Author: lizziechantree

Launch Day! Networking For Writers.

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Hello everyone. Today I’m celebrating the launch of my latest book, Networking for writers! We are living in unprecedented times and I would usually be hosting a book launch party in a beautiful venue, but things like that are not possible right now, so we have to think of different ways to reach out to our book loving community and still find ways to enjoy happy moments and memories  together.

For me, I’m very lucky to have been hosted on around forty blogs in the last month, after putting a shout out for help in my book group, which shows how wonderful networking can be. I also decided to host a competition and giveaway, as I mention how to run them in this book. I’ve had an amazing response and now have hundreds of new followers on Twitter and an incredible amount of entrants into my competition, which in turn lets people know about my book. I will be announcing the winner of my £50/$50 Amazon voucher giveaway here today 8pm midday, UK time, so there is still time to enter via Twitter and my pinned tweet.  Good luck everyone!

I wrote this book during the pandemic, so it also mentions how to network online and offers tips on expanding your customer base through social media and online groups. I have already had some amazing reviews, which I am thrilled to share with you today.

Customer reviews:

‘I have been a published author and teacher of creative writing for over two decades, so thought I knew pretty much all there was to know about social media and networking for writers. How wrong I was! Lizzie Chantree’s book showed me I still had a great deal to learn. The tips are laid out in easy to follow stages and I will be making full use of her advice over the next few months. I highly recommend this book for writers of all levels who want to expand (or start) their network and gain new readers.’

‘Lizzie Chantree is a bestselling author and an experienced networker, so who better to share advice on using the power of social media and networking to sell books? Even though I am pretty savvy – I thought – with social media – I found lots of tips in this book and read it with a pen and paper at hand to write notes. An easy, concise and informative read, recommended for all writers who want to find their own network and learn to use the power of social media more effectively.’

‘I found this book so VERY helpful. It’s a little gem, covering aspects of networking, promotion, and improving visibility that other marketing books for authors have neglected to even think about! Lizzie Chantree’s social media followings are impressive and that’s testament to her aptitude for business (as well as the fact that she is a great writer – I’m a huge fan of her romantic comedies). All in all, this treature trove of hints and tips comes highly recommended.’

Universal link: viewbook.at/NetworkingForWriters

 

 



Gillian Harvey. Top Author OfThe Week.

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I’m excited to showcase the work of Gillian Harvey today. She writes books full of laughter and strong women, which I love.

About Gillian:

I’ve wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember, and although I worked several different jobs over the years, I always had a book or short story on the go! I started my career as a legal secretary, then quit my job to go to Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, where I studied English Literature. In 2001, I started work as a teacher, and taught ages 9-18 in two different schools in the noughties. Then in 2009, my husband and I made a life-changing move to France, as well as starting our family. We now have five children, aged 5-10.

I finished my first novel in 2004, but it was many years before I managed to land myself an agent. Over those years, I wrote several books, trying different genres and honing my skills. I experienced my fair share of near-misses and frustrations, but never quite landed on the right desk at the right moment!

In 2012, I started approaching magazines with article ideas, and by 2014 was working full-time as a freelance writer. Writing for different audiences gave me a greater understanding of how to consider my reader and there was a marked change in my novel writing. I also got to grips with proper editing – something I’ll admit I never really did enough of beforehand.

Finally, in 2018 I started writing Everything is Fine. In 2019, Ger Nichol of the Book Bureau (the first agent I approached with this novel) offered me a contract, and shortly after I signed a book deal with Orion.

My work is humorous, but I like to think there’s a serious message under the lols. My heroines don’t need rescuing by men, are pretty successful and – while they get in a mess – show how strong women can be.

I have asked Gillian to send me photos as answers for my interview today.

Post a photo of you that we won’t have seen everywhere else.

 

The unseen photo is one of me helping out at my son’s school carnival. It was the cutest thing!

Where do you write?

I USED to write in a downstairs study in our house, but since lockdown have been relegated to the attic. We wanted to give our children more space, so moved one of my sons into the ‘better’ room. I do have BIG plans for painting… eventually.

Use three photos or images to describe your personality.

The three images that describe my personality… I am always trying to do things for and with the kids, but it’s often motivated by ‘mum guilt.’ And sometimes (as the photo on the grass will testify) I simply have to give up!

Share a photo of your favourite holiday destination. 

We don’t get to go on holiday much. As we live in France, our holidays are often spent in Bedfordshire UK visiting family! I suppose we live in a holiday(ish) destination here in Limousin (the lake district of France). But we did manage a French escape a couple of years go – we visited Biscarrosse on the French coast and it was blissful.

