Poetry Acceptance - Shoe Music Press

 

 

I am pleased to announce, my poem, The Future is Crayon, has been accepted for publication in Penny Ante Feud.

(A division of Shoe Music Press)

 

I was particularly delighted to be successful, as the application asked me to delve the darkest corners of my warped and fragile mind. When it's due for publication, I'll let you know.

You might find it interested to take a peek into the reality that is my splintered, medicated dreamworld.

 

(Shamefully, I really relate to this poem)

You'll see :)

Guardians Prize Pack Winner

 

Janet MacDonald

 

 

Hi everyone.

If you remember, I recently announced the winner of the Guardians Grand Prize Pack Giveaway as Janet MacDonald.

 

For the first time ever, I had a winner selected by Rafflecopter who actually lives in Greece. So guess what? We just had to meet up so I could give Janet her prize in person.

 

And here we are, outside one of the few café bars I haven't been barred from...yet!

(Please note - without any prior agreement, we even coordinated our colors)

Spooky!

 

 Janet is now the proud owner of a selection of Guardian and Fire Asylum paraphernalia, Mouse Mat's, Caps, Bags, Safety Equipment, and...(all together now)...

A partridge in a pear treeeeee. Thank you!

 

Once again, a big thank you to Janet, and all those who entered the competition. Your continued support is much appreciated.

 

(Note for diaries)

March 2014. The Cambion Journals - Kiss of the Succubus Grand Prize Pack Giveaway)

 

*****

And for all you football fans out there...

Just look what I was wearing underneath

 

A team dear to my heart - established the same year as myself...

(Stomp those Redskins today boys!)

 

Stay tuned 12.00 noon - 3.00pm CST for more.

 

See you all next time :)

 

 

 

 

Flash Fiction - Survivor

 

My link to a superb magazine - Danse Macabre du Jour is now live.

 

 

They are very kindly running a gritty piece of flash fiction - Survivor - in their journal.

Please click the link in the side bar to visit their site and take a look around.

 

Enjoy.

Winner - Winter Solstice Blog Hop

 

 

Hi everyone.

Just to let you know, I've just let Rafflecopter select a winner for my particular prize on the Pagan Writers Press - Winter Solstice Blog hop under - Bite of the Jade Dragon.

 

Congratulations to Shari B.

 



 

Shari wins a copy of Guardian Angels - the first book of the Guardian Series - together with an Ice Dragon Pendant.

 

 

Thank you to everyone who entered

...and Shari?

I shall be contacting you soon to arrange delivery of your prize.

Pagan Writers Press - Winter Solstice Blog Hop

 

 

 

Hi everyone, and welcome to the Pagan Writers Press - Winter Solstice Blog Hop.

As part of the combined story/blog hop event – you are invited to take part in a giveaway by entering the Rafflecopter near the bottom of the page, commenting on the blog itself, or sending me a message on Facebook.

 

As I mentioned previously, my contribution is a little piece of Flash Fiction, and the events upon which this short story is based are rather personal.

In the first instance, it relates to a near-miss I experienced while serving in the British Military. Our training methods were extremely hazardous, and I’ll never forget the feeling of one of the spring-loaded cam (The bits and pieces mountaineers use to fasten themselves to strategic places along the mountain) suddenly coming away from the rock face. But I was fortunate. I was securely fastened to the wall at other points by properly positioned nuts and cams. So I only dropped a little way

Sadly, years later, some friends of mine were not so lucky.
We sometimes forget. The events we read in fiction can be based on what’s actually happened in someone else’s life. Needless to say, this story is dedicated to their memory.

*******

 

Muscles screaming, body slick with sweat, I pushed myself past all previous limits. The fruition of five hours of intense, strenuous labor was now within sight and I wasn’t about to let up for anything. I’ll not be denied my prize.

