And so began several hours of poses, standing, sitting, solo, and together. After nearly three hours, Riley needed a moment or two to herself. Without a word, she wandered down to the water’s edge, stopping just out of reach of the gentle waves that were lapping ashore. Her toe caught something, and she bent down to investigate what it was. It was a small perfectly formed conch shell with stunning mother of pearl markings. Carefully, she rinsed it off in the shallows then slipped it into her jacket pocket, a souvenir of the day.
“Sneaky,” laughed Riley. “I never knew you were there.”
“That’s the whole idea,” replied the photographer. “Your band are being herded back onto the bus, by the way.”
“Thanks. Guess I better say goodbye to the ocean.”
“Well, you’re taking a little piece home in your pocket,” observed Neil, referencing the shell. “If you’ve sand in your pocket, you’re never far from the shore.”
“Ain’t that the truth.”
Once back on the bus, Riley sat up at the back on her own. She sifted through her large soft leather hobo bag until she found her lyrics journal, curled her feet up under her and began to scribble furiously. Every now and then she put her hand in her pocket and ran her fingers over the shell. Inspiration had struck when Neil said about taking a little piece of the beach home in her pocket.
Pre-order using the links below to ensure Riley is ready and waiting on your kindle on 18 Nov 2022
Around her the bedroom was lit by half a dozen candles, their shadows dancing on the walls. A delicate vanilla fragrance filled the room. The gothic palace lay silent. It was almost midnight. Sitting cross-legged in the middle of the large four-poster bed, Riley sat staring down at the CD in her hands. Her CD. Her debut album that was due to be released worldwide on the stroke of midnight.
A box of CDs had been delivered that morning with a note from the record company saying simply, “Autograph these in time for the launch party on February 29th.” She’d signed her way through two silver Sharpie markers before all the CD inserts were autographed. At Garrett’s suggestion, she’d practiced her autograph on a few sheets of paper before deciding how she wanted to sign it. Initially it had been fun sitting at Garrett’s huge rosewood dining table signing the insert for each disc but after the first fifty or so the novelty swiftly wore off. Two hours later she had finished the chore. All of the discs had been signed -all bar one. The one she held in her trembling hands.
Pre-order using the links below to ensure Riley is ready and waiting on your kindle on 18 Nov 2022
For the first time in a while someone left a review on Amazon last week of Book Baby 6 aka Long Shadows. Seeing those kind words and those 5 twinkling stars genuinely gave me a warm fuzzy feeling. It also caused me to pause and reflect on my creative journey so far.
It really doesn’t seem so long ago when I sat down on my front doorstep with my new notebook and new pen and began to write a story that went on to become my first novel, Stronger Within. As I wrote that night, the aim was just to write a story, to achieve something just for me. I wasn’t thinking about what it might go on to become. I was simply telling a story.
The first handwritten page of Stronger Within
Now when I look at it and its book baby siblings on Amazon and see those twinkling stars, I do finally feel proud of what I have achieved. Trust me, it took a long, long time to admit that I felt proud of myself.
Is it the best book in the world? Of course not!
Is it earning me a fortune? LOL—no! Monthly royalties from all of the books combined barely cover the cost of a cup of coffee from Starbucks.
If you think you’ll make your fortune from writing your novel, forget that notion right now. Writing is a labour of love and a burning desire to tell a story. It’s a passion. Yes, some indie authors do strike gold when their book babies land in the right lap at the right time but those are miracle moments, in my humble opinion…but all indie authors live in hope of miracles happening as well as dreams coming true.
Do I really want that fame and fortune? … if I’m being totally honest, there’s a bit of me that does to an extent, but I’d hate to lose my identity in the process. I’m quite content to just be me. It would be nice to walk into a book shop and see my books on the shelves among the other authors I admire … but I’d like to be able to do that and have no one recognise me.
Ok..feel like I’m waffling now! …or is it daydreaming?
Writing a book doesn’t just happen by magic. There’s more involved than the average reader could ever imagine. Getting that first story from the handwritten pages of my notebooks into a paperback novel and an ebook was a long hard slog and an exceptionally steep learning curve. I couldn’t have done it without the unwavering support of my Infamous Five (yes, you know who you are). Those five individuals have stuck by me on this journey and never for one second do I take that help and love and support for granted. Their support and faith in me, along with kind words in the various book reviews and kind words left on social media by others, really are what gets me through the low moments, the days when you can’t string two words together, the days when you are riddled with self-doubts…and for the past couple of years, the days themselves on occasion.
I’ve said this before, but one of those wonderful people shared a quote online years ago and this has become my mantra.
