S.C. Cunningham's Blog: AUTHOR S C Cunningham's BLOG, page 9

I love book signing

I love signing my books, writing a special personal note to the reader.
It is especially easy with ‘

To An Earth Angel.

With Love.

Siobhan x

, book II of The Fallen Angel Series, I hope you enjoy. x 

Thank goodness for Book Bloggers

Thank goodness for Blogging Book Reviewers... they help connect readers with writers.
And single-handedly keep the book industry turning whilst sorting out the Good, the Bad and the Ugly ... (that western theme tune just whistled through my head, love a good western, met Clint Eastwood once... oh what a man!... a voice!... (sigh)... sorry I digress!).
Offering up your brand spanking new book baby to a professional reviewer is one of the hardest things to do in life (close to giving birth). You have no say over what the Reviewer writes, you're not paying for their services, they can write whatever they want, warts and all. If they hate it they'll hang draw and quarter it, if they love it you can give a huge sigh of relief that a years worth of hard work was ok. And you can smile that deep inner smile that is the best squishy, soul-warming feeling on earth (close to... nope, I'll shut up!)
I had one of those smiles recently, when I offered up my latest release, a paranormal romance, book I of The Fallen Angel Series called

 --------------------------------------

Review:
If I died and went to Hell, the Devil would sit me down and read me every typo I’ve ever made. Gag! Talk about a living nightmare!
Let’s just pray I’m lucky enough to go to heaven and be a BALLER like Amy Fox as she gets sweet succulent revenge on all the people who abused her.
At the start of The Deal, we are immediately thrust into the action. We are inside a prison where a conniving criminal wants to exchange cells. YaaaaNO. Pretty soon he’ll start asking for t-bone steaks and use the bones to go HAM on other prisoners like Gerald Butler in Law Abiding Citizen.
Oooo and these criminals are so perfectly sculpted. SC Cunningham gives us immaculate descriptions through the eyes of a detective. I mean, who can even come up with details like this? It’s maddening.
Why did it feel as if someone was watching her?
Someone is always watching, sweetheart.
Eight years later we are introduced to Amy Fox. She is an adult and very much alive when we first meet her, but not for long. There are many ways to die but my top three worst ways to go to heaven are as follows: being burnt alive, inhaling ammonia (which burns your lungs and your body instinctively sends water there—like a blister—and essentially drowns you), and lastly, getting hit by a train.
One of these happens to Amy. Hey, she’s gotta get to heaven somehow!
Let me just warn you all now: The Deal is incredibly raw and explores dark themes of human trafficking and abuse. I don’t know how SC Cunningham did it, but Amy Fox brings balance to the plot with her humor and lightheartedness.
Except she’s not very lighthearted when it comes to getting revenge on the man who raped her when she was four. Yes, four.
Is getting revenge at the expense of others worth it, though? To Amy, it kind of is….
You’re probably asking yourself right about now, “Where is the romance NDP?”
Entering: Jack.
Le sigh. Let’s talk about Jack for a minute before we analyze the plot. HELLO HOTTIE! Jack is Amy’s “new” partner. I say “new” because he may be a stranger to her, but she is no stranger to him.
You became my obsession… all the time. Think more, a bodyguard that you didn’t have to pay.
Umm. Can I be your obsession?
Now our protective Jack is concerned Amy is going to be consumed by revenge (too late) but now they’ve got their feelings intermingled into this mess of avenging and justice. Something has got to give, and I’m afraid that Amy is going to choose revenge over love.
Why wouldn’t she?
SC Cunningham sent me on a vivid acrobatic journey replaying Amy’s past at the right intervals. The text is detailed, flawless, and wonderful. The puzzle pieces all started to line up as I followed Amy through her transformation and inevitably towards her happily ever after. The Deal is so descriptive I felt as if I was reading line for line an investigative report. There is quite a bit of dialogue which I don’t typically enjoy, but it all had a purpose, propelling the characters and developing them through actions.
The Deal is blissfully raw and absolutely perfect.  for days.
(And let’s not forget to mention that this book is absolutely typo-free. Devil ain’t got nothin’ on this book.)


