M.S. Watson's Blog, page 12
April 16, 2014
General Update: Ice & Inspiration Playlist
So today I'm glad to say that I've only got a chapter and a half left of 'Ice' to go. The release date might be a little delayed as I'm currently waiting to see if I get accepted for publication from a publishing house but if it doesn't go ahead, 'Ice' will go up in a couple of weeks.
In the meantime, here are a couple of videos I listened to during the writing of 'Ice', plus some older videos I always listen to when writing. They're awesome and highly talented, so check them out! :)
In the meantime, here are a couple of videos I listened to during the writing of 'Ice', plus some older videos I always listen to when writing. They're awesome and highly talented, so check them out! :)
April 11, 2014
The worst day of my life.
Okay, so today is my self-proclaimed worst day of my life, and it's so crappy that I'm sitting down to a whole load of straight scotch - something I've never been able to do - and a stack of cookies and cream chocolate. Certainly not at all great for my health but necessary.
So today about the only good thing that happened was I got a sleep in - but I won't be elaborating on the bad things though they are numerous as I'm pretty sure I don't want to bore you.
Instead, I've been channelling my negative energy into writing the concluding chapters of 'Ice.'
Furthermore, I recently sent the manuscript of 'Ice' to HarperCollins in an attempt to have a traditional publisher represent my work. Here's hoping to an upside down the track, sometime. I have my doubts, but then again I've never really been that appreciative of my works and my self-esteem has been constantly shot throughout my life.
For now, it's a waiting game. If there's any changes in the next three weeks, they will be posted here. Otherwise, I'm planning to self-publish by mid-May.
- M.S. Watson
So today about the only good thing that happened was I got a sleep in - but I won't be elaborating on the bad things though they are numerous as I'm pretty sure I don't want to bore you.
Instead, I've been channelling my negative energy into writing the concluding chapters of 'Ice.'
Furthermore, I recently sent the manuscript of 'Ice' to HarperCollins in an attempt to have a traditional publisher represent my work. Here's hoping to an upside down the track, sometime. I have my doubts, but then again I've never really been that appreciative of my works and my self-esteem has been constantly shot throughout my life.
For now, it's a waiting game. If there's any changes in the next three weeks, they will be posted here. Otherwise, I'm planning to self-publish by mid-May.
- M.S. Watson
March 19, 2014
Official cover release of 'Ice'!
I know, I am horrible for not posting this sooner, but the cover of 'Ice' is available for the world to see. For those of you who follow my twitter and facebook, I posted the cover a couple of weeks ago around the time I was down in Tasmania. While I was on my travels, the marvellous invention of free wifi meeting www.fotolia.com subscription meant that I was able to download some beautiful images for approximately $30AUD (for ten) and I created all three book covers.Featured here is the first book cover - Ice - whose cover image is copyright © Andrey Kiselev - fotolia.com. Additional editing was thrown together by me using Photoshop 7, www.pixlr.com and www.picmonkey.com.
To muster a little mystery, I will keep the other two covers of the trilogy a mystery, but let me assure you, this is simply the beginning.
'Ice' will be available as soon as possible, but I don't have a definite date of release. Due to Tafe commitments and two online writing courses, I am run off my feet and drowning in assessments. However, I am making a conscious effort to keep from going completely under, and today I finished the basic overview planning of the sequel, 'Frost.'
When available, 'Ice' will be available as a free eBook download from www.smashwords.com, iBookstore and Barnes and Noble Online. In future, I hope to be able to make it available in paperback from www.lulu.com and some local Australian bookstores.In the meanwhile, continue watching my twitter and facebook for more up to date information.
January 29, 2014
December/January Wrap Up & February Forecast
Once again, I have returned after a long break and have some good and bad news to note. Obviously, I'm going to start with the bad in order to return with a happy note, but it does cast a melancholic note about the entirety of the month of February. Still, enjoy and make sure to follow me @MissaBooks as I update it regularly with new snippets of information as they occur.
On the agenda this December/January Wrap Up:1: Cancellation of my writer's scholarship in Tasmania.2: The planned impending release of 'Ice' and its cover.3: Impending interview with ABC local radio.4: Scone Advocate newspaper article - take two!5: What I plan on doing in Tasmania.6: Scrivener V.S. Microsoft Word: my thoughts on the use of the software.7: Festival book stand proposal in Upper Hunter, June long weekend.
8: Courses: What I am and am not studying.
9: October in Scone: A writer's time.
Agenda 1: Cancellation of my writer's scholarship in TasmaniaAs I said before, I'm getting the bad out of the way so the good can prevail.
