learn in terms of editing but it already feels more engaging than other platforms. I’ve mentioned earlier that I’m stepping back from Twitter due to the lack of interaction but I’ve had some lovely chats with people and even sold a couple of books and received a glowing review on Amazon which is amazing. I now have over 220 subscribers and nearly 15,000 views which is fantastic in such a short time. For me, it’s all about the interaction. Selling books is a lovely bonus and I know I should focus on that more but I prefer to get to know people and chat! ((Oh, we all know you like to chat Peachy!))

Ultimately it’s all about which platforms you like and what works for you. The only problem with trying all these different platforms is it’s taking away any precious time I have for writing/editing my novel. I’d already decided to give myself a bit of an easy year but then I start putting pressure on myself to do more! Although I now enjoy editing, it’s really not a patch on writing a new story and all the excitement and sleepless nights which come with it. Oh well, will just have to crack on and stop moaning ((Peachy, I don’t like to acknowledge this very often but you tell the best jokes… Stop moaning… you! That’s tickled my memory banks that has.))

I’m going to try and aim to get at least half of my book edited by the next blog! ((She says, not putting pressure on herself.))

((Since Peachy has forgotten… it was the 1st book birthday for Book Two in her fantasy series: Festival of Time: Rescue on 4th March! Click here to buy the book and help out a poor author...))

Thanks Brackets, what would I do without you? Until next time folks x

P.S. If you’re interested in my narrowboat adventures please click here.

Social Media, learning new skills… are they worth your time? Is writing a book the easy part? (& a free eBook!)

How is it February already? It’s not that I’m not happy for winter to ‘do one’ because I want to go cruising but still. ((You’re never happy with anything, Peachy. Moan, moan, moan))

I’ve mentioned before that writing a book seems like such a very small part of writing life once you take the scary plunge to publish; whether that be self-publishing, finding an agent or submitting your work directly to a publisher. When I started out I didn’t realise the amount of time I would spend learning new platforms and ways to promote my books. For me, finding the time is by far the hardest part about being a writer as I work full-time and it’s difficult enough to find the time to write, never mind the promotional side! Once you’ve written your book, published it and nagged your friends and family into buying multiple copies, where do you advertise to get more sales?

So, with that in mind. I’ve already mentioned that I’ve started a YouTube channel to share the journey of my new life living on a narrowboat, so that’s a big learning curve at the moment in terms of video editing and promotion. So far, it’s going well. I have a steady stream of new subscribers and over 6,500 views which is amazing in only 3 weeks. ((Calm down Peachy we know your mum has the video on repeat!)) I’ve never liked having my photo taken, so creating videos has been way, way, out of my comfort zone – but dare I say it, I’m actually enjoying it and a teeny, tiny bit proud of myself for being brave enough to create them. I’ve had a few views on my channel from people in America. Interestingly this week, the eBook for book one in my fantasy series as it’s on promotion to celebrate 2 years since i published it ((The eBook is free until Sunday night people… Click here )) (thanks Brackets.) and the majority of downloads so far have been from America – I don’t know if they had seen my YouTube videos and then found me on social but it means that putting the work into one field of social, supports another.

This month I’m also going to give TikTok/Booktok a go and see how that works out. I will aim to update you next month on how both these platforms are going then hopefully it will help anyone thinking of trying them. Sadly, I’m moving away from Twitter due to the lack of engagement. It used to be a wonderful support network. I don’t think it ever generated many sales but it was a haven for chatting with other writers but I suppose platforms change, and it’s why we are constantly on a learning curve to try the next one.

Right, that’s it from me. I’ve no doubt gone over my intended word count again ((Only by 150 words Peachy, not bad for you!))

For those following ‘what’s happening’ with my Psychological Thriller book… progress has been made and I’m slowly making my way through a full edit.

Have a fab writing/reading/promoting month. I aim to publish my blogs on the first Friday of each month… so, until next time.

Clair x ((and me, Brackets)) 

P.S. If any of you use the same platforms as me please do let me know so we can ‘follow’ each other.

New goals, narrowboat adventures and writing plans!

