Dublin Writers Conference Magazine

BooksGoSocial Conference Magazine

exciting New Titles!

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BooksGoSocial Conference Magazine

Conference reading magazine Executive Editor/Editor-in-Chief - Laurence O’Bryan Associate Editor - Tanja Slijepčević Assistant Editor - Elisabeth Schaffalitzky Graphic Designer - Mirna Gilman

Produced by BooksGoSocial 5 Dame Lane Dublin 2

BooksGoSocial.com Admin@booksgosocial.com

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Table of contents 06

What authors have said about the Dublin Writers’ Conference

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conference Schedule

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CONFERENCE SPEAKERS

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INTERVIEW WITH SCIENCE FICTION AUTHOR CLAYTON GRAHAM

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WORKING TITLES by Frank Daley

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fantasy recommendations

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Twin Challenges for Writers – Fear of Failure, Fear of Success by Blythe Ayne, Ph.D

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non fiction RECOMMENDATIONS

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How my business helped me with my writing Rikard Sommer

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If I Had to Give One Writing Tip… by Conor Kostick

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Where Do Those Words Come From? by Michelle Medhat

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“Write a novel? I must be mad!” by Alison Morton

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ROMANCE RECOMMENDATIONS

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Five things Every Author should know before they publish their book by Amy Collins

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The Dublin Writers’ Conference This conference will help you to improve your writing craft, publish successfully, and plan the marketing necessary for any author to achieve success whether traditionally published or self-published.

Acclaimed Speakers Our speakers are renowned, highly-experienced, published authors, and world class experts in writing craft and online marketing, specifically for authors. This conference provides practical support, valuable training and an opportunity to meet and get to know fellow writers in one of the world’s great literary cities.

Our expanded conference takes place at the Academy Plaza Hotel, just off O’Connell Street in the heart of Dublin’s city center. Our marketing sessions for writers will show you how you can find readers in a rapidly changing world.

Our writing craft sessions will help you broaden your writing skills. Our pitch sessions could help you to sell your story to a publisher, to Hollywood or to readers.

Come for just the Saturday sessions or join us on each of the three days.

Anyone who books to attend is also welcome to our opening session on Friday evening, where we will introduce the instructors and welcome you.

This event is provided by the training division of Advanced Social Media Services LTD, 5 Dame Lane, Dublin 2, Ireland. For our conference awards & prizes, the decision of our judges is final.

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Why join us?

Attend world class training sessions on writing craft and digital marketing for authors Sessions are delivered by speakers who will give you the inside track Enjoy networking with fellow writers and making valuable connections This unique conference will motivate and inspire you to reach your goals as a writer We are a proud partner member of the Alliance of Independent Authors Association and adhere to their code of conduct in all our services

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What authors have said about the Dublin Writers’ Conference: “The Dublin Writers conference was packed with great information I can use daily as a writer, editor and publicist. I traveled from the U.S. to attend, and it was well worth the expense.”

- Elizabeth Thom, American book publicist.

“This conference in Dublin is unique in that the focus is on writers and the craft of writing, rather than on readers. It’s a conference by writers, for writers.”

- Helen Nazarro, U.S. based editor and publisher.

“The BooksGoSocial conference is a very comprehensive weekend event, reasonably priced for writers to attend presentations and network with like minded people.”

- Nora Skehan, Irish sci-fi & fantasy author.

“A fantastic opportunity to get together with authors from all over the globe at different levels of success. An inspiring event that every writer should attend at least once to experience it.”

- Art Johnson, American musician and writer, who traveled from Monaco.

“The conference exceeded all expectations-Free from hype and full of practical information. Also enjoyed exchanging views with fellow authors from around the world.”

- Catherine DeVrye, best selling author, Sydney, Australia.

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“The last Dublin Writers’ Conference was really special. The speakers were amazing. My only regret was that I couldn’t attend all the sessions.

Can’t wait for next year!”

- JJ Toner, full time independent author, Dublin, Ireland.

“The Writers Conference in Dublin demonstrated professionalism, great choice of sessions, stylish venue and unbeatable Irish hospitality! I highly recommend it.”

- Barbara M Webb, independent author of 2 travel books, Quito, Ecuador

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Schedule Friday, 22nd June 2018 2:00PM – 3:30 PM The Academy Plaza Hotel, Findlater Place, Dublin 1

Panel 1 – The New Publishing 2:00 Nicola Solomon,

CEO of the Society of Authors will describe the decisions you need to take before publishing.

2:30 Amy Collins,

US based publishing expert and best selling author will tell us about how to get discovered on Amazon.

3:00 David Gaughran,

Self-publishing expert and author of Lets Get Digital (3rd edition, 2018,) describes the Secrets of Successful Self Publishers.

FRIDAY BONUS BREAK OUT SESSION Book a one-to-one 30 minute Plot Chat with Michael Russell. Michael is the author of the acclaimed City of Lies series, published by Constable and Harper Collins. He was for many years a television writer and producer, for such programs as The Bill, Midsomer Murders, and A Touch of Frost.

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3:45PM – 5:45 PM Panel 2 – Our Evolving Business 3:45 Jacks Thomas,

Director, the London Book Fair, will tell us about where the Fair is heading.

4:15 Jacq Burns,

Founder, the London Writers Club, will describe the evolving world of London publishing.

4:45 Brian O’Kane,

Founder, Oak Tree Press, will discuss the evolving business of nonfiction publishing.

5:15 MG Crisci,

Author & consumer motivation expert will describe his journey to motivating consumers to buy his books.

All Attendee Registration Welcome & A Book Launch

6:00 PM – 7:30 PM All following Friday evening sessions are open to all, including attendees who have only purchased the Saturday one day package.

A book launch will take place at 6:30 for Phil Mac Giolla Bhain This will be followed by a pay for yourself carvery dinner 9

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7:30 PM – 9:30 PM Open Mic Readings & Networking Session A reading opportunity for attendees to read from their work.

Attendees will be asked their genres, to facilitate networking.

Saturday, 23rd June 2018 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM The Academy Plaza Hotel, Findlater Place, Dublin 1 (map)

Panel 3 – The Writers’ Journey 9:30 Rikard Sommer,

Norwegian author, will describe the role of entrepreneurship in his journey as an author.

10:00 Laurence O’Bryan,

Irish author, will talk about the journey to author collaboration.

10:30 Wendy Jones,

Scottish author, will describe her journey to total immersion in the world of writing.

11:00 Michelle Medhat,

English sci-fi author, will explore creativity from the perspective of both a writer and an innovator. The talk will reveal insights into how the brain 10

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uses the mental workspace to create something new using serendipity and unconscious ideation.

11:30 Coffee Break 11:45 Fauza Beltz,

Kenyan author, will describe how a present started her journey as an author and where it took her.

12:15 Arlene Hunt,

Irish author, will describe her journey to international success as an author.

MORNING OR AFTERNOON BONUS WORKSHOP SESSION Michael Neff and Paula Munier will lead a morning and afternoon workshop on the Algonkian Method. This workshop will feature a small group of writers who will each read they story pitch or query letter or book description and have it assessed and feedback provided.

Getting your query letter or Amazon book description right is a key challenge for any author, whether you want to self-publish or go the traditional route. This valuable workshop will help you understand the alternative ways to describe your story. This is the first time this workshop has been made available outside the U.S..

Please email admin@booksgosocial.com to book a place in the morning or afternoon workshop. First come first served.

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LUNCH BREAK 12:45 & Books On Sale In The Main Conference Room .

14:00 – 17:00

There will be a short break at 15:30.

The Academy Plaza Hotel, Findlater Place, Dublin 1

Panel 4 – Preparing For Our Readers 14:00 Conor Kostick,

Award winning children’s author & prize winning historian discusses Finishing Your Novel.

14:30 Susanne O’Leary,

Bestselling Irish self-published author, recently signed with a major London publisher, will discuss self-publishing versus traditional, the pros and cons from someone with one foot in each camp.

15:00 David Gaughran,

Irish author and world renowned self publishing expert will discuss The Readers’ Journey, a new paradigm which maps out the journey your Ideal reader takes in their transformation from strangers to superfans.

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15:30 Tea break 15:45 Alison Morton,

Multi award winning historical novel author will take us through her journey.

16:15 Richard Bradburn

Professional editor, running his own literary consultancy. A member of both the SfEP and ALLi, Richard has a global client list spanning four continents.

16:45 15 Minute Q&A

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17:00 – 18:00

Pitch A Producer With Ken Atchity,

Los Angeles based movie producer with 30 major movie and TV productions created, member of the Academy of Motion Pictures (the Oscars), author of Sell Your Story to Hollywood, The Writers Pocket Guide to The Business of Show Business, and Writing Treatments that Sell, book publisher, previously professor of comparative literature, vice President of PEN, LA Times book reviewer.

Ken will listen and critique a 1 to 2 minute public verbal pitch by you about any story, for print, TV, film. His feedback could change your life.

Only ten places are available. Apply early – email: admin@booksgosocial. com after booking your conference place. This session will be delivered by a live video link with Los Angeles.

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Conference Dinner & Awards

7:30 – 10:30

The Academy Plaza Hotel, Findlater Place, Dublin 1 After Dinner Speakers including

Colonel Colm Doyle (rtd)

Ex-U.N. Chief of Staff & prosecution witness in the War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague.

Sunday, 24th June 2018 9:30 – 12:30 The Academy Plaza Hotel, Findlater Place, Dublin

Panel 5 – Book Marketing – Finding Readers 9:30 Tanja Slijepcevic, Elisabeth Schaffalitzky and Ann Richardson,

Tanja Slijepcevic will answer questions about book marketing, Elisabeth Schaffalitzky will analyze NetGalley and Ann Richardson will be talking about her experience of various routes to obtaining reader reviews, including BooksGoSocial Review Clubs and NetGalley

10:30 Wendy Jones,

Scottish author, will describe her top ticks and trips to help you find new readers, engage with existing readers and get your book sales moving.

