Looking back at my previous blog titles, I think I might have tempted fate.

Like a good percentage of us, I'd been walking around smugly these last three years, announcing, when people reported their Covid infections, that I'd never caught Covid. Nor did I expect to, I had all 3 jabs, and I won't bore you with that saga. I washed my hands so often I'm surprised I have any skin on them, in fact it might explain why I can see my veins, tendons and bones in the back of my hands. I'd rather fantasise that, than admit its because I'm getting old. I wore my lovely animal masks long after other folk stopped and tolerated the sarcastic glances because I preferred them as a fashion statement. I still wipe shopping trolleys and baskets too.

Then just over a week ago, I caught the Beast. I'm not sure when. I have two possibilities. I'd had a sore throat on and off for a week before the temperature started, but I've also suffered with awful Hay Fever this year for weeks on end, like a lot of folk. Nothing I did got rid of it, decongestants, antihistamines, throat spray, nose spray, or a combination of all of them. I decided the throat was just another Hay Fever thingy I'd need to get used to. My second possibly was being on a coach for 4 hours, but I won't go into details about that. Either way it got me good, as they say.

The temperature rose, then soared. If I'd been climbing Everest I might have appreciated the warmth, having a temperature of 39.2C when it is also 39C outside is something you can only experience. Being an oven, sitting in an oven is all I can compare it too.

It beat my time through the Menopause hands down. And the nose, OMG how did so much fluid come from such a small place on my body, I do not know. I couldn't wee that much in one go! I broke my record of 9 sneezes and hit 12 in a row. I ended up searching for my lungs under the bed at one point because I'm pretty sure they shot out and tried to hide. But the worse thing by far apart from the vomiting, the sweats, the pyrexia, the cough and the sneezing was the bloody tickling thing up my nostrils. Honestly, if I could have cut my nose off, I would have. I came very close on a couple of occasions.

You know when you have to do an LFT and stick that awful cotton bud up your nose? You know that most vile tickly feeling that you know is going to happen and you dread that more than anything else? Imagine having that continuously for hours on end. Honestly it was no joke. The phrase, "I wouldn't wish this on my worse enemy springs to mind. However, I might considering the way the world is going at the moment.

Enough. You say. We've heard it all before. We've already had it - twice or more. What can you rambling on about it do to help the situation? Well, it sure makes me feel better, getting my angst out. It also gives me an opportunity to thank the beautiful people who sent me many get well wishes. It is nice to know people know you exist when you're poorly - so remember others. I also want to thank my husband's 'club' for sending me the most amazing bouquet of flowers I have ever received, at least in the last 15 years. It was disappointing that I couldn't smell them as that disappeared on day 3.  Though I am pleased to say they still look great a week later and I can smell them now - yes I changed the water today.

What of your writing? - I hear you crow. Isn't this a blog about your writing? Well naturally, I didn't do much while I was in bed 6 days, but now. I've leapt like a racehorse into the fray.  Aquasapien 3 is finished and with my formatter. The cover is done and the printers lined up.

Chicken Wizard had no joy with the traditional publishing circuit so I'm back to doing what I do best, with my mantra "I'll be dead before they take a blind bit of notice." Ellie my latest Illustrator is getting to grips with the artwork. I've also seen CW in his glory. I've wanted to do a colour picture book for years, but never had the confidence. Covid Bah! I might not be Chicken Wizard, but my god I'm going to work like one. Between Worlds, my eight novel is being unwrapped for a re-write as I type, looking to publish that in 2023, after Aqua 3 in December 2022.

and I'm still writing A Sackful of Dragons, with a new character introduced, Toby the Blue mouse. 

On the slightly weird side, my Hay Fever has completely disappeared after three months!

Another item ticked off my bucket list. After seven and a half gruelling hours, with 100 sit-ups and 140 press-ups (or it might have been round the other way, I was into the what-the-hell stage by then), 200 star jumps,  600+ kicks, my grade moves, god-knows how many katas and then 20, back-to-back one minute fights.
I am now officially a 2nd Kyu Brown Belt. That's it for me. Its taken almost eighteen years to get here, but I wanted to pass my original Green belt grade in Shotokan that I got when I was in my twenties and I've done it.
Now, its a case of keeping fit and karate will give me that. It builds stamina, strength and supplety, not to mention confidence, mindfulness and the ability to protect yourself in a crisis. What's not to like about it? More people in their 50's and 06's are joining our club. One of our member's passed his 2nd brown belt with me. He is in his 70's! Well Done Arthur you are a true star!

