Category: Blog

By Alex Mingoni & Danielle Dunn For Mental Health Awareness Week

Brace yourselves, dearest readers, this is a long story, but I assure you it does have a purpose, a purpose I’d like to think is bigger than us – so I do hope you’ll carry on reading. 

One of the things I enjoy the most about my work as the co-founder of Not for Vanity is the human connections we’ve made along the way (22 months and counting). 

On a gloomy January day this year, author Danielle Dunn reached out to us, like many self-published writers do, to enquire about the possibility to have her book ‘What It’s Like to Keep Living’ reviewed. I was immediately captivated by how Danielle presented her work and how she knew it would not necessarily be a book everyone could read. The reason was very simple and lay in the topics she’d decided to tackle: bullying (the relentless, senseless type), sexual assault, trauma and bereavement and the plethora of mental health challenges they carry with them. Here’s a snapshot of her story…

The first day of college signifies a new beginning for Althea. She does like fresh starts. The last couple of years haven’t been the easiest, having to deal with distant parents barely talking to each other and the very painful loss of her grandfather, who passed away in the worst of circumstances. But wounds, even the deepest ones, do mend, eventually, or so she hopes. The first person Althea meets is Will, a solitary young man who was also dealt a bad hand in life, having to live by himself and earn a living while looking after his seriously ill mother. It will take Althea and Will a long time to really connect and understand how much they mean to each other, initially separated by a wall of shyness, unhappiness, and fear to hurt each other rather than healing together. While Will is ‘one that doesn’t really fit in’ and he’s fundamentally fine with it, Althea tries to make friends, fighting her instinct to hide and that voice inside saying her classmates Sam and Emma and their entourage are bad news. Having to deal with these vicious, despicable monsters who won’t leave her alone as well as her own demons won’t be easy, with setbacks round every corner, but…

“Life is confusing. It’s hard and it’s easy. It’s fast and it’s slow. It’s time, and yet, it’s no time at all. It may be the hardest thing I ever had to go through. But I promise you that it was worth it. In the end, the only person who could save me was me.

Before I knew it my last day of college ever had arrived. Everything I had dreamt of over the past few months. I stood looking at the front once again. That front was where an important chapter of my life had begun. My fresh start.

The trees now held buds, flowers and leaves starting to peep out at the world. The grass was green and healthy once more. The sky was a painting filled with warm colours: pinks, peaches and oranges, with only a few clouds circling. Warm air followed me wherever I walked. Is this Hell? Is this Heaven? I often used to ask myself those two very important questions. I finally had my answer. No. I thought.

This is what it’s like to keep living”.

The ability with which Danielle managed to bring her main characters to life, making them jump out of the page – to the point that it almost felt like she was embodying them while writing – is impressive. The choice of a dual point of view was also a winning one in my humble opinion, making the reading more dynamic.
While not exceedingly graphic, the ‘toughest’ scenes especially are very well written and poignant, creating a rollercoaster of emotions that elicited feelings and thoughts I didn’t even know were in me.
The thing I probably appreciated the most is Danielle’s courage and determination in telling the story of young people struggling with social anxiety, having also to deal with things that are bigger than them and should not really have to deal with at their age. 

I’ve said that before, but ‘What It’s Like to Keep Living’ is not an easy read. It surely wasn’t for me, having been a victim of bullying in my teens, forced to face people my age belittling me and openly insulting me for no real reason, while taking advantage of the fact that I was a good student, so they’d force me to help them with homework and other things. When I was growing up back in the 1990s there was no word for it, so I couldn’t understand. Thankfully, this is not the case today.

After reading the book, something urged me to reach out to author Danielle Dunn once again to hear her side of the story… that’s how the mini interview below was born.

Can you tell our readers why you chose to tackle these topics? 

I have struggled with my own mental health in the past, and also work in mental health. Offering a more personal perspective has always been important to me. When I was struggling, I felt alone and like no one could possibly understand what I was feeling and how I was thinking. This story will forever be extremely important to me, because even if it helps one person to feel heard, or understood, or less alone, then writing it was worth it. 

What’s the message you’d like people to take away from your book?

