The second story, One More Step, was one I was asked to write for Andre Leonard's great illustration. It is semi-autobiographical and I will be sharing with you the inspiration behind the story in my next post.
My story, 'Holy Toast' is in this month's Take a Break Fiction Feast and is a humorous piece, which is unusual for me - but I though it might be fun to have a go at something new. I'm now trying to think up some other ideas that might work as a light-hearted story, so I can have another go.
Also, I am pleased to be featured in Phil Barrington's 8 Days a Week article in Writer's Forum - where I am giving the female perspective on multi-tasking.In other news, I was very excited to go to the paperback book launch of Juliet West's fabulous 'Before the Fall'. She is a marvellous speaker and an inspiration to us all. While there, I met up with one of my favourite authors, Ann Weisgarber, author of 'The Promise' who had come over from America - fabulous to chat to her.
I also drove two hours to Della Galton's course on 'How to Market Your Book'. Della was a guest on my blog a while back and you can find her post on the link at the side. It was lovely to meet her and also fellow womagwriter, Kath McGurl. It was a great course but I hope that Della's statement that 'short story collections don't sell', won't be true!
Last but by no means least, my new ear grommets work... I can now fly pain free - yippee!
What an exciting time! I loved your Holy Toast story - it made me laugh.
ReplyDeleteThat is wonderful about the ear grommets :-) x
Yes, I was thrilled about my ears, Teresa - the world's my oyster now (or would be if I actually liked flying!)
DeleteIt was fab to meet you! With your new knowledge of how to promote your books I'm sure it'll sell. You may not be able to retire just yet though!
ReplyDeleteThat's a shame, Kath - I was looking forward to buying my first Ferrari!
DeleteCongratulations, Wendy, on your success with all these fantastic stories and I'm sure your collection will sell very well too. So glad about the grommets! xx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joanna. I just didn't want to see them languishing on my computer with no one to read them once the magazines had been and gone.
DeleteWhat a lovely two weeks. Lots of success but we all know it comes on the back of lots of work. Congratulations.
ReplyDelete... another holiday then, Jan :)
DeleteSo happy to read about your successes Wendy - what a wonderful time! I will get TABFF today to read your humorous story - I could do with a laugh. Good luck with your short story collection, I am sure it will sell!
ReplyDeleteIt's easy to stick with a style once you know you can do it - I felt I needed to break away from my norm.
DeleteIt's great that so many nice things are happening for you.
ReplyDeleteI like to mention the good things on my blog so that I can re-read them and remember them when I've hit a rough spot.
DeleteWell dome, Wendy.
ReplyDeleteAd you met up with Ann! Several of us Macmillan writers wanted to see her while she was over here, but she didn't let us know until too late. She's lovely, isn't she? And her books are marvellous.
It war on your recommendation that I read Ann's books, Frances. I love both of them. I read on Twitter that she would be going to Juliet's book launch and, as I was going to it, was really excited to meet her. Had a lovely long chat with her and her lovely Editor Sophie.
DeleteLovely post, Wendy, as always. Congrats on your multiple successes with your short stories. What a wonderful fortnight you've had. So pleased for you. Love WW1 stories, so will look forward to reading yours.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susanna - I hope you enjoy it.
DeleteGo girl. And I think I probably meant that MY short story collections don't sell. Well, they do, but they don't quite sell as well as some of my other books ;) And I wish you all the very best with yours. And a positive attitude can get you a very long way. Which you have - lots of love :)
ReplyDeleteHa - well, my mum will probably buy one... Oh no - she hasn't got a kindle!
DeleteWhat a lovely group of successes and photos, Wendy! So glad your ear grommets worked and you had a good time away. I really liked Strasbourg when we called there last year.
ReplyDeleteWhat did you think of the cathedral, Rosemary - we thought it was stunning.
DeleteAbsolutely stunning - we were lucky to get in to see the angel column and famous clock before that part was closed!
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