Julia Hughes's Blog, page 9

Feed your inner critic!

I'm old - or at least past the stage of being an approval junkie - and yet ... there's a gleeful child inside skipping and smiling, simply because a reader kindly took time to post their thoughts on "A Raucous Time" and (skip, skip, smile, smile) remarked: "One to savour and re-read ... very well done and love the cousins well developed balance between aggravation for each other and loyalty."  My choice to play DI Crombie Book one in "The Celtic Cousins' Adventures" is completely off the wall - written entirely for pleasure, and is the one title I've never submitted to book bloggers or reviewers. So it's doubly fantastic when someone takes time to say they've enjoyed the read. Since going free, "A Raucous Time" has bobbed around the twenty top mystery/British detective genre in the UK, States, Australia, and Canada. One reader commented "Oddly Enjoyable ... ended up reading like an Indiana Jones Adventure" - and yes I wanted airplane chases, the threat of train crashes and of course there had to be buried treasure with preternatural precious relics.  Ready when you are, Mr Spielberg!  Contrary to what the sons think, I don't waste time playing Spider Solitaire, when I'm supposed to be writing - or re-writing. Instead, over on Pinterest, I've created a board, so when the call comes through from Hollywood, the cameras will be ready to roll for filming of "A Raucous Time". Check out the proposed cast and let me know if you agree with my choices!  and as a small token of my appreciation:) ... If you've recently left a review for any indie author, email Mervyn@talonpublishing[dot] com with the link to your review, and at the end of this month, (Jan) we'll put all reviewers into a hat and if your name is pulled out first, you can choose any of the Celtic Cousins' Adventures - or Griffin Riders' Chronicles to read free of charge. 

To be clear, your review doesn't have to be for any of my titles, as our friend Sean Campbell says, "a rising tide lifts all boats," and your support for indie authors is really appreciated. 

btw: If you haven't yet downloaded your free copy of "A Raucous Time" here's the Amazon link for kindle readers, and the Smashword link to read in all formats. 

Crombie's Casebook

Troy Lake More images from Crombie's Casebook at Pinterest - to reserve your advance review copy of Crombie's Casebook, email mervyn@talonpublishing[dot]com

It's good to know you're enjoying the rides!

Many thanks to those kind hearted folk who made time to comment recently on "The Griffin Cryer", "A Raucous Time", and "The Griffin's Boy". I'm going to say this; readers who enjoy my little stories certainly do write original reviews. Believe me, I'm not blowing smoke, but I can't help but feel that you guys are harbouring your own creative writing skills! Wild horses wouldn't drag my favourite review out of me, as I've noted before, these reviews are written by readers, for readers, and that's how it should be. But this website is for you and me, and if you ever want to get in touch, I'm always delighted to respond - email Mervyn@talonpublishing[dot]com. 

Although, there's a couple of new stories in the pipe line, so from next week, I'll be a little less visible on social networks, though I can't wait to start sharing new adventures, so watch this space!  

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

All best wishes and good health for 2014 - from me, the Celtic Cousins, and those fantastic Griffin Riders. Many, many thanks to all those lovely readers and lovely fellow indie artists who have offered unstinting support. I read most readers' comments, and those like the most recent review left for "A Raucous Time" makes all the long hours alone with only imagination, the keyboard, and copious bars of chocolate all worth while:) 
If you want to contact me directly, I'll be delighted to hear from you. If you've written a book, whether you're still deciding about which publishing route is best for you, or if you're an established indie author, please drop by Words Unlimited. This is a site designed to support artists and authors in all things book related. 

LAST FEW DAYS TO PICK UP CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR YOUR EREADER!

Cute dog says: MERRY CHRISTMAS! This Sunday is your last chance to download "THE GRIFFIN'S BOY" at the special promotional launch price of only 99 cents, or 77p. It's also my last day of work at the website, although Mervyn will continue to meet and great our guests at Words Unlimited. We're heading south of the Tamar, and spending Christmas with our Cornish Cousins. 


