Thank you for all your magnificent support this year. Without your encouraging emails and comments on social media I’d be a lesser writer.
Festive Greetings
3 Easy Ways To Free Reads
Completing
a reading challenge can put a bit of a strain on your finances if you’re
watching the pennies or are a struggling author trying to make her way in the
world. Unless – you come up with some inventive ways of getting cheap or
free reads.
a reading challenge can put a bit of a strain on your finances if you’re
watching the pennies or are a struggling author trying to make her way in the
world. Unless – you come up with some inventive ways of getting cheap or
free reads.
My 1st
port of call has always been Carnegie Library on Red Post Hill. Sadly that was
shut down by my local council. Boo Hiss It’s a long story which you can read more about
in my post entitled Crisis: Ruskin Readers & Carnegie Library. However, I didn’t let my short-sighted council stand in
the way of my reading addiction. The whole borough’s library catalogue is
available to browse online. This means I can order any book which takes my
fancy, reserve it and for a modest 50p get a notice to collect it from a
library of my choice at a time of my choosing. When you have a schedule like
mine that’s pretty priceless.
port of call has always been Carnegie Library on Red Post Hill. Sadly that was
shut down by my local council. Boo Hiss It’s a long story which you can read more about
in my post entitled Crisis: Ruskin Readers & Carnegie Library. However, I didn’t let my short-sighted council stand in
the way of my reading addiction. The whole borough’s library catalogue is
available to browse online. This means I can order any book which takes my
fancy, reserve it and for a modest 50p get a notice to collect it from a
library of my choice at a time of my choosing. When you have a schedule like
mine that’s pretty priceless.
Using
this method of book procuring has several advantages:
this method of book procuring has several advantages:
- Convenience
- You have a never ending supply
of books - Bulked up arm muscles from lugging your book bag to and fro
- You save a shed load of money
which you can put towards a big present for yourself - Getting books from your
library not only saves you money but also generates a small income for your
favourite authors. If they’re already dead it won’t matter to them very much.
But if they’re very much alive e.g. like me – it will make a HUGE difference.
Trust
me. As long as your favourite author is registered on the British Libraries PLR
system they’re good to go. If you’re a published indie author make sure you
register ASAP.
me. As long as your favourite author is registered on the British Libraries PLR
system they’re good to go. If you’re a published indie author make sure you
register ASAP.
The
next stop on my road to a free book is Prolific Works (formerly Instafreebie).
I’ve mentioned this site before. There are advantages and disadvantages to it
depending on how you want to look at it.
next stop on my road to a free book is Prolific Works (formerly Instafreebie).
I’ve mentioned this site before. There are advantages and disadvantages to it
depending on how you want to look at it.
Advantages
- Free books for your phone,
e-reader or computer - It provides a download in
whichever format suits your device - You find an amazing #indie
read that makes you want to get more of this author’s work
Disadvantages
- You need an e-reader
- Your e-reader becomes packed
with free books - You may have to sign up to
newsletters from authors - You sign up for a book and
it’s only a preview but didn’t state that in the blurb – Grrraaargh! This is my
personal pet peeve. - Some reads are less than
inspiring and you lose the will to live thinking there are no decent #indie
authors out there
If you
prefer reading via your e-reader but don’t want to go down the Prolific Works route then the next best option is to download books directly from your library.
Unfortunately at present there is no one App which allows you to do this. In
most instances there should be a direct link through your local library’s
website. It’s best to inquire, either online or speak to a librarian for
assistance with regards to this.
prefer reading via your e-reader but don’t want to go down the Prolific Works route then the next best option is to download books directly from your library.
Unfortunately at present there is no one App which allows you to do this. In
most instances there should be a direct link through your local library’s
website. It’s best to inquire, either online or speak to a librarian for
assistance with regards to this.
A final option for Kindle
users is OverDrive. This is an App which allows you to lend and read library
books via your device. I haven’t gone down this road as I’m getting more than
enough reads from my chosen options. It would however be great to hear from
anyone who does and how easy or difficult it is to use.
users is OverDrive. This is an App which allows you to lend and read library
books via your device. I haven’t gone down this road as I’m getting more than
enough reads from my chosen options. It would however be great to hear from
anyone who does and how easy or difficult it is to use.
