Saturday 6 December 2014

Christmas gift!

So Christmas is nearly upon us once again, and this is a blatant sales pitch, so brace yourselves!
Sadie's House;The Key is a contemporary fantasy / supernatural story about a young woman who buys a dilapidated house and sets about restoring it. But the house is alive, and clearly needed Sadie to be there! Amazon have placed the book on sale at a much more reasonable price than I had previously been concerned about.  It has received some amazing reviews. Still working on the sequel but this will be ready early next year, with even more drama, magic, and tension in store! Wrap this up with a little bottle of wine and some favourite chocolates and you have a perfect Christmas present!

Buy Sadie's House;The Key right here !

 

Saturday 18 October 2014

The tale of the type-os - Proof-rreading your work

Not everything goes as straightforward as we would like it to. I have been thrilled to publish Sadie's House;The Key and have received some amazing feedback and great reviews. People are already asking for the sequel, which is halfway to completion and a project I am very excited about.

I have already said a couple of times that I had very difficult and personal reasons for publishing when and how I did. the book had been written and edited, then added to but I published in rather a hurry. I have to apologise profusely for the fact that there are a number of typing errors and (horrified expressions all round - a continuity error...!) that I had overlooked in proofreading.( This is particularly embarrassing when taken into consideration the fact that I am a teacher!!! I can almost hear the lynch mob banging on the door!) However, I have had emails and feedback reassuring me that the story was so enjoyable, that the errors are forgiven and the sequel eagerly awaited. Not from every reader, I hasten to add, and I know people will have their own opinions on this, but there you go.

So here are a couple of pleas.....Number 1, Check, double check, triple check, get someone else to check and check again that you have proof read your work before publishing. Don't rush into it and take your time and save yourself the embarrassment of having to explain yourself all over the place.
Who is it that said "act in haste, repent at leisure"? I don't regret what I did and if you knew you might be understanding of my circumstances (but enough of that sort of talk). But take a page from my book (not literally....although you might like to read it to see....) and be careful about making sure that your work is fully ready for publication. I will have Sadie reprinted at some point very soon, making the current book the First Edition but it hasn't been an ideal situation.

Number 2 - please take a look at my book and make your own mind up. It is available on Amazon for £2.99 for Kindle, or you can buy the paperback version on Amazon or Authorhouse.

And one more note - to the person who told me that I shouldn't advertise mistakes. you may be right, but I am an honest person with some integrity and feel that maybe others can learn from my experiences. I have a signing arranged for next year and one or two other things in the pipeline and it has been a steep learning curve. I am not deterred and I hope this will be a lesson for others too.

Good luck to all you budding writers out there!
https://www.facebook.com/Sadieshousetrilogy

Friday 22 August 2014

Edgar Allan Poe - quotes



I wish I could write as mysterious as a cat.


http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/e/edgar_allan_poe.html


Fascinated by the use of language - not even a horror fan but you can't argue with the eloquence! I wish I were so articulate!

Me and Oscar Wilde!


Only I could release a book and then go on holiday with no internet connection! (Well, very limited) so any idea of promotions has had to wait until I return! But I am back now, so we are a go!

Sadie is on Amazon (site) and Authorhouse, and has been released on kindle. All royalties for the time being are going to two of my adopted charities so I would urge any of you to take a look, especially at the Kindle version as it IS much less than the paperback.


http://www.authorhouse.co.uk/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-000953538

I am reassured that some have read the book in a day or two, having been unable to put it down, and this gives me some comfort. For I am not Oscar Wilde, whose rhetoric I envy enormously. I could not ever write like that. I tried to read Jules Verne’s “Journey to the Centre of the World” once but the amount of huge words and scientific language eventually got the better of me and I gave up half way through. I am not proud of this. I once read a graphic pirate novel by Wilbur smith that had had me wincing and peeking though my hands at the gory bits, but I was determined to finish as I do not often give up on a book. I am not a Jane Austen fan and don’t read her for pleasure but studied several novels as part of my degree. But I can certainly stand in awe of her talent as a writer. I am not any of these people. I am just little old me, and I write how I write. Good or bad, that’s it.