You're all warmly invited to spend Christmas with the Celtic Cousins. The River Gods (may they smile on you too) have made "A RAUCOUS TIME" free on both the US and UK sites, so come and join me in Cornwall! To celebrate, and as a way of saying thank you to friends and fellow time travelers, "A RIPPLE IN TIME" is free on Smashwords - but only until Midnight December 24th. Just enter the code WF46W on the check-out page. While you're at Smashwords, don't forget to pick up your free copy of "CROMBIE'S CHRISTMAS", a short story that sees poor old Crombie trapped in the Italian equivalent of the House of Usher. Though even that may be preferable to his usual misadventures with the Celtic Cousins - some people just don't know when they're having fun!  free on Amazon Free on Smashwords until Sunday 24th December - use code WF46W Free on Smashwords

Spend Solstice at Stonehenge - without spending a penny.

From today, the sun begins to return to this little corner of the world. We can't all be at Stonehenge, celebrating the Winter Solstice, but you can travel there with the Celtic Cousins. Enjoy the time travel adventure "A RIPPLE IN TIME" absolutely free, in any format you desire, including Mobi for kindle, and ePub for smart phones etc. 


Use the coupon code WF46W when prompted by the Smashwords' Check out page here: 

Coupon WF46W is valid until December 24th. THE CELTIC COUSINS' ADVENTURES Begin with "A Raucous Time" - also FREE!  A Ripple in Time is book 2 in The Celtic Cousins' Adventures. 


In Book 1 "A Raucous Time" Celtic Cousin Rhyllann experiences the birth of Stonehenge. A Raucous Time is perma free on Smashwords, or Amazon.com. If you're after a Christmas read, Detective Inspector Crombie, usually the law of London, is trapped in the Italian equivalent of the House of Usher, "Crombie's Christmas" reminds us of this little island's gift to the world. 


Email mervyn@talonpublishing[dot]com if you have any difficulty downloading any of these titles, and he'll shoot you over a mobi copy.  More of a Griffin Riders' fan? Ride out with THE GRIFFIN'S BOY!  Until midnight Sunday, you can download THE GRIFFIN'S BOY at the special launch price of only 99 cents, 77p. And okay, he's my editor, and he has to say nice things, but in Mervyn's opinion, if you enjoyed THE GRIFFIN CRYER, you'll love THE GRIFFIN'S BOY.


SYNOPSIS: In a world where only those of noble birth are invited to join the elite Griffin Riders, orphan Neb is destined for a life of drudgery. His path changes when he steals the disobedient young griffin Balkind in an attempt to prove that you don't need noble blood to become a hero. 
Join " The Griffin's Boy " on the adventure of a lifetime as he encounters girls for the very first time, learns the meaning of friendship and battles evil forces for his very soul.

Enjoying the ride so far?

The Griffin Cryer flew into Amazon's top 100 overall free download charts and landed at #77 overall in the US, and #45 Fantasy in the UK. Best of all, Frankie and her friends snagged new five star reviews from readers on both sides of the Atlantic. I'm truly grateful, and massive thanks to everyone who helped make this promotion a mahousive success. 


The fun don't stop! An executive decision has been made to extend the special promotional price of 99 cents, 77p for "The Griffin's Boy" until Sunday, 20th December, and there's still time to enter the Great Griffin Giveaway - details on the official Griffin Riders website. 

THE GRIFFIN'S BOY – SWOOPING INTO THE CHARTS!

Launch day was a little earlier than planned, (but then I knew the griffins were getting a little over excited,) and The Griffin's Boy swooped into the top 100 in the Action/Adventure/Romance genre. With a little help from friends as always. A mahousive thanks to all our lovely hosts on the Flying Book Tour – today the griffins are landing at Dan and Sean Campbell's 90 day novel site. Come on over and say hi. Dan's getting the pizzas in!  LAST CHANCE TO CATCH "THE GRIFFIN CRYER" FOR FREE Frankie & griffin "The Griffin Cryer" successful free promotion ends at midnight EST Sunday. (around 9am tomorrow GMT). 


Frankie and her friends have enjoyed a brilliant run, staying in or around the top 20 free Urban Fantasy Charts … and even better news, (for me at least), both my griffin riders' chronicles books picked up shiny new five star reviews. I'm very grateful to all my readers, without you, the story isn't complete. 



And here's the 55th review for "The Griffin Cryer"  ...and the very 1st for "The Griffin's Boy" Thank you to all my treasured readers, especially Dody, who stuck with "The Griffin's Boy" from inception to launch, and helps so many adult learners discover their wings too. 

An Early Christmas Present & Kindle Tinglers!

