I think I should have joined Steps, with all the tragedies following me around the last three months. Couldn't I just have a simple life for a few weeks? Apparently not.

As some of you will know my mum passed away in late September. I'm sure everyone knows what losing a loved one feels like, even if its your pet cat/dog etc. Add to that some very serious health concerns, then a concussion and suspected broken nose - don't ask. You'll understand why when my husband surprised me with a trip away for half term I was absolutely delighted.

I have been studying Spanish on Duolingo for 428 days now, so when he said Spain, I thought great I can actually put some of it into practice, and more than, "una cerveza por favor," and "mucho calor."

The trip was uneventful for most of the flight until 30 minutes before landing when we were advised to put on our seat belts. What followed was a roller coaster ride that would have put Alton towers to shame. Several twenty-five foot drops had a couple of children fretting and one baby screaming its head off. I could see some adults, their hands gripped tightly on the arm rests trying to stay calm. The approach to the airport was a bit wavy, side to side, but the engines slowed and I thought great we're landing. Oh, no we weren't.

The plane lifted off into the air at a forty-five degree angle, making me, and I'm sure many others, surmise that we'd just avoided a major crash into the ground. The pilot came on the tanoy to reassure us, that he couldn't see the airport so wouldn't risk landing. That was reassuring - NOT. Someone started being sick, the baby from hell bumped up his/her volume and several more kids joined it.

He advised he'd try just once more. The second time we made it, and like I've seen in films, everyone on board was so relieved  we clapped, thanking the almighty that we were not only alive, but in one piece. My husband watched the plane landing behind us. He reported it had a much worse descent, its wheels touching concrete then soaring off into the air at an eighty degree angle. I think I might have thrown up too on that one. We didn't envy them. Later we discovered ours was the last plane to land, all subsequent flights were diverted to Barcelona. Where was our relaxing holiday destination? you've got it - Valencia!

Escape the trauma of home? Seems like it was following me. It appeared we'd landed a few hours before the huge floods rocked buildings and took many lives. We didn't have a clue. On landing we agree to take the cheaper Metro (underground train) to our hotel.  It was pleasant enough, we got a bit lost getting off, but made our way to our beautiful place of residence the Valencia Palace Hotel. Super burger and chips.

Again, much later we discovered areas of the Metro had flooded, along with several underground car parks killing those inside their cars etc. The death rate rose daily. We didn't see anything of the ravages and horror until we left to go to the airport and onboard the plane. 

I felt guilty enjoying the beautiful city whilst folk were digging out their relatives, but what could we do? We decided to only buy, eat and drink in local businesses to support their local economy a small bit. The place was amazing, and there will be an awesome pod cast on my You tube channel when we get around to adding it. 

On another note, the Arizona Podcast is now live on my channel. Feel free to fast forward the road sections. They are good to see but maybe a tad boring. Check out the cool places we visited, including the corner on Winslow Arizona and the Flatbed Ford cafe. 
www.youtube.com/watch?v=77y6q7OmwAw&t=192s

That's enough tragedies, but it wasn't. We arrived home and I settled down to getting The Tales of Timmy and his Magic Beans print run delivered. Danny, the Ginger Illustrator, and I have been excited as sheep on a trampoline about this next picture book. Again Dyslexia and Irlen's friendly the feedback we'd been receiving is huge. I'd arranged a specific date and time for the boxes arriving when my hubby was at home. Arrive they did. Intact, they did not.

My disbelief in the state of the books was off the charts. I'd already had two other books published by this printer, Chicken Wizard and Shea Pingle,  and they'd been printed and delivered perfectly. I was worried they wouldn't believe me that out of the one-hundred and fifty books, only ninety were saleable.  Sixty were too damaged to sell. That is a lot of publishing costs lost. Fortunately, my husband took photos when they arrived and after speaking to the printers I checked every single copy. They were just as horrified as me and have promised that all Timmy's books will be with us in time for the launch. That is good because we just might sell out.

Waterstones have already put in orders.

