Rachael Phillips's Blog, page 9
August 13, 2012
Hooray for the London 2012 Olympics!
Well the London 2012 Olympics ended with a spectacular closing ceremony last night. Wow! I was truly amazed by it and there were uplifting, emotional and thought provoking moments. Huge congratulations to all medal winners across the globe - you did your countries proud as did all those who took part and helped make sure the 2012 Olympics was one to remember.
How fabulous to watch the USA, China and Great Britain top the medal charts with their truly well deserved Gold medal tally. I am British but I have to say when I watched Great Britain and other countries get their Golds I felt the emotion and could only imagine the pride of their own countries and families. The USA's David Boudia's diving was exquisite, Usain Bolt romping home for Jamaica so impressive but my highlights have to be watching Jessica Ennis and Mo Farah win their Gold medals and Tom Daley his bronze - each athlete having an amazing story to tell about how far they have come to achieve, despite pitfalls and setbacks along the way. The work they had to put in is mind blowing and they all prove how resilient they are and indeed how each of us are. Never doubt your capabilities.
If you have a will to achieve then you will achieve, is my belief. There will always be those that will doubt you, criticise you and try to put you off your goal but there will also be those who champion you, will you to do well and have every faith in your abilities. Sadly it is all too easy to listen to the negatives.
I am sure everyone felt inspired by each and every one of those amazing Olympic competitors.
I guess what it makes me realise is the importance of support. All of our Olympic sportsmen and sportswomen said having the crowd behind them made all the difference. The athletes journeys have been watched and supported by millions.
So I am here, hopeful, that I have the support out there too. After all if you are reading this then hopefully I have piqued your interest.
This blog has a big following and I find it amazing and humbling to realise it. There is something about watching and learning of someone's journey and I appreciate that many are watching those of mine and Anastasia's.
Our journeys have begun...
How fabulous to watch the USA, China and Great Britain top the medal charts with their truly well deserved Gold medal tally. I am British but I have to say when I watched Great Britain and other countries get their Golds I felt the emotion and could only imagine the pride of their own countries and families. The USA's David Boudia's diving was exquisite, Usain Bolt romping home for Jamaica so impressive but my highlights have to be watching Jessica Ennis and Mo Farah win their Gold medals and Tom Daley his bronze - each athlete having an amazing story to tell about how far they have come to achieve, despite pitfalls and setbacks along the way. The work they had to put in is mind blowing and they all prove how resilient they are and indeed how each of us are. Never doubt your capabilities.
If you have a will to achieve then you will achieve, is my belief. There will always be those that will doubt you, criticise you and try to put you off your goal but there will also be those who champion you, will you to do well and have every faith in your abilities. Sadly it is all too easy to listen to the negatives.
I am sure everyone felt inspired by each and every one of those amazing Olympic competitors.
I guess what it makes me realise is the importance of support. All of our Olympic sportsmen and sportswomen said having the crowd behind them made all the difference. The athletes journeys have been watched and supported by millions.
So I am here, hopeful, that I have the support out there too. After all if you are reading this then hopefully I have piqued your interest.
This blog has a big following and I find it amazing and humbling to realise it. There is something about watching and learning of someone's journey and I appreciate that many are watching those of mine and Anastasia's.
Our journeys have begun...
August 9, 2012
Fergus responds... to a great review
I write this Blog item after the Publication of M G Wells review of Anastasia Romanov - Private DetectiveAnastasia has become very dear to the Co Authors and is most precious to both as well as all her fans and followers.She has been an outstanding find as has been Rachael Phillips who must take all credit for the cliff hanger style of Adventure writing.A number of readers have written in the past few days to say they are on
EMOTIONAL OVERLOAD
over Anastasia’s declining health and appreciate she has a terminal illness but it is so unfair with all the good she does.I think Rachael Phillips is well aware of the Emotional Overload for so many readers around the world. One reader says she cannot stop crying but begs for more.Anastasia now has a World Wide following and leads on many fronts. She is the Special Forces Sweetheart around the world. No one else has seemed to catch as much in popularity as our fictional heroine.The dash to Frankfurt Military hospital using the forbidden Broken Arrow call sign and hanging onto the skids of an Apache Attack helicopter over the Mid Atlantic are memorable in my mind but what I like most is the compassion she has for disadvantaged people be they impoverished or disabled.The Broken Arrow call sign is one that must be used only in the most urgent of situations. It is very seldom used.Rachael has researched the Royal Family links to Anastasia extremely well. I find it fascinating. At the time of writing this blog Rachael is still writing “Where Eagles Dare” and hence I best leave further comments until after publication.Anastasia has brought attention to the plight of girls forced into marriage in Britain and taken back to the parent’s homeland against their will.She is a roll model to so many in showing that you only kill when absolutely necessary and she saved the lives of many in None but the Brave.Earlier she had dealt with instances of people being unkind to the less advantaged. Some would say they had Human Rights. I think it is the Human Rights of the victims we should consider.Anastasia raises the awareness of Haemophilia throughout the world. I am pleased she leads by example of how anyone with a life threatening illness carries on.She raises awareness of the theft of new born babies in Spain and this is very important.She does much good and I am proud to be associated with her and Rachael Phillips.What a find Rachael Phillips has been!Some will say this girl Anastasia is a well oiled killer who acts smoothly and has a split personality. I disagree. She does what needs doing but takes no pleasure. She eliminates cleanly, clinically and professionally the Bad Guys.The World is a better place due to our Heroine.It is so sad that this young lady who has charmed everyone is dying from Haemophilia.Fergus Wilson
This review is from: Anastasia Romanov - Private Detective (Anastasia Series III) (Kindle Edition) 5* Intense YA thriller!ANASTASIA ROMANOV - PRIVATE DETECTIVE was dramatic, gritty and intense. Anastasia is recruited into a specialized agency, whose goal is to rescue two kidnapped children.
