Spirit of Technology background

The original idea of this page was to provide information and background relating to my published books, and there is quite an interesting story behind this one. During an amicable conversation with my first publisher, I confirmed I hadn’t received an email which she was sure her assistant had sent me, and her comment ‘It …

Author Interview

There are so many different outlets for authors to try and publicise their books, it’s difficult to decide which ones to use. Blog, web site, Facebook author page, Twitter, Amazon author page, You Tube – I have all of these but keeping them up to date can take up all the hours which should be …

World story telling Day- Blandford Festival

This weekend is World Storytelling day. To celebrate the occasion Blandford Literary festival have organised an online production on Facebook with authors providing videos of themselves reading short stories, poetry, extracts from their books and a myriad (told you I loved that word) of all things literary. Circumstances prevented me from producing my own video …

Authors and Valentines

I often rabbit on about my books and my YouTube site but marketing has always been my weakness. How will readers know you exist if you don’t yell ‘Buy my book,’ at every opportunity? Browsing a local site where people were asking for recommendations for plumbers, electricians and similar providers, it struck me how I …

Val’s Tales and Aliens

The production of our Val’s Tales YouTube channel has kept us sane in what has turned into a Christmas to suit the rest of 2020. Bah Humbug. Despite everything thrown at us, the second storycast hit the waves this week. In total contrast to last week’s story this one is a little bit of silly …

Social Media – Facebook

Wearing my Writing Guru hat, I thought it might be fun to look at the use of various forms of Social Media in the life of an author. Facebook, blog, web-site, Twitter, Instagram, author page, newsletters, give-aways, paid advertising – the list is endless, and no sooner have you conquered one than they change the …

Social media and ‘orse piddles

It suddenly struck me my Aspects series was complete, and I had nothing written for this week. Should I discuss the meaning of life? Rattle on trying to flog you my books? No, let's just have a whinge. 😀  It’s been a funny few weeks/months. It should have been an exciting time with the release …

Writers’ update and Meeting the author blog

It’s a funny old world being a writer. Many authors somehow manage to fit everything in between school runs, caring for dependents or working full time to pay the bills. Sometimes all three. It’s only when you get to know the individuals behind the social media presence that you realise how many are also coping …

Desert Island Communications

As well as providing wonderful support to authors, book bloggers can be the source of inspiration for new stories. Some time ago, Neats Wilson of The Haphazardous Hippo blog mentioned being stranded on a desert island with just a laptop. It’s taken a while, but here’s my story;  😀  ‘Ladies and gentleman. Please listen to this important …

Book bloggers and ‘Story of a Country Boy.’

As a change from my usual short story, I thought I’d make this week’s blog post about all things authorish. I love writing, get easily inspired with new ideas, and fortunately never suffer from the dreaded writer’s block. My only problem is juggling marketing, writing and keeping up with the outside world (which is my excuse …