With hindsight, I suppose some of my episodes might be classed as near misses, especially Valencia. It could have been so much worse. I might not be in a position to worry about books arriving, let alone selling them. But I am and I will, so for those of you still reading and interested in purchasing something in time for Christmas you can find me at:

The Kings Hall, Herne Bay all this weekend, Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th November 10 am to 3pm.
(Last one in Herne Bay this year)

St Augustine's, Westgate Saturday 23rd November 10 to 3pm

The Alexander Centre, Faversham, Sunday 24th November 10 to 3pm

The Tales of Timmy and his Magic Toe Beans, Book Launch, Saturday 30th November, Monty's, High Street, Birchington.

Feel free to give a thumbs, just so I know someone reads it and I'm not just an endless tragedy. 

Until December. Avoid stepping on as many tragedies as you can.

Its the last forty minutes of my thirty-eighth wedding anniversary. This precise time, all those years ago I was dancing with my newly married husband, Michael, to the last few slow dances of an amazing day. Neither of us could ever have imagined the route both our lives, and our marriage has taken. Our paths have intertwined across the years, our love growing deeper.  It might even make a good book! But then most of it already has. My writing involves my imagination, but it also includes the places we have been, the activities we have done, the people we have met. Many of those elements are woven into my books.

Lets consider the current two picture books due out in the next few weeks. Shea Pingle and the Swarm launches this Saturday at Westgate Galleria. 'Don't be stupid' I can hear someone scoff, there's no fairies with wings in your life. No, I wish there were, for I have a huge phobia of bees and having someone around like Shea would have settled my racing heart so many times. Above bees, I'm totally terrified of wasps. Shea Pingle is the ultimate heroine in my world. My imagination creates heroes.

Next up will be my third picture book, Timmy and his Magic Toe Beans, just in time for Christmas. Again I can hear someone mutter, 'there's no magic toe beans,' but that's where you are wrong. Timmy does exist, and toe beans too. Timmy was the name of my beloved first cat, a white tabby. I decided to resurrect his spirit by using his name. The character of Timmy is in fact my latest cat, Kipper. A recently adopted stray who lived under the chicken house next door. (Not Chicken Wizard's origins, but my own chickens - a story for another day.) Kipper's toes are what inspired me to write this picture book due out November 30th at Monty's in Birchington. My kipper has a perfectly round  black spot on his paw. What else can it be but magic?

A whole host of my family pets feature throughout my work. From Halo, another current moggie, to Widgett, also known as the dimension shifting cat, Tenamunday  in my Witch on the Warpath trilogy. The blackbird fledgling, Billy Big-Beak Blackbird,  I hand-reared during lockdown ended up as a member of the Royal Air Court in Quest for Courage. And that's just some of the animals that feature. People, places, buildings, careers, hobbies, equipment, machines, transport, weapons the list is endless of the actual everyday elements of my life, and that of my husband and son which I weave into my worlds.

Thus far I haven't included an anniversary setting, let alone a thirty-eighth one in any of my works, but I always keep my mind open to the possibility.

This is the essence of imagination.

Please feel free to make a comment, who knows it might end up in a future book.

I had hoped to get my YouTube travelogue of our recent Arizona trip out to you before now. However, my latest two picture books have come on at such a pace that the podcast got relegated to the back burner — till now. (Subscribe to my YouTube channel to catch its appearance on YouTube,  Carol M. Salter).

​In addition to my events, my work is on sale at Taddy’s Barn Tea Rooms, Cliftonville, and Westgate Galleria. I send books all around the world so don’t let folks being in another country stop you putting in an order with me. Use my contact page to start the ball rolling. Great for Christmas presents.

You’ve already seen Shea’s cover last month. Timmy’s first book is set in Broadstairs and Margate and here’s a preview for you.

Meanwhile, tomorrow we start sorting out my fifteen Arizona videos into a comprehensive travelogue.