I recently was notified by the site facilitator of my Tasmanian scholarship that it is cancelled due to his ill health. Unfortunately I'm quite disappointed as I was really looking forward to it, but I wish him well and he apologised in a personified email to each recipient. He also stated that if he is well enough next year, he will attempt to run the scholarship for this years' recipients, however, he isn't in a state for planning anything just yet. Get well soon!
Agenda 2: The planned impending release of 'Ice' and its cover.As those of you who have been following me know, my plan is to release the first book of the Poseidon's Girls trilogy - 'Ice' - on Valentine's Day, 2014. This coincides with the day I hop on a plane still bound for Tasmania, using my own itinerary in order to enjoy my time with my Nan and Pop, travelling around visiting family and - hopefully - the Cadbury factory.
Anyway, the entire book is being planned for Valentine's Day as its release date as originally intended, and I've recently been in touch with a cover artist from California about her services. She is highly qualified, produces high-quality work, produces competitive rates and is quickly becoming a new figure in the world of writing. Not only am I really excited, but work on the design will commence within the next few days, and an official cover release is to occur soon!
'Ice' will be a free eBook download and become available approximately two weeks after its release at Hunt-A-Book Scone and immediately online at www.lulu.com for $26.99 A.U.D. In eBook format, it will be available firstly from Smashwords, followed by other retailers such as Barnes & Noble Online and the iBookstore.
A book release contest may be on the cards as well, so keep tuned on my blog, facebook (M.S. Watson Official) and @MissaBooks on twitter.
Agenda 3: Impending interview with ABC local radio.The local ABC radio is planning to have an interview with me sometime. They're looking at sometime tomorrow morning, but I'm expecting a phone call from them in order to confirm that time.
Agenda 4: Scone Advocate newspaper article - take two!On Australia Day I was selected as the recipient of the Creative Arts Excellence Award, a feat. that came with $1000 from the local council and a certificate. I was lucky - I was up against two other art students just in my school alone. There were students from other schools from the region who I was up against, and I am thrilled to be the recipient. I've been able to replace my old laptop with its thick black mark through the screen - highly annoying - and its need of a new battery.
In addition, the woman photographing the day also offered me another photo after the customary one in order to write an article about my selection into my Tasmanian writer's scholarship - something I noted in my speech upon receiving my award.
Agenda 5: What I plan on doing in Tasmania.So, I don't really know what I am going to do now that I'm no longer going for my scholarship, but it's too late for me to pull out of the flight arrangements now. It'll be nice seeing as I get to visit family with Nan and Pop, and I'm planning on trying to visit the Cadbury factory and different places along the way to sell my books.
Agenda 6: Scrivener V.S. Microsoft Word: my thoughts on the use of the software.As part of my completion of NaNoWriMo I was awarded Scrivener for half price. I love the collectivity of the software. Scrivener is easily available and at the fingertips, providing all your research, character information, chapters, etc. Your previous project automatically opens, saving you the time and hassle of trying to remember where you put it.
Microsoft Word is more multi-purposeful, but I did enjoy the ability to use it swiftly, having grown up using it and easily learned how to use it. I also plan on transferring my books from Scrivener to MS Word when I create eBook formats and paperback formats.
In all, for ease of changing between chapters and other much-needed research easily and quickly, Scrivener is perfect. However, for easy use of settings and specifics, MS Word is a much-loved favourite.
In all, the writing is used best for me in Scrivener. Editing is best in MS Word.
Agenda 7: Festival book stand proposal in Upper Hunter, June long weekend.A festival in June is being proposed to me by my Pop/agent in order to sell my novels in the June long weekend. For those who don't know of Merriwa, NSW and the Festival of the Fleeces, it is an annual event run to commemorate the land and basically pull the community together in order to celebrate the years they've been living on the land. It includes street stalls and rides for children, and these past couple of years it has sported the new addition of the restored railway station and a helicopter ride over the town of 1,000 or so residents.
By setting up my own stall there, I will be able to sell my books, sign them, speak to potential readers and collaborate with my future mother-in-law as we're looking into selling some of her home-made ice cream.
Agenda 8: Courses: What I am and am not studying.
What I am:
Psychology in later months of this year through Coursera.Certificate III in Childcare Services at TAFE.Certificate in Romance Writing on Open Colleges (Certificate from Australian College of Journalism).Certificate in Creative Writing on Open Colleges (Certificate from Australian College of Journalism).What I'm not right now:Astrology, but I'm planning on it through Coursera.Greek and Roman mythology through Coursera.History of the world through Coursera.Climate change through Coursera.Disaster preparedness through Coursera.Imagining other Earths through Coursera.Plagues, witches and war: The worlds of historical fiction.Agenda 9: October in Scone: A writer's time.I haven't heard much about it, but I'm looking into a writer's event in Scone around October. It was suggested by the local ABC radio, and so I intend on visiting.