On the writing front, for Aqua 3 I've only 100 pages left to proof. The new cover is done. I've had two offers for the launch, and am considering a morning one in Margate and an afternoon one in Ramsgate on the same day.  Meanwhile, I've attended the mini Broadstairs Literary Festival Friday and although it wasn't packed, I've increased my network of authors and discovered an Illustrator who might be interested in doing Chicken Wizard.

In the coming weeks, I'm giving talks to other writing groups and attending our own local ones too. My next signing event is this Saturday back at Faversham again, in the Alexander Centre in the high street. I'm also off to Thorpe Park this week. It was a bit of a surprise when my boss asked me to go as 1st aider for the journey, but I'm getting paid so what could I say?

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Starting to get the jitters as my Brown Belt Karate exam looms closer. Managed to survive the Pre-Grading mock lesson of two and a half hours. Also discovered my 40 daily press-ups and sit-ups, is actually supposed to be 70 of each. Eeek! Need to increase my practice at home. I have two lessons this week, a brown/black belt class Sunday and another two lessons next week - then its the big deal, my 6+hour Grading. What am I doing? I must be mad.

On another tact, the beginning of June saw my husband and I (yes the royal we) as recipients for a pair of tickets from the Royal British Legion to share in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Trooping of the Colour.  Initally, we had thought we had seats at Horse Guards Parade, but we discovered ours were facing Buck Palace. The good thing was I chose seats at the far end of the row and it turned out to be the spot where the bands, guards and horses stopped. Got some amazing photos. There more on my FB page and also a beautiful reels, including one of the Red Arrows that's had over 5,000 views. Plus, the queen provided us with a free boxed lunch and tea, coffee and water all day. Thank you your majesty.

Back at home, I'm continuing to work on Aquasapien Three in preparation for its release later this year.  Its hard work finding time after a very full day at work and either Karate, street dance or Yoga each day, but its got to be done to get fit enough for my goal.  Also made tentative enquires for a potential launch location in Thanet. I suppose I could carrying on with the book instead of Blogging, but I try to keep up to my monthly blog. I've only missed two I think in several years.
As I continue to amend and review sections, thanks to my Beta reader Karen, the book extends. Its already  expanded several thousand, so I might cut it off early as I have identified a title for the fourth and final book in the series. Aquasapien - Legacy,

Chicken Wizard isn't going anywhere at the moment despite me loving it, its not enough. I'm considering publishing it independantly, but I need to find an illustrator who doesn't want buckets of money as its essentially a picture book. I'll let you know how it goes.

Breathe in, breathe out, and another month has zoomed (not literally) by. We finished our anthology judging after a manic four weeks. Not allowed to say more at this stage. I am seriously considering joining the NAWG at their Literary Fest in September, if I can face the five and half hour car journey on my own, after a full day at work. It would be great to meet those folks I've only spoken to via email and zoom.

In addition to judging a national competition this last month, I’d also agreed to be one of the judges the Birchington Literary Festival short story competition last weekend.  I think I had a couple of weeks for that one, which I did at the same time as the nationals. Ali Boots was the winning entry with her short, The Joy of Giving, and yes before you ask, she was one of my top three.

The Birchington Festival went very well, with great feedback. I want to thank Geraldine Watson for her effort, time and commitment organising such a monumental event. Its sure to be on again, maybe in 2023, if Geraldine can face another event so soon.
I’d also like to thank George, for helping me with my heavy tomes and portering them around the festival. Sorry I didn’t catch his last name, but I know he facilitates Birchington Together, works at Thanet Earth and is part of Roger Gale’s team.  Thank you George.

