Lily Lawson's Blog: Lily's log, page 4
October 31, 2024
Sometimes we buy a book and don’t read it.
The not reading may be because we are reading another book.
Maybe we wanted to support the author but it’s not our thing.
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Perhaps we are not in the headspace to read it yet.
We may want to save reading it for a special occasion - a holiday, a day off, a specific time of year.
It may be because we are not the person we want to be yet and we see flickers of it appearing and want to encourage it and your book is part of that and we will read it when we get there or are on the way to being there enough to appreciate it.
So why buy it now?
Because it’s on offer.
So we don’t forget.
So it’s there waiting for when we are ready to read it.
If we’ve bought it in some part of our brain we wanted to and maybe even intended to read it and we still might.
Don’t give up hope.
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June 27, 2024
Alexandra Peel Rainbow Interview
Red - what is one of your favourite books?
Perfume by Patrick Suskind
Orange - what is your passion?
Writing
Yellow - what makes you happy?
Garden, sounds of nature, being left to own devices.
Green - what other life would you want or who would you choose to be if you were someone different?
To be a successful writer, as in craft wise and financially
Blue - what inspires you?
Husband inspires me. He's utterly self motivated, self disciplined with his creative time and probably one of the most morally sound people I know.
Indigo - what are your dreams?
"A very big house in the country" To be able to do and buy stuff and go places without concerns about cost. I'd travel to various countries. Have a couple of houses, and one day I'm walking along and I'm stopped by a great author who says, "Aren't you Alexandra Peel who wrote....? That was the most amazing book I ever read."
Violet - what are your future plans?
Keep on writing. Produce a decent body of well written stories.
Bio
Visual artist turned author, with a Degree in Fine Art, Sculpture. Has been a freelance community artist, painter, graphics tutor, and bookseller; currently works as a Learning Support Practitioner in F.E.
She is the author of ‘Beneath the Skin’, an alternate history/Steampunk novel (duology) about an Indian-Irish airship courier who becomes unwittingly involved in political espionage. ‘Sticks & Stones’; a collection of nine short stories on the theme of witches and the craft, ‘The Life and Crimes of Lockhart & Doppler’, a collection of Steampunk stories about a pair of female treasure hunters-come-thieves.
She has several short stories published including , ‘Welcome to the Pleasuredome’, which appears in the horror anthology Game Over by Snowbooks. ‘Spinning Jenny’, in The Singularity magazine and ‘The Tale of the Empty Vessel’ in Deadly Bargain anthology. Also, an anthology of prose and poetry from the Wirral Writers group with her own pieces, ‘The Scream of the Butterfly’, ‘Blackbird’ and ‘Farewell’.
Born and raised in Liverpool, now lives on the Wirral (after five uninteresting years spent in Staffordshire), with her husband. They have one daughter. A member of Wirral Writers and can be found at the following assorted locations:
Twitter https://twitter.com/AlexandraPeel
https://www.sticksandstonesbooks.com/
https://alexandra1st.wordpress.com/
Kathleen L Small Rainbow Interview
Red - what is one of your favourite books?
My favorite book is a classic children’s picture book: The Little Engine That Could. Its positive, powerful message is “I think I can.”
Orange - what is your passion?
Horses are my passion. Writing and books are a close second.
Yellow - what makes you happy?
Small things make me happy: a butterfly, flowers, someone smiling, and a kind word. Big things make me happy too: a goal completed, beautiful landscape, family gatherings, and holidays.
Green - what other life would you want or who would you choose to be if you were someone different?
I’m proud of the life I’ve lived and wouldn’t want to exchange it for any other life.
Blue - what inspires you?
Inspiration for my stories comes from a variety of sources. I have a folder of images I’ve collected over the years. It includes pictures of buildings, people, animals, landscapes, and miscellaneous items. If I need inspiration for a character or setting, I visit the folder and see what catches my attention.
Indigo - what are your dreams?
