Competition Time!

Would you like to win a copy of "Art the Spiffy Spider" and "Fluffy Cat"? Then visit my page on Facebook and LIKE, SHARE and COMMENT to be in the draw.  Ends December 9th. Good luck!  Facebook Competition

Gifts About Family and Friendship

Looking for a special gift for a child in your life? Birthday gift for a classmate ... Christmas gift ... "Art the Spiffy Spider" and "Fluffy Cat" are the perfect gift solutions. Available at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. 

Art the Spiffy Spider - US
Art the Spiffy Spider - UK

Fluffy Cat - US
Fluffy Cat - UK

Also available at other international Amazon sites.

"Fluffy Cat" available for $0.99/£0.99 - Limited Time Only!

Snuggle up in your comfy chair with your favourite little person and find out about Fluffy Cat's adventures in "Fluffy Cat".  The book is available to download until 25 June for only $0.99/£0.99 from Amazon.com and Amazon UK. 

Special offer - "Art the Spiffy Spider" available for $0.99/£0.99 until June 6

Download "Art the Spiffy Spider" for $0.99/£0.99 until June 6 from Amazon. The perfect tale of friendship is told. Perfect for ages 3+

Amazon UK

Amazon.com

"Art the Spiffy Spider" turns one today!

Happy Birthday, Art!  "Art the Spiffy Spider" turns one today. To celebrate you can download the eBook version for FREE - yes, for FREE - from today until Tuesday, the 28th of April at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk

AND don't forget, the paperback version is also available for $9.99/£5.95. "Art the Spiffy Spider" is a heart warming tale about friendship and being true to  yourself. Check it out today - it makes the perfect gift for any special young child in your life.  

Availble at Amazon.com, Amazon UK and at all other Amazon sites world wide.  

Kindle version of Fluffy Cat on sale this week

A peek inside.

This week you can get your very own eBook version of Fluffy Cat for only $0.99/£0.99 at Amazon and Amazon UK. Hurry, though, as the offer expires on January 2nd (US) and January 3rd (UK).

Reflections and Thanks

Tonight is the perfect night to reflect.

The house is still, the Christmas tree is lit, and I’m snuggled on the sofa with my fluffy Persian cat Gizmo — the star of Fluffy Cat.  She is softly purring away, and it is hard to tell if it’s because she’s happy to keep me warm or because I’m providing her with a warm lap to sit on. I assume it is the latter — never mind the fact that she has enough fur on her to line thirty pairs of gloves, twenty winter hats, and at least ten pairs of boots.

And as I sit here, basking in the tree’s heavenly glow, the past year flashes through my mind. I smile and cringe at its ups and downs, and when I find myself still sitting in my seat, I can’t help but let out a huge sigh. 

Then, I smile again.

It’s been a busy year. Last February, my first book, Art the Spiffy Spider, found its way out of an old cardboard box after many years and became something real, something for others to see, feel, and learn from.  So many late nights were spent reviewing illustrations, researching marketing techniques, and crossing my fingers, hoping I was doing the right thing. 

After all, a writer’s work is a part of them.  It is imagination, creativity, a piece of their mind and a good chunk of their soul.  It is one thing to write down words on a page, but to then share it with others is a big step to take.

We all want our work and efforts to be liked and praised, and we want to fit in—just like Art wanted to do. I must admit I’m not the bravest person in the world, but when taking on a project like this, bravery is a must.  If only there were a writing bravery badge … I know I’d wear it proudly.

Publishing Art the Spiffy Spider was a good decision. I’ve enjoyed hearing from people who like the book and who have recommended it to others.  As the book sells and Art’s story is told again and again, I know it was the right step to take.

Taking a few steps here and there often leads to new opportunities, and in my case, it led me to Fluffy Cat.  The book is based on my Persian cat Gizmo.  She has lived with my family for three years, after we adopted her from someone who was moving house and could no longer keep her.  When I first saw Gizmo, I knew there was something special about her. 

She is lazy, affectionate, bossy, sometimes grumpy, and she is extremely loyal.  She sat with me alongside my laptop every day for two months while I worked on “Art”. I just knew she had to be the subject of my next book. 

So once again, I found myself working late, reviewing drawings, and watching Gizmo like a hawk. I looked at her, really looked at her, and imagined what feline thoughts must be going through her head.  I thought about her companionship and how empty the long days would have been without her. 

She’s more than just a cat.  She’s a part of the family.

From there Fluffy Cat was born.  The book is still in its early days, but sales are doing well and people have asked when the next Fluffy Cat book will be published.  I’m pleased that Fluffy Cat has wriggled her way into readers’ hearts, just as Gizmo wriggled her way into mine.

While sitting here stroking Gizmo, I reflect on how important family and friends are, and how invaluable my readers’ support is.  So as 2014 comes to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has supported my literary endeavours.

Thank you, readers, for buying the books, reading them, and sharing them.  Thank you to my Facebook friends for tolerating my endless book promotional posts, and to all of my family for your encouragement and support.

May you all have a Merry Christmas and a Fluffy New Year! J