I have been told that my writing is very conversational, and certainly it is on here. I suppose we all find our own style. I know that Sadie isn’t for everyone, but I like to think that it is a “nice” book – a word I use cautiously. It has the elements I look for in a book, a heroine, a villain, a supernatural element, obstacles to overcome, tension, action and a revelation. Suddenly, now it’s out there, I feel a bit like one of those dreams you have where you have gone to school naked or without your underwear and everyone is looking and judging and I feel quite self-conscious. I hope that this will pass very quickly!

So if anyone is expecting Oscar, Jules or Jane to jump out at them from the pages of my book, then you will be disappointed. But if you enjoy a light fantasy, a story of family, friendship, love and hope, a story with some excitement and action and a bit of a reveal at the end and with two more sequels to follow, then you might just enjoy taking a look at Sadie’s House; The Key.

 
 (love this quote!)
 
 
Meanwhile I need to get cracking now with the meet and greet, the key rings and bookmarks, the approach to the book stores, the press release and the advertising! And back to school next week! It’s going to be a busy month……..!!

Wednesday 13 August 2014

This is really happening!

My book arrived the other day! This was very exciting and it has become very real. I have ordered some copies and am now making plans for marketing and publicity. I did read on the internet somewhere (so it must be true....???) that marketing is the thing that authors and writers are least good at, so I am trying my best to think of everything I can to get my name and the book out there. So far I have contacted a publicity company and arranged a press release to national and local media, a google ad, plans for bookmarks and key rings, the possibility of an informal meet and greet/signing event in a local bar/café, preparations to contact libraries and I have made assorted contacts with regard to signing events.
But guess what! I am off on holiday on Friday! I have promised the family that I will leave it alone whilst we are away - after all it all becomes a bit of a madness doesn't it! All of this, on top of writing the sequel, social networking, updating the website, looking for new ideas, etc etc. Did I know it was going to be this much hard work? Would it have made any difference it I  had known?

I know there are assorted websites I can contact and I am interested in building my blog with guest bloggers in return for the favour, but I don't know how to do that yet. Undaunted by this prospect, I will soldier on. If anyone has any other ideas that you might be willing to share for marketing, I would be very grateful! But its all very exciting!

Wednesday 6 August 2014

Its my book and I like it.......

I saw a brilliant post on Facebook the other day. I have already shared this with my FB friends, but I think that they will forgive me for repeating. It said, and I paraphrase;
"This is my book. It may not be a "great" book, but it is mine and I like it. It may not make me rich or famous, but that is not why I wrote it."

I wrote "Sadie" as a gift to myself for a special birthday (largely to see if I could make sense of the million ideas that were floating around in my head). And, as the quote says, it is mine and I like it. the story may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it is exactly the sort of story I love, with some drama and suspense, a secret and an element of fantasy and the supernatural. I am well on with the sequel, which I can hardly tear myself away from because it is filled with more secrets, more drama, more supernatural and a huge twist at the end. But more of Albie closer to completion.

My journey into self publishing came about for very personal reasons which I cannot disclose here and now, but 3 weeks after starting, I had an offer from a publisher. This might give some a bit of reassurance of the quality. I have declined for now as I was well into my journey but I hope to return to this possibility at a later date. I will keep you informed.

I don't want to ramble on, but just to say again that all royalties for now are going to charity - at the moment this is not a money making venture. More of a learning curve from which I am discovering a HUGE amount about the world of publishing. It's all very exciting, and hopefully I might be able to help others interested in taking similar steps in the future. And of course, I'm sure I am not the only one that lives in hope that the film makers are out there just looking for their next big project....

Over here Mr Speilberg........

Sadie's House; The Key has gone live!

Exciting news! Sadie's House;The key has now gone live! There are still a few issues to iron out and I have not officially launched but it is available to order. It will be on Kindle shortly at £2.99 and in paperback on the following links;

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sadies-House-K-Elaine-Taff/dp/1496987047/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1407250296&sr=8-3&keywords=sadies+house


http://bookstore.authorhouse.com/AdvancedSearch/Default.aspx?SearchTerm=Sadies%20House%20the%20key


For the time being, all royalties will be donated to charity - I am supporting Macmillan Cancer Nurses and Help for Heroes so some of your money is going to two very worthy causes.