I thoroughly enjoyed the event. My session on Character Building was well attended, and the facilitator of the Folkestone Writing Group has asked me to do a session for her group in the near future. Geraldine reported the feedback was very good. After my session on Saturday, I had some time to sign and sell books in one of the marques. Sunday saw me there again, with a Q & A session and a short story reading session. Not wanting to stand by I decided to enter the Open Mic Poetry competition, and though my poem Time Line Through Thanet didn’t come anywhere, I really enjoyed taking part. Several of the entries had me in tears they were so emotional.

This weekend I’m off to the Alexander Centre, as Faversham is having a two-day Transport Festival throughout the town. I’m excited and also frustrated because Aquasapien Three is back from one of my Beta-Readers, and I can’t wait to plough through it in preparation for publishing. The cover is already in the mock-up stage with Pegu Designs.

Away from my writing front, I’ve upped my fitness levels in the last few days, performing 20 press-ups and 20 sit-ups each morning along with 60 kicks in preparation for my next karate belt. Yes, I’ve finally taken the plunge and agreed to try out for my brown belt. It will be the last grading I ever do as old age in the form of crippling arthritis is catching me up – fast.
Our karate style, Kyokushin, is I think one of the toughest when it comes to exams.  It works like this: first belt exam is 1st red. It takes about 40 minutes with 10 press-ups, sit-ups etc to show a basic level of fitness, then your karate moves, kicks, punches, strikes and and blocks.
The next person, taking their 2nd red belt (There’s two belts per colour) has to turn up when the 1st red belt starts their exam and do all the 1st red moves with them, before they can then spend the next 20 minutes demonstrating their own moves and fitness levels for the assessors. Then we go on to 1st blue, 2nd blue, 1st yellow, 2nd yellow, 1st green, 2nd green. Each person has to take part in the entire range of belt moves from 1st red to their own colour.
Now we get to 1st brown. We have to stand there and do all 1st red moves, then 2nd red, then 1st blue, 2nd blue, 1st yellow … It takes about six and a half hours, and at the end of that? I have to be able to do 20, one-minute fights with whoever wishes to fight me – usually black belts.  I think I’m slightly insane to this at my age. Writing is definiately much safer.
However, before all that I have training, with a mock exam on the 19th of June and the final do-or-die event on 3rd July. I managed to get to green belt in Shotokan karate in my twenties…

 Covid taught me many lessons about living.
You have one life. Live it well, for you may not have tomorrow. And if you do. You are the lucky ones. Remember that, for those that were not so lucky. They will live through you and your deeds. Don't waste one single day regretting things you could have done.
 
 

Does everyone else have just manic days or is it just me?

Last year, I was extremely proud of the members of Inspirations Writers Group, when I submitted on their behalf, and they won, the National Denise Robertson Anthology Award for their anthology Green.

This year I'm not having quite the same feelings.  As winners, the lucky group, is expected to judge the 2022 anthology competition and we are hard at it. Thankfully, there aren't too many, and several members have stepped up to the plate, but the ferrying of books back and forth, recording of who has what and when, plus the reading itself, has got me thinking if I don't read another anthology for a year or two, that'll be fine.

Speaking of Inspirations, the group is going through quite an upheaval at the moment, but on the good side, we do suddenly have several new interested people. If you're likewise interested we are back in Westgate Library, on the 4th Saturday of every month from 10.30 to 12.30. I won't be there in April, but I'm back in May. Come along and see if it's what you're after. There's no price for dropping in.

On the Chicken Wizard front, due to having a few days off over Easter, I sent the outline of the book off to my first literary agent in decades. Six weeks is the going length of time to wait, so you may know the outcome my by next blog.

Witch on the Warpath, the improved version, is in production and should be with me shortly. This is good because I've several big events coming up and I'm down to 37 books in total which won't last long.  Speaking of which the trilogy covers have been redesigned to fit together as a pack now and will look much better on the shelves - once the previous print run is sold out.

My first event of the year is on this Saturday 16th April. I'm at the Alexander Centre in Faversham if you feel like dropping by, they have loads of great craft stalls. I should know I've purchased something from almost everyone, and if the chocolatier people are there - Yum.

