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, 6 August 2014
Saturday, 26 July 2014
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!
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!
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
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
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
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
Saturday, 12 October 2013
Busy busy busy #MacmillanCancer
So this month has been jam packed with frantic activity. Not content with preparing to start sending Sadie out and working on the sequel, I have started writing a children's book. I can be a bit schizophrenic like that......... I was looking for a particular type of book for my Y8 class at school and couldn't find it anywhere - checked Amazon and all the usual book shops, so decided to put it together for myself. Its a none fiction book, and I have some of my class helping me, and it shouldn't take long, but it's another little venture that has kept me out of mischief! I will let you know how that goes, as I would love to get it published, for them as much as for me.
A couple of weeks ago we held a coffee morning for the Macmillan Cancer Nurse Charity which raised over £200 - family and friends all came to our house to eat cake made by myself, my sisters and mum. It was a beautiful day and we were very happy with the result, although it took me an hour and a half to count and bag the money, then further delays when the cashier in the bank made a mistake.......why does everything have to be so complicated!!!!! But all in a good cause, so please take a look.
http://www.macmillan.org.uk/HowWeCanHelp/Nurses/AboutMacmillanNurses.aspx
Last week we had The Inspectors in school, which is quite stressful, and whilst I like to think that I teach every lesson as if I were being observed, you are still double conscious of crossing every T and dotting every I. (I got GOOD, by the way, big relief.....). then came a VERY long day trip to a conference in London. Next week I have two days away on training events. Now my son is just on the verge of signing for his first house and I see lots of decorating ahead.......and in between all of this I decided to make some rag dolls.....
None of this is a complaint, by the way, or an excuse for unfinished work. I spent a very busy time last week writing and posting so still making progress. My plans for the next few weeks include contacting agents, completing my children's book and making further progress with Albie. It's a long journey, this one I am undertaking, but that's exactly what it is, a journey. And isn't that the important bit, rather than the destination? I'm finding every bit of the whole process absolutely fascinating. If anything comes of it (and I am nothing if not the most tenacious person in the entire world......) then even better, and if not, then I will have still learned a lot. And what bits I can, I will share.
Meanwhile, have a great week (or month, depending on how long it is until next time!!!!)
xxx
A couple of weeks ago we held a coffee morning for the Macmillan Cancer Nurse Charity which raised over £200 - family and friends all came to our house to eat cake made by myself, my sisters and mum. It was a beautiful day and we were very happy with the result, although it took me an hour and a half to count and bag the money, then further delays when the cashier in the bank made a mistake.......why does everything have to be so complicated!!!!! But all in a good cause, so please take a look.
http://www.macmillan.org.uk/HowWeCanHelp/Nurses/AboutMacmillanNurses.aspx
Last week we had The Inspectors in school, which is quite stressful, and whilst I like to think that I teach every lesson as if I were being observed, you are still double conscious of crossing every T and dotting every I. (I got GOOD, by the way, big relief.....). then came a VERY long day trip to a conference in London. Next week I have two days away on training events. Now my son is just on the verge of signing for his first house and I see lots of decorating ahead.......and in between all of this I decided to make some rag dolls.....
None of this is a complaint, by the way, or an excuse for unfinished work. I spent a very busy time last week writing and posting so still making progress. My plans for the next few weeks include contacting agents, completing my children's book and making further progress with Albie. It's a long journey, this one I am undertaking, but that's exactly what it is, a journey. And isn't that the important bit, rather than the destination? I'm finding every bit of the whole process absolutely fascinating. If anything comes of it (and I am nothing if not the most tenacious person in the entire world......) then even better, and if not, then I will have still learned a lot. And what bits I can, I will share.
Meanwhile, have a great week (or month, depending on how long it is until next time!!!!)
xxx
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