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11:00 Coffee break 11:15 Nick Singh,

Nick Singh talks you through the options and opportunities to independently publish and distribute your books with the awardwinning platform, IngramSpark®. Nick Singh is responsible for Ingram Spark’s business development around the globe as well as working with new clients.

11:45 Lisa V Proulx,

Best selling author, editor and indie author coach will provide a step by step guide to becoming a best-selling author.

12:15 Allie Marie,

Retired U.S. law enforcement officer and author of the True Colors paranormal series. Allie will present on How Not to Stereotype Your Police Characters aka Dirty Weapon/Lethal Harry Syndrome. This is an interactive session to help new and experienced authors create more realistic law enforcement characters and avoid the stereotypes portrayed in the entertainment industry.

12:45 – 1:30 An opportunity will be provided for authors to view books on sale from other attendees and staff before the conference closes.

1:00

Thank You & Brief Final Address

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SPEAKERS Ken Atchity Ken Atchity is a Los Angeles based movie producer and author, who has worked in the world of letters as a literary manager, editor, speaker, writing and career coach, columnist, book reviewer, brand consultant, and professor of comparative literature.

He has produced over 30 films, has sold hundreds of books to traditional publishers, and direct published over 150 books through his own publishing house. Previously a book reviewer for the Los Angeles Times, Ken was also Vice President of P.E.N. Los Angeles.

He and his companies, The Story Merchant, Atchity Productions, The Writers Lifeline, Inc., and The Louisiana Wave Studio, LLC, produce films and/or develop books for publication; and books, screenplays, and films for television and cinema, and consult with writers about their career strategies and tactics.

Find Ken at: StoryMerchant.com and @kennja .

Ken Atchity American movie producer, author, columnist, book reviewer, and professor of comparative literature.

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David Gaughran

David Gaughran is Irish and lives in Dublin, where it rains every day and conversation is a sport. He is the author of the historical adventures Liberty Boy, Mercenary & A Storm Hits Valparaiso. He has helped thousands of authors to self-publish their work via his workshops, blog, and popular writers’ books. His work has been featured in the Huffington Post and The Sunday Times David’s first session, The Secrets of Successful Self-Publishers, will introduce the strategies that really do sell books. His second session, The Readers’ Journey will help you understand how a reader feels when a BookBub email arrives containing your cover. It will help you understand why the reader hesitated before clicking the Buy button. It will also help you determine why a reader liked your book enough to finish it, but not sufficiently to recommend it. David’s new Readers’ Journey book marketing paradigm will help you map out the journey your Ideal Reader takes in their transformation from strangers to superfans.

For more information on David see his site.

David Gaughran Author and publishing expert

Amy Collins Amy Collins is the President of New Shelves Books, one of the best-known book sales and marketing agencies in the US. Amy is a trusted expert, speaker, and recommended sales consultant for some of the largest book and library retailers and wholesalers in the publishing industry.

In the last 20 years, Amy and her team have sold over 40 Million books into the bookstore, library,

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and Chain store market for small and midsized publishers. Amy has been a Book Buyer for a chain of bookstores as well as a Sales Director for a large book publisher. She has sold to Barnes & Noble, Target, Costco, Airport Stores, Books-A-Million, Wal-Mart, and all the major chains as well as helped launch several hugely successful private label publishing programs.

She is on the national advisory board for IngramSpark, is a board member of Author U, a featured columnist for THEBOOKDESIGNER, BookWorks, IBPA, and a trusted teacher in the world of small press publishers.

Amy can be found at newshelves.com or @NewShelvesBooks Amy Collins Publishing Expert

Jacks Thomas Jacks Thomas has been the Director of The London Book Fair since January 2013, having worked in the arts and corporate sectors for over 20 years.

She led the development of the Fair in recent years while keeping books, authors, storytelling and rights sales at its heart. Thomas began her career at the BBC before moving into publishing and has held roles at Simon & Schuster, Victor Gollancz, Michael Joseph and HarperCollins.

Thomas is a member of many publishing bodies and charities, including the Association for Publishing Education (APE), and she co-founded the Chiswick Book Festival. She is a regular spokesperson on publishing at universities, conferences and book fairs around the world and a media contributor with recent interviews including BBC Breakfast, BBC World, Radio 4, Sky Arts and Globo TV (Brasil).

See the London Book Fair Author Club here.

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Michael Neff Michael Neff is an author, teacher, agent, and development editor. He is actively searching for high concept projects that can be transformed into films or books, or both. Novels ushered to commercial publication via his Algonkian-method workshops include THE WISDOM OF HAIR by Kim Boykin, DARK TURNS by Cate Holahan, THE GOAT WOMAN OF LARGO BAY by Gillian Royes, and THE FICTION CLASS by Susan Breen, among others.

He is the founder of Algonkian Writer Conferences and associated events. As a result of his “Algonkian Method” workshops, Michael and his programs have ushered dozens of authors over the past several years into publication contracts with major houses. He works with senior publishing house editors to locate budding new authors working in a variety of genres including upmarket literary and general fiction, serious and light women’s fiction, narrative non-fiction, historical fiction, mystery, SF and fantasy.

Michael Neff Literary Agent & Author

Conor Kostick Conor Kostick is the author of a series of successful fiction and non fiction titles. He is one of the most popular writing craft lecturers at the Irish Writers Center for many years.

He also teaches medieval history, and the history of the Crusades, at Trinity College, Dublin. Conor was president of the Irish jury for the EU Prize for Literature, 2015. Conor’s books include Epic, Saga, Move, as well as The Book of Curses for younger readers. He lives in Dublin.

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As an historian, Conor Kostick’s awards include a gold medal from Trinity College, Dublin, first prize in the Dublinia Medieval Essay Competition; fellowships from the Irish Research Council and the University of Nottingham, and in 2015, the British Academy‘s Rising Star Engagement Award. Conor was twice chairperson of the Irish Writers’ Union. See Conor’s Wikipedia page here and his publisher’s profile.

Conor Kostick Award winning children’s author & prize winning historian.

Nicola Solomon Nicola Solomon is a leading figure in the European publishing industry. Her role as CEO of the Society of Authors encompasses protecting authors’ interests in negotiations/disputes with publishers and agents, advising individual authors and campaigning for authors’ rights, as well as for the wider cultural environment.

Nicola sits on the board of the International Authors’ Forum and the British Copyright Council and the European Writers Council.

Nicola is listed in The Bookseller 100, a list of the top movers and shakers in the book trade. They say “Whether it is calling on publishers to adhere to rules ensuring special sales, warning writers not to sign morality clauses or continuing to campaign for the rights of workers after Brexit, this IP lawyer’s tireless and fearless campaigning continues to set the agenda and spark debate during a challenging time for the industry.”

Nicola Solomon

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Wendy H. Jones Wendy H. Jones lives in Scotland. Her highly successful police procedural series featuring Detective Inspector Shona McKenzie, is set in the beautiful city of Dundee.

Wendy has led a varied life, which took her all over the world including Europe, the Middle East and the Far East. Wendy also worked for many years in Academia. This led to publication in academic textbooks and journals.

Her first Young Adult Mystery series was published in September 2106. She is an accomplished Public speaker on both crime writing and marketing and promotion. She has published one non-fiction book – Power Packed Book Marketing.

Wendy Jones Author, leading Scottish crime writer, and author of Power Packed Book Marketing.

Laurence O’Bryan Laurence O’Bryan has been training authors in digital marketing since 2012 and is also a published author.

Laurence’s has had three novels published by Harper Collins in the U.S., the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. These were translated and published in 10 languages. The Istanbul Puzzle, was shortlisted for Irish Crime Novel of the Year, 2012, and won the Southern California Writers Conference Grand Prize. He also selfpublished Social Media is Dynamite For Writers and another two novels in the puzzle series.

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Laurence started BooksGoSocial.com to help other authors get discovered. The service has helped promote over 7,500 international authors. His background includes twenty-five years in marketing. He is on the committee of the Irish Writers Union and founded the Dublin Writers Conference.

Laurence O’Bryan Founder of BooksGoSocial.com, published in 11 languages, Harper Collins & other. also self published.

Paula Munier Paula Munier is a literary agent and an author.

Paula has experience in a variety of genres, and in content creation in multiple formats for such media giants as Disney, Gannett, and Greenspun Media Group.

She began as a journalist, and later added editor, acquisitions specialist, publishing executive, author and literary agent to her repertoire. Her Writer’s Guide To Beginnings book has been described as a “treasure trove of industry insights.” Paula served as the Director of Innovation and Acquisitions for Adams Media, and as New England President of Mystery Writers of America. She is now at work on a new mystery series for St. Martins. As an agent, she has made over 100 official deals with major publishers.

Paula Munier Literary agent & author

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Susanne O’Leary Susanne O’Leary is the author of more than twenty novels, mostly in the romantic fiction genre. She has also co-written four detective stories and two historical novels. Her first novel was published by Blackstaff Press in 2000. She had three further novels traditionally published and started self-publishing in 2010.

After eighteen years of writing, eight of which as a self-published author, Susanne has recently signed with a major London publisher.

Her new novel, The Road Trip, will be published by Bookouture (part of the Hachette Group) in mid-June.

Website: www.susanne-oleary.co.uk Susanne O’Leary Author & self publishing expert.

Rikard Sommer Rikard Sommer is a Norwegian author and a businessman. He self-published his first novel in the fall of 2017, the thriller If Nobody Listens. The novel has been on Amazon’s top 50 in the genre Medical Thrillers for many months.

