Tag Archives: #IndieAuthor

And the title of Book Baby 7 is……

Posted on March 9, 2022 | Leave a comment

One year, one month, one week and one day after I first put pen to paper I am thrilled (excited and terrified) to reveal that Book Baby 7 is…… Riley.

All things going to plan, Riley will be published during Autumn 2022.

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Happy World Book Day 2022!

Posted on March 3, 2022 | Leave a comment

The first Thursday in March is World Book Day in the UK and Ireland. (It’s celebrated on 23rd April across the rest of the world).

Books have played a huge role in my life ever since I was a wee girl. The childhood dream was to become an author when I grew up and to see my name on the cover of a book. (The growing up bit never happened – that’s bad for you!) It is a dream that I have been fortunate enough to see come true.

I’m an avid reader with wide and varied tastes. Yes – I have been known to buy books just because I liked the cover. (The same philosophy has been applied to choosing wine too- love a good label!)

As an indie author, I am a keen supporter of reading fellow indie authors’ work. As an indie author, I can totally appreciate the hours of blood sweat and tears that go into each book.

So, to honour 25 years of World Book Day, I thought I’d share 25 random book related “facts”-

1- I write all of my first drafts longhand. That’s a lot of notepads and pens!

2- I love a book with a “good” house in it. (My mother shares the same love) The house in several of Anita Shreve’s books is the perfect example.

3- The book I have gifted most often is Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. Love it!

4- I introduced my Wee Gran to the delights of reading when she was about 80 years old. She started off reading my Enid Blyton books before graduating to Mills & Boon once my mum got her some library tickets. She loved a good doctor/nurse romance.

5-I read Each Peach Pear Plum by Allan Ahlberg to my kids so often I could recite the whole book from start to finish word perfect. “Each peach pear plum, I spy Tom Thumb……” Precious memories.

6- My aunt introduced me to Dr Seuss by reading me The Cat In The Hat when I was 4 years old, creating a lifelong love of Dr Seuss. (Yes, I even have Dr Seuss Converse)

7-When I was in high school and we were “told” read a book for our exams, I never read any of them until my senior year. Recommend a book to me but please don’t tell me to read one. It doesn’t work! ( For the record I got A’s in my English exams)

8- I was 42 years old when I sat down to start writing the story that evolved into the Silver Lake series and was 44 years old before I found the courage to publish it. It’s never too late to chase down that dream.

9- Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien is the best written book I have ever read (in my humble opinion.)

10- The last book that made me cry was It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover.

11- I love Paulo Coelho and have read The Alchemist numerous times. My favourite though might be The Devil and Miss Prym.

12- Magic Kingdom For Sale. Sold by Terry Brooks remains one of my favourite fantasy novels. Questor Thews is an under-rated magician!

13- I cried when I held the first proof copy of Stronger Within in my hands. That was the dream come true moment. My name was actually on the cover of a real book!!!!

14- I read every night before I go to sleep.

15- Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt is another favourite. Must visit Savannah one of these days.

16- Writing the “blurb” for the back cover is the hardest part of a book to write. (Ask any indie author!)

17- If you hope to earn your fortune from writing books be prepared to be sorely disappointed. Royalties for the vast majority of indie authors would barely cover the cost of a coffee once a month.

18- There are approximately 7500 new books per day published on Amazon’s Kindle platform.

19- When I’m in the mood for a historical novel, my Go To’s are Barbara Erskine, Kate Mosse and Diana Gabaldon.

20- My Silently Watching serialised dark angel fiction started life as a bit of joke, having just finished reading Angelopolis by Danielle Trussoni back in July 2014. Almost eight years later and its still going strong.

21- The first Stephen King I read was Firestarter.

22- My mother accidentally introduced me to the more “adult” side of fiction when I was 14. (something she has never lived down LOL) The book in question was Goodbye Janette by Harold Robbins.

23- I don’t have a favourite book – that’s a cruel choice for a book lover! There’s so many favourites!

24- I’ve self-published six books so far (with the love and support of my Infamous Five and my Cavalry) and I’m proud of every word.

25- You can never have too many books 🙂

Happy World Book Day 🙂

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Save the date….

Posted on March 2, 2022 | Leave a comment

Watch this space for news about Book Baby 7……

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Still Haven’t Found You – latest novel by Sarah M Reed

Posted on February 22, 2022 | Leave a comment

Just over a year ago I introduced indie author Sarah M Reed to you all. 