It would be nice for people who have not struggled with their mental health to understand a little. To be able to be there for the people they care about if they’re struggling. To maybe look out for signs or to be able to think about what might be helpful in those situations. Most importantly, I want people to start a conversation. Mental health is talked about more now than it ever has before, it’s more understood than before, but we can still do better. 

Tell us a little about yourself…

This is a loaded question. I have loved writing since I was 6 years old and I wrote my own version of Sleeping Beauty. Writing has always been my biggest coping strategy when things get tough. I tend to write poems when I am struggling rather than work on stories though. I have an undergraduate degree in psychology and a masters degree in forensic psychology. I have a partner of 9 years and we’re actually getting married soon, and we have 2 dogs. Both are complete nut jobs. I love my family and my friends and I feel exceptionally lucky to be a part of their lives. And the last thing I guess, is that this book was my baby, I worked on it for a long time. Is it perfect? No. But I will forever be proud of this book and what it represents. 

What are your future plans in terms of writing?

I started a new book, what feels like a long time ago now. I haven’t had much time to work on it recently. However, I do hope to work on it in the future, as I think there are still some very important stories to be told.

In honour of Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 (13-19 May), Danielle Dunn’s ‘What It’s Like To Keep Living’ is available for free on Amazon until Friday, 17th May: https://amzn.to/4dzmqSO

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Editor’s Note From Alex

During our conversations Danielle and I shared meaningful insight on the challenges we faced growing up and as adults. We both strongly believe that, while mental health is a hot topic and top priority in the eyes of public opinion these days, a lot more can be done to ensure young people especially do not have to face the hurdles we have.

For this reason, I decided to share links to three UK charities very close to my heart, in the hope they might help if you too feel overwhelmed.

Mind UK | A charity fighting mental health, ‘for support for respect, for you’. Mind operates in England and Wales, supporting minds and making mental health an everyday priority. It offers help through information, advice and local services and brings together a network of individuals and communities – people who care about mental health to make a difference.

https://www.mind.org.uk

Mosaic LGBT + Young Person Trust | A charity aiming to support, educate and inspire young LGBT+ persons and those around them by providing accessible activities, programmes and services (including counselling) to empower community members, provide essential resources, advocate for young LGBT+ rights, and embrace, promote and endorse the diversity of young persons. 

https://www.mosaictrust.org.uk

Anxiety UK (endorsed by The Prince’s Trust) | A national charity helping to support people living with anxiety, stress and anxiety-based depression. The charity was originally founded in Manchester in 1970 by Katharine and Harold Fisher as a direct result of Katharine’s personal experience of agoraphobia and with the sole aim of getting support in place for others living with anxiety. Today, they are helping people struggling with anxiety, stress, anxiety-based depression or a phobia all over the country.

https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk

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Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 runs from Monday, 13th May to Sunday, 19th May. With this year’s theme ‘Movement: Moving more for our mental health’, the UK Mental Health Foundation wants to help people find moments for movement in their daily routines, as it is proven to have a positive impact on mood and overall wellbeing. For more information, visit https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk.

A Novel By Daniel Georgiev

In the run up to his latest book being released later this year, we asked Daniel Georgiev a few questions about his work to date.

CAN YOU TELL US WHAT YOUR BOOK IS ABOUT?

In the second most prospering city in Bulgaria – Plovdiv, a girl led a mundane life; covered by her family’s riches and comforted by her flat’s four walls. Until she encounters a man shrouded in mystery who steadily and seamlessly drives her into who she really is. Forcing her into self-discovery, a secret agency that covers up all the paranormal activities happening in the country, scouts her. She proves to be the perfect asset to the unfortunate small team, as her newly found powers prove to be the most necessary asset for The Agency of Special Visions to battle against the Visions of S – once people, now a threat to all of humanity. Join Elena on her path to becoming The White Phoenix and understanding the role she must play on the playfield orchestrated by cosmic powers. 

WHAT ARE YOUR BOOK’S USPs?

1. So many twists!
2. A polished, fast paced writing style.
3. A strong female lead.
4. Fantasy elements in our world.
5. High stakes.
6. The original plot-line.