You can also see me on

http://etaff3.wix.com/kelainetaff

https://www.facebook.com/Sadieshousetrilogy?ref=hl

Hope to see you there!

Wednesday 23 July 2014

Book nerves!

I am actually  quite torn in two at the moment. Now my book is well under way, the cover has been designed, the interior layout organised, dedications made and the first draft returned for amendments, I suddenly feel a bit sick! This is really happening! My book, very soon, will be out there, for people to read. And judge!

As I writer, I know I have to deal with this. And I can hear myself lining up justifications already. "I'm not Jane Austen" springs to mind, as does "well let's compare it with your book then - oh, you didn't write one?" I realise I have to move past this or it is going to block me. I know that I have to be my own biggest promoter, and introduce the wonderful world of Sadie's House to those sceptical about investing in the work of a completely unknown author.

I also know that because I have self published, the potential purchaser could be sceptical about the quality of the writing. Anyone can self publish, right? How do I persuade an audience to take a risk? (Incidentally I hear that several other well known authors self published their first books to get going, including one Ms Rowling...)

I do have, however, an unshakable belief in my book. It's a really lovely story, with all the elements in it that I enjoy. It is a light modern fantasy. It is a unique love story. It is a story of family, friendship and hope. It would make a BRILLIANT move (just in case any movie producers happen to randomly come across this blog......). The feedback I have had is that it is well and professionally written, despite the fact that I am knew to the novel writing game. (Thanks mum) (Only kidding - I have had this feedback, from several publishing companies, and a recent offer for publication.)

So I am hoping that it will be out there in the next few weeks. I feel a bit exposed, really, in a standing in the middle of the school yard, naked, sort of way. I hope that this will pass. I am excited beyond belief.

I am also completely terrified!

Wednesday 16 July 2014

Publishing News.......

Well it's been a busy few months, as always. But let me start by saying a big thank you to all those who supported the charity that I was promoting on my last post. Very sadly, Stephen died shortly after, but not before he had inspired a nation and raised a huge amount of money. I think everyone was hoping for some fairy tale ending, the likes of which we would want to write, where he made a miraculous recovery and lived to a ripe old age. Its the kind of thing that stops you in your tracks though.  He is a real hero.

And the publishing news? Well a few weeks ago I made the decision to self publish. I know that people will have their opinions about this, that some may say it's the right way to go for an unknown author, others might criticise for the impatience. But I have my reasons. I am quite excited about the whole process and things are moving along quite nicely. So I am starting to put the word out in preparation for a full on marketing campaign.

Which brings me to the question of how best to market my novel. There will have to be a number of changes and adaptations to start with.  I will be making a blog site and possibly web page in my author name, rather than the name of the book. So please look out for K. Elaine Taff in the next few weeks (I still have to work all this out as web and blog set up and design are not my strongest skills!)
The picture that currently illustrates Sadie's House;The Key, will be disappearing. This was just done in the first place for fun and so that there was an image to go with the book. But there was nothing ever professional about the drawing, and I am in the process of working with a design team to come up with a suitable front cover. Then I will be pursuing every possible avenue for getting the word out there! Anyone have any suggestions? I would be grateful for any advice!

One of my concerns is that the book will be available as print on demand which makes it, I feel a bit expensive. It will also be available on Kindle, for, of course, considerably less.  However, even before I knew this, I had asked the publisher about donating all royalties for the time being, to 2 charities that I support, #Macmillan Cancer Nurses, and #Help the Heroes.  I know that this can also be seen as a bit self serving, but isn't any charity contribution the same in some ways? That won't stop me. I would be over the moon if this serves to raise money for good causes, as well as promote my book.

All in all these are exciting times. The summer holidays start next week and I will be using much of the time to crack on with the second of the trilogy, which I have to say, is still not finished. This isn't because I stopped writing, but is because in between writing the trilogy I have also written a children's sports book and an inspiration book for teenagers (not chasing publishers for these just yet). This is  just how I roll.....

