What readers want in 2017 - the survey results!

Thank you so much to readers who completed my recent survey asking them how they found books and interacted with authors.

It was a follow up to a similar survey two years ago triggered by pure curiosity combined with a sincere wish to give my readers what they want.

Headline results:

– Fewer people […]

Writing with SAD

Fed with with the news and weather? Low energy and bored with most things? Eating more chocolate? Even though brilliant December days lighten the feeling, many of us dislike that grey dull period stretching from dismal November to that liver-yellow time in February and view with relief the first flower burst in spring.

But for […]

Talking about author events on the BeginSelfPublishing podcast

Well, this is all very exciting. Tim Lewis of the BeginSelfPublishing podcast asked me to talk about author events; what I’d done, how to get speaking gigs and practical tips for doing them.

I was flattered to be asked, given his previous line-up of guests, but very pleased to pass on what I’d learned.

Click […]

Images, work and copyright

You’ve seen the most wonderful picture on Google Images. An online blog has the perfect photo for your book cover. Look at that graphic – wouldn’t that make your book event notice/header/PR banner shine?

STOP!

Unless you pay a licence or ask the owner’s permission to reproduce it, it’s theft. The least you could […]

How to set up and run an author exhibition stand

Each year I set up my stall and sell my books at the Marché de Noël at Terves. Not only do happy customers go away clutching copies of one or several Roma Nova books, but I’ve had the pleasure of chatting about writing, books, feminism, adventures, history, Rome, publishing, the holidays, travel – you name […]