 
 
 

My Book Family

The writing part of the job is indeed the lonely part (dog walks help). Then on to the editing and marketing which with the right book family can be fun. This is when your team joins in, bringing their own creativity to the table, enhancing your lump of coal and turning it into a diamond. 
I have never met most of my team, they live overseas. We connect via the magical Ethernet, shunting little pieces of data backwards and forwards between us until we’re happy with the finished product. I often wait with baited breath for their emails, like a kid in a candy store, as they help bring my story to life.
To be honest I was in two minds whether to write this missive or not. On the one hand I selfishly don’t want to share my hard sourced pots of gold, because I may lose their precious time to others, but on the other hand they are SO wonderful that I have to show them off, these unsung heroes deserve to be recognised. Plus it’s always good to spread good karma, it comes back at you three-fold. So here goes.
I am proud to introduce... tah dah...  my book family :-)


Foremost are the people you write for, the reason you do this crazy job in the first place, the readers. The awesome gang of supporters who link up with you on social media, give you courage and prod you for the next instalment, eager to know what your characters will do next. In this day and age Authors are spoilt with immediate feedback from fans. I cross a few genres. My wish is to keep them entertained, to help them escape, to get them thinking a little differently on a few topics, to thrill them and make them laugh.

Every Author needs a skilled editor, it is very had to read your own work with a critical eye, you’re so immersed in the work that you’re unable to see it clearly. Linda Kasten is my editor and a dream to work with. Being slightly dyslexic and easily bored, spelling, punctuation and structure tends to bore me, but Linda manages to make editing exciting and fun. Her enthusiasm pumps fiery energy into my words, giving them a natural flow and her sharp attention to detail deftly cleans up all my mistakes  (and there are many!). I can’t wait to work on my next book with her.
Her charges are reasonable and her work is of high quality. Her company ‘Fix It Write’ supports fiction or nonfiction formats and covers; proofreading, editing, coaching, critiquing, story development, query letters, synopsis evaluation, and any tailored requests for improving manuscripts.
Linda is based in Kansas, USA and can be contacted on; Email mailto:editor@fix-it-write.comeditor@fix-it-write.com  
My next gem of a find is Mike from 10dollarcovers.com. He is an incredible book cover and marketing designer. He produces premade and custom made covers. My covers have been challenging to source, they are multi genre with complex storylines. But this was no problem for Mike, indeed he thrives on the difficult.
Mike cleverly interviewed me to source the main ingredients of each book and brought the characters to life, more than I dreamed possible. The energy that jumps out at you is formidable, the colours, balance and storytelling is spot on. He sorts all product you need as an Author, and more; Ebook, paperback, audiobook covers, as well as facebook, twitter, animation and marketing images.  His prices are affordable and he delivers on time, a wonderful find for indie publishers who want a professional look. See my
My next gem of a find is Web Designer Simon Woolverton of Web Creative. He has the patience of a saint. I am old, they didn’t teach computer stuff when I was at school, so having Simon to unwearyingly guide me through building a work-horse of a website is a Godsend. After all, it’s my shop front, my place to connect with the world, my home for precious product. I would be lost without it.
Simon is a professional designer and programmer with ten years commercial experience in designing dynamic sites that are visually pleasing, user friendly and web standards compliant, ensuring they work well on all major web browsers and devices.
For the techies amongst you… he hand codes sites using HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, PHP, MYSQL and AJAX technologies… thank God, because I don’t know what any of that stuff means! But with him around I don’t need to. I can get on with the writing stuff. Simon is based worldwide, whereever he lays his laptop is his home, everytime we speak he's in a different country.

Simon can be reached on; Email mailto:simon@web-creative.co.uksimon@web-creative.co.uk  
A team of beta readers is essential; they must be reliable, objective, analytical and impartial. They read your work and tell you as it is, warts and all. They don’t stroke your ego and tell you what you want to hear. They help you find holes and fix them. I have a few readers whose views I respect and value.

When your book is finished you need to take a deep breath and test it out on professional book reviewers. This is a scary moment because they are not paid by you, they write as they see fit. If they hate it they say so, loudly across the net. But if they love it, their words help you enormously.
My latest review is from a mysterious, faceless, nameless lady at NDP Book Reviews. She sounds wonderful; a structural engineer who fly’s planes, paddle boards with her dog, and has adopted Ambrose the Killer Whale an Orca who lives in the Pacific. She loves yoga, reading books and lives a hermit life in the mountains. She also writes reviews for the Romantic Times (RT Book Reviews) under the pen name India Caedmon.
Miss Non de Plume has a wickedly good writing voice, as you can see in the link below, she should write a book herself. Am grateful to her for her fab review of ‘The Deal’. She can be reached on; 
There are many author sites and forums to link up with where fellow authors give each other courage and ‘how to’ advice. Author Interviews can also be great fun, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Michelle of

A few sites I like are; 

When I write I like to set the scene. I light smelly candles, put on chilled music and surround myself with naughty nibbley snacks. Supper sometimes consists of a (large) tub of Ice Cream, especially when I’m stuck on a script and can’t leave the screen to prepare something.

