Paul G. Day's Blog
August 19, 2019
Revised Books
As of tonight, four of my novels will be available as revised and updated editions on my Author Page at Amazon. I have spent many weeks editing, improving and making them even better. I've also redesigned the covers to make them look more professional. Please visit my author page to see the results. Please note: The new editions will take about 24 hours to appear. Here's the link: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B007QGRJPU
January 10, 2016
Win a new Tablet and signed books
Get a free book, write a review and gonin the draw to win a tablet preinstalled with ten of my books. Plus, receive 5 signed paperbavk novels and picture books. Total value in excess of $200 (AU). Follow the link for more info. http://bravebearbooks.com/2016/01/09/...
August 13, 2015
New Educational Children's Book
Hi friends, fans and visitors,
Today I published my nineteenth book and my eleventh children's book, "Acute Angle and Peter Perpendicular". I am very proud of this one. It took me on average 1 hour per page to arrange the images (longer to create them of course) and an extra hour per page to write the story. This book came out of a class of year 5 and 6 students, when I took them for English. We were looking at geometry words and they didn't believe me that geometry words were also part of English (the subject). So I convinced them by making up a story on the spot and this is the result, an entertaining, educational and fun story with colorful illustrations and delightful characters. Here's the link:
http://bravebearbooks.com/2015/08/13/...
Today I published my nineteenth book and my eleventh children's book, "Acute Angle and Peter Perpendicular". I am very proud of this one. It took me on average 1 hour per page to arrange the images (longer to create them of course) and an extra hour per page to write the story. This book came out of a class of year 5 and 6 students, when I took them for English. We were looking at geometry words and they didn't believe me that geometry words were also part of English (the subject). So I convinced them by making up a story on the spot and this is the result, an entertaining, educational and fun story with colorful illustrations and delightful characters. Here's the link:
http://bravebearbooks.com/2015/08/13/...
June 22, 2015
Goodreads Authors
I read an article recently that was trying to convince authors that they need a goodreads account in order to be successful. I am here to tell all authors that it seems as though nobody wants to read untested authors anymore. Not even Goodreads can help. I've been a member for years and I can count on one hand how many books have been sold through this site. Disappointing.
Paul G Day.
Paul G Day.
June 20, 2015
Free Book Today Only
Hi all,
For today only (for the next 24 hours) I am giving away a free book to visitors of www.bravebearbooks.com to anyone who leaves a comment and their email address. Please state in your message the title you want and I will send a digital copy. You are under no obligation to review, although obviously it would be appreciated. Anyone who does review will be sent the print edition in the mail. Thanks for participating. Does not include titles marked “Coming Soon”.
Paul G Day.
For today only (for the next 24 hours) I am giving away a free book to visitors of www.bravebearbooks.com to anyone who leaves a comment and their email address. Please state in your message the title you want and I will send a digital copy. You are under no obligation to review, although obviously it would be appreciated. Anyone who does review will be sent the print edition in the mail. Thanks for participating. Does not include titles marked “Coming Soon”.
Paul G Day.
March 9, 2015
January 2, 2015
Find Yourself Again
Do you feel like you are all alone in the universe, struggling to figure out what on Earth is going on? Do you feel abandoned, alone, unable to see past your own troubles? Perhaps you are on a journey of self-discovery or enlightenment. Maybe you have just decided you have had enough of being treated unfairly and have left your circumstances to branch out and explore the wider world.
All of us are on a journey. Life can be unforgiving, even cruel to those regarded as weaker than others. Despite your best efforts to clamber above things, something or someone is always there to drag you back down. If this is you then consider this: For each of us there is a story to inspire, to instruct and even to illuminate our life. My stories are such stories. The Black Fairy is an outcast, misunderstood, abandoned and all alone. Red Bear finds himself the victim of his own innocence. The Little Green Hen has been picked on, bullied and ultimately rejected. Tamsin finds herself alone in a world she cannot understand. Kipp finds solace in rediscovering the beauty of exploration and learns to love again. Freddie and Pierre find courage in the wake of their parents absence as they search for answers to difficult questions.