Post a photo of something that you baked, learnt or made during lockdown.

During lockdown, I made 4 birthday cakes – one each for my twins, one for my youngest boy, Robbie. My best one (at least best-looking) was the unicorn cake I made for Evie (7). My cakes always taste good, but I’m rubbish at the presentation. This time I nearly killed myself and created a passable unicorn…

Link to Everything is Fine: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=everything+is+fine

Blurb: When a celebrity retweets one of her gym pictures, blogger Jessica Bradley is thrust into the limelight. She’d only set out to blog about her weight loss, but with her new-found followers turning to her for #fitspo, she feels she’s got to keep up with the Kardashians!

As a result, she’s stuck in a role she didn’t choose – and forced to continue to hone her abs, even though she’d rather reach for a Dime bar than a dumbbell.

When her photogenic boyfriend Dave decides to dump her unexpectedly, she’s left trying to maintain a happy exterior amongst the chaos.

Everything is Fine focuses on the hilarious disconnect between Jessica’s real and online lives, but has a serious message too: can we find ‘real’ happiness in a fake world?



Victoria Mcdonald.

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Hello everyone. Today I’m doing a shoutout post for a lady I met on Twitter. Her 8th children’s book is out today and I’m so happy to help her celebrate. The book that’s launching today is The Road To Somewhere, by Victoria Mcdonald. Happy launch day Victoria!

When his precious teddy bear disappears during a thunderstorm, Wesley McDuff is determined to get him back. Armed with just a backpack, he sets off on an adventure that will include a strange land and even stranger creatures! Join Wesley as he makes new friends in order to save an old one…
 
Paperback : 236 pages
Chaptered book
Publisher : Clementine Publishing

My Adventure So Far.

Based in the beautiful Scottish Highlands, I am a very creative person enjoying arts and crafts.

One of my many passions is books, as a former bookseller, I have always loved writing and drawing. I have been writing stories for 20 years but never had the courage to let anyone see them. When our children came along, my writing was reignited mainly for them to read my stories.

In 2018, I rediscovered my writing box full of stories and illustration ideas hidden at the bottom of our wardrobe. Questions started to niggle, should I try or shouldn’t I try to see if my ideas are any good? I decided to have a go at querying publishers so I could at least say that I finally had the courage to try.

BILLY’S RED BALL SAVES CHRISTMAS, is my first picture book published in December 2018. BETTY LONG LEGS, BORIS THE BAD SHEEP and THERE’S A MONSTER AT THE DOOR are also picture books that followed shortly after Billy.

In October 2019, my debut children’s chaptered book SCAREDY WITCH was published. I loved taking on this new challenge and enjoyed learning a new way to write and illustrate a book. It was interesting to do from the previous picture books and it opened up a whole new audience to my books.

THE CHOCOLATE MONSTER was a picture book published in November 2019 which concluded and incredible first year. Who knew from discovering the forgotten writing box that it would lead to 6 books published!

THE ADVENTURES OF SPUDLEY SPUD is book one in a new series of books that was published in January 2020. I already have book two completed and book three isn’t far behind either.

24th October 2020 – THE ROAD TO SOMEWHERE is released. This is my second chapter book and my biggest one so far with a whopping 17,734 words!

For more news about my books or latest creations can be found on my social media pages, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Feel free to drop by anytime and say hi.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/VLMcDonald1

Lorraine Turnbull. Top Author Of The Week.

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This week’s Top Author, is Lorraine Turnbull. Lorraine wanted to be a farmer since she was five years old.  After running a successful gardening business in Glasgow she uprooted herself and her family and moved to a run-down agriculturally tied bungalow in Cornwall.  She retrained as a teacher and taught horticulture at both adult & further education level, whilst running a one acre smallholding.  After working as a Skills Co-ordinator for The Rural Business School, she began started Spotty Dog Cider in 2010.

In 2014 she was recognised for her contribution to sustainable living by winning the Cornwall Sustainability Awards Best Individual category.

After successfully removing the Agricultural Occupancy Condition on her home she relocated to France; where unsurprisingly, she continues to run a smallholding and make cider.

She has published three books, The Sustainable Smallholders’ Handbook (2019), How to live the Good Life in France (2020) and Living off the Land: My Cornish Smallholding Dream (2020).

Hi Lorraine. Thank you for joining us today! Post a photo of you that we won’t have seen everywhere else. (What a brilliant photo, Lorraine!)

Where do you write?

Use three photos or images to describe your personality.

Share a photo of your favourite holiday destination.

Post a photo of something that you baked, learnt or made during lockdown. (Great work! I can’t sew or knit, so I find this mightily impressive.)

You can purchase Lorraine’s book here: Amazon book page.



