Author: Celebration Publishing

Rosa Christian M.A. - Poet, playwright. Novelist aka Percy Rose - crime novels aka Rosie O'Grady - children's author
Novels, Poetry, Short Stories, Writing

Where to next?

Hello friends and followers, It has taken me this whole week to recover from the emotional and physical fatigue workshop week-end cost me. I won’t be so knocked around by anxiety next time, if there is a next time. The good news on the back of that, is that for my Townsville and surrounds followers both ‘Escape to Danger’ and ‘Death, Danger and Dark Dreams’ are now available in paperback from Mary Who’s Bookshop in Flinders St.

My present missions are to finish the Prequel, ‘Comimg Home’ and Book 3, ‘At Curlew Cry’, of the Beaufort’s Landing series. I am feeling the weight of that demand as I ready Book 2, ‘Tidal Secrets’, for print.

So, instead of getting on with these, I’ve allowed myself to be distracted by covers. Yes, bloody covers again, but this time I have more positive news. I have gone in and changed the cover fonts so they look more of a set and more, I hope, in genre. What do you think of these?

A bit better I think.

Now, along with the above I’ve finally decided on the cover for ‘Ruth In Pieces’…no, seriously…I think. Oh, and I’ve altered the cover for my collection of dark tales and poems, ‘Death, Danger and Dark Dreams’ – to wit…

Oh rats, the ‘Death’ one is supposed to have the author in caps. I’ll go fix that, sigh. Anyway, you get the idea. Are these en pointe?

I also need to be getting on and readying RIP for print and finishing Book 3 of that trilogy. I’ll get there, but not too much pressure yet as I can’t really do much until Book 2 returns with its rejection from Allen & Unwin in September.

You’ll excuse me, I’m sure, as I have to get back to work.

Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter

subscribe to Percys newsletter
Novels, Poetry, Short Stories, Writing

It’s Over!

Well, i got through the weekend’s events very well, though I was pretty peopled out and retreated to the garage to lose myself in painting for a couple of days.

I was enjoying myself, but Ann doesn’t look too impressed in that shot but as you can see I won her over in the end…lol…Thanks Ann for taking care of the figures for me.

To all the people who supported me and attended either the Meet-the-author night Friday evening or the workshop on Short Stories on the Saturday, I want to say thank you so much. I couldn’t have done it without you.

They were all kind enough to give lots of positive feedback. Here’s what a few attendees had to say…

“I enjoyed the presentation and readings. The information is very informative and helped me clarify a few things in my writing style.”

“I learned more about structure and story plots.”

“I learned new stuff–always a bonus.”

“…what NOT to include, as I find I write 100 words when 10 will do.’

“It was great please do it again.”

Not a bad outcome, I reckon. I’m so glad people got something out of it. I was terrified I’d bore everyone to death on Friday night. It was quite a task to get over my reluctance to talk about myself for so long, having had it pounded into my brain that you never blow your own trumpet.

I owe much to Townsville City Council for their support in the form of an Arts Grant, and to the Rollingstone Community Association for getting Behind me, especially Chris who helped me with the application. The local Lions Group fed and watered us. A good time was had by all and some great discussions entered into. Thank you all!

Novels, Short Stories, Writing

Book Cover Blues

Halfway through May, and I am still working on the Ruth In Pieces cover…slowly improving, but apparently still missing the mark. I am a stubborn ass and am determined to do something worthy of the genre. I must have done about 100 variations, and now have decided to take the last few to my Meet The Author/Workshop event in a couple of weeks 28/29th May. If your live in Townsville or environs. Come along and meet me on the Friday night and/or participate in the Workshop on short Stories. ALL FOR FREE.

I am going to write in more detail about this in the TIP-C group, if you’re interested in the gory details.

In the meantime, I have to confess I haven’t done much work on actually writing my mystery Series. Escape to Danger is available on Amazon in both ebook and paperback.The ebook of Tidal Secrets is up on Amazon and the paperbook will be up soon. The Curlew’s Cry is languishing badly, but I will be back on track by beginning June.

This link will take you to my page and You will be able to read some of the first pages, almost all of chapter 1.

The psychological thriller books, Ruth In Pieces being the first of the trilogy, is up on Amazon in ebook form also. However with a cover I”m told just won’t do…see above. Book 2 is with Allen and Unwin. Book 3 is in the pupa stage and vaguely mapped out with a start on Chapter 1 having been made…

I know you want to tell me to concentrate on one thing at a time, and I would if I could. Don’t worry I’ll get there…ummmm, yair of course I will.

