writer

Guest post. Karen Louise Hollis

/ lizziechantree / Leave a comment

I’m thrilled to have Karen Louise Hollis on my blog today. Karen runs her own (very popular) blog, alongside writing lots of beautiful books. I asked her about both and she’s here to tell us more.

From Karen:

I started writing my blog because I have been reviewing books online since 2000, when I wrote reviews for sites like Ciao and Dooyoo. I also used to review books on Facebook, but realised they could only be seen by my Facebook friends, so I decided to start a book blog two years ago.

This led to me joining various blog tours and using my blog to review those, alongside the odd blog post about my own writing and some interview posts. Then more recently, I decided (after finishing writing my third novel), I should put more time into my blog and try to create content on a daily basis, instead of the usual three posts a week I had been doing.

So I started to contact authors I knew online, or those who had written books I had read and enjoyed, or those whose work I was interested in to see if they would like to be on my blog. I was amazed how many did and especially thrilled that some of my favourite authors like Milly Johnson and Lisa Jewell said yes! Wow! I tend to ask the same ten questions, though I vary it occasionally depending on who I am interviewing.

I have written many more non-fiction books than fiction and these include lots of gymnastics books where I have interviewed gymnasts who competed for their countries from the 1950s to the present day. As both my parents were journalists, this feels like my natural home. I am fascinated by people and truly believe everyone has a story. I ask the questions I want to know the answer to and I hope readers will find the answers interesting too. This is the same with my author questions. My first question I ask is about the books and authors they read as a child and wow, nearly everyone says Enid Blyton (me included), she was such a wonderful writer for getting kids reading and caught up in all the magical worlds we find between the pages.

BLURB

Becki is fifty and a single mum to eleven-year-old Jemima, after being widowed five years ago. Dan is forty-eight and a single dad to eleven-year-old Freddie, after his wife left him five years ago. They have both given up on love. But when they all go to Silver Sands Bay on the Lincolnshire coast for the summer, will they be able to put the past behind them and find love again?

Links

Twitter – https://twitter.com/KarenLNHollis

IG – https://www.instagram.com/karenlouisehollis/

Blog – iheartbooks.blog/blog

Amazon Author Page – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Karen-Louise-Hollis/e/B00NSLQME6?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1691933322&sr=8-1

Bio – About Karen Louise Hollis

I was born in Lincoln, England in 1969. I loved writing from an early age, being the daughter of two journalists. I am a mum to five children and have three grandchildren. I have had over twenty books published and have written about a variety of topics including motherhood, poetry, Doctor Who and gymnastics. My first novel Welcome to Whitlock Close came out in 2022 and my second one Starting Again in Silver Sands Bay in 2023.

The Mindful Writer.

/ lizziechantree / 3 Comments

My guest on today’s blog is Deborah Klée. Deborah is such a warm and friendly person and she offers great support to other writers. I’ve recently been a guest on her podcast. She asks really interesting questions and makes you feel right at home. I’ve also been a speaker at one of Deborah’s Friday Salon Zoom meetings where I met so many amazing writers. Deborah manages to bring together people from all over the world and is a very inspirational woman.

Thank you for inviting me to your website to talk about two resources I host for other writers: Friday Salon and The Mindful Writer Podcast.

Both of these projects have brought some amazing people into my life, including you, Lizzie. They have enabled me to network with writers from all over the world and to learn from them as we share resources, wisdom, and expertise.

Friday Salon

Friday Salon started as a bit of an experiment. I had heard of tweet-chats but had little experience of them. I was new to Twitter and the writing community. I started out inviting writers to join me on Friday using the hashtag #FriSalon. Three writer friends from my local writing group turned up to support me and I was delighted that several other writers did too. I chose the name Friday Salon as I described the tweet-chat as a place where creatives could meet just as the Victorians did in the Salons of old.

