Liza Perrat's Blog, page 13
May 18, 2015
New Bookmuse Recommended Read Award
Bookseller, Peter Snell recently asked the question: could there could be such a thing as a stamp of quality for indie books? My Triskele colleagues and I realised we already offer such a thing: the Bookmuse stamp of approval.
We decided to create an award for books we can honestly recommend, no matter how they are published. If a book, website or blog carries this badge, one of our team loved it and will tell you why. Bookmuse Recommended Read Award.
Bookmuse
recommends great books to discerning readers.
We read and assess submissions, handpick the ones we love and send out a weekly newsletter to our subscribers. We only feature books we can honestly recommend.
Bookmuse reviews follow this format:
What we thought
You’ll enjoy this if you liked
Avoid if you dislike
Ideal accompaniments
· We read books from trade, small and independent or self publishers
· Our pool of reviewers includes a range of tastes, ages and genders
· Featured books are awarded the Recommended Read Award
· Reviews are promoted across all our platforms
· We never charge for reviews or feedback
The Award
If you’ve been reviewed, feel free to display your award on your website, blog or cover.
If you’d like your book reviewed, check out these simple guidelines.
Email submissions@quinnpublications.co.uk with a brief description of your book. Although we cannot review all books submitted, we’ll do our best to get back to you.
To promote a book, please post on our Facebook page or tag us on Twitter @bookmuseuk.
To get three carefully chosen book recommendations delivered to your inbox every Friday, sign up here.
We decided to create an award for books we can honestly recommend, no matter how they are published. If a book, website or blog carries this badge, one of our team loved it and will tell you why. Bookmuse Recommended Read Award.
Bookmuse
recommends great books to discerning readers.We read and assess submissions, handpick the ones we love and send out a weekly newsletter to our subscribers. We only feature books we can honestly recommend.
Bookmuse reviews follow this format:
What we thought
You’ll enjoy this if you liked
Avoid if you dislike
Ideal accompaniments
· We read books from trade, small and independent or self publishers
· Our pool of reviewers includes a range of tastes, ages and genders
· Featured books are awarded the Recommended Read Award
· Reviews are promoted across all our platforms
· We never charge for reviews or feedback
The Award
If you’ve been reviewed, feel free to display your award on your website, blog or cover.
If you’d like your book reviewed, check out these simple guidelines.
Email submissions@quinnpublications.co.uk with a brief description of your book. Although we cannot review all books submitted, we’ll do our best to get back to you.
To promote a book, please post on our Facebook page or tag us on Twitter @bookmuseuk.
To get three carefully chosen book recommendations delivered to your inbox every Friday, sign up here.
Alternative Historical Fiction
Today, on the Triskele Books blog, read my interview with Alison Morton, author of the Roma Nova series: alternate history thrillers set in Roma Nova, a society founded sixteen centuries ago by Roman exiles and ruled by women... thrilling stuff!
April 27, 2015
Seven Sword-Swirling Suggestions for Historical Fiction
As part of the Indie Author Fair 2015 Showcase Magazine, here's my 2 cent's worth on writing in the historical fiction genre.
April 24, 2015
LONDON BOOK FAIR - FRINGE FESTIVAL
Friday 17 April saw London Book Fair’s first Fringe Festival.
Foyles, London’s biggest independent bookstore, opened its doors to the Alliance of Independent Authors, IndieReCon and IAF15, organised by Triskele Books. An exciting, educational and fun day:
Bestseller CJ Lyons
CJ Lyons opened the event by using the analogy of a blacksmith.
Forge your first book with love and care, then keep honing your craft. Engage with readers. Don’t try to sell a million. Write something a million people want to buy.
Debbie Young of the Alliance of Independent Authors chaired a discussion with panellists Peter Urpeth of Scottish based Creative Agency, Emergents; John Prebble of Arts Council of England Literature Relationship Manager and Nicola Solomon of the Society of Authors.
The theme was how to keep the cash coming in while you write. Grants, prizes, Public Lending Rights, mentoring schemes, partnerships with business development organisations and sponsorship are all potential sources of support for authors.
L-R: Peter Urpeth, John Prebble, Nicola Solomon and Debbie Young
Next up, Dan Holloway and Rohan Quine fired up the audience by speaking eloquently and poetically on diversity in literature.
Dan and Rohan
ALLi’s literary agent, Toby Mundy of TMA chaired a panel including Scott Beatty of Trajectory, book-scout Sharmaine Lovegrove of Dialogue Berlin & Fremantle Media, and Katie Donelan of BookBub to discuss how authors can sell more rights.
L-R: Sharmain Lovegrove, Scott Beatty, Katie Donelan and Toby Mundy
Porter Anderson introduced SELF-e. Authors everywhere can sign up to get their ebooks into US libraries.
L-R: Dr Alison Baverstock, Robert Caskie, Porter Anderson and Robin Cutler
Much talk centres on what self-publishing should learn from trade publishing. Rarely vice versa. Porter Anderson explored this key question with panellists Robert Caskie, Senior Agent at Peter Frazer Dunlop; Dr Alison Baverstock, Associate Professor, Department of Journalism and Publishing, Kingston University and Robin Cutler of Ingram Spark: how does self-publishing affect trade publishers, editors, agents and bookshops?