I especially liked the relationship between Anastasia and Laszlo, who is a real hard-ass dude with the heart of a marshmallow. Laszlo teaches Anastasia how to handle firearms and to be rational in the most precarious scenarios, guide Anastasia to overcome her fears and expect the unexpected. He is most certainly an intelligent man and teaches Anastasia the reality of inhumane crimes.
Zoltan is also one of Anastasia's guides. He protects and shows her the in and outs of how to get the job done quickly and quietly. This story had a Mission Impossible feel to it. Anastasia is just a teenager engaged in a rescue mission from which most adults would shrink.
I admire Anastasia. She's bold, yet humble. Brave, yet cautious. There is much action, drama and intrigue in this story. Anastasia faces the Russian Mafia and ultimately manages to save the children.
Anastasia is a strong, heroic young lady, who is courageous during the most unbearable conditions imaginable. I have to admit I was surprised by Anastasia's resilience and strength and look forward to her next action-packed adventure. Horses, helicopters and travelling around the world with Anastasia was a thrilling ride!
This review is from: Anastasia Romanov - Private Detective (Anastasia Series III) (Kindle Edition) 5* Intense YA thriller!ANASTASIA ROMANOV - PRIVATE DETECTIVE was dramatic, gritty and intense. Anastasia is recruited into a specialized agency, whose goal is to rescue two kidnapped children.
I especially liked the relationship between Anastasia and Laszlo, who is a real hard-ass dude with the heart of a marshmallow. Laszlo teaches Anastasia how to handle firearms and to be rational in the most precarious scenarios, guide Anastasia to overcome her fears and expect the unexpected. He is most certainly an intelligent man and teaches Anastasia the reality of inhumane crimes.
Zoltan is also one of Anastasia's guides. He protects and shows her the in and outs of how to get the job done quickly and quietly. This story had a Mission Impossible feel to it. Anastasia is just a teenager engaged in a rescue mission from which most adults would shrink.
I admire Anastasia. She's bold, yet humble. Brave, yet cautious. There is much action, drama and intrigue in this story. Anastasia faces the Russian Mafia and ultimately manages to save the children.
Anastasia is a strong, heroic young lady, who is courageous during the most unbearable conditions imaginable. I have to admit I was surprised by Anastasia's resilience and strength and look forward to her next action-packed adventure. Horses, helicopters and travelling around the world with Anastasia was a thrilling ride!
August 7, 2012
Violence in children's literature
I am working on Series III of the Anastasia stories and have found myself thinking a lot about the level of violence in the stories. Is it appropriate? Is it sympathetically written? Is it glamorised?
The point is in Series III Anastasia is dealing with a crime world that is very real in our world today. Is it wrong to bring this to the attention of teenagers? I don't think so. I think issues of baby napping, child trafficking and forced marriages are things that will affect some of our children and teenagers, and raising awareness can only be a good thing. This is particularly focussed on in 'Anastasia - None But the Brave' and 'Anastasia - From Here to Eternity'.
There are many actual cases of children going missing, snatched from their families and never seen or heard of again. There are cases of Asian girls missing, their own mothers having no idea what has happened then we hear how the girl has been shipped out to be married against her will. These things are happening so frequently but such stories don't always make the news.
A lot of research would be needed to get a true picture. In the stories Anastasia is using violence against the abusers. She is working to put an end to the violence against the most vulnerable in our society. Her gun could be any weapon but it is not intended to glamorise the use of guns in any way. The people she is violent to are those responsible for awful crimes and there is no doubt about their input.
