K.S. Dearsley's Blog

A Long Overdue Update

Anyone waiting for a new blog from me could be forgiven for thinking that I had fallen off the planet. The way things have been going in the outside world there have been times when that might have felt preferable, but I'm still here, making the best of the sunshine and the birdsong and some of the great books that I can hide in.

I've now posted reviews of two of the latest books I've read, and I've finally overhauled my website, http://www.ksdearsley.com. There are a few things that I still want to tweak, but it's much tidier and easier to use, with some extra pieces to read.

On top of this, I've put Discord's Child and Artists and Liars in the Smashwords Summer-Winter sale. If you visit http://www.smashwords.com/profile/vie... you can download them FREE, so if you feel like joining me in hiding in a book, be my guest.

Enjoy

This Year, Next Year

Where has the year gone? I always think I'm going to get so much more done. The list of books I want to read grows longer. Likewise the list of things I want to write. Yet when I look back, there are things I've accomplished too.

I started the year working on a new edition and paperback of my anthology, Artists & Liars, which is now available on Amazon. Among the competitions and publications my stories have been successful in are FF150, Bacopa, the Northwind Treasury and NAWG. I appeared in a production of my one-act play, Tea Party of the Gods, by Theze Guyz. I contributed to a group project with Get the Word Out, and I've started work on a new sci fi novel.

Maybe I have got quite a bit done, after all. If you take a look back over your year, I'm sure you'll find you have achieved more than you thought too. Give yourself credit.

If you need to take time out to recharge your batteries, you can teat yourself to Discord's Child, Discord's Apprentice and Artists & Liars FREE in the Smashwords end of year sale until 23.59 on December 31st at http://www.smashwords.com/profile/vie.... Should you prefer a book to hold in your hand, all my paperbacks are available on Amazon at virtually cost price until 2025.

Happy New Year!

A Bigger Picture

Ebook or print? Whichever you prefer, you can now read an extended edition of Artists & Liars in both formats. There is an extra short story, 'Blind Alleys', about an academic who is contemplating having a fling with a student; a flash story, 'Angel Wings', about an artist who has been commissioned to paint an angel but can't decide what colour the wings should be, and a poem, 'Bare the Body and Hide the Soul', about seeing beneath the surface. The print version also has illustrations by me.

Both versions are available at http://www.tinyurl.com/artists-liars or you can find the digital version at http://www.smashwords.com/profile/vie....
Until 9th March, both Artists &Liars and Discord's Child will be FREE at Smashwords to coincide with Read an Ebook Week.

The Christmas Rush

Christmas comes at the same time every year, but somehow it always manages to catch me out.

This year, I've been so busy designing and producing new business cards, bookmarks and postcards for The Exiles of Ondd series, and reformatting my anthology, Artists & Liars, for paperback that I completely forgot about the Smashwords End of Year Sale. It's taken much trial and error to get everything the way I want it. Deciding to add illustrations to the stories in Artists & Liars added to the experimentation, but I'm hoping everything is nearly ready. There is still some tinkering to go, but watch this space in the new year.

At least I've caught up with the festive season, and enrolled in the sale. Until midnight on 31st December you can download Discord's Child and Artists & Liars FREE at http://www.smashwords.com/profile/vie.... They're my Christmas gift.

Where Did It Go?

I'm talking about the last six months. I really didn't think it had been that long since I last posted a blog, but here we are again, deep into December.

I haven't been totally idle. I've just posted around half a dozen reviews of books I read over the summer, and I've started editing my next novel, so I'm hoping to hit the ground running once the seasonal festivities are over.

Meanwhile, it's time for the Smashwords end of year sale again. If you visit http://www.smashwords.com/profile/vie... before January, you'll find Discord's Child FREE and Discord's Apprentice half-price. Artists and Liars is also FREE, so short story fans needn't feel left out.

Peace and goodwill to you all.

I'd Like to Thank...