It’s been a busy old start to the year which started with a stinking cold but once that was out of the way I decided it was time to get my writing and future plans back on track which is why my blog is late!  ((go on Peachy, before you go any further, tell them what you’ve done…)) you’re such a grass Brackets! Okay, so I’d written this blog and then I forgot to save it before I shut down my laptop. I know! I know!

After doing a bit of research I’ve decided to try and keep my blogs to around 300 words ((OH this should be good!)) apparently people don’t want to read long blogs! I’ve also started a YouTube channel ((I’ve opened a new support line which is open 24/7 for anyone needing help. Peachy, is there anywhere you won’t try and sell your books?!)) It’s not really about that actually, Brackets! As I’ve mentioned in previous blogs we now live on a narrowboat and friends and family keep asking to see videos and the easiest way to share is via YouTube. So, I have! There will be lots more to add and lots of ramblings and adventures. Here is the link… please subscribe (it’s free) Like etc. YouTube C.L. Peache (some of the sound isn’t brilliant on the older videos as we never intended to share them!)

((Peachy that’s 233 words and you haven’t even told them anything about your writing yet!)) Okay, so this year I’ve said I’m focusing on my psychological thriller series and to do that I need to do some research on police procedures. I’ve seen a few authors recommend this book so I asked Santa for a copy! The Crime Writer’s Casebook by Stuart Gibbon and Stephen Wade who have lots of experience so I’m hoping this information will keep the story line and events believable. My main character is a journalist, rather than a police officer but as she is investigating crimes, I need to make sure it’s right. ((320 words!)) Oh, darn it, failed on the first blog but it’s much shorter than my normal ones!

((If I carry on chatting then your word count is going to go through the roof, but would I do that to you?! You better not become a YouTube star and then stop writing your blog because that will mean you’re effectively killing me and all your blog followers will not be happy!)) I wouldn’t worry about that Brackets,although if it does happen we could turn you into a puppet so you could be on the channel. ((A PUPPET!… well, I’ve never been so insulted….)) right I’m calling it before Brackets kicks off.

Happy writing, researching and reading everyone. Until next month. x

A year gone by…

Well, it’s been a year. I will try and only include book related stuff as I’m sure people are sick of my whole ‘life story’. ((Excellent, a blog where you’re not moaning. It must be Christmas – well it was Christmas when you started writing this blog and then you went off drinking all the mulled wine, eating all the food and socialising all over the country and only managed 2 blogs of the so called ‘series’ you were going to do! Call yourself a writer!)) Now, you behave Brackets, just because you think you’ve got fans out there, don’t let it go to your head by trying to get a laugh out of people at my expense!

2022 looking back – it didn’t turn out as I planned and I’m back to working full-time/term time which wasn’t really the idea, but such is life. I’ve moved house and onto a narrowboat after I nearly died ((You’re so dramatic!)) in February and we decided to have a bit of change – drastic maybe, life changing yes, and despite suffering the two extremes of weather; 41 degrees in the summer and -6 the other day, we still love boat life and are looking forward to ‘cruising the cut’ more in 2023. I really need to get my page sorted and perhaps a few YouTube videos of when we bought the boat, what we have done, where we have cruised etc – I AM NOT a natural on camera so don’t expect too much if I do put them on! ((Our expectations are always set to minus, don’t worry Peachy. Just keep the camera pointed forward and we will be happy)) Overall, despite a few set backs it’s been a good year and hopefully 2023 will be the same. It’s a strange day as it would have been my dad’s 80th today and no doubt there would have been a big party and much oggy, oggy, oggy shouting going on! I wish i could have celebrated my writing achievements with him but my mum does a bloody amazing job of supporting me.

On the book front… ((finally, we get to the book stuff. I thought you weren’t going to go about your life story foreverrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr….))  I don’t know about you but I sometimes feel like I’m getting nowhere and then when I write my end of year blog and realise I should stop putting pressure on myself as I’m actually doing pretty darn good, if I do say so myself! ((If your head gets any bigger you’re going to bang it more often than you already do on that boat! It might knock some sense into you though!)) If you don’t behave, I’m going to edit you! ((you wouldn’t dare! My fans want to me to have a voice!))