These stories are not suggesting we need to go out and try to stop these criminals ourselves but to raise awareness that something needs to be done. The fact that our heroine is the one in the stories to infiltrate these crime worlds is a way to highlight just how these crimes are carried out.
Is the violence unnecessary? No, I think it is necessary because, let's be honest, in reality these people wouldn't respond to a chat about maybe not committing the crimes anymore. The stories are fiction but based on real crimes that happen every day.
I find myself thinking of James Bond and how unrealistic aspects of those stories are and yet he had a huge following. Why? Because people want the bad people to be stopped and want good to prevail. Why shouldn't the hero be a teenage girl rather than a man in a suit?
If we want to bring about change then we need to highlight issues that may be being overlooked and that is what these books are about. If the violence is too much then don't let your teenagers read the books because Series III has a large element of violence.
I do think it is unrealistic to shield children from the violence in our world today when many will be mugged for their mobile phones and it is likely that a weapon will be used to do this. I think it's important to hope that someone will put an end to these crimes but we must all play our part in raising our own children's awareness of such issues not least to ensure they are mindful of their own safety.
It is a harsh world we live in and unrealistic to think we can shield our children from it all.
The stories are not all about violence, which isn't too graphic anyway, but about working together and a young girl's journey to discover who she really is and how she fits in the world. If the violence worries you then these are not the books for you. However if you want to read stories with action, adventure and crime then give them a go and make your own minds up.
The journey has begun...
'Anastasia - None But the Brave' and
'Anastasia - From Here to Eternity' are both available to download now on Amazon
The point is in Series III Anastasia is dealing with a crime world that is very real in our world today. Is it wrong to bring this to the attention of teenagers? I don't think so. I think issues of baby napping, child trafficking and forced marriages are things that will affect some of our children and teenagers, and raising awareness can only be a good thing. This is particularly focussed on in 'Anastasia - None But the Brave' and 'Anastasia - From Here to Eternity'.
There are many actual cases of children going missing, snatched from their families and never seen or heard of again. There are cases of Asian girls missing, their own mothers having no idea what has happened then we hear how the girl has been shipped out to be married against her will. These things are happening so frequently but such stories don't always make the news.
A lot of research would be needed to get a true picture. In the stories Anastasia is using violence against the abusers. She is working to put an end to the violence against the most vulnerable in our society. Her gun could be any weapon but it is not intended to glamorise the use of guns in any way. The people she is violent to are those responsible for awful crimes and there is no doubt about their input.
These stories are not suggesting we need to go out and try to stop these criminals ourselves but to raise awareness that something needs to be done. The fact that our heroine is the one in the stories to infiltrate these crime worlds is a way to highlight just how these crimes are carried out.
Is the violence unnecessary? No, I think it is necessary because, let's be honest, in reality these people wouldn't respond to a chat about maybe not committing the crimes anymore. The stories are fiction but based on real crimes that happen every day.
I find myself thinking of James Bond and how unrealistic aspects of those stories are and yet he had a huge following. Why? Because people want the bad people to be stopped and want good to prevail. Why shouldn't the hero be a teenage girl rather than a man in a suit?
If we want to bring about change then we need to highlight issues that may be being overlooked and that is what these books are about. If the violence is too much then don't let your teenagers read the books because Series III has a large element of violence.
I do think it is unrealistic to shield children from the violence in our world today when many will be mugged for their mobile phones and it is likely that a weapon will be used to do this. I think it's important to hope that someone will put an end to these crimes but we must all play our part in raising our own children's awareness of such issues not least to ensure they are mindful of their own safety.
It is a harsh world we live in and unrealistic to think we can shield our children from it all.
The stories are not all about violence, which isn't too graphic anyway, but about working together and a young girl's journey to discover who she really is and how she fits in the world. If the violence worries you then these are not the books for you. However if you want to read stories with action, adventure and crime then give them a go and make your own minds up.
The journey has begun...
'Anastasia - None But the Brave' and
'Anastasia - From Here to Eternity' are both available to download now on Amazon
August 6, 2012
Fergus responds... to another reader question
"Sandy from Austin, Texas is a neighbour of Geraldine and asks whether the Yellow Ribbon is anything to do with the tradition in Texas?
The answer is 'yes'.
Sandy also says that she was so terribly upset when she realised Anastasia would die from her haemophilia and she and her neighbours, including Geraldine, talk of nothing else at their morning coffee sessions.
They think Anastasia is the best heroine ever and has done so much for the cause of stopping arranged/forced marriages, baby napping and child napping.
They say Anastasia faces the end very bravely but she really is just a teenage girl scared of dying and needs the security of Olga and Aunt Judith but most of all she wants closure on her life which means she must know finally about her biological mother.
I think you need to read 'Anastasia - From Here to Eternity' OUT NOW ON AMAZON.
Fergus"
The answer is 'yes'.