Please let me know other ways of getting cheap or free reads which have not been mentioned.
Exciting News!
My poem Dust Bowl Dreams has been published in issue 27 of a wonderful literary magazine called Prole. Go check it out.
My poem Dust Bowl Dreams has been published in issue 27 of a wonderful literary magazine called Prole. Go check it out.
In Search of 9 Lives
I had
forgotten how much fun it is writing a children’s book or anything related to
it. In the last couple of years themes and topics in my writing haven’t exactly
been light-hearted. To name just a few: segregation, oppression and universal
ecological catastrophe. See what I mean?
forgotten how much fun it is writing a children’s book or anything related to
it. In the last couple of years themes and topics in my writing haven’t exactly
been light-hearted. To name just a few: segregation, oppression and universal
ecological catastrophe. See what I mean?
Earlier
this year I asked my Facebook followers to choose my next WIP and The Witch Adoption Project [WAP] came
out tops. This sequel was bound to happen as I’d already been mulling over what
was happening to the characters of The
Lonely Dragon since I left them on Long Upon A Time world. In fact I’d been
storing ideas in a folder I like to call The Vault.
this year I asked my Facebook followers to choose my next WIP and The Witch Adoption Project [WAP] came
out tops. This sequel was bound to happen as I’d already been mulling over what
was happening to the characters of The
Lonely Dragon since I left them on Long Upon A Time world. In fact I’d been
storing ideas in a folder I like to call The Vault.
WAP certainly
contains serious themes (issues faced by children in the foster system being
one of them) but several of the characters mean I can explore a sillier side to
my nature as I delve into what makes a particular character tick. Quite early
on I began to feel the need to add the voice of Kastaspella’s cat Jinx into the
sequel. Naturally Clarissa’s dog Snookie then felt he had to add his 2 pennies.
They are very different characters and their voices certainly let you know
this.
contains serious themes (issues faced by children in the foster system being
one of them) but several of the characters mean I can explore a sillier side to
my nature as I delve into what makes a particular character tick. Quite early
on I began to feel the need to add the voice of Kastaspella’s cat Jinx into the
sequel. Naturally Clarissa’s dog Snookie then felt he had to add his 2 pennies.
They are very different characters and their voices certainly let you know
this.
These
animal characters have currently taken over my life. And I can’t say I’m all
that upset about it. In between chapters for WAP I’ve been ghost writing Jinx’s
memoirs. Please keep this on the down low. He doesn’t want it to be common
knowledge. As soon as Snookie discovered I was pounding the keys on Jinx’s
behalf, he insisted I edit his autobiography. Here’s a little quote from my
conversation with him:
animal characters have currently taken over my life. And I can’t say I’m all
that upset about it. In between chapters for WAP I’ve been ghost writing Jinx’s
memoirs. Please keep this on the down low. He doesn’t want it to be common
knowledge. As soon as Snookie discovered I was pounding the keys on Jinx’s
behalf, he insisted I edit his autobiography. Here’s a little quote from my
conversation with him:
“I’ll nae
be needing you tae write it fae me mind, unlike some I can mention. It’s all in
ma heid. If Conan Doyle and Rowling could scribble away fae hours then so can
I. And I warrant I’ll match their success too.”
be needing you tae write it fae me mind, unlike some I can mention. It’s all in
ma heid. If Conan Doyle and Rowling could scribble away fae hours then so can
I. And I warrant I’ll match their success too.”
I
refrained from mentioning that keyboards and paws are not a match made in heaven
as I’m sure he’ll have a solution to that in mind already.
refrained from mentioning that keyboards and paws are not a match made in heaven
as I’m sure he’ll have a solution to that in mind already.
The only
problem about engaging with my animal characters lies in the fact I may be
having just a little too much fun. I spend as much time thinking of appropriate
fonts for their writing and creating front covers for these future pocket sized
publications as I do on the actual writing.
problem about engaging with my animal characters lies in the fact I may be
having just a little too much fun. I spend as much time thinking of appropriate
fonts for their writing and creating front covers for these future pocket sized
publications as I do on the actual writing.
