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Well, I have to say I wasn’t sure at a certain point that our newsletter would be back. Things are changing so rapidly on the front of email providers thanks to Google and Yahoo that it’s been difficult to keep up. I’m still working on getting our sign-up form sorted out – that’s a whole other issue. Hopefully those already subscribed to our newsletter will be receiving it. However, when you’re not technologically-gifted and don’t have the budget to hire, progress can be slow on this front.

Not to go into too much detail, (some explanation is in our newsletter) Google and Yahoo, in order to clamp down on spam and scam emails required further ‘authentication’ for people and businesses to prove their identity. It was our understanding that small subscriber lists like ours would be exempt but not with our provider. The size of your list didn’t matter, they wanted to get everyone aligned with the new requirements.

However, no matter how many times we went through with the given instructions, videos, chats and the like, nothing worked. We couldn’t even get live support with the email provider because we were on one of their free plans. Insert big, frustrated sigh here. Only after taking some time away and regaining some perspective were we able to figure out what to do. We appreciate all the support and patience of the subscribers we do have. You’re fantastic.

Feature Design of the Month

Looking for a little uplift during this time of confusion? Let the Starlight Sorceress grant your wish in the tradition of the finest Fairy Godmothers. She’s displayed here against a dark background to show off her enchanting sparkle but she’s available on t-shirts in a wide variety of colours in our Redbubble shop. Not mention how cool the stickers and mugs and other stylish merchandise are.

At long last, Book Four of The Witch’s Foundling series has been handed over to my editor, Rachel Walden of 1823 Revisions. Alison’s Gaslamp Fantasy, takes Sally, Samdriel, Ernest, Caroline and company for a rollercoaster of a ride in this latest instalment. In this alternate 19th century world, supernatural forces are a constant, shadowy threat. Book Four features a mysterious group, formerly associated with the Society of Seekers, pursuing an agenda of their own. Who might these new characters be, you wonder? Let me introduce you.

The Sons of Enoch take their name from a biblical character known for such profound faith that “God took him”; presumably to heaven. Do the “Sons of Enoch” display a similar purity? What are their motives? Why are they interested in Sally and her friends? Will they be a threat or a help against the gathering darkness? Between these forces and others, the tension intensifies as Sally tries to navigate treacherous ground in the face of unforeseen challenges. Striving to support her growing family and worrying for her loved one caught up in dangerous duties, it seems Sally and Samdriel’s struggles may never end. Yet, they have so much more to fight for.

This adventure introduces more characters and shifts its setting to – I’ll keep that secret for now. You’ll be able to get a look at some of the new characters she encounters on our Instagram, Facebook and Tik Tok accounts as the next months unfold.

FEATURE DESIGN OF THE MONTH

With the approach of Spring and all it brings, this month’s design is about Hope – that can pack a punch if she needs to. Something Sally, the witch’s foundling, could definitely use more of. Let the power of the Angel of Hope sustain you as we look forward to an awakening of life after a long winter’s sleep. You can find her on numerous quality products on our Redbubble store. The sweatshirts, t-shirts and stickers are all sure to warm your heart and raise your spirits.

While promoting my latest novel, Spell of the Wordsmith, my attention has been grabbed by the rise of the Audiobook market. Audiobooks aren’t particularly new but they have begun to increase in popularity. Significantly since the pandemic. Whether you like to listen during a long commute or while doing chores around the house or out walking the dog, audiobooks are an entertaining way to consume literature. But are they worth it? Speaking as an Indie Author that is.

To produce an Audiobook, it’s highly recommended a professional narrator or Voice Actor be hired with a reputable company. Makes sense. Audio files must be in special format that meets the standards of the platforms where you would be offering it for sale. However, Professional = $$$. Usually.

What do I mean by “usually”?

Well, if you’re good at negotiating, there are professional Voice Actors who are open to a profit sharing deal where no money is put upfront but sales are split 50/50. I know of one author that went that route. He produced an audiobook without paying a cent. But it did require him to be okay with sharing the profits. That’s 50% of the royalty, of course, not the retail price. Which brings up another issue.

