For among elk, we dwell. *

On By Annika PerryIn Travel, Writing62 Comments

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This wasn’t the first time we had to brake suddenly. Not the noisy tyre screeching stop; rather a quiet sedate halt before a hushed ‘ahh’ filled the car. We all leaned forward. I glanced back and forth, desperately seeking out the cause for this joyful expression.

‘There, just there. Amongst the trees. Do you see them?’

Them? I had been looking for perhaps one deer, camouflaged amongst the dark brown tree trunks, the green of the forest sucking the clarity of shapes into itself.

‘There.’

Abruptly I sit back into my seat. A young elk calf had just skittered its way across the road directly in front of the car. By the tree line it turned around and looked back to the other side. Just then I saw ‘them’. Another calf, hidden deeper amongst the trees, then Mother Elk stepped forward towards the road.

photo 3-3This was my ‘Northern Exposure’ moment! For years I’ve watched the starting credits of this show, always amazed as the elk nonchalantly wandered through the town. Here I saw the giant beast close up. Totally still as it weighed up the situation; its two off spring trapped on opposite sides of the road. We didn’t move. No one said a word. Feelings of awe and majesty flowing over us.

Then with a few wide strides the elk passed in front of us – to the lone calf.

photo 2I’ve never seen such a sad forlorn expression as that on the remaining calf. Its bewilderment and fear complete. We waited for the scenario to play out –  it was obviously the language of stares. Which luckily went on for minutes so we could relax in the close proximity of these animals.

photo 2-5 (1)As suddenly as Mother Elk had crossed the road, so it did again – back to the shyer, more fearful calf. Rejoined they looked back at the original calf. One minute. Two minute. The game of dare. One, two careful steps and then it walked, sauntered across. The Brave. The Fearless. The Adventurous. A hushed cheer in the car and the animals scarpered into the forest, the cowardly one turning away from the others before bolting back to them in a hurry.

photo 3So many lovely bloggers have asked about my trip to Sweden and for some photos and so I am only too happy to oblige. I will return to the book reviews in my next post. However, I will be posting more photos about my Sweden trip during the next couple of months.

* Copyright A. Kathy Moss

SOPHIE’S THROUGHWAY: A BOOK REVIEW

On By Annika PerryIn Book Review, Book Reviews38 Comments

book

Not the most likely topic for a fiction novel but Jules Smith has pulled off a feat with this book – a tender, raw, no holes barred story of a mother struggling to hold onto her family and sanity amidst the chaotic world of her teenage son diagnosed with Aspergers and PDA.

Written in the first person, from Sophie’s (the mother) viewpoint, this only heightens the immediacy of the narration and the reader is brought smack into the middle of the family’s lives.  From the first sentence I was hooked, pulled into Sophie’s hectic, confusing world with demands from all sides shaking her (and the reader) to the core.

Brendon, her seventeen-year-old son, diagnosed with Aspergers and PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) is at the heart of the story. His verbal and frank comments cause understandable ruptures at school and home. Whilst his father flees from what he sees as his son’s intransigent behaviour, Sophie remains her son’s stalwart parent, friend and supporter. Not only does she fight for him at every possible moment, she relentlessly tries to ensure her younger daughter, Bryony, receives the attention she so desperately needs as well as retaining her work as an writer for an interiors magazine. 

Sophie’s lifeline is her work, which she loves and her colleagues provide  her with normality in her Aspergers centred world. However, as her son’s situation deteriorates even this rock is threatened. 

This book could easily have become didactic and prescriptive about Aspergers however the author has successfully sidestepped this trap. Quickly I warmed and cared for Sophie, Brendon and Bryony. Whilst so much  of his behaviour is appalling, like Sophie I could understand more of the illness and recognise the validity of some of Brendon’s keenly observed remarks and  outbursts. 

‘He had a point. I found the way he thought refreshing and challenging.’

The dichotomy within Brendon – almost a Jekyll and Hyde personality –  is a struggle for Sophie, as at one moment he is a kind considerate son, the next he pushes her to the end of her tether. 