Debbie Young and Piers Alexander introduced the new #Authors4Bookstores campaign. All writers and readers love bookstores and want to see at least one on every high street. This new campaign encourages and enables indie authors and bookstores to form mutually beneficial, supportive relationships.
Last session of the day saw Joanna Penn grill a range of successful indie authors, Rachel Abbott, Steena Holmes, CJ Lyons, Mark McGuinness and Nick Stephenson on their tactics, breakthrough moments and advice.
Orna Ross & Porter Anderson wrapped up the conference with a look back at the last three years of ALLi (including a divergence of opinion on how to pronounce it) and hopes for the future.
You can access all this and more via IndieReCon – talks, tips, ideas, videos and vast amounts of resources to peruse at leisure.
The last part of the day was IAF15 @Foyles, organised by Triskele Books. Fifty authors with books, balloons, goodies, quizzes, wine, canapés and smiles welcomed browsers, bookclubbers, friends and readers. The atmosphere was happy, friendly, communal and everything an indie author fair should be.
The Indie Author Fair at Foyles
And we’re now planning the next one.
After a cup of tea.
Team Triskele
Foyles, London’s biggest independent bookstore, opened its doors to the Alliance of Independent Authors, IndieReCon and IAF15, organised by Triskele Books. An exciting, educational and fun day:
Bestseller CJ Lyons CJ Lyons opened the event by using the analogy of a blacksmith.
Forge your first book with love and care, then keep honing your craft. Engage with readers. Don’t try to sell a million. Write something a million people want to buy.
Debbie Young of the Alliance of Independent Authors chaired a discussion with panellists Peter Urpeth of Scottish based Creative Agency, Emergents; John Prebble of Arts Council of England Literature Relationship Manager and Nicola Solomon of the Society of Authors.
The theme was how to keep the cash coming in while you write. Grants, prizes, Public Lending Rights, mentoring schemes, partnerships with business development organisations and sponsorship are all potential sources of support for authors.
L-R: Peter Urpeth, John Prebble, Nicola Solomon and Debbie Young
Next up, Dan Holloway and Rohan Quine fired up the audience by speaking eloquently and poetically on diversity in literature.
Dan and Rohan
ALLi’s literary agent, Toby Mundy of TMA chaired a panel including Scott Beatty of Trajectory, book-scout Sharmaine Lovegrove of Dialogue Berlin & Fremantle Media, and Katie Donelan of BookBub to discuss how authors can sell more rights.
L-R: Sharmain Lovegrove, Scott Beatty, Katie Donelan and Toby Mundy
Porter Anderson introduced SELF-e. Authors everywhere can sign up to get their ebooks into US libraries.
L-R: Dr Alison Baverstock, Robert Caskie, Porter Anderson and Robin Cutler
Much talk centres on what self-publishing should learn from trade publishing. Rarely vice versa. Porter Anderson explored this key question with panellists Robert Caskie, Senior Agent at Peter Frazer Dunlop; Dr Alison Baverstock, Associate Professor, Department of Journalism and Publishing, Kingston University and Robin Cutler of Ingram Spark: how does self-publishing affect trade publishers, editors, agents and bookshops?
Debbie Young and Piers Alexander introduced the new #Authors4Bookstores campaign. All writers and readers love bookstores and want to see at least one on every high street. This new campaign encourages and enables indie authors and bookstores to form mutually beneficial, supportive relationships.
Last session of the day saw Joanna Penn grill a range of successful indie authors, Rachel Abbott, Steena Holmes, CJ Lyons, Mark McGuinness and Nick Stephenson on their tactics, breakthrough moments and advice.
Orna Ross & Porter Anderson wrapped up the conference with a look back at the last three years of ALLi (including a divergence of opinion on how to pronounce it) and hopes for the future.
You can access all this and more via IndieReCon – talks, tips, ideas, videos and vast amounts of resources to peruse at leisure.
The last part of the day was IAF15 @Foyles, organised by Triskele Books. Fifty authors with books, balloons, goodies, quizzes, wine, canapés and smiles welcomed browsers, bookclubbers, friends and readers. The atmosphere was happy, friendly, communal and everything an indie author fair should be.
The Indie Author Fair at Foyles
And we’re now planning the next one.
After a cup of tea.
Team Triskele
April 7, 2015
Best Indie Books Up for Grabs in our Rafflecopter Giveaway
Forty books up for grabs! On Friday 17 April, Triskele Books and Foyles Bookshop welcome a myriad of authors to the 2015 Indie Author Fair. Here’s your chance to sample what’s on offer! Whatever your taste, we’ve got something special for you. Entry is easy and free for a chance to win one of forty different ebooks, paperbacks or swag bag prizes. The Indie Author Fringe Festival, run by The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi)/Indie ReCon, in association with The London Book Fair’s Book and Screen Week. a Rafflecopter giveaway
March 29, 2015
NO-CALORIE EASTER TREAT: A Time and a Place
Quick Reader's Quizz
Qu. 1
What does ‘Green Fairy’ mean to you?
