 Words Unique Writing Contest: Since Mervyn of Talon Publishing is my editor, and of course Laura Wright LaRoche is a very good friend and also designer of two of my own book covers, I'm not entering the Words Writing Contest. But you can - and should! A book cover designed and donated by Laura will be revealed on Words at one minute past midnight (British Summer Time) on 25th May. You then have 72 hours to write a short story to complement the cover. So what are you waiting for - get on over to Words now! Or at least - after you've read this post!
Charlie Plunkett's Unique Sketch Contest: I wouldn't want you to miss out on Charlie Plunkett's great free contest either - go to Charlie's site, download this wonderful sketch of Balkind and friends by Damian H, and bring it to life with colour. Then take a photo of your finished artwork and stick it on facebook, or pinterest, or tweet to either me, @tinksaid, or Charlie, @Charlieplunkett. Winners will be given advance reader copies of my work in progress, which is a sequel to "The Griffin Cryer."
 Image by LLPix.com Thanks to all those who downloaded "An Explosive Time" I hope you enjoy this wild whacky Celtic Cousins' Adventure. Many of you took Detective Inspector Crombie to heart after his brave (some might say fool hardy) actions in "A Raucous Time". Over forty, Crombie obviously has an interesting past. We're currently negotiating with the grumpy old copper to tell all. The good news is there's a series of adventures planned, provisionally entitled "A Case For Crombie". If you'd like a chance of an advance reader copy simply use this form, and future updates will arrive in your email box.
There's still around twelve hours left for you to grab a free copy of "An Explosive Time", just click on the link and as if by magic it'll turn up on your kindle or e-reader. If you enjoy the read, please spare a few seconds to review. Your opinion matters, and helps other readers find good books. And makes for a less neurotic Crombie.
"An Explosive Time" will be free to download from tomorrow for five days until the 23rd May. Sharrel of Free EBooks Daily - (that's her site button on our blog bar) invited the grumpy fat man over to her site for a chat. Like all good interviewers, Sharrel managed to winkle a few secret passions from Crombie, however, his lips remain tightly closed about "The Great Elephant Stampede". As the chronicler of The Celtic Cousins' Adventures, I'm as disappointed as anyone else that we may never know the truth about what happened in Africa. However, that won't stop me speculating. Wren and Rhyllann presumably know what happened. No surprise Wren won't tell - he's always been deviously secretive. However, for the gregarious Rhyllann to stay stum leads me to believe that he's deeply embarrassed by that particular adventure. Since I also know Rhyllann's mum was involved, and Crombie's always been sweet on her, and as we're all aware Africa is a continent of dark mystery and romance, well ... my imagination works overtime! Maybe one day the world will be ready for the truth. Until then, you're all very welcome to help yourself to a liberal dose of thrills, laughter and fish 'n' chips served up with An Explosive Time:  An Explosive Time
Attention book lovers! The fabulous and very prolific indie author Elle Casey has organised a Super Spring Giveaway - and there are masses of titles to choose from, with over 1,500 books to give away. Take a look at these beauties: Book images are linked to Amazon so you can read the blurb & even sample those which intrigue you. Then go here Elle Casey's Springtime Indie Book Giveaway to place your order. You can request as many different titles as you wish.
Answer: Bad reviews!
What do all successful authors do about it?
Get over it!
The first one stings a little, but most successful authors (having already employed an editor, beta readers and proof readers to iron out all the little niggles,) soon learn to deal with the fact that no-one can please everyone all the time. Just make certain the "Hey – I love this book – when's the next one due out?" reviews out weigh the "This story sucks and I barely managed to read it through my yawns" type of reviews, and hope to please most of the people most of the time. By the way, this advice is given by mega successful authors, not just me!
In case any regular blog readers are wondering what brought this little "tough love homily" on, it's because I happened to read a post written by someone who appeared to be in pieces because of one bad review. I meant to compose an uplifting "there there my dear, cry on my shoulder" type post. But really, "get over it" and "move on" makes a better author – and a shorter post.
So on to the next common trait of a successful author –
What else do all successful authors have in common?
Answer: Parodies!
