Allison Symes's Blog, page 21
November 27, 2021
The Appeal of Anthologies
Naturally I am a bit biased here as I’m honoured to have several of my stories appear in various anthologies over the years. It’s a pleasure to write short stories for these and even more of a pleasure when said tales are accepted.
But, regardless of that, I have always had a soft spot for anthologies. Why? I like to see them as a reading “mixed assortment”. Who ever said that just worked for biscuits or chocolates?! It works for books too!
What I get most from anthologies is the wonderful range of talent on offer. I get to read authors I might not have come across otherwise and, when the anthology is to a set theme, it is fascinating to see how so many different writers bring their own take to that topic.
I deliberately read anthologies, including flash fiction ones, between novels. They do act almost like a “starter meal” for my next longer read.
Indeed, if I’m not sure which novel to read next, by the time I’ve come to the end of an anthology, I know which mood (and therefore genre) of novel I want to read next.
So do check the anthologies out. (They’re also useful for seeing if you like the work of an author new to you. If you like their short work, it is highly likely you will like their longer books).
And happy reading - short and long form!
But, regardless of that, I have always had a soft spot for anthologies. Why? I like to see them as a reading “mixed assortment”. Who ever said that just worked for biscuits or chocolates?! It works for books too!
What I get most from anthologies is the wonderful range of talent on offer. I get to read authors I might not have come across otherwise and, when the anthology is to a set theme, it is fascinating to see how so many different writers bring their own take to that topic.
I deliberately read anthologies, including flash fiction ones, between novels. They do act almost like a “starter meal” for my next longer read.
Indeed, if I’m not sure which novel to read next, by the time I’ve come to the end of an anthology, I know which mood (and therefore genre) of novel I want to read next.
So do check the anthologies out. (They’re also useful for seeing if you like the work of an author new to you. If you like their short work, it is highly likely you will like their longer books).
And happy reading - short and long form!
November 20, 2021
Advertising Books
The best advertising for books is word-of-mouth. If someone I know tells me about a book I am more likely to sit up and take notice. But getting awareness of available books out there is difficult.
No author wants to come across as too pushy (instant turn-off for potential readers). But you equally can't be too shy and retiring.
What I have found helps me is having a brief spiel prepared covering what flash fiction is (my main genre), why I love writing it, and then I go into my two collections. Often I'll read from them too.
And readers do need to know the stories are out there. This is where book festivals and fairs can play a major role. So if you can support them, do. You will get to see potential good reads new to you and you support books in general as well as the authors.
No author wants to come across as too pushy (instant turn-off for potential readers). But you equally can't be too shy and retiring.
What I have found helps me is having a brief spiel prepared covering what flash fiction is (my main genre), why I love writing it, and then I go into my two collections. Often I'll read from them too.
And readers do need to know the stories are out there. This is where book festivals and fairs can play a major role. So if you can support them, do. You will get to see potential good reads new to you and you support books in general as well as the authors.
November 13, 2021
All The Fun of The Book Event
Next week, I will be at the Brechin/Angus Book Festival where I will be running a workshop on flash fiction and giving an author talk on The Ups and Downs of Becoming An Author. Very much looking forward to this.
I always enjoy spreading the word about my genre, flash fiction, and it is my great hope that, as a format, it might be useful in drawing in the reluctant reader given I’m not asking them to commit to too much in one go. Once you have someone reading, who knows where that will take them?
Book events are great fun because there is a lot of camaraderie between the authors taking part, hopefully you sell books, and the event in and of itself is a celebration I think of the written word. That is always a good thing.
And, especially at this time of year, they make great places to begin your Christmas shopping! Well, there must be someone you know who’d appreciate a good book!
Why not pop across to your next book event and see if you can tick some more items off your present shopping list?
Of course, I will get to see what other books are available at the event. What are the chances of me coming home again without having added to my To Be Read list?
That’s right - none whatsoever! (And I think that is the way it should be too).
I always enjoy spreading the word about my genre, flash fiction, and it is my great hope that, as a format, it might be useful in drawing in the reluctant reader given I’m not asking them to commit to too much in one go. Once you have someone reading, who knows where that will take them?
Book events are great fun because there is a lot of camaraderie between the authors taking part, hopefully you sell books, and the event in and of itself is a celebration I think of the written word. That is always a good thing.
And, especially at this time of year, they make great places to begin your Christmas shopping! Well, there must be someone you know who’d appreciate a good book!
Why not pop across to your next book event and see if you can tick some more items off your present shopping list?