Book stuff… My mystery/thriller, Power of Nature was published on 15th April with Saga Fiction. Book 2 in my fantasy series; Festival of Time – Rescue was published in March 2022 and now I’ve had my covers recreated and book 3 – Battle was published in November, and the last in the trilogy. All very exciting! I also contributed to a story with the Fosseway Writers’ called Blood, Sweat and Typewriters. So, all in all, a very good year in my writing world! ((I must admit that’s not bad, Peachy but you haven’t told them the mistake you made…)) Well, in some of my promotion I might have mentioned that book 3 in my fantasy series; Battle, was my 10th published story when it was, in fact, my 12th! Oops. My friends often say they cannot keep track of my books and it seems the same goes for me! Oh well. ((Since then she has been telling people about the mistake but saying it’s her 13th publication! This is the kind of person I have to deal with! I need to speak with my agent, I demand a better blogger who isn’t peri-menopausal and who can actually remember stuff!))

In 2023…

In other writing news… Next year I’m possibly going to be running a four-week creative writing class, if enough people sign up that is! Which I’m excited about but also naturally terrified. I’m looking forward to pulling together all the various tricks of the trade I’ve learned over the years and hopefully help some other writers in the process.

I’ve finally managed to complete the current edits on my romance novel with Saga Fiction and sent those back. I’m hoping this book will be out next year. You can read some of my stories via their app or Power of Nature is on Amazon.

My main plans for 2023 are to promote my books, which I admit I am rubbish at, and finally rewrite my thriller novels ((If I got a £1 for every time you said you would get on with this series I would be a billionaire – take that Del Boy!)) I know, but I believe my writing journey to date has all been about developing my skills so I can do the thriller series justice.

Personal goals other than the usual lose weight ((if someone wrung you out like a cloth you would lose a stone in prosecco, wine, Baileys and mulled wine – not to mention the coffees and hot chocolate made with coconut milk!)) is to cruise as much as possible on the boat and redo the bedroom and bathroom – still so much to do! ((That comment might have been a step too far, i think i’m being ignored until i behave!))

Anyway, that’s me for 2022. I wish you all a happy new year. ((It must be New Year somewhere Peachy – maybe New Zealand – hey if anyone has NZ on their bucket list for 2023 how about reading Peachy’s book? Check out her website… )) Good smooth link there Brackets. ((Stick with me kid and you will go far… phew i got away with that – just like that, back in the good books.)) I hope you’ve had an amazing year of book related shenanigans and this will continue into 2023. Thank you to everyone for the support this year and to everyone who has bought my books – it means a lot.

((me)) and Peachy. xxx

((p.s. Love the pic of the boat – i still cannot believe how perfect your boat name is – it was destiny Peachy))

Signing books!

((oh look, Peachy. A picture of you out in the wild! A rare sight indeed. Nice to finally see a little snippet of the boat – can you please get the videos on the website?))  You are so demanding Brackets, I’m going to try and get some pictures and videos of the boat on the website on Friday. ((Here is a thought… if you stop socialising and drinking Baileys you might actually get some work done!))

Anyway, yes. This is me. Signing my pile of books. Not quite the same as when you see the best selling authors signing thousands of copies but in my world, it’s the same thing. Especially as this pile of books have been sold and are just awaiting my signature… so, let’s get onto the subject of signing books. It’s very weird and my brain tends to freeze when I have to think of something to write in them! Now I have a trilogy and three books to sign in one sitting, do I sign each book? Do I add a few words in each one? If you’re an author in the same situation then please give me advice on what you do. It doesn’t seem right just to add my signature as I feel like I should write a little something in each book. These are things authors worry about after they have cycled through the usual panic of their book being a load of rubbish!