DANIEL GEORGIEV: ABOUT

Daniel Georgiev, also known as Blentkills, is a talented writer and musician, born in Bulgaria. At the age of fifteen, he made his first attempt at exploring the fantasy worlds in his mind and the idea for “Makiya” was born. The web novel grew strong as a top trending book on the exclusively-contracted web platforms Goodnovel and Meganovel. The success with “Makiya” drove him into confidence, inspiring many of his musical pieces, and further enhanced his ambition to write new stories.

‘The White Phoenix: Birth of An Angel’ was released in November 2023 as his first self-published book. Daniel received many messages on social media from his fans in an attempt to get to a signed copy from him, to which he responded with unmatched positivity. The book grew his following, as many of the thousands of readers from “Makiya” immediately leaped over for Daniel’s new release.

With a passion close to unrivalled, Daniel already released his second self-published book, ‘Godwalker: Ashes of Destiny’ in February 2024 (read the NfV feature here) and is known to already be working on his next series as well – ‘Mathsmagica’.

WHERE CAN OUR READERS GET IN TOUCH?

Your readers can find me on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Youtube. Alternatively, they can also visit my Goodreads page.

‘The White Phoenix: Birth of An Angel’ is available for purchase at: https://amzn.to/4dt4YPQ

Looking for Book Reviewers to Join Our Team

Not for Vanity is looking for avid readers to join our team on a permanent basis.

What’s Required:

1. Commitment to reading at least one book a month, preferably two
2. Flexibility in terms of genres, even though personal preferences will be taken into consideration
3. Ability and courage to share your honest opinion in a polite and civilised way. Our job is to support self-published and indie authors, not bring them down!

How To Apply:

If you are interested, email us at info@notforvanity.com introducing yourself and include a sample review (an abstract will suffice). We’ll then consider your submission carefully and let you know within ten days.

Good Luck!

On a parting note… We are particularly interested in hearing from reviewers of fantasy books with a passion for complex worldbuilding. Please note that this is an unpaid collaboration.

Hayley’s debut novel ‘The Vermillion Ribbon’ received a honourable mention at this year’s Spring BookFest Awards

At Not for Vanity, we love to celebrate and promote self-publishing success stories…

Today, we’d like to congratulate our very own Hayley Price, who has recently won a honourable mention in the LGBTQ+ Fantasy category at this year’s Spring BookFest Awards for her debut novel ‘The Vermilion Ribbon’.

About ‘The Vermilion Ribbon’

‘The Vermilion Ribbon’ is a pulsating mix of fantasy, romance and adventure.
Corelle’s journey from innocence to cold-hearted killer leaves a trail of bodies from one end of Dur to the other. With her enemies in relentless pursuit and another woman’s life in her hands, Corelle cannot relax for a heartbeat. Despair and vengeance compete for her attention as death dogs her footsteps, leading to a thrilling climax that will leave you breathless.

A Second Edition of ‘The Vermilion Ribbon’ will be published in June 2024. Pre-order info coming soon!

About The BookFest Book Awards

Taking place in fall and spring each year, The BookFest Awards honour authors who create outstanding works of fiction and nonfiction. Books are judged in categories based on genre, theme, and aesthetics. Entries and finalists are determined by an elite team of experts in the literary and entertainment world. Awards take place in conjunction with The BookFest Adventure™ Livestream, a connecting online event bringing the reading, writing and publishing communities together. For more information, visit https://www.thebookfest.com

/Content Advisory for The Vermilion Ribbon: Non-consensual sex, LGBT, violence, death, suicide ideation/

We always love to bring the freshest, most interesting self-published books to your attention, so here’s a sneak peek at what to expect from us in April…

About: When sixteen-year-old Scarlet is nearly killed by a tyrannical god, the cost of survival is to bind herself in service of the goddess Death. Though now obligated to do Death’s bidding, Scarlet also gains what she’s always desired—someone to teach her magic. With her newfound strength as a fire mage, she must rescue her mother from the god who nearly took her life, Riordan, before he’s able to extract the secret her mother holds: the key to unfathomable power and the ability to take down the other gods of Quintras. But slaying a god is no simple task, and Scarlet can’t do it alone. When she finds kinship with a reluctant seer and joins forces with a rebel faction that shares her quest to destroy the god that terrorizes his own kingdom, she thinks they have a chance of overcoming the impossible odds. That is, if her bond to Death doesn’t hold her back… How can Scarlet win her freedom in time to save her mother—and the world—from Riordan’s grasp?