Of course, I will get to see what other books are available at the event. What are the chances of me coming home again without having added to my To Be Read list?
That’s right - none whatsoever! (And I think that is the way it should be too).
November 6, 2021
Mixing Up Your Reading
lI like to mix up my reading in different ways.
Firstly, I mix up fiction and non-fiction.
Secondly, I mix up reading novels and short stories/flash fiction anthologies.
Thirdly, I mix up reading in paperback/on Kindle.
Fourthly, I watch stories (via film) and listen to them (via radio, audio books).
But the important thing is getting the reading in and doing so regularly. What I love to read directly inspires what I write
Firstly, I mix up fiction and non-fiction.
Secondly, I mix up reading novels and short stories/flash fiction anthologies.
Thirdly, I mix up reading in paperback/on Kindle.
Fourthly, I watch stories (via film) and listen to them (via radio, audio books).
But the important thing is getting the reading in and doing so regularly. What I love to read directly inspires what I write
October 30, 2021
What Counts as "Proper Reading"?
When I was a kid, I loved Enid Blyton's Famous Five series but she was not approved of. Yet she got kids reading. Other authors have faced the same thing, most notably J.K.Rowling.
For me it is the getting people reading that matters most. I've never understood the snobbery against comics and comic books either.
Whatever you read, it's vital you enjoy it. Else what's the point? Even books designed to educate rather than entertain need something to ensure readers don't switch off.
Proper reading for me is when a book, story or article grips me enough to make me keep reading.
For me it is the getting people reading that matters most. I've never understood the snobbery against comics and comic books either.
Whatever you read, it's vital you enjoy it. Else what's the point? Even books designed to educate rather than entertain need something to ensure readers don't switch off.
Proper reading for me is when a book, story or article grips me enough to make me keep reading.
October 23, 2021
The Role of the Indie Press
Now I’m not unbiased here. I’m published by the indie press and the big thing they do for the world of literature is give many more authors a voice.
The world of books is richer for that. There is more choice out there. It is just a question of knowing where to look (and why it is even more vital for authors to have their own websites so we can point people in the right direction!).
Naturally authors like me who are published by the indie press will support said indie press. It is literally in our own interests to do so but I would like to encourage others to try out books brought out by them too.
The indie press does provide more variety so why shouldn’t we have that on our book shelves?
And a lot of the indie press will bring out short story, flash fiction, and poetry collections. That give us so much more variety in our reading and what’s not to like about that?
The world of books is richer for that. There is more choice out there. It is just a question of knowing where to look (and why it is even more vital for authors to have their own websites so we can point people in the right direction!).
Naturally authors like me who are published by the indie press will support said indie press. It is literally in our own interests to do so but I would like to encourage others to try out books brought out by them too.
The indie press does provide more variety so why shouldn’t we have that on our book shelves?
And a lot of the indie press will bring out short story, flash fiction, and poetry collections. That give us so much more variety in our reading and what’s not to like about that?
October 16, 2021
Top Ten Must Have Books
Okay, no list is going to be perfect. I suspect some titles will drop out off any list in one year and come back on it again the next year etc but here is my list of Top Ten Must Have Books.
1. The Lord of the Rings
2. Pride and Prejudice
3. Murder on the Orient Express
4. Raising Steam (Terry Pratchett)
5. The Code of the Woosters
6. The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe
7. The Daughter of Time (Josephine Tey)
8. P.G. Wodehouse: A Life in Letters. (Fabulous book and I love reading books of letters).
9. The History of Britain (Three volume set based on the TV series presented by Simon Schama some time ago but oh so worth reading).
10. A Christmas Carol
Which books would be on your list?
1. The Lord of the Rings
2. Pride and Prejudice
3. Murder on the Orient Express
4. Raising Steam (Terry Pratchett)
5. The Code of the Woosters
6. The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe
7. The Daughter of Time (Josephine Tey)
8. P.G. Wodehouse: A Life in Letters. (Fabulous book and I love reading books of letters).
9. The History of Britain (Three volume set based on the TV series presented by Simon Schama some time ago but oh so worth reading).
10. A Christmas Carol
Which books would be on your list?
October 9, 2021
New Books
One lovely thing about going to events, as I've done this week, is exploring the book stalls and bringing home a new book or several! (Naturally I hope to sell some of mine too!).
It is great being able to go to events again. I missed this so much in 2020. And I know I will be picking up a very good read indeed when I go to the book stalls.