‘Brendon had a keen sense of right and wrong which was amazing since he couldn’t apply it to himself.’

Can the diversion of an online scrabble game  provide Sophie with the love and support she desperately needs as she messages ‘The Voice’ in California? Her fantasy is just beginning to get carried away…or does romance lie much closer to home in the form of her understanding boss, Colin…

Unexpectedly this book was an instant hit with me, the writing flows with ease and sparkles with warmth and humour interspersed with fast-paced dialogue. The characters are wonderfully sketched and Sophie’s heart-felt and honest narration allows us to view not only her life but that of her son’s and daughter’s as well as that of their friends and teachers.

Personally I have two minor reservations about the book. Firstly, the title. I just don’t think it works – but don’t let this stop you reading it! 

Secondly for me the book finished abruptly. There was no ‘signposting’ of the end and I kept pressing my ‘next page’ button on my kindle in frustration wanting to read on…maybe this just show how much I had become caught up in the story…but I did want more of a resolution, conclusion. However, I would in no way let this detract from what is overall a highly rewarding and uplifting read. 

Released only two weeks ago this is a book I can highly recommend. 

Rating:                 4 out of 5 stars.

Price:                    £ 2.99  Kindle 

                               £ 9.99  paperback (amazon)  

Book Release:  3rd April 2016

Publisher:        Troubador Publishing

 

netgalleyI reviewed this book on behalf of NetGalley. 

 

A DICTIONARY OF MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING: A BOOK REVIEW

On By Annika PerryIn Book Review, Book Reviews52 Comments

During the past two weeks of peaceful holiday in Sweden I’ve been lucky enough to read an array of books on behalf of NetGalley. Four particularly were striking, unusual, starkly different and therefore my next posts will feature these books. I start with the amazing and wonderful A Dictionary of Mutual Understanding by Jackie Copleton

mutualFrom the very first few words I knew this book would be one to cherish, to love – one that continues to live within my heart days and weeks  later. 

The story weaves between the present and past, between Japan and America as Amaterasu Takahashi is forced to re-live the earlier life of her long-lost daughter killed along with thousands of others as a  B29 dropped a nuclear bomb Nagasaki on 9th August 1945 at 11.02.

The story opens with the appearance of a man on the widow’s  door-step claiming to be her grandson, Hideo, who was killed in the attack. Disbelieving, she is handed documents to prove the veracity of his statement. So begins the epic sweeping novel; at times brutal, at times ethereal.

Amaterasu Takahashi is the main narrator, however this is effectively interspersed with Yoku’s (her daughter) diary as well as letters from Sato –  local doctor at the time – who caused the irreparable rift between mother and daughter.

Secrets and lies are at the core of so many novels and this one is no exception. Rather the secrets withheld and lies told are intricately, devastatingly interwoven rising to a crescendo of revelation and understanding in a story of family, love, strife and war. 

I could not fail but be pulled in by the heart-felt words early on.

‘Dear Daughter, the life I sought for you was not a bad one, was it? Could you understand why I acted the way I did? Could you see I had no choice? Only child, did you forgive me in those final moments? Did you forgive yourself?’

It was not only the story that ensnared me, the author – previously a language teacher in Japan – powerfully transported me into Japan; its detailed life and customs beautifully portrayed and conveyed. Each chapter begins  with a Japanese word or custom followed by a detailed description. Often this technique can slow the narrative and become cumbersome. However Jackie Copleton’s notes only heighten the sense of the culture and our understanding of the characters within her book and the choices they made and the lives they lived. Beyond the people and its culture, Nagasaki particularly is brilliantly brought to life at its cusp of transformation from the old order to modern city.   

‘Nagasaki, the city growing like a giant metal insect across the land.’ A city living in the glory of its ship-building era, an industry that would lead to its obliteration. ‘It felt as if the world’s heart had exploded…Never find the language for such and agony of noise and the silence that followed.’