About: Fitch Farrow never wanted to be a killer, but he’s damn good at it.
Using his powers of telekinesis, Fitch made a name for himself as the murderer Marionette. His criminal lifestyle never bothered him until he sees his younger brother headed down the same dark path. As a member of the Bloody Hex, a notorious gang of witches, Fitch faces jail and a possible death sentence to keep his brother from following in his footsteps. While incarcerated, Fitch’s loyalties are tested to their limits. Torn between the gang and the opposing government, Fitch teeters on a knife’s edge. Both sides try to control him by promising freedom or threatening harm. Ultimately, Fitch must decide what and who he believes. If that means betraying the gang, his brother, or himself… so be it.

/Please Note: This book contains graphic content and is best suited for adult readers. Book One in a Series/

About: Spectral is a serialised novel made up of 12 episodes at around forty to fifty pages each. Each episode will be release weekly from April to May 2024, until completion. Each episode is not meant to stand alone, but rather build to a complete story, not unlike a twelve-episode anime series.

A taste of Episode One… When Luna wakes to her room engulfed in flames, she knows it’s happened again–a haunting she can no longer ignore. For as long as she can remember, she’s been controlled by a domineering Spectre, forced to commit acts of violence threatening her and everyone around her. Determined to seize control of her life, Luna teams up with Hiro, a generations-old man who promises not only answers, but a method to rid herself of this malicious entity. But to do so, Luna must enter an unfamiliar and unsettling world buried within the futuristic, neon-laden streets of Los Angeles, destroying other Spectres and building her own superhuman abilities along the way. Between government agents hell-bent on capturing her and a myriad of Spectral threats, it’ll take every ounce of Luna’s being to reclaim the life that’s been taken from her.  Will she finally be able to rid herself of this mysterious entity that’s been haunting her entire existence, or will she lose a piece of herself along the way?

About: Jack Cortex is a Subject of Experiment A, an Elemental super-soldier created by the United States government. At seventeen, he only knows the inside of the Lab and its horrors. Jack has lived at this facility for nearly his entire life, training alongside other Subjects to become the perfect weapon. The weakest of them are disposed of through rounds of near-constant torture and fights that lead to death. After all, if they cannot be shaped into the deadliest soldiers to walk the streets, they will not be able to save those they were created to protect. Conversations of a new form of elimination begin circulating throughout the cells in hushed, terrified whispers. The rumors are confirmed when Doctor James Thaddeus begins picking off the Subjects himself, seemingly at random. Those who survive the execution rounds are forced to kill each other in bloody battles. Jack Cortex and his friends know one thing for sure: they must survive… By any means necessary.

/Editor Note: Prequel to Book One of the Experiment X Series/

About: Pulmonary and critical care specialist Dr. Phineas Mann is fighting a losing battle with a severe, progressive form of Parkinson’s disease. He is accepted into a novel trial to insert programmed stem cells into his brain. This experimental treatment is his last desperate hope to reverse his debilitating Parkinson’s symptoms. While grappling with his own declining health, Phineas is asked to consult on a difficult case. The patient is conservative congressman Quentin Tate, whose misdiagnosed lung condition has rapidly worsened. Phineas draws on his decades of experience in a quest to identify the mysterious cause of Tate’s life-threatening condition.Then his wife, Iris, develops an obscure blood disorder that is taking her from him “one bite at a time.” When her medical specialist orders a surprising and risky treatment, Phineas is compelled to bring his keen eye and medical knowledge into her struggle. Time is his enemy as he, with his loyal service dog Ernest at his side, fights to save his beloved Iris, then himself.

About: This is not the story of the woman you think you know. You know only the tales told through the ages. No, this is the story of a dangerous woman fighting for her freedom in a world dominated by cruel gods and ego driven men… In the house of King Aeetes on the shores of the Black Sea, Medea plays with gods in the forest as visions of a dark future haunt her. Descendant of Helios and daughter of sea nymph Idyia, Medea holds the kind of power meant for the heroes of the epics, the heroes who have yet to arrive in the world. But as a woman, her place is decided by the men around her. Until Jason and his Argonauts arrive, bringing with them the winds of change and the goddess’s voice ringing out of Medea’s lips. Sacrifices. Politics wrapped in layers of deceit, blood, and ego. Gods with their own agendas not meant for mortal flesh. Magic. Monsters. Love. Who will Medea become in her desperate search for freedom?