Rikard has more than 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur. He also lectures on business development, where he talks about the mindset of successful entrepreneurs, product development, marketing and market psychology. He de-mystifies the keys to commercial success and talks about what qualities are required to be a successful “Authorpreneur”. His presentation is aimed at authors who want to make a living writing.

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Rikard Sommer Author & entrepreneur

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Michelle Medhat Michelle Medhat is the author of the acclaimed Connected sci-fi espionage series. She is also a Director at the IKE Institute, the body responsible for professionalising innovation. Her career in science, technology and education spans over 28 years, and includes heading up a digital learning company and being the first in the UK to bring ‘entertainment on demand’ to the public. She also set up a charity which helped improve the lives of half a million people.

She uses her SciTech innovation background to bring authentic insight to her sci-fi creations, and is working on the next book in the series.

Michelle can be found at forever-connected.com or @theconnected1 Michelle Medhat Author, self publishing expert,

Michael Russell Michael Russell, Sunday Times bestselling author with an extensive background in television drama in Britain and Ireland, including The Bill, Heartbeat, Midsomer Murders and A Touch of Frost.

Michael is also the author of the successful Stefan Gillespie historical detective novels, including the brand new City of Lies, published by Constable in 2017.

Michael Russell Author & screen writer.

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Jacq Burns Jacq Burns founded and runs London Writers’ Club where she helps novelists shape their ideas and meet literary agents. Prior to that, Jacq was commissioning editor at Random House & Editorial Director at Harper Collins, where she edited classics such as Men are from Mars; Women are from Venus, Who Moved My Cheese, Chicken Soup for the Soul, and Toddler Taming. Author of a novel-writing book, Write a Bestseller published by Hodder as well as a series of humorous books for Random House.

She agents non-fiction such as: personal development, business, how-to books, parenting & well-being and runs writers’ retreats and masterclasses.

For further information please see: www.londonwritersclub.com Jacq Burns Agent & Mentor.

Arlene Hunt Arlene Hunt is the author of 10 novels. Her latest, The Sweetheart Killer, was released in May 2018, published by Bookouture.

Arlene is a regular reviewer for RTE’s Arena. She is one of Ireland’s most successful and prolific thriller writers. Her first book, Vicious Circle, a gritty and chilling evocation of the dangers facing streetwalkers in Dublin, was published by Hodder Headline in 2004 to rave reviews, and her subsequent tales have copper-fastened her reputation as a writer of fast-paced, edgy crime novels. When not working, she can be found somewhere up a mountain with her faithful GSD, Archer.

For further information please see: https://www.facebook.com/arlene.hunt

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Arlene Hunt Author

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Alison Morton

Alison Morton writes the acclaimed Roma Nova thriller series featuring modern Praetorian heroines. She blends her deep love of Roman history with six years’ military service and an MA in history. Six novels have won the BRAG Medallion for independent fiction and AURELIA was a finalist in the 2016 Historical Novel Society Indie Award. SUCCESSIO featured as Editor’s Choice in The Bookseller’s first ever Indie Preview and INCEPTIO and PERFIDITAS were joint runners-up in Writing Magazine’s 2014 Self-Published Book of the Year.

She is a regular speaker at conferences in the UK, US, France and Ireland on writing craft, social media, self-publishing, research and historical fiction. Recently, she has been turning to crime…

Find out much more at: https://alison-morton.com Alison Morton Award winning self published author.

Allie Marie

Allie Marie is a retired law enforcement officer.

Her first book Teardrops of the Innocent: The White Diamond Story, was released in fall 2015.

It was followed by the second book of the series.

Heart of Courage: The Red Ruby Story, released in May 2016, which won Best Book in Mystery and Suspense at the 2017 Indie Romance Convention Readers’ Choice Awards and a third and fourth book in the series.

Since her debut book was released, Allie Marie has appeared at over 80 locations to promote her books. When she is not writing, she enjoys traveling and camping trips with her husband. She is a member of RWA and Sisters in Crime, as well as their local chapters, and other writing groups.

Allie Marie Author, retired law enforcement officer

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Richard Bradburn Richard Bradburn established editorial.ie, a successful Irish literary consultancy, in 2014. Based in West Cork, Richard now has a global client list, including both traditionally published and self-published authors of all genres. Richard works with an author to bring the best out of their manuscript in what is a one-on-one writing masterclass, using the author’s own work as textbook. Several books he has worked on have gone on to become bestsellers, and be short-listed for major literary prizes.

He also runs the popular website theopeninglines.com, which is a completely free service for authors looking to get professional feedback on their novels’ first few pages.

Richard Bradburn Editor & Author Author, publisher, educator,

M.G. Crisci M.G. Crisci. Manhattan-born M.G. Crisci is the critically-acclaimed author of ten books inspired by or based on real events. His literary works include books in the genres of romance, history, politics and crime.

He is also a former Fortune 500 senior executive, an internationally-recognized expert in the field of consumer motivation and behavior, and a thought-provoking social commentator who believes non-political, cross-cultural activities have the power to increase mutual respect and trust between allies and enemies. He has been elected to Who’s Who in the World 22 times and recently received lifetime achievement awards in a number of fields. .

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MG Crisci Agent, Publishing industry veteran,

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Brian O’Kane Brian O’Kane is Managing Director of Oak Tree Press, Ireland’s leading business publisher. He has written (or co-written) over 20 books – including the best-selling Starting a Business in Ireland and has edited two of the world’s largest accounting magazines. He is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Trinity College Dublin, where he teaches Innovation & Enterprise.

Brian O’Kane

Fauza Beltz Fauza Beltz is an author and the founder of ‘BIF Design’ a blog about interior design and fashion. Born in a rural part of Kwale in Kenya, Fauza has one child, Jasper. She authored, Rising From The Dust: A Woman’s Journey To Self Discovery and co-authored Fierce and Fabulous, The Feminine Force of Success. Fauza is an engaging and a powerful speaker who uses her own life experience to empower other people who feel like they are stuck.

Fauza lives in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Her greatest passion is to live life meaningful and inspire others to do the same.

Fauza Beltz Author, entrepreneur,

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Special Offer Use promo code SPARKUK18 for free title setup for your print book, ebook, or both!

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For more informatin visit:

www.ingramspark.com/dublinwritersconference

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INTERVIEW WITH SCIENCE FICTION AUTHOR CLAYTON GRAHAM Tell us something unexpected about yourself!

I settled in Australia in 1982, having spent my formative years near Manchester UK. I have also lived in Los Angeles USA. Science Fiction, and where it places humankind within a universe we are only just starting to understand, has always been a major interest.I love animals, including well behaved pets, and all the natural world, and am a member of Australian Geographic.As far as writing goes, combining future science with the paranormal is my passion. I think anything defined as paranormal is part of a natural universe or universes we are still struggling to understand.

How did you get into writing?

I have written since my late teens, inspired by ‘old school’ masters such as HG Wells, Jules Verne, Isaac Asimov and John Wyndham. I found myself penning short stories when I could find a rare quiet moment amidst life’s usual distractions.

What are you currently working on?

Marketing Saving Paludis and the follow up to Milijun.

Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?

Inspirations usually pop into my head when I am least aware. In the case of Saving Paludis, I also jotted down numerous handwritten notes many 31

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years ago. It has certainly not sprung out of nowhere in the last few months!

Tell us more about the main character in your new book.

Saving Paludis is full of strong characters, but perhaps the strongest of all is Serpentine, a seer born of unusual circumstances on a slum of a planet at the fringes of our universe. He is endowed of certain powers, which make other humans fearful of him, yet also garners a respect which most of us would envy. He feels more akin to the indigenous species of Paludis than he does to his human brethren.

How important is marketing and social media for you?

Extremely important, but also extremely time consuming. For the indie author, who loves to write [otherwise why do it?] marketing and being heard is more difficult with every passing day. Ironically enough, the written word had become a colossus in the age of computers!

Who is your favorite writer and why?

Over the last few decades, Dean Koontz has become my favourite author.

He makes the paranormal appear normal – at least in many cases, and he spins a good tale. I do prefer his earlier offerings to his latest ones, though.

What are your top 3 books of all time?

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson War of the World by H G Wells Midnight by Dean Koontz Do you read your book reviews?

Of course. It’s nice to keep in touch with readers’ thoughts.

What advice would you have for other writers?

Keep a separate file for your thoughts and scribblings. Never throw anything away. If it doesn’t fit now, it may in the future.

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What are you reading now?

The Silent Corner by Dean Koontz What’s your next step?

To publish [and market] ‘Saving Paludis’ then complete the follow-up to ‘Milijun’.

You can find his novel Milijun here and Saving Aplaudis here.

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WORKING TITLES Frank Daley

You have a book and need a title.

Along with covers and descriptions, titles are the chief determiners of whether someone will glance at your book on the Internet or in a bookstore.

Titles influence attraction, selection, and marketing from the points of view of genre, memorability, and purchase.

We authors are not always the best at choosing titles in these areas. But we try.

Here is the process of what I went through entitling my upcoming historical adventure novel Barricade: Dollard des Ormeaux and the Battle of the Long Sault.

Think the Canadian Alamo.

The story is about a garrison commander in Montreal in 1660 going up the Ottawa River to ambush Iroquois who had been dominating the fur trade and the forest for many years to the point that all of New France was in danger.

After a brief success, Dollard’s sixty French soldiers and Huron and Algonquin allies were attacked by 700 Iroquois intent on wiping out 34

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Montreal and Quebec for good.

The battle ensued at a rapid called the Long Sault. It lasted a week.

My working title was Barricade.

Or, The Barricade.