Heart-warming. Heart-felt. Heart-wrenching. These are three words I jotted down as I finished the book and which sum it up perfectly. It is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. No wonder it was long-listed for The Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction 2016. My only surprise is that it didn’t make the short-list. 

badge_proreaderI was honoured to be accepted as a reviewer by Random House UK for ‘A Dictionary of Mutual Understanding’ on behalf of NetGalley.

Rating:              5 out of 5!

Book Price:       £ 4.99.    Kindle

                             £ 12.08   Hardback  (amazon)

Publisher:        Random House UK

 

GOOSE ON THE LOOSE

On By Annika PerryIn Festivals, Writing60 Comments
One of my favourites. Very trusting.
Fabergé

Creativity comes in many forms. 

A while back our village embraced the creative as we all went goose mad. Not the live ones, nor cooked ones, rather foot tall white polystyrene models. Hundreds of them!

Then the challenge was set – to decorate these as beautifully, unusually, imaginatively as possible. 

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Mummy Goose

The gauntlet was thrown down by a local artist who is active within the community and after organising numerous Scarecrow Trails she fancied doing something a bit different, something directly related to the village. In the Middle Ages, as geese were driven to London for the fairs, our village became an overnight stop for the travellers. In celebration of this the Goose Trail was born.

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Prehistoric wild goose chase!

All school pupils, participating households and businesses were given their own goose to decorate. I believe the final number was close to 300!

Who would have guessed the artistic flair this project would unleash – puns abounded, fun and wit at every goose, ideas both crazy and topical. An absolute wonder of colour, delight and yes, creativity. I hope you enjoy the brief tour with me.

Goosey – The Cat Burglar

The British sea-side was celebrated in two installations – just one aspect was slightly wrong. Where’s that breezy, gusty wind that lifts the umbrella and sends it somersaulting down the beach!

Of course, football is hugely popular and there are many supporters locally of London-based team West Ham – known as the Hammers. I wonder how the geese are faring in this match?

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The Cockney Geezers

There was an international flavour to some of the exhibits and I liked this French one …. Oh, I just wanted to stop for some bread, cheese and wine…

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Sutton Honk – Raedwald The Goose

This one referred to Sutton Hoo which is one of the most magnificent archaeological finds in England and is nearby. It dates back to the 500 or 600 AD and in the undisturbed burial ship there was a wealth of beautiful and high quality artefacts  including a suite  of metalwork dress fittings in gold and gems, a ceremonial helmet, shield and sword, a lyre, and many pieces of silverware.

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Sutton Hoo Ceremonial Helmet

 

 

 

 

 

 

A giant SpongeBob SquarePants graced one garden, cheekily chatting away to a goose with most unusual shaped eggs. Ouch.

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Not to be outdone one household had a flair for mixing fairytales as they included their stalwart metal scarecrow.

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Jack (this man) and the Beanstalk with the goose that laid the golden eggs.

This young goose was  handsomely, meticulously turned out as a RAF officer – of course it can fly, it has wings!

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The Top Gun display brought back great memories of seeing the film and particularly its initial dramatic moments. 

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Easter is soon upon us and in a few days I’m heading away to the peace and tranquility of the sea, lakes and forests of Sweden. We take this break every year and you can read a bit more about it here. I’ll pop into the blogging world when I get a chance, until then I wish you all a very Happy Easter – may calm, joy and peace be with you all.

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Primary School painted geese

 

DISAPPEARING WORDS

On By Annika PerryIn Disappearing Words, Writing88 Comments

farmers.3

Acorn. Fern. Cygnet. Everyday words. Or so you would think. Words that belong in everyone’s lexicon. However, along with bluebell, pasture and willow the Oxford Junior Dictionary has deleted these words from its books. Discarded, like ashes in a burnt out fire, they scatter on the breeze, taking flight, flying further away from us. 

As our youngsters increasingly reject the outdoors, the woods, fields, streams and gulleys, words relating to the environment are becoming redundant, replaced by ones of the digital world. Welcome to blog, broadband and chatroom. Welcome to the insidious destruction of our language; an incalculable loss that will only be felt, appreciated and mourned much later.