​I'm still recovering from losing my main selling event of the year,  Wyntercon in Eastbourne. I need to seek out new events and fairs to take its place.
If anybody is setting up an event in East Kent please give me a buzz on [email protected] or comment on this blog.
Here’s the first sneak preview of Shea Pingle and the Swarm cover. I’m ready to begin the printing process, but holiday looms so I’ll be starting that element on my return with a view to launch date in October half term. Excited as usual.
Looking for venues for the launch in October, have a couple in mind but always open to those offering. Its basically free PR for your business. Apart from sex shops and bookies because it’s a kiddies picture book, I’m open to most ideas.
Have had a sprint on A Sackful of Dragons running off 6,000 words sitting in a summer fair in Faversham. Set in Margate, it features Dane Valley and Cliftonville. These events always help my writing. With nothing else to do but wait, I write, and write, and write.
The illustrations for The Tales of Timmy and his Magic Toe Beans continue apace, coming close on the heels of Shea Pingle. Likely to be out in time for Christmas, the story is set in Broadstairs with wonderful panoramic scenes of the bay.
Mustard and Marmalade Dachshund Dog Detectives has recommenced, and will be out in 2025. I’ve finished writing the Further Adventures of Timmy and his Magic Toe-Beans, half of The Unshakable Mouse is done and I’ve commenced a second Chicken Wizard story about swanies and duckies.
I’ve also got the title, the Hairy Tortoise, who has a hairstyle like Elvis instead of a shell, but the story wasn’t hasn’t flooded my mind—yet. I’m expecting the USA influence of our hols to spur a story there.
I’m also expecting the USA to provide me with more ideas for Aquasapien Four chapters. On the Aqua front the numbers of the original hard copies are dwindling. As the book has now been republished in two books, its becoming a bit of a sought after novel. Selling on one rare book site, Books that Expand the Mind, for £17.99
2017 1st Edtn/1st Prnt Signed by Author(s) AQUASAPIEN By Carol Salter New Fantasy — Books That Expand The Mind
Its still £10.99 if you pick one up at Westgate Galleria, Westgate or Taddy’s Barn, Northdown. Happy to sign it too.
Remember if you know anyone who would like an author trader at their event, or could host a book launch I’m all ears.

Summer is supposed to be around the corner, but we’ve had yet another deluge here making me wonder, who really is in charge on Earth? Is it a case of we’ve made our bed i.e. global warning, now we have to lie in it? Until we remake the bed that is. One thing I can promise you , if the changes were under the control of teenage boys that would never happen. My boy’s 25 and still doesn’t manage that task.

Is mother Earth telling us, we’ve got things wrong, or is she ambivalent to our existence. Are we too puny on the life scale to be considered? She likely has far more important things to consider, like not falling into the sun, not allowing too many asteroids to wander her way, and keeping her centre ignited. You’ll be relieved to hear I’m not considering writing a book about this anytime soon, though the theories might creep in somewhere.

I’ve covered several fairs this month and had an almighty upset in the form of Wyntercon, my largest event cancelling and closing down. Absolutely gutted is an understatement. I loved those guys, the event, the cos-players, the other traders. My biggest income maker of the year – gone.

Because I am an independent author with no sign of a traditional agent/publisher before I die, I have to sell books to publish/print books. Those traditionally published don’t have any outlay of money. They offer the book, via their agent, each of the interested parties take a cut and then they sit back and wait for the royalties to flow nicely in after their initial three book deal. If only.

My process involves me shelling out money for all the contracted work on all elements of each book, then printing costs. Once the launch is over, I spend most days off at fairs and events literally making a bob or two. The plan being I make enough money to be able to print the next book. I do have 25 books more waiting on the computer.
Fat chance. I’m very lucky if I cover the costs of hiring the trader table, let alone make a profit. In fact this weekend I sold two 3D printed cats at £1 each, which I gave to my son since he printed them. Then there are overheads like fuel, and overnight accommodation which I never manage to recover. It’s why I do local events, cheaper, more likelihood of breaking even, or perhaps a small profit.

I was very pleased at the Between Here & Hell launch last Sunday. The book itself didn’t whizz off the shelves, but I sold a lot of copies of my other books, so it definitely brought the readers to me.

Shea Pingle is moving forward, the cover being completed as I write, then its off to printing, putting the funds earned at the launch towards those costs. I have one more event in July, then nothing till September. I currently don’t have an Estore platform, though folks can purchase via my website by using my contact page.

The sun’s coming out now just to tease me into putting a foot outside. I will go, its good to enjoy the sun when I can. Selling books is much the same for me. I endure the rain and dismissal times of no sales, cos I know the sun will shine, and I can make sales – for a short while.
 

Last month saw me, and my fellow writing group members, launching the Indigo Anthology for Inspirations Writers Group. All anthologies (and my books) avialable via Westgate Galleria if you want to get a hard copy, and on Kindle if you don't.
This month see's me preparing for the launch of my eighth novel, and second dark fantasy novel, Between Here and Hell.

