Mandy Partridge's Blog, page 4
December 9, 2021
Wizz Fizz draft 1 done.
Yesterday I got to 84 000 words on 'Wizz Fizz: Mirella Castle Investigates.' I felt like I had tied up all the loose ends, and though the story arc didn't go where I first intended, it still went somewhere.
Now, I'm looking for Beta Readers, who would like to read the draft docx document, and give any feedback you might have.
In this book, Mirella graduates from uni and studies for her Investigator's licence. She continues to work for Officer Marlin, but gets paid this time. Steen and the bikers also employ Mirella to sort out the finances and work practices at their club, the Pole Planet.
How will Mirella recognise the Wizz, if it's been disguised? Can the handsome guys from the Fizz help? Mirella and her two friends form a burlesque troupe to infiltrate a Gentlemen's Club, and try not to get famous. Wanda has been recruited to perform with the Beast Parade, for the enigmatic Elise Forsyth. With the pandemic under control, the Beast Parade will work at Modifyre and Earth Frequency parties, and film the results. Shayna got a job as a Social Worker, and develops her psychic skills with the Rosicrucians.
On the personal side, Mirella seeks to exhume Grandma Nevada's body, and have genetic testing, but this also leads to a mystery which needs solving.
If you'd like to test read 'Wizz Fizz', please write to me here, or at msmandarella@gmail.com
Now, I'm looking for Beta Readers, who would like to read the draft docx document, and give any feedback you might have.
In this book, Mirella graduates from uni and studies for her Investigator's licence. She continues to work for Officer Marlin, but gets paid this time. Steen and the bikers also employ Mirella to sort out the finances and work practices at their club, the Pole Planet.
How will Mirella recognise the Wizz, if it's been disguised? Can the handsome guys from the Fizz help? Mirella and her two friends form a burlesque troupe to infiltrate a Gentlemen's Club, and try not to get famous. Wanda has been recruited to perform with the Beast Parade, for the enigmatic Elise Forsyth. With the pandemic under control, the Beast Parade will work at Modifyre and Earth Frequency parties, and film the results. Shayna got a job as a Social Worker, and develops her psychic skills with the Rosicrucians.
On the personal side, Mirella seeks to exhume Grandma Nevada's body, and have genetic testing, but this also leads to a mystery which needs solving.
If you'd like to test read 'Wizz Fizz', please write to me here, or at msmandarella@gmail.com
October 31, 2021
Book Launch at Backbone went off!
Thanks to all my Brisbane friends and readers for attending my Book Launch at Backbone- the old East Brisbane Bowlo.
Many thanks to Sue Hird, who not only performed as Acro Oldies with me, but also helped prepare the food. Thanks to the person who suggested a reading, and thanks to Kerrie and Jilly who filmed the said acro performance and reading.
The Bowlo is the perfect venue for us middle aged groovers, whose children can run around on the green, while we can have a drink inside and a smoke outside.
Thanks to Quentin for his DJing goodness, I love listening to his Friday morning shift at Brisbane's alternative radio station.
Thanks also to Spencer Howson at 4BC for his radio interview. Thanks to all friends who share my event notice. And extra special thanks to everyone who bought books. Someone rightly said, "You can't sign an Ebook".
Many thanks to Sue Hird, who not only performed as Acro Oldies with me, but also helped prepare the food. Thanks to the person who suggested a reading, and thanks to Kerrie and Jilly who filmed the said acro performance and reading.
The Bowlo is the perfect venue for us middle aged groovers, whose children can run around on the green, while we can have a drink inside and a smoke outside.
Thanks to Quentin for his DJing goodness, I love listening to his Friday morning shift at Brisbane's alternative radio station.
Thanks also to Spencer Howson at 4BC for his radio interview. Thanks to all friends who share my event notice. And extra special thanks to everyone who bought books. Someone rightly said, "You can't sign an Ebook".
October 13, 2021
Book Launch 7pm Wednesday 27th Oct Backbone.