Friday Salon started in October 2020. Encouraged by the success of the first tweet-chat I hosted one the following Friday and planned to continue until Xmas 2020. We grew in number and the tweet-chats became a popular place for writers to meet on Twitter each Friday at 4 pm BST (GMT) 11 am EDT (EST). I continued hosting until October 2021. In that first year, I invited at least one expert guest each month. I transcribed all of the tweets and posted them in a document the following morning.

By October 2021 I was running out of ideas and had other projects I wanted to invest my time in. Rather than discontinue Friday Salon I invited regular participants to share the role of host. The shared hosting arrangement is wonderful. We all own Friday Salon. It has just grown and grown. Everyone is welcome to pop into the chat. It is a great way of making meaningful connections with other writers. Friday Salon participants have supported one another by beta-reading, buying one another’s books, reviewing, and helping to promote new publications.

Now that I no longer host every week, I have been able to invest time in facilitating a virtual writing retreat three times a year. This was something that came about following a tweet-chat on writing retreats. Several participants said they would love to have a writing retreat with Friday Salon friends. As we come from across the world the best way to achieve this was by meeting on Zoom. We have had two writing retreats now, each with a guest speaker. There is no cost to participate.

Everyone is welcome to join in the Friday Salon tweet-chat and the virtual writing retreats. If you are new to the writing community and/or want to make meaningful connections with other writers then this is a great way to find your tribe.

To find out more about Friday Salon see:

https://abrakdeborah.wordpress.com/friday-salon/

  Here is the link if you’d like to listen to our Mindful Writer chat.

The Mindful Writer Podcast

The Mindful Writer Podcast is a resource to help writers cope with the emotional highs and lows of being a writer. There are lots of resources to assist writers with the business of writing, publication, and marketing but not so much on managing the inner journey.

In 2019 I was struggling with the lack of control and uncertainty I was experiencing as a writer as I waited for agents and publishers to respond to submissions. At that time, I had an agent and my debut was out on submission. I knew that my emotional state was affecting my relationships and well-being. So, for Lent that year I decided to meditate each day. Forty days turned into a year, and then four. Daily meditation became part of my life. Today, I practice yoga and meditate every day. These practices alongside regular journaling have given me insight. I have developed a strong sense of self-belief, and compassion for myself. I have learnt to let go and trust the journey. As I went through this transformation, I shared my reflections and learning in a weekly blog.

 I loved writing my blog and from the feedback, I have received I know it has helped others. However, I wanted to talk to other writers to learn from their wisdom. The idea for the Mindful Writer Podcast came to me many months before I dared to give it a go. It was scary, but it is only when we step outside of our comfort zone that we learn new things and grow.

Each week I chat with a guest exploring the psychological, emotional, and spiritual journey they have experienced as a writer, the lessons they have learnt – and are continuing to learn.

As I talk to other writers and reflect on my own experience, I am discovering how we might find abundance in our creative pursuits, achieving our goals the mindful way.

All of my guests have been amazing. Their words of wisdom lifted my spirit first during the live interview and again on editing the interview. It’s wonderful because I get a high each time I listen. This is what I wanted for other writers. So many of us struggle with feelings of disappointment, wanting something so much it hurts, imposter syndrome, comparisonitis, fear of failure, elation and despair. I hope that by listening to these podcasts writers will feel that they are not alone, that they will be inspired, and find emotional courage.

I transcribe the interviews so that they can be read:

https://abrakdeborah.wordpress.com/category/the-mindful-writer/

or listened to as a podcast:

https://themindfulwriter.buzzsprout.com/

You can check out Deborah’s novels here:

 

Don’t quit your daydream.

/ lizziechantree / Leave a comment

Hello everyone. I hope you’ve had a great month so far. I’m still following my dream of publishing as many gorgeous books as I can and discovering more readers along the way. My other goals are constantly changing, but this one always stays the same. I love chatting to other book lovers and have been updating my social media feeds and trying to find time to post on TikTok and Instagram, a bit more.