Last but not least my wonderful daughter and soul-lifting friends who keep me on the straight and narrow. Giving lashings of support and love throughout my journey as a writer, and a BIG thank you to my dogs, who snuggle loyally at my feet as I write... they know I do it to buy dog biscuits and pooh bags.
There you have it, my uber amazing author family.
Thank you for visiting. You are important and I’m glad you're here.
Siobhan x
 
P.S. If you want to join my author family, or be kept informed of my rants, book deals and releases, join up on the <a title="SCC Contact Page" ../contact.phpcontact page, would love to have you on board.
#PremadeCovers #bookcovers #coverdesign #amwriting #amreading #editing #websitedesign #editingbooks #authorteam #authorfamily #writing #books #amazon #authortips #family #support #author #writer #authorlife #webdesign #blogging #marketing #editors #interview #blogs

British born crime author talks about Domestic Violence. Give support where you can, it can be one step away from murder.

My pet hate is a cowardly bully, I’m putting this information out there to let victims know that they are not alone; when they are ready there is help.
Sadly, abuse from a partner or ex-partner is very common and can easily spiral out of control, affecting both men and women. What starts out as a seemingly happy healthy relationship can turn into smothering-hellish-quicksand, leaving the victim shaking their head asking ‘how the hell did I get here?’
If you suffer from abuse, or know someone who is, there are many agencies set up to help. See links below.
Domestic abuse is an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour. Coercive control is a pattern of intimidation, degradation, isolation and control with the use or threat of physical or sexual violence - psychological and/or emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, harassment, stalking, online or digital abuse.
In the majority of cases the perpetrator is a partner or ex-partner, but can also be a family member or carer.
Survivors who experience domestic violence face many practical and emotional obstacles to leaving a violent partner. These can vary from problems of housing, children and money, to feelings ranging from love to terror. Constant abuse and criticism can also destroy self-esteem.
The perpetrator is cunning, patient and resourceful.  Initially they obsess affection on the victim, making them feel special, wanted, loved. 
Once the victim is hooked, the perpetrator moves onto the next stage of subtly taking over the victim’s life – learning their vulnerabilities, what buttons to press, isolating them by controlling friends, social media, finance, jobs etc, making themselves indispensable, in control, financially, mentally and physically. The victim becomes their puppet.
The victim at first is in denial, they want to please the perpetrator, to believe that all is ok – is it their fault, maybe they are doing something wrong? They tend to go along with the perpetrator’s wishes to keep the peace, to keep themselves and their children safe. The constant stress and anxiety is exhausting, draining, they become weak, malleable.
Once the victim starts to wake up to the fact that they are in danger, they have to make a decision, to be brave enough to leave (risk the possibility of losing everything  short term; their home, support, finance, job) or stay and try to keep their partner happy, hoping things will change.
But once a perpetrator realises they have the victim held in fear, they may enjoy the power and up the ante, their behaviour becoming increasingly violent - because they can, the victim enables them.
Leaving a violent partner is a brave step to make. It is a vulnerable time that needs careful planning and safeguarding. But there are agencies out there waiting for the call. Short term the victim may lose everything, but long term they will gain it all back, plus dignity, safety and freedom.
GETTING HELP
Before you call a helpline, be sure that you are safely away from the perpetrator, that they are not in the same property as you (even if they are in another room, the garden or asleep). They may overhear your call, which can cause more problems. If you email the helpline, let them know when it is safe to respond and to which email address, or give the details of a trusted friend.
Web search ‘domestic abuse support’ to source your own local country agencies. But for UK, Scotland, Wales and Eire you can find a list here;
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/fam...
Which includes links for;
   Women’s Aid
   Men’s Aide
   Rape Crisis
   Forced Marriage
   Honour-based Abuse
   Elder Abuse
   National Stalking Helpline
   Respect - stop violent behaviour
   Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender domestic violence advice
   Trafficking, rights of women, immigration, asylum legal.

