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An Author's Summer
Let me tell you about what this summer has in store for me. It promises to be an exciting time. I have just sent my next book in the...
authorvalpenny
May 32 min read
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What is a Vanity Press and How to Avoid One?
Authors are story tellers and whether for love or for money the want to share their stories with the world. There are many ways to do...
authorvalpenny
Apr 193 min read
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My Writing Journey by Mollie Sykes
It is my great pleasure to welcome fellow author Mollie Sykes to the blog today. Mollie has published several books and contributed to...
authorvalpenny
Apr 123 min read
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Indie published, self-published or traditional? What can authors do to boost book sales? by Helen Matthews
It is my great pleasure to welcome best selling novelist, Helen Matthews to the blog to discuss her experiences of getting books...
authorvalpenny
Apr 57 min read
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How to Write a Good Blurb
Let's imagine you've finished writing your book, the editing is done and it's almost ready to go. Now is the time to write the blurb that...
authorvalpenny
Mar 292 min read
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The Importance of a Good Ending
We have all experienced it, reaching the end of a book and feeling let down or unsatisfied, by a lazy or boring ending. As a reader you...
authorvalpenny
Mar 222 min read
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Creating Realistic Characters
Every gripping story needs compelling characters to tell it and as the writer it is your job to create those characters and breathe life...
authorvalpenny
Mar 83 min read
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How to Write a Novel in Ten Steps
Some people say that everybody has a book in them. I doubt this is true. Even if it were so, I do not believe that everybody has the...
authorvalpenny
Mar 13 min read
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To Plot or Not to Plot
Authors generally fall into one of two categories, those who plot or those who don't. When I first started my writing career, I admit...
authorvalpenny
Feb 223 min read
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Avoiding a Mucky Middle
We learn early on in our writing journey that every story must have a beginning a middle and an end. We are also taught that our main...
authorvalpenny
Feb 153 min read
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Are Writing Prompts Useful?
Sometimes I have difficulty settling down to write and at other times I may struggle to decide what to write about. It is at times like...
authorvalpenny
Feb 53 min read
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The Importance of Setting in DI Hunter Crime Thrillers
The main setting for the DI Hunter Wilson Crime Thrillers is Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. It is a beautiful city but relatively...
authorvalpenny
Jan 302 min read
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New Year, New Plans, Independent Minds
The start of a new year is always exciting with the opportunity to look forward rather than back. This year my publishers, SpellBound...
authorvalpenny
Jan 182 min read
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Why I Write by Sharon Cook
Today it is a delight to welcome my friend and fellow author Sharon Cook to the blog to explain her compulsion to write. Sharon's debut...
authorvalpenny
Jan 113 min read
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A Good Way to Start a Novel
I thought for the new year I would start at the beginning so let's look at how to start your book in a way that will grab the readers'...
authorvalpenny
Jan 84 min read
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Why I Write by Allison Symes
It is always a joy to welcome my friend and fellow author, Allison Symes to the blog. She is not only a talented writer but also an...
authorvalpenny
Jan 43 min read
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A New Writing Year
Before I review last year, may I wish you a very Happy New Year for the year ahead. The past year has been busy. Not only have I been...
authorvalpenny
Jan 14 min read
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My Writing Life by K.D. Sherrinford
It is my great pleasure to welcome author K.D. Sherringford to the blog today to discuss her journey to become a bestselling author. ...
authorvalpenny
Dec 28, 20244 min read
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Christmas Books
One of the things I like best about Christmas is that my elder daughter and I often swap books that we have read and enjoyed during the...
authorvalpenny
Dec 25, 20242 min read
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My Writing Journey by Martin J Lake
It is my great pleasure to welcome my friend and fellow author Martin J Lake to the blog today. Martin's debut novel, Beyond The Stones:...
authorvalpenny
Dec 21, 20245 min read
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