Introducing Prequel Two to The Naturae Series

CAN YOU TELL US WHAT YOUR BOOK IS ABOUT?

Lost and alone in Henry V’s dangerous world, runaway fae Aioffe must rely on her newfound human captor, Tarl, to keep her safe. Yet his secrets could put both of them in greater peril than either could have imagined.
Forced to enlist with Henry V’s army, Tarl battles his conscience to keep flighty Aioffe hidden, while she struggles to find her place in medieval human society. As they travel through medieval Scotland, Wales, and England towards war with France, they must discover the power of true love and reveal themselves if they are to survive the destiny awaiting them at Agincourt.

WHAT SETS YOUR BOOK APART FROM THE COMPETITION?

Brimming with betrayal, drama and magic, Destiny Awaiting re-imagines history in a medieval historical fantasy adventure. Explore the personal cost of warfare alongside the joy of finding love in the most unexpected of places in this thrilling and romantic prequel to the Naturae Series. Weaving historical events with fantasy, escape into a magical past filled with danger and intrigue. If you enjoy authentic history with a twist of the fantastic, you’ll love Aioffe and Tarl’s journey to Agincourt, where their battles of the heart are destined to fight with faith and hope.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF…

By day, I juggle consultancy work with family, but by night I sneaks off into the past. My penchant for sprinkling history with magic is fuelled by coffee and Cadburys. When I am not writing, I take my dogs and small monsters into the countryside, especially if there is a castle or historic building there with a cosy coffee shop in which to escape the rain of Manchester, England. I fed all my love for history and folklore into my ‘Naturae’ historical fantasy series of novels.

HOW CAN OUR READERS GET IN TOUCH?

On my website, blog, Amazon, Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok and Goodreads. You can also subscribe to my newsletter and receive a free copy of the ‘Naturae’ Series prequel Destiny Awaiting (full length novel, enemies to lovers historical romance/fantasy) to enjoy!
And if you fancy getting Advance Reader Copies (ARC) of all of my books you can join the Launch Team here.

A sneak peek into Book Three of the Naturae Series, which will be released in April 2024!

CAN YOU TELL US WHAT YOUR BOOK IS ABOUT?

Aioffe and Joshua return to Tudor England seeking a safe haven for their family, yet celestial portents predict disaster. Under Queen Mary I’s rule, the Catholic church has gripped power and the fae are in danger and unwelcome. Imprisoned for murder, their friend and se’er witch Nemis awaits her trial, but is crippled by visions of royal deaths.
When Queen Mary dies, political and religious upheaval shroud the horrifying truth. Aioffe and Joshua are the only people who believe Nemis’s prophecy… a killer of queens has started a campaign of terror.
As the trial looms, with Nemis’s life at stake, the murderer strikes again. It becomesclear – being different doesn’t mean you are invincible. Aioffe is destined to die next, unless the hunted becomes the hunter.
Past and present collide as the family embarks on a dangerous and forbidden journey across Elizabethan England and Scotland in search of answers. Can they capture the murderer before more queens die and a Treaty protecting all fae, witches and vampires is destroyed? Or is Aioffe’s destiny foretold after all?
But… if five crowns tumble… King Henry Fitzroy, a vampire ruling over a fae nation, can’t help but see the opportunity in Nemis’s prophecy. Is this the moment when he arises into his destiny?

WHAT SETS YOUR BOOK APART FROM THE COMPETITION?

Here’s the 5 reasons why you’ll love Destiny Arising:

1. Tropes you’ll love: hidden worlds, suffering main characters, murder-mystery thriller style, created families, formidable villains and morally grey characters;
2. A complex plot with dramatic twists;
3. While there are romantic elements, the main characters are already in a long established couple;
4. A multiple 3^rd person omniscient point of view that gives depth to the story;
5. A chance to escape into descriptive writing and experience accurate historical events including the death of Queen Mary I, the coronation of Queen Elizabeth I; Mary Queen of Scots and all her drama! Oh and witch trials…

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF…

By day, I juggle consultancy work with family, but by night I sneaks off into the past. My penchant for sprinkling history with magic is fuelled by coffee and Cadburys. When I am not writing, I take my dogs and small monsters into the countryside, especially if there is a castle or historic building there with a cosy coffee shop in which to escape the rain of Manchester, England. I fed all my love for history and folklore into my ‘Naturae’ historical fantasy series of novels.

