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Janette posted an update 8 months, 2 weeks ago
So sorry for my absences. I have made the decision to self-publish my books after careful consideration, reading how some trad friends have fared, and revisiting notes from my last (self-publishing) workshop in York. I’m very wet behind the ears regarding publishing, especially self-publishing, so I am deep into swatting about it before I make any…[Read more]
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Sandra replied to the topic November 2025 monthly competition in the forum Monthly Competition 9 months ago
Sorry, Terrie, no way do I have head space to do anything for this. Will aim to Do Better next time
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Janette posted an update 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Well done, Terrie – a great choice! I have a busy November coming up but will try and fit in some time to take part in the monthly comp.
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Sandra replied to the topic Monthly competition October 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 10 months ago
This the result of apending 5 days writing with a gathering of Self-Edit participants.
Games people play
Monday morning’s plumping of the pillows of our marital bed effortful, thanks to both sleep and sex absent as snow in August throughout the weekend. Similarly, energy enough to dissipate the sourness of my reaction when I noticed the wor…[Read more]
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Sandra replied to the topic Chit Chat in the forum
September Song 10 months, 1 week agoI pulled half a dozen titles from my shelves, in the hope they’d inspire me with characters and plot. In the end the one I chose hung around longest; re-reading it reminded me why it felt so memorable.
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Janette replied to the topic Choices in the forum
September Song 10 months, 1 week agoI might live to regret this, but I am changing my choices (it was a flip of a coin in the first place).
My choices now are:
Sunshine.
The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessey
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Janette replied to the topic Monthly competition October 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 10 months, 1 week ago
As the Veil Grows Thin
Hey, Vee, I’m still at your side my dear. My old bones are aching in this hospital chair but, aye, I’m still watching over you.
They say you might hear me but – I don’t know. See, I can’t get used to how still you are. Never would’ve been afore, hey? Specially when we first met, when we danced like demons and made lo…[Read more]
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Janette replied to the topic Choices in the forum
September Song 10 months, 2 weeks agoRain
Chocolat
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Sandra replied to the topic Choices in the forum
September Song 10 months, 2 weeks agoRain
The missing shade of blue
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Seagreen replied to the topic Choices in the forum
September Song 10 months, 2 weeks agoSnow
The Book Thief
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Knicks replied to the topic Monthly Competion – September 2023 in the forum Monthly Competition 10 months, 3 weeks ago
Congratulations, Libby! Well and beautifully written to you and Ath too 🙂
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Janette posted an update 10 months, 4 weeks ago
So sorry, Jill. I hoped to be of a mindset to join in September’s comp, only this month has thrown up too many mind-scrambling obstacles to facilitate concentration. Seems you already have some excellent stories already and I don’t envy your task.
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Sandra replied to the topic Emma Darwin has started a youtube channel in the forum Coffee Shop 11 months ago
Fabulous indeed – thanks for the link, Libby. I’ve much enjoyed Emma’s two previous novels, so this will be a cert.
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Sandra replied to the topic Monthly Competion – September 2023 in the forum Monthly Competition 11 months ago
Sorry Jill, Returned from ten days away to a refusing-to-charge laptop, and three days from going away for another week I’ll not be posting anything for this month’s comp’ Looks like you’ve got some good response so I’ll aim to read ASAP.
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No worries, Sandra. Enjoy your next time away. Yes, 2 excellent entries so far. Jill
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Good luck. Please let us know how you get on. I’d like to piggy-back on your request for tips. I am part of a group currently ready to publish a non-fiction book. We’re trying a few pitches via the traditional route just in case it lands but it’s quite likely we may end up self-publishing because we don’t want the book to languish, unpublished, for ages.
Hi Bella. So far I’m deep into reading the Writers and Artists Guide to Self Publishing, which is very ‘involved’ though gives lots of advice. I have also signed up to David Gaughran’s free self-publishing course (on his website). I also found this: https://justpublishingadvice.com/publishing-companies-to-avoid-and-nasty-new-author-scams/
I’ll let…[Read more]
Janette (and Bella), one tip I didn’t mention earlier is that it makes very good sense to set your page size for composing to Blurb’s trade book size. Makes it, in my opinion, a lot easier to read on screen too. Blurb’s page size is 13.02cm x 20.95cm. Select mirror margins , set top margin 2 cm, bottom 2.25 cm, inside 1.75cm, outside, 1.75 cm…[Read more]
Hi Janette, I’ve never self-published but am in contact with editors and proofreaders who work with self-pub authors. This tip usually doesn’t apply to experienced writers so I just add it as a general comment. When self-pub authors approach editors for a proofread or copy edit, often what’s needed is a more substantial developmental or…[Read more]
Thank you, Sandra and Libby. All taken on board, but the novel has had three beta readers so far, plus an agent’s when she almost took it on. Better luck this time, eh?
You are well prepared, Janette! Good luck with the self pub.