(Piece of my press release.)

Between Here and Hell Launches on Sunday 9th June 2024
For Early Birds at Taddy’s Barn Eatery from 10 am to 12midday. 
Buy a book, stay for breakfast.
For late comers at Riparo Lounge, Westwood Cross. 5pm to 8pm.
Buy a book, stay for dinner.
(NB food not included in the book price)

I thought a Sunday release would be safer, just in case Satan isn't impressed with my offering. I don't want to get on his wrong side. (Does he have a right one?)  Hopefully, a lot more angels will be on duty on a Sunday, or he'll be dozing since it's strictly his day off.

This book has been a real eye-opener for me. Whereas most of my research for writing books is about factual elements i.e. historical, geographical or the mechanics of jets, helicopters and guns etc. This novel has been about using Dante's levels of Hell and incorporating their visual ethos into the pages instead. A challenge of a different sort.

I'm now freed up to recommence writing A Sackful of Dragons.  It follows the story of twins in foster care who discover and decide to raise a sackful of six baby dragons. Set in Margate, the geography I know well, not only being born and growing up in the town, but actually playing in the derelict house used in the book. Its what kids used to do when I was young, derelict properties and building sites were the norm for our playgrounds. I have photos to prove it and if I ever find them in the attic I will share 'cos it was quite a feat.  The Hawley Square oak tree is in the background, albeit a lot smaller. 

My picture books are coming along nicely. Ellie who illustrated Chicken Wizard so beautifully, is continuing with Shea Pingle and the Swarm. I had a small amount of anxiety when her drawing tablet died on her recently, but she reports being able to continue, whilst awaiting a new machine.

My second illustrator Danny Ireton is proving to be just a good. He is working on The Tales of Timmy and his Magic Toe Beans for me. If his first few drawings are anything to go by this is going to be a hit too. I am so lucky to have such great illustrators.

So, seven picture books on the go, one already out, three more in illustration and four more in my hands being written, alongside the Dragon novel.

All this and I begin my new job tomorrow. Excited and a bit scared in equal measure. Excited to be starting and improving health systems within another school. Scared, whether anyone will like me, and value my opinions. Oh, and understand I have no barrier between mind and mouth, hence the writing. I do try, but I'm a leaky container at the best of times.

So sick of people asking if I'm retiring too. I must look so old to keep getting the comments. Yes I am in my 49 year of nursing and no I am not retiring, though I might drop a day a week next year so I can write and sell more books.

Till next month. Let you know how well Between Here and Hell does at the launch.

Feel free to tick like.





​

Time marches on, stopping for no one, not even me. Recently walking again without a limp. I'm back at Karate and Yoga, albeit with some amendments to the moves that involve my Achilles tendon.

This Saturday see's the launch of my writing group Inspirations,  Indigo Anthology.  The sixth in the series and the best one yet. Bigger in size and pages, larger font to make it easier to read. It's a credit to the members of the current group and I am so proud of them.

The launch is happening this Saturday 23rd March

11.00 to 12.30 at Westgate Galleria, Station Rd, Westgate
&
1 to 3pm at Taddy's Barn Eatery, St George's Hill, Northdown.
(Free Tea & Coffee)

Please consider finding the time to come along and support them. 

Following on from the anthology, my own eighth novel Between Here & Hell is due for release hopefully in late May.

I promised a sneak peek at the cover and here it is, together with the back cover blog.

"Emma Marnier’s life shatters one quiet night at home with her cat Widgett.
Discovering multiple dimensions exist, and the complexities of love, she journeys to understand why she is being hounded.
Her path leads her to Hell. Do its denizens and horrendous punishments really exist?
And if so, will Emma survive to uncover the truth? "

Details of the launch to follow in my April blog. ​

Meanwhile writing continues apace. My next picture book, Shea Pingle and the Swarm is heading towards its final illustrations and I've just signed another illustrator Danny for the first picture book about Timmy and His Magic Toe Beans.