At 18,360 feet, Shanzidou is the highest peak in the Lijiang province of China. A pinnacle I had never conquered. Jade Dragon they called her, and she had been on my list for some time. A granite fist of treacherous arêtes and unforgiving escarpments. But now she was mine.

Every winter, I would treat myself to a special excursion. Selecting the highest example from one particular mountain range, I would then attempt to scale it. I’d put this particular gem off for a number of years, as obtaining the permits had been a long, drawn out affair. But only two months ago permission had been given, and now, the hoary crown of Shanzidou’s summit lay within my grasp. In fact, it was so close, I felt as if all I had to do was reach out and touch it.

Confident of victory, I buried my axe deep into the ice and continued the climb. Glittering cruelly, diamond edged shards spat back in defiance, scoring my face afresh in a network of lacerations and blood The wind howled in support, adding its strength to the distractions threatening to strip me from the sanctuary of my fragile perch. To no avail.

I laughed like a maniac, and my peals of delight echoed off into the star-spangled void. Do your worst, nothing will stop me now.

Leaning away from the rock face, I turned to savor the panorama. It was well past midnight on Christmas Eve, and the glow of a full moon cast an effervescent flush through the vault of the heavens and across the majestic landscape below me. By its light, the tapestry of the valley was veiled in a patchwork of mystery and suspense.

I inhaled deeply. The sting of vibrant, clean air electrified my nostrils, and every breath I took set my nerves on fire. Now, this is what life is all about.

But it wasn’t time to relax. Not yet. Not with the end so close.

Invigorated, I returned to my task like a man renewed, satisfied that this experience would be one I’d treasure forever. Driving powerfully into the petrified colossus before me, I exulted in imminent victory.

A sudden bang froze me on the spot. The retort was followed by a prolonged splintering sound as a fracture began to etch its way across the crystal sheen of the ice face. Tremors worried my fingertips and toes. Teasing themselves into the marrow of my bones, they heralded impending terror and death. I held my breath, but gradually, they faded to nothing.

A huge sigh of relief whistled its way between my teeth. Shifting my weight, I was about to take another swing with my pick when a loud groan reverberated into the ether. Moments later, the silence of the night was ruptured by an even louder crack, like the sound of jaws snapping shut. Unbelievably, I began to move, and in seconds found myself within a chiming, tinkling, cascade of refracted splendor. Glancing down, I began to scream, helpless to prevent my headlong rush toward oblivion.

*******

 

There you go - I hope you enjoyed that little bit of flash-fiction.

Now to the prize for this particular blog...

 

 

As you can see, the prize involves either a hardback or eBook version of Guardian Angels – Book 1 of the Guardian Series – together with an Ice Dragon Pendant. This contest will run until December 13^th, And I’ll announce the Winner over the weekend starting Friday 15^th.

To enter the Rafflecopter section, just click here: 
 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

Hopefully, the story will whet your appetite for Guardians – book 2 of the series, which has just been released. (Buy links can be found in the side bar to your right).

...And don’t forget...

This is a Blog Hop. You can visit the other blogs supporting this event, by following the link –

 

http://new.inlinkz.com/luwpview.php?id=341550

Here

Pagan Writers Press - Winter Solstice Blog Hop

 

Beginning 12/6/13, the authors at Pagan Writers Press are putting together a holiday blog hop and we want YOU to join us! If you are an author or a book blogger, sign to to join us for the fun. Here are the guidelines:

Theme:
Your blog post can be about winter holidays, winter memories, the season of winter. What is your favorite memory of winter? Does the season inspire you to write? You can write about the solstice, about any winter holidays, about the snow or the season, about your characters experiences of the season, flash fiction or an excerpt dealing with winter or the holidays. 

Blog Hop Rules:

1.       You must write about the theme.

2.       Giveaway a prize on your blog.

3.       Include the Linky (Shown below) so that viewers can hop to other blogs.

4.       Ensure to add information about your book/buy links at the end of the blog post.

Authors/bloggers are responsible for giving away their own prizes. You can use comments, rafflecopter, random.org, or something else.