   NSPCC National Child Trafficking advice (CTAC)
   Migrant Help
NCDV (National Centre for Domestic Violence) is a 24hr Freephone helpline (in partnership with Women’s Aid and Refuge) helps victims obtain emergency injunctions – such as an occupation order or a non-molestation order – regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation or financial situation. Providing instant, effective protection against domestic violence and advice. To apply for a Non-Molestation Order or other forms of injunction, contact 0800 970 2070, or text ‘Help’ to 60777 or visit website http://www.ncdv.org.ukwww.ncdv.org.uk
Thank you
Siobhan x
 
Flaming Heart image by Prawny of: http://www.freeimages.co.ukwww.freeim...

Domestic Violence��� a step away from murder.

My pet hate is a cowardly bully, I’m putting this information out there to let victims know that they are not alone; when they are ready there is help.
Sadly, abuse from a partner or ex-partner is very common and can easily spiral out of control, affecting both men and women. What starts out as a seemingly happy healthy relationship can turn into smothering-hellish-quicksand, leaving the victim shaking their head asking ‘how the hell did I get here?’
If you suffer from abuse, or know someone who is, there are many agencies set up to help. See links below.
Domestic abuse is an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour. Coercive control is a pattern of intimidation, degradation, isolation and control with the use or threat of physical or sexual violence - psychological and/or emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, harassment, stalking, online or digital abuse.
In the majority of cases the perpetrator is a partner or ex-partner, but can also be a family member or carer.
Survivors who experience domestic violence face many practical and emotional obstacles to leaving a violent partner. These can vary from problems of housing, children and money, to feelings ranging from love to terror. Constant abuse and criticism can also destroy self-esteem.
The perpetrator is cunning, patient and resourceful.  Initially they obsess affection on the victim, making them feel special, wanted, loved. 
Once the victim is hooked, the perpetrator moves onto the next stage of subtly taking over the victim’s life – learning their vulnerabilities, what buttons to press, isolating them by controlling friends, social media, finance, jobs etc, making themselves indispensable, in control, financially, mentally and physically. The victim becomes their puppet.
The victim at first is in denial, they want to please the perpetrator, to believe that all is ok – is it their fault, maybe they are doing something wrong? They tend to go along with the perpetrator’s wishes to keep the peace, to keep themselves and their children safe. The constant stress and anxiety is exhausting, draining, they become weak, malleable.
Once the victim starts to wake up to the fact that they are in danger, they have to make a decision, to be brave enough to leave (risk the possibility of losing everything  short term; their home, support, finance, job) or stay and try to keep their partner happy, hoping things will change.
But once a perpetrator realises they have the victim held in fear, they may enjoy the power and up the ante, their behaviour becoming increasingly violent - because they can, the victim enables them.
Leaving a violent partner is a brave step to make. It is a vulnerable time that needs careful planning and safeguarding. But there are agencies out there waiting for the call. Short term the victim may lose everything, but long term they will gain it all back, plus dignity, safety and freedom.
GETTING HELP
Before you call a helpline, be sure that you are safely away from the perpetrator, that they are not in the same property as you (even if they are in another room, the garden or asleep). They may overhear your call, which can cause more problems. If you email the helpline, let them know when it is safe to respond and to which email address, or give the details of a trusted friend.
Web search ‘domestic abuse support’ to source your own local country agencies. But for UK, Scotland, Wales and Eire you can find a list here;
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/fam...
Which includes links for;
   Women’s Aid
   Men’s Aide
   Rape Crisis
   Forced Marriage
   Honour-based Abuse
   Elder Abuse
   National Stalking Helpline
   Respect - stop violent behaviour
   Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender domestic violence advice
   Trafficking, rights of women, immigration, asylum legal.

   NSPCC National Child Trafficking advice (CTAC)
   Migrant Help
NCDV (National Centre for Domestic Violence) is a 24hr Freephone helpline (in partnership with Women’s Aid and Refuge) helps victims obtain emergency injunctions – such as an occupation order or a non-molestation order – regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation or financial situation. Providing instant, effective protection against domestic violence and advice. To apply for a Non-Molestation Order or other forms of injunction, contact 0800 970 2070, or text ‘Help’ to 60777 or visit website http://www.ncdv.org.ukwww.ncdv.org.uk
Thank you
Siobhan x
 
Flaming Heart image by Prawny of: http://www.freeimages.co.ukwww.freeim...

