Talli Roland's Blog, page 30

Blood Faerie Launch Day!

Woo! It's Wednesday, and it's launch day for Blood Faerie, a fab new book by India Drummond -- the best writer pal a gal could ever hope for. India and I met through our blogs a few years ago and since then we've both experienced the highs and lows of the writing life. I'm thrilled to support her latest release, not only because she's been so supportive of me, but also because it's a bloody fantastic read. And I'm not even into faeries!
Here's my review:
I started reading India Drummond's 'Blood Faerie' on a noisy plane, but within seconds I was drawn into the world of Eilidh and the mystery surrounding the strange murders in a small Scottish town. A faerie who has been cast out for using forbidden magic, Eilidh watches humans from a distance. But when the murders continue and she might have the powers to stop them, she can't help but get involved. Drummond skilfully intertwines human and faerie worlds, drawing the reader easily into both the delights and horrors each entails. Quite often in books such as these, I feel bogged down by all the rules and rituals of the world the author has created. I never felt that way here -- every detail unfolds in such a natural way I could almost believe faeries do exist! If you're looking for a compelling, well written mystery with a touch of romance, I highly recommend this book. Having read Drummond's debut novel 'Ordinary Angels' as well as this one, I can't wait to see what's next!

So, to get your copy of Blood Faerie, go to: Amazon USA, Amazon UK, and Amazon DE (Germany). And you can read and post reviews on Goodreads, Shelfari, and Library Thing.

And if you have a chance pop over to India's and say hi!

What Sells Books?

Happy Tuesday! I hope everyone has recovered from the long weekend. I've plunged back into revisions... sigh. Still, I'm starting to catch a faint glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel, although it still seems some way off.
Anyway, I wanted to blog today about something rattling around my mind: what exactly is it that makes books sell? As more and more books flood onto Amazon (and fewer and fewer onto actual bookshelves), it seems almost every author out there is pushing their masterpiece. And rightfully so -- we all want our work to be read, right? But why do some books flop while others become bestsellers, despite authors' publicity efforts?
I'd argue that any book needs four things:
1. A great concept2. An easy to read blurb that hooks the reader3. A cover that immediately signifies the genre (notice I don't say a good cover, because that may be a completely different thing!)4. A reasonable price point -- particularly important for ebooks.
Without these four things, a book may sell a limited number of copies within the author's immediate circle through efforts like blog tours, Twitter, Facebook, etc, but it's never going to achieve bestseller status because it simply won't catch on with the general public.
Take, for example, my debut novel The Hating Game, which launched back in December with a totally different cover. Not to toot my own horn, but my publisher and I really did believe we had great concept, a good blurb, a fantastic cover and a reasonable price. Through my websplash, I was able to push the novel into the bestseller's list the day of the launch. But slowly, over the next couple weeks, the book dropped lower and lower as people in my immediate circle stopped purchasing -- and the general public didn't start buying. My publisher and I racked our brains, trying to figure out why the novel wasn't catching on. Finally, we changed the cover and within a week, the novel was back in the top 100, where it stayed for the next two months. Even now, five months after its release, it's still in the top 200 on Amazon UK (although now that I've written this, it probably won't be!). And all because we changed the cover.
So, what's my point? Yes, blog tours, Twitter and manically hitting every social media site known to humankind can help make your book visible to your circle of pals. But if your novel lacks a critical element, its success will likely be limited. Write a good book with a killer concept, a great cover and solid blurb -- then cross your fingers, because there's one thing we can't control: luck!

Weekend Wanderings

I was going to post something sort of serious today (well, as serious as this blog gets, anyway) but then I realised my brain is in full-on long weekend mode. It's a Bank Holiday here in the UK and Memorial Day for my friends in the US, so I figured I'd give a round-up of my weekend! I have:
1. Paid homage to Londoners who died valiantly trying to save others at the memorial plaques in Postman's Park (if you've ever seen Closer, it's where Jude Law meets Natalie Portman).
2. Scoffed down delicious pizza at my favourite Italian in Soho, watching the people parade go by.
3. Experienced a rather bizarre video installation in the Serpentine Gallery.
4. Wandered around Portobello Market, narrowly refraining from purchasing yet another pair of shoes I don't need.
5. Had a drink by the Serpentine Lake, watching the pedalos crash into each other.
6. Watched The Hangover: Part 2, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
7. Not done one bit of writing!
8. Had a deliciously lovely afternoon nap on my bed in the sun.
9. Stuffed myself silly on Thai at the pub across the street.
10. Rented The Heartbreakers, a French comedy with Romain Duris, who I LOVE!
All in all, I'd have to say it was a fantastic weekend! How was yours?