HOW CAN OUR READERS GET IN TOUCH?

On my website, Amazon, Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok and Goodreads. You can also subscribe to my newsletter and receive a free copy of the ‘Naturae’ Series prequel Destiny Awaiting (full length novel, enemies to lovers historical romance/fantasy) to enjoy! And if you fancy getting Advance Reader Copies (ARC) of all of my books you can join the Launch Team here.

Featuring Jan’s historical fantasy novels throughout March

About: A historical fantasy thriller adventure through the reign of Henry VIII’s Reformation England to the fantastical realm of Naturae. After a confrontation with a shadowy figure from her past, any hope of a quiet life in deeply religious northern England for the runaway soulmates is destroyed. Homebody Joshua is torn apart from his secretive wife. Only his belief in her innocence and the kindness of strangers keeps him alive. In a dangerous quest through the turbulence of Reformation, he sets out to recover what he has lost, but finds himself questioning his own faith and future. Heartbroken and alone, Aioffe refuses to comply with the destiny envisaged for her, until she discovers a darker secret which threatens to destroy the Naturae realm and fae immortality. The fate of an entire race rests on their shoulders, can they reunite in time to disrupt destiny? Rebellion, danger and intrigue threaten the future in a thrilling journey, weaving Tudor times with magical fantasy.

About: Family should be loyal, or so Aioffe and Joshua thought. When a rival claimant to her Naturae throne returns, the balance of power shifts. Division and threats appear and a witch’s prophesy goes unheeded. Naturae’s stability as a growing realm seems doubtful without an heir. In England, Edward VI has died, and a fight for his throne will follow. Henry Fitzroy, a forgotten heir and Edward’s bastard vampire brother, awakens to the destiny he was promised in tatters. Denied his crown and place in the human world, Henry sets his sights on claiming what was due to him, even if that means hurting everyone who was loyal to him before. The price of an heir to bring Aioffe, Joshua and the Queendom back together is a sacrifice – their marriage or their loyalty to Naturae. As darker forces gather, a decision must be made, or chaos will reign…

About: Aioffe and Joshua return to Tudor England seeking a safe haven for their family, yet celestial portents predict disaster. Under Queen Mary I’s rule, the Catholic church has gripped power and the fae are in danger and unwelcome. Imprisoned for murder, their friend and se’er witch Nemis awaits her trial, but is crippled by visions of royal deaths. When Queen Mary dies, political and religious upheaval shroud the horrifying truth. Aioffe and Joshua are the only people who believe Nemis’s prophecy… a killer of queens has started a campaign of terror. As the trial looms, with Nemis’s life at stake, the murderer strikes again. It becomes clear – being different doesn’t mean you are invincible. Aioffe is destined to die next, unless the hunted becomes the hunter. Past and present collide as the family embarks on a dangerous and forbidden journey across Elizabethan England and Scotland in search of answers. Can they capture the murderer before more queens die and a Treaty protecting all fae, witches and vampires is destroyed? Or is Aioffe’s destiny foretold after all?But… if five crowns tumble… King Henry Fitzroy, a vampire ruling over a fae nation, can’t help but see the opportunity in Nemis’s prophecy. Is this the moment when he arises into his destiny?

About: Fae Queen Lana is furious when Vikings slaughter her humans, but her downfall has just begun. After capturing their alluring leader to prevent further atrocities, she faces rebellion from her people for risking the stability of the Queendom for a mortal. But destiny, love and magic will cause more chaos yet in the secretive world of Naturae as Lana is torn between new love and crown. Can mortal and immortal enemies risk fate and faith for love? Or, out of the ashes of destruction, will a new villain emerge to battle hope itself?

