S.C. Skillman's Blog, page 50
March 15, 2016
Book Marketing Inspiration and Fresh Ideas for Writers
Led by Adrianne Fitzpatrick (publisher and owner of Books To Treasure) and Wendy H. Jones (successful crime writer), the ACW Writer Day on Saturday 12th March at Widcombe Baptist Church, Bath, provided me – and a church full of my fellow-writers – with a wealth of fresh information about book publishing and marketing.
The pictures I’ve included here are all about “authors out and about promoting their books”.
Display for “Destiny’s Rebel” at Philip Davies’ book launch
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Writers can often find themselves labelled as introvert, solitary and retiring – which of course is how the actual business of book writing gets done. But when it comes to marketing books, we were challenged to change our beliefs about ourselves. We can and will get out there, in person, marketing books, in a wide variety of places – and not just bookshops either! I was amazed to discover how many possibilities there are for venues for book-signing sessions.- cafes, shopping malls, even banks, to name just a few.
As a result of this day I am now creating a new marketing strategy to reinforce the new beliefs I have about myself. These are exciting times and I will be trying several new things over the next few weeks and months to get out and about with signed copies of Mystical Circles and A Passionate Spirit – plus a few extra surprising visual aids!
As Wendy H Jones writes in her book Power Packed Book Marketing, “if you feel that you do not have what it takes to be a marketer, …. consider this. It may be time for you to change your beliefs.”
And finally, a quote I find very relevant to this subject: “You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world…. As we are liberated from our own fears, our presence automatically liberates others”. (A Return To Love, by Marianne Williamson, as quoted by Nelson Mandela in his inaugural speech, 1994.)
Filed under: About Books I love, Books, British psychological suspense writer, creative writing, empowerment, faith, inspiration, life, literature, paranormal thriller fiction, people of inspiration, psychological suspense fiction, SC Skillman, SC Skillman Author, Writing Tagged: a passionate spirit, beliefs, book marketing, creative, inspiration, inspirational, SC Skillman, SC Skillman author, writers
March 8, 2016
Writing, Reading and Reviewing Books For Love
Compassion, respect and kindness are human qualities common to all regardless of any faith position. In this post, I’m making a plea for these three things in the online world of books.
Even when readers buy physical books in bricks-and-mortar bookstores they often like to post a review online.
Recently I learned from my fellow authors of something very sad which is happening on Goodreads – which I had previously been totally unaware of. See this article by Anne Rice here.
I have been aware that the dark side of human nature does indeed find outlets for expression on the internet but I had up to now been unconscious of the fact that this affects the world of reviewing books.
In today’s publishing scene, Amazon reviews are of great importance to a writer – though I sometimes wish they weren’t. The fact remains a new review can lift an author’s spirits, and a lack of reviews can (however mistakenly) feel like rejection. But it came as a great surprise to me to learn that some people are using their membership of book review sites as an opportunity to express spite, envy and malevolence to others.
I love writing books, reading books and reviewing books.
Every book review I post online is authentic. It has never occurred to me to ever post a spurious review or a one star rating simply to hurt someone else.
My own personal rules of book reviewing are as follows:
I never post one star reviews. If a book genuinely warrants such a rating, I would be most unlikely to even read it all the way through, and I would simply choose not to post a review at all.
I generally give 4 or 5 star reviews and sometimes 3 star. Perhaps I’m over-generous with my star-ratings. Or perhaps it’s down to the fact that I have an instinct to choose books I know I’ll enjoy reading.
I write reviews because I enjoy it; never to criticise, condemn or discourage.
As authors, we write for love –
for love of expressing oneself through the written word, because we have something to say and because we feel compelled to write – regardless of worldly success
for love of creating characters, allowing our imaginations free rein with our created world writing dialogues, entering new worlds.
So I hope that book reviewers would also write for love.
“Love”, by the way, means respect for others, authenticity and honesty: and it includes constructive criticism. It also means reading a book all the way through before writing your opinion of it on a permanent online platform like Goodreads or Amazon.