Gilli Allan. Top Author Of The Week.

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It’s my great pleasure to introduce this week’s top author. Gilli Allan is a member of my Facebook book group, Lizzie’s Book Group and I always love to hear about her amazing writing journey. Today I have asked her to answer my questions in photos, so we can learn a little bit more about her life in a different way.

1. Post a photo of you that we won’t have seen everywhere else.

This is the author picture for when I was first, main-stream published in the pre-digital age!

2. Where do you write? 

The study. Colloquially known as Gilli’s cave

3. Use three photos or images to describe your personality.

I am an artist and illustrator.  This is the front cover image from my son’s first publication, the children’s book, The Tale of King Harald – The Last Viking Adventure.

I love the English landscape, particularly the view from the back of my house down the valley

I love family.  I can’t find a picture of all of us together, but this is me and my son.

4. Share a photo of your favourite holiday destination.

Assos, in Kefalonia.  Unfortunately it is not looking so beautiful at the moment as they suffered a lot of destruction as a result of the recent medicane (Mediterranean hurricane) we will be returning as soon as possible because we have so many friends there.

5. Post a photo of something that you baked, learnt or made, during lockdown.

During lockdown I discovered the location of the grave (plus some additional information) about my great grandfather, John James Allan (stage name JJ Dallas). He was buried in Ladywell Cemetery, Lewisham as were other members of the family. I already he knew he was a Music Hall performer and a sometime member of the D’Oyley Carte Company, touring with them in America.

Find out more about Gilli and her amazing work here:

Links:

 Buried Treasure:

mybook.to/BURIEDTREASURE  or https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07SN5NWJ2

 Other books – Amazon author page:      

author.to/GILLIALLAN  or https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gilli-Allan/

Biography: 

Gilli Allan began to write in childhood – a hobby pursued throughout her teenage. Writing was only abandoned when she left home, and real life supplanted the fiction.

After a few false starts she worked longest and most happily as a commercial artist, and only began writing again when she became a mother.

Living in Gloucestershire with her husband Geoff, Gilli is still a keen artist. She draws and paints and has now moved into book illustration.

She was published by Accent Press, now Accent Headline, and each of her books, TORN, LIFE CLASS, FLY or FALL as well as the independently published BURIED TREASURE, has won a ‘Chill with a Book’ award.

Following in the family tradition, her son, historian Thomas Williams, is also a writer. He is published by William Collins.

 

Audrey Davis. Top Author Of The Week.

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Today’s top author is Audrey Davis. Audrey is an active member of my writer and reader group on Facebook, Lizzie’s Book Group, and her books are wonderful reads!

Audrey is a Scottish-born former journalist, now resident in Switzerland. Her newspaper career saw her cover events in Northern Ireland and the Falkland Islands, as well as working for a London-based movie magazine writing reviews and carrying out interviews.

She self-published her debut romantic comedy novel A Clean Sweep in June 2017, following an online Open University course in Writing Fiction.

Audrey followed up with a short, darker prequel A Clean Break before beginning work on a rom-com novella trilogy with a ghostly twist – The Haunting of Hattie Hastings. Again, reviews across the board were excellent, and it was combined into a standalone novel in November 2018.

A Wish For Jinnie is her third standalone novel.

Apart from writing, Audrey enjoys travel and spends a lot of time in Edinburgh. She is an avid cook, watcher of scary movies and reluctant gym-goer.

Post a photo of you that we won’t have seen everywhere else. (Me as a young journalist in the Falklands interviewing a Scottish soldier).

Where do you write? (My favourite writing spot, out on our terrace).

Use three photos or images to describe your personality. (Loving a scary ride at Europa Park in Germany. Ubiquitous glass in hand at son’s graduation ceremony. Huffing and puffing up a hill during a very long hike in Switzerland).

Share a photo of your favourite holiday destination. (A typical Japanese procession in Tokyo last October).

Post a photo of something that you baked, learnt or made during lockdown. (Seared scallops cooked during lockdown).

You can buy a copy of Audrey’s fantastic new book here:

 

 

 

Networking Seminar

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Hi everyone. I’m excited to be hosting my first online seminar for The Essex Book Festival this week, Wednesday evening at 7pm UK time.  I have run seminars in person before, but this is my first webinar! If you would like to join in, this is what I will be talking to my guests about:

If you are swamped with book marketing and looking for a way to find new sales, I will help you to learn simple and effective networking techniques, to grow your readership and connect with other authors and book lovers. Whether you are a new or experienced writer, self-published or traditionally published, this book will show you how to grow your readership and author network, through some of the most powerful of all marketing tools – word of mouth and recommendation.