So that about brings me up to date. I will be blogging much more regularly for the time being as I share my journey and market the novel. I hope you will continue to share the adventure.

Have a great week!

Tuesday 22 April 2014

Sometimes we can make a difference

I don't usually use this blog for this purpose, and I have been very busy writing lately so not blogging too much. But this stopped me in my tracks. Please read and if you are able to PLEASE donate.

Text STEPHEN TO 70500 to donate £5 or go here to donate more or less https://www.justgiving.com/Stephen-Sutton-TCT
 Please donate - this young man is the same age as my daughter and he may not even make it through the night. Days are numbered and he would like to see a million pounds raised - nearly 3/4 of the way there. Can you help? Please pass


https://www.facebook.com/StephensStory

Cover Photo

Tuesday 18 March 2014

Unbelievable!

I cannot get over how time has got away from me over the last 5 or 6 months! The last time I posted was just after I had held a charity cake sale and here we are, Winter and Christmas all over and done with, Spring well on its way and the promise of summer lurking in the skies of the longer days and slightly shorter nights.

So, what have I been up to?
Well I would love to report that Sadie had been snatched up by a major publisher and that I had been so busy with the editing team and preparations for publication that I just haven't had the time. Sadly, this is not the case. Not yet, at least. I have, however, entered a major competition which goes on until July, so we will see how that goes. The journey of the would be novelist intrigues me, but never disappoints me. Yes, there have been several letters which amount to polite rejections. There have been some submissions which have gong unanswered, and one offer of publication if I meet part of the cost but I have to admit that still my submissions total less than a dozen and when compared with the number of times certain best sellers were rejected, I have nothing to worry about. Some of the very best things took time to get off the ground (Queen did not take off in the US for many years, Abba were not immediately successful and don't even get me started on certain books.......)
http://www.literaryrejections.com/best-sellers-initially-rejected/

Do I seem defensive? I hope not, and I don't mean to either. I hope that my journey might inspire or comfort others on the same path. I believe in Sadie so wholeheartedly that I know it is only a  matter of time..... but even that isn't true really, is it? If I just leave her in the drawer, all the time in the world isn't going to get her published.
So what is the hold up? (And my husband just echoed those same thoughts as I write!)

Last year I decided to edit, and I did so quite heavily. It concerned me that there were a few too many details about property renovation and not enough of the magic that underpinned the story. With this in mind I set about cutting, chopping and changing - keeping the integrity of the story but (hopefully) improving. And for a while therein lay the problem. I edited so much that I lost track of the beginning, lost a chapter, changed my mind, cut and paste again until the time came that I just had to put her away and take a good break from the whole thing. I recently went for a meal with a good friend and we were discussing the progress of the book and my editing. I explained where I was at and my particular dissatisfaction with the beginning of the book. I then went home and found the competition. It was this that spurred me on and I found that having had a good rest from it, I could go back with fresh eyes and solved the problems that had eluded me or several months.

So perhaps a lesson for some there - don't be in a hurry. If it is worth it, take your time. Go away from it then come back refreshed. It was amazing how rejuvenated I felt in visiting Sadie after this time and I am happy with where we re now. Not saying that there won't be other changes, but I am much happier with where we are at now.

So why haven't I blogged? To be honest I think it has just been a rest from Sadie and so I haven't felt the need to. Some might say that a true writer needs to write everyday and can't live without it, and that may be true. For some. But I am a teacher, with a full time job and a home to run. My eldest son left home and time has been spent (in between my tears for the uprooting of my first born) renovating and redecorating the house that he and his lovely girlfriend have bought. I have other hobbies, crafting being one and I spent some time making, mending and baking - still need that outlet for my creative urges!

What about Albie - the sequel? Well to be honest I have left him alone too for the time being. The notes have continued and I have a book full of ideas, dates, details and descriptions but no actual progress in the actual writing of the book. However, now Sadie is amended, it is time for me to go back to where we were and see what he has been up to in my absence.

So, with apologies for rambling on for so long,  I would just like to say a big thank you to a patient husband and to some wonderful family and friends for all their support.

Here we go again. Wish me luck!

x