In Conclusion!In conclusion, there is a very busy and fun couple of months away. Keep in touch on here, twitter and facebook to follow me on my journey through the literary world.
On the agenda this December/January Wrap Up:1: Cancellation of my writer's scholarship in Tasmania.2: The planned impending release of 'Ice' and its cover.3: Impending interview with ABC local radio.4: Scone Advocate newspaper article - take two!5: What I plan on doing in Tasmania.6: Scrivener V.S. Microsoft Word: my thoughts on the use of the software.7: Festival book stand proposal in Upper Hunter, June long weekend.
8: Courses: What I am and am not studying.
9: October in Scone: A writer's time.
Agenda 1: Cancellation of my writer's scholarship in TasmaniaAs I said before, I'm getting the bad out of the way so the good can prevail.
I recently was notified by the site facilitator of my Tasmanian scholarship that it is cancelled due to his ill health. Unfortunately I'm quite disappointed as I was really looking forward to it, but I wish him well and he apologised in a personified email to each recipient. He also stated that if he is well enough next year, he will attempt to run the scholarship for this years' recipients, however, he isn't in a state for planning anything just yet. Get well soon!
Agenda 2: The planned impending release of 'Ice' and its cover.As those of you who have been following me know, my plan is to release the first book of the Poseidon's Girls trilogy - 'Ice' - on Valentine's Day, 2014. This coincides with the day I hop on a plane still bound for Tasmania, using my own itinerary in order to enjoy my time with my Nan and Pop, travelling around visiting family and - hopefully - the Cadbury factory.
Anyway, the entire book is being planned for Valentine's Day as its release date as originally intended, and I've recently been in touch with a cover artist from California about her services. She is highly qualified, produces high-quality work, produces competitive rates and is quickly becoming a new figure in the world of writing. Not only am I really excited, but work on the design will commence within the next few days, and an official cover release is to occur soon!
'Ice' will be a free eBook download and become available approximately two weeks after its release at Hunt-A-Book Scone and immediately online at www.lulu.com for $26.99 A.U.D. In eBook format, it will be available firstly from Smashwords, followed by other retailers such as Barnes & Noble Online and the iBookstore.
A book release contest may be on the cards as well, so keep tuned on my blog, facebook (M.S. Watson Official) and @MissaBooks on twitter.
Agenda 3: Impending interview with ABC local radio.The local ABC radio is planning to have an interview with me sometime. They're looking at sometime tomorrow morning, but I'm expecting a phone call from them in order to confirm that time.
Agenda 4: Scone Advocate newspaper article - take two!On Australia Day I was selected as the recipient of the Creative Arts Excellence Award, a feat. that came with $1000 from the local council and a certificate. I was lucky - I was up against two other art students just in my school alone. There were students from other schools from the region who I was up against, and I am thrilled to be the recipient. I've been able to replace my old laptop with its thick black mark through the screen - highly annoying - and its need of a new battery.
In addition, the woman photographing the day also offered me another photo after the customary one in order to write an article about my selection into my Tasmanian writer's scholarship - something I noted in my speech upon receiving my award.
Agenda 5: What I plan on doing in Tasmania.So, I don't really know what I am going to do now that I'm no longer going for my scholarship, but it's too late for me to pull out of the flight arrangements now. It'll be nice seeing as I get to visit family with Nan and Pop, and I'm planning on trying to visit the Cadbury factory and different places along the way to sell my books.
Agenda 6: Scrivener V.S. Microsoft Word: my thoughts on the use of the software.As part of my completion of NaNoWriMo I was awarded Scrivener for half price. I love the collectivity of the software. Scrivener is easily available and at the fingertips, providing all your research, character information, chapters, etc. Your previous project automatically opens, saving you the time and hassle of trying to remember where you put it.
Microsoft Word is more multi-purposeful, but I did enjoy the ability to use it swiftly, having grown up using it and easily learned how to use it. I also plan on transferring my books from Scrivener to MS Word when I create eBook formats and paperback formats.
In all, for ease of changing between chapters and other much-needed research easily and quickly, Scrivener is perfect. However, for easy use of settings and specifics, MS Word is a much-loved favourite.
In all, the writing is used best for me in Scrivener. Editing is best in MS Word.