I now post a marketing quote each day on Lizzie’s Book Group on Facebook, to hopefully help the writers of the group and I also share anything new I learn about book marketing there. We also have a lot of readers in the group who help us with their thoughts on cover design, why customers pick up one book over another and in sights into which genres they adore. It’s a lot of fun if anyone wants to join. Just hit the link.

I have a new book which is almost complete, about a woman who has just moved to a beautiful new area. Her business is very successful, but she is unsure about fitting in with the other people on the street. Her sexy boyfriend is also an issue, because her friends don’t know she’s dating him! More news and a cover reveal for that book soon.

Have a brilliant day. From Lizzie. x

 

Competition time!

/ lizziechantree / 5 Comments
It’s competition time!
IYLMIY Covers
I’m very excited to be part of some amazing prize giveaways at the moment. Today it’s the turn of my second Crooked Cat Books novel, If you love me, I’m yours.
Have you read, If you love me, I’m yours? For a limited time, you can enter to win the book, plus 20+ fantastic Romantic Comedies from an amazing collection of authors, AND a brand new eReader – along with a collection of FREE reads just for entering! ✨✨✨✨
Enter the contest by clicking here:  bit.ly/RomCom – July2019
When you’re done, leave a comment below this post to let me know you’ve entered!
Friends and love meme.png



 

Introducing Ros Rendle.

/ lizziechantree / 8 Comments

It’s my pleasure to introduce you to author Ros Rendle today. Ros is a fellow member of the Romantic Novelists Association.

IMG_2006

From Ros:

I am Ros Rendle and I tell fibs for a living. Well. . . don’t all writers? It’s the best job there is, living in many different worlds and meeting the people of my dreams, ensuring they do what I want and having happy endings.

I used to be a head teacher, writing policy documents, essays and letters, although also telling the odd story that young children seemed to enjoy. Now, writing for adults, the challenge is more demanding but very satisfying, especially when people give honest and positive reviews, I win awards, and manage to get an Amazon best-seller sticker.

When we moved to live in France, I had time to explore my imagination using many of the local colourful people and situations as stimulus. Support from the Romantic Novelists’ Association New Writers’ scheme gave me the impetus I needed to succeed. Sense and French Ability was my first published novel, followed quickly by Peace of Time. My publisher has these two are on a price reduction currently.

A series, about three sisters during times of major 20thcentury conflict, are also on Amazon and gaining good reviews. These are Flowers of Flanders, Flowers of Resistance and a novella, Delphi’s Dilemma. I collect Fumsup lucky charms that were given to soldiers in WW1 for a speedy and safe return. In Flowers for Flandersone sister tells another a malicious lie which will affect the course of all their lives. When Michael goes to war, Rose gives her Fumsup to Michael. To discover whether it works at all and whether he comes back to her or her sister, you will need to read the book.

IMG_1917

Design

Further information can be found at :

www.rosrendleauthor.co.uk

www.facebook.com/RosalindRendleAuthor

www.twitter.com/ros_rendle

www.instagram.com/ros_rendle

6 friends - or are they_love, betrayal and life-changing decisionsfrom best selling, award winning author

and books are available from:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Ros+Rendle&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

or

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ros+rendle&ref=nb_sb_noss

Thank you, Lizzie, for this opportunity. I hope people continue to enjoy my books and the next should be revealing itself soon.

Introducing D.I. Finn.

/ lizziechantree / 36 Comments

I’m absolutely thrilled to showcase this talented author today. She’s a wonderful lady and I met her when I became a member of the #RRBC book club. She shows endless support to others and it’s my great pleasure to tell you more about her latest work today.

Thank you, Lizzie, for having me on your blog today to help celebrate the release of my first poetry book, “Just Her Poetry Seasons of a Soul.”