They are adequate: short, dramatic and with a sub-title, could imply the genre, setting and period. Otherwise, these titles are probably too generic.

I had thought of titles that did not use the word Barricade, but I wanted to use it from the beginning. So, I won’t go into other title ideas I considered.

What about The Battle of the Long Sault? Or, Battle of the Long Sault. I liked them, and a subtitle might help.

Then I thought of using the hero’s name. Dollard des Ormeaux. It’s an unusual name and could prompt curiosity. Or, it could put people off.

It’s French and might cause some people difficulties. How to use it?

Dollard des Ormeaux and the Battle of the Long Sault?

That personalizes it, perhaps creates interest, and tells the reader a battle is involved.

Questions.

IS Dollard’s name useful?

What about the word ‘Sault’? It is an ancient French word for rapid(s).

Few people in the world would know what it means or even ever heard of it, although the people of Sault City, Michigan and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario certainly would!

Would curiosity and a little exoticism about that name be a help or a hindrance?

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Dollard des Ormeaux and the Battle of the Long Rapids?

I didn’t like that one. I’d lose Sault which I wanted. Also, I felt Sault was more interesting than rapids.

I’ve tentatively decided on Barricade: Dollard des Ormeaux and the Battle of the Long Sault.

It announces the central character, tells us it’s a battle, sounds good on the ear and is dramatic. Familiar Keywords are barricade and battle; unusual ones are Dollard’s name and Sault.

SUB-TITLES I will probably use a subtitle.

Subtitles for nonfiction are almost mandatory. They are less used for fiction but becoming common. They allow more information in the title, re genre, author comparison, setting, etc. They allow for keywords, critical these days.

One of the best words to use in a subtitle for fiction is (a) novel.

In this case, I’m considering several approaches but haven’t decided on one. Instead of using the words ‘The Canadian Alamo’ as a subtitle, I’m considering using it somewhere else on the cover. I’m reluctant to use it at all, but it tells the reader the nature of the story!

Suggestions? I’m open!

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Notes: The cover here is a place holder.

The title is still under discussion.

The photo of me is changing as I get older.

Frank Daley writes fiction and nonfiction. His short story, Curse of the Ottawa, is available here, free.

He offers a service to writers called Entitlement whereby he helps you find the best title for your creation.

You can check that here, also free!

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BooksGoSocial Conference Magazine fantasy

The Beast Within by Liz Cowan A contemporary twist on Beauty and the Beast, with just a touch of magic to spice things up.Crystal Belle St. James’ life is demanding to the point of overwhelming. Reclusive and handsome, Daniel Di Domenico becomes temporarily disfigured. Enter Blindfold, Inc. a unique dating service which allows couples to get to know each other without relying on a visual assessment of the other.

“Contemporary romance at its finest. ‘The Beast Within’ by Liz Cowan. It follows the plot of a disfigured man falling for a beautiful woman with the help of a unique dating service, instead of castle imprisonment.“ “It may seem like this version of the classic Beauty, and the Beast story is not very magical, but it was still very enchanting and beautiful, thanks to Cowan’s dreamy writing style. Furthermore, her characters are beautifully developed and are so empathetic you will become invested in their outcome. This was particularly true for Crystal Belle St. James, who represents so many of today’s women, with a life so hectic and demanding that she is on the brink of losing herself.“

The Silver Horn Echoes: A Song of Roland by Michael Eging The Dark Ages—a time of turmoil and the collision of empires! As the Frank kingdom prepares for war, Roland, heir to the Breton March, has been relegated to guard duty until a foreign emissary entrusts him with word of a new threat to the kingdom. Now Roland must embark on a journey to save all he loves from destruction.

For Roland to become the champion his kingdom needs, he must survive war, intrigue and betrayal. The Silver Horn Echoes pays homage to “La Chanson de Roland” by revisiting an age of intrigue and honor, and a fateful decision in a lonely mountain pass—Roncevaux!

“Michael Eging and Steve Arnold have done for Roland what Jack Whyte did for the Arthurian mythos. They have brought the story into the real world and turned it into flesh and blood. Whether you have read La Chanson de Roland or will be first introduced to it by this book, I highly recommend reading it.” San Francisco Book Review “The allure of intense conflicts and divided loyalties should keep readers turning pages straight through to the novel’s surprising conclusion.” Kirkus Review 38

BooksGoSocial Conference Magazine fantasy

Steel, Blood & Fire by Allan Batchelder On the march, around the campfire, and in the taverns, they tell incredible stories about Tarmun Vykers, the Reaper - how he’s never been cut in battle, how he once defeated hundreds of men by himself, how he exterminated an entire people over an insult.

These stories make Vykers seem like a god, but he is a man, an arrogant, ruthless and bloodthirsty man. For all that, he may be the only thing standing between the human race and utter annihilation at the hands of the mad wizard who calls himself the End-of-All-Things.

Against this backdrop, smaller, lesser folks struggle to fulfill their own destinies, folks like Aoife, burdened with a secret so dark she is driven to do the unimaginable and seek an alliance with fey powers no mortal has ever encountered. Humans and mystical creatures band together to stop an evil sorcerer in Batchelder’s debut, the first in a fantasy series. Tarmun Vykers is a notorious warrior called The Reaper. He’s mercilessly beaten by men and left in the forest with his hands and feet severed. He finds an unlikely rescuer in Arune, the ghost of a being (called a Shaper) capable of magic.

“A world most readers will already know but a story told with affection and skill.“ -- Kirkus

Apollo’s Raven by Linnea Tanner AWARD-WINNING APOLLO’S RAVEN sweeps you into an epic Celtic tale of forbidden love, mythological adventure, and political intrigue in Ancient Rome and Britannia. A curse foretells Blood Wolf and the Raven will rise and destroy King Amren. The king’s daughter, Catrin, learns to her dismay that she is the Raven.

Trained as a warrior, she must find a way to break the curse but is torn between her forbidden love for the enemy and loyalty to her people. She must summon the magic of the Ancient Druids to alter the dark prophecy that looms over her kingdom.

“Apollo’s Raven is a historical fantasy with strong elements of romance, political intrigue, and magic. Many surprising twists enrich the historically-drawn plot.

Points of view shift between different characters effectively, heightening the tension from one moment to the next. I love the scenes contrasting the cultures of Celtic Britannia and Rome, during which Tanner’s research really shines.”

--Historical Novel Society “The requisite fantasy elements of magic and mystery abound. Tanner also does an admirable job weaving in the politics and mythology of a bygone people. A complex and promising start to a new fantasy series.” --Kirkus Reviews 39

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The Well House by M.S. Matassa A Man’s Incredible Journey To Save His Pregnant Wife From the Ultimate Evil.The Well House represents a classic battle between good and evil, peppered with fast-paced adventure, romance, fantasy and a dose of reality. It’s a story of redemption, spirituality ... and undying love.

“A tale that covers many interesting metaphysical ideas and weaves strands from different spiritual doctrines, resulting in a well-considered and competently executed plot...a palpable sense of real and present danger...that maintains suspense and tension throughout...allowing a dark psychological love story to develop, Matassa really does take his readers on a journey that is unpredictable and exciting, to give his readers something to wrap their heads around and send heart rates racing. It is strongly recommended.“ - Book Viral

Winner of Awards for best Fantasy, Inspirational Fiction and New Age Fiction novel!

Portals in Time If you enjoyed, The Alchemist, A Wrinkle in Time, and The Celestine Prophecy, you will love this book. If you thrive in nature and appreciate a spiritual journey leading to wondrous discoveries that can change your life.

“Portals in Time is inspiring, entertaining, and downright exhilarating!

The writing is beautiful, and it has a metaphysical and metaphorical feel to it that reminds me of something I have known and forgotten, of the sense of being connected to something bigger than myself.”-Romuald Dzemo, 5-Stars, Readers’ Favorite Reviewer

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John Teressi is a master storyteller, who has brought us another view of reality in this visionary allegory of our modern world. It is a mystical, magical journey through time where the unforgettable characters and the wonder of nature come together in this story of love, patience, understanding, and redemption that will enhance your life and live in your heart.

BooksGoSocial Conference Magazine fantasy

What if you met the woman of your dreams in a nightmare?

Available on Amazon!

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Light’s Rise by Yvette Bostic

When Darian’s his hometown was threatened, he discovered an army of demons lurking behind enemy lines; taking advantage of the chaos of war. Darian had two choices. Stay and fight with the Austrian army or join the Council in their struggle to save Europe.

Darian’s choice leads him into a new war, where victory lies in the hands of a group of warriors whose sole purpose is to protect humanity from an unending tide of evil.

House of the Last Man on Earth by Robert B Marcus Jr

Everything is going wrong for college student Richard Johnson, and now he thinks that his bizarre neighbor man is more than he seems. Along with his set theory teacher and her brother, they chase his neighbor on a soaring and treacherous journey through space and time to discover a terrible truth-mankind is being slowly and systematically exterminated.

Detours in Time by Pamela Schloesser Canepa

Pinky and Milt have been steadfast friends for years, but their journey to the future becomes a challenging maze of danger and difficult decisions. On an unplanned “detour,” the two set events into action that could save one life and destroy another. Can they save a life and save their friendship?

Earth to Centauri: Alien Hunt by Kumar L

2118. The first journey from Earth into interstellar space has been successful, but the explosive secret carried aboard the probe Voyager 1 will have grave consequences. As Captain Anara and her crew return to Earth aboard their spaceship, Antariksh, civil war breaks out in the world they have just left behind. A cryptic message warns her of the dispatch of mercenaries to Earth.

Their mission - unknown but deadly. She may have just days to prevent the outbreak of an interstellar war which would bring

unimaginable carnage to Earth.

