Exciting news! I have been invited to do a live radio interview on a special Halloween show at 6 Towns Radio. The station is based in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent and covers the Potteries area of the UK. This is my home city, a place where I grew up, fell in love, got my first jobs and lots of other life experiences.
Listen live at 11:00am GMT (6:00am EST) and you can hear about my paranormal romance Redcliffe novels, my experiences as a ghost hunter, and all sorts of weird and wonderful, spooky and supernatural tales and titbits...
http://www.6towns.co.uk/
Vampire writer of fantasy books for adults, werewolf fiction and LGBT fantasy books. Polyamory rules in my world!
Showing posts with label stoke-on-trent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stoke-on-trent. Show all posts
Tuesday, 30 October 2012
Friday, 1 June 2012
Mind, Body and Spirit Event in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, UK
Spirit Sisters are on the road again! This time we are a little closer to home, and will be at the Best Western Moat House Hotel, Festival Park, Stoke-on-Trent on Sunday 10th June. The event runs from 10:00am - 5:00pm and has free entry and free car parking.
I will be offering spiritual guidance with the aid of Tarot and Oracle cards, and I will sell signed copies of my adult paranormal romance series The Redcliffe Novels. My sister, Emily Hargreaves, will do holistic therapies. Try her fabulous Shamanic drum sessions which incorporate Reiki healing; they certainly are effective! She will do Swedish Body Massage, Indian head massage, ear candles, reflexology, and will exhibit a range of hand-crafted oils and creams to accompany her treatments.
There will also be a visit from our local Green Man, Mr Jon James! A professional saxophonist and multi-talented musician, Jon will be on hand to play his flute and guitar, and sell copies of his CDs. Jon has composed, performed and produced all of his music, and he offers a varied range of meditations, chanting sounds, and general music for relaxation and well-being.
The Mind, Body and Spirit event is a wonderful opportunity to stock up on your candles, incense and related accessories. You can find gifted and talented readers that use Tarot, Angel cards and crystal balls. There will be an aura photographer on site, various holistic therapists, and paranormal investigators. Throughout the day there will be free talks and workshops.
For more information please see http://www.pagan-charms.co.uk
I will be offering spiritual guidance with the aid of Tarot and Oracle cards, and I will sell signed copies of my adult paranormal romance series The Redcliffe Novels. My sister, Emily Hargreaves, will do holistic therapies. Try her fabulous Shamanic drum sessions which incorporate Reiki healing; they certainly are effective! She will do Swedish Body Massage, Indian head massage, ear candles, reflexology, and will exhibit a range of hand-crafted oils and creams to accompany her treatments.
There will also be a visit from our local Green Man, Mr Jon James! A professional saxophonist and multi-talented musician, Jon will be on hand to play his flute and guitar, and sell copies of his CDs. Jon has composed, performed and produced all of his music, and he offers a varied range of meditations, chanting sounds, and general music for relaxation and well-being.
The Mind, Body and Spirit event is a wonderful opportunity to stock up on your candles, incense and related accessories. You can find gifted and talented readers that use Tarot, Angel cards and crystal balls. There will be an aura photographer on site, various holistic therapists, and paranormal investigators. Throughout the day there will be free talks and workshops.
For more information please see http://www.pagan-charms.co.uk
Monday, 3 October 2011
The Indie Author Book Signing Event
Last weekend I attended my second book signing event to promote my paranormal romance novel Love Hurts. The event took place at Waterstones Bookseller in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, UK. This was my home town so I was very excited. I have spent many years wandering around this book shop, dreaming about the day when I might see my own work on the shelves. And now that day has come!
The lovely staff welcomed me to their store, gave me a mug of coffee, and showed me to my special table in the centre of the ground floor retail space. I was facing the main entrance, in a nice open place, with the tills adjacent. The perfect location to see all the customers and for them to see me.
I had actually been sat for a few minutes before I even saw the large display stand full of my books next to the table! My heart gave a little leap of excitement, and I peered round to have a better look. Yes, there they were. A whole collection of books, above which hung a large banner announcing that local author Catherine Green was in store to sign copies of her new book.