My
plan is that anyone subscribed onto my mailing list will get a free e-copy of
each of these as soon as they’re written (Early next year for Jinx’s memoirs
and around July for Snookie’s autobiography if I can manage to get through the
insanity of dealing with the noise from next door’s building works.)
plan is that anyone subscribed onto my mailing list will get a free e-copy of
each of these as soon as they’re written (Early next year for Jinx’s memoirs
and around July for Snookie’s autobiography if I can manage to get through the
insanity of dealing with the noise from next door’s building works.)
Jinx’s
tale is called Memoirs of a Feline Familiar
and I’ve got a few front covers in mind. I’m leaning towards 1 in particular but would love your input.
tale is called Memoirs of a Feline Familiar
and I’ve got a few front covers in mind. I’m leaning towards 1 in particular but would love your input.
And here to whet your appetite is a little taster of his thoughts.
Even as a kitten I was exceptional. Average was not a word bandied in
our household. My lineage can be traced back to Bastet. Now most felines claim
this but in this instance it’s utterly true. I have seals and documentation to
verify this fact. These will however remain locked in the family pyramid for
all eternity so don’t ask me to produce them. Not to mention that digging
beneath the Sphinx is a massive endeavour and only the likes of Lara Croft or
Indiana Jones are likely to survive the deadly 360º booby traps encircling the
sarcophagus where the documents reside.
our household. My lineage can be traced back to Bastet. Now most felines claim
this but in this instance it’s utterly true. I have seals and documentation to
verify this fact. These will however remain locked in the family pyramid for
all eternity so don’t ask me to produce them. Not to mention that digging
beneath the Sphinx is a massive endeavour and only the likes of Lara Croft or
Indiana Jones are likely to survive the deadly 360º booby traps encircling the
sarcophagus where the documents reside.
Quite simply, kittenhood consisted of me marking time. Early on my
vocation presented itself to me in the entrails of a mouse. My mother looked
over the evidence I pointed out to her and the in-house Mousequseer was
consulted to confirm matters. Employing the services of a Mousequseer in these
instances is of course standard practice. That we already had one in our employ
is naturally due to our standing in the community.
vocation presented itself to me in the entrails of a mouse. My mother looked
over the evidence I pointed out to her and the in-house Mousequseer was
consulted to confirm matters. Employing the services of a Mousequseer in these
instances is of course standard practice. That we already had one in our employ
is naturally due to our standing in the community.
The other
thing I need your help with is in deciding what to call Snookie’s
autobiography. He’s mixed breed with a predominance of West Highland so I feel
that’s the way to go. Suggestions most welcome. I’ve no definite plans on his
colouring so if anyone owns a Westie and wants to inspire me then please send some
photos over. I’d also like a decision on what his family name should be.
Something decidedly Scottish of course.
The Misunderstood
Originally a guest post on Rita Carla Monticelli’s blog.
Before
settling down to writing and self-publishing I used to be a full time teacher
in an inner city London school. Regardless of the country you teach in, anyone
will tell you this is a challenging environment. Very quickly into my teaching
practice I realised I had a knack for communicating with children with Special
Needs (SEN as it’s called here in the UK).
settling down to writing and self-publishing I used to be a full time teacher
in an inner city London school. Regardless of the country you teach in, anyone
will tell you this is a challenging environment. Very quickly into my teaching
practice I realised I had a knack for communicating with children with Special
Needs (SEN as it’s called here in the UK).
Most
times when people think of Special Needs they latch onto the idea of a child
with learning difficulties. Several times during my 13 year teaching stint I
was reminded that while the majority of my students did indeed have these
difficulties there were others whose behaviour marked them as SEN when in fact
they were highly intelligent. Their lack of engagement with the average
classroom content and insular or confrontational attitude masked their talent.
times when people think of Special Needs they latch onto the idea of a child
with learning difficulties. Several times during my 13 year teaching stint I
was reminded that while the majority of my students did indeed have these
difficulties there were others whose behaviour marked them as SEN when in fact
they were highly intelligent. Their lack of engagement with the average
classroom content and insular or confrontational attitude masked their talent.