I’ve always wanted to own a horse and be a published author. I’m living my dream, since I own two horses and have two published books, with more to come.
Violet - what are your future plans?
I have a number of manuscripts that I’ve written in the past. My plan is to edit and publish these stories. I’m currently working on The Haunted Carousel, Book 3 of The Brass Ring Series, for release in early 2024, respectively. After that, is a women’s fiction entitled Poison Pen Friends.
Bio
Kathleen "K. L." Small writes fantasy stories, both short stories and novels, for the young and young at heart. She lives in Florida on a ranch called Carousel Acres, with her husband, two horses, four cats, and assorted wildlife.
She is a three-time award winner in the Florida Writers Association Royal Palm Literary Award competition. Her debut novel is A Dress To Remember: A Fairy Tale. It is available as an ebook, paperback, or hardcover. Her first two books in The Brass Ring Series, The Magic Carousel, and The Christmas Carousel are also available in ebook and paperback. All are available on Amazon.
To follow her writing journey, sign up for her monthly newsletter at her website: www.kathleenlsmall.com or follow her on Twitter at @KLSmall_Author.
May 12, 2024
Kids and Rainbows.
Picking up where we left off with my little tale …
I don’t remember what led me to write picture books - that should say publish. I didn’t set out to write kids books at all. It kind of just happened.
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Santa’s Early Christmas was a poem I wrote for my dad’s Christmas card which I made kid friendly.
https://mybook.to/SantasEarlyChristmas
The Palm Tree Swingers Island Band and If I Were Invisible … were written in response to prompts.
https://mybook.to/PalmTreeSwingers
https://mybook.to/IfIwereInvisible
I never intended any of them to be a book.
After months of playing with kids books - fun as that was - and frustrating especially Santa (I nearly gave up before I hit publish with that one). I have learned that knowing what size book you want is very helpful before you talk to the illustrator. Also either get your words right or at least have them seperate from the images.
After that rollercoaster I wanted to get back to poetry and I had a rainbow that needed more colour.
Rainbow’s Orange Book of Poetry is a different book to its predecessor. I didn’t know what feel I wanted but, as is the case with my books, it just kind of came together. There were some changes before and after betas. It is more a writers poetry book as it is my poetic thoughts about writing.
https://mybook.to/rainbowsorangebook
next week - another direction and what next
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May 5, 2024
What Lily did next
Me again.
So I left you last week in 2021. The heady days of thinking I had published all the books I would publish and I could just have fun writing. Oh dear Randomer I was wrong.
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People wanted poetry, my poetry. They expected this book thing to continue.
For my first two books I had plundered the archives and there was not a lot of book worthy material left to publish in the old back catalogue. I had however been writing and studying creative writing at uni so there was some newer stuff floating about.
After a chat with a friend (oh how lucky I am to have wise humans around me) I /we decided a series of poetry books sounded like a good idea. As I am Poetic Rainbow 9 on Instagram (no matter the handle this is part of my identity) I/we decided on a rainbow collection so that was seven books! Yep seven! I had just about got my head around the idea of a third book!
So I created Rainbows Red Book of Poetry. Went in full tilt; blog tour, and actual promotion. I’ve used newsletters, websites and a ton of social media with some beautiful graphics by talented peeps and some Twitter Ads thrown in for good measure. This book seems top of my poetry tree reader wise.
https://mybook.to/RainbowsRedPoetryBook
Then, somehow I ended up publishing picture books…
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April 28, 2024
What Lily did
It’s been almost five years so my memory of exactly when I decided to stop posting stuff on Wordpress as the Banana files or The Queen of Random (others had that title too) I’m not sure. I think it was before My Father’s Daughter came out in 2020.
2019 was a busy year. I joined Twitter and was amazed to reach the milestone of 1k followers. A friend wrote for prompts so I tried that too. I met writers and helped my new friends by sharing their tweets during the first pitmad I experienced. I’ve only pitched once in 2023 (we will tackle that later). My follower numbers grew and I made more friends so I kept sharing posts during pitch events.
