In the era of globalisation, where the world seems to be getting smaller, there is an emerging trend that celebrates localism. This trend is not only limited to food and products but extends to the realm of literature as well. In New Zealand, a growing number of authors and publishers are opting to print their children's books locally. In this blog post, we will explore the numerous benefits of printing children's books in New Zealand and how it contributes to fostering a vibrant and unique literary culture. Supporting Local Economy: Printing children's books in New Zealand is an excellent way to support the local economy. By choosing a local printing press, you contribute to the growth of small businesses and support local jobs. This helps create a sustainable ecosystem where writers, illustrators, printers, and other professionals can thrive, ultimately benefiting the wider community. Environmental Sustainability: Printing locally reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation. By eliminating long-distance shipping, you help minimise greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to a cleaner environment. New Zealand's commitment to environmental sustainability makes it an ideal choice for authors who wish to align their values with their book production methods. Quality Control and Collaboration: Printing children's books locally allows for better quality control and fosters collaboration between authors, illustrators, and printing professionals. Being in close proximity to the printing press enables authors to actively participate in the printing process, ensuring that the final product meets their vision. This collaborative approach enhances the overall quality of the books, ensuring that children receive the best possible reading experience. Cultural Relevance: Printing children's books in New Zealand offers the opportunity to infuse cultural relevance and authenticity into the stories. Local illustrators and artists possess a deep understanding of New Zealand's unique landscapes, flora, fauna, and cultural heritage. By working with them, authors can create visually captivating books that resonate with young readers and showcase the country's rich cultural tapestry. Quick Turnaround Time: Printing locally enables authors and publishers to have greater control over their production timelines. With reduced shipping times and fewer logistical challenges, books can be printed and distributed more efficiently. This ensures that authors can meet the demand for their books in a timely manner, keeping young readers engaged and satisfied. Building Community Connections: Printing children's books locally allows authors to establish strong connections within their communities. By supporting local printing presses, authors can host book launch events, signings, and readings that engage local readers, schools, and libraries. These events help foster a sense of community, inspire young minds, and create lasting memories for children and families. Choosing to print children's books locally in New Zealand offers numerous advantages for authors, publishers, and readers alike. From supporting the local economy and reducing environmental impact to enhancing quality control and infusing cultural relevance, printing locally contributes to a vibrant literary ecosystem. By celebrating local creativity, we ensure that our children grow up with books that are not only entertaining but also reflect their own unique experiences and heritage.
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From my experience throughout my presentations for Featherston Booktown Festival Young Readers Programme, where I read my latest book to classes and kindys, there were numerous occasions where the little ones expressed their fear of going on the bus. I was able to get them on the bus, and they had an absolute blast. This experience inspired me to write a short blog about helping children learn that the bus is a safe and fun experience. For many children, taking the bus to school or other activities can be an exciting and fun experience. However, some children may feel nervous or unsure about taking the bus, especially if they are new to the experience. As a parent or caregiver, it's important to help children understand that the bus is a safe and enjoyable mode of transportation. In this blog, we'll explore some tips and strategies for teaching children that the bus is a safe and fun experience. 1. Start with a positive attitude As with many things in life, attitude is critical. If you approach the bus as a safe and fun experience, your child will likely adopt a similar mindset. Start by talking to your child about all the fun and exciting things they can do on the bus, like reading a book, playing games, or chatting with friends. Emphasise the positives and encourage your child to look forward to their bus ride. 2. Explain Safety Rules Children need to understand that the bus is a safe mode of transportation but that there are rules they need to follow to stay safe. Explain to your child that they should always listen to the bus driver and follow their instructions. Teach them to stay seated while the bus is moving, to keep their arms and legs inside the bus, and to use the handrail when getting on and off the bus. 3. Practice Bus Safety Practice makes perfect, and this is especially true when it comes to bus safety. Take your child to the bus stop and practice safely getting on and off the bus. Show them how to wait patiently in line and to step back from the bus when it's moving. Make sure they know to wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before getting off. 4. Encourage Independence As children get older, they may start to feel more confident and independent on the bus. Encourage this independence by giving them some responsibility, like getting ready for the morning bus or making sure they have everything they need before getting off the bus. This can help build their confidence and make them feel more comfortable on the bus. 5. Address Any Concerns If your child is feeling nervous or unsure about taking the bus, it's important to address their concerns. Listen to their worries and try to reassure them that the bus is safe and fun. If they are worried about getting lost or not knowing where to go, show them the route and point out landmarks or other helpful information. If they are worried about being late, ensure they have plenty of time to get ready in the morning and know when the bus will arrive. Teaching children that the