Put some spring into your reading...
With over 2400 FREE romance books! Scroll on down to find out more ...
Howdi folks!
I hope you’re all exceedingly well and enjoying some sunshine, be it fall or spring, in your neck of the woods! Last month seriously flew by for me. Teaching has me busier than ever, but I’ve a brief reprieve now for the school hols. The photo above is me enjoying some of my favourite things about living in Australia: the huge open vistas, the big blue skies and the long dirt roads. I’ve been making the most of that time away from teaching to catch up on writerly things and catch ahold of my fickle foxtrotting muse…
My Passport to Love novellas — Be My Valerie!, Holly Ever After, The Worst Noelle and Alice in Wanderlust — are now back up for sale on Amazon, and I’m in the thick of editing my novel of Alice in Australia (the sequel to Alice in Wanderlust), so I can publish that later this year. I know this has been in the pipeline for a very long time, but actually I’m glad I held onto it until now because it’s a much stronger story as a result of me letting it brew. However, I still have a dilemma which I’m rather hoping you might help me with: Alice in Australia is just the working title, and I’m struggling to decide on a final title (You may have already gathered that being decisive is not my forté). So far I’ve got:
The Impossible Knot (Alice’s ‘Impossible Things’ are part and parcel of this story, as is her pretending to be the main guy’s girlfriend).
Alice’s Impossible Game
Alice’s Impossible Charade
Alice’s Impossible Adventures in Love
Alice Down Under
Alice in a Love Tangle
…or something along these lines.
Perhaps you can come up with a much more fitting title. Today I’m leaning towards the first on the list above — The Impossible Knot — , but that’s just today. Yesterday I preferred Alice in a Love Tangle. Perhaps it’s me in a tangle! Anyhow, sway me in another direction, do! I’d love to know your thoughts and would welcome any more suggestions!
Since I sent out my last newsletter, I’ve also updated and edited my World War Two historical manuscripts — The Very Lethal Vera — with the intention of splitting it into two novels and getting those published next year. The first book is now complete and more or less ready to go; the other one needs some work. I’m holding on to those again while I get some feedback from friends and beta readers, but I’d really like to see both books finished and published next year. 2024 is starting to look incredibly busy!
My other big ideas for 2024
My Fiji romance idea and the fantasy/romantasy series I mentioned in previous newsletters are temporarily on ice (but far from forgotten) because…
I’ve been researching, plotting and have started writing a new ‘small-town-meets-celebrity’ contemporary romance series — Rush to Stardom.
Here’s a little taster:
Nestled in a quiet pocket of America lies the former gold-mining town of Rush. Rich in history and steeped in tradition, it's a place where time seems to have stood still. Rush's once bustling streets have emptied. Times are hard and the folks left behind even harder. The township is not exactly thriving ... until the arrival of a Hollywood movie crew promising, not only great riches, but also more than a little disruption.
The gold rush in Australia happened pretty much around the same time as the gold rush in America in the mid 19th century. Because there are so many parallels to be drawn from both continents (and my ‘Rush’ is a fictitious town inspired by both American and Australian former gold mining towns), I’ve just returned from a fascinating weekend researching the former gold mining industry here in Australia and the small sleepy town of Clunes. Clunes is so iconically ‘old-town’ Australia that it’s been used as the location for several movie productions over the years - from whence, of course, came the seeds of my own inspiration for this series. I can’t wait to tell you more about my Rush to Stardom series in my next newsletter!
Super exciting FREE romance books!
I’m super excited to be part of this incredible offer of 2400+ FREE romance books in 17 genre categories over the next few days. It’s a great reason to load up your Kindle or eReader with free books, but don’t delay, it’s only open 20 - 22nd September. Stuff your kindle while you can. I’m planning to load enough romance to last me until Christmas!
Author in the spotlight
I’m delighted to introduce you to the incredibly lovely and super talented author, Phillipa Nefri Clark, this month. She’s a ‘hybrid’ author being both traditionally and Indie published, and she’s one of the most generous and supportive writers I know, so it feels really good to be able to return the favour (in my small way) and spread the word about her all round greatness! Read on to find out more about Phillipa.
What has been your greatest triumph and biggest regret as an author?
The little things are the triumphs - a note from a reader, a review that 'gets' the story, every time I write 'the end'. I wish I'd begun to self-publish much earlier.
What was your journey into becoming a hybrid author?
Long and winding lol. I began as an indie in 2017 and will always be mostly indie. In 2020 my Rivers End series was acquired by Podium Audio (US) which was a traditional audio deal and I also sold some foreign rights. A year later I made a mistake when offered a traditional contract for an existing series. That particular publisher, despite my due diligence, had some poor practices (including wanting to defer royalties) and this year I got the rights back after engaging an IP attorney. This was a dreadful experience and I was not interested in pursuing traditional publishing any longer. However, I had already been subbing a new crime mystery and had several offers, all which I turned down. Among those interested was a publisher I'd sent it to on a whim. They were new but with an impressive pedigree. As it turned out they had an idea for me and after a few zoom calls I signed a three-book deal to write a series back in my original world of Rivers End. I'd had no short-term plans to write more romantic women's fiction but have loved revisiting the world and am so excited to be part of Storm Publishing.
How would you describe your author brand?
