Since becoming a published author there have been a lot of ups and downs. Some things about this business are fun and inspiring and make me feel like I’m achieving something. Others can be a bit more challenging. But for a bookworm like me, especially one who doesn’t have much of a disposable income, there has been an additional perk. Since becoming a published author, I’ve become involved in a book reviewing scheme, which means I am regularly given books (not ones my publisher produces) to read and review. At the moment I have five books on my bedside table, […]

As a writer who writes fiction but trained as a journalist, it sometimes still surprises me how quickly I can swap writing ‘hats’. Today for instance, when at work, I noticed something in a press release that, according to my journalistic training, held a bit too much opinion for that kind of article. It may surprise you to know that the general news is supposed to be devoid of opinion and should focus solely on established facts, leaving opinion for columns devoted to that kind of thing. Of course, in practice, it doesn’t always work out that way, but I […]

When The Heir received a silver award in Literary Classics’ science fiction category in 2013 it was an exciting moment for me. However, I have difficulty telling people about it, probably because I’m a bit of a cynic. So many books I see have won awards. I’m sure they are all deserving of them but there just seems to be so many awards around these days sometimes it loses its meaning for me. Is it just a question of continually trying until you find an award your book can win? It reminds me of how all the kids get a […]

I had another book signing on Saturday, and in spite of my nerves, it went well. When you’re an introvert, as many authors are, it’s challenging to go into a bookstore, sit at a table, and try and convince passersby that they need to buy your book. I’ve long found it one of the most difficult things about my role as an author. The only thing I find more scary is going into a bookstore to ask for a signing in the first place! 🙂 It taxes all my reserves from the moment I take my seat. Straight away I’m […]

On the weekend I took my family to the opening of a new bookstore not too far from me. They’re called Little Gnome, and while little they may be, their aims are big and hold a ray of hope to every local unknown author. That’s because Little Gnome, a coffee/bookshop, is anxious to support local authors, even (and especially) those who are self-published. They do have well-known books also, but are primarily trying to support those who are not so well-known. You might not be aware, but if you’re self-published usually bookstores don’t want to know about you. Even when […]