My good twin Rosa Christian has been busy as well. Her blog will go up tomorrow on Rosa’s Work.

In the meantime, I need you to sign up for my newsletter and/or do a review for me on Amazon. If you do subscribe you get a FREE sample of the short story anthology Death, Danget and Dark Dreams. Just a mouse click away.

Thank you in advance.

subscribe to Percys newsletter

P.S. If you are an author, formatter, cover designer or otherwise involved in book publishing don’t for get to visit TIP-C and share your invaluable knowledge, experience and insights.

Novels, Short Stories, Writing

Still working at it

Well the bad news is that I’m not really any closer to deciding on the cover for Ruth. The good news is that I’ve had lots of very helpful feed back from the good people in the Indie CoverProject Facebook group. We’ll see what they think of the latest ones I’ve just posted there.

My other news is a lot more exciting. I have been accepted for a grant from the Townsville City Council through my local community association RaDCA. So if you hapen to be at a loose end on the dates below come on over…

I’ll let you know how it goes. I’m very nervous. Lots of work to do beforehand. So I’ll leave you with that thought. ‘Bye

Writing

Down to business

So, here I am trying to be much more professional in my approach to this business of writing, because if you’re self-publishing it is a business. I have yet to get readers and reviews, but I’m trying my darnedest…Damnit!

Go to my amazon page and buy and read now….please.

One of the other things I have done to help my self stay on track is, I’ve made a roster…I have to do something. I get side-tracked so easily. It is not a hard and fast schedule rather something that gives me a scaffold to work on. Today is day one and I am not on track really, but hey I’m doing this blog right?

This morning was rostered for washing, but I fell down the rabbit hole of trying to do a good cover for Ruth In Pieces. I have tried many things but they aren’t good enough and other authors have told me so, in the nicest terms possible. Someone suggested I send it to a professional, but hell honey if I could afford that I wouldn’t be trying to do it myself….Have a look at these for me and see what you think, bearing in mind its a psychological thriller.

Theses have all been kicked to the sidewalk…

The ones below I’v done this morning Please help me out and tell me honestly if you would pick up a book with a cover like this and read it. Which one?
  • a broken mirror symbol of 7 years bad luck

I feel brutalised…I need a rest and some food…and a cuddle from the dog.

subscribe to Percys newsletter

Writing

A New Idea

Well, for me at any rate.

I have been helped along the way, mostly Callie Berkham, (remember that name), and many of the groups I now belong to. Anyway, I thought, I’d like to help others as well. So Callie and I put our heads together and have started a group for local authors who are, or are contemplating, indie publishing. Please put your hands together for TIP-C (Townsville Indie Publishing Community)

I am still in the process of setting it up, but feel free to go in and leave us a note on how excited you are to see this new venture. You are excited, aren’t you? I am.

Of course, it is NOT confined to people in Townsville. That just fit to make the catchy title. Anyone from any where is invited to participate in the discussions and/or lend others a hand. Neither is it confined to authors we welcome and want illustrators, cover designers, editors, formatters etc.

By the way I say ‘us’ because Callie is going to co-administrate the site, when I figure out how to add her to the admin list. Sometimes all this social media stuff is like pushing water uphill.

I’m still trying to collate the other stuff I’ve learned lately to make it easier to follow the steps needed to set up a newsletter and get subscribers. The latter of which I’ve yet to master.

Come on sign up…there will be freebies and sales further down the line, when I figure out exactly what my approach will be. Which reminds me, I really need to get my first proper email out there, so I’ll see you, Percy.

Click here to suscribe to Percy’s Newsletter

P.S. Dale is now co-admin on TIP-C. Come and join us

Poetry, Short Stories, Writing

Success!

My friends,Percy Rose after a lot of mucking around (Excuse me! That’s with a ‘M’ if you don’t mind.) I have managed to set up a newsletter, and I am pretty chuffed with myself because it was not as easy as you may think. Well, certainly not for me.

Big thanks to author Callie Berkham for helping me navigate these choppy waters. She is an absolute gem and gave readily of her time and expertise. Thanks hon.

I know it’s only a small victory, but hey I’ll take any kudos I can.

Try it! You get a free sampler booklet of my dark short stories and poems,

Death, Danger and Dark Dreams,

titled, appropriately I think.