Did you miss it? Nevermind, here’s the link to that introduction:-

Introducing Sarah M Reed | Coral McCallum

On 11th February, Sarah released her latest novel Still Haven’t Found You.

To quote the book’s description –

He is what her dreams are made of, but she is the one he never saw coming…

After Cade Lawson is discharged from the Army, he comes home with more than just physical scars. Losing his best friend, Blue, was like losing a limb, and he doesn’t know how to move forward. Isolating himself from others, he vows to keep his solitude for the rest of his days. Until she comes along and ruins his plans…

No stranger to grief herself, Clara Stewart has been on a quest to find the mysterious stranger haunting her dreams for nearly a year. When she finally finds him, he is nothing like what she expected. A giant of a man, Cade is gruff and unapproachable, but Clara persists, believing in a bigger purpose behind their meeting. As they discover how their lives are inexplicably intertwined in more ways than one, they begin to realize how they each may be the only one who can truly save the other…

A slow burn, brooding romance about love, loss, and starting over, with a guaranteed happily ever after.

This book does not disappoint!

I found myself with several hours of reading time last Saturday night and devoured this book more or less in one sitting. No spoilers from me, but very quickly I was invested in both main characters. This is a slow burning romance as Sarah describes in her blurb but the chemistry is clear for all to see from the very first time Cade and Clara meet. That smouldering chemistry is the key to the success of this tale. Sarah’s description of Cade’s home also captivated me. I could see myself there!

On a personal level there were aspects of Clara that tugged at my heartstrings; there were aspects of Cade that tugged at my heartstrings. The main thing though is that they were both believable characters who by the final scenes felt more like friends than fictional characters.

Loved it! Can’t wait to read Aaron’s story and see where that one leads.

This book gets 5 * from me

If you don’t believe me, you can check out Still Haven’t Found You and Sarah’s other novels on Amazon worldwide.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sarah-M-Reed

https://www.amazon.com/Sarah-M-Reed

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Much later than originally planned …. my author newsletter

Posted on February 7, 2022 | Leave a comment

Hello

I’m going to start with an apology. I promised when I shared my last author newsletter that I’d get better at writing these in a more timely manner. Eh… I’ve failed miserably as the last newsletter was 11 months ago!

I’m not even going to hint at a future schedule for these author updates…let’s just go with the flow!

My primary focus for the past year has been Book Baby 7. I’m still working on the first draft and progress has been made in fits and starts as the real world has been eating into my precious creative time. When I started Book Baby 7 on 1st February 2021, I promised myself that I wouldn’t rush it and would take my time and I have. I’m still on track with the timeframe I have in my head for its release. The storyline is more or less on track too!

Watch this space for an announcement about it on 9th March 2022.

So, what else have I been busy with over the past few months? (I use the term “few” loosely! LOL)

Well, I have introduced my Continue The Story blogs.  If you missed the introduction last July, here’s the first short story.

Continue the Story…… | Coral McCallum

There have been a few acrostic poems shared on my blog too

Butterfly – an acrostic poem | Coral McCallum

Last August I reached a blogging milestone – 500 blog posts!

I will write 500 blogs….. | Coral McCallum

Onwards to the next 500!

There was a first for my blog as I introduced a very talented artist to you in October. This blog has been the most popular of the 500+ entries.

Introducing landscape artist Sharon McGill | Coral McCallum

Towards the end of the year, I was in a reflective mood as I recalled some of my favourite childhood stories. So many precious childhood memories of bedtime stories… it was hard to choose just a few for this post

Are you simply reading a story or are you making memories? | Coral McCallum

What were your favourite books when you were a child?

With the easing of some of the Covid restrictions, my alter ego made it out to play a few times last year and ended the year on a high note (no pun intended) when Myles Kennedy returned to Glasgow. Myles Kennedy & Co at the O2 Academy, Glasgow 6th December 2021 | the525toglasgow (wordpress.com)

I’m hoping my alter ego will be allowed out to play more often this year but time will tell on that. My first 3 shows of 2022 have already had to be rescheduled for further down the line. C’est la vie!

Everyone’s favourite dark angel has made several appearances on my blog since my last newsletter with her most recent being in January in time for the full moon. All of the parts of Silently Watching can be found in the Fiction – Short Stuff tab. (They are numbered)

Silently Watching By The Light Of The Ice Moon | Coral McCallum 

     

And that pretty much brings us up to date. The edited creative highlights of the past 11 months!