Our landscape is being replaced by cyberspace and in the process we are failing to see that the rocks and stones and trees ought to remain ‘an active and shaping force in our imagination, our ethics, and our relations with each other and the world’, according to Robert Macfarlane, Fellow of Emmanuel College, Cambridge. In his book, ‘Landmarks’, he stresses that ‘words do not simply label an object or action, but in some mysterious and beautiful way becomes part of it’. 

He particularly points to the regional variations of language relating to nature and the environment and in his book aims to preserve the words and dialects of fishermen, farmers and foresters across the UK. Words that have been eroded by time. As in the Aboriginal tradition in Australia of song-lines, he sees these words as our ‘song-lines’, the soul of the people and the country. 

Here are some of the words Macfarlane found during his research; enjoy their poetic finesse, their keen sense of onomatopoeia, their play on variation of ordinary words. Personally I have relished saying these lost words aloud – breathing life into them for one fleeting moment. My particular favourite is perfect for those moments of sharp sudden pain of a stubbed toes: ‘crottle!’

  • aquabob             icicle                     Kent
  • shuckle              icicle                     Wessex
  • clinkerbell        icicle                      Cumbrian
  • wonty-tump    molehill               Herefordshire
  • may-bobs          Marigolds           Herefordshire
  • Nurped                freezing              Herefordshire
  • pank                    to knock or shake down apples from the tree              Herefordshire
  • crottle                 animal dung
  • doofers               animal dung
  • turdstool            animal dung
  • wind-hover       kestrel
  • bell-hawk          kestrel
  • urp                      cloudy with large clouds    Kent
  • Spronky             having many roots               Kent
  • Roarie-bummlers    storm clouds ‘noisy blunder’        Scottish
  • wewire                to move about as foliage in the wind   Essex
  • èit                        placing of quartz stones in moorland streams so they would sparkle and attract salmon.                                     Gaelic
  • báini-báini         used to call pigs                                           Irish

We all have a responsibility to counter this linguistic doomsday. Language is our responsibility; use it wisely, widely and with abundance. Its rich and varied existence depends on us and us alone. At risk is a verbal uniform blindness, the unforgiving norm.

‘Language is the light of the mind.’

John Stuart Mills. 

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Why Only Eleven?

On By Annika PerryIn Awards, Writing53 Comments

 liebster2nd

Last week I was kindly nominated by Janice at Ontheland – Caring About Our World; Reflecting About Life for the Liebster Award. If you haven’t visited her blog before, you have missed a treat.  Janice is a gifted poet and her poetry and accompanying photographs are always thoughtful and delightful. Also she’s passionate about the environment and blogs about this and believes that we all can make a difference to the world we live in.

The Liebster Award seems to be centred on the number 11 and I’m happy to answer 11 questions posed by Janice, as well as thinking of 11 random facts about myself. Finally I have written 11 questions for my 11 nominees.

The award is aimed at blogs  with a certain number of followers – in this case followers of nominees should be between 200-3000.

Without further ado. Let’s begin:

Janice’s Questions:

  1. Why do you blog? Isn’t it interesting to see how the reasons why you started blogging become so different from the reasons you continue? I started, as many other writers, hoping to achieve a platform for myself as a writer and I wanted to share my writing journey of my first book whilst learning from others along the way. Quickly I realised that facts about my writing alone would not take my readers or myself far and I quickly diversified to an eclectic range of topics.
  2. gardeningWhat are your favourite hobbies? Among my cerebral interests are reading, writing, current affairs and obviously blogging. Outside I enjoy walking and gardening (in warmer weather). Overall I love organising, be it work, trips, family…
  3. What  is one of your pet peeves?  What really bugs me is people texting or glancing at their phone/tablet whilst out eating with others. It’s just not polite. My irritation is doubled when it’s a young child being ignored.
  4. What is a favourite food or meal?  My all-time favourite food is anything with pasta. As I was still a fussy eater when getting married I had a pasta dish at my wedding – much to the amusement of my friends and family.
  5. Ginseng-Tea-PicturesDo you prefer coffee or tea or neither?  Although I love the smell of coffee I don’t drink it, preferring herbal teas. Peppermint for the morning, ginger tea to take me through the day and a camomile tea in the evening.
  6. snowgarden2Name a favourite something  (eg. book, singer, band, author, poem).   My current favourite writer is Rachel Joyce.I loved her previous three books (The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, Perfect & The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy). Her latest book, ‘A Snow Garden’ is sublime, magical, poetic and humorous. It’s wonderful to see a short story collection becoming such a popular success.
  7. Are you a morning person? After the first hour in the morning, I turn into a friendly human being; ready to work, talk, take part in this world. Before then, I enjoy the quiet ethereal peace twixt sleep and wake.
  8. What sports do you enjoy, if any?   At the moment, apart from losing massively in football or tennis against my son, I enjoy pilates and yoga. The latter maybe less so following my recent slipped discs suffered after a particularly gruelling session. Ouch!
  9. googleWhat is a reference source that you use frequently? Was there life before Google?! Seriously, I use Google or such search engines many times during the day and can’t imagine what I did in pre-internet days. Oh yes, dictionary, encyclopaedia, thesaurus…Occasionally I will still use my Oxford English Dictionary when truly stuck.
  10. What quality do you value most in a friend?  Steadfastness.
  11. kennedy-space-centre4What is a favourite journey, either travelled or planned for the future?   This summer we are hoping to visit Florida so I’m very excited about this possibility. As a space fan a visit to the  Kennedy Space Centre is a must!

 

 

Random Facts about Myself:

cinnamon1. I struggle to say the word ‘cinnamon’ properly – and people who know me wouldn’t want it any other way!
2. I tried my first pizza aged 26.

3. midnight-sunAt nursery I orchestrated The Great Escape for myself and an group of friends, slipping through an unlocked gate after lunchtime break, heading towards the forest nearby. Alas we were spotted, kindly halted in our tracks and returned to the nursery.

4. Aged four I hunted out a packet of cigarettes and ate one but have never touched any since! In my mother’s defence she had hidden them in the highest and most inaccessible cupboard in the kitchen but I was a resourceful child – a real little monkey.

5.breaking bad I’m a secret (oops!) Netflix addict. In the past years I’ve gorged on: Breaking Bad, Chuck, How I Met Your Mother, Orange is the Next Black, House of Cards, Call The Midwife, The Good Wife, Better Call Saul…

Brain

6. I believe I suffer from Prosopagnosia where people have difficulty recognising others. I am hopeless at recognising people; it is a real struggle and I even panicked when picking up my son from school in the first days in case I couldn’t find him amongst the mass of children (don’t worry, I did find him – or more likely vice versa!)

l-plates7. When learning to drive my first attempt nearly ended up in the stone wall up on the moors as I proudly copied the drivers off the movies, swinging the steering wheel back and forth. My poor mother only just saved us!

8. Whilst my husband proposed at the romantic lakeside location in Sweden a group of mad manic looking sheep in the field nearby stared unnervingly at  us.

cleaning9. When sad or angry I become a demon cleaner. Want your house to sparkle? Just catch me on one of my off days!

 

10. astronaut3When young I dreamed of becoming an astronaut or tightrope walker – I practiced lots for the latter on our garden fence!

 

11.bag I’m a bag lady! In the lucky sense of the word  – I love bags and can’t pass a bag shop without popping by for a quick look.  What can I say – I’m addicted!

 

Questions to My Nominees:

  1. Why did you start your blog?
  2. How do you deal with a setback at work/rejection letter etc?
  3. How do you celebrate a success?
  4. What’s the one crazy activity/thing you wish you’d tried but never dared?
  5. Which of your posts has got the most views? Can you post a link to it
  6.  If you could go anywhere in the world, where would that be?
  7.  What advice would you give your younger self?
  8. What is one of your most embarrassing moment?
  9. What’s your favourite drink? (Alcoholic or non-alcoholic)
  10. If you could travel into the past, which era would you go to and why?
  11. What is your most favourite (clean) joke?

