Category Archives: Novels

A good day at the Bazaar & Bake Sale

I wasn’t sure what to expect today when we unloaded the car this morning at the Mallorytown Legion. Small village, area artisans and loads of baked goods and other things for competition, plus I had to pay for my table at this event. Mind you, selling one book would more than cover the cost of the table. How hard would it be to sell one book?

My table was on the dance floor directly in front of the stage. It was decided before I arrived that would be the best placement since they were doing face painting on the stage which would attract a younger crowd… and with the younger crowd… parents.

For this event, I made up two additional bits to take with me. I created a two-column, landscape orientation bio – column 1 my photo, column 2 the text. It attracted quite a bit of attention and by times more than my display of books. The other additional page was a copy of my book cover in the upper left, a catchy title and the back cover blurb, and excerpts from three reviews I’ve received (all with the reviewers’ consent – I asked first before I used them). I mean, why not have that at hand? You can see both of these in the first picture – one on either side of my display. However, even though they’ve become part of my repertoire, before they see the light of day again, I’m going to pick up a couple of acrylic photo frames and put them into those so that they stand up rather than lay “flat” on the table. They were still curled from coming “hot off the presses” this morning.

So, how did my day go as far as sales? I’m pleased to day I added another 5 books to my total from Ladies Night on Friday.

My next event is the Christmas Open House where I’ll be at my local independent bookstore, Leeds County Books, on November 29th from 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Join me (virtually) in Bath, England where I’m at Sally Lunn’s

While I’m physically at the Mallorytown Legion taking part in their Christmas Bazaar and Bake Sale, virtually, I’ll be in Bath, England talking with my author friend, Jo Lambert, at Sally Lunn’s Tea House and Restaurant. Isn’t this a fabulous old building? While I’m here, I plan on having one of their scrumptious Bath Buns – I just need to decide if I want sweet or savory. Their menu options are so varied, it’s really hard to decide.

To eavesdrop on our chat, drop by Jo’s blog.

Looking for that special Christmas Gift for that hard-to-buy for person on your list?

Don’t forget the 3rd Annual Christmas Bazaar & Bake Sale on Sunday, November 18th at the Mallorytown Legion.

If you’re looking for that special Christmas gift, there will be plenty of items to choose from.

I’ll be there signing and selling my debut novel, A Shadow in the Past, a book suitable for the YA reader in your family. So why not Give the Gift of Reading this holiday season?

The Legion is located on Quabbin Road (County Road 4) in the village of Mallorytown, Ontario.

I hope to see you there on Sunday.

 

 

My First Ladies Night Event

I’m pleased with the results of tonight’s foray into the unknown realm of Ladies Night. Invited by the owner of Green Things Garden, Gift and Maintenance Services – Donna White – to come and sign my book, I arrived about 5:30 p.m. to get myself set up.

Business in the retail store, all decked out in its Christmas finery, was brisk and my book and I attracted a lot of attention. But best of all, by 8:45 p.m., I had sold… drum roll, please… six copies!

If you missed me tonight, I’ll be at the Mallorytown Legion on Sunday, November 18th, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. signing copies of my novel, A Shadow in the Past.

Will I do Ladies Night again next year? YES! And maybe by this time next year, I’ll have two books out there to sell. Guess that means I best get my skates on and get book #2 submission ready.

 

Ladies Night

Tomorrow night, Friday, November 16th, I’ll be taking part in the 21st Annual Ladies Night.

Brockville and area businesses open Friday night until 10:00 p.m. with tax free savings.

I’ll be signing and selling my novel, A Shadow in the Past, at Green Things Garden, Gift & Maintenance Services from 6:00-10:00. I hope to see you there.

And be sure to visit all five stores to enter the draw for the Grand Prize!

There will be door prizes and refreshments at the various locations throughout the evening.

 

The Ghost of Josiah Grimshaw by Famous Five Plus author Suzy Turner

The Ghost of Josiah Grimshaw, Suzy Turner’s latest novel for teens is out now!

Adopted sisters Lana Beth and Emma Jane are polar opposites, but when the same strange ‘tattoo’ suddenly appears and winds its way up their bodies within days of each other, they soon realise there’s more to their relationship than they could ever have imagined.

Sent off to London for two weeks of ‘work experience’, the Morgan Sisters soon find themselves being initiated into the ancient Praxos Foundation, one that protects the innocent while fighting evil, both human and supernatural.

At the same time, Lana Beth and Emma Jane must also investigate why the sweet but sometimes pesky ghost of Josiah Grimshaw just won’t leave them alone.

You can find out more about Suzy and her books at the following links:

Suzy’s website: http://suzyturner.com

Blog: http://suzyturner.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/suzyturnerbooks

Twitter: http://twitter.com/suzy_turner

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/suzyturnerbooks

Another NaNoWriMo update

The last two days haven’t been kind to me in the writing of my NaNo project. My last good day of writing was Monday. Since then, I’ve not written a single word unless you count a blog post I started this morning (scheduled to go live on 30th November) – 280 words, another that went live a short time ago celebrating Bram Stoker’s 165th birthday – 70 words –  and now this one.

I’m hoping to get back on track maybe later today but more apt to be this weekend. Even then, it won’t be until Sunday since I’m away all day Saturday at a “how to be your own publicist” workshop put on by the Writers’ Union of Canada.

This post 115 words excluding this sentence.

 

Happy Birthday Bram Stoker!

Yup, today is Bram Stoker’s 165th birthday. While he’s best known for his novel, Dracula, (of which both Cruden Bay in Aberdeenshire Scotland and Whitby in Yorkshire, England take credit for inspiring because of their rugged North Sea cliffs) he has also penned Dracula’s Guest, Lair of the White Worm, The Man, The Jewel of Seven Stars, and The Lady of the Shroud.

So, happy birthday to you, Bram Stoker!

Mallorytown Legion’s 3rd Annual Bazaar & Bake Sale

The third annual event takes place on Sunday, November 18th, from 8:00 a.m. through to 3:00 p.m.

I’ll be there selling copies of my debut novel, A Shadow in the Past, in addition to the other vendors who will have their wares available to purchase, too.

And don’t forget all those delectable baked goods that are only available during the festive season.

Come out and show your support.

Hope to see you there!

 

It’s NaNoWriMo Time!

Yup, it’s that time of year again. And this year, I’m taking part in NaNoWriMo. But if you’ve been following my blog, you’ll know that I already decided to join in with a couple of gals (my writing buddies) from my local writers’ group.

Preparation such as it was is done. I’m as motivated as I’ll ever be. And 1667 words a day? Piece of cake right? Well, if I didn’t have a full-time job, plus there’s the usual and customary domestic duties. Still, get a few words down over my lunch hours, yup, I might make the daily target. Get some more down while supper is cooking. Then after supper let my fingers fly over the keys. It could be done.

Weekends could be my saving grace. I could manage to make up any targeted daily word count deficits up then. But wait! There’s shopping and laundry, and I belong to two writers’ groups and their meetings are on the weekends.

Add to that, I have the work Christmas party, I’m taking part in Ladies’ Night on November 16 from 6:00-10:00 where I’ll be selling my book (might manage to scribble some notes that will have to be put in the computer later), November 18 where I’ll be at the Mallorytown Legion from 8:00-3:00 again selling my book, and finally on November 29, I’m taking part in the Christmas Open House where I’ll be at Leeds County Books from 6:00-10:00.

If it sounds like I’m making excuses, I’m not – really. I’m merely stating the reasons why during my first year of taking part in NaNoWriMo, I might not make it to the finish line.