I'm excited to finally have a Book launch for 'Long Pork', 'Blocked Out', and 'Kandy Krush', and the Ebook edition of 'Acrobalances'. Happy to support Backbone Arts at the East Brisbane Bowls Club, where we can have Acrobatic performances, DJ Scuba D's music, and a very short Author's Speech, and drinks.
I've started an invitation at Humanitix, the event is free, but tickets are only for Covid guidelines. Masks to be worn when standing, all patrons to sign in on phones or manually.
It's so great to be able to hold a book launch, for the first time in a year and a half. Brisbane readers, come along for your signed paperback, and some cool music at East Bris Bowls, next to Mowbray Park.
Support Backbone Arts at East Brisbane Bowls, they host excellent local theatre, circus, bands, cabarets, and book launches. Parking near Mowbray Park Ferry, it's on the biketrack.
I've started an invitation at Humanitix, the event is free, but tickets are only for Covid guidelines. Masks to be worn when standing, all patrons to sign in on phones or manually.
It's so great to be able to hold a book launch, for the first time in a year and a half. Brisbane readers, come along for your signed paperback, and some cool music at East Bris Bowls, next to Mowbray Park.
Support Backbone Arts at East Brisbane Bowls, they host excellent local theatre, circus, bands, cabarets, and book launches. Parking near Mowbray Park Ferry, it's on the biketrack.
September 21, 2021
What's new about the new Edition of Acrobalances?
What's new about the new edition?
In the six years since I first had Acrobalances published, I've run a facebook page to promote it. Lots of acrobats from around the world have sent me their photos, and I have added the best of them to the new Edition.
The book has grown from 160 to 216 pages, each page with at least one new balance or new version of an old balance. In order to maintain the same numbering system that I used in the First Edition, I have included similar balances with their smaller or larger version, explaining the similarities and differences. I could have made a new improved numbering system, but I didn't want to add confusion, so I chose to maintain the same balance numbers for the Ebook edition.
Thank you to all the acrobats who contributed their photos to this book, you have made it bigger, better and more inspiring.
Colour is another thing which is new in the Ebook. Many of the black and white photos from the paperback can be seen in colour in the Ebook. I have included less of my own drawings, and more historic drawings, from the times before photography. This is to do with both the process of laying out the ebook, and the loss of many of the original drawings, some photos, and the death of my scanner's communications.
Readers have noticed that there is one fantastic company of acrobats whose photographs I have not included. This is because they, of all the dozens of companies and artists of whom I asked permission to reproduce photographs, were the only ones to deny permission. I had some terrific photos of great balances, but without permission, I won't publish those images.
If readers do see any unacknowledged companies or teams, please write to me here, at w dot mandy partridge dot com, or at msmandarella@gmail.com.
'Acrobalances' is a non-fiction book, which means you don't have to read the whole thing, you can just flick through the photographs if you wish.
In the six years since I first had Acrobalances published, I've run a facebook page to promote it. Lots of acrobats from around the world have sent me their photos, and I have added the best of them to the new Edition.
The book has grown from 160 to 216 pages, each page with at least one new balance or new version of an old balance. In order to maintain the same numbering system that I used in the First Edition, I have included similar balances with their smaller or larger version, explaining the similarities and differences. I could have made a new improved numbering system, but I didn't want to add confusion, so I chose to maintain the same balance numbers for the Ebook edition.
Thank you to all the acrobats who contributed their photos to this book, you have made it bigger, better and more inspiring.
Colour is another thing which is new in the Ebook. Many of the black and white photos from the paperback can be seen in colour in the Ebook. I have included less of my own drawings, and more historic drawings, from the times before photography. This is to do with both the process of laying out the ebook, and the loss of many of the original drawings, some photos, and the death of my scanner's communications.
Readers have noticed that there is one fantastic company of acrobats whose photographs I have not included. This is because they, of all the dozens of companies and artists of whom I asked permission to reproduce photographs, were the only ones to deny permission. I had some terrific photos of great balances, but without permission, I won't publish those images.
If readers do see any unacknowledged companies or teams, please write to me here, at w dot mandy partridge dot com, or at msmandarella@gmail.com.
'Acrobalances' is a non-fiction book, which means you don't have to read the whole thing, you can just flick through the photographs if you wish.