Sandy also says that she was so terribly upset when she realised Anastasia would die from her haemophilia and she and her neighbours, including Geraldine, talk of nothing else at their morning coffee sessions.
They think Anastasia is the best heroine ever and has done so much for the cause of stopping arranged/forced marriages, baby napping and child napping.
They say Anastasia faces the end very bravely but she really is just a teenage girl scared of dying and needs the security of Olga and Aunt Judith but most of all she wants closure on her life which means she must know finally about her biological mother.
I think you need to read 'Anastasia - From Here to Eternity' OUT NOW ON AMAZON.
Fergus"
Fergus responds... to another review from a familiar set of initials
"Our great Aunt is at it again. She should be constructive not destructive with her criticism. She did not like the first one she read but appears to have read Anastasia and the Three Wise Men in considerable detail and enjoyed it.
Why would a reader who did not like a previous one bother to read another?
When I go into a traditional bookshop I pick up whatever takes my eye and read the first couple of pages and if I like what I read then I purchase. With an ebook store you can likewise read the first couple of pages which is presumably what our Great Aunt did. She then downloaded it and read it all.
No doubt she will do the same with the next.
For a reader who says he does not like what she reads she is certainly an avid reader of Anastasia's adventures.
Great Aunt has the bug and cannot keep away in common with all Anastasia's followers.
One of the purposes of my funding new authors is to give them a chance but to also encourage literacy skills within children worldwide.
We have to move with the times!
When I was a high school noodle
and life was rather smug,
My mother owned a poodle.
My father owned a pug.
And every Sunday after three,
A strange procession you would see,
My dear Mama, Papa and me,
The poodle and the pug.
I have no doubt that dear Great Aunt will be reading more Anastasia books which she so obviously enjoys. No doubt this will spur on those reading this blog to also read the ebooks to see whether they agree with our Great Aunt.
My diet begins tomorrow. Today I am going to get stuck in.
Fergus"
August 3, 2012
Fergus responds... to another reader question
"Geraldine of Austin, Texas emails to say that her emotions are in turmoil over this unfortunate teenage girl Anastasia.
Geraldine has been crying herself to sleep every night thinking of Anastasia's decline in health and ultimate end. She absolutely loves Series III and cannot put the kindle down reading each story repeatedly.
She says that surely this series must be made into a film by Steven Spielberg! I hope you've told him, Geraldine!
Geraldine says she has long thought there must be descendants of Queen Victoria in the United States. Well I cannot help you there but I do know there were 1100 descendants listed both dead and alive.
She asks about Prince Leopold. He died at about age 30 years and his son Charles Edward was born shortly after Leopold's death. Charles Edward is the Grandfather of the current King of Sweden called King Gustav.
Prince Leopold was a haemophiliac and survived to thirty whereas most haemophiliacs die far younger. His daughter was Princess Alice and she was a carrier of haemophilia."
Fergus
Geraldine has been crying herself to sleep every night thinking of Anastasia's decline in health and ultimate end. She absolutely loves Series III and cannot put the kindle down reading each story repeatedly.
She says that surely this series must be made into a film by Steven Spielberg! I hope you've told him, Geraldine!
Geraldine says she has long thought there must be descendants of Queen Victoria in the United States. Well I cannot help you there but I do know there were 1100 descendants listed both dead and alive.
She asks about Prince Leopold. He died at about age 30 years and his son Charles Edward was born shortly after Leopold's death. Charles Edward is the Grandfather of the current King of Sweden called King Gustav.
Prince Leopold was a haemophiliac and survived to thirty whereas most haemophiliacs die far younger. His daughter was Princess Alice and she was a carrier of haemophilia."
Fergus
August 2, 2012
For free or not for free - that is the question. The world of independent publishing as I see it.
The free promotions to mark the Olympics went really well and all of your support is greatly appreciated. I love seeing that people from many different countries are reading this blog and hopefully those same people are amongst those downloading the stories too; just like the many countries are competing in the Olympics. There have already been some fantastic moments and memorable Gold Medals during this London Olympics 2012 and you can't beat a high like that if you are the one achieving (not that I've ever won a Gold Medal mind you!).
Like athletes competing in the Olympics there is much more that goes on before an event to prepare and it takes hard work and dedication, often years of hard work and dedication. Being an independently published author you have to do all the preparation to get the book ready, all the editing, proofreading, formatting, creating covers, etc. and that's the easy bit! Once your book is on Amazon sadly no fairy godmother with a sparkly dress and twinkling wand appears to make sure everyone knows about the book.
The marketing of the book takes a lot of time and research too. Finding the best ways to market your book is not easy and I have mostly used social networking to do this because I don't have a huge, magic pot of money to advertise in any traditional way. I am still a novice in the world of independent publishing though and I'm sure I will discover may new things and pitfalls along the way. This is part of the journey.
