Sylvia A. Winters's Blog, page 4

The Problem with Pets

This week has kind of sucked. My oldest rat, Deci, died the other night. I knew it was coming, but I thought I had more time. I always think I have more time than I really do with my animals. Maybe everyone does. I’m going to miss that crazy old rat. When I got her, I really wondered what I’d let myself in for, because she was so frightened and bitey and I had exactly zero experience with that sort of behaviour. I’m so glad I did get her though and persevered because she was amazing, and she...

Bat’s Children: Release Day

Last weekBat’s Children was finally released. I celebrated with a bottle of Old Mout cider and some vegan chocolate, and revelled in the fact that I have no more blog posts to write or proofs to look over. It was also the first day I hadn’t felt like crap in about two weeks, so that was nice, too. I was able to get through a whole film without having to pause it for a coughing fit.

I’m quite nervous and excited about Bat’s Children being out there now, although so far the reviews have been lo...

Bat’s Children: Miniature Blog Tour

Over the next week I’ll be featuring on various blogs promoting my upcoming novella, Bat’s Children. I’ll be sharing some exclusive extracts as well asbehind the scenes details about the book. There’s also a giveaway running, so if you’d like to be in with a chance of winning a free copy of the book (ebook only),keep an eye out at the sites listed below.

Timetable:

30th June: Prism Book Alliance

5th July: Joyfully Jay

6th July: Love Bytes

7th July: The Novel Approach

EDIT: The giveaway is n...

Miniature Blog Tour

Over the next week I’ll be featuring on various blogs promoting my upcoming novella, Bat’s Children. I’ll be sharing some exclusive extracts as well asbehind the scenes details about the book. There’s also a giveaway running, so if you’d like to be in with a chance of winning a free copy of the book (ebook only),keep an eye out at the sites listed below.

Timetable:

30th June: Prism Book Alliance

5th July: Joyfully Jay

6th July: Love Bytes

7th July: The Novel Approach

You can currently preord...

Confetti & Cake …and a Ghost Baby

The other weekend was my friends’ wedding, and it was amazing. I knew it would be, but I was not prepared for the emotional impact there, the way everyone teared up as the bride and groom’s voices cracked saying their vows, the fact that everyone looked so fucking beautiful.

There were a couple of ‘oh god’ moments, a fellow bridesmaid’s zip broke as we were getting ready and she had to be sewn into her dress (and then later ripped out of it), and then the same bridesmaid (so glad it wasn’t me...

Little Updates: Hens, Rats, and Bats

The last couple of weeks I’ve been fairly busy doing various things, most of it not particularly interesting, I have to say. It was one of my best friends’ hen night last weekend, and we headed down to one of those live action puzzle rooms, which was amazing. We made it out with just over a minute to spare, and spent the rest of the day eating good food and drinking far too many cocktails.

The weather’s warming up here in the UK, although of course it’s intermittently dampened by rain, so the...

Cover Reveal: Bat’s Children

A few days ago I was sent the finalised cover for Bat’s Children, and I have to say it fits the mood of the story perfectly, all shadows and a stark winter landscape.

Bat’s Children is a story I started way back in 2013, set in early 18th century Wales, about three siblings who make a living by robbing carriages and foot travellers.The story focuses on Arwel, the eldest of the three, and his relationship with Tomi, a local pawnbroker.Arwel and his siblings lead a difficult life, though, and i...

Speed Read: Flight

It had been a bad idea to come here. Grace realised that now. It was supposed to be romantic, the two of them sprawled out on the grass, surrounded by ruins, just them and the stars, the crickets playing their night time orchestra. But the ministry had eyes everywhere—someone on the road, perhaps, or a curtain twitching insidean occupied high rise—and now they were surrounded. Seven strong, well-trained officers to the two of them—Lena could only take one, and while Grace could take out a gro...

Bad Habits

I have a lot of bad habits. Who doesn’t? My worst, though, is definitely my seeming inability to pick up a duster or wash the dishes more than once a week.

The only time I really tidy is when someone’s coming round. I let things pile up and up, until a friend suddenly pops up and says ‘Hey, coming to visit tomorrow!’ and I think ‘Oh, fuck…’ Cue me running around with the hoover, wondering how the hell I’ve ended up with a pile of twenty-somethingcrumpled bus tickets on my bedside table. Usual...

Balance

This last month I’ve been ridiculously social. Usually I’m more of the stay at home, never change out of pyjamas kind of person who uhms and ahs about whether or not I want to go out even for just one quick little drink. But the last month or so I’ve been out of the house probably more than I’ve been in it, catching up with old friends, making new friends, getting very drunk several nights out of the week, occasionally well into the next day as well (note: never again will I go straight to wo...