I entered a 50 words writing competition and won a day. As a result of which two things happened. My prize was a free course on FutureLearn where I met poets. At the same time I joined the Open University Write Club (the Twitter person liked my posts and I got brave) where I met my very first poet who floored me by asking what type of poetry I wrote. I felt like an imposter already having described myself on entry (thinking they’d refuse to have me) as a poet chancing her arm at fiction and bragging about my win. I felt like I didn’t even know anything about poetry. (I’d been writing almost 40 years at this point you think I’d know something!)
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The poets I met on FutureLearn were incredibly helpful and some of us formed a group on Slack to carry on for a while. I also joined my first writer DM group on Twitter. Write Club also had its own space for writers and poets to help one another. I went from knowing zero writers and poets to being surrounded!
When I published my first book I posted on my socials (Facebook and Twitter) and told people I knew. I’d been advised by a kind supportive writing human to have a website, a newsletter and a Facebook page. I was blogging sort of and sharing the posts on Facebook. I signed up for newsletters to see what writers wrote in them and somehow learned I needed a reader magnet to get people to sign up for my newsletter.
The first image is the original cover I made with a lot of advice from Facebook friends. One of whom took the photo. Even the title was workshopped.
The second was created I think the following year by an artist friend I met on Twitter.
https://mybook.to/MyFathersDaughter
My reader magnet was A Taste of What’s to Come. But I was advised reader magnets don’t work (remember marketing is not one size fits all and they do work for some people) and I should publish it. So I did in ebook only. The first image is my cover with an image I got from somewhere. The second is the one my artist friend made. (Another friend’s husband took the photo. ) They also taught me about image copyright. After talking to my writer friends I eventually published it as a paperback too.
http://mybook.to/ATasteofWhatstoCome
I did get a domain as lilylawson.com and moved to Wix at some point during this time.
I joined a post sharing group for Twitter on Facebook. ( I was new at this thing so didn’t even ask). We did move to Twitter and although I went my own way eventually I learned a lot from the admin and will be forever grateful.
In the dying embers of my first Twitter DM group I met one of my favourite humans and somehow ended up in her group and I am still there. She shoved me back on the newsletter horse (she has had to repeat this action more than once) and dragged me not quite kicking and screaming more moaning and groaning and ‘Do I have to?’) into promoting my books. I do not know where I’d be without this human who supports me and my writing every day. Through her directly and indirectly I have met yet more lovely humans who have also made a huge difference in my life.
I have moved on from two of the original groups (Twitter and Slack) but I am very grateful for all they taught me and the wonderful friend I made on Twitter as a result of that first group who I talk to every day and is very much stuck with me.
Part two next week (bet you can’t wait lol)
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April 21, 2024
Marketing
You've written your book, maybe it's even out there in the world, maybe there's more than one. Now comes the bit where you have to find ways of getting people to buy it/them. For some people getting over the scariness of putting yourself out there is difficult. It can be daunting to know where to start. There is a lot of advice out there which in itself can be overwhelming.
Some things to bear in mind (only my opinion).
1.You are marketing yourself not the book - (ok hold the front page what is she on about?)
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Some people (shock horror) may not like your latest release. This can be especially true for multi genre authors. More than one person has told me they marketed one book and sold copies of something completely different. If people have read the book you are promoting and they enjoyed your writing, or if your latest is not their thing, you popping up might remind them they were going to see what other books you have written (I have done the buy and read everything they've written thing a number of times myself.) If there's nothing that appeals at the moment, if they like you, they might buy something next time or at some point down the line.
People can be funny about buying books especially from unknowns and if you come across badly that can be door closed forever. I have bought books that weren't my thing because I liked the person, so it can work both ways. (Often it worked out well and I've surprised myself).
2. Each author and each book is different.
Unless you have written a series (and maybe even then) what worked for a previous book may not work for this one. What worked in the past may not work in the future. Also what worked for someone else may not work for you. This is why marketing advice is so difficult.