The staff had printed some leaflets and had distributed them amongst customers for a few weeks before my event. I found this very touching, and a lovely gesture, since I hadn’t actually been able to get some leaflets produced myself. I am still learning the ropes, so to speak. I had gotten some mentions in local newspapers and magazines, so I was hoping this would help. And of course, I had plastered my event all over the social networks for weeks in advance, and told people as I went along.
As it was, the shop was almost empty all day long. On this day, the 1st October 2011, the sun shone on the UK. We had some of the hottest temperatures on record, and people were not in the mood to shop. I was most annoyed. Where is the rain when you need it? We should be wearing jeans and jumpers now, not shorts and t-shirts!
There was nothing else for it. I had to pluck up some courage, approach people, and coerce them into buying my book. The Paranormal Romance and Dark Fantasy sections were located near the main entrance, so I practically wore a path in the carpet every time somebody walked in and paused there. I would hurry over to them, trying not to look like a bird of prey swooping in for the kill. Fortunately most people were very polite, and agreed to take a look at my book.
By the end of my four-hour attendance, I had sold seven books. Not an impressive number, but very satisfactory under the circumstances. Aside from this I had spoken to a book reviewer for the local influential newspaper, and he said he will feature my book shortly. This just goes to show that you never know what contacts you might make if you creep out of your dark writer’s space, and mingle in the wider world, even for a short time.
Now, who shall I visit next? I shall consult the list given to me by the manager of the Hanley store. Watch this space for more events…
The lovely staff welcomed me to their store, gave me a mug of coffee, and showed me to my special table in the centre of the ground floor retail space. I was facing the main entrance, in a nice open place, with the tills adjacent. The perfect location to see all the customers and for them to see me.
I had actually been sat for a few minutes before I even saw the large display stand full of my books next to the table! My heart gave a little leap of excitement, and I peered round to have a better look. Yes, there they were. A whole collection of books, above which hung a large banner announcing that local author Catherine Green was in store to sign copies of her new book.
The staff had printed some leaflets and had distributed them amongst customers for a few weeks before my event. I found this very touching, and a lovely gesture, since I hadn’t actually been able to get some leaflets produced myself. I am still learning the ropes, so to speak. I had gotten some mentions in local newspapers and magazines, so I was hoping this would help. And of course, I had plastered my event all over the social networks for weeks in advance, and told people as I went along.
As it was, the shop was almost empty all day long. On this day, the 1st October 2011, the sun shone on the UK. We had some of the hottest temperatures on record, and people were not in the mood to shop. I was most annoyed. Where is the rain when you need it? We should be wearing jeans and jumpers now, not shorts and t-shirts!
There was nothing else for it. I had to pluck up some courage, approach people, and coerce them into buying my book. The Paranormal Romance and Dark Fantasy sections were located near the main entrance, so I practically wore a path in the carpet every time somebody walked in and paused there. I would hurry over to them, trying not to look like a bird of prey swooping in for the kill. Fortunately most people were very polite, and agreed to take a look at my book.
By the end of my four-hour attendance, I had sold seven books. Not an impressive number, but very satisfactory under the circumstances. Aside from this I had spoken to a book reviewer for the local influential newspaper, and he said he will feature my book shortly. This just goes to show that you never know what contacts you might make if you creep out of your dark writer’s space, and mingle in the wider world, even for a short time.
Now, who shall I visit next? I shall consult the list given to me by the manager of the Hanley store. Watch this space for more events…
Friday, 30 September 2011
Book Signing Event at Waterstones, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent
I am preparing to attend my second book signing event. Tomorrow (Saturday 1st October) I will be at Waterstones Bookseller's in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. I will be there from 11:00am until around 3:00pm depending on how busy we get. I do have to be home fairly early however, because my husband has a gig, he needs the car, and I'm having the baby for the night. So, if you are interested in attending and are not sure of the location, here are the details: Waterstones, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.
I am promoting my debut paranormal romance novel Love Hurts. The story is about a woman who falls in love with a police detective, only to discover that he is a vampire and his identical twin brother is a werewolf. They inadvertently draw her into their complicated and dangerous lives, with tragic consequences. This story is the first in a series set in the fictional Cornish seaside resort of Redcliffe.