About: Lost and alone in Henry V’s dangerous world, runaway fae Aioffe must rely on her newfound human captor, Tarl, to keep her safe. Yet his secrets could put both of them in greater peril than either could have imagined.Forced to enlist with Henry V’s army, Tarl battles his conscience to keep flighty Aioffe hidden, while she struggles to find her place in medieval human society. As they travel through medieval Scotland, Wales, and England towards war with France, they must discover the power of true love and reveal themselves if they are to survive the destiny awaiting them at Agincourt.

About: Fairfax, a plucky daemon, miscalculates when he tries to dupe a cunning spymaster on the back streets of Tudor London. Facing the gallows for treason or almost certain death as a pirate, he agrees to hunt down a mysterious orb, rumoured to have the power to cure the Queen. As he sails in search of the jewel, the sun is barely past the Wanderer’s yardarm when he falls foul of the notorious pirate queen herself, Grainne O’Malley.With time ticking on the Queen’s life, the odds of success shorten. Can Fairfax navigate stormy waters, escape the pirate’s plundering plans and find the lost cure before they are all lost in the mysterious mist?

About: There is a dead body under that oak tree. I propped him there as blood still seeped from his wounds.
I killed my first man at the age of 20, but it took another 321 years for me to commit a regicide. This prattling youth, a King in name only, is my fourth. Soon, everyone will know my name: Blind Bill. I see you, but I doubt you’ll see me coming.

To find out more about Jan Foster’s work, visit her website https://escapeintoatale.com or her Amazon Author Page.

We are very excited to announce we’ve recently appeared as guests on ‘Perspectives On Pages’, a podcast hosted by small-press authors Robin Stevens and Benjamin Roesch, deep diving into the world of all things books, publishing, and writing. 

What we discussed: the world of self-publishing and the meaning of authorship today, as well as our work as ‘the home of independent, self-published authors’ and the free promotional opportunities we offer.

The Highlights: Ella and her metaphor around indie authors as artisan bakers, plus her top tips on how to ensure your book stands out from the competition, especially if you are approaching publishing for the first time; Alex’s academic work around the digital revolution in publishing and her unconventional thoughts on a new quality rating system for books.

The podcast episode will be live on Spotify from 7pm on Friday, 1st March 2024.

Now in its second season, the podcast brings together a brilliant line up of guests bringing their own experiences, thoughts, sense of humour, advice, curiosity, and… Perspectives on Pages. Here’s the full line-up (commencing Tuesday, 27^th February):

1. Tuesday, 27th Feb | Episode 1 | Memoir Author Celia Ochoa 
2. Wednesday, 28th February | Episode 2 | Children’s Books Author Erik Jon Slangerup
3. Thursday, 29th February | Episode 3 | Author and Writing Coach Violeta Bagia
4. Friday, 1st March | Episode 4 | Not For Vanity’s Ella and Alex 😊
5. Saturday, 2nd March | Episode 5 | Author Kester Brewin (fiction, non-fiction & short fiction)
6. Sunday, 3rd March |Episode 6 | Middle Grade Kidlit Author Deke Moulton 

Make sure you check it out and let us know what you think!

Have A Look At What We’ve Been Up To This Month!

BOOK REVIEWS

A romance suspense thriller telling the story of the relationship between Hayley, a woman on the run from an unsettling past and Jesse, a newly promoted DI investigating a series of violent crimes and with a lot to prove. As they get closer, so does danger… Read our review here.

Max leads an unremarkable life, until he starts hearing the thoughts of a killer in a movie theatre, an unusual skill that gets him a job with DDA Grady Jacobs to bring down some very bad men and targeting organised crime on a larger scale. Follow Max as he descends into a maze of crime and cover-ups that threatens his life and the one of those around him. Read Hayley Price’s glowing review here.

Set in a familiar feeling small town on the coast of Norway, Gabriel Dahl is a wildlife photographer heading to a documentary shoot who, on a whim whilst passing, decides to go looking for a girl he met once on a childhood holiday. Very soon, he finds himself caught up in a seedy criminal underworld on a mission to rescue the girl that he fell in love with all those years ago. Read our review here.

