40 Years Anniversary of Cyclone Tracy

Forty years ago, I recall waking up as a thirteen-year old, at my grandmother's house in Sydney on Christmas morning. My parents told me that, overnight, the city of Darwin had been destroyed by a cyclone they called Cyclone Tracy. Many were dead and injured, and many had lost everything. I think this disaster has stayed with me for so long since Christmas is supposed to be a happy and joyous occasion, which it certainly was not for many Australians that Christmas Eve of 1974.
 Scenes of the devastation.

My short story collection, Friends, Family and Other Strangers From Downunder, which is currently free on Amazon, features a Cyclone Tracy commemorative story: Santa Never Made It.

More about Author Collectives...

For the sixth in our ongoing series of Author Collective interviews, I am pleased to welcome Chris Casburn (writing as Christopher Joyce), member of CHINDI, a Chichester network of independent authors, today on the Triskele Books blog.

Christmas Giveaway

Many thanks to the lovely Jo Barton and Jaffa of Jaffareadstoo, for hosting an interview and giveaway.

Those Hysterical Women

My review of Guises of Desire, the story of Freud's Anna O, and fascinating interview with the author, Hilda Reilly on the Triskele Blog today.

Fête des Lumières Lyon

Read my take on Lyon's four-day international light festival in The Good Life France

Photos courtesy of Mary Robinson Hubert...

Literary Feast in Lyon

My article about the unique literary history of La Brasserie Georges restaurant in The Good Life France

What I Did Last Weekend

Great launch party at Barton's Bookshop Leatherhead on the Saturday afternoon and our first fab Indie Author Fair on Sunday at Chorleywood. Here on the Triskele Books blog...

Running Fox Books

How they do it in Alaska: my interview with Deb Vanasse, founding member of the Alaska-based Author Collective, Running Fox Books.

Indie Author Fair, Chorleywood

First big Indie Author Fair organised by the Triskele Books author collective, The Alliance of Independent Authors and Chorleywood Literary Festival is coming up on Sunday, November 16th in Chorleywood.
Hear works read by the authors themselves (all genres). Join in with story time sessions for children of all age groups. Browse the books while having afternoon tea and discover a hidden treasure.
Please feel free to drop in during the afternoon. Chorleywood is half an hour out of central London on either the Metropolitan Line or the Chiltern Line. The venue is a few minutes walk from the station.

INDIE BOOK OF THE DAY

Chuffed to announce that Wolfsangel is today's Indie Book of the Day 
If anyone is interested, I'm currently running another Goodreads giveaway for Wolfsangel.

Success as an Indie Author - What it Takes

 Read my interview with successful indie author, Libbie Hawker, on the Triskele Books blog here.

On 16 November, 40 authors will be descending on Chorleywood...

Be there if you dare!

Gifts of the Journey - Writing About Family History

Today, on the Triskele Books blog, author, Bernice L. Rocque has kindly agreed to tell us how she wove her genealogy research into  a heartwarming family story.

Author Interview

Many thanks to the talented author, Jane Davis, for interviewing me on her lovely new website today.

New Wolfsangel Paperback Giveaway

Available on Goodreads from July 21st - August 4th. Simply click here to enter.

From Writing Crime To Child's Play

Crime writer and author of children's books, Lorraine Mace, tells all on the Triskele Books blog...

Ascribe Novel Solutions

Pleased to announce that Wolfsangel now features on the Ascribe Novel Solutions website, which promotes the best independently published novels.

New on the Triskele Books bookclub

Review of Until the Robin Walks on Snow and Interview with author, Bernice L. Rocque out today, on the Triskele Books monthly bookclub.

GENRE SPOOF COMPETITION (Free entry!)

In association with Bookmuse, and a departure from Words with Jam's usual first page and short story competitions, this time we’re looking for a condensed spoof of your favourite genre, up to 1000 words. See examples below.

Entry is FREE and our favourites will be published in a Bookmuse Reader’s Journal later this year, which will include review templates, quotes, to-be-read record pages and more.