bus is a safe and fun experience can help them feel more confident and independent as they navigate the world around them. By emphasising the positives, explaining safety rules, practising bus safety, encouraging independence, and addressing any concerns, you can help your child enjoy the bus ride and all the adventures that come with it. I have been asked several times what writing a children's picture book is like. I have published two children's books and am still learning as I grow to become a quality author. Some people think it is easy because it is all pictures and minimal words, but this is far from how it is. Writing children's picture books can be a wonderful creative endeavour. Here is some information from my experience to help you get started: You need to choose a theme: Children's picture books often revolve around a central theme, friendship, adventure, or overcoming fears. Think about the message you want to share with young readers and choose a theme that resonates with them. My first two books don't teach friendship or overcoming fears as such but show characters in a fun light. My next book will have some teachings for my young readers. Keep it simple: Picture books are meant to be read and enjoyed by young children, so keep your language and writing style simple and easy to understand. Use short sentences, vivid descriptions, and repetition to help keep your young readers engaged. Rhyming stories make the story easy to remember and keep it fun for children. However, this is incredibly hard to achieve as to create a rhyme, you may end up going away from the storyline slightly, and it may need to be clarified for the reader. This is something I need help with. Create relatable characters: Children are more likely to engage with a story if they can relate to the characters. Create characters that children can identify with, and give them personalities and traits that children will find endearing and relatable. I am writing about Comet the Red Bus and his friendly bus driver Billie. Children often go on a bus for a school adventure or to get to school, so this resonated with some of my readers. Use illustrations to enhance the story: Picture books rely heavily on illustrations to help tell the story. While the writing focuses on the writing itself, illustrations play a crucial role in engaging young readers and bringing the story to life. Work with an illustrator or create your own illustrations that enhance and complement the text. Make sure your illustrations are colourful, bold, and eye-catching. Be careful when selecting an illustrator. You either need to pay someone to do the work, and you own the work, or you need to credit the illustrator in your book and then share the profits from your books with them as a contributor towards your book. Thousands of scammers are online, and they are only too happy to take your money and not deliver. Consider the age range: Picture books are typically aimed at children between 3 and 8. Consider the age range of your target audience when writing your book. Use age-appropriate language and themes, and make sure your story is engaging and entertaining for young readers. Read and revise: Like any writing project, reading and editing your work is essential. Read your story aloud to understand how it flows and where you will likely find improvements you can make. Share your work with others and get feedback, and be willing to revise and make changes as needed. Edit, edit and edit some more. Pay a good editor and proofreader. Don't be cheap; use a professional. I reprinted my entire first book as it needed to be edited correctly; I was ripped off by someone who had no idea what they were doing. Following these tips, you can create a fun and engaging children's picture book that young readers will love. Remember to have fun and let your creative side shine through! Public transport is a mode of transportation that is available to everyone, irrespective of their social or economic status. Public transport systems such as buses, trains, trams, and subways are widely used in cities and towns all over the world. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in public transport due to the environmental benefits and reduced traffic congestion it provides. In my blog today, we will explore the various benefits of using public transport. Firstly, public transport is an affordable means of transportation. The cost of owning and maintaining a car can be high, with expenses such as fuel, insurance, and parking adding up over time. Public transport, on the other hand, is generally more affordable and offers discounts for regular commuters, students, and senior citizens. This means people who cannot afford to own a car can still travel around the city without breaking the bank. Secondly, public transport is more environmentally friendly than using private cars. Cars emit harmful pollutants that contribute to climate change, air pollution, and health problems. Public transport, on the other hand, is more energy-efficient and produces less carbon emissions per passenger mile. This means that by using public transport, individuals can contribute to reducing their carbon footprint and help to mitigate some of the effects of climate change. Thirdly, public transport can reduce traffic congestion. With more people using public transport, there are fewer cars on the road, leading to less traffic congestion and a smoother flow of traffic. This means that individuals who use public transport can save time and money by avoiding traffic delays and finding parking. Fourthly, public transport promotes social inclusion. It provides access to transportation for people who may not be able to afford to own a car, such as low-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Public transport can also help to reduce social isolation, especially for senior citizens or those who do not have access to a car. Fifthly, public transport can improve public health. By reducing the number of single-person cars on the road, public transport can help to reduce air pollution and improve air quality. This can lead to a decrease in respiratory illnesses such as asthma and lung cancer. Additionally, walking to and from public transport stations can help to increase physical activity levels and reduce the risk of obesity and other health problems. Sixthly, public transport can improve the overall quality of life for individuals. By reducing the stress of driving and avoiding traffic congestion, individuals can have a more relaxed and