... everyone who knows me, of course. The prizes have been handed out for the British Science Fiction Awards 2021, but my acceptance speech wasn't needed.

It doesn't matter. Nothing can take away the thrill of seeing my name and Discord's Shadow on the longlist. I'm honoured to have been in the on-screen company of Adrian Tchaikovsky, who won the award for Best Novel with his space opera, Shards of Earth.

I still get a buzz from knowing that my books have been read and enjoyed. To make sure more people can do that, I'll be taking part in the Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale again, from 1st July at http://www.smashwords.com/profile/vie...

What's In a Name?

I hope Juliet was right when she said, 'A rose by any other name would smell as sweet', because Smashwords has merged with Draft to Digital, and will soon change its name. The company has assured readers and authors that they will benefit from the best features of both, but it's a nuisance as I've been using 'Smashwords' in all my promotions and links. I can't say the thought of having to go through everything and change it fills me with joy.

There is bound to be some disruption. I've never had a problem with Smashwords' formatting or manuscript approval system. I've got everything set up of it on my computers, so I'm not particularly keen to change, even if Draft 2 Digital's system is simpler. Apparently, all authors have to do is upload their basic manuscript with obvious chapter headings and the company does all the formatting including putting in the end matter. The new company will also have the facility to offer print on demand, which sounds good, although my print editions can already be accessed from the site. No doubt, I'll get used to it, but at the moment it seems more like relinquishing control than saving time, especially as any new system takes a while to absorb.

I've always felt happy to recommend Smashwords to readers, as I know it won't bombard them with advertising or 'news'. I fund its pages easy to navigate, and I love its regular sales. Currently, it's Read an Ebook Week with hundreds of titles free or discounted in the week-long sale, which runs up to and including 12th March. You can download Discord's Child FREE and Discord's Apprentice at 50% discount , so you can read the whole Exiles of Ondd series for half the usual price. For those who prefer short stories, my anthology, Artists and Liars, is also FREE . It's ideal it you like a complete shot of fiction with your morning coffee. Visit http://www.smashwords.com/profile/vie...
Enjoy!

Best Novel Nominee

Let no one tell you that googling yourself is a waste of time. I try to do it every few months to check my website appears and whether work I've had published is still available or not. In the past, I've also discovered I'd won a prize that I hadn't been notified about, and my work being used without my permission.

When I did it recently, prior to updating my website and links (I will do it soon, honest!), I came across something that had me dancing around the house for the rest of the day. Discord's Shadow has been nominated for Best Novel in the British Science Fiction Association Awards 2021.

I've had to check the association's website over and again since then to make sure it isn't all a dream. I'm pleased to say, Discord's Shadow is still there. Now, please excuse me–I think I'm going to have to go and have another little dance.

Still Something to Celebrate

The aftermath of the the seasonal festivities can be depressing. It isn't only that all the decorations have been taken down and the day's seem even darker. It's that time when you have to get back to work, and it seems as if the only thing you have to look forward to is all the bills coming in.

Spending money on books might not seem like an option, which could be particularly frustrating if you've read the first book in a series that was on sale, and the rest are now full price. That's why I've decided to keep Discord's Apprentice at half-price until 31st January. Go to http://www.smashwords.com/profile/vie... and use the coupon.

Happy reading!

The First and Last Day

As you may have noticed, it's 1st January 2022. That means it's the last day of the Smashwords End of Year Sale, which closes at 11.59 pm.

I've already downloaded enough books to keep me going throughout January, and I'll be busy writing reviews once I've read them. If you haven't taken a look yet, I recommend that you do. I know you'll be spoilt for choice, but I hope you'll take a look at my page too at http://www.smashwords.com/profile/vie.... You'll find Discord's Child is FREE and Discord's Apprentice is 50 per cent off, so you can download the whole Exiles of Ondd series for half the usual price.

I hope everyone had a festive season full of enough peace, love and fun to make up for the rollercoaster that was 2021, and that you are all fit and ready to make the most of all the good things that 2022 can bring.