The 30th of April and 1st May I'm delighted to be involved with the Birchington Literary Festival.  My books and Inspirations should be for sale there. I'm running a Writing Master Class on character Building and several other sessions too. Sadly, Faye Beerling backed out of the interview. It'll just be me doing a question-and-answer session with the public.
Check it out. 

On the personal front.
It's my mother's 91st birthday today and this afternoon I'm off to visit her in her Care Home nearby. Its difficult buying a pressie when someone has dementia, apart for the fact she won't remember it (that's fine), the chocolates we bought her for Easter are still in her drawer.
The clothes that we buy are usually on someone else, despite having her name in them. I've even found men's Y-fronts in her wardrobe and I'm assuming she's not up to hanky-panky. She has so many stuffed toys the windowsill is full, and others are taken by wanderers. Likewise, anything we buy her.
This year I've come up with a plan, she loves flamingos. Yes, I think that fluffy toy I bought vanished too. I've discovered some pink flamingos that you stick to glass. I'm planning to decorate the windows and mirror and hopefully the wanderers won't figure out they come off.
​
Until next time.

I’m struggling to stay awake as I write this blog for March. Who would have thought that spending a day at a Yoga retreat would leave me feeling so tired. I’ve yawned so much since I got home I’m sure my jaw is going to ache, along with everything else come morning. It was good though, our guru Goddess Caroline Garland, led us through meditation, yoga and Yin yoga moves in a thorough workout over five hours, including a late lunch. I’m sure at some point in the future, you’ll see Yoga appearing as one of my characters leisure pursuits.

The lovely thing was I made several new friends and re-discovered an old friend I used to work with over 20 yrs ago. It felt like we created a family during the course of the day and along with the yoga experience it left me feeling all cosy, warm and loved inside.

Chicken Wizard is on hold regards chasing an agent as the whole world seemed to explode around the writing group which I founded, facilitate and chair. I won’t bore you with the specifics. The group will continue while I have blood in my veins, (that isn’t an invitation to any vampires reading this) but there’s been a bit of a shake up regards the committee roles.

I expect things to change in groups these days. Past experiences have made me accepting of it, and it is an important thing to remember if you ever consider setting up a group. Creative people in particular, are individuals with needs, wants, abilities and dreams. Its only a matter of time before those things come to the fore as their lives change and they adapt by altering their goals.

All groups have a shelf-life and mine is no exception, its just not happening yet. Members will always come and go, numbers rise, fall and rise once more. The important thing is to stay true to the aim of the group – to support, inform and advise writers with their writing careers. It’s a group I love with members I love too, and all the time I do, no matter how stressful, it will continue.

Meanwhile, plans are afoot for my input to Birchington Literary Festival on Saturday 30th April & Sunday 1st May. Its free to attend the sessions but you need to get tickets and those are limited.

I’ve been asked to interview Faye Beerling, a great children’s author and personal friend, so that should be interesting. I’m hoping to make it more a conversation with… than a question-and-answer session.

I’ve offered to run a workshop on character building. Its one of my favourite subjects and critical in making fiction writing come alive. Readers can spot poor character descriptions a mile away. Only a couple of days ago I was advised, from someone reading Witch on the Warpath, that my characters are good making my stories come alive. For me, that is the best feedback I could ask for.

Next, I’m doing a panel discussion around the dystopian/sci-fi genre with two other authors. Finally, I’m facilitating a session where the finalists of the short story competition read their submissions. Plus, maybe do a little piece about writing a short story.

A full weekend for me and hopefully an opportunity to sign and sell some books.

Family wise we’ve celebrated our boy’s twenty-third birthday this week, which meant eating lots of food and slipping off my diet briefly. Thankfully no more spurges planned for the next couple of weeks…. Hold that thought I’ve got a Ladies Night ball coming up soon. More food to force down. Gosh life is such a hardship.

This previous sentence stopped me in my tracks and made me realise how awful that sounded given the current political global climate. I need to remember just how lucky I am to be living in England, and not subject to the whims of an irrational dictator hell bent on Armageddon. My heart aches every night with the news. Covid was awful and so is this, in a different way for a different reason, but innocent lives are being extinguished for no acceptable reason.