These are characters we can all identify with, whether we are four, or ninety four. These are stories which reflect the journey each of us must take in life as we face the unpredictable, unfair and often cruel world we inhabit. But more than that, the stories I write reach deep inside, revealing the courage, resilience and magic in all of us.
Come on a journey, explore my books, see yourself reflected in the circumstances and problems my characters face and learn what it takes to overcome, to endure and to triumph. Rediscover the the joy of books, the love of life and find yourself again.
Paul G Day.
All of us are on a journey. Life can be unforgiving, even cruel to those regarded as weaker than others. Despite your best efforts to clamber above things, something or someone is always there to drag you back down. If this is you then consider this: For each of us there is a story to inspire, to instruct and even to illuminate our life. My stories are such stories. The Black Fairy is an outcast, misunderstood, abandoned and all alone. Red Bear finds himself the victim of his own innocence. The Little Green Hen has been picked on, bullied and ultimately rejected. Tamsin finds herself alone in a world she cannot understand. Kipp finds solace in rediscovering the beauty of exploration and learns to love again. Freddie and Pierre find courage in the wake of their parents absence as they search for answers to difficult questions.
These are characters we can all identify with, whether we are four, or ninety four. These are stories which reflect the journey each of us must take in life as we face the unpredictable, unfair and often cruel world we inhabit. But more than that, the stories I write reach deep inside, revealing the courage, resilience and magic in all of us.
Come on a journey, explore my books, see yourself reflected in the circumstances and problems my characters face and learn what it takes to overcome, to endure and to triumph. Rediscover the the joy of books, the love of life and find yourself again.
Paul G Day.
December 20, 2014
Good Old Fashioned Books
Hi friends and visitors,
Well, it’s nearly Christmas, a time of giving (and receiving). In amongst the toys and games that will soon be tucked neatly away in the bottom of a drawer to be forgotten in time, there are some real gems that you can treasure forever. Who can forget the first time they picked up a book they could not put down, the classics such as Treasure Island, The Adventures of Huckleberry Fin or Tom Sawyer or 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea.
A book is like no other gift. The story stays with you long after you have read the words. You might even say the stories you fondly remember played a part in who you are today. The same cannot be said for a toy truck or an electronic gadget. They are here today and gone tomorrow.
Well, as luck would have it, I have some (future) classics, just waiting for someone to devour, to savor, to remember forever. Whether you are a child just learning to read or an elderly man or woman who wants to revisit the same types of books they so lovingly remember, I have a book for everyone. Want a story for that niece or nephew full of adventure, color and fun, then take a look at my children’s books: The Misadventures of Red bear, The Little Green Hen, Red Bearonaut, The Red Bearon and many others. Want something a bit more challenging for more competent readers, then you can’t go past The Black Fairy and The Dragonfly (now with a sequel). Want something for older readers, how about Children of Mars or Star Child. Want something that reminds you of the aforementioned classics, then Kipp The Kid is certain to take you back to those days under the shade of your favorite tree, where you dreamed it was you who was the hero, who got the girl, who thwarted the bad guys.
My books have no vampires, no demons, no zombies, just good old fashioned adventure that warms the heart and inspires the imagination. Help me achieve my goal of no less than world domination. Oh wait, that’s a big goal isn't it. Ok, help me achieve my Goal “B” of reaching 10,000 and beyond of Amazon’s Author ranking. Ok, a bit of a stretch. Alright, help me put lovingly created books into the hands of eager young (and older) readers who just love a good yarn.
With 79 reviews on Amazon alone, with an average of 4.5 out of 5 star rating, you can be sure of one thing: These are good quality books, produced with great care and confidence.
Merry Christmas everyone and have a safe and prosperous New Year.
Paul G Day.
Well, it’s nearly Christmas, a time of giving (and receiving). In amongst the toys and games that will soon be tucked neatly away in the bottom of a drawer to be forgotten in time, there are some real gems that you can treasure forever. Who can forget the first time they picked up a book they could not put down, the classics such as Treasure Island, The Adventures of Huckleberry Fin or Tom Sawyer or 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea.