To sign up, just fill out the linky located here and make sure your post is live on 12/6/13.

 

Look out for my blog on the day (Friday 6th) as it will contain my own links and participation details.

See you then.



Bring Your Imagination to Life

 

I was struck by several comments in a number of film reviews/previews I read over the past week or two about well known novels or short stories that have made it onto the big screen. (Or little screen come to that.) The Hunger Games - Catching Fire / The Hobbit / Game of Thrones, to name a few.

 

Some of the reviewers were keen book readers, and made the comment that while they thoroughly enjoyed what they had seen, the celluloid versions had a long way to go to capture the mood and intensity of the books themselves. I've got to say, I thought they made a really good point.

 

I'm an avid reader too, and have read all of the books incorporation the above mentioned sagas. I remember watching The Hunger Games and felt exactly the same thing. Don't get me wrong, I loved the film. But I do remember thinking, what a shame they missed the oppressive weight of subjugation the book manages to convey, and how life in the districts is sheer drudgery. It adds weight to the travesty and injustice behind the spirit of the Games - ie - to keep a broken people down. It helps you understand the story (and what you subsequently see on the screen) at a deeper level, so you can relate to the characters much more personally.

 

Then it made me realize what a responsibility we have as a writers.

 

We pour our heart and soul into our projects don't we? But in our urgency to get our thoughts down onto paper, do we ensure not to rush too much? Do we safeguard the integrity of our story by taking the time to give it a structured history and a texture that makes it believable? To add a depth and weight to the plot that makes it worth others considering it?

 

 

 

Yes - do we breath real life into our imagination so it does more than blandly run along the cold line of a page. When others read our work, have we helped them envisage something like this could easily jump out and grab them?

Do we show - not tell?

 

We each have our own voice, our own style when it comes to writing. But those reviewers helped reinforce  how essential it is for me to draw people into the worlds I create, so they become personally involved in the lives and events depicted within the pages. I want people to read my books and spit with rage, curse with frustration, cry out with satisfaction.

I won't be able to do that, unless I make every effort to bring my imagination to life...and make it real.

Do you keep it real?

Guardians Release

 

 

Hi everyone.

Although belated due to interruptions by severe thunderstorms, I'm proud to announce that book 2 in the Guardian Series - cunningly entitled Guardians - has been released and is now available for Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and other outlets, for purchase in paperback and ebook formats.

Please follow the link on the right-hand column (Within the book cover pic) to find out more details.

Or follow this link:

https://www.amazon.com/author/andrewpweston

To my Amazon author page.

 

Most of all

Please enjoy - and tell your friends.

Guardians Grand Prize Giveaway

 

Winner!

 

 

Well, It's a little bit late because of Thunderstorms...

BUT

 

Having combined the Rafflecopter - direct messages - and Message entrants,

The winner of the above prize pack is

 

Janet MacDonald!
(Janet was actually entrant number 30 on the Rafflecopter section of the giveaway)

 

Well done Janet.
Look in your messages for details as to how to collect your prize.

 

SERVICE - SACRIFICE - HONOR

 

 

Soon,
People will understand the true meaning of these words.

 Guardians - Book 2 of the Guardian Series

Doing whatever it takes to protect and serve.

 

 



Poetry Acceptance

 

The Screech Owl

 

Well, what a week I've had.

 

It began with a marvellous acceptance for a very special piece of poetry I completed earlier this month.

 

It was followed by a pleasing surge of creativity that allowed me to get up to 40k on my new project.

 

And when I got up today, my in-box contained an email from the editor of 'The Screech Owl' stating that five of my poems have been accepted for publication.

(If you've never seen a sleepy guy doing cartwheels around the living room - you just haven't lived. Anyway - More on the release when I have the details)

 

I'm particularly pleased to be accepted by Screech Owl, as they are a site and magazine devoted to the best poetry, prose and short stories you can find.

Check them out on the link within my side bar under breaking news.