A: Fauna in Disney’s Sleeping Beauty
B: Washing-up liquid
C: Absinthe
Image courtesy Creative Commons: The Green Fairy by Surian Soosay
Qu. 2
What does “black and white” make you think of?
A: Ebony and Ivory
B: 101 Dalmatians
C: The Specials
Image courtesy Creative Commons: The Specials by Chris Worden
Qu 3
The island across the Menai Strait in North Wales is called:
A: Tenby
B: Hornby
C: Anglesey
Image courtesy Creative Commons: Bioluminescence by Kris Williams
Qu 4
If society broke down and Wales went feral, what would you want in your pocket?
A: A gun
B: A rat
C: A ferret
Image courtesy Creative Commons: Roman inside a hat by schadenfreude
Qu 5
A woman’s place is:
A: In the kitchen, with a spatula
B: In the bedroom, with suspenders
C: In battle, with a sword
Image courtesy Creative Commons: Siria Palmira by Jose Javier Martin Espartosa
Qu 6
All’s fair in love and war. But when both collide, where does loyalty lie?
A: With your country, family and pride
B: With your lover and your heart
C: With yourself
Image courtesy Creative Commons: Suite Française by Eric Huybrechts
Qu 7
You uncover white-collar malpractice. Do you:
A: Turn a blind eye
B: Blow the whistle
C: Pull the trigger
Image courtesy Creative Commons: caution: itchy trigger finger by Flood G.
If you answered mainly C, I have just the thing. A Time & A Place – The Box Set.
Seven brilliant novels for less than the price of a large Easter egg, and calorie-free to boot!
Available for PRE-ORDER now exclusively from Amazon for a limited period, A Time & A Place will be officially released on Good Friday 3rd April 2015.
Qu. 1
What does ‘Green Fairy’ mean to you?
A: Fauna in Disney’s Sleeping Beauty
B: Washing-up liquid
C: Absinthe
Image courtesy Creative Commons: The Green Fairy by Surian Soosay
Qu. 2
What does “black and white” make you think of?
A: Ebony and Ivory
B: 101 Dalmatians
C: The Specials
Image courtesy Creative Commons: The Specials by Chris Worden
Qu 3
The island across the Menai Strait in North Wales is called:
A: Tenby
B: Hornby
C: Anglesey
Image courtesy Creative Commons: Bioluminescence by Kris Williams
Qu 4
If society broke down and Wales went feral, what would you want in your pocket?
A: A gun
B: A rat
C: A ferret
Image courtesy Creative Commons: Roman inside a hat by schadenfreude
Qu 5
A woman’s place is:
A: In the kitchen, with a spatula
B: In the bedroom, with suspenders
C: In battle, with a sword
Image courtesy Creative Commons: Siria Palmira by Jose Javier Martin Espartosa
Qu 6
All’s fair in love and war. But when both collide, where does loyalty lie?
A: With your country, family and pride
B: With your lover and your heart
C: With yourself
Image courtesy Creative Commons: Suite Française by Eric Huybrechts
Qu 7
You uncover white-collar malpractice. Do you:
A: Turn a blind eye
B: Blow the whistle
C: Pull the trigger
Image courtesy Creative Commons: caution: itchy trigger finger by Flood G.
If you answered mainly C, I have just the thing. A Time & A Place – The Box Set.
Seven brilliant novels for less than the price of a large Easter egg, and calorie-free to boot!
Available for PRE-ORDER now exclusively from Amazon for a limited period, A Time & A Place will be officially released on Good Friday 3rd April 2015.
March 13, 2015
February 23, 2015
Indie Author Fair 2015
IAF is back for 2015 ... bigger, better and bang in the centre of London.
In partnership with The Alliance of Independent Authors, London Book Fair, Indie ReCon and Foyles Bookshop, Triskele Books are hosting the 2nd Indie Author Fair.
Read all about how you can attend here.
February 12, 2015
Flash 500 Fiction Competition Judge
When I was asked to judge the Flash 500 Fiction Fourth Quarter, 2014, little did I know the treat I was in for. A wide range of brilliantly-written short stories kept me reading late into the night.
My report: It is a great challenge to condense all the requirements of a good story – plot, pacing, dialogue and characterisation – into just 500 words, and firstly I want to say how much I enjoyed reading the twenty-five shortlisted stories, all of which met these criteria.
My congratulations to the authors of these excellent tales that made my task of choosing the winners extremely difficult. I read the shortlisted stories three times, over three different days, and selected my ten favourites. These ten I read three more times, and chose what were (for me) the best four.
Of course, my decision was, unavoidably, a little subjective, based not only on the criteria of good storytelling, but on my own personal taste. Another judge could easily have chosen four others, but for me, these four resonated the most.
These were the ones that evoked emotion: sadness, happiness, laughter, thoughtfulness. These were the stories I kept thinking about for days after I had read them.
January 12, 2015
The Good Life France Magazine
The Good Life France Magazine is out! It's FREE to read and FREE to subscribe. It's mobile friendly and you can download a PDF version and read it when you want! Just click on the link to access. This issue features my article: Friendship, Brotherhood, Solidarity.