I've yet to go back to bookshops again but that will only be a matter of time! I may get to do so as part of my travels as there is a Foyles bookshop at London Waterloo. I think a lot will depend on how much I spend at the book stalls first!
The downside is every time I pick up new books like this, it reminds me I should sort my bookshelves out! I guess into every reader's and writer's life a little rain must fall!
It is great being able to go to events again. I missed this so much in 2020. And I know I will be picking up a very good read indeed when I go to the book stalls.
I've yet to go back to bookshops again but that will only be a matter of time! I may get to do so as part of my travels as there is a Foyles bookshop at London Waterloo. I think a lot will depend on how much I spend at the book stalls first!
The downside is every time I pick up new books like this, it reminds me I should sort my bookshelves out! I guess into every reader's and writer's life a little rain must fall!
October 2, 2021
Books On Your Wish List
Do you have a Book Wish List? I have two a year - one for the period leading up to my birthday and the other leading up to Christmas. Family and friends of book lovers should appreciate us really. We are so easy to buy for. Just follow our list(s)!
I try to get a list together for Christmas in November. That’s early enough.
I’ve got some thoughts already for books I’d like to be on that list - not that I am surprised by this. I tend to make a mental note throughout the year of “possibles”! (I also refuse to believe I’m the only one who does that). And I like an annual, yes even at my age. (The Friendship Book before you ask).
Ebooks I tend to buy as I want them (and I do use this format for trying out authors new to me). Audio books are something I tend to give as presents to others.
But however you like your books, I hope you have plenty of them on your Wish List. And, best of all, books are so easy to wrap. Okay, you can’t hide what they are (not unless you really go overboard with the wrapping) but seeing a book-shaped present under the Christmas tree is always a great joy for me and has been for more years than I care to recall.
Now, hands up time. I buy books for others. Who has a quick peek before wrapping said gifts up, ensuring that the recipient would never guess of course?
Yes, me too, and it usually leads me to adding another book or several to my own Wish List!
I try to get a list together for Christmas in November. That’s early enough.
I’ve got some thoughts already for books I’d like to be on that list - not that I am surprised by this. I tend to make a mental note throughout the year of “possibles”! (I also refuse to believe I’m the only one who does that). And I like an annual, yes even at my age. (The Friendship Book before you ask).
Ebooks I tend to buy as I want them (and I do use this format for trying out authors new to me). Audio books are something I tend to give as presents to others.
But however you like your books, I hope you have plenty of them on your Wish List. And, best of all, books are so easy to wrap. Okay, you can’t hide what they are (not unless you really go overboard with the wrapping) but seeing a book-shaped present under the Christmas tree is always a great joy for me and has been for more years than I care to recall.
Now, hands up time. I buy books for others. Who has a quick peek before wrapping said gifts up, ensuring that the recipient would never guess of course?
Yes, me too, and it usually leads me to adding another book or several to my own Wish List!
September 25, 2021
Book Shopping
Book shopping is an absolute pleasure, of course, and I like to mix up how I do this.
I do shop online but mix up the retailers I use (and I like to also support those who support independent bookshops. I have used You Know Who and I have found them helpful with out of print books in the past. I also believe in not putting all my eggs in one basket here but that goes for You Know Who as well as the other retailers here).
I also love going into a “proper” bookshop and browsing. Have not done the latter yet since the pandemic restrictions were lifted but hope it will be something I get back to before too long.
And the nice thing here is that book shopping is easy enough for family and friends to do for you for Christmas etc. Just give them a list of the books you want and send them to Waterstones!
I also like to mix up asking for paperbacks and ebooks (though usually I’ll sort out the latter myself). And I like to have non-fiction as well as fiction on my Wish List.
The downside of all of this?
I know I need to sort out my book shelves. Adding more books is not going to help! But it is a nice problem to have!
I do shop online but mix up the retailers I use (and I like to also support those who support independent bookshops. I have used You Know Who and I have found them helpful with out of print books in the past. I also believe in not putting all my eggs in one basket here but that goes for You Know Who as well as the other retailers here).
I also love going into a “proper” bookshop and browsing. Have not done the latter yet since the pandemic restrictions were lifted but hope it will be something I get back to before too long.
And the nice thing here is that book shopping is easy enough for family and friends to do for you for Christmas etc. Just give them a list of the books you want and send them to Waterstones!
I also like to mix up asking for paperbacks and ebooks (though usually I’ll sort out the latter myself). And I like to have non-fiction as well as fiction on my Wish List.
The downside of all of this?
I know I need to sort out my book shelves. Adding more books is not going to help! But it is a nice problem to have!