When it came to try and understand what the actual cost and profit for producing an audiobook came down to, I found a lot a varying information. Articles that didn’t recommend it for indie authors were a few years old. Essentially before the notable growth during the pandemic. Those that fully endorsed it, usually were the audiobook producing services. A little bias perhaps? I think the best and most matter-of-fact presentation I found was by indie author Roger Zargari.

His article “What does Audible Really pay Indie Authors?” succinctly lays out the math and the potential for profits. If your an indie author and audiobooks are something you’re wondering about, I recommend the article. Or even if you’re a reader, you might find it interesting to discover some of the financial challenges faced by your favourite indie authors. Needless to say, these are not considerations faced by traditionally published authors.

Well, this turned out to be a longer and long-winded blog about something I’ve been considering, going forward. Let me know what you think. Have any of these things ever, even crossed your mind or are you a reader of traditional books and have never bothered with audiobooks? One aspect of the whole audio vs. traditional books has been audiobook consumers insisting they “read” their books and traditional readers vehemently disagreeing. I purposely avoided that debate as it would take up an entire blog all on its own. In either case, stories are being told and stories are being received. And in the end, isn’t that every authors dream?

Feature Design of the Month

Of course, we can’t let you go without introducing you to the Queen of Hearts. She’s ready for Valentine’s Day and she “Plays for Keeps”! Join her in the game when you purchase her on any of the quality products found in our Redbubble shop. Spread the Love and show your support for Indie Artists! The stickers and t-shirts are particularly cool.

Anything to add about audiobooks or one of Alison’s novels? Reach out to us on: Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok.

A new year has begun and I hope it finds everyone looking forward to great things. If you’re not already in the know, Spell of the Wordsmith is available on all major platforms! This third book in The Witch’s Foundling series features a change of scene from the countryside and Briarstone Manor to the shadowy and threatening streets of Victorian London. Things are getting more challenging for Sally and Samdriel as old foes and new friends lead to stunning and unexpected challenges.

I’m still looking for reviews. So, if you’re interested in helping to give Spell of the Wordsmith a boost, consider checking out my listing on the review sites, Book Sirens and Reedsy-Discovery. In each of these cases, you have to sign on and create a reader/reviewer account but it’s free and you’ll have ARCs from emerging new authors sent to your e-reader as soon as you select them. You can tailor your account to receive only the genres you prefer to read, too. All that’s asked is that you leave a review on the platform(s) of your choice. I can also invite readers to download a free ARC for my books using a special link. At no point does it cost you anything. Reviews can give a great boost to indie authors and really help our sales so we can keep doing what we love. Write more stories! *Side note: So far The Witch’s Foundling series is averaging 4.8 to 5-stars on Amazon!

In the coming months, I’ll be releasing more news about the following two books in The Witch’s Foundling series. So, you might want to join us on our social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok. I confess, we don’t do X (formerly known as Twitter) anymore and I’m not sold on Threads (connected to Instagram)yet either. At the moment, if you join Threads but then decide to opt-out, you will also lose or be deleted from your Instagram account – regardless of whether you wish to do so. Those creatives with well developed Instagram accounts risk losing everything they’ve built if they try to leave Threads but want to stay on Instagram. If that ever changes, I’ll look at joining but not at the moment. Anyway, the social media accounts I’ve linked do allow for up-to-the-minute news. But don’t worry, we’re committing to updating our website more regularly and hope to see more people signing up for our newsletter. I’m working on putting together some nice little perks for our subscribers but more on that later.

Wishing any and all, a Happy and prosperous New Year with our January dragons. The Dragon of the Old Year is showing the Dragon of the New Year the ropes, but the new guy has some tricks of his own. You can claim his charm and luck for 2024 by purchasing this design on a number of quality products in our Redbubble store. The journals, stickers, t-shirts are particularly cool but there a lots of products to attract your interest.

