Showing posts with label Alliance of Independent Authors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alliance of Independent Authors. Show all posts

Thursday, 6 August 2015

Ch - ch - ch - ch - changes


I've always loved David Bowie, and this up-beat song about the inevitability of change seems once again relevant to me when I'm handing over the reins of Finn-Guild to a new, freshly recruited Managing Director. Luckily I’ll have a soft landing as I’ll still be editing the Finnish/British cultural charity's magazine until further notice; but my main aim is to spend more time with my own literary pursuits.

So you can expect much more regular blog posts here on my blog about books, about writing and about life in London in general. 

In September I'll start a new series of blogs on Advice for New Writers. Lots of people who want to write but know nothing about the process of writing or publishing ask me for advice, and often I really don't know where to start. There's so much information that you need in different stages of a writer's life. This particular series was inspired by a young would-be author who recently came to me for advice. I think I completely overwhelmed her with tips and suggestions, so I decided to chop them up into more manageable chunks. I hope you'll enjoy this series, and will recommend them to any friends who are interested in becoming an Indie Author.

Of course my main aim will be to write more novels - the sequel to The Englishman is first on the list, and I will attempt to get it ready before Christmas (I know, it's been a long time coming...). I'm really excited about this book, and will let you have a sneak peek very soon.  

Of course I’m going to miss Finn-Guild and all the friends I've made during my time with the charity terribly – I’ve enjoyed my time with the Finnish and British Expat communities immensely. But, as the man sings, 'Turn and Face the Change'. I'm certainly looking forward to my new life as an author entrepreneur. 



Monday, 23 March 2015

I'm going to be part of an Indie Author Fair!



Independent Bookshop Opens Doors to Independent Authors

Foyles on London’s Charing Cross Road, is playing host to The Indie Author Fair (IAF) on Friday 17th April 2015. Part of the London Book Fair Indie Author Fringe Festival, run by The Alliance of Independent Authors/Indie ReCon, the fair is organised by Triskele Books - and I'm going to be part of it! 

The Indie Author Fair will showcase the talent and enterprise of many ALLi members at Foyles, London’s largest indie bookstore, with the support of London Book Fair’s Book and Screen Week.

I will be there with copies of The Englishman and and Coffee and Vodka. Both books will be on sale at a special price of £5 (normal price £7.99)

The fair will take place from 16.00–19.30 and is free to the public with drinks reception, goodie bags and personalised signed copies of all the books (including mine, obviously), so please pop by and say hello!

Monday, 10 November 2014

Running on coffee...

It was strong coffee for me this morning...

I hope you're all having a great Monday.

Last week I was struck down by a nasty bug, and was at home feeling sorry for myself, but now I'm a lot better and back at work, still feeling a bit tired, so running mainly on strong coffee (which my fellow Finns at the Finn-Guild office have on tap).

I do need to be on top form, because this is going to be a busy week, not least because on Saturday at Finn-Guild we'll be hosting some brave souls who are going to attend our Intensive Finnish Course in Camden. On Sunday (16th November) I'll be the Indie Authors Fair at the Chorleywood Litfest. More details about the Festival here.

Today I'm also over at the Alliance of Independent Authors Self-published Advice blog talking about writing and second careers. You can read my post here. Do leave a comment, whether you agree with me or not. I love a good discussion.

Have a great week, and wish me luck with the Litfest!

Wednesday, 1 October 2014

Chorleywood Indie Litfest



It's October and the countdown to Chorleywood Litfest has begun!

This is going to be my first appearance at a Literary Festival and I am looking forward to it with a mixture of trepidation and excitement. The entrance is free and there will be some forty indie authors like me, so I think I'll be safe amongst my ALLi friends.

So put this date in your diary and come and discover what Independent Authors are all about!

Chorleywood Literary Festival – Indie Author Fair

Triskele Books, the Alliance of Independent Authors and the Chorleywood Literary Festival are coming together this autumn to organise an 

INDIE AUTHOR FAIR

Love reading? Like meeting authors? Curious about independent publishing?
 
Come to the Indie Author Fair!
 
Meet forty authors at a pop-up bookshop showcasing the ground-breaking, genre-crossing, experimental, enticing, exciting and beautifully presented world of indie publishing. Children’s & YA authors, bestsellers, poets, writers of adult fiction and non-fiction, an author collective, members of The Alliance of Independent Authors – everyone’s going to the Fair.
 
Hear works read by the authors themselves. Join in with story time sessions for children of all age groups. Browse the books while having afternoon tea and discover a hidden treasure. 
Admission Free

For more information, please browse the online catalogue. 

Sunday, 14 April 2013

A-Z Blogging Challenge: L is London Book Fair

My theme: Writing and the business of writing

I remember when I first came up from the country to the London Book Fair about five years ago, and was struck by how business-like and un-literary the whole event was. And how lacking in writers something calling itself a Book Fair could be. Plus the agents were nowhere to be seen; they were tucked away in the International Rights Centre upstairs, which wasn't accessible unless you had an appointment. I was reminded of the New York Stock Exchange, where huge amounts of money were being moved but where not a dime nor a nickel was ever to be seen.

But, to reflect the rest of the publishing industry, even the London Book Fair is changing. These days there's something called Author Lounge, with several events aimed at writers. Of course majority of these are companies selling digital publication and printing solutions to writers, biggest one being Amazon's KDP, but there are also many seminars aimed to help us Indy writers produce and sell our books.

Alliance of Independent Writers (ALLi) is organising a series of events, including Kobo book presentations by ALLi authors, and a talks by Orna Ross and Joanna Penn on self-publishing. And there's going to be ALLi's 1st birthday party too! (I can't wait!)

So, this year at the LFB, I will be a busy little bee, attending seminars, meeting many other ALLi authors. I even have a pitching slot with an agent. Wish me luck, I'll be on around two o'clock tomorrow!

I will attempt some live blogging from LBF, so watch this space.

London Book Fair, Earls Court, London 14-17 April 2013

Saturday, 10 November 2012

The Englishman is an Awesome Indie!



I was absolutely bowled over earlier today when I had an email telling me that the wonderful and discerning folks at the Awesome Indies site had selected The Englishman to be one of their new titles! This after my novel was one of the October reads at Alliance of Independent Authors! It's more than incredible to be recognised in this way by your peers.

Especially as The Awesome Indies site lists only 'quality books written by independently published authors'.

As the blurb on the site further says,


The difference between this site and others that showcase Indie books is that the only criteria for inclusion on this list is quality, and the quality is determined by publishing professionals.
Well….The Englishman is listed as one of the new titles and the link to the site is here. Do go and visit Awesome Indies, there are some other (!) great titles at great prices listed there too.
Off to make myself a well deserved cup of coffee…think there will be a requirement something cold & bubbly later this evening!?

Friday, 12 October 2012

Final day of FREE ebook!




It's gone very quickly - but TODAY is the final day of the FREE promotion for 

So, if you want to read How I Came to Be in England in novel form for 
absolutely no money whatsoever 
hurry! 

With 5 star reviews on Amazon, pick of the month at The Alliance of Independent Authors, it's a complete steal in my humble opinion...

The promotion at Amazon ends midnight tonight.


Finally, for all those who've asked me when the next book, Pappa's Girl, is out, I can tell you that the date set is for 19 November 2013!