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Writing

At Last…writing again

So, I’ve had a bit of a time getting back into the writing flow since I lost my sister, my friend and my best critic and champion. She is up there on her cloud rousing at me. I can hear her now, ‘Come on, get on with it. Stop procrastinating. Stop using me as an excuse.’ She always was a bossy britches.

Anyhow, all that is to say, over the past 2 weeks or so I have gotten back to my writing. I have written about 10,000 words of my prequel, ‘Becoming Xelma’. And, changed my mind about a portion of book three, therefore necessitating the writing of a new (very sketchy) outline.

Part of my problem is that I spread myself too thin. I have always known that life is too short and so, without even thinking about it, I try to cram too much in. It seems to be part of my DNA to skip from one thing, to another, to another and back again. I just can’t seem to help it.

Right, I thought I might offer the prequel free to pre-orderers of Book 3 ‘At Curlew Cry’, but I don’t know how to go about effecting this on Amazon. Can anyone out there help me? I’ll need step by baby-step instructions.

Did I show you the cover I made for book three? I can’t remember so here it is, again, maybe.

What do you think? Too bad. It’ll have to do because I can’t afford to pay anyone to do it for me…and being very vein, I like using my paintings on the covers. Lol.

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Oh, and remember to write a review on Amazon if you’ve read any of my books. It doesn’t have to be long or even positive (though I hope it is), Just as long as you give me a review so it can go up the rankings, so that it gets more exposure, so that more people buy it and more people review it, and so on. Thanks. P.

Novels, Writing

Hello to the New Year!

I know, I know. I’ve been AWOL but I do have reasons — if you want to know know about them go to Per Rose Oddly or TipC — you will just have to for give me.

I am determined to make a better effort this year (not exactly off to a flying start am I?) Never mind every day holds the gift of a new start.

So, Ruth In Pieces, Book 1 of A DNA Trilogy (Psychological Thriller), is available in ebook and hard cover on Amazon. I don’t have any copies in my own hands yet, but will do soon.

Life is shattering

Book 2 Daughter of Anger will be released in May and Book 3 Clothed In Black by year’s end…hopefully.

The Beaufort’s Landing Murder Mystery Series has books 1 Escape to Danger and 2 Tidal Secrets available as ebooks and paperback and Book 3 At Curlew Cry and a series Prequel Becoming Xelma soon to be released.

Hiding in North Qld brings new dangers

At Curlew Cry will be dedicated to a brilliant Australian Author, Peter Watt, whose encouragement I have always appreciated. He and I have know each other for a number of years and Book 1 of his earliest Series is Cry of the Curlew.

Check out his extensive output here https://www.amazon.com/Peter-Watt/e/B0034O6POO/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1 This is terrifiic novel writing of fictional characters living through factual Australian History. Exciting and engrossing. You won’t be able to put them down. Go for it!

So as you can see, I will need to really get to work. How about you? What are your plans for the New Year? Are you, like me, finding it hard to knuckle down? Don’t worry, just start typing…that’s what I tell myself. Let’s hope it works. Hope to hear from you,

Writing

Hellloooo! Oh Dear!

I just found the post below in my drafts file! I was sure I had posted it… Oh well, Here it is anyway and I will do a new one next week What a month it has been! I have been kept pretty busy in my other aliases, plus I’m working on a Secret Santa Surprise. You’ll have to wait for Rosa Christian’s blog for more on that. I’m here working as Percy Rose ,just now. So, onward….

Good news Beaufort’s Landing Book 2 – ‘Tidal Secrets’ is now available as a print book as well as ebook from Amazon.

For those living in the Townsville area, you cn purchase my books at West End Tea House Gallery and Mary Who? Bookstore.

Book 3 and the prequel have stalled for the time being, but hope to have those out by Xmas.

Book 1 of the DNA Series, ‘Ruth In Pieces’ will soon be available in paperback, as well as ebook at Amazon.com.au

. More about that next time.

Ciao for now,

Novels, Short Stories, Writing

A New Look

As you see above I have changed my logo, which is more in-keeping with the genre I think. The reason for this is that I have recently opened a page on Instagram for Percy Rose and I needed something that really explained at first glance what I was all about — do you think it succeeds? I quite like it, but I am very biased and full of hubris. Check out my Insta site — I actually have no idea what I’m doing, and it is slow going. Things that are obvious to younger eyes aren’t so to me, though I eventually get there. I am improving…of course, I am.