Finally, to my nominations for this Liebster Award. It has been very difficult to choose as there are so many wonderful blogs out there and I have become friends with so many of you. I apologise if any of you have a no award policy which I failed to spot!  Also I had trouble finding out the number of followers for some, so if some are not quite matching the ‘rules’, please forgive me.

FOR MY LIEBSTER AWARD NOMINEES: 

If you wish to participate further in the Liebster awards, here are the ‘Rules’.

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you and link to their blog.

2. Nominate 11 other bloggers to Liebster Awards 2016.

3. Answer 11 questions from the blogger who nominated you (see below)

4. Tell your readers 11 random facts about yourself.

5. Give your candidates 11 questions to answer on their blog when they publish their appointment.

Finally, it is Mothering Sunday tomorrow in the UK and I want to wish all mothers out there a very special day filled with warmth and joy.

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AN ORDINARY DAY

On By Annika PerryIn Musings, Writing44 Comments

fish one

Fish! Such safe, innocuous pets, we thought. Low maintenance, low cost, we convinced ourselves. Ha! As If! Those were the days of innocence.

Five years ago, when our son was, well five years younger, the pet discussion had dragged on for months before finally we all agreed on fish. Dogs were out as we travelled abroad a lot, cats were ruled out after my husband mentioned his (still unwitnessed) allergy to the feline creatures. So fish it was.

Five years later my son’s fishes are mostly ours! How wonderfully typical.

Five traumatic years later we still persevere. You’d think we’d know better by now. 

The first days and weeks of joy and excitement were ones of bliss. Each feeding time an event in itself, numerous questions of sleeping habits, eating habits and er, mating habits, had me rushing secretly to google in a desperate attempt to provide an intelligent answer to my keen son.

Names. Of course the fish were soon all named and if you’re embarking on this venture, be warned. Once named, you’re doomed. After all, this is not just one pet, but dozens.

As the first poor mite pined away, then visibly sickened I watched my son’s emotional rollercoaster helplessly. His fears became mine. That was only the start.

Years of fish-related nightmares followed; tankful of dying fish, escaping fish, fishes with humongous deformed eyes! 

I quickly became an expert on diagnosing their diseases – that was the easy part. Treating meant possibly killing the other healthy ones. Catch-22.

When the first poor blighter died we agreed upon a funeral and solemnly it was placed in a matchbox. My husband donned his winter coat and gloves and looked at us expectantly.

My son and I both glanced at the cold grey frozen outdoors then my son asked could he stay in? I nodded, relieved and quickly agreed I would remain in the warm house with him.

My husband turned and headed out for the pre-arranged burial site, picking up a trowel from the shed along the way.

Minutes later, I saw him on his knees, hacking away at the frozen ground. Finally the deed was done and he eased himself up, then stood still for a moment. Stretching his back? Or saying a few words, perhaps? 

By then, exhausted from lack of sleep, over-wrought with emotions, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I fancy, I did both.

fishtwoFiver years later, our love affair with the fishes has only, perversely, flourished. On Saturday, as our son went to the cinema with friends (oh, how I recall those idyllic care-free days!), my husband and I do what all sensible parent do with a couple of free hours- we headed to the pub!

Once ensconced in a cosy corner we settled down with our drinks and snack and talked; desperately trying NOT to talk only about our son. After all, we must have conversed in our pre-child life. Didn’t we?

At last, I relaxed, easing into the peace and novelty of the day when ‘ping’ a text. Yep, my son asking if I could email a photograph of his passport for proof of age.

I remained strong! (Round of applause, please.) Where before I would have dashed to the car, driven six miles home in a panic to fulfil his request I stopped to think. To be rational.

Picking up the phone, I took a deep breath and called my son. On hearing where we were, he was ever so apologetic. I offered to to talk to the attendant but in the end the boys sorted the problem themselves and I continued to enjoy my drink…well, sort of…only fully calm when I received a text that they were in and the film was about to start.