Read all the stuff, do all the courses, ask questions, listen and learn from as many people as you want and there may be nuggets you can use or not. There is no one size fits all magic marketing formula. If there was I'd tell you. The only way is trial and error which costs you in time and money. The good news is you learn along the way. I know more about who my reader is now, possibly, maybe. But with each book you are right back at the beginning (unless as I say you've written a series then maybe you can build on what you've learned up to a point anyway.) If it's the same genre that can help but not always.
3. Even traditionally published authors have to market.
If you think the publisher will do all the marketing for you, you're wrong. Sure it can open doors but its still your book and you have to push it. You are expected to be active on social media and have a decent following. (I'm not sure what numbers are thought to be decent - but your mum, your brother, your bestie and your aunty Jan and her mates are unlikely to cut it). Also be a bit careful what you post, people will see it, be authentic but if it's maybe unsuitable for your author brand get a private account in another name and keep that stuff there. Have fun and be human just keep it grandma friendly.
4. If someone you trust warns you off a site or a person - listen.
There are people out there who will take your money and tell you they can get you a certain amount of sales - they can't, no-one can.
5. As with most things trust your gut, ask loads of questions, and get some kind of agreement.
Never be persuaded into anything you are not comfortable doing. This is your reputation, your books and your life.
6. Books are forever.
If it doesn't sell out the gate, it still might. I've sold copies of my back catalogue that I thought would never sell another copy. I tried different stuff and it worked to a degree.
Marketing is a challenge. Don’t spend more than you can afford to lose, it can run very expensive. Sometimes it’s a balance of time versus money and having someone else make promo images/videos or do part of the promoting might be worth the cost if the end result is effective. Sometimes you can learn from the people concerned which can help avoid mistakes down the track. It may mean your book(s) are promoted when, for whatever reason you are unable to do it yourself. Often promoters can reach people you can’t.
People sharing your posts is free of any cost except time and can expand your reach. A group where people share each others posts can be beneficial and again they have a different audience to you. I have sold books because someone shared one of my posts.
I recognise I haven’t touched on ads but this is a fairly long post and that is a pretty big subject so I will talk about ads another time.
Happy Marketing!
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April 14, 2024
Hello Randomers
Thought you might think I have fell off the face of the earth - well as you can see that is not the case.
This is titled new stuff so what’s new?
Life with Lily - One sentence at a time is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Well this is a new home for Life with Lily. The observant amongst you may have noticed that I have added a bit to the title and this is now Life with Lily - One sentence at a time. Maybe a little long as a title but hey this is me and I do things my way - no surprises there.
The other thing you may have seen is a new book cover in my header. For anyone who is not aware I have published my first short story collection Sandcastles this month. Image below so you can get a better look at the cover by Dreena Collins and of course the obligatory link to check it out for yourselves. Blurby thing so you have some idea what to expect.
21 tales of love, loss and the unexpected . . . exploring what it is to be human.
This collection encompasses the cycle of life, from finding love to challenging children, parents who misbehave, and beyond, with a sprinkling of mystery along the way to keep things interesting.
Read cover to cover or dip in at random. There’s something for the briefest of moments to a well-earned break. Whatever time you have, Lily Lawson has a story to share with you …
So I am giving this Substack thing a go. What direction will it take? Who knows. To those of you who have been hanging round these parts a while this is unlikely to be news.
I am human. I am random. I am Lily.
Everybody needs some Lily in their life!
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December 31, 2023
The Lily's 2023
First all the books in these awards were read by me in 2023 but could have been published at any time up to and including 2022 (with the exception of the covers as that includes all the covers I have seen during the year whether or not I have read the book). I have seen a lot of covers!
Cover of the year
Who can believe in witches? and other stories - Cheryl Burman
I love the idea of the character brewing stories and sending them out into the world.
Short story of the year
Christmas at Hummingbird House by Jane Harvey
This is a great series and I love this festive short story.
