Issue 15 – January 2022

Editor’s Letter

At the very last minute in late December I was given the opportunity to have a stand in West Street’s Pop-Up Horsham for the month of January. This enabled me to spend the month connecting with authors, illustrators and other publishing folk in the local area. 

It was a fantastic opportunity, but meant I had to scramble to get my business cards updated and also to have some form of advertising. I’m including the details here in case they’re useful to anyone else in a similar position. 

I downloaded a free QR code which directed authors to my website and my local stationers provided small stickers which meant the QR code didn’t dominate and looked as if it was placed deliberately and unobtrusively. Additionally, I bought a desk-top banner from Vistaprint – other local retailers are available, but unfortunately they weren’t trading between Christmas and New Year when I needed them! The whole exercise cost me around £30 plus the cost of my stand for the month.

I was the first service provider they’d had at the pop-up, and for anyone who doesn’t know what a pop-up is: it’s a small business initiative where you rent a portion of an empty shop and can sell your wares alongside other small business retailers. If you follow the link I’ve included in this post then you can contact the organisers for information about setting this up in your town or to ask them to extend their reach.

My pop-up was hugely successful and I connected with and gave free advice during January to around six authors each day. The advice ranged from sales and marketing advice to a self-published author who had already self-published a number of times, to advice to memoirists, picture book authors, fiction and non-fiction authors. It has also enabled me to begin a database of illustrators, both local and nationwide, whose details I can pass to authors.

Alongside this I took a number of local council initiative courses for small businesses, which they run free of charge during the pop-up period and which are open to members of the public. 

January became a hugely useful month and my interview with AAH Magazine in February has also helped me to connect with local authors. Overall, it was a very productive way to combat publishing’s dry January, and I made new friends among the other stallholders! 

Happy writing,

Lesley

Contents: writing prompts, book reviews

Writing Prompts

Puddles splashed around her as she ran, masking the sound of her pursuer …

The cheque had her name on it, but she had no recollection of the company it was from …

Terry bit down hard …

Book Reviews  

Calling Major Tom, by David M Barnett

All of the characters in this story have their own fully formed stories, which is absolutely the way it should be in story telling.

Thomas Major is gradually thawed as he finds out more of the trials and fears which the Ormorod family face on a daily basis. Along the way we learn of the tragedies and disasters which have hardened his heart. The twists are unexpected and will make you gasp, laugh and cry aloud. It is a wonderful story, which will appeal to anyone with a beating heart.

 

 

 

Christmas at the Beach Hut, by Victoria Henry

I thoroughly enjoyed this warm-hearted and well-told Christmas tale; the entire story was built around believable settings, characters and storylines. It built empathy from the first page and was an absolute page-turner. Veronica’s warm and witty style showed an understanding of family conflict/perspective which developed her characters into fully rounded and believable individuals. Twists and storylines were all developed and ensured I was hooked and couldn’t wait to read on. Just brilliant. 

 

 

 

The Girl Next Door, by Phoebe Morgan

A phenomenal psychological thriller that had me guessing throughout. The twist and slick way that Phoebe tied up the loose ends left me dry mouthed and wide eyed in shock. I would recommend this to all lovers of fast-paced and well-plotted drama-it won’t disappoint.