Lanzarote Living: Pauline Barclay

How did it get to be Friday? Can someone please tell me? Well, however that happened, it's a long weekend here in the UK (yes, another one. Yes, we like holidays). And today, I've got the lovely Pauline Barclay here to talk about her fabulous writing locale in the Canary Islands. It would be fair to say I'm just a little jealous. Pauline has also just released a new novel, Sometimes it Happens . So... take it away, Pauline. And send me some of that sun!
Pauline says:

Having read The Hating Game, which I enjoyed very much, I'll never watch TV dating games again without thinking of Mattie Johns. What a character Talli, I know you are busy on your next book, so a special thank you for taking time out to invite me to your Blog. Though I've already guessed the reason for this and that is you want me to package up our sunshine and send it to you. No worries, here it comes…!

I'm Pauline Barclay and I live in the Canary Isles on the beautiful volcanic island of Lanzarote. The sun shines most of the time, though like much of the world, our weather pattern has been strange this year. Having said this, I live in shorts, t-shirt and sandals, so you can guess it isn't cold!

Talli asked if I would show you a little of where we live; we being my husband, Clive and our two adorable rescue doggies. This is the view from our villa and this is the view from my office. Though I confess to sitting andstaring out at the ocean far too often, my laptop open on the table, when I am supposed to be writing! And this is a view of the beach, which is just five minutes stroll down the road.

In between sneaking a stroll to the beach or a peek at the view, I manage to get some work done. This month my third book, Sometimes It Happens… was published on Kindle. I am an Indie publisher and for this book I did things differently. Firstly, I had an amazing mentor who is also a brilliant author, who saw me through the entire manuscript, checking for continuity, believability, repetition and so much more. Then to add the final sparkle, I had the cover designed by a Graphics design company. I just love the cover, it says so much about the story.

Sometimes It Happens…is about secrets, deception, lies, love and laughter. Winning the lottery was just the beginning. Nothing prepared Doreen Wilkinson for her holiday at Villas Bonitas and nothing prepared Villas Bonitas for Doreen Wilkinson. This is a holiday that will never be forgotten for many people. Sometimes It Happens… Will make the reader laugh out loud, I certainly did writing it!

My other two novels, Magnolia House and Satchfield Hall are available in both paperback and Kindle editions. In between marketing and all my other commitment, I am busy with my fourth novel!

Despite the different stories of my three books, one thing I can say about all my novels, and that is, you will need a tissue!

Pauline blogs here, her website and sample chapters are here, and she's also on Twitter and Facebook!

So, are you as jealous of her as I am?

My Kind of Woman

Thursday! Revisions! Brain dead.

I give you this.

Why I Don't Write About Writing

Well, writing techniques, anyway.
I do write quite a bit about the actual quirks of writing -- writer's arse, habits and such -- but I've never been comfortable advising others on writing techniques. I have no problem talking about my own if someone asks, but I really believe that every writer is different and you need to find what works for you. Plus, there are a zillion writers out there way more qualified to discuss techniques than me (than I? See?!)!
When I first started writing, all the books and blogs I read boggled my mind. Write every day. Don't write every day. Write what you love. Write for the market. And on and on, until I had no idea where to even start. Should I sit down in the chair? Or should I stand? Should I turn on the radio, or write in silence?
The one thing I did learn was this: read all the books, but don't live by any of them. Do what you enjoy; what really makes you embrace the process of writing. I truly believe if you do that, everything will fall into place.
You'll find your rhythm, baby.

Ten for Tuesday: Naw...