Six flats – and now seven tenants. What stories do they hold?
Paul and April may have settled comfortably into cohabitation, but now a third occupant has come to share the top floor. Will this be the beginning or the end of their domestic bliss?
On the middle floor, Joshua now resides at Number Two. Young, astute, and friendly, he nevertheless remains an enigma. Until Betty invites him along to Christmas dinner…
And then there’s Betty. Stoical, caring, tactical Betty. She can be found making Christmas puddings on ‘Stir Up Sunday’ – but is that all she’s stirring this time?
Join the residents – new and old – this Christmas for a tale of friendships, good cheer, and, as usual – a good many secrets
My Review
The wonderful Betty is back in festive spirit as characters old and new gather for Christmas. Jane Harvey's relatable cast celebrate Hummingbird House style. Excellent short story to indulge in during a break in the festivities or to get you in the mood in the lead up. Great treat sized addition to a fabulous series. Why not curl up and read them all?
Novella of the year Walking in the rain Cheryl Burman
Burman knows how to write in a lyrical, almost poetic, way that perfectly draws a picture in your mind so that you ARE the character drowsing on the bus or shivering in the cold. Read this book. You'll be glad you did.' Goodreads
Once, Alf's bruised heart let love slip by. Now he's ready, but is he too late?
1954, Australia. Three years ago in a hospital in the Snowy Mountains, Alf stood by while the woman he loved re-united with her wayward husband. These days, Raine and Teddy are his best friends, their children call him Uncle Alf. Now Alf stands by as his days slip into loveless tedium.
June, a nurse, witnessed the anguish in Alf’s eyes. A spark flared between them. A tentative kiss was exchanged. But Alf’s heart wasn’t ready. Life moved on.
Pushed into searching for a new start, Alf returns to the mountains. He tells himself finding June isn’t the reason he’s there. Which is probably for the best, because it seems June has already found the man of her dreams.
Can the stars be made to align this time? Or will life move on again?
The (standalone) sequel to Keepers: ‘A treat to savour’ Discovering Diamonds
My review
I was eager to read this book and as is always the case with this author she didn't disappoint. I made the fatal mistake of thinking I would read a couple of chapters before I went to bed. I found myself unable to go to bed till I finished the whole thing.
Cheryl Burman's writing urges you on through this gentle tale as befits the MC. Her realistic characterisations and descriptive settings take the reader on the characters journey as if they were sitting next to them.
Alf just might be one of my favourite characters in fiction.
Fans of Keepers will lap this up. Those who haven't read it will want to.
Novel of the year
The LIghtbody Legacy- Carolyn Ruffles
In 1645, in the Suffolk village of Wickthorpe, Martha Lightbody is accused of practising witchcraft and condemned to ‘trial by drowning’. Before she vanishes beneath the surface of Dark Water Lake, never to be seen again, she places a curse upon the men responsible. The mystery of her disappearance, and the curse, become village folklore.
More than three hundred years later, in 1988, when a young girl drowns, sixteen-year-old Deborah Ryecroft is accused of being an incarnation of the original Wickthorpe Witch. She leaves the village, vowing never to return.
Now in her late forties, circumstances bring Deborah back to Wickthorpe where she receives a mixed reception. Whilst some villagers want her out, others, including neighbour, Tom Oldfield, are more welcoming.
But then anonymous, threatening notes start dropping through her door …
And another body is discovered in Dark Water Lake.
My Review
I love books set in villages and this one doesn't disappoint. There are plenty of secrets. A well navigated dual timeline with a cast of relatable characters. I was rooting for the MC from page one.
The author kept me thinking all the way through. Were Martha and Deborah connected? If so how? Who is out to get Deborah? The new body set me thinking again.
It is rare these days for me to think about a book when I'm not reading it and rarer for me to still think about it after I've finished. Carolyn Ruffles got her story in my head and it showed no intention of leaving. I await book two to get my answers.
Children's book series
Cheating a bit here this series is finished but I loved the first two books.