September 7, 2021
Acrobalances Ebook at the Publishers!
I'm so excited to finally submit the Acrobalances book as an Ebook, six years after the paperback appeared.
I've suffered the death at old age of my editor, Nick Hudson, and the loss of our original draft and dropbox account. But I battled on, finding older drafts in hubby's work computer, online amongst my own photos, and on the Acrobalances facebook page. A few photos have been lost in the mists of time. But lots of other fantastic photos of acrobalances from around the world will be included in this new edition.
I have maintained the numbering system of the paperback book, but added new balances into their chapter. These are balances mostly based on the existing balance, but made larger with more acrobats, or using different shapes for flyers, or smaller versions of the big balances.
The Ebook will be ready in a few days, and I will post the link at that time.
It's been such fun editing the book again, with great new photos, full colour, and the memory of my Editor, Nick Hudson, looking down from heaven, as I retype his words.
So happy to include circus troupes, sports acrobats and cheerleaders from around the world, all credited whenever I could find the acrobat and photographer names.
I've suffered the death at old age of my editor, Nick Hudson, and the loss of our original draft and dropbox account. But I battled on, finding older drafts in hubby's work computer, online amongst my own photos, and on the Acrobalances facebook page. A few photos have been lost in the mists of time. But lots of other fantastic photos of acrobalances from around the world will be included in this new edition.
I have maintained the numbering system of the paperback book, but added new balances into their chapter. These are balances mostly based on the existing balance, but made larger with more acrobats, or using different shapes for flyers, or smaller versions of the big balances.
The Ebook will be ready in a few days, and I will post the link at that time.
It's been such fun editing the book again, with great new photos, full colour, and the memory of my Editor, Nick Hudson, looking down from heaven, as I retype his words.
So happy to include circus troupes, sports acrobats and cheerleaders from around the world, all credited whenever I could find the acrobat and photographer names.
August 19, 2021
Acrobalances Ebook
I've had both readers and amazon ad bots telling me that I should produce "Acrobalances" as an Ebook.
It's a daunting task, as there are 135 balances in the book, which means about 270 pictures to upload individually. I might decide to simplify the form for the Ebook, and keep it to one photo or illustration per balance.
In the years since I published "Acrobalances" in 2015, it has sold about 450 copies, in Australia and around the world. "Acrobalances" has it's own facebook page, and acrobats from everywhere have sent me excellent acrobatic photographs. Acrobalances 2021 will include any better photos which I have received since then.
I wish my editor Nick Hudson was still alive to see the Ebook, he had a long life and died at 82 a couple of years ago. We never met, but talked heaps on the phone, and emailed a million times. He lived in Melbourne, and myself in Brisbane, about 2000 kms away.
So, acrobatic readers, if you'd like to see yourself in the next edition of "Acrobalances", and you know the name of your acrobats and photographer, send me your acro photo.
msmandarella@gmail.com or email Mandy Partridge at the Acrobalances facebook page. This is also the email to use if you'd like to order a signed paperback copy of "Acrobalances".
I was limited to black and white photos for the 2015 edition, but the 2021 edition can be in full colour.
Thanks also to my excellent reviewers for their solid 5 star ratings.
It's a daunting task, as there are 135 balances in the book, which means about 270 pictures to upload individually. I might decide to simplify the form for the Ebook, and keep it to one photo or illustration per balance.
In the years since I published "Acrobalances" in 2015, it has sold about 450 copies, in Australia and around the world. "Acrobalances" has it's own facebook page, and acrobats from everywhere have sent me excellent acrobatic photographs. Acrobalances 2021 will include any better photos which I have received since then.
I wish my editor Nick Hudson was still alive to see the Ebook, he had a long life and died at 82 a couple of years ago. We never met, but talked heaps on the phone, and emailed a million times. He lived in Melbourne, and myself in Brisbane, about 2000 kms away.
So, acrobatic readers, if you'd like to see yourself in the next edition of "Acrobalances", and you know the name of your acrobats and photographer, send me your acro photo.
msmandarella@gmail.com or email Mandy Partridge at the Acrobalances facebook page. This is also the email to use if you'd like to order a signed paperback copy of "Acrobalances".