 

And of course, a big Thank you goes to the staff and editors at The Screech Owl...

(Now, where's my celebratory vodka and cheesecake?) 

 





 

An Ancient Evil Stirs

 

Abaddon - The Despoiler

 

Just when you thought life couldn't bring any further dangers your way, the Angel of the Abyss comes calling.

 

Is there any hope?

Find out - Soon.

 

Poetry Acceptance

 

Pixies of Eglantine

 

 

Wow! What a week.

I'm very pleased to be able to announce that my fantasy poem,

With Eyes Unveiled



has been accepted into a wonderful poetry e-zine

Pixies of Eglantine.
 

A magazine dedicated to fantasy, folk law and magic.

Sadly, you'll have to wait until Midsummer 2014 to see it in print...

 

I know.

How will you curb your excitement?

 

Thank you to Pixies of Eglantine for the privilege of appearing in their e-zine. I hope this is the first of many submissions to them.

Poetry Acceptance

 

Leaves of Ink

 

 

Hi Everyone.

I hope you don't mind, but I wanted to share some great news.

 

I was contacted today by E.S. Wynn, Editor in Chief for Leaves of Ink, (and a number of other reputable poetry/art/fiction presses), to be informed of the fact that a poem I submitted to them recently...

Summer Canvas

was accepted, and will be appearing on the front page of Leaves of Ink on
January 10th 2014.
 

Needless to say, I am delighted that my New Year will start in such a way, and am fighting the urge to wax lyrical as I type. 

 

A big 'thank you' to Leaves of Ink.

I can't wait to provide a link to share it on the day.

The Bestseller Rulebook

 

Over the past several weeks, I've noticed a few magazines expressing their opinions - (And their readers opinions) - on what makes a best seller. Obviously, I was intrigued.

 

 

As fellow authors will know, it takes a great deal of hard work and dedication to produce a short story, let alone a novel, or a series. So, what sure-fire ingredients do the "experts" say we ought to make sure we include in our fledgling babies?

 

You might find some of them surprising.

Here goes:

 

Make your main character's life hard

It's no fun having someone who has the world at their feet. Readers want turmoil. Do they have enemies to defeat? Do they need to protect their families in some way? Is there a threat that everything they have could be taken away? If they have a love life, make it gritty.

Have you noticed how this point is reflected in some of the things on TV recently? The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, 24, Game of Thrones, Homeland.

 

Have real Supporting characters

Just because they're not the hero or heroine, doesn't mean to say a member of the supporting cast can't be complex. Make them just as realistic, multifaceted, intelligent or devious as your main character. It'll add a depth to your work that will make it much more believable.

 

Build them a world

I've mentioned this before. How much effort do you expend in world building? Where does the story take place? When? How did they get to where they are now? What's the history and development behind this fictional person/place and where are they going? The more detail, the clearer the ring of fictional truth with sound through.

For example...

Do you know, only two of my readers have actually asked my why Lei Yeung, (A character from the Guardian Series), has a Chinese name? Why has he lived most of his life in Japan, and become the boss of a Japanese crime syndicate when the two cultures hate each other?
Aha! Well spotted Jon and Simon...but you'll have to wait a while for things to be explained.

(You'll see...follow the breadcrumbs).

 

Add a mystery

 

Who is John Snow's mother? What is the island? Who shot J.R.? Will we ever see the second series of Caprica?Just what is Victoria's Secret?

Mystery adds a narrative arc to the plot and allows you to drop all sorts of clues and red herrings. It's a great tool, so long as you help unravel the mystery as the story evolves.

 

Kill off characters

The best stories are the ones that subvert your expectations. When I read Game of Thrones, I was itching for Ned Stark to expose the snotty little *#%8 (Joffrey) for what he was and depose of the Lannisters. Ouch! Was I wrong. I won't say any more, as the TV series is nowhere near as developed as the books and I don't want to spoil the surprises. But seriously - wow! If you can make your reader spit with indignation, you've won. You've made them care for your character. Nice one :)

 

Sex

If you're going to include sex, make sure the intensity, heat rating, and frequency match the actual plot line perfectly. For goodness sake, don't just chuck it in there to pad out the story. Our readers aren't idiots. They will immediately spot something that doesn't fit. So ensure it does.