A couple of notes I’ve written in my books are; happy reading, enjoy the adventure, thank you for the support. I feel like i need to come up with a phrase i use on each book so i don’t have to use my brain power thinking of what to write! ((First world problems people. An author who cannot think of words to write – what is the world coming to! Also, i think you’re overthinking the old signing thing Peachy))

I’m sure i mustn’t be the only person who has sat down and practiced their signature – this is another weird moment. As I use a pen name ((You put pen name because you couldn’t remember how to spell pseudonym didn’t you Peachy?)) Look, Brackets. That’s why we have systems like Word, it’s the software’s job to sort out the spellings, I just write the words. Back to signing, I have to really concentrate so I sign using my pen name ((pseudonym)) and not my real name. I still have the piece of paper from when I first practiced my signature, I’m sure all authors who have pen names – ((pseu…)) don’t do it Brackets! Have done the same early on in their writing journey.

I also made a mistake in one of the books i signed the other day, but luckily this was for a friend, so I crossed it out and told them it would be worth a fortune in the future lol. Has anyone else had any weird signing moments? Do you put a little message in each book or just sign your name? I suppose this depends on if you know the person you’re signing it for. ((I think you’re deffo overthinking this!))

Also, do you have a signing pen? At the very beginning of my journey my friend bought me a wonderful Parker Pen with my pen name; C.L. Peache engraved on it ((The restraint it killing me)) and I use this to sign my books. I know some authors prefer sharpies but I’ve tried using them but I prefer to use my pen.

Right, that’s my thoughts for today. Oh, ((wait for it people. I hope those credit cards are still locked up!)) I’m trialing adding an option to my website where you can buy signed copies. They will not arrive as quickly as any purchased from Amazon as there seems to be a 3-4 week delay in receiving author copies.

Click here to have a look and purchase your signed copies… Festival of Time

I hope everyone is having a lovely break or looking forward to some time off. x

Update on sales…

I thought I would do a few short blogs on my fantasy series and what happens after you’ve pressed the all important ‘publish my book’ button. ((Glad you said short, Peachy. I’m ready to settle down to xmas movies and mulled wine!))

I’m not an expert at promoting my books as once I’ve finished them, my tendency is to be delighted and relieved it’s done and dusted and then my next thought – what should i write next. Which isn’t the greatest idea when I actually need to sell copies to try and recoup some of the costs of publishing. Here are the very approximate numbers with many things not included, like my time to write them, the copies I’ve previously ordered which have now been replaced with the new covers etc.

Basically, I need to sell approx. 200 copies in order to break even! Considering I once read an article which said a self-published author can be lucky to sell 100 copies over the ‘lifetime’ of the book, I knew this would be a tall order. Of course this does all depend how much time you have to promote your books and your following on social to spread the word.

One of the hard things about being an author is that it doesn’t automatically make you an expert at marketing. When put on the spot and people ask me what the fantasy series is about, I naturally default to “It has dragons and magic in it” ((Well, if people don’t buy it after that expert elevator pitch then I don’t know what else you can do Peachy!)) I know right, Brackets. It is NOT easy trying to sell a concept – well, i don’t find it easy no matter how passionate I am about the series.

Anyway, it’s been a busy few weeks since I published book 3 in my fantasy series on the 27th November and the final book in the trilogy. I want to thank everyone who has bought a copy(ies) – the support, as always, has been amazing. My grand total of sales so far… drum roll please… ((I cannot take the excitement – hurry up though my mulled wine is going to boil over)) I’ve now sold 67 copies! Pretty amazing if I do say so myself but still a long way to go.

So, ((oh here comes the sales pitch people – lock up your credit card and switch off your wi-fi)) I’ve just checked and you can still buy copies from Amazon which will be delivered in time for Christmas so if you haven’t bought a copy(ies) and love fantasy or know someone who does, here is a link and a bit of blurb which says it better than I can..

The series is a story of friendship, magic, dragons, danger, battles, heartache, deception, love, lies and perilous journeys. My inspiration for this series comes from my lifelong love of fantasy, which includes; The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, the world of Narnia, Dragonlance series and Fighting Fantasy, and many games of Dungeons and Dragons and everything in between and beyond!

Festival of Time Series

P.S. Sorry if you find any errors in the blogs this week. I’m currently on holiday and enjoying having some down time seeing friends, family and of course reading and writing, so i don’t have time to do a full scan and edit of my blogs. I just wanted to share the news and hopefully help anyone looking to publish – more tomorrow