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World War 11 has just ended ...when a hi-tech Cyborg with extraordinary abilities rises from the charred ruins of a secret laboratory where he was created to be an outer-space 'Missile Defense System'... then suddenly America is attacked and when all seems lost, 'Robbie The Destroyer' miraculously save's the country and friends he love's from certain destruction.  Š By: Robert S. Lowery, 2018 All Rights Reserved Available now on Amazon

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Twin Challenges for Writers – Fear of Failure, Fear of Success Blythe Ayne, Ph.D. When working with writers and other creatives, I’ve often seen them become cornered by these twin challenges: Fear of Failure and Fear of Success. Though these challenges may seem to be unrelated states of conflict, they are, in fact, twins. What underlies both of them is....

Fear of Change

We’re often more willing to stay miserable than to move into the unknown.

But learning to know the unknown is the envelope against which all of your creative forces push. The building blocks of your consciousness and your creativity are on the other side of the fence of your safe backyard.

“Anything I’ve ever done that was worthwhile Initially scared me to death.”

Betty Bender How to Move into the Unknown To master the unknown, you must take that first, tentative and tiny—but directional!—step. Accomplishing even a small aspect of your creative endeavors can be enormously encouraging.

These small steps taken in the direction you’re headed give you confidence, bring fears down to manageable size, and provide you with many learning experiences about how to continue toward your writing-life goals.

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Risk

Life involves risk, and we fear risks. Be willing to take risks! Within them lie what you need to learn, as well as your rewards. Remember that what you resist, persists.

Fear of Failure

So-called failure is central to the process of learning. Through trial-anderror you’ll not only learn a better approach to your creative process, but aspects of these “failed” learning experiences often provide solutions to other problems.

Develop a mind-set of “all is fodder for my writing creative process,” in preference to any concept of “failure.”

After all, the very idea of failure is simply a negative judgment of your experiences. Failure does not ultimately exist if, when you meet with a setback, you study the complication and make a path around the boulder that landed on your road. Let nothing dissuade you. Purposefully do what you must to honor your muse.

We’re Taught Fear of Failure

We’ve not been formally taught how to handle experiences which do not fulfill our expectations. We’ve been given many models of failure, however.

For instance, if a child has learned 60 percent of the material taught in school, the child has failed. Why would that child continue to try? A more appropriate model might be to let each child have their own chart which shows how many points it takes to go to the third grade from the second grade, and how many points they’ve accumulated, without failure attached to it, only varying degrees of success, and watch those lost children bloom into their own desire to earn their points.

John Holt, in his book How Children Fail writes, “For many years, I have been asking myself why intelligent children act unintelligently at school.

The simple answer is ‘because they’re scared’... fear destroys intelligence...

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it affects a child’s whole way of looking at, thinking about, and dealing with life.”

Let us take from this a determination not to allow the fear-based failure model to continue to have a place in our lives or our writing.

“The greatest mistake you can make in life Is to continually fear you will make one.”

Elbert Hubbard

Fear of Disapproval

Another fear-based impedance to writing is fearing disapproval. The longing for approval can make any writer virtually paralyzed. You want to be told your is writing wonderful, but fearing criticism, fearing being scorned, laughed at, or even worse—ignored, you put the brakes on your writing.

Wayne Dyer wisely observed, “Your opinion of me is none of my business,” further advising us not to be held hostage by pursuing the good opinion of others. It’s fine to appreciate the good opinion of others, but counter-productive to pursue it.

“Most of our obstacles would melt away If, instead of cowering before them, We made up our minds To walk boldly through them.”

Orison Swett Marden

Expectation of Failure

When something you’ve created comes out as anticipated, that’s great!

However, such an experience doesn’t teach us much. But when the outcome falls short of one’s expectations, one first needs to recover from the “failure” so as not to repeat the same “failure expectation behavior.”

And then be watchful for the new possibilities of creativity that come into being through the process we often name “failing”—which I prefer to label “learning.” There’s nothing to fear!

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Fear of Success

Fear of Success, just like Fear of Failure, gazes into the maw of Fear of the Unknown. You may have a picture of success for yourself as an author, but what if this picture is so huge and unfamiliar in comparison to where you are now with your writerly career, that it’s frightening?

Perhaps your conscious mind is exclaiming, “Oh boy, let me at it!” but your subconscious mind is saying, “YIKES! That’s unfamiliar territory, and I’m not moving into it!”

When the subconscious mind is not congruent with the conscious mind, guess which rules? The subconscious mind will dominate the outcome with numerous behaviors and thought-processes of self-sabotage.

If you find yourself mystified by observing that you throw wrenches into the cogs of your success, become aware of the process of fear and hesitation in the subconscious. You can gradually “recruit” your subconscious by defining for it small bonuses it understands.

Fear of Accountability

A primary Fear of Success is the fear of accountability. What if you move up a step on the ladder of success, and it feels sort of high? What if it requires constant attention? What if this progress in your writing life demands more than you have to give? These thoughts alone can be quite unnerving, and, as you can see, it may not be difficult to talk yourself out of taking that step up the ladder in the first place.

Fear of Incongruity

There is also the Fear of Success of Incongruity, of seeming to be someone on the outside you do not feel yourself to be on the inside.

You may recall how quick The Wizard of Oz was to say to Dorothy and friends when Toto pulled aside his concealing screen, “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!”

Many creatives fear a metaphorical little Toto will come along and reveal the ordinary person they are. But, as you will recall, when The Wizard of Oz finally dared to step into his real, person-sized self, he then became 47

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truly great—helpful and wise and fulfilling his purpose.

That amazing being, filled with potential and promise, is in you, a reservoir of creativity and vision. Set aside petty, self-destructive thoughts of “not good enough,” and bring your creations into the world of sharing for all of us. What inspiration that is yours alone, lies within you, waiting to bloom?

Fear of Success Guilt Fear of Success may revolve around a series of guilt-fraught emotions, such as guilt from doing better than one’s parents or siblings, or guilt from exceeding one’s peers. People often feel guilty about changing the order of things. “No one in my family has ever been a writer—who do I think I am?”

There’s the guilt-laced doubt about the choices you’re making. The internal dialog a writer might experience, which goes something like: “If I’m successful at this, is it really what I’m meant to do? Maybe I’m supposed to be doing ________________, as you fill in the blank with alternate options.

Let All of those Guilts Go! There’s no place for guilt: 1.) in the process of creation 2.) in being on purpose 3.) in moving toward your goals 4.) in fulfilling your heart’s desires Guilt is: giving up your personal power to others. Banish all thoughts and feelings of guilt. Stop anyone in their tracks who tries to coax this emotion in you. If someone causes you to feel an edge of guilt, be aware that this is about their envy, jealousy and insecurities that they’re projecting upon you.

Say clearly to yourself that you have no use for their guilt. Don’t trouble yourself to attempt to explain to them your focus and intention. You do not have to defend yourself, (plus, guilt-makers will never hear you).

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Keep your vision of your writing, your creative universe, and your success clear and private ... and keep writing!

“I will face my fear.

I will permit it to pass over me And through me.

Where the fear has gone, There will be nothing.

Only I will remain.”

Frank Herbert

Leaving Fear of Failure and Fear of Success Behind

A like-minded writing coach or mastermind group can be immensely helpful in growing through fears of failure and fears of success that your writing life encounters. In such an environment you’ll not only receive support, but discover that you have wisdom and insight you can provide other writers.

May your fearless writing blossom—the world awaits!

--------

Blythe lives on ten acres of forest in the Pacific Northwest with a few domestic and numerous wild creatures, where she creates an ever-growing inventory of fiction and nonfiction books, short stories, and articles.

She received her Doctorate from the University of California at Irvine in the School of Social Sciences, focusing on psychology and ethnography.

After twenty years in a rewarding career as a psychotherapist in a small town not much bigger than a village, she decided to concentrate full-time on her writing.

If you’re curious about Blythe’s nonfiction work, check out her How to Save Your Life series, most recently published: Save Your Life with the Elixir of Water.

Contact: Blythe@BlytheAyne.com

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non fiction

Culprit of Division by Henry Balogun To think that the truth about the most powerful nation on the planet could be so diluted, misrepresented and buried is unimaginable. To further think that the same misleading information could ricochet across nations culture and divide people against one another are mind bugling. Culprit of Division exposes and educate. Check it out!

Hope in a Corner of My Heart by Gina Campbell Julia receives the call every parent dreads: her daughter has been killed in a car accident. Reeling from her loss, Julia embarks on a fascinating journey to discover her inner world of metaphors, uncovering wounds both old and new she must heal before she can embrace living again.

The transcripts of Julia’s 12 sessions reveal how author Gina Campbell uses Clean Language questions to deepen Julia’s self-exploration and open her to new possibilities.

Each chapter has an activity using the same questions used to guide Julia so you can learn how to find your own supportive inner metaphors.

“Julia’s poignant struggle and visually interesting self-discoveries, along with the author’s lyrical tone and masterful storytelling skills, make this a true page turner. Flawlessly executed, Hope in a Corner of My Heart is a wonderful resource for those feeling mired in the past and counselors alike.” - BlueInk Review “A startling and powerful demonstration of the efficacy of metaphors and Clean Language to awaken the healer within. Impressive!” -Kathleen Adams LPC, Director, Center for Journal Therapy

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non fiction

“This is no staid diary. There are forest fires, floods, gunplay, and many other death-defying episodes.”

-ForeWord Reviews

THE JOURNAL OF GEORGE CHEEVER HAZELET Hazelet’s Journal is a remarkable true story not only about a man and his family but about a nation finding its way into the 20th century.