The time has finally arrived to reveal the cover to the third novel in The Witch’s Foundling series! I hope you’re as excited to see it as I am to share it with all of you. The action of the story has shifted from the countryside and Briarstone Manor to the shadowy and threatening streets of Victorian London. A new monster is on the prowl and it can have devastating consequences for Sally and Samdriel. I hope you get that vibe from these cool covers produced by the cover designer at TellWell Publishing. (The covers are best viewed on Desktop or tablet, I’m afraid. I tried adjusting the layout for mobile but it didn’t quite work out.)

First up is the paperback cover…

Now, for the Hardcover dust-jacket…

Well, I hope you’re feeling it like I am. Right now I’m working on interior revisions for the book and once that’s done, it’ll be off to press. Perhaps sooner than you think. Follow me on the SillWill Studios Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to hear the latest news on a release date.

And remember … Christmas is coming! (Now, that is really frightening.)

FEATURE DESIGN OF THE MONTH

I promised this woman of magic and mystery last month but didn’t make the deadline. The Legendary Librarian has magical knowledge she wishes to impart. Invite her to your home when you order one (or more)of the many quality products from our Redbubble shop.

“To Blurb or not to Blurb?” That’s not really a question because of course, you need a blurb to go with your book. In this day and age of publication, that paragraph or two describing your book’s plot, is an absolute necessity. Lately, I’ve been working on the blurb for the third novel in The Witch’s Foundling series: Spell of the Wordsmith. It’s been awhile so I had to re-educate myself on the finer points of the craft. A good blurb is one of the primary hooks to grab your potential reader’s interest enough to buy. So, yeah, pretty important. The following are the steps I consider when composing my book’s blurb.

“Writing Killer Cover Copy” by Elana Johnson has been my main guide when it comes to constructing my blurbs. According to Johnson, there are four main points to keep in mind when addressing what to put into your cover copy.

Identify your character. Young or old? Naive or cynical? Privileged or an outsider? Alien from another planet or ordinary human being? You don’t need too much detail but include what makes your character unique.

What challenge is facing your protagonist in their present circumstances? Do they want to win a prestigious prize? Are they looking for love in all the wrong places? Are they struggling to survive ferocious invaders? Add a bit of intrigue as to what makes their goal/desire admirable or, at least, understandable.

What’s preventing your protagonist from achieving their goal? Is it their lack of money or status? Do they have a physical or mental disability which presents an unavoidable roadblock? Does an antagonist actively oppose the protagonist’s desire? This is the place to tightly summarize your story’s conflict and lay out the main thrust of the novel.

Is your protagonist’s very life at stake? Or might they lose something or someone else, if they don’t succeed? Will the consequences of failure affect them alone or everyone else as well? This is where you state the stakes for your main character and their world. Leave the reader with enough of a hook to peak their interest while withholding the juicy details.

As you see, there’s actually a lot of work that goes into those little summaries you read on the back of the books you pick up or browse online.

Whether you’re an aspiring writer or just curious about all the things that go into a book, I hope these points provided you with some insight. I’ve been using these steps to construct the blurb for Spell of the Wordsmith and will release it soon. The ball is rolling and momentum is building for the book and I’ll be sending it out for interior formatting and cover design very, very soon so stay tuned to our Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok to be on top of the latest news.

FEATURE DESIGN OF THE MONTH

Break out the pumpkins and treat bags! ‘Cause you know what time it is, don’t you? Whether you’re going all out with decorations for Halloween or you like a more understated approach, double your fun by joining with our mischievous, spirited pugs! May all your hauntings be hilarious and your Halloween Haul abundant. Find fun stickers, t-shirts, mugs and more of our pugs at our Redbubble shop.