Prize

All published entrants will receive a complimentary copy of the journal, and the overall winner, chosen by the Triskele Books team, will receive a £30 Amazon voucher.

Closing Date

30th September 2014 (winners announced by 31^st October 2014).

To Enter

Simply send your entry as a Word Doc to submissions@wordswithjam.co.uk with the subject ‘Genre Spoof Competition’ and include your name, address and phone number in the body of the email. 

Read the rules and more about the competition here.

Spirit of Lost Angels Giveaway

 

If anyone is interested in winning a signed copy of the first novel in my HF L'Auberge des Anges, series, I'm currently running a Goodreads giveaway. Spirit of Lost Angels follows the struggle of French peasant-woman, Victoire, in the years leading up to the French Revolution.

Writers' Services

Looking for an editor, proofreader, cover designer, or other writers' service for your book? Our new list on the Triskele Books blog might help.

Tragic World War II Crime Inspires Novel

Thanks to Yvonne at Fiction Books for featuring the true war crime that inspired my novel, Wolfsangel

Let's Talk About Content

On ALLi’s Self-Publishing Advice blog today, my Triskele Books colleague, Catriona Troth, tackles the troublesome question of why indie-published books only ever make headlines because of sales. And asks a question. What matters most to the Indie Writer – quality or quantity?
Whether you’re a reader or a writer, check it out.

A Journey From Trad to Indie Publishing

Today on the Triskele Books blog, I interview author Ann Swinfen, as she talks about her journey from traditional to indie publishing.

Calling All Francophiles...

If you enjoy novels sent in France, you might want to enter the huge giveaway to celebrate the first anniversary of France Book Tours. Good luck!

More on the Author Collective

Today on the Triskele Blog, I interview another author collective, Writer's Choice.

Triskele Books on Writers & Artists Blog

Today on the Writers & Artists blog, Triskele talks about the rise of the author collective and how they can work to the advantage of self-publishers.

Author Interview

Many thanks to Edward James for interviewing me on his blog today, to talk about historical fiction and Triskele Books.

Indie Author Land

Many thanks to Indie Author Land for featuring Wolfsangel today.

The BIG Announcement

My Triskele Books colleagues and I are thrilled to welcome fellow indie author, Barbara Scott Emmett onboard the jolly SS Triskele. Read about Barbara joining Triskele Book and, more importantly, her stunning and unique novel to be released later this year: Delirium - The Rimbaud Conspiracy here.

Wolfsangel Giveaway

Many thanks to the lovely Ananda, for hosting a giveaway of Wolfsangel: 1 signed paperback, and 2 e-copies.

Double Giveaway

Many thanks to TB Markinson for hosting a giveaway of signed paperback copies of Spirit of Lost Angels and Wolfsangel.

How to Enjoy Marketing

It's no secret. Like many authors, I dislike the marketing side of writing. However, we all know that in today’s competitive marketplace, there’s no shying away from this aspect of the book business.

So, apart from the usual avenues of Twitter and Facebook, what other marketing and networking choices are there?

Well, there is the Bookclub. Just over a year ago, rather than discovering this myself, the ‘Bookclub Niche’ found me.  Read the rest of this post here, on the Triskele Books blog...

Wolfsangel Goodreads Giveaway

Ends Feb 12th: If anyone is interested in my WW2 novel (based on a true WW2 crime) of rural France under the German Occupation, I'm currently running a Goodreads giveaway of a signed copy, internationally. Thanks for your support!

Local Newspaper Features Wolfsangel

Pleased to see Wolfsangel featured in the local Wollongong Newspaper - The Illawarra Mercury

The Story Behind the Story

Thanks to Lorraine Mace of The Writer's ABC Checklist blog for featuring my story on the true WW2 crime that inspired Wolfsangel.

Wolfsangel amongst "Best of 2013"

Very chuffed to see Wolfsangel on Josie Barton's "Best of 2013" list. Many thanks to Jo and Jaffa for their ongoing support.