So, if you are reading this and swithering about whether to pick up your pen or sit down at your laptop and begin your own book baby or short story or poem or in fact anything creative at all, my advice is DO IT! You have nothing to lose and everything to achieve, including making that dream come true. The biggest thing that writing/creating costs you is your time. If you have the desire to chase that dream, then it is time well-spent, and you won’t mind putting in the hours…and hours…and hours…
The dream come true moment for me- the first one anyway- was seeing my name on the cover of a “real” book. Holding that first proof copy of Stronger Within in my small trembling hands is a moment that will live with me forever. I remember holding the unopened package, scared to actually open it…and then I did…and yes, there were tears.
As Walt Disney said in the quote above “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”
There nearly wasn’t a blog post this week…. a certain diminutive green haired teenager has been taking up all my spare time. Yes, you guessed it- Riley!
Some of you might have noticed that I shared my pre-order links for the e-book edition of Riley a couple of weeks ago but I’ll let you in on a secret…. Riley still looks pretty much like the picture above. Yes…I’m still typing furiously to get it all done. There’s about 3000 words still to be typed so not too much.
I’m also in the thick of proofreading and editing. My wonderful Infamous Five have been reading and giving me their feedback for the past few weeks. I seriously couldn’t do it without the love and support of those guys. Things are on track though so all is well…so far.
I put the feelers out this week to some book bloggers to see if they would be interested in receiving an eARC copy mid-October and reviewing Riley for their own blogs/websites. So far so good on that front too. If you are a book blogger and are interested in reviewing Riley then please drop me a message in the comments below.
There is one aspect of this tale that I do want to be transparent about right from the start. This book differs slightly from my previous book babies. I’ve included a scene of self-harm. There is also a smattering of social media bullying woven into the tale. (Trying not give any spoilers here) I wholly appreciate that these are sensitive topics and could put some readers off but I didn’t want to hide them and accidentally cause anyone distress. That is not my intention here.
I hope once you get your copy of Riley safely downloaded to your kindle or the Amazon courier delivers your paperback copy that you fall in love with this young lady as much as I have. Sometimes as an author you create a character that steals a piece of your heart. Riley is one of those…well to me anyway. I’ll let you make your own minds up in due course.
I’ve set myself the realistic target of 25 ebook pre-orders. Sorry to those who prefer a physical copy, there’s no pre-order available. So far as I type this, I’m at 7. So, if you’d like to pre-order, the links are below.
I’ll love you and leave you here for now. Work to be done to ensure Riley looks like the photo below by 18 November 2022!
“I have one last song for you,” began Riley. “I hope you’ve enjoyed yourselves tonight. I’d like to say a few thank yous. Huge thanks to Dr Marrs, to the guys from Silver Lake, to my record label, to each and every one of you for making tonight magical. This really is a dream come true. A Firefly Dream. I have one final extra special huge thank you for Garrett for hosting this party and for giving me a chance, a job and a home. Garrett, I love you.”
As the cheers died out, Riley continued, “This last song was inspired in this very place. I’d never seen a real four-poster bed before Garrett invited me to stay here. You can work out the rest of the story. Folks, it’s been amazing. I’m going to leave you with Jumping On The Bed.”
The light-hearted song was the perfect choice to end the show with and left everyone in a buoyant mood as the lights came back up and the caterers began to circulate with trays of drinks and canapes. Not quite sure what to do, Riley stayed in the alcove tidying up her guitars and her lyrics folder. Suddenly, she felt two strong arms wrap round her. The hint of a familiar exotic spicy aftershave tickled her nose. Without a second’s thought, she spun round and wrapped herself round Todd.
“You were sensational, girl!” he declared before kissing the top of her head. “Awesome set.”
“Thank you,” said Riley, snuggling in close.
Pre-order using the links below to ensure Riley is ready and waiting on your kindle on 18 Nov 2022
Around her the bedroom was lit by half a dozen candles, their shadows dancing on the walls. A delicate vanilla fragrance filled the room. The gothic palace lay silent. It was almost midnight. Sitting cross-legged in the middle of the large four-poster bed, Riley sat staring down at the CD in her hands. Her CD. Her debut album that was due to be released worldwide on the stroke of midnight.
A box of CDs had been delivered that morning with a note from the record company saying simply, “Autograph these in time for the launch party on February 29th.” She’d signed her way through two silver Sharpie markers before all the CD inserts were autographed. At Garrett’s suggestion, she’d practiced her autograph on a few sheets of paper before deciding how she wanted to sign it. Initially it had been fun sitting at Garrett’s huge rosewood dining table signing the insert for each disc but after the first fifty or so the novelty swiftly wore off. Two hours later she had finished the chore. All of the discs had been signed -all bar one. The one she held in her trembling hands.
Pre-order using the links below to ensure Riley is ready and waiting on your kindle on 18 Nov 2022
And to keep you going until 18 November, here’s another little sneak peek inside.