Finn Facts:

  1. My grandson declared after watching the Disney movie, “Moana” (and seeing the grandma come back as a stingray) that I would be a dolphin. Which is: D-L-F-I-N-N.
  2. I try to write poetry in as many places as possible, including while riding on the back of a Harley. I haven’t figured out how to write underwater when I’m snorkeling—yet.

Blurb:

Take a journey with D.L. Finn as she blends her love of nature with her deepest emotions. Sit with her on the forest floor observing its tranquil beauty, or stroll along the ocean’s shore admiring the vastness of its horizon. Here in these peaceful moments you’ll be able to experience her thoughts and feelings in the light—and in the darkness. This is a thought-provoking collection of poetry that invites the reader into all the seasons of a soul.

Excerpt from NATURE Spring and Summer

SIT ALONE

I sit alone on our deck

Blanketed in the sun’s warm rays,

The bird’s chirps and trills

Fill the silent space.

 

Our big black cat

Looks for his prey,

And chases away the bees

Who wander into my presence.

 

Our dogs lazy on their backs

In the backyard with their paws in the air,

Like a yoga pose

Welcoming the warmth.

 

Distant pond frogs sing their loud chorus

A lone cloud floats by,

Reminding me of the winter past

And storms yet to come.

 

But right now it is time to bask

In what spring has brought,

So, for this moment

I sit blissfully alone.

 

Author Bio:

D.L. Finn is an independent California local who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to the Sierra foothills in Nevada City, CA. She immersed herself in reading all types of books, but especially loved romance, horror, and fantasy. She always treasured creating her own reality on paper. Finally, being surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations vary from children’s books, young adult fantasy, and adult paranormal romance to an autobiography with poetry. She continues on her adventures with an open invitation for her readers to join her.

 

Amazon Purchase Link

D.L. Finn Links:

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

Pinterest

D.L. Finn blog



Introducing Lorna Suzuki

/ lizziechantree / 1 Comment

It’s my great pleasure to introduce you to an author who I met whilst networking on social media, Lorna Susuki. Lorna also runs a popular blog and I was lucky enough to be interviewed there, just over a week ago. Lorna is having her work adapted for a cable television series, which sounds so exciting and I can’t wait for you to all find out more about this talented lady.

Meet Lorna.

After multiple, failed bids at world domination, Lorna Suzuki was forced to create a fantasy world where she reigns supreme… until her characters orchestrated a military coup!

With over 35 years in the field of martial arts, she is a 5th degree black belt practitioner/instructor of Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, an ancient fighting system incorporating 6 traditional samurai schools and 3 schools of ninjutsu.

As a freelance writer, she has tackled everything from biographies to scriptwriting for an adventure travel series. When it comes to fiction writing, she is best known for the 10-novel epic adult fantasy series, the Imago Chronicles. The first three Imago novels are currently being adapted for a cable TV series. She also co-wrote with her daughter, Nia Suzuki-White, the 5-novel YA fantasy series, The Dream Merchant Saga.

In writing the Imago Chronicles series she created a female protagonist, one that is reluctantly accepted into the brotherhood of warriors. Drawing on her own experiences as a woman in the once male-dominated field of law enforcement and martial arts, she brings the female warrior, Nayla Treeborn, to life.

When Lorna is not murdering her characters or destroying entire civilizations with a few keystrokes, she is either mangling people into submission, puttering in her garden or baking delectable pies and other tasty treats.

Lorna Susuki

Website: http://www.imagochronicles.com/IMAGO_FANTASY_REALM/Welcome.html

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?_encoding=UTF8&search-alias=books-ca&field-author=Lorna T. Suzuki

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/imago

 



Introducing… Jess B Moore.

/ lizziechantree / 2 Comments

Today’s Introducing feature welcomes author Jess B Moore.

Introducing Jess:

I play the flute, and loved marching band.  Proud band geek here.  My high school aptitude test recommended I study library science, which I scoffed at, but probably should have pursued.  My degree is in dental hygiene, which seemed like a good idea at the time.  I stay at home with my kids – we homeschool – and read/write every chance I get.  My favourite food group is berries – strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, you name a berry and I’ll wish I had some to devour.  
 