enjoyable commute. Public transport also offers opportunities for social interaction and can provide access to cultural and recreational activities that may not be available in one's immediate area. In conclusion, public transport provides a wide range of benefits to individuals, communities, and the environment. It is an affordable, environmentally friendly, and socially inclusive mode of transportation that can help to reduce traffic congestion, improve public health, and enhance the overall quality of life for individuals. By encouraging more people to use public transport, we can help to create a more sustainable and livable future. Hello, readers! I am thrilled to announce the release of my second children's picture book, Comet the Red Bus: Comet Goes to the Beach. After a year of hard work, I am proud to share this book with the world. In this blog post, I want to share with you my journey of self-publishing, the inspiration behind the book, and my appreciation for my employer's support. The Inspiration The idea for Comet the Red Bus: Comet Goes to the Beach came to me during a bus charter to Ocean Beach in Hawke's Bay, when I saw my shiny bus parked next to other buses on the Beach. The bus had a personality of its own, and I thought it would be fun to write a story about it. I wanted to create a book that would inspire children to imagine and dream big and teach them valuable life lessons. That's how the story of Comet the Red Bus came to life. The Journey of Self-Publishing Self-publishing has been a long and challenging journey for me. It takes a lot of hard work, patience, and dedication. Writing the story was only the first step. I then had to find an illustrator, editor, and printer and decide on the book's format and design. I also have to handle the book's marketing, distribution, and sales. But despite all these challenges, the satisfaction of seeing my book come to life has been worth it. Self-publishing has allowed me to express my creativity and share my stories with the world. It has allowed me to retain complete control over my work, from the story to the illustrations to the book cover's design. Self-publishing has also given me the freedom to get the book into the marketplace earlier than it would have if I had gone via a traditional publisher. I am proud of the book's quality, and I hope children will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. The Support of My Employers I am grateful to Tranzit Group for their unwavering support of my writing. They have been supportive of my creative pursuits from the beginning and allowed me to take time off from work to focus on my writing. Their support has made it possible for me to pursue my passion for writing and publishing, and for that, I am truly grateful. In conclusion, writing and self-publishing Comet the Red Bus: Comet Goes to the Beach has been a labour of love. This book will inspire children to dream big, work hard, and believe in themselves. I also hope that my self-publishing journey will encourage aspiring writers to pursue their own dreams and never give up. Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy reading Comet the Red Bus: Comet Goes to the Beach as much as I enjoyed creating it. As you will no doubt be aware, I opted to self-publish my first book during the first lockdown. I opted to go down this avenue for publishing as traditional publishing houses were not open to submissions. I also found those that were open were overseas publishers and were more interested in raunchy adult books or teenagers books about vampires finding love. I've written some of the challenges and rewards that I have discovered on my self-publishing journey, and hope they are helpful to you. Self-publishing has become increasingly popular over the years, providing authors like myself with the opportunity to bring their work to the world without relying on traditional publishing houses. While self-publishing offers a lot of benefits, it also comes with challenges. In this blog post, we'll explore the challenges and benefits of self-publishing. Challenges of Self-Publishing: Editing and Proofreading: One of the most significant challenges of self-publishing is editing and proofreading your work. Without the support of a traditional publisher, authors must ensure their work is error-free before publishing. This can be a daunting and time-consuming task, and hiring a professional editor can be expensive. Cover Design: A book's cover is the first thing a reader sees and can significantly impact whether they choose to read it. Designing a cover yourself or hiring a designer can be a challenge, and getting it right is crucial. Marketing: Once your book is published, marketing becomes the next challenge. Self-publishing means that you are responsible for promoting your book to potential readers. Building a social media following, creating a website, and attending events can all help increase your book's visibility. Distribution: Getting your book into the hands of readers can be a challenge. While digital platforms like Amazon make it easier to self-publish, physical distribution can be more complicated. Reputation: Self-publishing can have a reputation for producing low-quality books. Ensure that you put in the necessary effort to make your book professional and polished to avoid negative perceptions. Benefits of Self-Publishing: Control: One of the most significant benefits of self-publishing is the control it provides. You have complete control over the creativity of your work, from the content to the cover design. Speed: Traditional publishing can take months or even years to get your work into the world. Self-publishing allows you to publish your work quickly without waiting for approval from publishers or agents. Profit: Self-publishing can be financially rewarding. You receive a higher percentage of the royalties, which can be a significant benefit, especially if your book becomes popular. Flexibility: Self-publishing allows you to work on your own schedule and make changes to your work as needed. Exposure: Self-publishing allows you to reach readers all over the world. With the internet, it's easier than ever to market your book and gain a following. Conclusion: Self-publishing offers many benefits, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. From editing and proofreading to marketing and distribution, self-publishing requires hard work and dedication. However, with the right mindset and effort, self-publishing can be an excellent opportunity for aspiring