The day continued with a visit to the Garden Centre. I don’t know what it is about these places but they are quietly reassuring, providing a burst of colour and hope in the middle of winter. A mecca of stunning flowers, a homage to dreams and possibilities. They are so normal.

Normality. For years I fought against its existence; the very word an anathema to me. I wanted excitement, I wanted constant change. Gradually I began to recognise the power and significance of normality and routine. What I feared was what I needed. Those repetitive routine tasks are the basic building blocks of life that form the secure foundation of my life and that of those close to me; however they are intermingled with adventures, of course!

As our normal day continued, our thoughts returned to the depleted fish tank; full of plants, Greek temple ruins, treasure chest but not many fish. With determination we headed to the aquatic centre.

Thirty minutes later we exited carrying a brown paper bag, with 12 guppies swarming at the bottom of the plastic bag within. Once home we slowly introduced the guppies to the tank; our eyes bedazzled by the beautiful array of colours, the luminescent fan tails shimmering away. We stood back and admired our catch; the proud new parents owners! 

I just had one thought in my mind.

How did this ordinary day become so extra-ordinary?

Enjoy this star-studded version of ‘Perfect Day ‘ by Lou Reed, who appears throughout wearing cool dark glasses. The song sums up my day perfectly:))

 

 

GRACIOUS LADY

On By Annika PerryIn poetry, Writing58 Comments

mountain1

I am delighted to have the chance to feature another one of Thalia Gust’s poems. Enjoy the walk with her. 

     Gracious Lady                               

     I met a gracious lady, she smiled, light lit her eyes,

     I dropped a pretty curtsy, to the wise woman.

     A curtsy learnt from childhood, showing honour and respect.

     Do we really honour those older and wiser, fully enough?

 

     The Lady spoke to me, we shared

     experiences of life.

     We shared  joys, pains and love.

     Her road was a gilded one but her heart had bled.

     I know my mother would love this lady, enough said.

    

     Walking among the roses, we talked 

     about our children with humour and delight. 

     About countries and people, about peace and war,

     About the sky, the ocean and nature’s force.

     We found unity.

 

     I walked up the mountain in a far away land

     met a Shepherd, resting with his flock.

     You have come, he said, seeking long,

     please sit down and share my fare.

     Quietly I did as the old man asked.

 

     We talked in stillness about life,

     its passions and griefs, its beauty and joy.

     What can you hear, the old man asked,

     I was quiet for a while, then said

     The mountain stream, the wind through the grass.

 

     The old man smiled and his eyes shone bright.

     You have come a long way, he said

     thus you found the core of joy.

     Never forget the mountain stream, the wind

     Let stillness and wonder live in your soul.

     © Thalia Gust.

ADVICE FROM A BEAR

On By Annika PerryIn Writing67 Comments

BEAR

Years ago I was given a T-shirt from my mother after her visit to the USA and the Smokey Mountains. 

I’ve always loved the beautiful drawing on the front of a bear striding purposefully along a river but I’d never taken in the inscription fully until yesterday . 

It resonates with me today more than ever; it has me smiling.

‘Live large

Climb beyond your limitations

When life get hairy, grin and bear it

Eat well

Live with the seasons

Take a good, long nap

Look after your honey!’

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On By Annika PerryIn self-publishing, Writing47 Comments

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Flexibility, control, copyright, maximum percentage earnings.  


These seem to be the key words for a new breed of entrepreneurs emerging in the publishing industry.  As more and more writers self-publish, what was previously regarded as vanity projects are now big business – both for writers and for the digital book industry.

Where before books would languish in drawers, writers with some knowledge, a lot of time, perseverance and social media presence can self-publish and hopefully with some or even lots of success.