The Brass Ring series by K. L. Small
THE MAGIC CAROUSEL PROMISES ONE THING: ADVENTURE!
When Russell’s eccentric, storytelling grandpa moves in with the family, Russell loses his bedroom and has to take Grandpa to the carousel in the park every day. As if he doesn’t have enough to deal with already. He’s flunking fifth grade, bullied at school, and his dad’s drinking has made him feel like a failure. Russell dreams of being a firefighter but fears he isn’t courageous enough.
Then Russell rides a carousel horse with Grandpa. Thanks to a magic brass ring, he finds himself magically transported into the past, where he faces life-and-death challenges. Each ride is a new, risky adventure. If he’s not careful, he could be trapped in one of his wild adventures forever!
This is the award-winning first story in the Brass Ring Series.
My Review
Loved the idea of this. Read it all in one day, wish it could have been one sitting. An action packed adventure story. Rooted for Rusty all the way through. Well researched imaginative story. Looking forward to more from Rusty.
Adventures on the Christmas Carousel!
Grandpa gave Rusty the magic brass ring that turns every carousel ride into an exciting time travel adventure. With Christmas fast approaching, Rusty wants to buy Grandpa a special present to say thanks. But he doesn’t have much money.
The solution to Rusty’s problem could lie in Santa’s Christmas Carousel. Its animals can talk, and they all say he must ride the carousel. But that takes money too.
Rusty is about to learn a big lesson about gift-giving and the real meaning of Christmas.
This is the second book in The Brass Ring Series.
My Review
K L Small's 2nd book in The Brass Ring Series takes Rusty on more adventures. The author knows how to keep the reader reading. Another well written heartwarming tale you will want to gobble up. Perfect Christmas reading.
Newsletter/Substack of the year
https://joannepaulson.substack.com/archive
Joanne Paulson - Joanne's substack
I like to be entertained and this is definitely entertaining.
Joanne's substack is a rich and varied landscape in her own unique voice.
If you follow her on social media signing up is a must.
December 8, 2023
H. M. Mills aka Hayley Interview
H. M. Mills Bio: Award-Winning Author & lover of Paranormal Dark Fantasy Romance & an Avid reader living in Tasmania, Australia.
When and how did you start writing?
I’ve always had stories going around in my head. I created plays for family and neighbours to watch. My ideas were always a bit too grandiose for my abilities. Like, where was I going to get an elephant from? I began writing again in 2013 and burnt my entire first completed manuscript. I had no intentions of publishing any of my work, but in 2019 I was encouraged to self-publish for the experience, and eventually, I did, publishing Lord Have Mercy.
Tell me about your books
- Lord Have Mercy is my first published work and Book 1 of The Mercy Aymes Series. A YA Paranormal Dark Fantasy story filled with Gargoyles, Archangels and Demons. Mercy comes in as a confused teenager, warring against her conflicting natures. Years after the strange disappearance of her parents, Mercy is thrust into life at the Lincoln Boarding school, where friendships develop, bullies are inevitable and life-changing discoveries are made. In a bid to escape her tormentor, Mercy stumbles across the secret of the Lincoln Towers, and takes comfort in the lap of a stone Gargoyle, spilling her woes to the silent creature.
- Mercy on Your Soul is Book 2 and follows the hunt of Mercy and the Lincoln Gargoyles by Lucifer and his horde, and the Archangels. It’s a chase that has them fleeing to France and the Notre Dame Gargouilles. The war’s coming and price of victory might be too high.
- Book 3 in the series is currently being written and should be out early 2024.
How does a story begin for you? Is it an idea, a conversation, a title, or an image?
Usually, a character hounds me to pay attention to them and flashes images at me. They get sassy if I don’t listen. The more persistent they are, the more I know it’s a story not to be ignored. No matter what I’m writing, they won’t leave me alone until they get their time in the spotlight.