I was all set to do a tag, but then I changed my mind. Then, I was going to do a Ten for Tuesday as per usual, but I couldn't drum up the energy for ten things! In my current listless state, I'd like to talk about footballers.
Yes, footballers. Those men who run around, swatting each other on the arse, shouting at refs and baring their chest hair in a most unattractive way when they manage to kick a stoopid little ball into a very very large net. What an accomplishment! If someone would like to pay me a zillion pounds to run around on a field each night, please feel free. I'll even throw in a little chest hair, no extra cost!
Even worse are their antics off the field, when they do the tangerine tango with their wife/ mistress/ random girl/ pet/ club owner and it's splashed all over every newspaper -- and even becomes news in the bloody House of Commons! Is this how low we've all stooped? Are our own lives that boring we must live vicariously through footballers? (I won't answer that.)
Phew -- rant over. Just remind me of footballers next time I need to stir some ire! And oh yes, happy Tuesday!
Tell me, am I wrong? Should I respect footballers and their hairy-chested, shouty ways?
And PS - Yes, I am well aware of the irony of posting loads of stereotypes above a post where I rant about stereotypes! Maybe I should submit this piece to The Daily Mail. Hm...

Sexism? Ageism? Alive and Well in Britain

Is this the image of a twenty-first century romance writer in Britain? The Daily Mail certainly seems to think so. Blue rinse, support tights, twin-set, pearls... and oh, let's not forget the rain bonnet and perms! Goodness, let me think, what other stereotype can I throw in there?
How about women tootling around for fun, only to top up their pensions?
You can imagine my chagrin when, early Saturday morning, I checked out The Daily Mail, looking for the promised piece on the Romantic Novelists' Association Summer Party, only to see this screaming at me: The Blue Rinse and Bodice Rippers: In twin-sets and pearls meet the ladies behind Britain's steamiest novels.
Um, what?
Sadly, it was only downhill from there. An incredulous laugh bubbled out of me as I quickly scanned the first few paragraphs.
All around me are middle-aged and elderly women in their pearls and support tights. They look like the kind of ladies you'd find working in charity shops or arranging the church flowers — can they really be penning the sort of racy novels that would make a convent girl like me blush?
My mouth actually dropped open. No, really. I know because Mr TR asked me why the hell I was displaying my half-eaten toast.
After snapping closed my mandibles, I decided to double-check the reporter was writing about the RNA Party; the same swanky do -- chock full of glam young things with funky shoes -- I'd been attending. I hadn't made a habit of scrutinising my fellow writers' guts, but I was pretty sure no-one sported support tights. And Lord, please give this momma a rain bonnet, because I'd have given anything to have protected my fine hair from frizz that night. Pearls? True, my chunky gold necklace could have been mistaken for pearls -- if the reporter had been smoking crack an hour before the event.
Maybe she had. Maybe that could be the explanation for all ageist, sexist statements that followed. Because surely now, with the collective experience of the recent past behind us, we all know better than that.
Right?
You can see the real RNA Summer Party here.

Twisted Velvet Chains by Jessica Bell

It's Friday, and it's a sunny lovely day here in London. Hope it's as nice in your neck of the woods!
Today, I want to give a shout-out to Jessica Bell. She's written a wonderful book of poetry called Twisted Velvet Chains .
Here's the blurb:
Twisted Velvet Chains is a collection of poems which follows the experiences of one woman growing up with a bipolar, drug addicted, gothic musician mother. Each poem represents specific moments of their life that embrace vivid rich imagery, and illustrate the turmoil of emotions both experience while together. The collection is divided into four parts that flow one into the other from childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and post-death.
And here's my review on Goodreads:
It's been a long time since I've read a book of poetry, so when I sat down when Bell's 'Twisted Velvet Chains', I wasn't quite sure what to expect. But . . . wow. The poems grab you by the throat and won't let go. Visceral and powerful, Bell masterfully evokes image after image. Words become hammers, striking blows. It sounds a horrible cliché, but I couldn't put it down.
Check it out if you get the chance! Have a great weekend, everyone.

The Day After

Next week I promise to return to more serious posts (okay, semi-serious), but as I'm struggling to recover from potent Cosmos and one glass of champagne too many, I thought I'd share a few pics from the Romantic Novelists' Association party last night. It was another fun-filled evening, chock full of writers, editors and agents.

We started off early, meeting for a Tweet Up at Waterstone's Piccaddilly. It's a bookshop with a fabulous bar! And coffee shop! Have you ever heard of anything so cool? That's me becoming overly familiar with my ear, talking to the lovely VV Savage and Catherine Miller.
After a failed attempt to get a cab at The Ritz (it started raining and instantly, all cabs disappeared), we hopped the Tube, rescued Jane Holland from the evil Tube doors, and finally made it to the beautiful Library of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers.

Lots of fun was had by all (including the coat hanger, which I tackled at the end) and while my feet and head are suffering slightly today, it was a great night.
Anyone got some hangover remedies?