Self-publishing has many positive elements:  

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  • The middle-man, retailers, are cut out and books are sold directly to the reader.numbers2
  • The earnings from the sale per book are increased for the writer in comparison with traditional publishing; the latter which have to take into account their work, marketing, printing and selling costs. The figures banded about are 10% in traditional publishing and copyright tied up for x-number of years against 70% in self-publishing with copyright retained and non-exclusivity. Of course, there are variations of numbers and contractual  terms within both sectors.flexi
  • Flexibility of sales technique is a major asset for those who decide to go the self-publishing route. There is the option to reduce and vary price,market special offers, including special promotions when a book might even be available for free. I know the latter is usually a major hit with many takers on the offer and resulting in increased reviews online. Also some authors can decide to part release chapters of their books via social media to tempt readers in. One major success of this tactic was Andy Weir’s ‘The Martian’.  He released his book chapter by chapter on his blog, before collating it into a complete book for self-publishing as an e-book, audio book and physical book. By then the word was already out and the book was picked up by a division of  Penguin Random House. It’s now a Hollywood blockbuster.  
  • Self-publishing also allows an author to publish a book no one in the traditional trade will touch as they consider it out of step with current market trends. One such example of miscalculation is the hugely successful ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’, which E L James decided to self-publish following lack of interest by the publishing houses. She self-published, the book flourished and in due course was picked up by Vintage Books, which had the capability to bring the physical books nationwide and to an international market as well as offering the full support of its marketing team. To date the whole series boasts sales of a 125 million books!
  • Many self-published authors have realised the popularity of series books and often have the flexibility to bundle the books together as such when selling them, giving the reader a better deal and for the writer an opportunity to increase financial sales and hopefully win longterm readers in the process.
  • Another positive aspect to self-publishing is that books do not have to be standardised regarding length, with books varying much more in number of words and offering a larger scope for refreshing variety of books.

So how big is the self-publishing industry?  

This is books scramble. Many books on white background.

No one knows for sure, particularly as the largest operator (Amazon Kindle) refuses to release their sales figures, however it is believed that between 12-15% of books sold are self-published.  Although the number might not seem large, according to Author Earnings the earnings from e-books by self-published authors in America is collectively more than earned by authors represented by the Big Five publishers.

This is a massive amount and one that is only increasing. Its own success spawns trouble for newcomers who are entering a flooded market and have to work so much harder to try and win attention and interest in their book. It is not impossible but it can be trickier than ever the experts admit.

There are numerous difficulties facing a first-time self-published author.

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  • It can be an arduous task to release over many platforms such as Amazon,Kobo, Google Play and Apple iBooks. For each platform there is the need to reformat the book each time. This can be both time-consuming and requiring yet more new skills. 
  • Furthermore there is the all important book design cover to consider. Whether to try and achieve this on ones own or search for help.
  • The blurb is vital with any book and it is important to get this right!web
  • Last but not least the actual marketing falls upon the self-published author alone; not only to organise but also to carry out without support. This includes both the social media/online marketing and perhaps outside promotional events in eg. bookshops and libraries.dollarpound 
  • There is of course also the financial risk to factor in. Many writers will want to have their manuscript professionally proofread. Perhaps a professional cover will be commissioned. Also if producing the physical books there is the printing costs to consider. Douglas Wright, a former journalist, took the opportunity to self-publish his first book but he is only now starting to recoup the costs. 

If it all seems too much there is a huge network of support out there. Many here in WordPress are wonderful  bloggers offering help, advice and support for various or all elements of the process.  

Furthermore several companies exist to help with the whole package of self-publishing including Whitefox Publishing Services, Reedsy. Support forums also exist, such as Royal Road Self-Publishing Forum, Authors Alliance.

Finally, on a personal level the information above is of great interest to me as I consider which direction to take in the future. So many bloggers have successfully self-published not just one but many books and I hold them in high esteem. My admiration for their books and their ability is immense as I begin to realise the epic journey that awaits anyone contemplating this route. I am pretty tech savvy but the thought of trying to put all this together myself into an e-book instills a certain amount of fear and trepidation. The more I read the more confused I become. I will not let this hamper my efforts though and like the writing take it step by step should I decide to go this way, calling upon your invaluable help along the way! 

* Michael Tamblyn, Head of Kobo talking about e-books on BBC news.

Data is from various sources including BBC news.