A good sex scene can really make/break the story's credibility.

 

Ohm Ohm on the range

 

 

A good dream sequence, dream-quest, or drugs high, etc,

can allow you to take your character where they wouldn't otherwise be able to go. It can add depth/history to the character themselves, or the plot, and allow you to include essential history that would otherwise be missed. So, don't be afraid to add surrealism.

 

Have an endgame

This is why I spend so much time planning a project before I actually start writing. Don't get me wrong, I'm not rigid. I allow things to flow as I'm writing, because very often, great ideas and twists come to me as I'm going along. But, I know how my story will begin. I know the ports it has to call in at on the way, and I know how it's going to end. Having an endgame can allow all sorts of machinations and subplots to simmer away as you go along. Then, at the grand revelation, when you pull all the threads together...pow! What an impact.

 

**********

 

Well, there you go.

I thought some of the ideas were rather intriguing, especially when it came to making our characters happy. Life isn't always like that, and evidently, our public want to see that reflected in the stories they read.

 

So, what points are you going to ensure make it into your next novel?

 

 

Can You See What's Coming?

 

 

Keep looking...

 

Don't let the bright light blind you to hidden dangers...

 

Guardians

Book 2 of the Guardian Series

 

Only weeks away.

 



 

Inspiration

 

Today I thought I'd speak about Inspiration.

 

Many people have a hard time finding it. I don't know, I must be lucky. But then again, just look at what I find every time I open the front door! (And this is from the past week)

 

 

 

 

 



They say a picture paints a thousands words.
To keep things simple, I just use what's around me every day to stimulate my creativity.

 

Now, I know not everybody will have views like mine. Nevertheless - you can be observant.

Use what you find around you every day to motivate yourself. Put something down. No, it doesn't have to be an epic. Sometimes it might be a simple phrase that springs to mind, or a word. But use it. Record it, and allow it to grow into something magical.

 

After all, if I can find examples like these in just one week, just imagine what you can find by looking every day?



 

 



 

Free Your Mind

 

Hi everyone.

Last time, I chatted about how I'm managing to keep things fresh and bursting the bubble of complacency to avoid stagnancy in my work.

Today, I thought I'd concentrate on one surprising area that has really helped my imagination to soar free...poetry.

 

 

Yes, I said poetry.

I've been interested in verse for quite a few years. From an early age, I would get friends to pick a subject, and within seconds, I'd be able to come up with a witty little limerick that would make them laugh. When I studied English at school and college, it was one of my favourite subjects. I still remember the titles we studied as part of our A levels.

Dooley is a traitor by James Milne, Macavity the Mystery Cat by T.S. Elliot, and The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge being my favourites. I can almost recite them from memory, even now.

Looking back, however, I can see how my views were coloured by what I studied. And no matter how hard I think, I cannot recall a single one that didn't rhyme. So of course, to me, rhyming verse was natural. Anything else...well, it wasn't poetry.

 

How my view has changed.

 

As I mentioned previously, earlier on in the year, I really submerged myself into this medium once more, and now have more than seventy poems recorded and listed. And the number is growing. And do you know what? I'm shocked to see how the vast majority of them are free form and free verse. And I especially love Haiku.

Why?

Because I've discovered this form of poetry really stimulates my thinking process. It's almost as if I'm living a waking dream and have the opportunity to write about anything. So I do...

 

Things that are happening in the news. Life, death, and tragedy. Happiness, joy and loss. How I'm feeling, what I'd like to do. Animals, plants, festivals. Pop singers, politicians, and characters from history. Fantasy and science. Anything and everything.