Agenda 7: Festival book stand proposal in Upper Hunter, June long weekend.A festival in June is being proposed to me by my Pop/agent in order to sell my novels in the June long weekend. For those who don't know of Merriwa, NSW and the Festival of the Fleeces, it is an annual event run to commemorate the land and basically pull the community together in order to celebrate the years they've been living on the land. It includes street stalls and rides for children, and these past couple of years it has sported the new addition of the restored railway station and a helicopter ride over the town of 1,000 or so residents.
By setting up my own stall there, I will be able to sell my books, sign them, speak to potential readers and collaborate with my future mother-in-law as we're looking into selling some of her home-made ice cream.
Agenda 8: Courses: What I am and am not studying.
What I am:
Psychology in later months of this year through Coursera.Certificate III in Childcare Services at TAFE.Certificate in Romance Writing on Open Colleges (Certificate from Australian College of Journalism).Certificate in Creative Writing on Open Colleges (Certificate from Australian College of Journalism).What I'm not right now:Astrology, but I'm planning on it through Coursera.Greek and Roman mythology through Coursera.History of the world through Coursera.Climate change through Coursera.Disaster preparedness through Coursera.Imagining other Earths through Coursera.Plagues, witches and war: The worlds of historical fiction.Agenda 9: October in Scone: A writer's time.I haven't heard much about it, but I'm looking into a writer's event in Scone around October. It was suggested by the local ABC radio, and so I intend on visiting.
In Conclusion!In conclusion, there is a very busy and fun couple of months away. Keep in touch on here, twitter and facebook to follow me on my journey through the literary world.
Sincerely,
M.S. Watson
December 29, 2013
The Ellen Show Enquiry!
I just sent off an enquiry to see if I can get an appearance on the Ellen Show for my novels! I hope it works! Wish me luck people and try and spread the word! Don't forget to snag my novel Glass Bones from Smashwords for a limited time!
-M.S. Watson
New Trailer for The Poseidon's Girls Trilogy
Seeing as I'm trying to earn some hype for my newest trilogy set for release in February, I've recently spent a couple of minutes creating a trailer for the first instalment of The Poseidon's Girls Trilogy, Ice.
So here's the link. Let me know what you guys think!
Ice Official TrailerDon't forget to snatch up my eBook Glass Bones at Smashwords while it's still available for free! Offer ends on January 1st.
Glass Bones Official Trailer
So here's the link. Let me know what you guys think!
Ice Official TrailerDon't forget to snatch up my eBook Glass Bones at Smashwords while it's still available for free! Offer ends on January 1st.
Glass Bones Official Trailer
-M.S. Watson
Announcing: The Poseidon's Girls Trilogy
For those who have read the Scone Advocate article about me and my books, (available for reading at this link), and for those who haven't, I have mentioned a future release of a work I've recently started planning in the early days of December. I've anticipated a release date of February 14 and am hoping that I'm able to accomplish it by then. I've recently completed the opening chapter of the first book, and have the entire first segment of approximately nine chapters planned throughout.
There are to be three novels under the names of:
IceFrostTempestI won't release too much information about the novels before their release but I will tell that the novels will follow a set of twins and their journey to follow their lineage, discover mythology and battle everyday issues that trouble teenage girls.I'm really excited about this trilogy and hopefully I'll have enough fire to keep me going throughout the trilogy. I've never completed a trilogy before so this will be difficult and a challenge I've always failed to achieve previously. However, I've been more inclined to delve into mythology recently and so I find that I'll probably be able to accomplish the trilogy with plenty of motivation to spare.I'm planning to release the first book by February 14, the day that I am set to travel to Tasmania in order to engage in a nine day-eight night writing scholarship as part of six specially chosen Australians. I am so honoured to have been chosen for the scholarship and will be taking the second novel of The Poseidon's Girls trilogy with me in order to focus on making it the best book I can.That about sums up my updates on novels for now. For those in NSW, my novel Glass Bones will be available from Scone, NSW at a store called Hunt-A-Book in paperback and as an eBook from Smashwords, iBookstore and Barnes and Noble Online. Don't forget to follow me on twitter @MissaBooks and on Facebook at link. Snap up Glass Bones before it goes back to $3.99 on January 1st!
