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The Importance of Book Covers
We are always told that we shouldn't judge a book but its cover. However, in reality is everybody does just that and covers are crucial to the success of any book. For authors it acts as a primary marketing tool because it creates the readers' first impression of the book and the story within. This is how it helps to drive sales. For the readers the book cover sets their expectations of the tale the book will tell. A strong cover conveys genre and tone, builds credibility, a
authorvalpenny
Oct 18, 20252 min read
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Interview with Michele Pariza Wacek
Today I am pleased to host author Michele Pariza Wacek on the blog today and share the recent chat we had about her writing and her new...
authorvalpenny
Aug 20, 20254 min read
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Sparks by Trisha Thacker
I am pleased to be able to share an excerpt from Sparks the fantasy novel by Trisha Thacker. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did....
authorvalpenny
Aug 16, 20254 min read
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Interview with Stephanie Santone
I was delighted when author Stephanie Santone agreed to sit down with me to discuss her new book Tangled Magic. Fantasy is not a genre of...
authorvalpenny
Aug 13, 20255 min read
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My Writing Journey by C.J. Laurence
I am pleased to be able to introduce author C.J. Laurence to the blog today. It is always interesting to me to discover how authors come...
authorvalpenny
Jul 16, 20253 min read
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Themes in Novels
I have a new police procedural, A Fighting Chance, to be published by SpellBound Books Ltd. next month. The themes of that novel include...
authorvalpenny
Jul 12, 20252 min read
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From Bookwork to Author by Nancy Cleaver
It is a great pleasure to introduce you to author Nancy Cleaver today. I find it inspiring to learn about how authors come to their craft...
authorvalpenny
Jul 9, 20253 min read
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A Complicated Relationship by Cassidy Reyne
Today, I am delighted to introduce Cassidy Reyne to the blog to discuss the relationship she has with the characters in her books. I have...
authorvalpenny
Jul 2, 20254 min read
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Why I Write by Chloe L Blyth
Today I am thrilled to introduce author Chloe L Blyth to the blog. Chloe is an established author who has offered to try to inspire...
authorvalpenny
Jun 28, 20253 min read
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Ash (Bratva Blood Brothers Bk1) by Jax Knight
I was lucky enough to win a copy of Ash (Bratva Blood Brothers Book 1) by Jax Knight recently. The author generously offered me a choice...
authorvalpenny
May 24, 20252 min read
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Writer's Block and How to Get Past It
The first time I voiced me fears about writer's block was when I asked my mentor, the late great Peter Robinson how he dealt with it....
authorvalpenny
May 10, 20254 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 12, 20253 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 5, 20257 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 29, 20252 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 22, 20252 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 8, 20253 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 1, 20253 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 22, 20253 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 15, 20253 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 8, 20254 min read
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