“I have one last song for you,” began Riley. “I hope you’ve enjoyed yourselves tonight. I’d like to say a few thank yous. Huge thanks to Dr Marrs, to the guys from Silver Lake, to my record label, to each and every one of you for making tonight magical. This really is a dream come true. A Firefly Dream. I have one final extra special huge thank you for Garrett for hosting this party and for giving me a chance, a job and a home. Garrett, I love you.”
As the cheers died out, Riley continued, “This last song was inspired in this very place. I’d never seen a real four-poster bed before Garrett invited me to stay here. You can work out the rest of the story. Folks, it’s been amazing. I’m going to leave you with Jumping On The Bed.”
The light-hearted song was the perfect choice to end the show with and left everyone in a buoyant mood as the lights came back up and the caterers began to circulate with trays of drinks and canapes. Not quite sure what to do, Riley stayed in the alcove tidying up her guitars and her lyrics folder. Suddenly, she felt two strong arms wrap round her. The hint of a familiar exotic spicy aftershave tickled her nose. Without a second’s thought, she spun round and wrapped herself round Todd.
“You were sensational, girl!” he declared before kissing the top of her head. “Awesome set.”
When will Riley be released? …. That’s been the question from many of you.
As today’s my birthday, it seemed like as good a day as any to answer that question.
And the answer is…… 18th November 2022
There will be pre-order details for the kindle edition available nearer the time.
And to keep you going until 18 November, here’s another little sneak peek inside.
“I have one last song for you,” began Riley. “I hope you’ve enjoyed yourselves tonight. I’d like to say a few thank yous. Huge thanks to Dr Marrs, to the guys from Silver Lake, to my record label, to each and every one of you for making tonight magical. This really is a dream come true. A Firefly Dream. I have one final extra special huge thank you for Garrett for hosting this party and for giving me a chance, a job and a home. Garrett, I love you.”
As the cheers died out, Riley continued, “This last song was inspired in this very place. I’d never seen a real four-poster bed before Garrett invited me to stay here. You can work out the rest of the story. Folks, it’s been amazing. I’m going to leave you with Jumping On The Bed.”
The light-hearted song was the perfect choice to end the show with and left everyone in a buoyant mood as the lights came back up and the caterers began to circulate with trays of drinks and canapes. Not quite sure what to do, Riley stayed in the alcove tidying up her guitars and her lyrics folder. Suddenly, she felt two strong arms wrap round her. The hint of a familiar exotic spicy aftershave tickled her nose. Without a second’s thought, she spun round and wrapped herself round Todd.
“You were sensational, girl!” he declared before kissing the top of her head. “Awesome set.”
And without further ado, allow me to reveal Book Baby 7 aka Riley’s cover to the world.
I don’t have a release date to share with you all just yet….patience.
As soon as I have the date finalised, there will be pre-order available on the e-book version of Riley. Watch this space.
I’m excited to tell her tale and I hope you are all excited to read more about this tiny talented young lady.
And to whet your appetite: –
Around her the bedroom was lit by half a dozen candles, their shadows dancing on the walls. A delicate vanilla fragrance filled the room. The gothic palace lay silent. It was almost midnight. Sitting cross-legged in the middle of the large four-poster bed, Riley sat staring down at the CD in her hands. Her CD. Her debut album that was due to be released worldwide on the stroke of midnight.
A box of CDs had been delivered that morning with a note from the record company saying simply, “Autograph these in time for the launch party on February 29th.” She’d signed her way through two silver Sharpie markers before all the CD inserts were autographed. At Garrett’s suggestion, she’d practiced her autograph on a few sheets of paper before deciding how she wanted to sign it. Initially it had been fun sitting at Garrett’s huge rosewood dining table signing the insert for each disc but after the first fifty or so the novelty swiftly wore off. Two hours later she had finished the chore. All of the discs had been signed -all bar one. The one she held in her trembling hands.
Around her the bedroom was lit by half a dozen candles, their shadows dancing on the walls. A delicate vanilla fragrance filled the room. The gothic palace lay silent. It was almost midnight. Sitting cross-legged in the middle of the large four-poster bed, Riley sat staring down at the CD in her hands. Her CD. Her debut album that was due to be released worldwide on the stroke of midnight.
A box of CDs had been delivered that morning with a note from the record company saying simply, “Autograph these in time for the launch party on February 29th.” She’d signed her way through two silver Sharpie markers before all the CD inserts were autographed. At Garrett’s suggestion, she’d practiced her autograph on a few sheets of paper before deciding how she wanted to sign it. Initially it had been fun sitting at Garrett’s huge rosewood dining table signing the insert for each disc but after the first fifty or so the novelty swiftly wore off. Two hours later she had finished the chore. All of the discs had been signed -all bar one. The one she held in her trembling hands.
Coral McCallum 