 

And having managed to write it all down, I was amazed how poetry refined my focus in relation to flash fiction and short stories. Good examples of this medium are difficult to find. Your language has to be concise, the expressions pithy. The word pictures you paint have to be full of colour and expressive. So I was inspired to try my hand in this area too. And I'm delighted to say it's producing results.

 

So, if you'd like to boost your writing...Free your mind. Try poetry. Have a stab at flash fiction and ultra short stories. Give the worlds you create the teeth to bite back. You'll be delighted by what it does to your craft.

 

Do you Fear What's Coming?

 

 

Thank goodness someone's there to step in the way

 

Coming soon!

 

Burst the Bubble

 

Recently, I've been thinking about what I could do to help me keep things fresh. To burst that bubble of rigidity that threatens to encompass us all, so I could keep myself stimulated enough to constantly visualize new ideas.

 

Then I had an idea!

 

There are a lot of science fiction/fantasy magazines on the market nowadays. They cater to all sorts of tastes and niche markets.

Why not take a look at some of the more upbeat, quality examples, (Strange Horizons, Clarkesworld, Kasma, Analogue, Daily Science Fiction, Space & Time, Not One of Us...to name a few), to see what they are focusing on at the moment?

 

As you might imagine, the diversity is enormous.

But I spotted something interesting.

 

Quite a number of them incorporate short stories, flash fiction, and poetry into their respective formulas.

 

So it got me thinking.

 

When we write novels, we have a great deal of 'space' in which to incorporate our theme. In some ways, we can liken our endeavours to a meal. A starter or beginning. The main course in the middle. And a dessert at the end.

 

With a short story, poetry - and all the more so with flash fiction, you have to compress those elements into smaller portions.

 

Like a mezze!

 

It really stimulates the thinking process. Especially when you add the 'speculative' element that everyone is so keen on.

 

What do I mean by speculative?

Well, it's a story that contains elements that aren't restricted solely to 'plain old sci-fi'.

Think of stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, think Twilight Zone, and you'll be on the right track.

 

Perhaps the easiest way to describe speculative fiction is...

Have you ever read a story that was weird, amazing, twisted or fantastical?

...but it wasn't classed as science fiction or fantasy or even horror?

 

THAT's speculative fiction.

 

So, lately, I've been giving these elements a go. In short stories, with poetry, by snaps of flash fiction. It's made me better appreciate the crucial ingredients we need to consider when we prepare 'meals' for our audience to digest.

 

I really recommend you try it for yourself.

You'll be amazed at the results

 

And in my case?

 

I'll let you know how my dabbling's turn out soon :)

 

Have You Seen This?

 

Like many people, I'm having a busy time at the moment. Writing, editing, trying to keep up with blogs and so forth.

Although I've not been able to do a very good job of keeping up with things, I have managed to keep abreast of some of the latest developments going on around us. As many of you know, I love science, and astronomy in particular.

My sidebar - Breaking News - tab has an article on it stating that Voyager has left the solar system.

 

 

But - How do scientists actually know that? 

Aha- Follow this link to find out...

 

http://astronaut.com/voyagers-great-leap/

 

It's quite revealing :)

Enjoy...

Coming Soon

 

Guardians - Book 2 of the Guardian Series

 

 

October sees the release of Guardians - Book 2 of the Guardian Series.
In celebration of that fact, please don't forget the Guardian/Fire Asylum prize pack that's available for one lucky reader

 

 

If you want to enter. Just click one of the Rafflecopter options. Message me on Facebook, or leave a message on the Blog.  The winner will be announced in October.

Good Luck :)

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Heart of the Storm Giveaway

Congratulations!

 

 

Well, the day has arrived to announce our winners!

 

Rafflecopter selected our second prize winner of a copy of the story itself as:

Entrant #14 - Sharon D

 

Well done Sharon. Thank you for entering the competition.

