It’s been a while, so it’s not surprising if you thought I’d deserted you. Of course, I have not; but I have had to redistribute my time.
A year ago, when I released The Spinner’s Game for sale on Amazon, I had no idea of what I’d need to do to promote the sales. With no marketing budget, word of mouth becomes prime. And where better to spread the word than on social media. Over the past year, Twitter users have represented a large portion of my sales.
But Twitter is only one call on my time. My back has healed and strengthened, which means after three years of hitting the pain-barrier after five or six miles I can again walk 10-to-15 miles. Moreover, when weather allows, I’m getting out for two walks a week. As you might guess, I return with lots of photos. Another activity that eats into my time.
AND THEN THERE’S THE WRITING
My sixth book, Learning to Fly, launches on 1st April 2021. Available both as paperback and e-book, the latter available for pre-order on Amazon.
LEARNING TO FLY
Medievalist Neve is delighted to find herself surrounded by swirling colours and foot-stomping music in Regin-jarl’s mead hall… even if her presence is dependent on the memories of a banished angel.
Prompted by that angel to find the truth of her grandfather, locked in a cage to be food for vampiric grimmen, trapped beneath a dragon, life isn’t fun for Neve… though she does like the music!
THE FUTURE
I have resurrected Roots of Rookeri, posted here in weekly episodes in 2014. It is currently with my critique partner, but I shall be wanting beta readers for it shortly.
Work In Progress cover
A penniless poet-chorus-master & staunch adherent of Luban’s founding principle of “wealth is evil” falls for a visiting spy in guise of a scholar from status-hungry, gold-dripping Rothi. But problem: she has great wealth, and he’s its rightful heir. A Comedy of Errors in Shakespearean style.
I hope you’ll forgive me my absences.
crispina kemp 
Ugh, marketing! If you would like to promote your books and other endeavors through a Saddle Up Saloon interview, let me know. The Saddle Up Saloon is a fictional stage at Carrot Ranch. It’s run by fictional ranch hands Kid and Pal, so maybe a little weird, but it is more exposure and a bit of fun. This link is to the Saloon page if you want to check it out and get a sense of the place. (The poetry prompts by Chel Owens and Colleen Chesebro are new guest hosted features from the saloon stage) https://carrotranch.com/category/saloon/
Kid and Pal’s weekly Ranch Yarns are archived here: https://shiftnshake.wordpress.com/ranch-yarns-2021/ and on two other older pages.
I’d love to see you at the saloon, but either way, good luck and congratulations on the walking! (Yay, more photos!)
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That’s a very kind offer, one I must get my head around and make full use of. Thank you.
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Great news that you’re feeling better!
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It’s great to be able to cover the distance without limping home in pain, and without resort to painkillers
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Nothing to forgive you busy bee!!
I am amazed when I manage a 10-mile walk (you sure yours are THAT long?) as it seems to take forever, Okay, I am trudging through snow but still…
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I always measure my walks on Google Maps.
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😉😁
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I was Army trained (by my father)
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Wow, I miss out on blogs for a few months and I come back and you have two more books! You are a writing demon! Very impressive how much you’ve accomplished in this past year alone. I’m so happy to hear that you’re feeling stronger and are able to walk more and more. And that you have ventured into Twitter land and survived! (Something I’m not sure I could stomach, but needs be, I know.)
The new book covers look amazing, in the same style and yet also a distinctively different vibe from the first series — I love them! Were they done by the same artist?
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Thanks, Joy. My cp, Lauren, is also a designer. She’s brilliant. She knows exactly what’s required cos she’s reading the books. And in fairness, these stories already existed in episode form on blog… which isn’t to say they haven’t required rewrites etc. Yea, hard work, but work I enjoy.
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btw, the Rookeri graphic isn’t the cover, just me playing about
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