I was limited to black and white photos for the 2015 edition, but the 2021 edition can be in full colour.
Thanks also to my excellent reviewers for their solid 5 star ratings.
June 6, 2021
Kandy Krush!
I'm happy to launch "Kandy Krush :Mirella Castle Investigates" as an ebook and Print On Demand.
"Kandy Krush" follows student Mirella Castle as she seeks justice for her musician friend, Kandy. Kandy McRobertson has finally made it in the music industry, touring Australia, and topping the dance charts, despite her manager marketing her as a trans musician. When Mirella finds her murdered, Detective Frank Marlin turns their Brisbane share-house, and their lives, upside down. Now every friend from the University and the Music scene is a suspect. Kandy's partner Steen wants justice, and is prepared to join the Hells Angels to make it happen. Aboriginal housemate Shayna and Mirella pose as bait to lure in suspects for Marlin to arrest and DNA test. Shayna attends a Sweat Lodge at an Indigenous students conference, and recalls a vital clue. Mirella makes a connection in Sydney, on the path to acceptance. At the funeral, Steen receives information that leads him to Bangkok to track an evil psychopath.
Set in eastern Australia and Thailand in 2019, the huge festivals and cheap international travel already seem like ancient history. Mirella changes her study major, but starts to think about Investigation as a career.
The next book in the Mirella Castle series will be "Wizz Fizz".
"Kandy Krush" follows student Mirella Castle as she seeks justice for her musician friend, Kandy. Kandy McRobertson has finally made it in the music industry, touring Australia, and topping the dance charts, despite her manager marketing her as a trans musician. When Mirella finds her murdered, Detective Frank Marlin turns their Brisbane share-house, and their lives, upside down. Now every friend from the University and the Music scene is a suspect. Kandy's partner Steen wants justice, and is prepared to join the Hells Angels to make it happen. Aboriginal housemate Shayna and Mirella pose as bait to lure in suspects for Marlin to arrest and DNA test. Shayna attends a Sweat Lodge at an Indigenous students conference, and recalls a vital clue. Mirella makes a connection in Sydney, on the path to acceptance. At the funeral, Steen receives information that leads him to Bangkok to track an evil psychopath.
Set in eastern Australia and Thailand in 2019, the huge festivals and cheap international travel already seem like ancient history. Mirella changes her study major, but starts to think about Investigation as a career.
The next book in the Mirella Castle series will be "Wizz Fizz".
May 18, 2021
Inaccuracy in KDP Sales Dashboard?
Have other writers using KDP noticed inaccuracy in their Sales Dashboard figure?
With my latest book, 'Blocked Out', I bought 5 author copies on the 7/4/21. I didn't like how the cover was defaced with a NFR strip, so from then on I bought full price copies. I bought 5 paperbacks on 28/4/21, 10 copies on 11.5.21, and 10 copies on 15/5/21. Basically, I bought them as I could afford them, as our weak Australian dollar, then postage and tax means I paid AUS$50 per copy for the latter 25 copies I bought.
My KDP Sales Dashboard tells me that I have only sold one paperback on the 25/4/21, on top of 116 Ebooks.
I'd like to advertise with amazon and KDP, but I'd like to know that the sales figures are accurate, so I can see how well the advertising works.
How have other writers using KDP found the accuracy of their Sales Dashboard figures to be?
Is this some kind of scam?
With my latest book, 'Blocked Out', I bought 5 author copies on the 7/4/21. I didn't like how the cover was defaced with a NFR strip, so from then on I bought full price copies. I bought 5 paperbacks on 28/4/21, 10 copies on 11.5.21, and 10 copies on 15/5/21. Basically, I bought them as I could afford them, as our weak Australian dollar, then postage and tax means I paid AUS$50 per copy for the latter 25 copies I bought.
My KDP Sales Dashboard tells me that I have only sold one paperback on the 25/4/21, on top of 116 Ebooks.
I'd like to advertise with amazon and KDP, but I'd like to know that the sales figures are accurate, so I can see how well the advertising works.