I will be contacting you today

 

 

The 1st place winner of both the story AND this fine Viking Nordic Trefot Pendant is:


Entrant #13 - Denise Z

 

Again - Congratulations Denise, and thank you so much for entering.

 

If you missed out this time, don't worry. Not only do I hold regular Giveaway competitions, but soon, Ishtar Press will be announcing details of a Grand Giveaway, regarding all of the stories to appear in For the Love of the Gods anthology. So - keep your eyes peeled for that :)

 

 

For now - take care - And Denise, Sharon, you'll probably see your emails before you see this!

Have a great day now.

Learning Curve.

Hi everyone.

This time around, I thought I’d share some of my experiences regarding the learning curve I continue to navigate as a new author.

I say continue, because I’m always finding new areas I need to look at or improve on. Take my personal experience as an example.

Like many new/aspiring authors, as I wrote my first ever novel, I began approaching literary agents. Many well established agencies simply won’t consider new writers...Unless you have a friend in the know. Of course, this means you can’t get a look-in at the larger publishing houses, who won’t view you as a viable prospect without the mandatory agent behind you.

Catch twenty-two? Well, not if you try hard, direct your focus and concentrate on the up and coming smaller publishing houses who are concentrating on gathering a quality author base. That’s what I managed to do when I discovered Pagan Writers Press.

But, managing to secure a contract and getting a book published is only part of the hurdle you need to overcome. Remember, other new writers will have managed to follow the course you did, and will also be publishing their books. This means thousands of new books–yes, literally thousands–will be hitting the shelves at the same time as yours. And you won’t have the backup provider by those larger – traditional – agencies.

We’re talking about marketing, promotions, connectivity, review and distribution, etc. Things I’m still trying to get to grips with. Like many of you, I still work. Time is limited. I have a family, a new novel to write, other commitments. The list can be endless. So what can you do?

Well, it was only recently I started to sit back a little and decide not to panic. I am limited in the amount of experience I have in these areas. But others aren’t. It’s their business to establish connectivity with the market for you.

So I thought...why don’t I research a few of them and give them a go. What can they do for me as a new author? How can they maximise the potential of my books and raise their profile? How can they direct someone who is searching for a good read to my little work of art above all the others out there?

We shall see...

I’ll keep you posted as to what the company I selected actually does, and if their strategies are effective.

While I was looking into publicists, I had another idea. What can I do to make my name stand out more? The answer was obvious. Diversify? Show an interest in other things that do a lot of the work for you.

As some of you know, I love astronomy and have qualifications in that discipline. So I thought, why not do something in that area that, 1. Not only helps others, but, 2. Puts my name out there through an additional medium. So I did.

I’ve discovered that additional traffic comes my way as an author because of the work I do through this other–related–outlet. Fantastic!

Another thing I realized is that it’s good to be friendly. What I mean is, we lesser known authors have to do a great deal of self publicity. It’s unavoidable. Hopefully, my new experiment will free me from this a little and help me to make a presence among my genre groups. (In my case, Sci-Fi – Fantasy – Paranormal).

I’ve got to say, it’s great fun joining in with other like-minded enthusiasts and just waiting for the penny to drop that I am, in fact, a contracted author. The interest it generates is amazing, and leads to a natural domino effect.

Finally, I remembered another avenue I enjoy that might also help me establish a presence. Poetry.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t stagger round mooning at flowers and clouds all day dreaming up intricate sonnets that wax lyrical...(I’m doing it now aren’t I?)...about the virtues of painted prose. I just happen to love poetry, and have a knack for getting ideas down on paper.

So, over the last six months, I’ve been putting a few things together, and trying my hand at this wonderfully expressive form of writing.

I’ll let you know how that goes too.

I think, what I’m trying to say is...

Think about what you CAN do, not what you can’t. Maximise the efficiency of what you have, and put it to the best use. I’m starting to try that now. And although it’s hard not to worry, I’m enjoying myself more, and feeling less stressed.

 

And that can’t be bad.