ISBN 978-1-938462-00-9 Hardcover + dust jacket | 277 pages | 150 photographs, maps & illustrations

HAZELETSJOURNAL.COM 51

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non fiction

Reversed: A Memoir by Lois Letchford Dyslexic student called “worst child seen in 20 years of teaching” by school diagnostician.

This year, he graduated with a Ph.D. from Oxford University. Read the story about overcoming impossible odds and a mother’s will to never give up in “Reversed: A Memoir”

by Lois Letchford.

“Lois Letchford has executed an athletic performance worthy of an Olympic medal. This book was written for all of the “true” teachers of the world--every nation, every school, and it will be the true teachers who will exhaust themselves in its reading. I laughed, I cried (often), and I recommitted myself more than ever before to fight for the needs of every child. If you consider yourself a true teacher or know someone who is, this is a book that will do some good for the heart and the mind. Read it, and you’ll be doing the profession, and perhaps some of our neediest learners, a big favor.” -Steven L. Layne, Chair, Graduate Programs in Literacy Education, Judson University Author, Igniting a Passion for Reading “Read this book and you’ll be challenged by questions about traditional teaching methods, measures of success and failure and what shapes how we view ourselves.” -Michelle Radke Lawyer, Brisbane

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non fiction

Available on Amazon

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Hey you – yes you! I see you rushing off. You see the word ‘hospice’ and you think death, gloomy, morbid – not for me.

But Life in a Hospice is not gloomy at all – it’s a book of stories told from the heart by nurses and others. You want love? There’s more love in a hospice than anywhere else.

You want complex human relationships? Yes, for sure. Some humour? You’d be surprised.

"An easy-to-read book, which will surprise readers with its lightness of touch, humanity and refreshing tone." - a general practitioner Amazon link: http://myBook.to/Hospice Apple iBooks etc links: https://www.books2read.com/u/bpWk0z my website: http://www.annrichardson.co.uk

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How my business helped me with my writing Rikard Sommer

We are writers. We love to tell stories. We all know how hard work it is to write a book. To get the story right. And then, when the story is on paper, criticized and analyzed by skilled editors, rewritten and polished, the story is finished. We are done.

But have you ever thought about this: Who are you telling your story to?

Oh no, you may think. I am not that kind of writer who writes to satisfy a market.

That’s fine. But why do you want to publish your work, then?

I want to write my story, and then I want people to discover it and read it, and hopefully enjoy it, you might say. I don’t care if I make any money, I am not doing this to be rich.

That’s fine, too.

But if you want people to discover your work and read it, and perhaps you dream of making a living as a writer, you will be self-employed. As all writers are, traditionally or self-published. You are a businessperson, like it or not. It is not as scary as you may think. But it requires a certain mindset.

Being self-employed most of my adult life, I have experienced a few things which I think is universal for all. Stephen King says something about this in “On Writing”: He talks about the IR (the Ideal Reader). The

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one you are telling your story to. In almost every other industry, we call it the Target Customer. The one we make our product for.

If you ďŹ nd this topic interesting, I am looking forward to talking to you at the Dublin Writer’s Conference in June.

Rikard Sommer, Norwegian author, will describe the role of entrepreneurship in his journey as an author on Saturday morning at the Dublin Writers Conference.

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If I Had to Give One Writing Tip… Conor Kostick

It would be to strive to ensure that the narrative voice of the book is coherent. Here, I speak as much as a reader as much as a writer. As a reader, I want to escape into the novel. I want to miss my bus stop because I’ve forgotten who I am. As my eyes focus upon lines of text, I want to lose myself into the world being created by my imagination. I want to say to myself, ‘just one more chapter’ and suddenly find it is two a.m. and I am no longer the Ninja Queen of Dragons but Conor Kostick.

All of the greatest novels have this immersive quality. And typically — the question of deliberately challenging, avant-garde works aside — their lucidity is deceptive. The text of a Conrad, or Fiztgerald, say, is uncomplicated. Or so it seems. But it takes some thought and experience to create a narrative voice that carries a whole novel seamlessly.

In order to better explain how a successful narrative voice is established, it’s helpful to talk about the opposite effect. That of shaking the world of the imagination to pieces, of bringing the reader to an immediate awareness of self. The spell cast by text can be broken if the voice conjured by the text accidently becomes incoherent. This can easily be done, especially if you are writing in what is often called limited or restricted third.

First person novels tend to have coherent voices. As we read, we are listening to the extended monologue of the narrator. There is still a ‘voice’ challenge for the writer of first person novels, which is to make sure their own gender, culture, social background, age, etc. does not contaminate the voice of the narrator of the novel. First person writing is a kind of acting, where you must stay in character to be successful.

Third, however, can easily blunder between the restricted perspective of the character whose experiences are being shared by the reader and an omniscient narrator, who is external to all of the characters.

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Consider these lines: Having made her way to the window, Roisin raised the rifle — smoothly, all the hours of practice were worth it now — and aimed at the park entrance. With a deep breath to steady her frantic heart, she steeled herself for the shot. Cold, she thought, cold. Ice and snow did not care, did not have feelings. And these mantras did, indeed, seem to steady her. Had she only known that Richard was, at that very moment, posting the memory stick in the broken bandstand column as promised, before walking, rather pleased with himself back through the park, she would not striven so hard to prepare herself for murder.

Potentially, this is a good, dramatic scene. But what a confusion of voices. From Roisin feeling anxious (restricted third, Roisin), we move to ‘had she only known’ (omniscient), to Richard feeling complacent (restricted third, Richard), back to ‘fateful course of action (omniscient).

No one will miss a bus stop or stay up late with this book. It is too bewildering. Who, exactly, is telling this story?

The question of who is telling the story can interfere catastrophically with the reading experience. Let’s suppose as readers we’ve been happily engaged by a group of characters and — providing the changes in perspective haven’t happened too abruptly — we are enjoying following the story through the various perspective each character offers, when a new voice comes in and says something like, ‘it seemed a harmless gesture at the time, but the consequences would be disastrous.’ Often, authors resort to such commentary to alert the reader that a scene that might otherwise not appear to be significant, is, in fact, profoundly important.

Pay attention here, dear reader!

There is a heavy cost, however, for this kind of intervention.

Invariably, it is dislocating and wakes the reader up to their own mind once more. Readers now have questions to ask of the text that up until now was hypnotising them. Who is the narrator? Is the narrator reliable?

Am I hearing the thoughts of a character, which is what I used to believe, or the narrator’s imagined construction of the character? The bubble of escapism that the reader was enjoying now bursts.

To be clear, I’m not arguing that the problem is the omniscient 59

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voice. Far from it, some of my favourite books use that voice. Nearly all the nineteenth century classics do and a wonderful modern example is provided by Susanna Clarke’s, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norell. It’s the clumsy changing of the narrative voice from restricted third to omniscience that is harmful.

Which brings me back to Conrad and Fitzgerald. A huge contribution to the immersive quality of Heart of Darkness is the framing device of Marlow, standing up to tell his friends what happened to him in his search for Kurtz. Similarly, Nick Carraway introduces himself, before embarking on the story of Gatsby and that fateful summer. As soon as we hear these voices, we relax, as though the narrator is leaning on the mantelpiece in front of us as he speaks. We are in safe hands. We can switch off our existence and for a period, vicariously live in a very different world.

Get the narrative voice right and plot, character, prose even, all come so much more smoothly than if you don’t have this crucial issue resolved.

Conor Kostick, Award winning children’s author & prize winning historian discusses Finishing Your Novel on Saturday afternoon at the Dublin Writers’ Conference.

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Mystery Quarter

Jurisdiction Terminated by Jack Gold When the Head of a major Los Angeles County official dies from a methamphetamine overdose, the curiosity of the judge lures him deeper into the maze of intrigue only to discover an insidious North Korean drug cartel’s plot to distribute drugs to the young troubled children confined in probation camps and juvenile halls. Along the way the judge and his deputy district attorney, with the help of a tech savvy DEA agent, kidnap and torture a Korean gang member, spy on the cartel, and ultimately discover betrayal at the highest level of our justice system.

“Honest, gritty and a fast-paced read. The inner-workings of the LA County juvenile system splayed open for reader perusal. The judge is my favorite character and his humanity is the best part of the book. How he thinks and feels give the reader an emotional tie to the story. Readily recommended!“ “This is an excellent book. If you like the types of books written by Michael Connelly or Don Winslow, then you will love this book. It’s fast-paced and a real page turner. It feels like the author is having a one-on-one conversation with you, the reader, about his personal insights into the Los Angeles criminal justice system.“

Death by the Jaguar by James Ruby When reading ” Tears of Rememberance”, by the author, it shows a softer side of what some people do with life’s challenges……

In ”Death by the Jaguar” challenge becomes obsession and vengeance! After you catch your breath, running across the California Delta, finding those responsible, Don’t be surprised at the final chapter.

“Sudden and violent loss is the introduction to this story, a war veteran and his family fall victim to a tragic and yet seemingly deliberate attempt on their lives. Our main character survives, along with the family dog, but we quickly learn the fate of his wife and son was far more grisly. When local law enforcement fail to provide the answers he seeks, our war veteran takes matters into his own hands. Answers alone will not right this; we follow the recently widowed down the rabbit hole of his own thirst for revenge, strongly driven in his pursuit.

I was impressed with James Ruby’s ability to set the scene and draw the reader in, as well as his attention to detail regarding areas that the common person wouldn’t be too educated in.“

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AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!

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Mystery Quarter

Secret Keepers and Skinny Shadows

by Mary A Russell In the stillness of the night the tree branches were full of noise. Then all went silent. A slight jerk of Lee’s head angled off to one side, signaled he should leave. His nose still stung from the thick gun smoke hanging in the air.