authors to bring their work to the world. Tell me a bit about yourself Nurse by day and writer by night, from India, I am pursuing my Master’s degree. I also volunteer as an ambassador for Wattpad, an online social reading platform and has worked with a few independent magazines as a columnist and graphic designer. I'm a quirky, fun-loving girl whose thoughts always keep on wandering among what photos to click, what to draw, what to read and what to write next. Tell me a bit about yourself Nurse by day and writer by night, from India, I am pursuing my Master’s degree. I also volunteer as an ambassador for Wattpad, an online social reading platform and has worked with a few independent magazines as a columnist and graphic designer. I'm a quirky, fun-loving girl whose thoughts always keep on wandering among what photos to click, what to draw, what to read and what to write next. What genre/s do you write in? On Wattpad I have 3 complete novels, One is a realistic fiction romance, one is a science-fantasy dystopian romance and the last is a supernatural romance. I self published a book of bite-sized romance poetry on Amazon and am working on my latest book 'The Intern Game' which is a workplace romance, possibly to be released by the end of the year. So yes, my genre is diverse literature romance! How long have you been writing? I started with poetry in 6th grade but been writing seriously since I was 17. That'd be 5 years. Did you use an editor? If so who? Actually a close friend of mine, who works with Wattpad, decided to do the editing for my first book and so yes, he's my one and only editor till now. Before that Linda Jones, (a children's fiction author) had also, out of the kindness of her heart, helped me consolidate my first novel 'Butterfly Wings' which is still in the digital platform, Wattpad, but hopefully that can make it to the shelves someday. Did you use a book formatter and cover designer? No, my editor, Mr Chinmay Garge (@cchinu_ on Instagram) actually did the formatting for me. As for a designer, I am a graphic designer myself so I created my own royalty free cover. Did you self-publish or get traditionally published? How did this go for you? I decided to self-publish to build my audience, so I really have some data, some following to pitch to the traditional publishers when I send them my manuscript. Self publishing, especially through amazon kindle is free and hassle free too, but the main issue with self publishing is you have to have a good market and people willing to read and review. A few people in my case were definitely willing, so yes, I got some reviews on Instagram and goodreads but not quite. Do you have any published books or articles? Tell me a bit about these and what publishing route you took. My published book is 'Space Of A Heartbeat', a collection of bite-sized love poetry that was released this February before Valentine's Day. It's an aggregation od romantic poetry that celebrates the ordinary kind of love in poetic verses. The reception was good as the reviews on amazon and goodreads say! It was self published as a paperback through Notion Press and I put it myself on Amazon Kindle, but Kindle version has been more popular. I'm also a columnist for Women's Web. I write occasionally ! How do you market your work and promote your brand? Well, I use Instagram as my primary platform, which is obviously my account @pennedwithhope Heres a link to my Instagram > Instagram Account So I create regular posts and reels, which aso double times as my bookstagram account. So, self-marketing is tough, but once you get the hang of it, it's easy. The trick is to create a hype around your book. And here's the link to my book > Space Of A Heartbeat What social media and writing platforms would you recommend? Instagram obviously. But I shouldn't forget Wattpad, the foundation of my writing. It's the best platform to gain your confidence as a writer and make friends for life. This is > My Wattpad Account And my works on Wattpad. There are 74 > Chasing Death > Cloud Nine Do you use an agent? No Do you have a blog or website? I have a blog on WordPress but I'm not very active. What inspires you most to write? I'd say people. I love watching people and their quirks, who eventually become my characters. Also nature, nature gives me the inspiration for the descriptions and settings of my story and a brilliant description actually hooks readers. Lastly life. The things I see in life, have shaped some aspects of my writing, how I resonate with my characters. What do you do to help with writers block? Stop it write there, take a break for 2 to 3 days and come back. There's no one formula to help with writer's block but I have a YouTube video > Tips and Tricks How do you plan your writing? It just comes and I jot down an outline in the diary. Then I open MS Word and sit down. I always have to have Google on the side for research. I believe no book is complete without good research. Is writing your full time job? If not what else do you do? No. I'm a nurse by profession. What are you working on at the moment? My jew workplace romance novel, 'The Intern Game' coming soon What is your target audience? My primary audience is New Adults and Young Adults, so anyone from 16~36 can read my work and enjoy. But who's stopping the older people too? How long does it take you to write a book? The shortest time I've completed a manuscript in is 25 days. Longest is 3 months, so it definitely varies. I can write 4K words on an average per day. When did you first discover you enjoyed writing? I was reading condensation of water in Chemistry in 6th grade and ending up writing my first poem on 'Dew Drops' From poetry I ventured to typical fan fiction for my favourite book and then when I was 18,I completed my first novel, 'Butterfly Wings'. It's then that I realised that writing is an outlet and therapy for me. What does your family think about you writing? They weren't very enthusiastic. Like all Indian parents they thought it's waste of time and career, but well, I wrote in silence and let the awards speak! Where do you get ideas for your writing? Almost everywhere. But I do like fantasy and mythology, Blended with real life. What do you think makes a good story? A good story is something that stays with you beyond the last page. It should have situations and characters that are relatable to the core, and stories should be simple. They shine in the simplicity and ordinariness of their portrayal. That is one of the reasons why I chose my editor. His works on Wattpad are fabulously simple and yet beautiful and relatable On Wattpad I have 3 complete novels, One is a realistic fiction romance, one is a science-fantasy dystopian romance and the last is a supernatural romance. I self published a book of bite-sized romance poetry on Amazon and am working on my latest book 'The Intern Game' which is a workplace romance, possibly to be released by the end of the year. So yes, my genre is diverse literature romance! Where do you get ideas for your writing? Random Fun Facts:
Tell me a bit about yourself…. Hi Chris. Thanks again for inviting me. It’s been a wonderful journey, as an author of young adult fantasy. A journey I’ve been able to share with my three teenage daughters who have been my beta-readers, editors, and cover designers over the past four years. I have three novels published so far, as both eBooks and paperbacks available under Amazon. I’m currently editing the fourth book in the series, and I have a prequel which I’m releasing on an episodic basis under Kindle Vella. How long have you been writing? I took up writing fantasy novels about four years ago. At the time, I had already published one book as a traditional author. It was a non-fiction text, centred on a chapter of Cold War history. While I was happy with how it turned out, I really was looking for a different medium – something I could share with my daughters during their high school years. YA fantasy provided a genre which the four of us could mutually share and appreciate. They shared some of their favourite novels with me – and I, in turn, introduced them to some of mine. Fantasy gave me an opportunity, an outlet for writing down some of the stories and ideas which had been percolating in the back of my mind since I was their age. The three of them became my beta-readers and editors, providing feedback and criticism as I went. Did you use an editor? If so who? My daughters haven’t been shy about voicing their opinions. I’ve had entire chapters and characters which needed to be scrapped, rewritten, or added. Did you use a book formatter and cover designer? I format the manuscript myself. In an electronic age, it’s not that difficult if you follow a template. My middle daughter has been my cover designer for all the novels to-date. I’ll usually propose ideas for what I want to see, and she’ll collect the photographs and assemble the covers from there. Her sisters often served as models for the cover designs. Usually there’s a little give and take in terms of what I want, what she believes will work, and what she can deliver within the schedule constraints for a release date. Did you self-publish or get traditionally published? How did this go for you? Prior to writing fantasy novels, I had been traditionally published, albeit in a very different genre. The experience, however, gave me the confidence to edit and format for myself. YA fantasy offered a medium in which becoming self-published had become a viable alternative in the past decade-and-a-half. This was the positive side of eBooks and online retailers, making it possible for indie authors, who might otherwise never have been published, to become fulltime writers. I spent a lot of time studying some of those success stories and investigating what steps those authors had taken to make writing a profession and not just a hobby. Do you have any published books or articles? Tell me a bit about these and what publishing route you took. A large part of being a writer has to do with knowing your audience, and how to reach them. When I was writing non-fiction, for example, I published several magazine articles, and in some years earned more from articles than I did when I finally published my full-length book. For YA fantasy, on the other hand, I came to realize the successful indie authors relied on building a portfolio of novels which spoke to their specific brand. When I surveyed authors, large or small within the genre, it became evident that there was a direct relationship between the breadth of their portfolio and the success of each author. It was by no means a linear trade. Doubling the number of titles in their stable would typically increase their readership by a factor of four. The message I took away is that there are very few one-hit wonders out there. Success usually belongs to those who persevere and hone their craft long enough to earn it. How do you market your work and promote your brand? (Include links to share) The first, most important marketing investment an author can make will be in their cover image. Having an image which speaks to their genre is a must-have. As for the rest, it requires patience and time. I’ve experimented with various advertising strategies. Amazon Ads are probably an affordable option for authors just getting started. Facebook ads are not quite as effective, at least not when you start out, but they can be added to the mix and scaled up in the future. There are also promotional sites which can help, but the better ones require a minimum number of reviews before a book can qualify. The most important advice I would give on this count is to remain patient and persevere. One indie author whom I regularly follow reported that she didn’t break even as a writer until she had her seventh book published. As the adage goes, this is a marathon, not a sprint. What social media and writing platforms would you recommend? (includes links to share) I have social media accounts on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, as well as a blog which I use to post news and updates on my titles. https://www.instagram.com/jwgolan/ https://twitter.com/JWGolan1 https://www.facebook.com/JW-Golan-762059304141688/ Each author must find their own comfort point with social media. I’ve seen successful indie authors who rarely post online, and others who post daily. If it’s not something they enjoy doing as an author, it’s going to be more of a burden than a gain. Do you have a blog or website? (Include links to share) I post updates on my upcoming books regularly on my blog site, as well as resources for other indie authors. https://jwgolan.blogspot.com/ What inspires you most to write? I look forward to seeing how my writing will be received – how my audience, my own daughters among them, will respond to the characters and events. Turns of phrase which they will pick up on. Scenes or descriptions which they’ll react to. It’s that excitement which pushes me to see each novel through to completion. How do you plan your writing? I begin each book