I have met some amazing, independently published authors through social networking who have helped to spread the word to bring Anastasia to more people and I happily do the same for them. I am learning though that you can't trust everyone and I have recently realised I have been spreading the word about a couple of fellow authors only to find that they have unfollowed me but still continue to allow me to promote their work for them. I will be much more careful in the future because time is precious and as a full time mum I simply cannot afford to waste my time on unscrupulous people. Live and learn.
I am very passionate about my stories because of the amount of work that goes into the whole process of getting a story on Amazon. I work with Fergus and together we create the stories. It can be daunting to receive his input and I have often thought 'where can I possibly take this?!' but once I start to research and write things just start to happen. It's like magic seeing everything take shape.
The buzz I get from writing the stories, promoting them and running promotions is amazing (even when I got a 1 star review!) but now the promotion is over I am feeling a little flat. I get verbal feedback that people are really enjoying the stories but reviews are so important to balance out any rogue 1 stars! Now the promotion has finished I am sure downloads will continue however watching the word spread about a promotion is a true credit to social networking and I salute those hard working writers out there that give up so much of their time to help others.
There are many that say social networking doesn't sell books but I am inclined to disagree. For one thing I know for a fact that I have reached a larger audience already than if I hadn't bothered using social networking; the number of downloads support this. New books on Amazon aren't as easy to come across as you'd think so you need the reviews and for people to click 'like' on your book for it to be more visible. Obviously increased sales are very important too!
I am followed on Twitter by teenage girls and young people from different countries and that in itself is proof that I am starting to reach the correct audience for my stories. As people continue to talk about Anastasia then I will no doubt get more young people following Anastasia through me and hopefully it will encourage more young people to read more. This is what it is important to me - encouraging young people to read more and firing their imagination, maybe even the first spark of a dream to become a writer themselves.
So onto the bit that causes major arguments among writers: should you 'sell' your book for free? It is all very well to say NOOOO don't do it because you are encouraging the trend for readers to simply wait to see what books are free. However, if I was fortunate enough to be supported by an agent and publisher then a lot of the marketing is done by them. They get your book 'out there'. Independently published authors, with no agent, publisher, etc. have to do all the work themselves and I believe allowing people to sample your work for free may encourage the reader to read other books of yours and recommend to their friends, etc.
Giving away books for free is not a new thing bred from t'internet. Maybe traditionalist writers have forgotten the numbers of books that were given away with magazines, newspapers, and other press. Some books were offered a chapter at a time inside the publications too so the readership could follow the story with each edition of their newspaper, magazine, etc. This is to encourage more people to read the author's books and recommend to people they know while making sure as many people as possible get to hear about this fantastic author and his/her work. What is happening now is an up to date version of that method of marketing at least that is how I see it.
Some genres are so saturated that it is necessary to stand out from the crowd to be noticed. I often feel like a five year old trying to jump up to see over the heads of those that have been around longer than I have. But the good thing is I have plenty of time to grow taller and hopefully stand out from the crowd in the future.
Until then I will continue to work hard and may well run more free promotions at some point because I like knowing that someone new may have happened across Anastasia and that thought makes me very happy.
So please continue to read as many books as you can by independent authors - I am discovering some fantastic authors. If you love a book you read for free then please buy more. You will be helping to make someone's dream come true.
The journey has begun...
Like athletes competing in the Olympics there is much more that goes on before an event to prepare and it takes hard work and dedication, often years of hard work and dedication. Being an independently published author you have to do all the preparation to get the book ready, all the editing, proofreading, formatting, creating covers, etc. and that's the easy bit! Once your book is on Amazon sadly no fairy godmother with a sparkly dress and twinkling wand appears to make sure everyone knows about the book.
The marketing of the book takes a lot of time and research too. Finding the best ways to market your book is not easy and I have mostly used social networking to do this because I don't have a huge, magic pot of money to advertise in any traditional way. I am still a novice in the world of independent publishing though and I'm sure I will discover may new things and pitfalls along the way. This is part of the journey.
I have met some amazing, independently published authors through social networking who have helped to spread the word to bring Anastasia to more people and I happily do the same for them. I am learning though that you can't trust everyone and I have recently realised I have been spreading the word about a couple of fellow authors only to find that they have unfollowed me but still continue to allow me to promote their work for them. I will be much more careful in the future because time is precious and as a full time mum I simply cannot afford to waste my time on unscrupulous people. Live and learn.
I am very passionate about my stories because of the amount of work that goes into the whole process of getting a story on Amazon. I work with Fergus and together we create the stories. It can be daunting to receive his input and I have often thought 'where can I possibly take this?!' but once I start to research and write things just start to happen. It's like magic seeing everything take shape.
