Strange Weather

What weird weather Perth has been having!

The week before last was beautiful, sunny days, warm weather – although not too warm. The only problem was, no rain when we needed it.

Last week? Up and down like a yoyo! The start of the week was wet! Really wet! Then we got cool but dry. Then yesterday I wake up to wet and cold! And today’s no better! Where’s the sun? I think it’s on strike! At least give us some rain!

Apart from that, nothing unusual has happened, so I won’t bore you.

Updates

Clans in Conflict

My sincere apologies. Somehow, I got the link wrong or something went wrong, so I do apologise that my books weren’t actually free last weekend. I am sooooooooo sorry about that.

The Dark Road is still on the backburner along with Dark Beginnings. I will get to them, I promise.

The second short story in Torkandisch is getting closer. It is set at the same time as Dark Reign, so you could say it’s a companion story.

Consequences

Heart of Deception Edition 2 – we have had a little hiccup with the cover art – again. So, we’re still tweaking that. Once that tweak is fixed, I will have a release date for everyone. I will have an online launch but may also have a launch in Midland. Possibly.

Legacy of Risks Edition 2 – still looking for beta readers for this and still especially someone who’s had a back injury that has put them in a wheelchair. Message me if you’re interested.

Dangerous Heart – this book wraps up this particular trilogy and ties up a few loose ends. Again, still needs beta readers, so message me if you’re interested.

Other universes

Strefinobhan

Paranormal

These are still on the backburner but I should be getting back into Strefinobhan very soon as my two stories for the Otherworldly Emergence series are complete and going through editing. Speaking of which, you can find the Otherworldly Emergence information at the website below.

Bushland Castle Productions

As mentioned above, I am currently editing both stories for Bushland Castle Production’s Otherworldly Emergence Novella series.

I have finished editing the other one and am about to submit that story. I’ll be trying to lose something like 2800 words, however. As usual, I’ve gone overboard.

Pitches for this novella series has now closed and we are working hard on our manuscripts to bring them to you in a timely manner.

All of the information regarding the novella series is at the website:

https://www.bushlandcastleproductions.com/emergence

While you’re on the website, is information about their nonfiction series Australia: Living in the 70s. If you have a life story about living in the 70s in Australia, check the website for more details on that series. I know if I were to submit, it would all be about CountDown, Sandman vans and learning about Unionism through school (and other things, of course).

Also check out their podcast – Finding Elara. Learn about Mindfulness from other creatives – not just writers, but other creative persons, as well as worldbuilding and other information.

At the end of each segment, there’s a prize drawn. Go in to win books and other goodies!

New resources

They have arrived! The Emotional Wound Thesaurus and The Emotion Amplifier are both sitting on my desk and, yes, I have used them! They are amazing books!

Writing group

As some of you may be aware, I run a writing group called Grow Write in Midland, Western Australia. I am proud to announce that we are in the process of publishing our very first anthology. I am soooooooo looking forward to that book coming out! Stay tuned for more details.

Writers beware

We’ve all had emails from those people who promise us a plethora of platforms that they are prepared to share our books to and we all think they’re absolutely wonderful – until they ask for money. Then we do some research and find they don’t actually exist!

That’s when we realise that they’re not who they say they are.

I am writing this as a warning. They have expanded.

I have received two emails from two different people claiming to be running book clubs who want to share my books. They were both bogus. One even went so far as to put a profile onto Meetup and I almost got sucked into it. I did get into a conversation with the person and they did mention a “contribution” but then said it wasn’t required, it was just that some writers do.

Now, this person said a “member” of their “book club” had read Deadly Convergence and couldn’t stop talking about it, so the author of the email “searched” me on Amazon and said they loved the idea behind my book.

We set up a date that their group would be reading the book (don’t know why they wanted me to know) and everything seemed honky dory. However, the final email came with a request for further information. Such as the book cover, the link to the book, a pic of me and other things. Then a request for money. That was when the alarm bells rang.

I mean, if this person searched me on Amazon, they’ve already seen my pic, they’ve already seen the cover and they would definitely have the link to the book. I wrote back and said I didn’t have that kind of money.

Funny thing – I haven’t heard from them since.

The other email I got was an absolutely brilliant review – but as friends pointed out, it read like AI. At the bottom of that email was the usual guff about money, sharing it and the like.

The reason I’m sharing these two warnings is because I’m not the only one who has been receiving these emails.

So, be wary of emails like this. Do you due research and diligence. Make absolutely sure they’re legit before agreeing to anything. And, yes, I’ve checked my junk mail and haven’t heard from either of them.

Halfway through winter

Has anyone noticed that the days are not changing their length? Usually by this time, the days are getting lighter earlier, however, it seems like it’s the other way around. I know, I know, those in the northern hemisphere experience the change in the opposite way, but have you guys noticed if the days are starting to get shorter? Weird. Maybe it’s me …

Updates

Clans in Conflict

Dark Dimensions Parts 1 and 2:

Ebook

Paperback

Dark Reign

Ebook

Amazon

Books 2 Read

Paperback

Deadly Convergence

Ebook

The Dark Road

My new beta reader is still catching up with the existing books before I hand them The Dark Road.