I've a total of seven picture books waiting completion, where are traditional publishers when you need them? 
I've also picked up and restarted my novel, A Sackful of Dragons to continue writing that story. Its about twins in foster care in Margate who discover, you've guessed it, a sack full of baby dragons and decide to rear them without Grace, their foster carer, knowing.  Nothing could be easier could it? Unless you add a bullying kids gang into the mix.

This story exists alongside the Witch on the Warpath trilogy time frame.

Over time I've found it never does one good to become too confident in this writing lark. There are many ways you get knocked back down and put in your place. The highlight of mine being the 146 rejections letters I received in the past. My heart broke each more with everyone till only chocolate held me together.

Once published be prepared, that doesn't change. rejections come in all manner of formats just like books.

In lockdown 2020, I decided to read all of my first novel, Witch on the Warpath out on my YouTube channel. Its still on there, one chapter a week for 26 weeks.  I was devastated to discover as I read that it contained spelling, and grammar errors. Once I knew they were there I couldn't live with them. They ate away at my writing soul, while I succumbed to feasting on chocolate once more. I re-edited the book, then paid for another print run, casting any original copies away. My heart easing after.

Last year, someone pointed out there was a spelling mistake on the blurb of What If? Again devastation and chocolate. I did not discard the whole print run, can't afford to at £500+ per run. Saturday? You've guessed. There's one letter missing in Chicken Wizard! Noooo. Where's the chocolate, give it to me now!

Both these will be amended in the next print runs, but for now I can't afford to do it. Plus, someone has mentioned that if I ever did become famous these copies might just be worth more. So, hold on to your original copies, store them in the attic, or better still, wait till the next print run.

Chocolate? Who needs chocolate? 

I need to accept that none of my months are quiet. You’d think if I had no events in the winter months, I’d have time to rest, enjoy and recuperate, even sustaining an injury which has had me on crutches, my world races along like a formula one driver on a go-kart track. Maybe that should be around the other way?

January saw me become victim to a poorly handled and controlled overloaded warehouse food trolley which careered into the back of my left leg cutting through my Achilles tendon. Three days non-weight-bearing on crutches (one day off work because it was the weekend) Then back to work on crutches which were riskier partially weight-bearing than without. I did away with them after one day. Four weeks later, still slight limp and still open wound on heel, but returning slowly to health.

Thank goodness no events until March, I don’t know how I would have managed any of them on crutches, as I hit the ground running then with eight events almost back-to-back. The week before the injury I went to London for the weekend (my Christmas pressie from hubby) and walked miles. Going to the Ritz for high tea – not as impressed as I expected to be, and then the Waldorf – stunning.

Publishing continues apace.

I am so proud to say, my writing group Inspirations, launches their sixth anthology in the rainbow series, INDIGO, on
Saturday 23rd March. At Westgate Galleria, Station Road, Westgate from 11 to 12.30 pm.
And
Taddy’s Barn Eatery from 1pm to 3pm (free tea/coffee )

You will also be able to purchase the previous books in the series too. They look amazing on the shelves together. This series is a limited edition. Only one print run was ever completed. We only have seven copies of Red left so if you’d like them on your shelves please come along.
The members have endured much recently and made a great effort to ensure Indigo is a shining example of their work. With only Violet to go, we will be moving into genre inspired anthologies once the end of the rainbow draws to a close.

And well as completing Indigo formatting, cover, printing, proofing, press releases and marketing, I’ve finished my next novel, a dark fantasy, Between Here and Hell. It’s in the final post-formatting. The draft cover arrived today, and I love it. Watch out for my March blog when I’m adding a sneak preview.

On the publishing front all aspects have increased in price meaning a small increase in my prices too to cover costs. To be honest in reality I’d need my books to cost £50 each to cover my total costs. Writing, formatting, illustrating and printing are only small part of the finances. You could write the best novel in the world, but if you don’t spend many hours and lots of money advertising it, marketing, attending events and promoting it, it will be to no avail. I’ll bet somewhere there’s an awesome book (in addition to my own of course) that could have made millions – we will never know. Writing rarely makes you rich.

It’s the same in any creative/artistic environment. There are thousands of us producing quality work, but only a select few get that lucky break and reach stardom and fame in their chosen world. And that fame is in the hands of the Gods and fate, which considering the subject of creative writing novels could come to fruition at any point in my life.

Remember check my blog in March for the cover sneak preview.