This is the full logo…

I have been busy since my return from my sojourn in Rockhampton, which was a lot of fun btw.

I am presently awaiting print copies of Book 2 of Beaufort’s Landing — Tidal Secrets. It looked good in proof so should be fine….

Look what the tide washed in —

I am going to start going to local markets and see if I can garner some interest there. My community here in Rollingstone is very supportive but very small.A couple of places in Townsville have my books on their shelves — Mary Who? Book Shop in Flinders Street and West End Teahouse in Echlin Street. Both are great places to browse and the teahouse also has some of my artwork on their walls.

BTW do any of you know about Linktree, or is that TreeLink? Woud you recommend it or do you have other suggestions? I haven’t checked it out yet, its on my to-do list. It is supposed to make linking easier, I hope so. Looking up the links, copying and pasting is tedious and time consuming.

I am still trying to finish book 3 of the above and a Prologue, but other things keep getting in the way, or should I say I keep letting other things get in the way. Why am I procrastinating????

I have pencilled in the edits in Ruth In Pieces and now must transfer them to the fair copy ready for printing. It is very nteresting to read you book in actual book-form. I found some whopper mistakes. Why didn’t you catch them my beta-readers?

So I’d better get back

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Novels, Writing

Toot toot—all aboard!…

I’ve decided to give this scheduling thing a try so will put this one in for next Mon that gives you a about a 2 week break from my babbling. I know I promised a mont but what can I say, I miss you. Lol.

So I have been busy as Rosa, BUT also done some stuff for Me Percy. I’ve uploaded the new cover for Ruth In Pieces and sent for a print proof (Already available as an ebook – HERE). Trouble is I accidentally pushed publish button in the first instance, then had to wait 72 hrs to take it out of publish and order the proof. They then sent me another message saying my book is published…so I went in again and asked for a proof again…still no notification that my proof is ready.

Anyone else dumb like me and made this mistake? What happened? Help?

Anywho, it is twice as thick as my other mysteries, so it will take me a while to check it and re-edit it…along with all the other stuff.

I always make the mistake of thinking I’ve got the Amazon process mastered, but there is always some little problem. Take the cover for example – I always get a template, use it, never change anything on it and then feeling smug submit it. BUT, there is some thing wrong, usually the size. I use their size but no it is off by 1 0r 2 mms and therefore inadmissible. SO, I go back and enter the new image size and usually ‘voila’ it works.

The interior is okay, because I use Vellum and never have a problem down loading the content…unless I myself screw something up.

Needless all this fooling around with the marketing end has sidelined my writing. I do have a schedule, but have gone off track for the past few weeks and now I’m off to Rockhampton for a friend’s big 60th bash. Whoo hoo! Travelling by train, a first in a veeeeryy long time for me. Poor dog is not allowed so is staying with my daughter and family. Hope he doesn’t fret too much….hope I don’t fret too much.

Okay time to put this on schedule See you after.

PS Stupid thing is not showing up as scheduled, even though when opened for edit it shows the 19th when I go back it says it’s still in draft. I’ll close the site and see if that works.

Novels, Writing

Book 2 Paperback Now Live!

Since then, I received my proof for Tidal Secrets, edited it – again and the print version is now live. You lucky things!

https://www.amazon.com.au/Percy-Rose/e/B089ND1WRF/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

I can’t believe that it’s been a month. How on earth did that happen? The reason I’ve not got to blogging is that I’ve been busy editing and u loading new covers etc. I find it a bit discouraging when all this external business takes me away from writing which is what I love to do. Still, needs must. If I am honest a lot of it is that I’m so stubborn and that I rather enjoy the challenges inherent in these other efforts. How about you?

I am about half way into the prequel for the mystery series, Beaufort’s Landing, and have decided on the Title Coming Home since It starts with Xelma returning to Australia from Paris, having parted from her long-time lover there. She meets, Al. Remember him? Yes, that’s right — the crime boss ex-husband. Very gooood. It will only be a short novella, and available free, in the first instance, only to my newsletter subscribers. So, sign up below.

I still haven’t got to printing Ruth in Pieces but this week for sure.

So saying I must get on with it

P.S. My other me has been busy too and you can read all about it here….

P.P.S. I am going away for a couple of weeks on the 19th and since I no longer have a working laptop, I’ll probs not get back here until next month. Though, that is probably more than enough for you. See ya later alligata!

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.

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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.

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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