In between all of this, I have still been meandering daily (well, as often as the delightful Scottish weather allows) and recharging the batteries of my soul with the sounds of nature. These daily walks allow me headspace time to develop storylines and to ponder plot dilemmas so who knows who or what I’ll come up with!

All that’s left to say is thank you from the bottom of my heart for your ongoing support. It really is appreciated and as I’ve said before, every kind word fuels the fires of creativity.

Stay safe. Take care.

Till next time…  happy reading.

Love n hugs

Coral xx

If you’ve missed book babies 1-6, you can find them on Amazon worldwide

Silver Lake series:

Amazon.com links –

Stronger Within – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VXDSC1M

Impossible Depths – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C0GS30K

Bonded Souls – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XSQHG71

Shattered Hearts – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZY8ZSDM

Long Shadows – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RR1FGLG

Amazon.co.uk links  –

Stronger Within – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00VXDSC1M

Impossible Depths – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01C0GS30K

Bonded Souls – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XSQHG71

Shattered Hearts – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07ZY8ZSDM

Long Shadows – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08RR1FGLG

Ellen

Amazon.com link

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FYHKR44

Amazon.co.uk link

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07FYHKR44

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Continue The Story- When You Come Face To Face With One Of Your Idols.

Posted on January 31, 2022 | Leave a comment

She couldn’t believe it. Was it really him? It was the same feeling every time. This was perhaps the sixth time she’d been in this position. Each time she got nervous, became tongue tied then babbled like an idiot for a few seconds before her moment of opportunity passed.

She swore to herself that this time would be different. She’d hold it together. She could manage to have a short sensible “normal” conversation with him.

There was only one person in front of her in the queue. Her heart was pounding. She had her gift for him clutched in her hand. A 1978 original red vinyl copy of Gerry Raffety’s City To City album. Would he like it? Did he already have it?

His assistant beckoned her into the small room.

There he was in front of her behind the counter. Heart pounding, she said, “Hi. How are you today?”

She gave him the gift, said it was one to add to his collection and that she hoped he didn’t already have it then she asked if he could sign her ticket and the two CDs that she’d brought with her.

As he went to sign the first one, the Sharpie marker ran dry. His assistant was duly despatched to find the pencil case with some fresh pens.

They were alone in the room. Unsure what to say, she asked how it felt to see his name rather than a band’s name on the cover of the record. He paused for a moment to think, smiled then said, “You know. you’re the first person to ask me that. Feels kind of surreal but then, Coral, you know how that feels.”

Her heart almost stopped.

This Continue The Story is based on one of my most precious memories. It tells the short tale of what happened at a “meet and greet” opportunity with a musician ( I’m loathe to use the term rockstar here) several years ago. Those who know me will have figured out who it was.

The part two to this happened several hours later as he returned to the small stage in The Garage, Glasgow for the encore. Before he started the last song of the night, he looked over to where I was standing with my friends and played a few bars of Baker Street. My heart melted.

Folk say “Don’t meet your idols. It’ll spoil the illusion”. I beg to differ.

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2022…the goals…

Posted on January 3, 2022 | Leave a comment
I wasn’t going to post about setting goals for this year. To be honest, it felt a bit old hat then I read the quote on my shower gel bottle this morning. It got me thinking but still I felt hesitant about writing a 2022 goals blog… then I saw the above post shared in a group on Facebook and thought “F**k it! Why am I doubting myself here?”

So, here goes…

Creatively there’s one key goal to be achieved this year and that’s to complete and publish “Book Baby 7”. I promised myself when I started writing it on 1 Feb 2021 that I would take my time with it and allow myself to be quite relaxed about the deadlines for it. I wanted to enjoy writing it and didn’t want it to feel like something that had to be done. Anyone who knows me personally, knows I don’t do “relaxed” so that’s a challenge or goal all to itself! Tentatively, I’m aiming for a September publication date. I promise to share more details soon.

I’m not really one for New Year’s resolutions. I’m not a “New Year, New You” kind of person ( too much of a creature of habit for that) but as we tip toe quietly through 2022 ( don’t want to disturb it too much in case it bites us the same as 2020 and 2021 did), I hope that some of the blogs that I write and share will perhaps inspire others to maybe read something new or to create something of their own or take more pleasure from spending time outdoors. (Yes, my meandering approach to this blog is set to continue.) Or perhaps I just hope to give folk something to read as they take a break from the daily grind and relax with a mug of coffee.