Don’t trust anyone Lee and Miranda were warned. But they risked their own lives in this heart stopping race against time to apprehend a relentless killer who would not be stopped.

“An intricate and captivating read throughout, Secret Keepers And Skinny Shadows is the exciting novel from author Mary A Russell. A tale that benefits from meticulous research, Russell instinctively understands the devices of suspense and tension and uses them to maximum effect. Not by stringing a series of contrived events one after another in a tedious stream of clichés, but by creating a pervasive atmosphere of intrigue and peril which genuinely immerses the reader in the culminating mystery. A mystery that is not only aptly framed by the book’s title, but delivers a number of cleverly articulated surprises that always seem congruent with time and place. Written with an acerbic pen Russell moves confidently between time frames with rich thematic undertones that bring each era to life, whilst her characterizations are without fault. Each of her protagonist are well observed and measurably add to the suspense. Without a shadow of doubt, there is enough here to sate the most demanding of armchair sleuths.

An excellent novel by any standard, Secret Keepers And Skinny Shadows certainly deserves a place on your bookshelf and is highly recommended!“ - Book Viral.

What Hides Beneath by J.L.Canfield The first in a series featuring a detective whom the force would like to part with. He’s good at his job, just not so great with authority figures, rookies, well people in general. Lt. Samyn is an introvert whose line of work makes him deal with all sorts of crime and the more twisted and difficult the case, the better he likes it. Solving the puzzle, finding out the why’s, who and how’s of a crime is what keeps him motivated to hold fast to his job.

“This was a very character-driven book for me, with an interesting story going on at the same time. I found this book to be a very likeable read.“ “What Hides Beneath is an original story, nicely written and well executed. The characters each have unique personalities. Definitely worth reading. I’d read other books by J.L. Canfield.“

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While tensions rise worldwide and threats of war loom, panic takes center stage, as the prospect for cataclysmic destruction promises to annihilate civilization as we know it.

Available on Amazon!

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Mystery Quarter

The Final Act, From Woodstock to Broadway by F.R. Merrill Curtain Calls, Alcohol, and Unsuspected Murders Faith Straton is fulfilling her dream of bringing her Native American production to Broadway. Revenge lurks targeting both Faith and her daughter Amanda. Who will pay the price as evil hides from view?

The Dionysus Connection by Liz Cowan What do a ladies club, an investigative journalist and a special detective have in common? The murder of a Dallas pharmacist and his wife, the Police Chief ’s sister, lead their daughter, Daniela Lawson, and Detective Max Fabiani on a twisted trail as each searches for the killer. Their investigations uncover a trail of bodies and a secret world of terror.

Rafferty & Llewellyn Boxed Set by Geraldine Evans ‘Darn good read.’

From DEAD BEFORE MORNING #1 to THE HANGING TREE #4, these MURDER MYSTERIES will make you laugh at Joe Rafferty, his ne’er-do-well family, and po-faced partner.

Like Bill Slider? Dalziel & Pascoe? Or Stephanie Plum? Then the 18-strong Rafferty series brings wit, wisdom and the willingness to bend the law with the best of them.

A Burning in the Darkness

by A P McGrath A richly character-driven crime drama and poignant love story about a devoted man who must confront the painful legacy of his war torn childhood when he is wrongfully accused of murder.

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Professional Self-Publishing “They handle everything, from punctuation and structure to cover design,and the process of publication, with thoroughness and imagination.”

Jill Treseder – The Saturday Letters and The Hatmaker’s Secret

Professional Assistance from an Expert Team Use SilverWood as your one-stop professional publishing team. Our practical knowledge and design expertise means we can take care of everything you need to produce and publish to mainstream standards – allowing you to focus on promoting your new book, and writing the next.

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• Editing and proofreading

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Discuss your book with Publishing Team Assistant Anna Loo

E: assistant@silverwoodbooks.co.uk T: 0117 910 5829

www.silverwoodbooks.co.uk

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Where Do Those Words Come From?

Michelle Medhat

“Writers are always thinking, and they’re in a world of their own!”

That was the comment targeted at me recently when a friend caught me deep in thought, staring into nothing. Instead of taking an affront at her comment, I began to consider she’s absolutely right. Us writers, we do think all the time. Let’s leave that bit about being ‘in a world of our own’ as the worlds I normally inhabit whilst writing aren’t particularly where I’d like to reside in! Thinking is our bread and butter, it’s what we do to generate those words we put on the page. But where do those words we spin into spellbinding sentences come from?

It has long been recognized that the brain’s so called ‘creative zone’ is housed on the right-hand side. However, recent studies in the science of creativity have indicated that our ability to be creative isn’t down to the performance of a single part of the brain. Rather, it is the result of a myriad of neural networks that interlace the left and right-hand side. Scott Kauffman of the Imagination Institute at the University of Pennsylvania pinpointed three networks in particular, that play key roles in creativity: the Executive Attention Network, Default Mode Network and Salience Network.

The Executive Attention Network enables your creative process by integrating a mass of information, storing it into memory and making connections when you need to form remote associations to aid creative problem-solving. This network supports concentration, forces attention and inhibits quick reactionary attitudes.

The Default Mode Network assists you to visualise something that is not around you. A completely new world of the future perhaps, or an idea to improve on a product that is fresh and original. This network literally drives your brain to imagine all the ‘what ifs’ you need to create the impossible on your page. For that reason, it’s been given a more apt moniker of the ‘Imagination’ Network.

Both these networks are supported by the Salience Network, which works

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in the background, monitoring tirelessly everything around us and tagging things of value or not, so it is easy for the other two networks to reference and make those lightning speed synaptic connections.

In looking at how writers find the words to write, one has to step back, and think about what it means to be creative. Scientist Albert Einstein once said: “Creativity is intelligence having fun!” He’s not wrong. Creativity is that cool, happy and off-the-wall stuff, whereas intelligence is the serious and rational side of thinking, but really one fuels the other in a continuous infinity loop of possibilities, you just need to use the right triggers to create that page-turning dynamite.

“Act your age” It’s a phrase that is said with little real understanding of the impact it has on the receiver. From a creative perspective, that is the last thing a writer should do. Top sci-fi writer Ursula K. Le Guin stated “The creative adult is the child who survived!”. Children are volcanoes of creative energy. With no baggage, no boundaries or limiting assumptions, they push their imagination beyond the creative capabilities of most adults.

The famous Ken Robinson study for the Royal College of Medicine found that kids had over 100 uses for a paperclip, but adults struggled to get beyond 10! The paperclip was not the traditional metal fixing in their eyes, but a spaceship, a sea float or a foam bed. Robinson didn’t specify size or material to the adults, but they automatically gravitated toward what they knew. Preconditioning of boundaries kicked in and cut creativity dead.

So, when you’re there, cursor flashing, and no words are coming, walk away, do something playful and frivolous. Act like a kid for a while, throw responsibility to the wind, and enjoy the freedom. A creative person is one who isn’t afraid of being receptive. The world around us is constantly pushing out signals, messages, indications; little things that we need to be aware of. It’s just a case of opening our minds as well as our eyes. In the words of the great Leonardo da Vinci: “Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.” But remember, always carry a notebook, as that inspirational touch paper can be lit by anything, and those fantastic ideas can often hit you when you least expect them.

Michelle Medhat, English sci-fi author, will explore creativity from the perspective of both a writer and an innovator. The talk will reveal insights into how the brain uses the mental workspace to create something new using serendipity and unconscious ideation. You can listen to Michelle’s talk on Saturday morning at the Dublin Writers’ Conference.

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“Write a novel? I must be mad!”

Alison Morton That’s what I called my original blog when I created it on World Book Day in 2010 and it reflected my ambivalent feelings about the whole book writing thing. My 90,000 words of golden prose (Ha!) weren’t getting anywhere. I’d joined the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s New Writers’ Scheme, followed a course, submitted my work to manuscript assessors and agents sat back to await the publication offers bound to roll in.

As we know, it doesn’t work like that. Whether your book is published by a Big 5 multinational, an independent press or by you, success depends on three core things: 33% hard work, 33% business skills, 33% persistence, and 1% luck.

Novel writing was a new career for me. I’d written academic dissertations, government papers, corporate documentation, military reports, PR and advertising copy and I’d been a translator and editor. I fancied I could string words together in a coherent fashion and reasonably grammatically. But I didn’t have a clue about the technical and theoretical side of constructing a novel; my masters’ was in history, not creative writing. After the first shock manuscript assessment – I went off and cried in the corner – I realised I needed to ‘go back to school’. The first hard lesson for writing a commercially successful novel is to learn your craft and know your industry. Over the next two years, I attended intensive courses, specialist conferences, worked with a critique partner, found a mentor and read goodness knows how many books, magazines and blogs on writing craft.

Most novels entail research, even if you write in a familiar area. While you are gaining knowledge of your historic period, police procedures or space transport, flex those skills outside writing. Network at book events, go to talks, find out about the publishing world and the people in it. Today we have Facebook, Twitter and other social media to facilitate contacting others. Even though you are not published, lay the groundwork now with people who can help you. You don’t need to be pushy, just pleasant.

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The second big learning point is to be businesslike: build on previous work experience and treat writing as a job as well as a joy. In the 1990s I set up and ran a niche translation business for fifteen years working for government, companies, small business, individuals and the EU Commission. That meant handling freelancers, producing accounts, planning and forecasting, writing copy, pitches and proposals, attending business networking events, social media development (I had a website in 1994!) and liaising with clients, listening to what they wanted, supporting them with services to achieve their goals.

As a very small company, I was responsible for everything. If I didn’t work, no money came in. I was at my desk at 8.30 to 4pm, then often in the evening until 10 or 11 pm. Admittedly, I was younger then, but setting a regular time to work is just as important as a writer now, whether part or full-time.