A book is like no other gift. The story stays with you long after you have read the words. You might even say the stories you fondly remember played a part in who you are today. The same cannot be said for a toy truck or an electronic gadget. They are here today and gone tomorrow.
Well, as luck would have it, I have some (future) classics, just waiting for someone to devour, to savor, to remember forever. Whether you are a child just learning to read or an elderly man or woman who wants to revisit the same types of books they so lovingly remember, I have a book for everyone. Want a story for that niece or nephew full of adventure, color and fun, then take a look at my children’s books: The Misadventures of Red bear, The Little Green Hen, Red Bearonaut, The Red Bearon and many others. Want something a bit more challenging for more competent readers, then you can’t go past The Black Fairy and The Dragonfly (now with a sequel). Want something for older readers, how about Children of Mars or Star Child. Want something that reminds you of the aforementioned classics, then Kipp The Kid is certain to take you back to those days under the shade of your favorite tree, where you dreamed it was you who was the hero, who got the girl, who thwarted the bad guys.
My books have no vampires, no demons, no zombies, just good old fashioned adventure that warms the heart and inspires the imagination. Help me achieve my goal of no less than world domination. Oh wait, that’s a big goal isn't it. Ok, help me achieve my Goal “B” of reaching 10,000 and beyond of Amazon’s Author ranking. Ok, a bit of a stretch. Alright, help me put lovingly created books into the hands of eager young (and older) readers who just love a good yarn.
With 79 reviews on Amazon alone, with an average of 4.5 out of 5 star rating, you can be sure of one thing: These are good quality books, produced with great care and confidence.
Merry Christmas everyone and have a safe and prosperous New Year.
Paul G Day.
December 16, 2014
Bring it peeps!
Ok, now my book launch is done, on to business. My goal is simple, spread the word. I see some of you already have my book and are reading it. I sit here at my computer, waiting nervously for the reviews. I have one review already and a four star rating with lovely comments. Bring it peeps. :)
December 10, 2014
Why I Stopped Caring and Learned to Love My Books
For years I made sacrifices for many people, people I have never met, helping them with their writing, producing covers for them, critiquing their work, writing reviews, contributing to forums, writing groups and so on. For years I invested huge amounts of personal time pleasing up and coming writers around me. In all that time I rarely had time to write my own books. That I finished anything at all is a small miracle. I did all this because I believed, as others have said, that by being part of it all, I would see benefits for myself.
But as selfish as this is going to sound, it just isn’t so.
You can blog and write and critique and give and give and give of yourself, but you will rarely if ever have it returned in kind. So, I stopped caring about others and chose to focus only on myself, on my craft, on my books. Surprise, surprise I am writing again. In fact, I just finished two books and am half way through a third in less than two months. It used to take me a year before.
The current wisdom amongst self published authors is that in order to receive and gain a fan base, you must give until you are bled dry.
What a load of nonsense.
The only thing you will accomplish if that is your focus is you will never finish another book. Instead you will create websites aimed at helping others. You will be asked to critique, to read, to edit, to do anything but write. Your life will not be your own, but will be owned by other writers far more selfish than you.
So, I stopped. I went cold turkey, much to the dismay of some of my online friends.
In all the time I did what I was doing, I never asked to exchange likes for likes or reviews for reviews. Instead, I simply gave of myself to others enthusiastically and wholly, in the vain belief that at some point, somehow, I would magically reap some vague reward for all my efforts. I came to realise that the only ones gaining from the arrangement was everyone else but me.
My sales not only did not improve, they came to a grinding halt. Did I get reviews from some? Certainly and I am indebted to those few. Did I get some re-tweets, likes and reposts? Absolutely. But always from the same people, those few people who selflessly gave as I did. But they were far too few. Not enough for a fan base, certainly not enough to have any impact on my own status as a writer. For every hour I gave in the form of my personal time, I was given a couple of seconds if I was lucky. For every thousand words I wrote for others, two or three were returned. For every video I produced, every blog I wrote, every cover I created I received so little it may as well amount to nothing.
