New Beginnings - Websplash and Other Stories

My author copies

Although the official publication date for my book is January 23 2012, I now have my author copies and it's up for sale on several online sites (Amazon, The Book Depository, WH Smith to name but three).

So where do I go from here?

I'm really excited to say I have been packing books into bags ever since they have arrived and that my novel has already made it to Trinidad, and will soon be in the USA, Australia, S Ireland and various places in the UK. This is such a mind-boggling feeling, mostly because it means that people will be able to actually read it which is quite scary.

I have a signing event planned for 14th July, locally in Oxfordshire. I am very much looking forward to this.

On the actual publication date, I was wondering what to do to avoid the day passing in a puff of smoke, and I have decided to have a Web Splash. I am hoping that people I know who blog will be interested in being a part of this, as I would like to spread the word widely on the day and see if I can make a bit of impact on Amazon. If you would be interested in joining in with the websplash, please add yourself to the linky list or reply to this post and I will add you to my list.
(With massive thanks to Talli Roland for inspiring this idea with her Blogsplash, and for saying she doesn't mind me blatantly copying her!!)

Friday Flash: Another Me

Another Me

I see you all sitting together in your groups, huddled over frothy cappuccinos. You speak through the steam, inhaling the scent of coffee, chatting and laughing.

You must think I am strange, standing out on my own, looking into the middle distance. If only you knew how much I wish I could be inside with you.

Another version of me would have made straight for the group, introduced myself and joined the conversation. But that was over twenty years ago. I’m different now.

They had no idea when they ridiculed me, no idea at all. It was “playground fun” they said. Well, it didn’t feel like fun to me. 

They apologised in the end. But it’s easier to forgive than to forget.

They changed me. So when you see me standing alone, it’s not because I don’t want to speak to you. It’s because I can’t.

I could if you weren’t in a group. Or if I was still that other me.

I think you’d have liked me back then.

Enjoy your coffee.

Ether Books & Me

Today is a special day for anyone involved with Ether Books, as it's the official release day for version 1.4 of the Ether App. Having been a user of the app for many months, I can tell you the new version has some wonderful enhancements including the ability to share your favourite reads via social media or emails and search for authors by surname.

I would heartily recommend you download the app if you like short stories and haven't already done so. It is currently available for iPhone and iPod Touch.

If you are a regular reader of my blog you will know Ether publish some of my stories. I'm proud to say currently I have 14 pieces of writing available via the app. You can find details on all of these here.

Holidays and High Days

Hi Everyone

Nice blue sky!

I haven't posted for a while as we have just been away for a whole two weeks to the beautiful sunny cloudy and thundery island of Mallorca. I have never seen thunderstorms like it. Luckily my husband is a lunatic superhero among drivers and willing to drive pretty much any car on any road, so for nine of our holiday days we had a hire car and explored the entire island.

Three Happy Children

Despite the weather being a bit disappointing, we all had a  fabulous time, the children were brilliant fun and I was able to visit my favourite beach in the world (in Formentor) not once but twice.

I was hoping to discover my flash fiction muse during our break, but alas it's still nowhere to be seen. I did write one flash story just before I left though and I had a lovely email telling me I'd come second in the competition I entered it into here on the sloanwriter blog. I will probably cheat and use this as my #fridayflash this week. Well, you have to don't you.

I suspect my flash muse is missing in disgust at the amount of time I am spending in deep thought about my novel. On 8th June, while on holiday, I bought WiFi access as I knew my book was going to the printers that day. It was a lovely thought; there I was by the pool and my book was on it's merry way. Little did I know that by the time I got back, it would be on Amazon. Every Amazon site. I couldn't believe it when I saw it, when people say a 'sharp intake of breath' they must mean exactly what I did, but the sound was quite terrifying! I've spent quite a lot of time looking at the Amazon sites since. As you do.

Since then I've worked on my blog pages a bit. The 'Novels' page now includes details of where to buy the book or find free copy giveaways. The 'Events' page will include details of signing events, auctions etc.

That's my update for now! I won't desert you for so long for a while, I promise!