Dark Beginnings

Still on the backburner

Consequences

Heart of Deception

Currently with the cover artist. Once the cover art is done I will be publishing that, also.

Legacy of Risks

Currently with the beta reader. Then will be the cover art and publish.

Dangerous Heart

This is on the backburner until the other two move onto the next stage.

Other universes

Paranormal stories

I have managed to send this one to a beta reader who absolutely loves it. I am currently busy with another series for Bushland Castle Productions, so once those are done, I will come back to this story.

Strefinobhan

Mal’s story

Currently still editing this, however, I am caught up in that other series, as I’ve said.

Colliding worlds

Working proceeds on this to a slower degree.

Bushland Castle Productions

The novella series of Otherworldly Emergence closes in July.

All of the information necessary is at the website:

https://www.bushlandcastleproductions.com/emergence

Join me in being part of this amazing opportunity.

Also check out their podcast – Finding Elara. Learn about Mindfulness from other creatives – not just writers, but other creative persons, as well as worldbuilding and other information.

At the end of each segment, there’s a prize drawn. Go in to win books and other goodies!

Characters

I don’t know if I’ve spoken about working with characters, but sometimes it can be a challenge.

I think the biggest character challenge I have and have had is my experimental character. I do everything possible to this character. The poor man has been human trafficked, secreted out of the country, abducted numerous times and even hypnotised.

One of the worst things I ever did to him was to put him into an extremely vulnerable position and compromise him so much that I could only call him shattered.

After that, he looked at me and said “I want to try being evil for a while.” So I did and he turned and nearly blew up Honolulu. Last time I listen to a character when they say “turn me evil”!

On that note, I am going back to my roaring fire and lunch.

Talk to you again soon!

It’s May – and even the “force” day!

Well, we’re in a new world today – I don’t normally touch on politics, but I was astonished at Australia’s voting yesterday. Very much a surprise. And that’s all I’m saying. On to other things.

So, my days are all out of whack! I blame it on two things.

I had a small op early April to remove a lump (turned out to be fibrous) from my left thigh. Drugs man, great stuff!
We took a quick trip to Melbourne to attend a family member’s 90th. We had a great time and got to see a few places, but it was a little daunting so soon after having my leg compromised. (Finally got the bandages off it last Wednesday.)

This is our view from our room. Yes, that’s Crown Casino and those are flames that light up. Every night from 8pm to 1am the following morning. Every hour. On the hour. Then just past those thin buildings to the front is the main railway line between Southern Cross Station and Flinders Street Station – talk about noisy! Even from the 25th floor!

No description available. We took a trip to a small town just south of Phillip Island called Kilcunda. We had an amazing day there, ate lunch at the General Store, then took a drive tour of Phillip Island. Wow, that has changed since last I went there!

So, what have I been doing apart from galavanting around? I’ve been working on my WIPs. I took my Remarkable on as cabin luggage, so I was able to write some notes on the way over. (Stu’s earpods wouldn’t work for me for some reason.)

Onto the updates

Clans in Conflict

The Dark Road

Still waiting on the beta reader. I may have to send it to someone else.

Deadly Convergence

The story going into Kindle Unlimited starring Alex Travis has now been called Deadly Convergence. This will be uploaded as soon as I get the cover art. To begin with, it will be a Kindle Unlimited story, but will probably go into a Clans in Conflict anthology in the future.

Unnamed Ryan Locke story

This is another Kindle Unlimited story which is currently getting beta reader feedback. Once I’ve gone through it all, I will send it to the editor and the design artist for cover art before uploading it. Like Deadly Convergence, it will only be available on Kindle Unlimited, but will probably become part of the same anthology.

I have other Kindle Unlimited stories for Clans in Conflict that I will set up in due course.

Consequences

Heart of Deception is still with the proofreader and I hope to have that back soon, which means we can then get into the cover art side of it.

Legacy of Risks

Whilst this is still with the beta reader, I’ve had good reports regarding it, so I hope that it will go to the editor soon.

Dangerous Heart

I have completed rewriting this, so it’s in the queue for beta reading.

New Universes

Strefinobhan

I’m still editing the first book in this. Can’t give you a name for it because I still don’t have one. It has numerous file names, but hasn’t got a proper title. Stay tuned.

The second book is still being written. This has a proposed title of Colliding Worlds. Still that is up in the air until it’s finished.

Shifters

I have come to a halt in this at the moment, but I have reviewed what I have written and made some notes on how to move forward on that.

Paranormal

I have started working on a new story with a different partner for Nina. Sam, Phil and Rocky are still in it, probably with Dr Max as well. It is set in Perth and promises to be something completely different.