Going home for Christmas with her siblings should have been a joyous occasion for eleven-year-old Kitty. But this is the worst winter in living memory and the journey home turns into a surreal ordeal. Who is the enormous woman on the train so interested in the School Debating Cup Kitty has ‘borrowed’? When a famous magician tells you there is no such thing as magic, should you believe him? What is it that comes snuffling round the doors in the night? And there are reports of stranded lorry drivers being attacked and whole villages found deserted… Read our review here.

SELF-PROMO FEATURES

No one knows how it started. Domestic animals began to go wild, reverting to their primal states and lashing out at their owners. Felicia Owens, CDC scientist in Los Angeles, was attacked out of the blue by her cat. Now, Felicia is fighting bouts of irritability, anger, and outright primal rage. When others begin acting in a similar way, Felicia realizes that she needs to figure out what’s going on and how to cure it before it’s too late. Maybe it already is. Read our feature here.

A dark threat has arisen in the east, overwhelming the Greenlands. Torbin Paleskin strives to coordinate a defence at The Titan Gate but the disparate nature of The Free Territories makes this arduous in the extreme. At the same time Candor Blackheart must try to stand fast and protect the twin cities, sacrificing everything he cherished.
Jonoh Shipwright has to face a disturbing truth and step into manhood before his time, while his closest friend Garic Carpenter struggles with a revelation. Marisa Longspear has to rise to a challenge and put her distrust of authority behind her, stepping into the great northern wastelands. In the Kingdom of Darmat, Advocate Sorkin must risk everything, knowing discovery will cost his life. Meanwhile Shadowmaster Cerwin tries to walk the line in between, while The Orphans gather for the final confrontation. Read our feature here.

Sheynon Calidriil, elven wanderer and thief, shipwrecked on an island south of the land of Ardwel with three strangers, and no way home. Yet legends are born in unusual ways, and the saga of Calidriil is about to begin.​ How many will suffer the consequences? With the 3 families of Calidriil, Lahai and Vincent, and a growing collection of allies and adversaries, to say nothing of the Dark Elves in Ung’gu’wi, deep beneath the Black Forest, how will Sheynon, a simple elf holding allegiance to no one, survive? Who is Shiva Lahi, Priest of the Rising Star? Or Culwenril, the half-elf maiden holding secrets of her own? And what of Quendi Aēgnore and Elindili, Elven Champions? Who is Audrey Vincent, Champion from Stormguarde Castle in the North? Or Coronis, the “Emperor”, in The Other Place and Time? Or the mysterious Reena, the escaped concubine, or Mor’i’jil and Alystin, of the Dark Elf clergy? What is the true agenda of Kaanan, the priestess who becomes a goddess? And what is the real goal of Kaul the Brute, who battles an entire land to win a city and its riches? Will Dark Elf society collapse into Civil War, with the Great Houses at each other’s throats? And Archane, the Dark Princess, leader of the Drow, will conquer the land through peace or war? Read our feature here.

BLOG & NEWS

Jen has lived in Crossroads all her life, a town of changing fortunes due to its once flourishing baritheum trade. Her parents dead, she enjoys a quiet existence running her family stable but then Dynnah, a wealthy widow, moves to town. An instant bond created over their interest in horses becomes unbreakable when, on a fateful night, evil knocks at Dynnah’s door. This is only the start of their adventure together; as their relationship intensifies, so does danger: what began as an ordinary day suddenly takes a turn for the worse… Jen and Dynnah are soon on the run, chased by the Burgher’s men, the charges against them theft and moral misconduct. Their only chance is to reach the Cordon, hoping no Others live there and that this absurd chase will soon come to an end. But does it? Will Jen and Dynnah make it? 

We guarantee this story will hook you immediately, thanks to Hayley’s captivating writing style and her ability to set the scene from the very first line, creating a credible, ‘parallel’ world for her characters where nothing is left to chance. Read Part One and Part Two. 

Inspired by the likes of The Walking Dead and Mad Max and six years after Book One (Wright’s debut novel), the adventures of Jack and Derek Carr continue, as they leave behind their home island of Hella, to travel across the western world onboard the Variant V1 battleship, to support their government win the third world war. 
This Saga is for anyone who is seeking a look into our possible future (if climate change destroys the planet). An action adventure series with a taste of drama, tailored to a mature audience. Read our blog post here.