There are to be three novels under the names of:
IceFrostTempestI won't release too much information about the novels before their release but I will tell that the novels will follow a set of twins and their journey to follow their lineage, discover mythology and battle everyday issues that trouble teenage girls.I'm really excited about this trilogy and hopefully I'll have enough fire to keep me going throughout the trilogy. I've never completed a trilogy before so this will be difficult and a challenge I've always failed to achieve previously. However, I've been more inclined to delve into mythology recently and so I find that I'll probably be able to accomplish the trilogy with plenty of motivation to spare.I'm planning to release the first book by February 14, the day that I am set to travel to Tasmania in order to engage in a nine day-eight night writing scholarship as part of six specially chosen Australians. I am so honoured to have been chosen for the scholarship and will be taking the second novel of The Poseidon's Girls trilogy with me in order to focus on making it the best book I can.That about sums up my updates on novels for now. For those in NSW, my novel Glass Bones will be available from Scone, NSW at a store called Hunt-A-Book in paperback and as an eBook from Smashwords, iBookstore and Barnes and Noble Online. Don't forget to follow me on twitter @MissaBooks and on Facebook at link. Snap up Glass Bones before it goes back to $3.99 on January 1st!
- M.S. Watson
December 23, 2013
Glass Bones; Limited Free eBook Release!
Starting today my eBook Glass Bones will be available as a free download for public readers as my way f saying Merry Christmas! So head to here to download the full book for free. Feel free to drop me a review or a few words saying what you like and dislike, and even ways to improve. I'm open to suggestions!
Also, if you're a writer yourself feel free to send me links to your works online and I shall check them out this holiday season.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone! Travel safe!
M.S. Watson
Also, if you're a writer yourself feel free to send me links to your works online and I shall check them out this holiday season.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone! Travel safe!
M.S. Watson
December 16, 2013
Coming Soon: Glass Bones Paperback!
Glass Bones is already available from Smashwords, iBookstore and Barnes and Noble as an eBook, however, in January 2014, Glass Bones is being released in paperback format! YAY! I cannot wait! Glass Bones has been reviewed, edited, reformatted and assigned an ISBN - and will be available as a paperback in early 2014. I'm very happy with what I've achieved tonight and can't wait to get the new version through the mail. Glass Bones will be available straight from lulu.com for $27 not including postage. I can't wait!
Season's Greetings,
Season's Greetings,
M.S. Watson ☺
December 15, 2013
'Glass Bones': Acceptance into a Book Store and Newspaper Article!
On Thursday morning, 12th of December, I travelled to Scone with my Pop in order to scope out an indie book store. Not only did they accept my novel later in early 2014 when I plan to sell 'Glass Bones' in paperback, but they also gave me details for the local radio station and suggested contacting the Scone Advocate - who are now working on a newspaper article about me! The owner of the book store also checked out my paperback copy of my novel I had on hand and said that he is impressed - especially being only 18-years-old and having done everything by myself and completely from scratch! He was impressed with the publishing house I had gone through - www.lulu.com - because of their high quality, thicker pages and beautifully printed cover. He commended me on my artistic ability and even said he'll place it on the front shelf, in full view of everyone. He told me my cover has good, strong colours and though it is simple, is eye-catching and definitely looks to be a great read!
Am going to be selling my novel 'Glass Bones' in paperback in a N.S.W book store!Was complimented on my novel by the book store owner!Am being placed in the newspaper!Have contacts in radio - meaning I should score an on-air appearance sometime in the New Year.Am considering doing a Christmas freebie of my Glass Bones. (Probably from December 24 - January 1.)In addition, when walking into the Scone Advocate, I met the mayor and he commended me on my literary efforts and even took some advert flyers from me! Not only that, most of Scone, N.S.W. will soon know exactly who I am and my book, Glass Bones!
So, in all, I:
Am going to be selling my novel 'Glass Bones' in paperback in a N.S.W book store!Was complimented on my novel by the book store owner!Am being placed in the newspaper!Have contacts in radio - meaning I should score an on-air appearance sometime in the New Year.Am considering doing a Christmas freebie of my Glass Bones. (Probably from December 24 - January 1.)In addition, when walking into the Scone Advocate, I met the mayor and he commended me on my literary efforts and even took some advert flyers from me! Not only that, most of Scone, N.S.W. will soon know exactly who I am and my book, Glass Bones!
Lastly, I am happy to announce I have returned to planning after my novel from NaNoWriMo 2013 and am highly glad to say that I have a trilogy planned for 2014 - incorporating mermaids, magic, mythology and typical young adult elements. I'm not going to reveal much more than that at this point, but I'm more excited about this than my standalone novel, Glass Bones!If I don't get a chance to later, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year everyone! I'm off to sky diving on December 22nd! Feel free to comment your own plans. In the New Year I will be attempting to organise a special release of my new trilogy at a couple of local libraries and do some live signings - if I can! I've never been more happy!
Seasons Greetings To All!
- M.S. Watson :)
