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 Diary, Personal, Writing

Yes! I’ve moved my website.

Wow! September has not been my best month.

It started with the kids going back to school and myself back to work full time. I was exited for normalcy and routine and was feeling great as we’d made some great memories over the summer.

But, my son managed to split his lip open and had to be rushed to A&E. after having sutures he needed a week off school due to the pain and swelling. So, his attendance is already looking bad – eek!

Then my husband and I got really ill with colds. The kids thankfully (fingers crossed) dodged that one. I managed to get through work but when I got home I had to do everything as he was really poorly. Needless to say I was too shattered to work on Sky Heart.

Then, I get the notification that my website hosting is about to expire and they want to charge me £168 to stay with them. So on Tuesday, I worked on moving my website to another host for £35. Everything was going great but my domain (with another provider) needed to point to my new website and this can take anywhere between 48h and 72h to know if it worked. 😱. I figured out how to put a maintenance page up whilst it moved, but after several days it was still showing the maintenance page. I started to panic. It turns out, the magic happened in the background and this morning I turned the staging page off. Every year, I learn a little more.

I discovered a new printer for my books. I ordered one copy and was impressed with the quality so I ordered 10 for my next event, WAM Fest. But, the books were delivered on Friday bashed and wet. I’ve emailed the printer to try to resolve this but they don’t work weekends so I have to wait until next week to fix this. I doubt I will be able to get more stock in time, and currently only have five books left.

The low stock is due to the highlight of this month, which was the fabulous YA Lit Fest at Stowmarket Library, part of @forewordfestivaluk . 🥰

My website is back, my son’s lip is healing nicely, and I’m feeling much better. Things are on the up, so I’ll get back to finishing Sky Heart.

#authorlife #authorwebsite #authorproblems #authorupdate #oceanheart #skyheart #yafiction

Ally Aldridge Author Tube, Book Tube, Contemporary, Editing, Fantasy, Fiction, Goal setting, My Books, NaNoWriMo, Publishing, Romance, Sky Heart, The Soul Heart Series, Writing, Writing Challenge, Young Adult, YouTube

Catch up with a cuppa Ko-Fi (July 2022)

Here is the low down on what I posted on Ko-Fi last month, so you don’t miss out!

Sky Heart – Briefed my cover designer

Taking those next steps towards publishing book two is very exciting. It’s still a way off, but I’ve reached out to my cover designer to discuss ideas and book in.

Content Creation

An update on what I was doing in July. Originally I’d toyed with the idea of doing a project for Camp NaNo.

Instead, I was busy planning my husband’s secret party, and attending all the end of school/nursery events for my kids.

In the end, I was working on remaining present on social media by developing content. This included opportunities to feature in Felixstowe Magazine and interviews with other bloggers.

Smashwords Summer Sale (July)

I posted at the start and end of July to make people aware that Ocean Heart was in the Smashwords sale at 50% off. This needed some prompting and content to spread the word.

Coming Soon – Author Diaries

I’ve also been busy working on this collaborative project, and developing content to start promoting.

Subscribe to my YouTube channel and stay tuned for more info coming soon.

Follow me on Ko-Fi

It’s free to follow me on Ko-Fi and be sure you don’t miss out on my latest news, or any freebies. You can buy me a virtual cuppa or merchandise from my shop, including a signed copy of my book.

Follow me on Ko-Fi

[Kofi]

Sky Heart
More About Sky Heart
Ally Aldridge Contemporary, Editing, Fantasy, Fiction, Goal setting, My Books, NaNoWriMo, Romance, Sky Heart, The Soul Heart Series, Writing, Writing Challenge, Young Adult

Catch up with a cuppa Ko-Fi (June 2022)

Here is the low down on what I posted on Ko-Fi last month, so you don’t miss out!

Sky Heart Chapter 3

Another draft chapter on Ko-Fi. I wonder how this will compare to final version once Sky Heart is edited, formatted, and published.

Sky Heart Coming Soon

Busy Week

I can’t wait for the holidays and to relax. My best friends wedding was a busy weekend but the lead up to finishing school has been crazy. I’m literally taking one day at a time.

Sky Heart – Sent off to the editor

This is a HUGE milestone. I can’t wait to see what my editor has to say. She is fabulous at slapping me with the truth in a way that doesn’t hurt and helps me make my story better. I know there will be a lot of work but I’m ready for it.

Summer Sale

https://youtube.com/shorts/bNQr3J8Y1Mo?feature=share

Just a quick reminder that Ocean Heart is half price in the Smashwords Summer Sale. Grab a copy on discount before the end of July.