You may also surprise yourself how many skills you already have and which you can transfer: being organised, computer skills, negotiating, interpersonal skills, teaching, managing a household, being a staff or union representative, volunteering. All these are invaluable in your new career.

At the launch of my third book, one rather revered member of the media world and fan of my Roma Nova thrillers said that she admired my persistence. I wasn’t sure whether or not it was a compliment, but she said it was. If you have learnt to stick at things especially when they go wrong or fail, this is the third thing that will be an invaluable asset as an author. I didn’t know when I began just how valuable. I was only going to write one book when I started. That became a trilogy. Then a second trilogy came, followed by a novella. More is in the pipeline. And if I have a blank sales day or get a mediocre review, I cheer myself up reading some good reviews, a fan email, or dip into a friendly Facebook group. Then I settle down to the next piece of writing.

Alison Morton www.alison-morton.com Alison Morton, multi award winning historical novel author will take us through her journey at the Dublin Writers’ Conference on Saturday afternoon.

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Romance

Strings - Garden of the Gods Book 1

by Andrea Rendón Strings – Garden of the Gods, is the first in a series that will follow a Swiss family thrust into the maelstrom of war, to seek atonement, justice, and ultimately redemption. Each book may be read as a separate novel, however the series will complete the cycle. In July 1938, Germany is poised for war. Lt. Rolf Ziegler, son of an influential Swiss banker, has been chosen for a clandestine military program to save as many of Europe’s finest musicians and scholars as possible from the oncoming chaos.

No sooner does he begin than he learns his wife has been recruited and he becomes embroiled in a labyrinth of painful deceptions discovering he is forced to choose between serving two masters – his country or his conscience. Serving either could cost the lives of those he loves as he is drawn into a tightening web of lies that could cost him everything. In choosing, he must ask himself if he can live with the costs of his decisions, which will alter the course of his and his family’s lives and leave them bound to a moral obligation that will affect the next three generations. In seeking to try to live with his decision and losses, he nears self destruction. It isn’t until he meets a young American woman that he finds there may be a path toward redemption. Just as the war revealed the worst in humanity, the peace may reveal the best.

“All human things of dearest value hang on slender strings.” ~E. Waller,17thC. Poet “A compelling, ultimately moving story of love, duty, betrayal and the shadows left behind by war. Told with memorable characters, and skill, this one held me to the end.” - Sarah Schnaubelt, Editor, Live Oak Books

Persecuting Abi by J M Ralley Abigail Lawton thought she would never find a man that she could let love her. Adam Leroy couldn’t believe his luck when Abigail agreed to a date. But Abigail hides a dark secret, one that haunts her past. Can they overcome that past, to find true love? After all, he can’t love a dead woman.

Discovering Treasure by Crystal Mary Lindsey 1925 - What was so disturbing, to make famous model Treasure Gilroy leave a brilliant career behind in Paris, to seek a new beginning?

Traveling back to Australia and her family’s beginnings, shameful secrets are revealed in disturbing information. An old letter left for her to read, after her aunt’s death. She falls for a retired WW1 fighter pilot.

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Romance

Meet the younger brother… Book #2

LANDON LEGACY SERIES

BY AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR, JULIE CAMERON

Serial dater, Harry Landon, grapples with an interfering ghost, a secretive son, and an intensely hot nextdoor neighbor.

Available on: Amazon Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, Smashwords

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Romance

Painting of Sorrow by Virginia Winters Sarah Downing, an art conservator hiding in witness protection, identifies a masterpiece by Caravaggio. Who has betrayed Sarah— an agent, a friend? Whoever it was, her ex-husband stands on her street, outside her house, waiting. Soon she is fighting to save the painting and her life, fleeing from Kingston to Venice to Paris. Will she and the painting survive?

The Parking Space by Akayla Furrows Can a stolen parking space, a punch in the face, and a wild birthday party lead a couple to romantic bliss? Fate has a way of bringing people together even when their least desirable characteristics are introduced first. This is a spicy romantic comedy with lots of clever dialogue, unhinged desire and some very steamy moments.

Pay Back Hell, Baby by Akayla Furrows A bachelor party, a married man, alcohol, nasty movies, & loose women. Oh, and the smell of cheap perfume, grunts & moans of sex in every room?

Hungover, with a guilty conscience, & a seven-year itch that’s just been scratched, he confesses.

Don’t ever mess with a neglected woman who’s just been cheated on.

God help you if she has a BFF like Jetta!

The Caretaker by Carol Schoenig Phae Carson married young to a verbally and emotionally abusive husband. Widowed, with her children grown, Phae is presented with a job opportunity as a caretaker for a villa in Mallorca, Spain.

Falling in love is not on her agenda. However, Finn Callahan changes her mind. Showing her that love does not mean losing one’s independence.

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spiritual

Buddha, Christ, and the Eagle: Finding Happiness by Frances Rinaldi One mistake. No way out. Janet’s world is crumbling. She joins a group to cycle in the small country of Bhutan hoping the trip will prove therapeutic. The journey is exhausting yet the spiritual awakening is exhilarating. Join her and discover the beauty of the Himalayan Mountains and peace within.

Walk a (New) Way by Nalini Macnab What is it like to be born fully awake while most of the world lies fast asleep? To grow up in a world where you know people’s thoughts and true intentions, while what comes out of their mouths is the complete opposite?

Maddening? Yes. A bit horrifying? Absolutely.

Nalini MacNab knows firsthand what it’s like.

In her book, Walk A New Way, she takes us down her path less travelled, shows us first hand what it’s like and how she navigated two very different worlds. But what emerged was a new path, a new way to walk. A way to carve out our own distinct way of being in this world, while not being of it. In Walk a New Way, Nalini reveals a roadmap for having your feet on the ground and your heart in the heavens.

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Five things Every Author should know before they publish their book Amy Collins

After over a decade of helping authors move through the publishing process there are a few common traps that everyone seems to fall into.

This industry is wonderful and can lead to a long-term career, but only if you take the time to learn the inns and outs. Here are the five most important things I have found that can mean the difference between success and failure in the publishing world.

Number One – Know Your Market You are writing a book? Your book is already published? Great! Who are the bestselling authors in your genre? What books are YOUR potential readers reading right now? What authors are at the top of the bestsellers list right now? Knowing your market, your comparable authors, knowing the books your readers are reading will go a LONG way in helping you find and attract readers when your book comes out. No matter WHAT your book is about, you are in a category and that category has stars. Who are those stars? What do they do that you admire? This list of books and authors is your FIRST priority when writing and publishing a book. It can help you with EVERY step.

Number Two – Time or Money? You have to invest at least one.

I strongly prefer it when authors decide to do their own marketing and promotions. Too often, authors pay for marketing and promotional programs that do not offer a strong return on their investment. Some programs make sense and some do not. How to tell the difference? Here are a few things to keep in mind…

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Does the program you are considering include follow up? Pitches to ANYONE do not work the first time. The secret to successful sales or PR pitches is in the follow up. Paying for a one-shot mailing or a onetime push will most likely not result in the sales you are looking for. In addition, the amount of money that you spend on a program can easily be saved if you are willing to spend time instead of money. YOU can get reviews for your book. YOU can pitch newspapers and magazines. YOU can approach libraries and bookstores. Consider spending a little time each day learning how to promote and participating in an active outreach plan. You might find that investing your TIME gets you a LOT more than investing your money.

That having been said, a great number of wonderful online and “real life” programs exist out there. I buy marketing, ads, and promotions all the time. I am just smart about which ones and never assume that my checkbook can completely replace my elbow grease.

Number Three – Be Ready to Really Start Working Hard as Soon as Your Book Publishes Wait…. Isn’t writing and publishing the book the hard work? Nope.

Sorry. The analogy I have used for years is that writing and publishing a book is like giving birth to a baby. It is exciting and exhausting and feels like the top of the mountain. But when you take that baby home, you quickly realize that your job has just begun. Someone needs to tend to, and raise this baby. If you are an author, (even one with a publisher), you have to raise and tend your book. It is your job to work consistently and faithfully on your book’s promotion and building your readership. This is your job as a book “parent”. Again… sorry… but no one raises your book for you.

Number Four – Learn the Definitions and Roles in Publishing What is the difference between a development editor and a copy editor?

When does proofreading happen? What is the difference between a wholesaler and distributor? What is Print on Demand? Whom should 77

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you get your ISBNs from? What are the steps to proper publishing? May I suggest the following blogs that might help you learn what you need to know about this industry you have decided to work in. www.newshelves.com/blog www.thebookdesigner.com https://www.janefriedman.com/blog/ http://www.ingramspark.com/blog

Number Five - Understand the Math.

Too many authors decide to use POD as a business model (a GREAT idea for most authors) but don’t understand the costs and bottom line. Here is a run-down of one specific example to help you understand YOUR numbers.

A 204 page POD paperback book costs approximately 5.00 to print.

Let us say that the book is priced retail at 16.99 Wholesalers will purchase the book from your POD company at a 50- 55% discount off of the retail price. That will leave you approximately. $7.65 You have to pay the 4.98 printing out of that.

A number of authors have questioned why they only get to “net” $2 or less in some cases. That is because everyone “touching” your book gets a cut. The wholesaler takes 50% of the retail but “gives” most of that to the bookstores. The bookstores need a deep discount so that they can pay for the rent and employees selling your book. Printers have to pay for paper, wholesalers pay for trucks and gas, stores pay for rent and employees....

As long as you are making 11% of the retail price as a net before taxes, you are in good shape! (most established publishers would be thrilled with that) Amy Collins, US based publishing expert and best selling author will tell us about how to get discovered on Amazon on Friday afternoon at the Dublin Writers Conference.

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