Okay, where did Christmas go? I swear it was here yesterday. I still have mountains of Christmas chocolates on the dining table and bottles of liqueurs and bubbly we got given too. My Xmas sweater and fleece are washed, dried and back their box for Christmas 2025. My son still hasn't moved anything he got on Christmas day from the place he put it after opening it! So, I've put the lot on the staircase in the hope he'll take them to his room. Some hope, I've just finished putting away his ironing from 5 days ago and putting a weeks worth of dirty socks in his laundry basket.

Frankly, its quite horrible seeing life from this age, its speeding past at a rate of a week in a day. I am so envious of folk under forty. They hear about the odd distant cousin or aunt that gets ill and passes. It doesn't touch you too deeply. Of course you're upset, but you weren't close. Then you reach the later years and people getting ill, from serious conditions are closer, both geographically speaking and familywise. Worse still its more frequent. Everyone who speaks to you, tells you of a relative who's become unwell, then died. Quite often from Cancer, and soon its popping up in every conservation you have. Until it touches home, your home, then its devastating.

At that moment you can finally see, there is an end to this life. You can understand other people's feelings, fears and more - their terror. There's a madness that takes over, even temporarily. Where's the Will? Did I make one? What about all my stuff? The treasured possessions. Will anyone want them when I'm gone?

Programmes, like Antiques Roadshow makes me think - not doing that. Watching nearest & dearest  stating how much they loved their parents and extended family, then sitting amazed as they sell off their mother's precious jewellery, their father's valued war medals for a handful of notes. Treasured heirlooms that to my way of thinking,  should be handed down to their descendants. Either there are no descendants, or  those that do exist don't care, don't prize such items, seeing them as only as freebies, unearnt income.  Money that the children, or grandchildren, now in their sixties see as their rightful money. God I hate getting old.

I'm hoping not every blog going forward will moan about the joyfulness of aging. Hopefully just this one, brought about by Cancer chasing our tails. Well it can jolly well bugger off. I don't have time to die!!! What about your writing, do I hear the ghosts whisper?

There's a thing called writer's block. I've never suffered with it. I can write about anything and everything. Check out some of my earlier blogs if you don't believe me, I've written one a month for the last ten years. Starting on my birthday in May 2015, that will be one hundred and twenty blogs by May. I could make a book out of them! 
However, things have been happening to me and my husband that resulted in me stopping writing completely without noticing. I filled my time up sorting out Timmy's launch, doing the odd bit of editing, but no actually writing new words. A couple of weeks ago, I sat back reflected and realized this fact. I was a bit shocked. Analyzing it, I realized my subconscious must have decided I wasn't going to be around long enough to produce any more work than I've written already. I have finished writing the Further Tales of Timmy and his Magic Toe Beans, Mustard & Marmalade Dachshund Dog Detectives and the Case of the Missing Fillet Steak. (Yes, its probably the longest title in history),  They are in illustration as we speak. I also have The Unshakable Mouse written too.

Once I consciously recognized I'd been stalling. I wrote the The Hairy Tortoise in two hours. I've come up with several more picture book titles: Hedgie & Quack, The Dancing Snail, and Tilly the Firm Worm. ( I have been told this last title might be more suitable as an 18+ picture book! I'll tell you more in my Feb blog) There's  also a follow-up to Chicken Wizard that I've yet to name.

Finally, I've re-started writing Aquasapien Four - Legacy with several thousand words under my belt. Still a long way to go. I've decided to finish this first. I want the Series complete before I move back to A Sackful of Dragons, because I figure, being a side story to Witch on the Warpath and set in Margate it is likely to do well.

That's it for January. I've bemoaned the loss of Christmas, my youth and my writing time. Going forward I'm planning to bring positivity and success. Hopefully, before Easter is upon us, though judging by the Easter eggs I've just seen on sale in M & S I might be a tad too late.

Its Sunday 22nd December and its only just beginning to feel a bit like Christmas for me. That’s probably because my proper work finished for the year two days ago. I can finally relax to a point.
Here at home, I’m concentrating on my writing and all the things that go with it at this time of year, not just the editing, processing, formatting, printing elements, but the accounts, sales write-ups and planning ahead for 2025 events.

I’ve already paid the deposit for three Comicon’s in South East England including Southampton, Brighton and Maidstone. A few of you may know that two of my largest events let me down by going under during 2024. A bit of a blow Thankfully my favourite, Wyntercon, managed to pay some of my money back.
I’ve a couple of local fairs booked, but so far that’s all. Last year I did 32 days of fairs, in addition to working full-time. In 2023, I did 37 days! In 2025 I’m planning to be a bit more picky, not a New Year’s Resolution because I probably won’t keep to it. I’m already putting feelers out for several local pop-up bookshop events with Chris Horn.

I say picky but I’m actually in negotiations with running my own Fantasy event in 2025. In theory the place where I want to hold it, has said yes. I’m struggling over a name, Fantasy Fayre, Fantasy’s Hart, Hart of Fantasy, At the Hart. Its spelt wrong for a reason. Can’t say more on the subject until January.

If you know anyone running a fair this year, give them my name, but be quick because I book up fast once January clears. On the upside, I’m dropping a day a week from my birthday in May. Already got three schools booked for visits, and several more interested. Add to that enquires about Timmy and his Magic Toe Beans and I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Also on the Timmy front, he has been selling out. I might have to do a second print run soon. A first for me in the same quarter. With that in mind I finally have my new EStore up and running. A bit of polishing to do to the site but you can order books directly, or go through Waterstones as usual. I deliver anywhere in the world and if you’re local you could potentially still get it in time for Christmas. . https://carolmstore.co.uk/

As usual no paper Christmas cards for me, with a few exceptions of relatives who receive our yearly contact by post. A saving of £78 this year in stamps, so I donated £100 to Mercy Ships. As I mentioned on Facebook, I almost joined them a few years back, but ended up supporting them financially instead, and not just at Christmas. https://www.mercyships.org.uk/
 
For the person who commented on FB about me still using paper to write books, I think there’s a quite a difference between bits of card and envelopes sent out, when you speak to folk all year on Fb, email and WhatsApp and writing. Writing is my purpose, and I’d like to think some have found my books worthwhile. I do have my work on kindle too, for those who like to stay ethically-minded.

I’m assuming like our family, the majority of pressies are wrapped, the elements for Christmas day meal is in hand and you are wading your way through the tins of biccies, choccies and assorted cheeses. All we need now is a tiny sprinkle of snow. Not too much, my son still has to work over the holiday and he travels a fair way to work and back. I have to say I do not miss working Christmas and new year. Mainly because I prefer to be warm and snuggly in such cold weather.

I have recorded the Night Before Christmas poem on my YouTube channel for any of you who have that as a tradition in your families. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvBW5HUh-Hg

Last comment to say for this year.
I hope everyone who reads this has a safe, healthy and loving Christmas in whatever format it takes. If you are physically alone this Christmas don’t let it bring you down. Make contact with someone, go out, say hello to people, speak online. Have a coffee somewhere and remember, you don’t know for sure what 2025 will bring.
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Till Jan 2025, my heart is with you.

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.





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