Mystery ~ Love ~ Suspense. I write in several genres including sweet rural romance, cosy mysteries, romantic women's fiction, crime suspense, and fantasy. What makes them mine is my strong belief in always leaving a reader happy... or at the least, hopeful. Even powerful sagas or police procedurals need a feel-good ending.
What top three tips would you give an author who is interested in self-publishing but knows little about it?
1. Join Facebook groups such as 20Booksto50k where you will meet newbies through to seven figure a year authors and be able to learn just by reading and asking questions.
2. Be cautious where you spend money. Check the credentials of those offering courses to be sure they actually know what they are teaching. Never pay to publish. A self-publisher is a project manager - for example I outsource editing and cover design to professionals and do everything else myself. You will find your strengths.
3. Believe in yourself.
I understand you are now a hybrid author. How do you manage your priorities when both self-publishing and being traditionally published?
This year has been a huge learning curve. I write full time (six days a week) but have had to adjust existing priorities. Between the end of Jan this year, when I signed the contract, and the end of November this year, I have three books to write for Storm. Each is around 85k and none were pre-planned. Normally I have ideas well in advance for series or future books but these are new stories in an existing world, dual timeline, and only using previous characters as cameos. It is intense! When I deliver a book there are quite a few weeks of edits going back and forth which gives me some breathing space, and that is when I work on my indie projects. At present I have a November release to finish in my new detective series and the poor manuscript keeps being opened and closed but is making progress. And because I got my five book series back from the dodgy publisher, I am also doing light rewrites and edits, plus new covers (thank goodness for awesome designers!).
As an author, what do you think is your greatest strength? What area are you still working on improving?
I am persistent. What that looks like to me is writing when I don't feel like it. When there is no inspiration, I'd rather be sitting in the sun. It also means being resolute about finishing what I start and believing in the process. These days I know that I can trust my mind to create as long as I listen to the cues and clues.
I am working on working less. This year has taught me I need a better balance and I'm very much looking forward to implementing that next year.
What has been your top book recommendation for this year?
I haven't read many books this year thanks to deadlines, but adored Beyond the Moonlit Sea by Julianne MacLean.
What do you think of the Booktok phenomenon? Do you think it’s something every self-published author needs to pay attention to?
It is interesting and certainly helps some books get known. I do feel though that it is important to focus on a couple of areas which you are comfortable with rather than trying to cover every platform and hashtag.
What’s your current WIP? Please tell us more!
I'd love to share a bit about the first book I wrote for Storm Publishing, as that comes out on 25 September. The Cottage at Whisper Lake (See the gorgeous cover above!) is set now and in the 1960s in a seaside town along the Great Ocean Road. Sadie is home from Sydney to help her mother sell the family business after the death of her estranged father. She meets Rebecca, an elderly and feisty woman who lives with her cat by a lake. Rebecca's story is profoundly sad and Sadie is determined to help her find a lost family. At the same time, Sadie meets Dan, a local builder who steals her heart and makes her reconsider her future. The book is being described as laugh-out-loud-oh-wait-grab-the-tissues, heartwarming, and deeply satisfying. It is available to pre-order on all retailers and will be available on 25 September as an ebook, paperback, and audiobook (narrated by Brigid Lohrey). https://geni.us/89-al-aut-ch
Philippa has a new online shop for all of her indie books - ebooks and paperbacks, plus several audiobooks. By selling direct she has more control over my books and can offer some amazing specials and bundles. Ebooks and audiobooks are delivered immediately by BookFunnel in your preferred format and can be read or listened to the same way you generally enjoy.
She’s offering 20% off all ebooks and audiobooks including bundles for September. Simply visit her site www.phillipaclark.com, make your selection, and at checkout add the code 67718T7R7GTX. It will override any other lower discounts and can be used one time. Anyone who uses the code will also go into a draw for a $50 voucher to use on any products in the store!
Thanks so much to Phillipa for taking the time to do this interview!
If this newsletter hasn’t contained enough excitement already, I’m delighted to also let you know you’re just in time to benefit from some great romance for the fall (or spring if you’re in this hemisphere). You can also click on the image or button below to FALL in love with some fun romcom romance reads, but today is the last day of this promo so hop to it …
That’s quite enough from me for this month. I’d love to hear from you though!
I’ll be back in touch in a few weeks to let you know more about how my Rush to Stardom writing is going. I’m starting to build Advance Review Copy reading teams for both my contemporary romance and my historical romance books, so if you’d like to join one or both of those teams, please rush to email me — annafoxkirk@gmail.com — and I’ll add you to the team!
In the meantime, don’t forget reading is gold!
Best wishes,
Anna
PSSSST! Last chance love for FREE…
Don’t forget, between 20 - 22nd September you can download a stack of FREE romance titles including Be My Valerie! by clicking on the blue link button below:
Hi Anna! Lots of interesting stuff in this post. Re your title question, I like the 'parallel' titles that match the first one - some version of 'Alice in ...'. 'Alice in the Land of Oz'? I also like 'Alice in a Love Tangle' - it's kind of cute and humorous.
Thanks, Alison! I agree. I've had a few other suggestions come through as well. Hoping I'll have come to a decision by the time of my next newsletter. Sometimes I think the book titles are harder than writing the book!