with a clear image of the beginning, the end, and a few key scenes in between. I will usually write those scenes first, while they’re fresh in my mind. Afterwards I’ll circle back to fill in the gaps in between. We call it writing, but the truth is that most of the time is spent in editing. My first draft is always very rough. I just want to get my ideas down. The second draft usually adds a lot of scenes and description to fill in gaps to the plot or character sequence. I don’t typically release the novel to my beta-readers until after the fourth or fifth draft. I’ll be at draft six or seven before I’m ready to publish. Is writing your full-time job? If not what else do you do? I work full-time as an engineer, so I don’t have to rely on writing to pay the bills. It would be a dream of mine, however, to one day earn enough to retire as a full-time author. What are you working on at the moment? I’m currently releasing A Wolf Before the Storm, a prequel to The Stormfall Chronicles, on an episode-by-episode basis under Kindle Vella. The story follows the tale of Callisto, who first appears in Book 3 of the series, in the decade before she became the assassin introduced as “little red.” You could think of the story as a recast version of “little red riding hood.” https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QL999X5 It's a very different book from the others in the series. The Stormfall Chronicles is an epic fantasy, which means it has a broad cast of characters, each with their own story arc to follow. A Wolf Before the Storm, in contrast, is the story of one character, struggling to find her place in a hostile world. I am also editing the fifth draft to Book 4 of the series, which should bring the story arcs for the initial characters to a close. I expect to release the novel later in 2022. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZCZ139M It’s been a wonderful experience, committing the stories to paper, and I’ve enjoyed sharing that journey with my daughters. With the oldest now in college, however, I did need to bring the original story arcs to a conclusion. My daughters won’t have as much time available to beta-read or edit in the future. What is your target audience? My novels are intended as an escape from the convoluted, stressful world we live in today. Universal themes and archetypal characters, without the more graphic elements which we all see so much of from the evening news. In this regard, I’ve found YA fantasy to have a much wider appeal than the teen-to-twenty demographic which some might imagine. How long does it take you to write a book? I typically turn out about one novel per year. When did you first discover you enjoyed writing? Many of the stories and characters whom I draw upon have their origins in stories I crafted when I was myself a teenager, as a Dungeon Master assembling adventures for D&D with my friends. I found I preferred the creativity which came with the Dungeon Master role, and even attempted to write down the first of those ideas into a novel at the time. In hindsight, I was not ready then, to become an author. I needed more experience under my belt. It was also far more difficult to be published back then. There really was no practical road as an indie author at the time. The ideas never really left me, however, and continued to evolve and change over the intervening years. What do you think makes a good story? There are universal archetypes of characters and stories which people will tend to naturally gravitate towards. They are the types of characters which people expect to see, and if connected well, can provide a fresh take on an old idea. Random Fun Facts:
Thanks again for inviting me, Chris. It’s been a pleasure sharing with you and your readers. Tell me a bit about yourself…. My name is Hannah Morgan, and I’m an author in her twenties. I live in New England and frequently can be found walking at the beach, even when it’s freezing in the winter. I am fifth of a blended family of eight kids, and although some of my siblings like writing too, I’m the first to publish a book. Maybe not the last, though! I have a rescue dog named Sandi, and I have two little nephews that I adore. Family, friends, and my faith mean everything to me! What genre/s do you write in? I have published New Adult contemporary, and my next one is, too. I’m not opposed to writing Young Adult in the future, though. How long have you been writing? All my life! I’ve always loved writing. I remember writing and illustrating my first “book” in second grade – ten whole pages long, including illustrations! When seventh grade rolled around, I wrote a hundred page story for an assignment. In eighth, I finished my first novel-length story, but never did anything with it (I was thirteen, so it was very poorly written). My google docs was full of excerpts, WIPs, and abandoned ideas. Finally, in my junior year of high school, I started writing what is now my published novel. The first draft, which I finished within a year and a half, was stripped almost entirely, and my second draft began. From there, I worked on it through COVID, and finished the editing process in March of 2022. Did you use an editor? If so who? Yes, I did. I had a friend that does proofreading/editing as a side-hustle. She charged a fraction of the price of other editors. So she proofread my book, and then I did a lot of proofreading myself, as well. Her name is Amber Cassidy. Did you use a book formatter and cover designer? I formatted my own book, with a lot of trial and error and frustration! I may pay someone next time; it drove me a little crazy. As for a cover designer, I hired Nvsksky on Fiverr, and she was really great. We worked together to make my vision come to life! Did you self-publish or get traditionally published? How did this go for you? I self-published. It was frustrating at times; I felt, and do still feel, like I’m jumping through hoops. Also, I’ve only been published for a few weeks now, so I haven’t had huge sales success yet. Do you have any published books or articles? Tell me a bit about these and what publishing route you took. I self-published my NA contemporary novel, Our Next Chapter, in March of 2022. It is near and dear to my heart, because I feel like I have grown so much as a person as well as an author throughout the process of writing that book. I also poured so much of personal experience into it, that it’s like Hannah Morgan extract. The novel itself is about three friends in their early twenties figuring out early