If you’re an author to whom online reviews are important, I’d love to have your comments on this subject.
Filed under: About Books I love, book reviews, Books, British psychological suspense writer, creative writing, life, literature, love, musings, SC Skillman, SC Skillman Author, thoughts, Writing Tagged: a passionate spirit, Amazon, Anne Rice, book review, books, Goodreads, love, SC Skillman
March 1, 2016
Echoes of “A Passionate Spirit” in Mystical Tales from British Folklore
Book Review: “Faeries, Elves and Goblins: The Old Stories” by Rosalind Kerven, published by the National Trust
I bought this book recently in a National Trust gift shop, and found it captivating. Rosalind Kerven explores the raw material from which many of our great fantasy novelists have derived their archetypes. She includes “mystical tales of faery royalty, mischievous goblins, helpful house-elves, changelings and enchantments across the British isles”, with spotlight features on “faery folklore, faery morals, the various faery tribes, and spells and dealings between faeries and mortals”. As a paranormal thriller writer I loved this wonderful survey of centuries of folklore and faery mythology in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The book reminded me too of why I was so fascinated by the idea of supernatural malevolence hidden beneath mystical beauty (a common theme in faery lore and in Arthurian legends) which was part of my inspiration for “A Passionate Spirit.”
Rosalind Kerven covers all the major themes in traditional tales of the faery realm, including what she describes as “typical Faery perversity”, spells that are both mischievous and malevolent, and the toxic nature of any deals struck by a faery with a mortal. Reading these tales reminds us that any mortal who ultimately comes out well from dealing with a faery, is extremely lucky!
Shakespeare had it exactly right with his fairies in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, showing them having fun with and mocking the folly of the human beings, then putting things to rights once they have tired of their sport, wryfully signing off with the words, “If we shadows have offended…” In widespread stories down through the centuries, faeries are shown behaving towards mortals rather like a supernatural gang of brigands running a protection racket. These tales made me reflect upon how much they say of the life experience of their creators; an explanation for the changing fortunes we all encounter in this world.
There is so much here that we can identify with on the level of our own unconscious: “The transformation of a familiar path into an endlessly looping labyrinth” – for which a well-known antidote is to “remove one’s coat, turn it inside out and put it on again”; the experience of being “pixy-led”; the idea of obtaining “faery sight” which reveals a parallel world. I can see from this book how deeply influenced JK Rowling was by British folklore, in the Harry Potter novels: Dobby is set free when his master gives him an item of clothing; Harry is deposited as a baby on the Dursleys’ doorstep, by magical agency; and the idea of veritaserum, to name just three examples among countless others.
Highly recommended for adults interested in a survey of archetypal themes in folklore and mythology, though not suitable as a storybook for young children; they are best introduced to fairy tales and folklore through the many other books aimed specifically at their age-groups.
Filed under: About Books I love, book reviews, Books, British, British psychological suspense writer, creative writing, culture, dreams and dreaming, inspiration, life, literature, musings, mystery romance, paranormal thriller fiction, psychological suspense fiction, SC Skillman, SC Skillman Author, thoughts, UK, Writing Tagged: archetypes, book, British, dream, fortunes, inspiration, mystical, paranormal thriller, passionate spirit, SC Skillman, supernatural, tales, transformation
February 23, 2016
For Love of the Sea and the East Sussex Coastline
Living in the Midlands, one of the things I most miss is being near the sea. Brought up in Kent, as a child I often went on family trips to Rye and Camber Sands in east Sussex.
To experience the beauty and vastness of the sea is a magical thing in childhood. I have continued to love the sea all my life.
This half term has been a wonderful opportunity to go to the sea! And I went to east Sussex again – Eastbourne, and the National Trust coastline at Birling Gap.
And I couldn’t resist taking photos – especially of one of my own personal images of paradise, an image that has the power to haunt your dreams and inspire the imagination – a silver sea, radiant in sunlight.