At the
very start of my teaching career, an introductory lesson on Of Mice & Men to my SEN class brought
a gifted student – let’s call her Andria – to my attention. Andria exhibited
many of the traits identified with the gifted:
very start of my teaching career, an introductory lesson on Of Mice & Men to my SEN class brought
a gifted student – let’s call her Andria – to my attention. Andria exhibited
many of the traits identified with the gifted:
- · Curiosity – endless questions
- · Ignoring the teacher’s brief for assignments –
going off piste and doing her own thing - · Advanced vocabulary – she regularly used 3 or 4
syllable words in appropriate context - · Lack of engagement with her peers – often got
involved in conversations with support staff and myself while appearing to
ignore fellow students - · Strong emotions – Andria often voiced her
opinion on topics in a loud and seemingly abrasive manner - · Outside the box thinking
When I
first understood this was the case with Andria, I confess to feeling
intimidated. Andria’s breadth of knowledge on certain subjects was superior to
mine. Her general knowledge and vocabulary was outstanding. She understood my
subtle jokes which often went over the heads of some support staff and she was
certainly not shy about telling me when she thought I had supplied the class
with incorrect facts.
first understood this was the case with Andria, I confess to feeling
intimidated. Andria’s breadth of knowledge on certain subjects was superior to
mine. Her general knowledge and vocabulary was outstanding. She understood my
subtle jokes which often went over the heads of some support staff and she was
certainly not shy about telling me when she thought I had supplied the class
with incorrect facts.
To
teach Andria I had to take a different approach to the one I was using with the
rest of my class. The first thing I did was give her a solo assignment on the
Social & Historical background of the novel. Admittedly, I did this at the
time as a way to keep her busy at the classroom computer so I could get the rest
of the class settled.
teach Andria I had to take a different approach to the one I was using with the
rest of my class. The first thing I did was give her a solo assignment on the
Social & Historical background of the novel. Admittedly, I did this at the
time as a way to keep her busy at the classroom computer so I could get the rest
of the class settled.
10
minutes into the lesson, a quick glance over her shoulder told me she had the
matter well in hand. So I decided to add some parameters to see if she could
cope with them. I stipulated her research had to be on a Powerpoint presentation
of 10 – 15 slides, include images and be in language her other classmates could
easily understand. Then I also demanded a bibliography. Chewing on a thumb nail
I waited for her reaction. After asking what a bibliography was and listening
to my explanation, she then simply got on with the task.
minutes into the lesson, a quick glance over her shoulder told me she had the
matter well in hand. So I decided to add some parameters to see if she could
cope with them. I stipulated her research had to be on a Powerpoint presentation
of 10 – 15 slides, include images and be in language her other classmates could
easily understand. Then I also demanded a bibliography. Chewing on a thumb nail
I waited for her reaction. After asking what a bibliography was and listening
to my explanation, she then simply got on with the task.
Andria
was engaged all lesson. I kept tabs on her and made suggestions as the
Powerpoint developed. Looking over her printed slides later that day I realised
I was out of my depth. So I headed for the library. Very old school – I know.
This was in the days before the internet and search engines were at their peak.
An hour later I was very deflated. I didn’t possibly have the skills to teach
this child. Everything I read indicated she was in a class of her own.
was engaged all lesson. I kept tabs on her and made suggestions as the
Powerpoint developed. Looking over her printed slides later that day I realised
I was out of my depth. So I headed for the library. Very old school – I know.
This was in the days before the internet and search engines were at their peak.
An hour later I was very deflated. I didn’t possibly have the skills to teach
this child. Everything I read indicated she was in a class of her own.
It
took a train and bus commute home to still my doubts. I reminded myself I got
into teaching to facilitate, not to quit as soon as I hit my first hurdle. I
also called my mother – she was the font of all wisdom. The first thing she
told me was that I had to shelve my own intellectual insecurities and focus on
Andria and her needs solely. I had to engage with my self-doubt and admit it
was likely Andria would ask me questions I couldn’t answer. I would have to
tackle this issue and deal with it. I would have to be resourceful in my
approach.
took a train and bus commute home to still my doubts. I reminded myself I got
into teaching to facilitate, not to quit as soon as I hit my first hurdle. I
also called my mother – she was the font of all wisdom. The first thing she
told me was that I had to shelve my own intellectual insecurities and focus on
Andria and her needs solely. I had to engage with my self-doubt and admit it
was likely Andria would ask me questions I couldn’t answer. I would have to
tackle this issue and deal with it. I would have to be resourceful in my
approach.
