Hairy Tortoises, Cats and the Paranormal.

I know I said I am concentrating on completing Aquasapien Four – Legacy but…
 
Wayside Publications has taken on and met its latest illustrator Emily Lucas. I needed to find work for her. As you know I’ve another five picture books sitting here in my laptop. Now its another four because we are starting The Hairy Tortoise.
Emily and I met at Riparo Lounge this week and I’ve shared the whole Hairy Tortoise story with her. My picture book seem to have  similar themes, several are where the creature is different to the average. Timmy has magic Toe Beans, the chicken is a Wizard etc. We join them through their journey. Writing this I’ve realised on reflection that my novels have that theme too! Anyway, Emily has been sent page 1 and I wait eagerly to see her first illustration for me.
 
I went to the Cosy Cat Café again in Herne Bay yesterday. After reading on Face Book that it is closing down on the 31st January over lack of funds. Gutted. I discovered the lady who runs the charity/café has been covering the deficit with her own salary.
I love going there and wish she’d said something earlier. We could have done a Just giving page and saved the place. Plus, done better charity support fund raising. Sadly, she has made her decision and found home for almost all the kitties. You can book to go online and its free, unlike other places. This is probably why it's closing. You can check out a spot easily. They are open Thursday to Saturday (10-4pm) Sunday (11- 4pm.
    https://www.thecosycatcafe.co.uk/
I know it’s not writing. It is in a way because I wrote 7 pages of Legacy there yesterday.
 
I haven’t booked too many events this year as I’ve set up the Phoenix Community Group, we are doing our 1st project, clearing the side streets of Ramsgate. I am also doing a few hours a week at the Thanet Winter Homeless Shelter and booking  workshops for Thanet Schools, free of charge.
 
If you hear of any events, festivals, fayres etc. that have inside areas, I’d appreciate knowing, please make contact. So far I’ve only booked one Comicon at Maidstone and a space at Rochester Art Fair. I am disappointed that literary festivals don’t seem to be interested in having me at their events, despite them knowing I exist and so far have never charged them.
 
Finally, I am in the process of arranging a Writer Workshop Day in Thanet. We’ll be covering all aspects of fiction writing from character building, author style, and editing. If you know of any person who might be interested, give them my details and I’ll forward the workshop details in due course.
 
My mind is considering another novel. It's about two women who run an animal sanctuary, with a pet accessories store out front. Plus, they have a side business as a Paranormal Pet Agency. They take on cases investigating missing or deceased pets. What folk don’t know is Crystal and Emerald are both witches too. I can’t imagine where I got this idea from. LOL
 
I’ve got to go upstairs and add my introduction and closure elements to my Japanese Podcast for YouTube now before we put it online.

Till February.