Monthly Archives: March 2013

So, we had a launch over a week ago, now what? Well, to be honest nothing really… but, as that’s what I expected, we’re still going to plan. Yes! 😉

My Publisher over at Hague Publishing has been very busy though. Not only, as I may have mentioned before, can Bonnie’s Story: A Blonde’s Guide to Mathematics now be pre-ordered, at a reduced price. As it includes a preview of the first three chapters, go check it out here. But he has also uploaded it onto Netgalley. So if you have a Netgalley account and want to review it, head on over and check it out. So far twelve people have downloaded it so I now have another thing to pace and bite my nails over when I run out of Haus Frauing things to do.

Speaking of things to pace and bite my nails over… as has been mentioned before, the current manuscript I’m working on is called Isis, Vampires and Ghosts – Oh My! Well, after talking with my Editor at the book launch, and her complaining she’s not read more of it than the first three chapters, I’ve sent it on over for her to peruse. Right now, it’s at just under 68,000 words and still growing. So it’ll be interesting to see if she feels I’m doing something right or if it’s a load of Dingo’s Kidneys and would be better used as a doorstop or something. Hoping to find out soon!

Another nail biter is that I’ve submitted my first attempt at full on Science Fiction, Grey, to a few places. It’s really more of a novella than a full story as it comes in just under 30,000 words. Still, it’s got a pretty good story to it and, as it’s the first in a series, may just be a small doorway to a big, new world. 😉

So, as you can see, never stop writing and never a dull moment. Just because I’ve had my book launch I never expected the literary world to suddenly open up to me with gushing words of praise. That’s honestly not why I do it. If I had to put a monetary goal to my writing, I’d say I want to earn enough per quarter to visit Chocolate @ No 5 for a hot chocolate and a brownie. But, as I basically write as I enjoy it as my rather rare ‘Me’ time, the fact others are reading it, and enjoying it, is good enough for me. Small fish, small pond and small dreams. 🙂

Until next week!

Janis.

Okay, so on Saturday night (March 2^nd) I had my very first ever book launch in the Atrium area of the SA Writer’s Centre. The following blog is a quick run through of it all and a few snap shots. We had hoped for more shots, but as I really don’t like having my picture taken, and I’m in most of them, this is all you’re getting. 🙂

The first shot is of the Atrium as we’re setting up. It is a big, beautiful space, with a great atmosphere. I love old buildings so really enjoyed having the opportunity to get to play in this one.

 So, with Clipsal, the Fringe, Adelaide Festival, other Writer’s Week functions and various concerts and what not… well, it was a small group that turned up. We all settled down and I talked about Bonnie’s Story: A Blonde’s Guide to Mathematics. I answered some questions about my eBook and read some of my favourite bits. Like when we meet Sylvester and my favourite scene with the car in the shopping centre car park.

They really look interested, don’t they?! 😉 We had some laughs, and as it was such a small group we were able to discuss other things, like writing techniques and ideas. After that, I was asked where my ideas come from, so tried to explain it and ended up talking about my current manuscript Isis, Vampires and Ghosts – Oh My! instead. Heck, it was a win, win situation for me.

This one is a good one. It’s my husband sitting up the back being the bouncer and not wanting any bother. 😉 Actually the group we had was really small and lovely, and he usually sits like this at the back of a crowd. I just thought it looked a good ‘Bouncer’ moment.

Although no pictures of it, we then enjoyed some lovely produce supplied by Georgina’s Fine Foods of Mount Barker, drank some local yummy juices and bubbles and ended the evening chatting about all sorts of things while sharing some Haigh’s chocolates.

I would really like to thank Andrew of Hague Publishing for giving me the opportunity for holding the book launch, as well as the SA Writer’s Centre for organising it all, getting me included in the Adelaide Writer’s Week program and being their usual encouraging selves.

If there were downers to the event, and they would be little ones, it would be that the turn-out was low and I got little to no support from the actual Adelaide Writer’s Week people. (Except for my volunteer helper Margo, who was just fantastic!)

Now, I know I’m a new and emerging writer and that I obviously don’t know the right people. Plus I am launching an eBook, not deemed by some a real book, and it’s not released until June… so I understand the lack of assistance, to a point. But when a gal sends you a polite tweet asking for a shout out for her launch; that is actually in your program… Was it really polite to ignore the request when others saw it and retweeted it for me instead?

But, oh well! I seriously don’t mind too much. Yes I am a new, emerging author of an eBook and pretty much unknown outside of my small circle of friends… but you know what? I had a simply fantastic time and only really regret so many others missed out on being a part of it.

There’s always the launch in June at the Mount Barker Library I guess. 😉

Have a great week!

Janis.