Thus
Andria led me on a journey of discovery where I began to understand that the
gifted can be as neglected as those with learning difficulties. I resolved that
this would never ever be the case in my classroom. Andria left my class after
the next round of assessment. She moved to a top set. The next academic year
the government introduced Mixed Ability teaching. Many more like Andria passed
through my classroom before I gave up full time teaching.
Andria led me on a journey of discovery where I began to understand that the
gifted can be as neglected as those with learning difficulties. I resolved that
this would never ever be the case in my classroom. Andria left my class after
the next round of assessment. She moved to a top set. The next academic year
the government introduced Mixed Ability teaching. Many more like Andria passed
through my classroom before I gave up full time teaching.
I
suspect Andria and the other gifted students I met during my teaching career
are the reason gifted children often creep into my writing. They feature in
both my SciFi novels. Where Rainbows Hide introduces a child genius as one of the antagonists while the central character in When Rainbows Cry is a gifted teenage scientist. In my debut novel Six Dead Men,
one of the dead men is a remarkable but ignored artist and another is
linguistically gifted but excluded from school because of behaviour deemed aggressive
and anti-social.
suspect Andria and the other gifted students I met during my teaching career
are the reason gifted children often creep into my writing. They feature in
both my SciFi novels. Where Rainbows Hide introduces a child genius as one of the antagonists while the central character in When Rainbows Cry is a gifted teenage scientist. In my debut novel Six Dead Men,
one of the dead men is a remarkable but ignored artist and another is
linguistically gifted but excluded from school because of behaviour deemed aggressive
and anti-social.
Palindrome, my most recent release, is
no different. At the heart of the story is the exceptional 12 year old Robert Deed. I meet extraordinary young people every day so I suspect they will continue to feature in books to come. And why not.
no different. At the heart of the story is the exceptional 12 year old Robert Deed. I meet extraordinary young people every day so I suspect they will continue to feature in books to come. And why not.
If you have already bought and read Palindrome – Many Thanks. Now please make my day by spending just 5 minutes to leave a review.
Click Here to Write A Review
Click below to buy a Rae Stoltenkamp book today!
Click Here to Write A Review
Click below to buy a Rae Stoltenkamp book today!
@ProlificWorks Read of the Month
Hereafter by Terri Bruce
Genre: Paranormal
Audience: Anyone
who likes ghost stories
who likes ghost stories
Reader Rating: 4
STARS
STARS
After a night of drunkenness
with friends and an inevitable death by car crash, 30 something Irene Dunphy
finds herself stranded on earth as a ghost. She’s stuck in an earthly version
of limbo with no idea of how to avoid final judgement and the only person able
to see and communicate with her is a 14 year old boy fixated on the afterlife.
with friends and an inevitable death by car crash, 30 something Irene Dunphy
finds herself stranded on earth as a ghost. She’s stuck in an earthly version
of limbo with no idea of how to avoid final judgement and the only person able
to see and communicate with her is a 14 year old boy fixated on the afterlife.
I loved the concept of this
book. The central character wanders from place to place as she tries to figure
out what has happened to her and more importantly, what will happen to her
next. She is forced to rely on the resources of a teenage boy whose motives and
movements she cannot quite fathom.
book. The central character wanders from place to place as she tries to figure
out what has happened to her and more importantly, what will happen to her
next. She is forced to rely on the resources of a teenage boy whose motives and
movements she cannot quite fathom.
Both Irene and the reader are
kept wondering about what will happen next. The writing style is relaxed and
the characters well drawn. Even though Irene appears to have been living loose
and hard when she was alive, we can’t help but worry for what her afterlife will
bring. Her teenage sidekick is equally interesting and Bruce leaves us wanting
to know more about him and his life.
kept wondering about what will happen next. The writing style is relaxed and
the characters well drawn. Even though Irene appears to have been living loose
and hard when she was alive, we can’t help but worry for what her afterlife will
bring. Her teenage sidekick is equally interesting and Bruce leaves us wanting
to know more about him and his life.
This is the perfect quick read
for anyone using public transport, a holiday or a relaxing weekend away. This
first book in the Afterlife series made me want to read the rest and that’s never
a bad thing in a piece of introductory writing.
for anyone using public transport, a holiday or a relaxing weekend away. This
first book in the Afterlife series made me want to read the rest and that’s never
a bad thing in a piece of introductory writing.
Thank
you!
you!
