Taking Part … Newbie’s Version

Gulp! I have just signed up to my first ‘Blog Block Party’. And cue … panic … and breathe … I can do this, really I can.

nervous face

Mini-panic over, so what I am I hoping to achieve. Well, it would mean that hopefully, on one day in August, my humble little blog will hopefully have a few more visitors and maybe some of them might even take a look at my books. I am willing to try. And, of course, there will be prizes, so that’s something else to look out for.

  1. $5 or £5 Amazon Gift Card
  2. $5 or £5 iTunes Gift Card
  3. Signed copy of “Bound”, Volume 1 of the Diaries of the Cŵn Annwn
  4. Signed copy of “Alpha”, Volume 2 of the Diaries of the Cŵn Annwn

So that makes four potential winners for this particular blog stop, and more to the point, I am willing to post the signed book copies out to the USA, given that I am in the UK.

I have the blurbs for each of my books. Those lovely Facebook memories reminded me that two years ago, I decided to take all those bits of stories that I had written over the years and turn them into proper novels, but even that stage wouldn’t have happened were it not for the encouragement of my two friends, Tracy Andrews and Donna DeBoard.

On several of the writing groups that I have subscribed, the question is asked time and again on the differences between self-publishing and traditional publishing. I went down the route of self-publishing, not least because, having worked in sales for a couple of decades, I couldn’t see the point in giving away a portion of my royalty income to an agent. Agents have lots of clients generally. Yes, they have the names and connections, and if I was dependent on my book sales for income, I might see this as an advantage.

But, I am in the fortunate position that I do have another source of income, so it means that succeed or fail, it will be down to how much effort I am willing to put into the promotion of my books.

So, back to the original point. Little steps into that big wide world. I will look at it as I did the first demonstration I ever did to a customer. Well, less said about that one … The point was, as bad as it was, my customer bought from me. Two decades later, I am doing a job I love. My efforts will determine whether writing will remain something I enjoy and love.

#RRBC #RaveReviewsBookClub

8 thoughts on “Taking Part … Newbie’s Version”

  1. Hi Jo, Wow! For a Newbie -first time on the RRBC Blog party, I think you have a lovely site. I’m not sure if the Black-Eyed Dog is part of the party, but I loved reading about him. I hope to get better acquainted with him and your other works in future🤓 Have a fab party today🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

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    1. Thanks for your feedback. The Black-Eyed Dog post is because I didn’t want my blog to just be another version of advertising. I wanted people to see who I was, and from where my ideas stem. Having fought with depression for over 20 years, if my experience can help others, then well and good. As for Fane, the Hellhound Alpha, he will reappear in Caduceus, the planned fifth book in the series.

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      1. Thanks so much for following my blog, Jo and for giving further insight into your world, not only as a writer, but a salesperson and mother. It certainly is a difficult juggling act to follow, but the rewards of writing are innumerable AND I’m not talking about book sales only, rather of the support and encouragement one receives from fellow writers when the black dog comes a hunting ( I love the short video) scary but most effective. I hope your day went well.
        Kind regards Maretha Botha

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  2. I love paranormal and myths, but help me out here. How do you pronounce those names? lol! Some of my characters have made-up names. Heck, I made up a new species and a new world, both with odd names, so I added the pronunciation of them to help out my readers (though, I’ll be honest, I still hear people say them incorrectly, which is fine since it’s how they choose to read it). I’d love to know how you pronounce the names of your characters.

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