With Covid, we couldn’t communicate with a virus and ask it not to kill our people. We had to find a way to prevent it harming humans, but even then we haven’t resorted to killing it outright. We’ve built an invisible wall around ourselves using vaccines instead.

I don’t have the answers, but I do believe all people should be allowed to live without fear for their lives, whoever they are, where ever they are. No one person should have the power to destroy another person’s life.

These last four weeks having been a roller coaster of ultimate highs and desperately sad lows.

On January 31st I had the awful duty of making the decision of laying my adorable cat Widgett, and extra feline son, to rest. I struggled to make that decision and delayed it for one week only because he wasn’t in apparent pain. It enable my husband (self-isolating with Covid) to spend some quality time with him out on the lawn in the sunshine. I got to spend a couple of evenings cuddled up on the sofa and bed, but finally I could see, I was only prolonging the ultimate choice. It is a choice, but such a hard one. He’d stopped eating a couple of days earlier and when he looked up at me my heart broke each time. I could almost hear him in my head saying, ‘Is it time yet? How much longer before the end? I cried buckets and still am tearful writing this, the tears filling my eyes and making it hard to write…..

Most of my pets live on in my work, which has always been a combination of my life, my experiences, and my imagination. Widgett is no exception, he appears throughout the Witch on the Warpath trilogy as Tenamunday the dimension shifting cat. You will find chapter heading illustrations of Widgett taken on my phone and transformed by me into drawings. On the cover of Gristle’s Revenge is Onk the troll sitting on Ramsgate harbour with a purring Tenamunday/Widgett at his feet.
 
The following week, after my little one was buried, and in a complete reversal of emotions I attended a ceremony at the Turner Centre to receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service as part of the Ageless Thanet group MBE. Part of me felt a little bit guilty attending because I hadn’t done hardly anything compared to the Trustees and long-serving volunteers, just took part in an open day, attended a couple of meet-ups work permitting, and delivered a few meals during 1st Lockdown etc.

My husband reminded me that though I hadn’t managed to do a great deal with Ageless Thanet, I had in fact volunteered for 4 months during 1st lockdown at QEQM Hospital when everyone else was too frightened to leave their homes. So, I decided to accept the award with that knowledge too.

I met some wonderful people at this event, who I hope I meet up with in the near future. They were inspirations in themselves. I was also overwhelmed, as you may have seen in the press photos, when a lady, CEO of AgeUK was introduced to me as Debbie and I saw a woman I did my nurse training with in 1977. It was astounding and I was again a bit tearful…

And in between all this I write.

My book launch of Quest for Courage went well enough. I sold a total of 21 books and was pleased that a couple of were of my previous books. The Classroom Bookshop were great. So welcoming and friendly. My thanks go to Adam Taylor the owner for his tireless support in preparation and stocking my work. You can purchase all my work through The Classroom Bookshop in Westgate now.

The week after my award, I attended my writing support group Gremlins, and was attacked by a new inspiration, and thus Chicken Wizard was born. It came about during a discussion and suddenly the phrase appeared in my head and I blurted out “Chicken Wizard!” Rather loudly as it happens. It stayed with me most of the afternoon, with me adding it into conversations irreverently.

I remembered it the next day, Sunday. It boiled around my mind so much that Monday I had to write Chicken Wizard’s complete story. Aimed at 5 – 8 yr olds it’s a picture book, story of a cockerel and the hens who adore him and believe he is a wizard because he can tell which eggs hold his chicks. I’ve also come up with two further books in the series, Sheep Sorceress and Pig Prophet, but more of them later, if I manage to catch the valuable attention of either an agent, publisher or illustrator keen to draw for this colourful book.

Until next time. Love one another because you never know how much time you have. Life is far too short to stay angry with someone over silly slights. When they're gone you'll be the one left with negative feelings and memories' which you don't deserve to hold. Be the bigger person. I know its very easy for me to say this and equally hard to do, but do it anyway. Die happy, in the loving arms of your family just like my Widgett, 

 Where did Christmas go? One moment I was wrapping pressies, the next I was mourning over the last of the choccies in the boxes I received.  I haven't put on weight, fortunately my work, karate,  street dance and yoga keep that at bay. But, I did get used to snacking and now need to pull back on that habit, its not easy is it?