It finally happened. Seeking “new horizons”, aka new ways to market my books, I’ve made the plunge into Tik Tok. I have to confess – it’s kind of fun. I know I’m not the targeted demographic for the app but I have noticed there are more than a few older folks engaging in the platform. More than I expected to be honest. I have been primarily following the subgroup of ‘Book Tok’. It’s my hope that I’ll be permitted to grow my author’s presence organically, without the pesky interference of a suppressive algorithm. Something frustratingly present on those other social media platforms.

Learning to make videos and editing them is an ongoing process. As I have “a face made for radio”, stepping in front of the camera is very challenging. The solution? Voice-over videos or videos with captions and music. Luckily, Tik Tok provides both those options. There are also video editing apps like CapCut or media apps like Canva that help. There is a bit of a learning curve, and I’m still working on it. Hopefully, I’ll put some extra cool things out as time goes by.

An advantage of these new videos is the ability to share them on Facebook and Instagram. Though again, those platforms will sometimes suppress the videos as they’re from a different app. However, not all the time. You can still catch some of the videos on our social media feeds if you’re not on Tik Tok.

However, as a special treat for now. After receiving the edits for Book Three in The Witch’s Foundling series, I decided to reveal the title for the next book.

If you think things were tough for Sally and Samdriel in the first two books, buckle up. The action shifts to a new location with new friends and foes. Lots of supernatural skullduggery and action as the stakes get raised yet again. I’ll let you know when I have a launch date and I’ll release the blurb so you can all get a better idea of the story. Stay tuned.

FEATURE DESIGN OF THE MONTH

The Moon Sorceress has come seeking a Partner in Power. The latest addition to my “Women of Magic and Mystery” collection continues with the Gaslamp Fantasy vibe displayed by my other recent designs. You can join the enchantress in a magical journey when you purchase the design on a variety quality items like t-shirts, mugs, journals and stickers at our Redbubble store. The time has come to embrace the magic.

Things have been taking a turn these days into frustration. I finally caught Covid which knocked me off of my feet for a couple of weeks. Of course things didn’t stop there with several household items breaking down, one after the other. One of those things being my laptop that I use for the majority of my novel writing. As noted in previous posts, sometimes I despise technology even as I think it’s amazing. So, I’ve needed to put down the baseball bat, take several deep breathes and move on. Thinking about my novel and others helps with that.

If you’ve read my blog for awhile, then you’ll know my novels The Witch’s Foundling and The Secret Cage can be categorized as Gaslamp Fantasies. Or put another way, they’re set in the 19th century with a heavy dose of magic and monsters. Now, while I, of course, recommend my own books, I thought it might be fun to point a few other authors in the same categories that you might care to check out. So, let me recommend to any fans of the Gaslamp Fantasy genre …

At present, these two are my favourite Gaslamp Fantasy authors and I think if you enjoy my books you’ll like them too. Tilly Wallace also has a quartet of Regency Werewolf romances that are spicy and charming and C. J. Archer’s Glass and Steele series is also a blast. Check them out for some extra Gaslamp Fantasy fun.

For more up-to-date news about my own novels, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

On Saturday, June 24th, SillWill Studios were guests at the 2023 Forest City Comic Con. This particular convention is a one day event but run by friends of ours and always a good time. It was challenging to remember all the products and other items we used to bring with us all those years ago. Like not just our books but having a pair of scissors and tape on hand. Believe me, you’ll appreciate having those articles with you as you set up.

All in All, the Forest City Comic Con was a great event to ease back into exhibiting. Not to mention, it’s always encouraging to talk with other comic fans. Surprisingly, we met a certain cosplayer …

Moving forward, we’re looking into more appearances, book signings and pop-up tables for our products. We’ll also be announcing some other projects too. You’ll hear about it in our newsletter, here and on our Facebook and Instagram. We look forward to connecting with some of you.

If you’re a subscriber to our newsletter, you’ll also get the First Look at our Feature Design of the Month. I’m on a kind of Steampunk/Gaslamp Fantasy kick recently so check out The Rose Enchantress. below. She’s available in our Redbubble Store as stickers, magnets, t-shirts and more!