The buzz I get from writing the stories, promoting them and running promotions is amazing (even when I got a 1 star review!) but now the promotion is over I am feeling a little flat. I get verbal feedback that people are really enjoying the stories but reviews are so important to balance out any rogue 1 stars! Now the promotion has finished I am sure downloads will continue however watching the word spread about a promotion is a true credit to social networking and I salute those hard working writers out there that give up so much of their time to help others.
There are many that say social networking doesn't sell books but I am inclined to disagree. For one thing I know for a fact that I have reached a larger audience already than if I hadn't bothered using social networking; the number of downloads support this. New books on Amazon aren't as easy to come across as you'd think so you need the reviews and for people to click 'like' on your book for it to be more visible. Obviously increased sales are very important too!
I am followed on Twitter by teenage girls and young people from different countries and that in itself is proof that I am starting to reach the correct audience for my stories. As people continue to talk about Anastasia then I will no doubt get more young people following Anastasia through me and hopefully it will encourage more young people to read more. This is what it is important to me - encouraging young people to read more and firing their imagination, maybe even the first spark of a dream to become a writer themselves.
So onto the bit that causes major arguments among writers: should you 'sell' your book for free? It is all very well to say NOOOO don't do it because you are encouraging the trend for readers to simply wait to see what books are free. However, if I was fortunate enough to be supported by an agent and publisher then a lot of the marketing is done by them. They get your book 'out there'. Independently published authors, with no agent, publisher, etc. have to do all the work themselves and I believe allowing people to sample your work for free may encourage the reader to read other books of yours and recommend to their friends, etc.
Giving away books for free is not a new thing bred from t'internet. Maybe traditionalist writers have forgotten the numbers of books that were given away with magazines, newspapers, and other press. Some books were offered a chapter at a time inside the publications too so the readership could follow the story with each edition of their newspaper, magazine, etc. This is to encourage more people to read the author's books and recommend to people they know while making sure as many people as possible get to hear about this fantastic author and his/her work. What is happening now is an up to date version of that method of marketing at least that is how I see it.
Some genres are so saturated that it is necessary to stand out from the crowd to be noticed. I often feel like a five year old trying to jump up to see over the heads of those that have been around longer than I have. But the good thing is I have plenty of time to grow taller and hopefully stand out from the crowd in the future.
Until then I will continue to work hard and may well run more free promotions at some point because I like knowing that someone new may have happened across Anastasia and that thought makes me very happy.
So please continue to read as many books as you can by independent authors - I am discovering some fantastic authors. If you love a book you read for free then please buy more. You will be helping to make someone's dream come true.
The journey has begun...
July 31, 2012
The American Royal Family - a response from Fergus
Elizabeth from Pennsylvania asks how I know so much about the Royal Family and have I ever met any? Oscar Wilde would call it the knowledge of a lifetime. Yes I have met some members of the Royal Family.
She goes on to say that she has read and reread the stories and they improve each time. It makes her cry a lot with both joy and sadness. She is joyful over the rescues but so sad about the terminal nature of Anastasia's illness.
You are absolutely correct Elizabeth.
I think we are all so very saddened by all Anastasia has done to enhance the lives of other and now she faces the end so bravely.
You ask about German Americans and whether the children were taught in German. In those days German was the first tongue as the parents spoke German language at home. It is no surprise that John Windsor would speak German as a young boy.
He was born in America, the son of an English King, out of wedlock. It meant a lot then but little in 2012.
The America Government were being very secretive after the war with all the German Scientists they were bringing to Kansas to prevent them from falling into Russian hands. Perhaps no surprise that the existence of John Windsor was kept quiet.
Perhaps it is time to ask your Senator to establish the true facts about the American Royal Family.
Fergus
She goes on to say that she has read and reread the stories and they improve each time. It makes her cry a lot with both joy and sadness. She is joyful over the rescues but so sad about the terminal nature of Anastasia's illness.
You are absolutely correct Elizabeth.
I think we are all so very saddened by all Anastasia has done to enhance the lives of other and now she faces the end so bravely.
You ask about German Americans and whether the children were taught in German. In those days German was the first tongue as the parents spoke German language at home. It is no surprise that John Windsor would speak German as a young boy.
He was born in America, the son of an English King, out of wedlock. It meant a lot then but little in 2012.
The America Government were being very secretive after the war with all the German Scientists they were bringing to Kansas to prevent them from falling into Russian hands. Perhaps no surprise that the existence of John Windsor was kept quiet.
Perhaps it is time to ask your Senator to establish the true facts about the American Royal Family.
Fergus
July 30, 2012
Fergus writes... about a recent review
Dear Rachael,
As the reviewer mentions she is thinking of her great-niece. It rather dates her but I am sure she is very well intended.