My new initiative for creatives, An Interview With... had a good start on my YouTube channel. Danielle William's interview sparked a lot of interest, so I'm hopeful other creatives will take the plunge and have their own interview. I can also expand it to video messages for folk with relatives abroad too.

Writing wise, I haven't progressed any further on A Sackful of Dragons at the moment, because I've been sorting out Witch on the Warpath, tightened up in spelling, punctuation etc. Its been re-formatted, and I'm awaiting the cover font re-design to match Gristle's Revenge and Quest for Courage.
​
When it was a stand-alone novel that was fine, now its part of a trilogy I can't live with it looking different. I checked with Nielson's and it doesn't need to be re-issued as a 2nd edition because I haven't changed the story at all or the cover design. I've improved punctuation, discovered several spelling mistakes still present after three different folk edited it, and improved layout. Frankly I couldn't live (or rather die) with it being incorrect and me knowing about it. This occurred after I read it out on YouTube for Lockdown that time in April 2020.

I've not many copies left of the original edition in case you are interested in an investment and no more will be printed from this point onwards. See my Estore link for details of purchasing any of my work, or go to Amazon or Waterstones websites. As soon as I'm low, which will be after my next event, there will be a new print order going in. 

I'm excited that the launch of Quest for Courage is going ahead on Saturday 29th January as planned. The time is now 11am to 1pm at the Classroom Bookshop Station Rd, Westgate. (Near the train station)

I'm afraid there will only be me there. Faye Beerling reports moving out of area to be nearer family, and Jasper Cooper never replied to my query. I noticed that he has also moved, this time to Bournemouth, where he reigns supreme as the international Over 60's tennis champion.

The first event of 2022, after my launch, is not till April, when I have three events back to back. Starting with the Eventissima craft event at the Alexander Centre, Faversham on the 16th. Then the Midas craft event on the 23rd at Herne Bay High School, and finally as guest author to Birchington Literary Festival on the 30th.

That means I'm avialable for talks and workshops at weekends and evenings up till then. So, if you know a local group interested in having a free guest speaker, let me know.

Regards the Marvel Comicon at Quex in May. It doesn't look like I can manage this. First, its outside not good for books, and second the cost is way too much, more than I would ever sell at such an event making it a no-go, sadly.

​It feels like a lifetime ago that I attended the Reading Comicon. It was amazing, I did put the photos on FB, but you can view them more easily on my website page under PAST EVENTS & CONFERENCES. Again, I didn’t sell loads but it’s about P.R. and getting my name out there. Marketing is hard work with very little reward or recognition. Saying that, I did really well at the massive Christmas Fair at the Winter Gardens in Margate in December.
Thank you to everyone who purchased a book from there, or any of my craft fairs and Comicons over 2021.
Because I enjoy creating my podcasts, I’m branching out. As well as my own work, I’ve decided to produce podcasts by reading from selected authors—providing there is no copyright infringements. I’ve started with the poem, The Night Before Christmas, if you check it out, its only 3+ minutes long.

Plus, I’ve added an extra string to my proverbial bow. Wayside Publications has taken on the new venture of interviewing creatives, be they artists, crafters, authors etc. The series entitled, An Interview With… starts with Kent-based artist Danielle Williams. Listening to her interview will interest people who like to know more about those whose work they enjoy. Danielle excels at portraits and her love of animals comes through in her work.
If you are a creative and would like to have an interview of your work, please use my CONTACT PAGE to make further enquires.
 
One exciting point is I finally have a provisional date for the book launch of Quest for Courage. The Classroom Bookshop in Westgate has stepped forward to offer a venue on Saturday 29th January from 11 to 2pm. We are hoping to bring in other local children’s authors and I’ve approached Faye Beerling and Jasper Cooper to see if either are avialable.

Currently, I’m recovering from my third Covid vaccination. Although not as bad as the first one, (temp of 39C etc) I’m feeling achy all over and can’t lift my arm out to the side. It’ll pass and it’s a small price to pay for being able to stay alive should I catch that dreaded evil-doer.