Filed under: British, British coastline, dreams and dreaming, inspiration, life, love, musings, nature, places I love, places of inspiration, SC Skillman, UK Tagged: Birling Gap, Camber Sands, dream, east Sussex, Eastbourne, imagination, inspirational, Kent, life, love, magical, National Trust, Rye, SC Skillman, the sea
February 17, 2016
Successful Signing at Kenilworth Books
Thank you very much to Judy, the owner of Kenilworth Books, for the success of my author event on Saturday 13 February 2016 in her bookshop in Talisman Square, Kenilworth.
Not only did Judy do a tremendous amount to publicise the event on social media but she created a wonderful eye-catching display in the shop, and placed my book prominently on the bookshelves. I was pleased to see many familiar faces in the shop that day, as well as several new faces, and I hope the healthy sales will result in some happy readers… and maybe even some more Amazon reviews!
Filed under: Books, British, British psychological suspense writer, creative writing, literature, paranormal thriller fiction, SC Skillman, SC Skillman Author Tagged: a passionate spirit, Amazon reviews, author event, book review, bookshop, Kenilworth Books, SC Skillman, SC Skillman author
February 9, 2016
A Passionate Spirit on Display at Kenilworth Books
Join me on Saturday 13 February at Kenilworth Books, Talisman Square, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, where I shall be signing copies of “A Passionate Spirit” from 11am to 2pm. I’d love to see you there if you live within striking distance of Kenilworth, and you enjoy reading thrillers.
Come and chat to me, browse through my novel and many others, and support a lovely local independent bookshop, which, in common with many other independent bookshops, offers a personal service, a friendly welcome and a strong encouragement to local and independent authors along with those published by the major commercial publishing houses.
Filed under: Books, British, British psychological suspense writer, creative writing, paranormal thriller fiction, places I love, SC Skillman, SC Skillman Author, UK, Writing Tagged: a passionate spirit, authors, independent bookshop, Kenilworth Books, love, novels, reading, SC Skillman, SC Skillman author, thrillers
February 2, 2016
A Passionate Spirit in Lancaster Alumni Magazine
A Passionate Spirit is featured in the latest edition of “STEPS” the Lancaster University alumni magazine online.
The picture below was taken on Box Hill, in Surrey, on a recent visit.
I have happy memories of Box Hill from my childhood, as I was born and brought up in Kent. This is a landscape which has aroused love and feelings of spiritual wellbeing in many.
This time I couldn’t help but recall once again one of the most famous scenes in fiction; the picnic which takes place in Jane Austen’s novel Emma, when Emma allows her irritation with Miss Bates to overcome her forbearance… provoking a reaction from Mr Knightley which makes Emma realise for the first time how much she cares for his opinion of her.
And, curiously, Emma was the subject of my very first English Literature seminar at Lancaster, when I was pounced upon and challenged to mount an argument in defence of Jane Austen’s literary reputation. I had much less insight into human psychology then than I do now, having spent many more years observing people and relationships and the many ironies of this life; and (to my eyes at least) I failed miserably on that occasion!
A fitting literary scene, then, for an author photo to go alongside my Lancaster University alumni article.
Find the article here
Filed under: About Books I love, Authors I love, Books, British, British landscape, British psychological suspense writer, creative writing, English countryside, inspiration, life, literature, love, paranormal thriller fiction, people of inspiration, places I love, places of inspiration, psychology, SC Skillman, SC Skillman Author, UK, Writing Tagged: a passionate spirit, Box Hill, in this life, inspiration, Jane Austen, love, relationships, SC Skillman, SC Skillman author
January 26, 2016
10 Things I Want My Readers to Know About Me
1. I was born and brought up in Orpington, Kent; my father’s family owned A.D. Skillman & Sons, the Ironmongers Shop opposite the Woolwich Ferry on the River Thames. This shop was started by my grandfather in December 1900 and the last owner was my brother Chris who sadly had to close for business in June 2002. During my early life, I regularly visited the shop and helped out there, and encountered colourful characters who made a strong impression on me.
Author photo SC Skillman
2. My inspiration as a writer came from an early love of reading: at first, the stories of Enid Blyton. I began writing at the age of seven. All successful stories stem from this; the main protagonist leaves their ordinary life and enters a new world.
