Ally Aldridge Uncategorized

Reflecting on my 2024 Book Festivals

During 2024, I did nine in-person author events. Some of these were two day events!

8 December – Pop Up Stall at Dunelm, Bury St Edmunds

1 December – Felixstowe Christmas Craft and Gift Fair, Brackenbury Sports Centre, Felixstowe

12 October – WAM Fest, Harvest House, Felixstowe

14 September – One Day at the Library, Stowmarket Library

4 August – Legends Comic Con, Stonham Barns

3 August – Legends Comic Con, Stonham Barns

21 July – CapCon, Trinity Park, Ipswich

20 Jul – CapCon, Trinity Park, Ipswich

30 June – Felixstowe Book Festival at Two Sisters Art Centre, Trimley St Mary

19 May – Herts Book Fest at Hertford Castle

18 May – Herts Book Fest at Southern Maltings, Ware

11 Feb – Foreword Festival: Love Your Local Authors at Bury St Edmunds

I have booked no events yet for 2025. I want to organise an event at a bookshop for Sky Heart‘s launch but I only got all the files back yesterday. Uploading those will be my first priority, and then I can start marketing.

But, I would love it to be released on Fri, 7th Feb which is my sister’s birthday. Book one, Ocean Heart, launched on my brother’s birthday during lockdown.

Herts Book Fest is amazing, but staying overnight (due to distance) makes it quite costly. I’m on the fence about going this year. It was the first book festival I ever did and holds a special place in my heart. The location is stunning and I’ve met many fabulous people here. I want to go but need to think about it.

Check out my book recommendations list from bookshop.org of authors who attend Herts Book Festival:

Capcon was one of my best events, despite having to go to the first aid tent because of an eye issue making them sore. Sadly, 2024 was their last year, so I can’t book this event for 2025. As you can see in the pictures, the cosplayers were super friendly. Their energy and enthusiasm bring such a positive vibe.

Talking about positive vibes, WAM Fest was amazing. The whole event celebrates women in Arts and Music and their achievements. Together with other women that have self-published, I got to speak on a panel about my author journey.

I’m a big fan of the library. It was exciting to be invited to Stowmarket Library to be part of their YA event. We got to meet teens and chat with them about writing and reading. They got excited about my book which filled my heart with joy.

Check out my book recommendations list from bookshop.org of authors that were at the YA Event (Foreword Festival):

Because of the cost of doing in-person events, the ones close to home were more profitable. Smaller events charge less for the stall and therefore the offset means they can make more money even with fewer sales.

I’m having a hard think about what events to do in 2025. Being seen sells books. In addition, I met other authors and learned a lot from them, and they introduced me to more opportunities. I want to do more author events in 2025, but need to be more selective about which ones I do.

Check out my book recommendations list from bookshop.org of indies authors:

Ally Aldridge Alternative, Books, Contemporary, Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Fated Lovers, Fiction, High, Humour, Middle Grade, Period, Review, Romance, Young Adult

Book Review: Stardust by Neil Gaiman

I always loved the movie and didn’t know it was based on a book. Once I discovered this, I borrowed the audio version from Borrowbox with my library card.

This was one of the best audio books I have ever listened to. There was a main narrator, and every character had their own voice. The story was as magical as I remember. It is a perfect modern fairy tale that will be loved for many years to come.

If you enjoyed this, you might like:

Ally Aldridge Books, My Books, Ocean Heart, Personal, Review, The Soul Heart Series

Ocean Heart was in the Press

I was reading a post on Linked by local author Rachel Churcher where she shared an article from the Bury St Edmund’s Flyer on recommended books set in Suffolk.

It was a lovely surprise to see my YA Fantasy Romance novel included. Ocean Heart is set in Felixstowe and the story is of a teenage girl that has no idea she’s a mermaid until her messy love life awaken her dormant dangerous powers.

If you know any local Romantasy fans that this might appeal too, there’s still time to get a copy for Christmas. Plus books are a nice easy shape to wrap.