This seminar will show you:

How networking can help you sell more books.

Why author branding is important.

How networking hours work.

Specific Facebook groups for writers

How to utilise social media to grow your readership.

How not to waste valuable writing time.

How to make our marketing more effective.

I hope you join me for the seminar!

Seminar link: Essex Book Festival: https://www.essexbookfestival.org.uk/event/social-networking-for-writers-an-online-seminar/

Emily Royal. Top Author Of The Week.

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This week’s top author is Emily Royal

Emily lives in rural Scotland with her husband and two teenage daughters, together with their menagerie of pets including hamsters, chickens and 12 snakes. Despite popular opinion, her snakes are all friendly and include Twinkle, an attention-seeking boa constrictor and Burma, an unimaginatively-named Burmese Python, who loves to come out for cuddles. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, currently serving on the committee, and graduated from their New Writers’ Scheme.

Emily’s debut novel The Sins of the Sire, was published by Tirgearr on 13 March 2019 and is a gritty, dark and sexy historical romance set in the Highlands of Scotland – a tale of vengeance and atonement set during William Wallace’s rebellion against Edward I. It’s the first in her Dark Highland Passions series and she’s currently writing the next book in the series. The Sins of the Sire is available as an e-book and is free on Kindle Unlimited.

Her second published book will be a standalone Medieval Romance, published later in the year by Wild Rose Press. Another dark and sexy historical, the book has themes of Outlander, Game of Thrones and The Handmaid’s Tale.

 

Emily currently works as an actuary after having indulged in a brief dream of becoming an airline pilot almost 30 years ago when she left university. Her job enables her to travel, so she accumulates air miles as a passenger and uses her time waiting around at airports for drafting. She also has the opportunity to be creative with her job which has enabled her to teach and present lectures at various companies and institutions around the world, including a university in Beijing where the students were very interested to learn about romantic fiction, as well as actuarial science!

Emily is a sucker for a dark story, particularly if it contains a tortured hero, and she cites Gollum as her all-time favourite literary character.

Emily can be found at:

Twitter: @eroyalauthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eroyalauthor/

Website: http://www.emroyal.com/

Links for The Sins of the Sire:

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07N974NW5/

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N974NW5/

 

David P Perlmutter. Top Author Of The Week.

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Today’s top author of the week is an author you probably already know well. His books are so popular that they regularly sit at the top of the bestseller lists. David P. Perlmutter is also working on a book to movie project at the moment which means we will see his work as a movie sometime soon!

 

About David:

I have a led a very colourful life, with some episodes so noteworthy that so far they have produced three thrilling true stories, with more to follow.

Away from writing and along with my girlfriend, who is also my editor, I am a volunteer Cancer Campaigns Ambassador for Cancer Research UK, and have done many charity book signing events, to raise money for a cause that is very close to my heart.

I have four children and a grandson and I’m very close to my large family who feature in each of my books.

I started to write my first book when I lived in Portugal in 2013. I now live in London. The book, WRONG PLACE WRONG TIME, has been a #1 BESTSELLER on Amazon around the world, with many hundreds of 4 and 5* reviews. The story is based on true events that happened to me when I visited Marbella in 1991 and ended up wrongly arrested for arson and manslaughter.

I’m very excited to say that the book is currently being turned into a screenplay with a view to it becoming a movie in the very near future, which is every author’s dream and something I could never have imagined when I began writing.

Another of my true stories is called FIVE WEEKS, about a trip I made to Pennsylvania, America for five weeks of training for a new job. I won’t give too much away, apart from saying that I was nearly left for dead in a Pennsylvania wood, and that’s after having a gun in my back in London.

My most recent book, also a true story, follows my escapades as a 21 year old, seeking fame and fortune in America. Entitled 24 HOURS IN NEW YORK, the clue is in the name as to the duration of my stay.

Away from writing true stories, I also write self-help books for indie authors. There are eight books in the MY WAY series, the majority being guides to self publishing and book marketing, the others featuring authors from around the world in various different genres.

All details of my books can be found on my website: www.davidpperlmutter.com 

You can also follow me on Twitter at @davepperlmutter

Check out David’s books here!

Lizzie’s writing news.

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Some Wednesday smiles for you all.

I’ve been writing my first young adult (YA) book this week. I’m just about 3k words into it and am still adding the structure. It’s quite a deep story about how a family cope with a child that has ongoing health problems. My own child has serious contact allergies and although this is completely different from the basis of my story, I can already feel myself becoming emotional about how they all feel and what they do to cope. That said, we need more smiles in the world, so here are a few jokes to brighten your day.

Have a great day everyone.

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So true!