adult life. Elliott is a blind author moving away from home for the first time in his life. Luke is his roommate and best friend, who is held back by guilt and grief and trying to figure out how to move forward. Mel, his sister, is trying to live up to the dreams she and her deceased best friend whipped up prior, while struggling with self-image and grief herself. They have to learn to navigate relationships, adult responsibilities, and their pasts. How do you market your work and promote your brand? I market my book on social media primarily. I run an author Instagram account, and I’m also on multiple author groups on Facebook. I’ve also done promotions on Amazon where I’ve run the book for $0.99 or for free for a short time. What social media and writing platforms would you recommend? I use Instagram primarily (@write_and_left00). My facebook account is my private account; I don’t do much promoting on there except on the facebook writing groups. I’m not sure which I’d recommend more; I love both communities, but it’s hard at this early stage to see a correlation between social media and sales. Do you use an agent? I do not. Do you have a blog or website? I have my author’s website for Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/author/hannahmorganwrites What inspires you most to write? I love how books have helped me over the years, either providing an escape, helping me expand my horizons, learning from the lives of the characters, healing from trauma, etc. When a character is dealing with something similar to me, it’s relatable and makes me feel validated. So for this reason, I want to do the same: write about things young people are struggling about to make them feel less alone. Things like self-image, disability, mental health, relationships, complicated families, and more really resonate with me, and hopefully my readers as well. What do you do to help with writers block? I have a playlist for my WIPs that I put on, or if that’s too distracting, wordless music like lofi or instrumental. Also, looking through my Pinterest boards that are based on my story can help too. Watching shows/movies/reading books that can inspire my story helps. But really what it comes down to is, writing. I don’t get over writer’s block without just putting words down on the page, even if they’re not very good. Usually it’ll force me out of my slump, and the juices will flow. How do you plan your writing? I do a little planning in the beginning, before I start writing. I write up character charts to figure out who they are. I may a bullet list of the basic idea of the story and the specific scenes I may have in mind. I also like finding pictures that much the characters on pinterest to add to their boards. But besides that, I just start writing. I’m more of a pantser; usually my ideas and storyline change so much over the course of writing the drafts that the bullet lists don’t end up being accurate, anyway. I just have to go with the flow! Is writing your full time job? If not what else do you do? No, it’s not. It’s more of a hobby than anything at the moment. I do a few different things, just to make ends meet. I’m a reseller on sites like ebay and poshmark. Also, I’m a housekeeper. What are you working on at the moment? I have a new WIP in the NA genre, exploring themes of grief, romance, growth, family responsibility, and sacrifice. It’s in the very early stages at the moment. What is your target audience? My target audience is 12-25, but really, I think anybody can relate to and enjoy the stories I write. How long does it take you to write a book? My published book took roughly 3.5 years, but that was because I had to completely overhaul it. Since I’m steadier now, I think this next will take me less than two years. When did you first discover you enjoyed writing? I have always loved writing. As touched on in another question, I have been writing since I started school. What does your family think about you writing? They’re supportive and think it’s wonderful that I published my book. It has inspired some to pick up writing again. Where do you get ideas for your writing? Daily life! What I observe in my daily life, whether in my family, wandering through a grocery store, or watching a show. Ideas can and are found anywhere! What do you think makes a good story? I think a good story makes you think, keeps you captivated, and ends on a positive note. I’m very much a supporter of happy endings. A lot of people turn to fiction for an escape, especially if they’re in a tough spot in life. So if this dream world they’ve run away to ends as depressingly as their life might be at the moment, it’s the opposite of helpful. Random Fun Facts:
Tell me a bit about yourself…. I’m Helen Aitchison and live in North East England, a place called Newcastle. I’ve worked in social care for the last two decades and I’m currently an Area Manager for a national charity supporting vulnerable children and adults. Alongside this and my novel writing, I am a journalist at Radio Gateshead. What genre/s do you write in? My debut, The Dinner Club is contemporary fiction. Other manuscripts I am working on are a thriller and a rom-com. How long have you been writing? Not very long at all, 2.5 years. Did you use an editor? If so who? I am signed with an excellent UK publishing house, Cahill Davis Publishing who have a brilliant team, including an in-house editor. Did you use a book formatter and cover designer? Again, the Cahill Davis team provided this and with input from myself, designed the perfect cover for my novel. Did you self-publish or get traditionally published? How did this go for you? I always wanted to trad publish. As a new writer I didn’t know enough about the world of self-publishing and given my day job and lack of experience, I wanted to be part of a team and a supportive partnership. I found the perfect fit with Cahill Davis, who have helped make the manuscript that meant to much to me, into a reality. Do you have any published books or articles? Tell me a bit about these and what publishing route you took. How do you market your work and promote your brand? Prior to the release of The Dinner Club (11th March 2022) I have been lucky enough to have around 20 pieces published. These include poems, flash fiction and short stories across a number of anthologies and online mediums. The partnership with Cahill Davis commence a year before the release of The Dinner Club and we worked as a team to prepare for the release, including marketing, PR and comms. Alongside