Contains 8 very short stories. Stilted writing and very repetitive. Many inaccuracies (such as a 12hh Shetland pony) The average size of a Shetland pony is 11.2 hands. That is 11 hands and two fingers. There being four inches to a hand or 100mm. To have a 11.2 average there must be above and below average in the sample and to have a 12hh Black Shetland Pony is not unusual. Indeed I owned one for many years. Contradictions, unbelievable scenarios such as a 9year old riding a 17hh horse who is deemed "the perfect size for a riding horse". The perfect size or does she mean temperament. A 17hh is not perfect for myself as I need a little larger. and poor advice on how to ride horses. I check all books before giving them to my great-niece, and at 8 years old she would find these an intelligence. I am afraid most child readers are stuck in a tower block in an inner city and have not had the opportunity to ride a horse. We must think of them and I hope our Great Aunt agrees. Allow those young girls their dream please Great Aunt.
I have noticed that there are about 30 of these 'books' (episodes?) and find it strange that they have all been written, or published, within the space of 3 months - in fact some have even been published/written on the same day! The fact that they are published the same day does not mean they are written the same day. Furthermore, Fergus Wilson seems to have co-written these with 4 different people. A scam? I don't know but they are all apparently part of the 'Anastasia Series' but each co-writer has altered some of the details - such as changing Anastasia's eye colour, friends, aunts, horses and one even said she hated horses! Can anyone explain this please?
There were a range of authors initally with the same brief, and some deviated from that brief so much that their books were no longer published. I can find some things about the 4 co-writers, but all I get when I google Fergus Wilson is something to do with him being the biggest buy-to-let investor in the UK! (Absolutely true!) Incidentally, Rachael Phillips comments on her Amazon page that she has "recently published, as co-author, Series I and II, aimed at 9-12 year olds, of ebooks all about Anastasia and her adventures with the horses of Boughton Lodge. Not to be mistaken with any other Anastasia books mind you!" (Whatever do you mean?) Sour grapes at not making money from ALL the 30+ books and having to share the profits? I wonder...! At 2 quid per 8 pages - quite a money spinner.
Negative review I know (indeed), but originally I was delighted to have found another pony series (I was brought up on such authors as Pat Smythe, the Pullen-Thompson sisters, Ruby Ferguson, Elaine Mitchell, Gillan Baxter to name but a few), but I was really disappointed with these offerings - my niece, I'm afraid, will just have to make do with re-reading some of my old pony books stored in the loft, as I would not even consider giving these to her! Please don't waste your money on these and only download freebies so you can judge for yourself - I'm glad I did, at £7+ this is certainly NOT worth the money & at £2+ for each of the stories separately is poor value (literally) for 15odd (sometimes only 8) pages of rubbish.
I am afraid I have never heard of any of the authors our reviewer mentions. Our reviewer needs to understand the need to improve literacy levels in our society and I can tell you from experience that little girls like to read, write, draw and dream about horses. Unfortunately, for the vast majority it will never be more than a dream - do not take their dreams away dear Great Aunt.
Fergus
As the reviewer mentions she is thinking of her great-niece. It rather dates her but I am sure she is very well intended.
Contains 8 very short stories. Stilted writing and very repetitive. Many inaccuracies (such as a 12hh Shetland pony) The average size of a Shetland pony is 11.2 hands. That is 11 hands and two fingers. There being four inches to a hand or 100mm. To have a 11.2 average there must be above and below average in the sample and to have a 12hh Black Shetland Pony is not unusual. Indeed I owned one for many years. Contradictions, unbelievable scenarios such as a 9year old riding a 17hh horse who is deemed "the perfect size for a riding horse". The perfect size or does she mean temperament. A 17hh is not perfect for myself as I need a little larger. and poor advice on how to ride horses. I check all books before giving them to my great-niece, and at 8 years old she would find these an intelligence. I am afraid most child readers are stuck in a tower block in an inner city and have not had the opportunity to ride a horse. We must think of them and I hope our Great Aunt agrees. Allow those young girls their dream please Great Aunt.
I have noticed that there are about 30 of these 'books' (episodes?) and find it strange that they have all been written, or published, within the space of 3 months - in fact some have even been published/written on the same day! The fact that they are published the same day does not mean they are written the same day. Furthermore, Fergus Wilson seems to have co-written these with 4 different people. A scam? I don't know but they are all apparently part of the 'Anastasia Series' but each co-writer has altered some of the details - such as changing Anastasia's eye colour, friends, aunts, horses and one even said she hated horses! Can anyone explain this please?
