Published to YouTube on 26 Nov 2023.
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.
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.
[Kofi]
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!
Another draft chapter on Ko-Fi. I wonder how this will compare to final version once Sky Heart is edited, formatted, and published.
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
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.
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.
[Kofi]
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!
This month I posted another chapter of Sky Heart. Now you can read two chapters on Ko-Fi.
I realised I hadn’t shared how my website update went so finally did this.
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.
[Kofi]
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
Kairos by Naomi Kelly
Chasing Sunrise by Emily Mah
Garden in the Sands by Ellie Mitten
Meraki by Naomi Kelly
Tenebrasco by Hannah Reed
i
The Devil’s Own by K.A. Fox
The Stories Stars Tell by CL Walters
The Bones of Who We Are by CL Walters
The Ugly Truth by CL Walters
Swimming Sideways by CL Waters
[kofi]
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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!
In this post I introduce my Camp NaNo project and goals.
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.
I shared how I was progressing towards my NaNo goal, what has gone well and what I still need to work on.
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.
[Kofi]
Catch up with a cuppa Ko-Fi (Mar 2022)
Here is the low down on what I posted on Ko-Fi this month, so you don’t miss out!
I spilled the beans on some exciting news in the works with Ipswich’s largest bookshop.
Behind the scenes for World Book Day
I shared what I got up to on Ko-Fi first but for my followers there I got more personal about what happened leading up to the event, and how it went.
Michelle Raab Marketing Post (Part 3):
I linn to the final instalment of Michelle’s marketing series featuring me.
WIP Cover Reveal for Forest Heart
After updating my website I realised I needed a WIP cover for my next project, Forest Heart. I really enjoyed making it and revealing it on Ko-Fi.
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.
[Kofi]
What I did for World Book Day!
I delivered my first ever face-to-face author event for World Book Day. It was extra special because I got to attend the high school where my book Ocean Heart is set.
The Setting
Ocean Heart is set in Felixstowe. When I started writing the novel there were two high schools in the town. Deben High School and Orwell High School, both named after local rivers. The two schools had some rivalry and I didn’t want my book about that so I merged the schools together and made Felixstowe High School.
Little did I know that the council were going to do this. The old schools were knocked down and a new modern building erected.
I’ve never had the opportunity to visit the high school so it was really fun to see if it was anything like I imagined. The school was lovely, and very modern, and a lot bigger. I was very impressed.
The students
I met up with groups of five to six students from Key Stage 3. The plan was to introduce myself, and my book, and discuss what had inspired my writing.
I’m not great at public speaking, so I took a notebook with some conversation bullet points to boost my confidence and feel more prepared. I’m not sure what I’m scared will happen, other than making a fool of myself.
The students were very sweet and polite. Once I flipped the attention off myself and onto them, I was able to relax and the conversation flowed better.
We discussed my writing, debut novel, and reading. The students came up with some great questions for me, some that madrWhen we discussed their interests they even had some book recommendations for me.
The book recommendations
My notebook came in handy to write down the books the students recommended I read.
Reflection
I’m so thankful to Felixstowe High School for having me. I appreciated that Deputy Head, Darren M arranged for me to chat with a small groups rather than in-front of a large audience.
Darren also got me thinking about delivering some leisure learning courses for Creative Writing. I’ve been going over old books, notes from courses I’ve done, to explore the idea. Ifurther
I think the more I do, the easier it will get. As a natural introvert, I have to push myself outside my comfort zone but this is good for my professional development. Plus, afterwards I was buzzing that I did it.
Discover Ocean Heart
You can pick up Ocean Heart from all good book shops and online retailers, and borrow through your library or Overdrive.
Catch up with a cuppa Ko-Fi (Feb 2022)
Here is the low down on what I posted on Ko-Fi this month, so you don’t miss out!
This month I have been featured in Felixstowe Magazine, and twice in Michelle Raab’s Marketing blog. My posts on Ko-Fi have been to share links to the content:
Felixstowe Magazine Article: https://ko-fi.com/post/Me-Features-in-Felixstowe-Magazine-L4L8AB3N2
Michelle Raab Marketing Post (Part 1): https://ko-fi.com/post/Me-featured-by-Michelle-Raab-Marketing-S6S6ACCL9
Michelle Raab Marketing Post (Part 2): https://ko-fi.com/post/Me-Featured-by-Michelle-Raab-Marketing-G2G0AMU8M
Behind the scenes Valentine’s Video
For Valentine’s Day I did a reading on Instagram of the first kiss scene from Ocean Heart. I then turned it into a YouTube video using Canva.
I posted Behind The Scenes of making this video on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/post/Behind-the-Scenes-Valentines-Video-G2G5AKXVE
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.
[Kofi]
Catch up with a cuppa Ko-Fi (Jan 2022)
As I post more on Ko-Fi, I don’t want you to miss out so here’s a brief summary of what I posted over on Ko-Fi in January.
My 2021 Reads
https://ko-fi.com/post/My-2021-Reads-M4M77UIM1
This post had a link to my YouTube video that show cased the books I read last year and included a link to the template I created in Canva for you to use.
My 2022 Goals
I really struggled to set my annual goals. We had a lot of germs in January which demotivated me. I kind of surprised that I’ve already completed 66% of my goals for the first quarter.
Want to see my goals? Visit here: https://ko-fi.com/post/2022-Goals-X8X47WTD9
Editing Sky Heart
I had to give an update on how book two is progressing. Publishing Sky Heart is my big goal for this year. If you want to find out how it’s going, visit here: https://ko-fi.com/post/Editing-Sky-Heart-G2G27Z8K9
All The Twos
https://ko-fi.com/post/All-The-Twos-H2H17WTJI
I invite you to join in on my all the twos challenge. Read the second book in a series, or a second book by an author you’ve only read once. I thought this would be a fun way to celebrate Sky Heart (hopefully) releasing this year!
However, currently all my reads are first books.
Website Evaluation
I know my website needs updating. I evaluated how it currently looks, compared it to other popular authors sites, and made a plan to improve it. Check it out here: https://ko-fi.com/post/Author-Website-Evaluation-C0C085ZXN
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.
[Ko-Fi]