On the bright side, I should have recovered by Christmas and look forward to working on Aquasapien Three Prodigy, Between Worlds and my latest draft novel A Sackful of Dragons.

I’ve booked several events for 2022. I’ve put forward an interest for London Fantasycon in Sept 2022. That’s in addition to Wyntercon the week before & Reading Comicon the following month. I’ve yet to figure out how to get my stock there It’ll likely be an expensive with hotels and transport, but I need to continue being positive with marketing. I have also discovered there will be a Marvel Comicon at Quex Park in May 2022. Hoping to get in there too.
 
I’d like to take this opportunity to wish everyone who reads my blog and my work, a safe and merry Christmas. Enjoy it. Treasure your loved ones and embrace the moments you share with them. Let 2022 take care of itself when it happens. Stay positive and focused, think I will, not What if? (Unless you're reading my novel LOL)
 
Speak again in the New Year. X Carol

Wyntercon was officially a blast. I loved being back inside, what at times seemed like another dimension. I frequently got the feeling that I’d fallen down the Alice in Wonderland’s rabbit-hole, as characters from my favourites films, and TV shows trooped by, together with bizarre creatures, and individuals made up from inside their own imaginations. Awesome! Okay I didn’t sell too many of my books, but the sights, sounds, and people surrounding me, more than made up for it. (See my Past Conference page for some brilliant photos.)
 
Following on from Wyntercon, last weekend I was pleased to have work selected for my first ever exhibition. Nathalie Banaigs, the power house that is Kent Creatives, put on the Home is a Feeling exhibition at the Alexander Centre in Faversham. 
It’s an interesting concept, Kent based artists, makers and designers exhibit their work showing art as part of everyday life. All work is presented in situ, in a room, transformed into a living space. With furniture, paintings, ceramics, tableware, soft furnishing, jewellery etc. the exhibition highlights how much art and design we have in our homes. We are surrounded by art and yet many do not realise how much is there, and what an impact it makes on our environment, and our moods.
Again, it didn’t make me rich, though I’m pleased some of my creative pals did okay. You definitely need to be putting some higher priced items out than my measly £8.99 books. I fell in love with several things and purchased a couple of small items, making yet another dent in my loss margin. I didn’t begrudge it, the things I purchased were lovely; cards of dogs made in 3D with felt and two large coasters one featuring a hare, the other a duck and its duckling – so cute.

And now I’m off to Reading Comicon for 27th & 28th November. I’m expecting a similar vibe to Wyntercon as I’m whisked away to another futuristic location. I hope my selling will go a bit better. Our hotel is on site so that’s less petrol and less chance of shopping in town. I do recommend attending a Comicon if you’re into everything, not of this world.

After that I’ve four more events in December, two further Christmas fairs with Eventissima at the Alexander Centre in Faversham on the 5th and 12th. An evening pamper fair (18+) at the Grosvenor Casino in Westwood Cross on the 8th. Entry for all is free and the Casino one offers a free glass of Prosecco on arrival.

So, what’s the fourth one? I hear you say—if you’ve read this far. The book launch of my fifth novel of course. Quest for Courage is released on Saturday 11th December. Only one snag, I haven’t found a business willing to let me hold the launch yet.
Waterstones didn’t answer my emails—nothing new there. Every time I visited the shop the manager, “just popped out, in a meeting, having her break, not on duty.” I got the hint—eventually.
I discovered a potential place in Ramsgate, but likewise, they haven’t answered my emails, despite me filling in their complicated application form before they’d  even consider a book to be sold there.

Now, I’ve resorted, yet again, to asking chums on Facebook, like I did for book three Gristle's Revenge in 2019. Fortunately, book four What If? was during the Covid era and I launched that outdoors at the Boating Pool Cafe in May 2021.

I’m wondering whether its going to be like this forever? I’ve at least ten more books in the pipeline that I'd like to see published, two of those in the wings already. I’m guessing it might be. I can see why folk only publish online these days. It’s an absolute headache.
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Printed books, a dying art in a dying world?      Not if I have anything to do with it.