They say that the life of a writer is a selfish one. If this is true, then I plan to be very selfish indeed.
This might seem in stark contrast to accepted wisdom amongst indie writers, but if you think about it, traditionally published authors don’t do what I have done. They already have their books in bookstores and supermarkets. They might attend the odd book signing and reply to a few emails or update their blog or Facebook page occasionally, but there is no way in hell you will find them sacrificing so much time for little result. That’s why they are able to sit in their den and write a one thousand page novel. They don’t have to care anymore.
So why should I?
Now, before you jump to conclusions about my state of mind, let me say this. If I see someone in genuine need of help, I will extend my hand. If I read a book I care greatly for, I will write a review. If I read a blog written by another author that appeals to me, I will comment. But what I won’t do anymore, what I refuse to do, is become subservient to the masses of indie authors who are relentless in their efforts to drag you into their little world they have created. They promise much, but deliver little to nothing. They are, like me, selfish. The difference is, they (not all but most) neither have the patience nor the skill to finish anything worthwhile. They are the equivalent of groupies, hanging off the fame of others in hopes of getting some for themselves.
But as selfish as this is going to sound, it just isn’t so.
You can blog and write and critique and give and give and give of yourself, but you will rarely if ever have it returned in kind. So, I stopped caring about others and chose to focus only on myself, on my craft, on my books. Surprise, surprise I am writing again. In fact, I just finished two books and am half way through a third in less than two months. It used to take me a year before.
The current wisdom amongst self published authors is that in order to receive and gain a fan base, you must give until you are bled dry.
What a load of nonsense.
The only thing you will accomplish if that is your focus is you will never finish another book. Instead you will create websites aimed at helping others. You will be asked to critique, to read, to edit, to do anything but write. Your life will not be your own, but will be owned by other writers far more selfish than you.
So, I stopped. I went cold turkey, much to the dismay of some of my online friends.
In all the time I did what I was doing, I never asked to exchange likes for likes or reviews for reviews. Instead, I simply gave of myself to others enthusiastically and wholly, in the vain belief that at some point, somehow, I would magically reap some vague reward for all my efforts. I came to realise that the only ones gaining from the arrangement was everyone else but me.
My sales not only did not improve, they came to a grinding halt. Did I get reviews from some? Certainly and I am indebted to those few. Did I get some re-tweets, likes and reposts? Absolutely. But always from the same people, those few people who selflessly gave as I did. But they were far too few. Not enough for a fan base, certainly not enough to have any impact on my own status as a writer. For every hour I gave in the form of my personal time, I was given a couple of seconds if I was lucky. For every thousand words I wrote for others, two or three were returned. For every video I produced, every blog I wrote, every cover I created I received so little it may as well amount to nothing.
They say that the life of a writer is a selfish one. If this is true, then I plan to be very selfish indeed.
This might seem in stark contrast to accepted wisdom amongst indie writers, but if you think about it, traditionally published authors don’t do what I have done. They already have their books in bookstores and supermarkets. They might attend the odd book signing and reply to a few emails or update their blog or Facebook page occasionally, but there is no way in hell you will find them sacrificing so much time for little result. That’s why they are able to sit in their den and write a one thousand page novel. They don’t have to care anymore.
So why should I?
Now, before you jump to conclusions about my state of mind, let me say this. If I see someone in genuine need of help, I will extend my hand. If I read a book I care greatly for, I will write a review. If I read a blog written by another author that appeals to me, I will comment. But what I won’t do anymore, what I refuse to do, is become subservient to the masses of indie authors who are relentless in their efforts to drag you into their little world they have created. They promise much, but deliver little to nothing. They are, like me, selfish. The difference is, they (not all but most) neither have the patience nor the skill to finish anything worthwhile. They are the equivalent of groupies, hanging off the fame of others in hopes of getting some for themselves.