3. The first stories I ever wrote were adventure stories starring children of my own age doing exciting things. I was also influenced by Astrid Lindgren’s Pippi Longstocking, Dodie Smith’s The Hundred and One Dalmations, and Norton Juster’s The Phantom Tollbooth.
4. My previous workplaces have included BBC Schools Radio, the Royal College of Surgeons of England, the Universities of London, Queensland and Warwick, and the European School of Osteopathy. They have all furnished me with raw material for my two published novels Mystical Circles and
5. At the age of fifteen I had a summer job on the assembly line making pop-up toasters at Morphy Richards factory in St Mary Cray, Kent.
6. The best job I ever had was at the BBC when I worked with many creative people and had great fun recording programmes both in studio and on location.
7. The worst job I ever had was as a temp at a company called Imported Meat Trades Ltd (I’m a vegetarian). After the first day I was asked not to come back again (and it was nothing to do with my food preferences either…)
8. I got my ideas for my new novel A Passionate Spirit from many sources; the ghostly encounters in my book are all based on real stories, one of which is from my sister Julia who, several years ago, experienced paranormal activity while babysitting. I’ve also been inspired by esoteric and new age philosophies. Other ideas about my character Natasha (a mysterious spiritual healer) were sparked off by the sorceress Morgana in the BBC TV drama series Merlin.
9. I have myself experienced several groups like the ones in Mystical Circles and A Passionate Spirit; among the most quirky was a dream yoga group led by a shaman in the Australian rainforest.
10. If asked to give advice to anyone who wants to write I’d say, “Read a lot, listen to conversations, closely observe human behaviour and interaction in groups, and be persistent, single-minded to the point of obsession; never give up, always believe in yourself, despite all evidence to the contrary, and hold out for what you first dreamed of.”
Filed under: Books, British, British psychological suspense writer, creative writing, dreams and dreaming, inspiration, literature, Mystical Circles, paranormal thriller fiction, psychological suspense fiction, SC Skillman, SC Skillman Author, UK, Writing Tagged: a passionate spirit, creative, love, mystical circles, novels, readers, reading, SC Skillman, SC Skillman author, stories
January 18, 2016
I’ll be at Kenilworth Books Signing Copies of A Passionate Spirit on Saturday 13th February 2016
Kenilworth Books is one of our lovely local independent bookshops and I’m happy to announce I’ll be there signing copies of my new novel on Saturday 13th February.
If you’re local to the Leamington Spa, Warwick, Coventry and Kenilworth area and you’re around on Saturday 13th, I’d love to see you in the shop. I’ll be there from 11am to 2pm
I launched my previous novel Mystical Circles in Kenilworth Books in 2010. The then owners Frances and Keith were very supportive to me, and I’m delighted that Judy, the new owner, is equally friendly and encouraging.
If you love independent bookshops, and you’d like to visit Talisman Square, Kenilworth on Saturday 13th, and you like the sound of A Passionate Spirit, do drop in and see me between 11am and 2pm. I’d love to meet you and be able to chat to you there and hopefully sign a copy of A Passionate Spirit for you.
Filed under: Books, British, British psychological suspense writer, British romantic suspense writer, creative writing, Mystical Circles, news, paranormal thriller fiction, places I love, psychological suspense fiction, SC Skillman, SC Skillman Author, Writing Tagged: author signing, book, book signing, independent bookshop, Kenilworth Books, love, mystical circles, passionate spirit, SC Skillman
January 10, 2016
A Passionate Spirit on Goodreads Giveaway!
Goodreads Book Giveaway
A Passionate Spirit
by SC Skillman
Giveaway ends January 23, 2016.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Open for entries at midnight on Friday 15th January 2016
Filed under: Books, British, British psychological suspense writer, creative writing, literature, paranormal thriller fiction, SC Skillman, SC Skillman Author Tagged: a passionate spirit, free books, Goodreads giveaway, SC Skillman, SC Skillman author