Photo 
I can’t remember how old I am in this old photo, but I’ve always loved it and thought it captured me well.  It took some digging to find it, as it we pre-digital photography.  Haha! 

IMG_2071

 

Jess is a writer of love stories.  When she’s not writing, she’s busy mothering her talented and stubborn children, reading obscene numbers of books, and knitting scarves she’ll likely never finish.

Jess lives in small town North Carolina with her bluegrass obsessed family.  She takes too many pictures of her cat, thinking the Internet loves him as much as she does.  She is a firm believer of swapping stories over coffee or wine, and that there should always be dark chocolate involved.

The Guilt of a Sparrow is her debut novel combining her interests in family, music, and small towns into a thoughtful tale of growing up and falling in love.  Her second book, Fierce Grace, follows similar themes in a whole new way, and will be available later in 2018.

TheGuiltofaSparrow_cover-1.jpeg

 

Find out more about Jess from her social media pages:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book blurb 

Magnolia Porter has spent the entirety of her twenty-four years satisfying her mother’s guilt. She was the good girl to her trouble making brother, Lucian – the one left behind to hold her mother together after he died. She is an invisible girl in a small town carrying the burden of her family’s loss and pain. Maggie was nobody trying desperately to be somebody.

Cotton MacKenna is the one with the temper. Of the five MacKenna boys, he’s the one most likely to throw the first punch. Never mind all those fights were a decade ago, all in an attempt to save a sweet girl from her bullying older brother. Now, Cotton has grown up, with his own photography business, yet as the fourth in the line of MacKennas, he would only ever be known for his past. Time for a change.

Maggie and Cotton are more than the labels placed on them, put there by their families, the town, and themselves.

A meddling best friend. Bluegrass jams. Small town gossiping. Love, loss, and family ties. Learning how to be who you are outside of who you were told to be. With humor and plenty of romance, of course.

Believe in yourself. Be you.

/ lizziechantree / 18 Comments

believe in yourself

I love this photo. It can be easy to doubt yourself as a writer, but learning to believe in yourself and be who you are, can help tremendously. Here are a few ideas to bring inner confidence.

Do something that you love.

If you can find small pockets of time during the week to do something that you love, this will bring more confidence, as you will feel happier on the inside.

 

Stop procrastinating.

Don’t keep putting off getting things done. Task left unfinished will just drag your mood down.

 

Put on a happy face.

Research has shown that smiling makes us feel happier, even if we don’t fully commit to it. Try smiling a few times during the day when you wouldn’t normally and see if it lifts your mood.

 

Celebrate your achievements.

Pat yourself on the back for even the smallest achievement. If you did something well, feel proud of what you have done.

 

Be kind to others.

This is something that makes everyone feel good. Kindness to others is not something everyone can achieve.

 

Getting active.

Moving your muscles every so often increases oxygen flow to the body and helps your mind to focus. You won’t have time to doubt yourself when you are on the move.

 

Throw away any negative thoughts.

You don’t need them. Bin them!

 

Be you 🙂 

Relaxing view

 

Monday marketing. #3QuickTips

/ lizziechantree / 5 Comments

Here are today’s 3 quick marketing tips for authors.

 

Babe Driven Twitter Ad

 

Most authors struggle to find high numbers of reviews for their work, but things always seemed a little easier to me when you can gift a book to a reviewer in America, but this is not yet available in the UK via Amazon. This is what I’ve discovered about gifting books:

1. When you gift someone a book, they might not download it. They can use the price of the book to buy something else.

2. Most authors drop the price of their book before gifting it, so that the gifting process costs them less.

3. You can’t gift a book during a freebie run. There would be no point anyway, as the reviewer could download it for nothing as long as you had the book free in every country. Free book promotions are often planned months ahead so you would have to plan both events together.