Buy Ocean Heart on Smashwords

Follow me on Ko-Fi

It’s free to follow me on Ko-Fi and be sure you don’t miss out on my latest news, or any freebies. You can buy me a virtual cuppa or merchandise from my shop, including a signed copy of my book.

Follow me on Ko-Fi

[Kofi]

Sky Heart
More About Sky Heart
Ally Aldridge Contemporary, Editing, Fantasy, Fiction, Goal setting, My Books, NaNoWriMo, Romance, Sky Heart, The Soul Heart Series, Writing, Writing Challenge, Young Adult

Catch up with a cuppa Ko-Fi (May 2022)

Here is the low down on what I posted on Ko-Fi last month, so you don’t miss out!

Sky Heart by Ally Aldridge

Sky Heart Chapter 2

This month I posted another chapter of Sky Heart. Now you can read two chapters on Ko-Fi.

Update on my website

I realised I hadn’t shared how my website update went so finally did this.

Sky Heart Coming Soon

Sky Heart Update

I’m getting close to finishing my self edit and shared where I’m up to with the plot hole fixes.

Follow me on Ko-Fi

It’s free to follow me on Ko-Fi and be sure you don’t miss out on my latest news, or any freebies. You can buy me a virtual cuppa or merchandise from my shop, including a signed copy of my book.

Follow me on Ko-Fi

[Kofi]

Sky Heart
More About Sky Heart
Ally Aldridge Behind The Book, Tips, Writing

Behind the Book: 2021 Collection

This article contains affiliate links. Please check my affiliate disclosure page for more information.

I learn a lot from my fellow authors and love sharing it with you all on my blog by hosting Behind the Book interviews.

Here is the collection from 2021:

The Waterfall Chronicles by Owen B. Lewis

Blurb for The Waterfall Warrior by Owen B Lewis
Behind the Book: Wilcroft Chronicles: The Waterfall Warrior by Owen B. Lewis

Kairos by Naomi Kelly

Blurb for Kairos by Naomi Kelly
Behind the Book: Kairos by Naomi Kelly

Chasing Sunrise by Emily Mah

Blurb for Chasing Sunrise by Emily Mah
Behind the Book: Chasing Sunrise (The Sunrise Prophecy book 1)by Emily Mah

Garden in the Sands by Ellie Mitten

Blurb for Garden in the Sands by Ellie Mitten
Behind the Book: Garden in the Sands by Ellie Mitten

Meraki by Naomi Kelly

Blurb for Meraki by Naomi Kelly
Behind the Book: Meraki by Naomi Kelly

Tenebrasco by Hannah Reed

Blurb for Tenebrasco by Hannah Reed
Behind the Book: Tenebrasco by Hannah Reed

i

The Devil’s Own by K.A. Fox

Blurb for The Devil’s Own by K.A. Fox
Behind the Book: The Devil’s Own by K.A. Fox

The Stories Stars Tell by CL Walters

Blurb for The Stories Stars Tell by CL Walters
Behind the Book: The Stories Stars Tell by C L Walters

The Bones of Who We Are by CL Walters

Blurb for The Bones of Who We Were by CL Walters
Behind the Book: The Bones of Who We Are by C L Waters

The Ugly Truth by CL Walters

Blurb for the Ugly Truth by CL Walters
Behind the Book: The Ugly Truth by C L Waters

Swimming Sideways by CL Waters

Blurb for Swimming Sideways by CL Walters
Behind the Book: Swimming Sideways by C. L. Waters

[kofi]

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Ally Aldridge Contemporary, Editing, Fantasy, Fiction, Goal setting, My Books, NaNoWriMo, Romance, Sky Heart, The Soul Heart Series, Writing, Writing Challenge, Young Adult

Catch up with a cuppa Ko-Fi (Apr 2022)

Here is the low down on what I posted on Ko-Fi last month, so you don’t miss out!

I’m doing Camp NaNo

In this post I introduce my Camp NaNo project and goals.

Sky Heart by Ally Aldridge

Sky Heart – Chapter 1

I share my first chapter of Sky Heart. This has only been self edited and needs to go through professional edits but I thought it’d be fun to share a little of my work in progress.

Sky Heart – NaNo Update

I shared how I was progressing towards my NaNo goal, what has gone well and what I still need to work on.

Sky Heart Coming Soon

Follow me on Ko-Fi

It’s free to follow me on Ko-Fi and be sure you don’t miss out on my latest news, or any freebies. You can buy me a virtual cuppa or merchandise from my shop, including a signed copy of my book.

Follow me on Ko-Fi

[Kofi]

Sky Heart
More About Sky Heart