this, I have invested the time to market myself as a writer including through social media, my own website and continuing to submit small pieces. The aim was to always focus on writing more than one book and not just stop at The Dinner Club. Social media has proven a perfect platform to connect, network and make friends. It has allowed us to build up anticipation for The Dinner Club, showcase it and keep momentum in the first month of release. Feedback has been wonderful and I’m overjoyed people are enjoying the book that holds a piece of my heart. The Dinner Club is available from various stockists: www.books2read.com/tdc My social media and more links for The Dinner Club are available through www.linktr.ee/helenaitchisonwrites What social media and writing platforms would you recommend? I would recommend Instagram and Twitter in particular for connecting with the writing community and fellow creatives. I also have a Facebook writing page which is more for friends and family to follow, as well as some writers. Additionally, I would recommend your own website as a writer. My website is the place where I feature published work and update subscribers on events. It the more professional forum that is dedicated to my writing only, as opposed to bits of meme’s, inspiring quotes and competition opportunities that I share alongside my own work on the other networks. Do you use an agent? No, I never used an agent. Do you have a blog or website? www.helenaitchisonwrites.com What inspires you most to write? My life experience and that of the thousands of people I have worked with in my 20 year career. Some monumental, life changing events that I have seen in my career, the knowledge I have gained from working with such diverse people with different needs and trauma. But also the simplicity of life, the things we all experience, the things we all want and need. What do you do to help with writers block? I’m lucky in that I haven’t yet really suffered from writers block. I tend to suffer with having too many ideas, not enough time and placing sometimes unrealistic goals and pressure on myself! How do you plan your writing? I do a rough outline. It normally always includes the name of the book and the characters first alongside a brief plot outline. I then make notes – post it notes, in a notepad and on my iphone as ideas come into my head for a particular story. Sometimes this is in the middle of the night, sometimes whilst doing the weekly food shop! Once I begin writing, I’m flexible and let it go in another direction if I think it will work. Is writing your full time job? If not what else do you do? Writing isn’t my full time job, although I am currently on a three month sabbatical from my day job. This was to coincide with the launch of The Dinner Club and also to allow me to write more manuscripts. In my day job I oversee a large number of services across the North East of England for people in need. These include young people leaving care who are homeless, homeless adults with additional needs, people fleeing domestic abuse and those who have survived modern day slavery and exploitation. What are you working on at the moment? I’ve just finished editing two manuscripts – a rom-com loosely based on some of my dating experiences and a thriller based on murders of the homeless population in a rural countryside. I’m currently working on a manuscript about spiritual messages and have ideas around a miscarriage of justice, as well as a possible sequel to my thriller manuscript. Too many ideas, not enough time! What is your target audience? Everyone! My aim is to have my writing as inclusive as possible. I want readers to relate to issues I write in my work and also the characters. How long does it take you to write a book? When I am working full time and writing as a part time addition, it has taken me between 3-9 months. I am hoping to write a book in a month now I can dedicate full time to writing in the short term. When did you first discover you enjoyed writing? Not that long ago! I entered a competition with a local theatre company after writing a blog for my day job. I won a place on the course and that was one of the main catalysts. Then I couldn’t stop writing! What does your family think about you writing? I’m very lucky and extremely grateful that my family have never been anything but supportive. My partner is my number one fan. He reads everything, supports me unconditionally and never complains when my writing eats into our free time. My family always offer to read my drafts and have championed me from the start. I’m eternally appreciative that I have such a caring and nurturing support network. Where do you get ideas for your writing? Mostly from my own experiences and those of people in my life. Sometimes it could be a dream or an idea that grows from a conversation. Sometimes it’s a little spark that won’t go out and keeps growing until I know it could be something. What do you think makes a good story? Relatability: It can be a fantasy book but characters, relationships, emotions need to be relatable if the plot isn’t as such. Plot: Has to be engaging, original and memorable. A decent ending: It doesn’t always have to be happy and what readers necessarily want, but a poor ending ruins a book in my opinion. I also think a brilliant story is when you get a sense of the personality and values of the author. This isn’t always obvious and easy to pick up on, but when you read a book that gives you that snapshot into an author’s personality, I think it’s magical. Even in fiction, some words, lines, paragraphs and chapters shout out that they are from the heart of the author. That, for me personally gives an unforgettable impact. Please include a head shot if you would like your photo included and two pics of your choice. Random Fun Facts:
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AuthorAfter the outstanding success of his first children’s picture book, Comet the Red Bus - Around the City, Author Christopher Candy has continued to write the next book in the Comet the Red Bus series. Working full-time as a Manager for Tranzit Coachlines, Christopher has many years of bus-related experience that brings his characters to life. Christopher is based in the Tararua region and enjoys spending time with his partner, farm animals and pet dog, Tupance. You can see updates from Christopher, including new releases, giveaways and more, on his website or social media accounts. Archives
October 2023
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