A Taste of Death

made especially for you,

Click here to suscribe to Percy’s Newsletter

Go on you know you want to…

When you sign up you will be taken to a form where you enter your email, hit subscribe and be taken to the download. Story Origin take care of my downloads and if you have any difficulties their support staff will be happy to help you.

Shortly after that you will receive your Welcome email.

This means that my blog is now going to be more about the writing/publishing guff and not the chatty, chatty stuff, which will now be in the newsletters.

See you there. Cheers Rosa.

Novels, Writing

Ta Daa!


So, I’ve done it. Book 2 in the Beaufort’s Landing Series is now available as an ebook on Amazon. It was fun visiting Xelma again for the final read through. Hope I caught all the errors. Let me know if you find any.

Speaking of which, I went into my author page on Amazon and I have a big beautiful 5 star review on Escape to Danger Book 1 of Beaufort’s Landing Series.

“I really enjoyed this book. The characters were very vivid and I got a real sense of what life is like in the tropics! The lead character wasn’t your classic heroine. She didn’t need saving! But it was thrilling and nail-biting all the same when she found herself in dangerous situations. I also enjoyed the fact that she had psychic skills. A very absorbing and page turning read!”

Whoo hoo!

I have determined that I really need to learn the marketing side of this biz. but it all feels so big and so much to learn it’s overwhelming. Still I must make a start. So, presently am trying to find reviewers and start a newsletter for followers of my writing. Trouble is of course that everything costs, not necessarily a lot but each little bit adds to the other and before I know it I”m even more skint. Ah the woes, eh?

What this means for my blog post is that personal guff will now appear in my newsletters and the blog will be more aimed at the writing process and those authors that I love and their stories etc etc. God knows when this will happen but there will eventually be a button for you to subscribe to my newsletter. Watch this space.

Having said that, I’d better get stuck into it. Cheers, Percy.

Writing

Feeling Frustrated!!

Hi, I apologise for the lapse of time since my last post, but I have been wrestling with trying to get paperback prints of my books. I really, really wanted to go local…Look, I know that they can’t quote as low as the bigger printers, but no one I approached would even come down to a viable print-cost for me, the author. I tried to explain: 1. That I didn’t expect the same prices as larger printing firms, but needed something reasonable. 2. That there would be many orders to follow. 3. That there are other authors in Townsville, of whom there are many, who are interested in supporting local industry. 4. That I really, really wanted to support local.

BUT…no one wanted to come to the party! One company had given me a quote some months earlier, so I went to them to explain all the above. The woman agreed to give me a new quote, which duly arrived by email…it was even more than the first!

SO…I thought surely someone in Australia must be able to do better. I sent off for quotes with the above information, to several companies. No quote came near, many didn’t bother answering, or returning calls.

NEXT…I decided I’d probably better go with the international printing company which has printing facilities in Melbourne. Lots of authors in Australia use this company, with apparently no problems. After a number of errors in uploading by me, due in large part to the non-intuitive way of finding one’s way around their pages, the book got the go ahead and I went on to add the info needed. However, my account has been stuck for weeks with the message on it saying ‘revision incomplete’, and I can’t find how to get into wherever that can be fixed. I rang to get help, was told their people were busy and they would ring me back. That was 2 weeks ago.

NOW…I am going to try to start there, with a clean slate. I will remove my book completely and start from dot one…fingers crossed.

IF THAT DOESN’T WORK…I will have to fork out big bucks for overseas printing. Costs are quoted in USD and look very reasonable until you convert and add the inordinately high cost of delivery, which I expect is because of the weights involved.

AAaarrrrgggg!

Er, excuse me…I know this is a long whinge, but I am so frustrated I feel like I’m going nuts, I’m invisible, don’t matter and am bloody useless.

LOL…on the upside, Book 2 of the Beaufort’s Landing Series is almost ready to go up on Amazon. I’m just dickering around about the title. I think I’ve settled on ‘Tidal Secrets’…almost, I think.

I will try to be happier in my next post. If you can help me overcome this printing conundrum, I would appreciate it very much.

Wish me luck, Percy.

Writing

Now available in Paperback

Ta Dah!

Just a short note to let you know that you can now purchase Book 1 Beaufort’s Landing Escape to Danger from Amazon books as of now.

I’m still trying to get some copies in my hot little hands and as soon as I do I will let you know when I’ll be doing the author signing and reading. Don’t worry I’ll let you get over the silly season, and back to school madness first, so early Feb. I guess.

See you all then. cheers Rosa