 I can't speak for other authors, but two recent parodies of "The Griffin Cryer" have had me rocking with laughter. The first has been a very public shameless rip-off by the great Randall Peterson, via his Twitter account @itsonlymeandyou. The second came from my own editor – it's too rude to re-produce here, but if you're over eighteen, and you'd like a copy of "The Griffin Cryer – The Alternative Version" (approx 300 words) email Mervyn@talonpublishing .com, with the subject line "TGC Alternative" – I sincerely hope everyone reading this takes advantage of this offer! (That'll teach him!)Finally: Third and last common successful author trait –
(or if you prefer successful author common trait)
"Write the first draft with the door closed, the second with the door open." (Stephen King – who else?) With this in mind, Sean & Daniel Campbell who are currently working on the long awaited sequel to their chartbusting novel "Dead on Demand" are seeking beta readers. Zoom on over to their site now, before demand exceeds supply, or drop them an email at Early Look @90daysnovel.com (join the spaces).
I'm thrilled to have three titles nominated in the 2013 eFestival of Words Competition – "An Explosive Time" appears in Best Action/Adventure, while "The Griffin Cryer" has been nominated in three categories: Best YA, Best Fantasy/Urban Fantasy and "The Book we would like to see made into a Movie". Most surprising of all, my Celtic Cousin Wren, who is undoubtedly a maverick, has been nominated for "Best Hero."
"A Ripple in Time" has been nominated for Best Novel, and it really is an honour to be amongst such glittering company. Thank you to everyone at eFestival of Words, and good luck to all my indie author friends. I sincerely hope the best ebook wins!
 Balkind and friends, by Damian Harrison The Griffin's Girl is a short story set on Ella-Earth, and introduces Chione. High on Cherub's Cliffs, Mother Andorra and her maidens supply food, warmth and shelter, while griffins teach their youngsters, known as griffinettes, the wisdom of griffins. Once a year the Griffin Master visits. He will select only the most promising griffins to form an alliance with his recruits. Chione knows the Girl dreams of being a griffin rider. Recruits to this exclusive troop are selected only from noblemen's sons. While rare, it has been known for a talented young griffin lad of common stock to be chosen, but how can a girl ever become a griffin rider? Then tragedy strikes, and the young griffin and her girl must summon all their courage to outwit the men who seek control of Ella-Earth's griffins. You can be the first to read "The Griffin's Girl" - sound good? Go to Charlie Plunkett's site, download this picture of Balkind, Frankie and the Rider and bring it to life with colour. Full details and a free copy of this beautiful sketch by the talented artist Damian Harrison can be found at Charlie's site - so zoom on over!
This is a picture from my latest book "The Griffin Cryer." If you pop over to Charlie Plunkett's site you can download this picture, and colour it in. Here's the link: Charlie's site. Have fun in the jungle!
The Forgotten Ones
The Danaan Trilogy
Book One
is now available exclusively on Amazon!
Allison O'Malley's plan is to go to grad school so she can get a good job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She has carefully closed herself off from everything else, including a relationship with Ethan, who she's been in love with for as long as she can remember.
What is definitely not part of the plan is the return of her long-lost father, who claims he can bring Allison's mother back from the dark place her mind has gone. Allison doesn't trust her father, so why would she believe his stories about a long forgotten Irish people, the Tuatha de Danaan? But truths have a way of revealing themselves. Secrets will eventually surface. And Allison must learn to set aside her plan and work with her father if there is even a small chance it could restore her mother's sanity.
About Laura Howard
Laura Howard lives in New Hampshire with her husband and four children. Her obsession with books began at the age of 6 when she got her first library card. Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High and other girly novels were routinely devoured in single sittings. Books took a backseat to diapers when she had her first child. It wasn’t until the release of a little novel called Twilight, 8 years later, that she rediscovered her love of fiction. Soon after, her own characters began to make themselves known. The Forgotten Ones is her first published novel.
Though in my view, today's an even more important anniversary than the old dragon slayer's day – Shakespeare's Birthday. No one has done more for – or with the English language, and for my tuppence worth, we owe him an even greater debt than our patron saint.
Although many young teenagers might disagree as they struggle to please their English Lit exam board! The older I get, the more I appreciate the man's outrageous talent. Most of us quote the Bard without even knowing we're doing it!
To emphasise the point, as this excellent post points out even the phrase "Household word" was coined by Shakespeare – "Shakespeare's quotes in common everyday use."
Happy birthday Will, may your plays continue to entertain and your words continue to intrigue for many more centuries.
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