Author: Goylake Publishing

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Dear Reader

Dear Reader #7

Dear Reader,

This project is at the research stage, but will develop into five novellas set during 1937-8. The novellas will follow two Welsh women, an impoverished nurse and a wealthy author, who travel to Spain and view the conflict from opposite sides of the war.

The title comes from Dolores Ibárruri, La Pasionaria, who said, “You are history. You are legend. You are the heroic example of democracy’s solidarity and universality. We shall not forget you; and when the olive tree of peace is in flower, entwined with the victory laurels of the Republic of Spain, come back.”

As you know, humour plays a big part in my novels, particularly my Sam Smith novels. I hope this story tickles your funny bone.

I decided to get a pet from the local pet shop. Even though the scorpion had been a bit of a disaster – they’re not big on cuddles – I opted for something different and selected a millipede. I named her Millie and brought her home.

I sipped my coffee and watched as Millie settled into her millipedearium and in no time at all she seemed content, at home.

The following day I asked Millie if she would like to go for a walk. “Fancy a stroll around the garden?” I asked. “There’s lots of lovely leaves and mud out there. And other arthropods you can make friends with. You never know, you might get lucky; love might be in the air.”

No answer. Silence. You could hear a pin drop.

So I raised my voice and asked again. “Fancy a stroll around the garden?”

No reply. Not a whisper. It was like talking to the wall.

I was getting annoyed now and beginning to wonder if a cockroach would be more fun. So I yelled, “Fancy a walk?”

“Missy,” Millie the millipede sighed, twitching her antennae, “there’s no need to shout. I heard you the first time. Can’t you see, I’m putting my @%&#@& shoes on…” 😂

Thought for the week…

As ever, thank you for your interest and support.

Hannah xxx

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Dear Reader

Dear Reader #6

Dear Reader,

This week, I have been busy with translations. These include German versions of Escape and Victory, the Spanish versions of Victory and Sins of the Father, and the Portuguese version of Ripper. Currently, I have 30 translated titles published with ten in progress. I love working with my translators. I admire their skill and the whole process enhances my writing.

I have outlined Snow in August, Sam Smith Mystery Series book sixteen, and next week I will begin the storyboarding process. I’m also researching a book project set during the Spanish Civil War.

Sometimes, I wonder why I’m drawn to the years around the Second World War. That period of history saw terrible conflict, a tragedy on a human level. However, conflict offers gold dust for a writer. Also, my ancestors enriched my life with stories from that period so it is rewarding to record them in fictionalised form. 

This week, my sons received excellent school reports and next term my youngest will join my eldest in senior school. The kaleidoscope of life is forever changing. Sometimes, you crave stillness so that you can admire the image, but the best you can manage is to store a photograph in your mind and move on. 

And speaking of photographs, here are some views of my local landscape.

As ever, thank you for your interest and support.

Hannah xxx

PS: Thought for the week. Why is it when you’re driving and looking for an address you turn the volume down on the radio 🙂

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Dear Reader

Dear Reader #5

Dear Reader,

I’ve decided to retire from eBook promoting. My life away from books is moving in different directions and as I mentioned last week Sam’s Song reaching #1 for the seventh time has changed my attitude to promoting. I’ve achieved my goals. Sales, chart positions, don’t really matter anymore. The fun part is striving for goals, even if it’s a frustrating process. Once you achieve your goals the feeling isn’t hollow exactly, but the motivation isn’t the same.

I intend to keep writing. Less time spent promoting should help my writing. And my commitment to Mom’s Favorite Reads remains the same. Maybe, next week, next month, next year, I will have a new set of goals, but for now I’m content with what I’ve achieved and happy to leave it at that.

https://moms-favorite-reads.com

My main point is, enjoy the journey you are on because, quite often, it’s more satisfying than the destination 🙂

If you are an author and looking to boost your book sales I highly recommend this offer.

As ever, thank you for your interest and support.

Hannah xxx

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Dear Reader

Dear Reader #4

Dear Reader,

For me, it’s been an eventful week. A very eventful week. I have experienced great distress and great joy. The joy centred on Sam’s Song. On Wednesday, Sam’s Song reached #1 for the seventh time. For the past two years this has been an ambition. You could argue that there is no difference between six times #1 and seven times #1, and you would be right. For a reason I can’t really explain reaching #1 for the seventh time was important and now that that landmark has been achieved the desire to reach new readers isn’t as great. I wouldn’t say that I don’t want to reach new readers, but if it doesn’t happen it no longer matters. In terms of eBooks on Amazon, I have achieved my goals.

I still have goals in other areas of publishing, with audiobooks, translations, paperbacks and secondary rights. I also want to write many more books, develop Mom’s Favorite Reads and her projects, and help authors find more readers. 

I do believe in the concept of setting clear, obtainable goals and plans to achieve those goals. My main aims with writing are: to entertain my readers and to prove certain things to myself. On a personal level, Sam at #1 this week proved something to myself, and that’s all that matters. Now I feel ready to move on.

A great moving on song…

As ever, thank you for your interest and support.

Hannah xxx

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Authors

Val Tobin

I first met Val Tobin around five years ago, through online author groups. At that stage I became aware of her high quality books in a number of genres, including mysteries. Val studied general arts at the University of Waterloo, then obtained a diploma in Computer Information Systems from DeVry Toronto. She worked in the computer industry as a software and Web developer for over ten years, during which time she started to get serious about energy work and the paranormal and occult.

Val uses her background and knowledge in her novels and this adds a great air of authenticity to her stories. She is an excellent author and I highly recommend her books. Furthermore, she is very supportive of other authors.

Fascinating facts about Val.

She had tiny parts in two feature films: Route of Acceptance, where she played the main character’s mother and is on screen for about ten seconds (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2537064/) and I Met You First (http://toeachherownfilms.com/?page_id=1208), where she played a cashier and hopefully won’t end up on the cutting-room floor (movie to be released). 

She’s a member of the Writers’ Community of York Region and volunteers as a member at large. Here’s an interview she did for them: https://wcyork.ca/member-spotlight-val-tobin/ 

Val is doing podcasts on Anchor, reading Walk-In chapter-by-chapter. If you want to hear how she sounds when she tried to mimic a minor character who is Hungarian with English as a second language, you can listen to the story here: https://anchor.fm/val61 

Val did an interview with Melanie Smith when Poison Pen was released and you can read it here: https://melaniepsmith.com/author-val-tobin/ 

Also, you can read another interview on Frank Parker’s blog: https://franklparker.com/2018/05/17/a-date-with-val-tobin/

Val Tobin’s books are available from all major retailers and I urge you to check them out. http://valtobin.com