Barely a week after they were mentioned, the river gods have smiled at the Celtic Cousins' Adventures – "A Raucous Time" is now free to download from Amazon.com. Because I'm human, I'm hoping that before long, every Amazon Kindle owner in the world will be able to join in the first of The Celtic Cousins' Adventures for free - although if you're outside the United States, go to Smashwords, and grab your free copy here. 

Meantime – every reader in the world can become a Griffin Rider – at least until Midnight EST time Sunday.

The Griffin Cryer is still free world wide – but be quick – only around forty-eight hours left to grab this giveaway.

FREE! cover image LLPix.com Free from Smashwords, or if you're in the US Amazon.com.  FREE! Cover image Nadica Boskovska FREE worldwide from Amazon until Midnight EST Sunday. "The Griffin Cryer"  SPECIAL OFFER!  Cover image: adapted from an engraving by Dore, by LLPix.com Special Promotion ONLY 99 cents until Midnight EST Sunday. Click here to sample: "The Griffin's Boy"  "The Griffin's Boy" - an early escape & special promotional offer! My regular readers will know Sunday is also the official launch day for "The Griffin's Boy". However, in order to have the ebook ready to be downloaded from Amazon, we needed to upload the files prior to release (naturally). An executive decision has been taken – and as a special introductory offer, you can grab "The Griffin's Boy" for only 99 cents, or around 77p. 

That's a kindle tingler and if you're still in need of something extra to stack under your Christmas tree – we've two griffins up for adoption. Simple and free to enter, our two first prize winners will see their chosen griffin names in print. Full details at the official griffin rider website or catch up with the Flying Book Tour at Toni's Everything Books & Authors A fabulous site where you'll find sacks and sacks of Christmas goodies! 

When FREE is worth every penny!

Cover image: LLPix.com Confession time - I'd rather be writing books than selling them. So when Amazon introduced KDP select free days, I saw this as an absolute gift. 

Then Amazon changed the rules slightly (their ball, their pitch, their game) and going free now no-longer results in the same sales ranking lift. Those who study markets and know about these things predict that the writing is on the wall, and advise authors that going free should no longer be considered as a short cut to fame and fortune. Bad news for those who loath marketing - like me. However, I'm going to continue using KDP, and not just because I'm bone idle. Simply because it all becomes worth while, when not just one, but two readers enjoyed my recent giveaway "An Explosive Time" enough to say so publicly. Thank you guys! You've given me all the encouragement I need. 


And tomorrow, The Griffin Cryer is free - for a whole five days - from Wednesday 11th December right through to the launch of "The Griffin's Boy", on 15th December. You didn't really think you were getting away without a plug did you? Many of you've already downloaded "The Griffin Cryer" to your kindles. If you have read, and enjoyed, please take time out to tell others - and maybe even consider writing a review. An easy way to earn good karma:) 


I may have mentioned previously(!) but I'm entirely grateful to friends old and new for their help in bringing "The Griffin's Boy" to readers' attention. Today's the day we take flight, and hopefully see you over on "The Serious Reader" for the start of the Flying Book Tour - aka as The Great Griffin Giveaway. If you do have a book related site, and you'd like to share this promotion with your readers, then it couldn't be easier. Zoom on over to here: http://www.griffinriders.com/book-blast-html-for-bloggers.html and enter the top secret password GGG - if you like what you see, simply copy and paste into your own blog. 

FREE! From tomorrow until 15th December - The Griffin Cryer.  It's an easy mistake to make - instead of whistling and calling for her dog, fifteen year old Frankie accidentally summons a griffin and his rider from an alternate universe. The Rider is tall, blond and extremely rude. On the other hand, Balkind is the sweetest, most lovable griffin Frankie's ever met, and she's determined to help them find a way back to their own world.

In doing so, she becomes aware that her newly discovered talent could be used to transform her own family's tragic circumstances: Following a freak accident, Frankie's brother has been comatose for over two years, hovering between life and death. With the mysterious Rider's help, Frankie summons the courage to venture from her self imposed emotional prison and attempts to bring her brother home.

Dealing with parallel universes, disgruntled warriors, and hungry griffins is the easier part of Frankie's life. At school, Frankie learns friends can become enemies, teachers aren't always right, and the boy of your dreams can be all too human. Told in approximately 53,000 words, suitable for young adults, and all those who've ever dreamed of riding a griffin. Copyright Mr Sean Campbell