If you’d prefer a different genre, then check out the article and see if you can discover a new local author today! https://e-magazine.flyeronline.co.uk/p/bury-st-edmunds/21-11-2024/r/11/20-21/6959/1717391

Ally Aldridge Author Tube, Book Tube, Books, Festival, YouTube

Pop up book stall at Dunelm

On Sunday, 8th Dec, I did my last in person event of the year.

I met up with Suffolk authors, Laura Graham to share a stall to sell books at Dunelm in Bury St Edmunds.

We met for the first time, a few months back at Felixstowe Book Festival.

Dunelm allowed us the space as they wanted to support small local businesses. They charged us only £10 for the stall and donated this money to charity. I think the charity was Age Concern.

Blurb for Odd Wolf by Laura Graham

An Own Voices take on paranormal romance in which a chronically ill misfit becomes a werewolf and develops a target on her back. She’s used to living in a society that’s not built for her; but not one where many want her dead.

If you like flawed characters, ultra slow-burn romance, healing after trauma and own voices disability rep then this just might be for you.

Sometimes an act of violence strips away the last lingering illusion of romance in a relationship.

When one of her mysterious blackouts leaves her covered in fur, Alice feels normal is definitely out of her reach.

And when she gets kidnapped by the local shifter pack, Alice knows her life will never be the same.

Terrified and more alone than ever at their rural estate in England, she learns that wolf society and wolf laws are drastically different from what she knows. Most want Alice dead. But the Alpha claims to have other plans for her. To survive will she find allies or will she again choose freedom?

You can buy Laura’s book, Odd Wolf from Amazon

Ally Aldridge Chapter Book, Childrens, Middle Grade

Book Review: I believe in Unicorns by Michael Murpurgo

My son told me about this incredible book they’d shared at school and I wanted to read it too but couldn’t find it on Libby or Borrow Box. The book was Kensuke’s Kingdom by Michael Murpurgo.

Instead, I found another book by the same author, and as a fan of unicorns I decided to give it a listen. This book is the one I am reviewing today.

It’s a beautiful children’s story about how the children in the town discover stories at the library. The librarian shares many stories with the children but also a personal one about how she got the unicorn and of the book burnings.

I loved the story and would recommend it to others to share with children. However, be aware that there is a fire, and if that’s a topic your child is triggered by, then this might not be for them.

Ally Aldridge Author Tube, Book Tube, Books, Festival, Library, My Books, Ocean Heart, Personal, The Soul Heart Series, YouTube

WAM Fest is next weekend!

What a lovely surprise to discover a display in the library, showing me and my book, to promote WAM Fest happening next week.

WAM Fest is a celebration of Women in Arts and Music. I’ll be attending on Saturday. I will have a stall and be on the lunchtime jam panel with other authors.

You do need a ticket to attend this event. These can be bought from the WAM Fest website.

Ally Aldridge Author Tube, Beauty, Body Care, Personal, YouTube

Edible Felixstowe

This morning I was at Great Eastern Square for a photoshoot of people taking part in WAM Fest. Whilst I was there, I checked out the Edible Felixstowe pop up event.

WAM Fest

This Sunday 29th September, get down to Great Eastern Square Felixstowe.

There is an exciting event taking place called Edible Felixstowe. There are activities for the kids such as a treasure hunt and potato stamping. There is a bike powered smoothie makers that the Mayor has tested and approves of.

There are some lovely things to buy like the beautiful handmade wooden decorations, or the organic teas and soothing balm made with ingredients found in Felixstowe, and you can get fresh produce like apples, onions, honey, mead, and a selection of herbs. All harvested from Felixstowe and many are just asking for a donation.

I treated myself to the Tea LC Brew that has ingredients to boost your immunity, and a healing balm made with local ingredients. Then I got the Mead which I’ve never tried before, and only heard of in Fantasy novels, but I love honey so I’m excited to try it. I also got the local honey for my medicine cupboard as it helps during high pollen seasons. And I got an onion and some apples and made a donation.

I also took away details about the community gardening initiative where locals meet by the library on a Thursday at 5pm and work together to grow local produce that are free to all. One spot is the triangle in town. I had no idea this was happening but it’s such an amazing idea and I know someone I think would love to help.

Not long now until WAM Fest. Make sure you get your tickets so you don’t miss out on the next event!

WAM Fest