Crime writer Siobhan C Cunningham asks is it ok to live on ice cream. A writers diet.

Is it ok to have just ice cream for supper?
Phew! a great day’s writing, but I get lost in my characters and forget the normal things in life, like shopping, cooking, brushing my hair and maintaining the basics.
Last night, I had ice cream for supper… a whole pot!
Is that a bad thing? Is there an ice cream police? Who made these rules anyway?
I’m supposed to be a grown up, but moving past fifty I seem to be receding into childhood and forming the ’what the fuck, I could go under a bus tomorrow’ kind of attitude.
Heavens… I’ll be skateboarding next.  At least I’m not doing that ‘poke a man and go’ thing… that would get me in a whole heap of trouble... (smile).

Is it ok to have just ice cream for supper?

Is it ok to have just ice cream for supper?
Phew! a great day’s writing, but I get lost in my characters and forget the normal things in life, like shopping, cooking, brushing my hair and maintaining the basics.
Last night, I had ice cream for supper… a whole pot!
Is that a bad thing? Is there an ice cream police? Who made these rules anyway?
I’m supposed to be a grown up, but moving past fifty I seem to be receding into childhood and forming the ’what the fuck, I could go under a bus tomorrow’ kind of attitude.
Heavens… I’ll be skateboarding next.  At least I’m not doing that ‘poke a man and go’ thing… that would get me in a whole heap of trouble... (smile).

The Irish boy is back���. Aidan Turner, Poldark

The Irish boy is back…. Aidan Turner, Poldark
I tried so hard not to watch it; I knew if I did I would be back on that exhausting, delicious, captivating Poldark wagon, of waiting with baited breath for seven days before the next snippet of the story.
This 1970’s classic remake has it all; beautifully shot and directed, passionate wild countryside, a stunning, complex, haunting, stubborn leading man, a beautiful adoring wife, a ‘still under the skin’ ex, rich versus poor, callous dark ‘friends’ and honourable self-effacing ones. A vibrant feast of survival, class struggle, rivalry, death, drama, longing… and a lovely horse called Seamus.
 Am exhausted with it already and it has only been one week. You have me trapped again Winston Graham, what a great Author.  Love it that the protagonist was inspired by a fighter pilot you met on a train during WWII.
Here is a <a title="Aidan Turner, Poldark" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w45of... clip of leading man, Aidan Turner, explaining his thoughts behind the Ross Poldark character. I love it when a giggly gushing woman in the audience tries to ask him a question; he smiles and pulls his jacket tight around his body, subconsciously hiding his sexiness. I thought women only did that to help men out… (smile).

Growing old doesn't mean...

During my daily storyline head-crunching dog walk, I bump into many lovely folk walking their dogs. We give polite 30 second chat about the weather (very British) whilst our dogs do their social media thing; chatting, sniffing out information and leaving messages. Today I met a sweet spritely little lady, 80 ish, who I regularly say hello to. We touched on the conversation of keeping trim.
Sweet Lady;    "Oh, I dont need to diet."
Me:                "No you don't, you're lovely and slim."
Sweet Lady;   "And I dont need to go to a gym."
Me;                "No... lucky you."
Sweet Lady;   "I have young lovers,"
Me;                "Wow, I see." (gobsmacked, so not expecting)
Sweet Lady;   "They keep me fit, I burn loads of calories."
Me;                "Oh really... how wonderful."  (lost for words) 
                     "Do you find many around here? "
Sweet Lady;    "No," (scoffs, wave of hand)
                      "Theres nothing here, I have to go into town for that."
Me;                 "Oh, I'm sorry, what a nuisance."
Sweet Lady;    "Its ok, I have my pensioner bus pass."
Me;                 "Well, thats a relief."
Just when am lost for what to say next, a 60 ish male walks past with his pooch. I'm immediately forgotten. The sweet little lady trotters off after the male, politely asking "Excuse me, is that a cockapoo?" I leave them to it, maybe she won't have to go into to town after all.
I often thank God for giving me wonderful fodder to write with. Even at my ripe old age, 50 ish, people never fail to amaze me. This lovely full of life lady has put a smile on my face; getting old doesnt mean you have to give everything up, I can still mess sheets in my 80's. I'm rather looking forward to it.
Never judge a book by its cover...
p.s. Am so not ever looking at the bus stop queue in the same way again. You go girls! :-)

Writers need pets for their sanity