There were a range of authors initally with the same brief, and some deviated from that brief so much that their books were no longer published. I can find some things about the 4 co-writers, but all I get when I google Fergus Wilson is something to do with him being the biggest buy-to-let investor in the UK! (Absolutely true!) Incidentally, Rachael Phillips comments on her Amazon page that she has "recently published, as co-author, Series I and II, aimed at 9-12 year olds, of ebooks all about Anastasia and her adventures with the horses of Boughton Lodge. Not to be mistaken with any other Anastasia books mind you!" (Whatever do you mean?) Sour grapes at not making money from ALL the 30+ books and having to share the profits? I wonder...! At 2 quid per 8 pages - quite a money spinner.
Negative review I know (indeed), but originally I was delighted to have found another pony series (I was brought up on such authors as Pat Smythe, the Pullen-Thompson sisters, Ruby Ferguson, Elaine Mitchell, Gillan Baxter to name but a few), but I was really disappointed with these offerings - my niece, I'm afraid, will just have to make do with re-reading some of my old pony books stored in the loft, as I would not even consider giving these to her! Please don't waste your money on these and only download freebies so you can judge for yourself - I'm glad I did, at £7+ this is certainly NOT worth the money & at £2+ for each of the stories separately is poor value (literally) for 15odd (sometimes only 8) pages of rubbish.
I am afraid I have never heard of any of the authors our reviewer mentions. Our reviewer needs to understand the need to improve literacy levels in our society and I can tell you from experience that little girls like to read, write, draw and dream about horses. Unfortunately, for the vast majority it will never be more than a dream - do not take their dreams away dear Great Aunt.
Fergus
July 26, 2012
The Olympics 2012
The Olympics - they have come around so quickly. I remember when we heard we would be hosting the 2012 Olympics; it was 6th July 2005, the day before the London bombings happened on 7th July. It was a sad day following a day of jubilation and my thoughts are with those that lost their lives that day... I was working for Transport for London at the time and I am kind of grateful I don't work there now with the impending hoards of people coming to watch the Olympics!
So here we are on the eve of the London Olympics! In honour of such a wonderful event I have decided to run a new, free, ebook promotion. The previous ones have been so successful that it seems a fitting way to mark the beginning of the Olympics and Anastasia wants to join in the fun.
So from 27th July until 31st July you can download for £0, $0, absolutely free, the following Anastasia short stories:
Anastasia and the Imperial Egg Hunt (Anastasia Series II)
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007OM1QVY
Anastasia Romanov - Private Detective (Anastasia Series III)
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008A4W4AM
Anastasia and the Three Wise Men (Anastasia Series III)
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008HDWM9Y
Also available for other countries .com .de .es .it .fr etc.
Anastasia and the Imperial Egg Hunt is all about Anastasia trying to track down missing Imperial Fabergé Eggs - can she bring home the gold?
Anastasia Romanov - Private Detective finds Anastasia going undercover once more to save two, kidnapped children. Very exciting second story from Anastasia Series III.
Anastasia and the Three Wise Men is the third story from Anastasia Series III where we realise just how famous she has become when her services are needed by three very high profile men. Another action packed Series III story for teens upwards.
I hope you enjoy these stories and what's not to love? They're FREEEEEEEE!
Free Kindle reader available in the Kindle Store for those without a Kindle.
Happy reading and if you enjoy the stories please leave a review. Spread the word so others who have yet to read about Anastasia's adventures get the chance. Come on Great Britain and good luck to everyone else taking part :)
So here we are on the eve of the London Olympics! In honour of such a wonderful event I have decided to run a new, free, ebook promotion. The previous ones have been so successful that it seems a fitting way to mark the beginning of the Olympics and Anastasia wants to join in the fun.
So from 27th July until 31st July you can download for £0, $0, absolutely free, the following Anastasia short stories:
Anastasia and the Imperial Egg Hunt (Anastasia Series II)
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007OM1QVY
Anastasia Romanov - Private Detective (Anastasia Series III)
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008A4W4AM
Anastasia and the Three Wise Men (Anastasia Series III)
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008HDWM9Y
Also available for other countries .com .de .es .it .fr etc.
Anastasia and the Imperial Egg Hunt is all about Anastasia trying to track down missing Imperial Fabergé Eggs - can she bring home the gold?
Anastasia Romanov - Private Detective finds Anastasia going undercover once more to save two, kidnapped children. Very exciting second story from Anastasia Series III.
Anastasia and the Three Wise Men is the third story from Anastasia Series III where we realise just how famous she has become when her services are needed by three very high profile men. Another action packed Series III story for teens upwards.
I hope you enjoy these stories and what's not to love? They're FREEEEEEEE!
Free Kindle reader available in the Kindle Store for those without a Kindle.
Happy reading and if you enjoy the stories please leave a review. Spread the word so others who have yet to read about Anastasia's adventures get the chance. Come on Great Britain and good luck to everyone else taking part :)