How have other writers using KDP found the accuracy of their Sales Dashboard figures to be?
Is this some kind of scam?
May 12, 2021
Long Pork and the Free West Papua movement.
Readers have asked me how I came to write 'Long Pork', and learn about the Free West Papua Organisation.
A few years ago, I was working at a big pub in Brisbane where many members of the expat Papua New Guinea community go to socialise. It was a quiet night, and I was quietly patrolling the bar.
A Papua New Guinean man asked me if I carried a gun for my job.
"Not this job," I said, "but other jobs."
"Do you know where someone can buy a cheap gun?" asked the man.
"Not me mate, but some of the other guards would definitely know," I said.
My new friend told me he couldn't buy one at the shop, because he didn't have a passport or papers. He had crossed the Torres Strait in a tin boat with an outboard motor, illegally. He was the first of the Free Papua Activists who I met.
The PNG and Papuans in Brisbane are part of an international network of Papuan Liberation Activists, known as the OPM or Organasi Papua Merdeka, or Free Papua Organisation. There are branches all over Australia and the World, running webpages and FB sites to inform the public about the struggle for Papuan Independence.
When the Netherlands tried to give Papua independence in 1966, the Indonesians had already done a secret deal with the American investors under John Kennedy, and Suharto invaded Papua to secure the billion dollar Freeport Grasberg gold and copper mine.
This is were "Long Pork" is set, in a country with no tourism or journalism, where Indonesians massacre Papuans with no consequences from the UN.
In Long Pork, Australian Doctor Liza works at the mine, and treats Konia and his Freedom Fighters, working against huge odds.
I wrote the book so people can learn about the War in Papua in an entertaining way.
Free Papua! Papua Merdeka!
A few years ago, I was working at a big pub in Brisbane where many members of the expat Papua New Guinea community go to socialise. It was a quiet night, and I was quietly patrolling the bar.
A Papua New Guinean man asked me if I carried a gun for my job.
"Not this job," I said, "but other jobs."
"Do you know where someone can buy a cheap gun?" asked the man.
"Not me mate, but some of the other guards would definitely know," I said.
My new friend told me he couldn't buy one at the shop, because he didn't have a passport or papers. He had crossed the Torres Strait in a tin boat with an outboard motor, illegally. He was the first of the Free Papua Activists who I met.
The PNG and Papuans in Brisbane are part of an international network of Papuan Liberation Activists, known as the OPM or Organasi Papua Merdeka, or Free Papua Organisation. There are branches all over Australia and the World, running webpages and FB sites to inform the public about the struggle for Papuan Independence.
When the Netherlands tried to give Papua independence in 1966, the Indonesians had already done a secret deal with the American investors under John Kennedy, and Suharto invaded Papua to secure the billion dollar Freeport Grasberg gold and copper mine.
This is were "Long Pork" is set, in a country with no tourism or journalism, where Indonesians massacre Papuans with no consequences from the UN.
In Long Pork, Australian Doctor Liza works at the mine, and treats Konia and his Freedom Fighters, working against huge odds.
I wrote the book so people can learn about the War in Papua in an entertaining way.
Free Papua! Papua Merdeka!
May 1, 2021
Long Pork on Amazon free sale till 2nd May
My first novel, "Long Pork: Behind the Bamboo Curtain" is on a three day free sale at amazon kindle store. Unfortunately, these free sales are only for American readers, sorry to my Australian readers. If you are too povo to buy a good political adventure story featuring Papuan Freedom Fighters, now is the time to pick up "Long Pork" for free.
Thanks to all my reviewers and raters, for the great "Long Pork" reviews.
Thanks to Ottilee B for the terrific review of "Blocked Out".
Special thanks to Kylie, Morgana, Rob and Sherelle for your reviews of "Acrobalances". I just wish I'd found out about Goodreads sooner.
Thanks to all my reviewers and raters, for the great "Long Pork" reviews.
Thanks to Ottilee B for the terrific review of "Blocked Out".
Special thanks to Kylie, Morgana, Rob and Sherelle for your reviews of "Acrobalances". I just wish I'd found out about Goodreads sooner.