I’m unapologetically going to keep on being me.

I hope you’ll all join me on this journey through 2022. There’s no promises of what it will bring but let’s keep moving forwards and see where it takes us.

love n hugs

Coral xx

“Dreams get us started; discipline keeps us going” – my mantra/motto

(credits to the owners of the images used)

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As we head into the 9th year a.k.a. 2022!

Posted on December 29, 2021 | 2 comments

Eight years…. Has it really been eight years since I created this blog? Apparently.

I remember sitting down to write that first post clearly.  (In case you’re a little late to the party, here’s the link to it  Deep Breaths and Begin | Coral McCallum)

I remember the fear more than anything else. Would anyone want to read my blog? Would I be able to sustain posting once a week? What if I made a total fool of myself? What if folk laughed at me for creating a blog?

Every insecurity in the book was rattling through me!

Now, as I sit here eight years down the line, on the cusp of a new year, many of these insecurities are still rattling through me. Yes, I am still scared to let people read what I write. Yes, I do still fret about whether anyone would want to read what I write. Every time I hit “publish” on a blog post, a wave of fear crashes through me- some are little gentle waves; others are the kind surfers would die to ride.

When I started my blog, my first book baby was still in its early stages. At that time, having my name on the cover of a book still felt like an impossible dream but, here we are, six books later and with number seven on the way. (Yes, I know I’ve been saying that for months but it’s coming! Hopefully, it’s coming in Autumn 2022. No, I’m not quite ready to reveal its name…not yet.)

This blog has evolved over the years too, hopefully for the better. I’ve kept my word. I’ve posted at least once a week every week. (OK a few of those were “cheat” blogs that were barely more than a photo and a few words when life’s been a tad manic, and I don’t promise that there won’t be more of those to come.)  If you’ve missed a few posts, they are all still there. (You can find them all in the Archives on the right.) The tabs along the top of the page split out the poems and short stories from the rest of the ramblings and the shop tab speaks for itself. (Hint…check it out if you’ve not read the Silver Lake series or Ellen.) There are even a few author newsletters too.

This year, I bit the bullet and changed the domain to www.coralmccallum.co.uk That was a bit of a surreal moment – I’m a .co.uk! LOL

I also created a podcast version of a selection of my blog posts. Missed that?  Here’s the link Coral McCallum – indie author and blogger • A podcast on Anchor (No, its not my voice reading them you’ll be glad to hear!)

As I have chased my dreams and pursued this creative journey, perhaps I’ve evolved too.  I’ll leave that thought there….

So, what will 2022 hold? After the “delights” of the past two years, I’m almost scared to ask! I think I want to read the T’s & C’s carefully before I sign up to 2022!

What I do know though is that it will bring more blog posts, introduce you to more characters, showcase more photographic efforts and continue my musings and meandering as I chase those rainbows and dreams.

To all of you, especially those loyal souls who have been with me since the start, thank you from the bottom of my heart for continuing to support my creative pursuits. I couldn’t do it without you. Your kind words, the “likes” on my author Facebook page (Coral McCallum | Facebook), the reviews of my book babies on Amazon and Good Reads, they all help to fuel the fires of creativity.

All that’s left to say is all the best for 2022 when it arrives. May it be kind to us all. Stay safe.

Love n hugs

Coral   xxx

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Merry Christmas from me to you

Posted on December 24, 2021 | Leave a comment

Can’t believe it’s Christmas Eve! My head is still somewhere around July or August and my heart, as always, is at the beach.

Have a fabulous Christmas, folks. I hope you get the chance to spend time with the people who mean the world to you. It’s not what’s under the Christmas tree that’s important, its who is sitting around it with you.

Stay safe.

Love n hugs

Coral xxx

(credits to the owner of the image – Chere Fizer – photo is tagged)

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Michelle A. Bailey’s Black Friday Romance Book Fair… step inside and check it out

Posted on November 28, 2021 | Leave a comment

Want to show your support for Indie Authors? Yes? Then check out the books listed in Michelle’s Book Fair using the link below

https://michelle-a-bailey.com/bookfair

There’s romance novels in all genres of romance to choose from and you might spot a familiar name in there too 🙂

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