Delta Recoveries

Delta Recoveries is something I thought up about 10 years ago. It is always in the back of my mind and I might bring out a short story with one of the main characters. It’s a background story for him, but it might just get me started on Delta again.

For anyone interested, Delta Recoveries is part of a group known as Delta Group. They have a range of companies (like a lot of companies do) but Recoveries specialises in deepwater salvage. Until they go into space. Stay tuned for more news!

Grow Write anthology

I have edited my work on this and will take another look at it before submitting my entry. It’s a little over the limit, but the changes do make it a far better story. In fact, I’ve had various requests for a sequel to it. At the moment, that’s up in the air.

Podcast – Finding Elara

My interview on this podcast will be going live tomorrow, https://findingelara.libsyn.com/

Currently, the link goes to season 1, but this will be season 2.

Reviews

I still haven’t done any reviews, but I do intend to do some soon. Please have patience.

Okay, that’s all my leg can take of me sitting at the PC. Talk to you in a coupla weeks!

Middle of the month

Where is the year going? Did I blink and miss half of March? Just kidding.

So, our weather has calmed down – nowhere near as hot, but having said that, we’ve got our first very local bushfire for about 10 years or so. We are expecting 38 Celsius, and I know they’ve jumped on the fire pretty quick, but I’ve got my aircon on to stop smoke coming in. The joys of being asthmatic. Them’s the breaks as we used to say. Other than that, I’ll keep monitoring it.

Onto news.

Stuff your Kindle

So, my books are currently available for 99c at Stuff your Kindle. So, if you want them cheap, feel free to grab them. They’ll be cheap for a few days’ more.

Kindle Unlimited

One of the stories is with the editor now. The other one will take a little longer, but that’s okay. I don’t mind that one taking a bit longer. My cover artist is champing at the bit to get his hands on this one!

The Dark Road

Still with the beta readers, so still waiting on that.

Dark Beginnings

Still on hold, but I hope to get back into it really soon.

Consequences

Heart of Deception

Again, with beta readers. Hopefully will have that back very soon. The new cover is extremely different to the other cover it had.

Legacy of Risks

Still with my friend, but early indications are that I’ve done it justice, so that’s a bonus.

Dangerous Heart

Almost done tweaking it, then it’ll go to beta readers before being sent to the publisher for a final once-over.

New universes

I have been visiting Malevictus again and toying with ideas from that. Will get into that once we get the other books published.

Paranormal

Still looking into the anthology for this one and hopefully, get more of that published as well.

I don’t have any words of wisdom regarding the English language this fortnight, but what I do want to share is something I think is important.

Most of the so-called “writing rules” are not rules. They’re conventions and conventions can be broken and go out of style.

This is why I always follow the Macquarie Dictionary (and so does my editor, so if I miss something, she usually picks it up) and the Australian Government Style Manual. There is an Australian Style Guide, however, when I started out on this journey, that wasn’t available and I’m not about to change.

For those who are not Australian, you will find my grammar and punctuation may be somewhat different to what you are used to. Please, don’t let that put you off the story or the characters. It’s all about the book, not the mechanics. (oh, dear. Yes, I did say that, even though I notice typos in what I read. Never mind. Move along. Nothing to see here.)

Anyway, must go, have lots to do and I’ll talk to you in a couple of weeks!

Take it easy and remember to breathe. That’s the most important thing you can do.

Two steps forward, one step back

Well, I seem to have found an obstacle with Amazon, but I am looking into things. Having said that, there are alternatives, including looking for a traditional publisher. I am waiting to hear back from Amazon and hopefully it will all be good.

Otherwise, I might have to hunt up alternatives.

But onto more things. I do have a few things in the mix, including the Consequences series and I hope to have that ready to go soon. Although the rewritten books, Heart of Deception and Legacy of Risks still have to go to beta readers and the editor along with Dangerous Heart which is the third book.

I’ve also got a companion book about Marek from age sixteen right up until Heart of Deception, which was fun to write. It establishes his reputation as a highly successful acquirer of items, etc., and that’s all I’ll say. Not too many spoilers for those who haven’t read the series.

For those who have, I have removed that very detailed scene at the beginning of Heart of Deception. It took me a while to see that that wasn’t really what people wanted to read. I have also included references to those earlier years of his life that weren’t in the first book.

Speaking of those references, one raises its head in Legacy of Risks, but, again, I don’t want to give too much away because I think, in the long run, the companion book will be an enjoyable read – albeit rather dramatic.

I am still working on the other two new books and along with those I am writing a follow-up to Dark Reign. I have already written the third book, The Dark Road, but there are a few years between and that book may be a companion book, too.

Dark Beginnings is coming along nicely, but still only in the first stages.

Going back to Amazon, I had thought of doing the 90 days KU exclusive, but I have decided against that – I know there’s a market out there and I’ll find it. I am determined!

Hopefully, in one of the next few posts I will have pre-order info for everyone, along with the new covers for both parts of Dark Dimensions.

In the meantime, happy writing and reading and be safe!