The character Talus (An Angel Warriors Soul placed in a Gargoyles form) was already dominating my thoughts before I had the plot. But, by the time I’d walked across the beach and back, the entire story was in my head and Mercy Arriella Aymes was born. For the third book, Lucifer badgered me so much with his antics that I had to write the entire book around him. He's quite pleased with himself.
What have been your greatest obstacles to overcome when writing?
Hmm, my greatest obstacles would have to be pushing through my self-doubt (Imposter Syndrome) and getting out of my own way. I’m a daydreamer and a procrastinator, battling my own demons, so staying on track is an effort. I would say another obstacle is continuing to learn the theory of writing, its rules, and structures at my age. My early schooling years were quite disrupted, and eventually I left school. I was very young. Despite going back to studies as an adult, missing English basics has made my writing journey harder to navigate. I’ve come a long way, but I’m always learning.
What writing advice have you been given that really helped you?
To write without worrying about it being perfect; that’s where editing comes in. I was already an avid reader but the advice to read everything and anything, not only the genre you write in is advice well worth passing on. Most of all, believe in yourself and remember you’re never going to please everyone, so don’t let the less favourable reviews drag you down and don’t give up.
How does being part of a writing group help with your writing?
Writing can often be a lonely occupation, where we sequester ourselves for long periods of time. So, being a part of a writers' group is a great way to re-enter the world outside your head while still connected to your work. It’s also a great way to gain friendships with like-minded people and learn through other writers' experiences. In the Ink Pot we share: articles, questions, posts, excerpts, author spotlights etc. We support one-another and share knowledge rather than focus entirely on our own journey. It can be a bit of a dog-eat-dog world out there, so the writers' group reminds us to be better people and find success with a clear conscience.
What do you want your readers to feel when they have closed the last page of your book?
That’s a good question. I’d hope that when my readers close the last page, they’d feel sad it ended, happy they were entertained, and left thinking deeper about my characters and the world I built for them. Of course, I’d hope they leave readers wanting to read more of my stories.
Has a book really touched you? Made you rethink your views on life? If so, what was it?
I’ve been touched by a great many books, like Jane Eyre, War and Peace, Outlander, The Secret Garden, and a mafia romance that had me sobbing and traumatised for weeks; just to name a few. (Unfortunately, I don’t remember the title or the author of the mafia story).
I don’t think they’ve changed my views on life, but they have made it clearer I’m more comfortable and happier living in my own head or within the pages of books, particularly the fantasy genre.
What would you do if you didn’t write?
I studied and worked in the equine world before I started writing, but a change in circumstances left me having to redirect my life. Writing is my only other passion. If I didn’t write, I’d go mad.
What is your ultimate dream as a writer?
I think my writing dream is fairly simple; I want people to be excited to read my books and fall in love with my characters and want to keep them in their lives. I’m still learning how to make that happen.
What are your current projects? What should we be looking out for?
I’m writing book 3 in the Mercy Aymes Series, Sweet, Sweet Mercy. It’s been a tricky one to write but I’m almost finished.
I’m also working on a standalone I wrote before the Mercy series, Fragile Wings. It’s completed and in the editing process.
I have a few chapters to complete on another standalone, yet to be named. I’m excited to get back to it. Both novels are Paranormal Romance.
I’ve also started the research and planning on a Paranormal Mystery series that I think is going to be a real challenge and exciting to start on.
And I have a children’s book in the works. So, I’ve got a lot to be working on.
Thank you for the opportunity to share my work and a bit about me as an author.
H. M. Mills
Amazon: Lord Have Mercy
https://www.amazon.com.au/Lord-Have-Mercy-Aymes-Book-ebook/dp/B08Y5ZJ38F/ref
Amazon: Mercy on Your Soul
https://www.amazon.com.au/Mercy-Your-Soul-Aymes-Book-ebook/dp/B08XWPWJ2F/ref
Website:
H. M. Mills Paranormal Dark Fantasy Author Tasmania ( hmmillsbooks.wixsite.com )
Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48409392-lord-have-mercy ?
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