The book is receiving very good feedback so far. Just this morning I received a message from a former university housemate, telling me she had read the book in a very short space of time, and she loves it. I am receiving positive responses from people who I actually wouldn't have thought would be interested in this kind of thing. For example, I tend to assess the kind of genres people might read based on how I perceive them, from their personalities and social interests. Now I am learning not to do this, and that I must tell anybody and everybody about my book, because actually, most people really want to read it!
I am promoting my debut paranormal romance novel Love Hurts. The story is about a woman who falls in love with a police detective, only to discover that he is a vampire and his identical twin brother is a werewolf. They inadvertently draw her into their complicated and dangerous lives, with tragic consequences. This story is the first in a series set in the fictional Cornish seaside resort of Redcliffe.
The book is receiving very good feedback so far. Just this morning I received a message from a former university housemate, telling me she had read the book in a very short space of time, and she loves it. I am receiving positive responses from people who I actually wouldn't have thought would be interested in this kind of thing. For example, I tend to assess the kind of genres people might read based on how I perceive them, from their personalities and social interests. Now I am learning not to do this, and that I must tell anybody and everybody about my book, because actually, most people really want to read it!
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
My First Booksigning Event is Imminent
It is a very exciting time for me. I will be visiting the Waterstones book store in Crewe, Cheshire this coming Saturday (17th September) to do a book signing event for my debut novel. I have no idea what to expect. The manager says that I will be given a table in the fantasy section, and from there I can greet my visitors (and hopefully I will receive direct visitors), and I can talk to new customers and try to sell them my book.
I am still struggling to decide what to wear. I know, I am such a girl! But it is very important. No matter how much we would like to believe differently, humans will always judge on first appearances. I want to appear professional, friendly, but I want to stand out from the crowd at the same time. I wondered whether to wear my favourite blue velvet tie-dyed dress, but decided against it since I might come across as a 'bit of a hippy.' I don't want to wear formal office wear because that just isn't natural to me. I do want to enjoy the opportunity to dress in something other than jeans and t-shirts for once. Oh well, I will ransack my wardrobe and see what there is.
Vanity aside, this will be a very interesting day. I have featured in several local newspapers recently, so hopefully people will show some support and come see me. I would like to find someone who has read my book (besides my close friends and family), and get a review from them. Which reminds me, I must assemble my personal file. I have decided to take a folder with me, displaying newspaper cuttings, book reviews, and relevant information about me as an author. Sort of like a portfolio of my work I suppose. Better check the ink levels on my printer.
I will report back next week, once the event is over. Hopefully I will be full of beans, bouncing with delight, and looking forward eagerly to my second book signing event in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent on 1st October. If the day proves to be quiet and uneventfull, it will at least be a permanent milestone on my journey as an author.
Love Hurts - Booksigning Event - Waterstones Bookseller
I am still struggling to decide what to wear. I know, I am such a girl! But it is very important. No matter how much we would like to believe differently, humans will always judge on first appearances. I want to appear professional, friendly, but I want to stand out from the crowd at the same time. I wondered whether to wear my favourite blue velvet tie-dyed dress, but decided against it since I might come across as a 'bit of a hippy.' I don't want to wear formal office wear because that just isn't natural to me. I do want to enjoy the opportunity to dress in something other than jeans and t-shirts for once. Oh well, I will ransack my wardrobe and see what there is.
Vanity aside, this will be a very interesting day. I have featured in several local newspapers recently, so hopefully people will show some support and come see me. I would like to find someone who has read my book (besides my close friends and family), and get a review from them. Which reminds me, I must assemble my personal file. I have decided to take a folder with me, displaying newspaper cuttings, book reviews, and relevant information about me as an author. Sort of like a portfolio of my work I suppose. Better check the ink levels on my printer.
I will report back next week, once the event is over. Hopefully I will be full of beans, bouncing with delight, and looking forward eagerly to my second book signing event in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent on 1st October. If the day proves to be quiet and uneventfull, it will at least be a permanent milestone on my journey as an author.
Love Hurts - Booksigning Event - Waterstones Bookseller
Saturday, 20 August 2011
The Road to Literary Fame
Here is an excellent feature article in my local regional newspaper The Sentinel (North Staffordshire and South Cheshire) - Family Holidays on Cornish Coast set scene for Ghostly Tale
It feels like I'm on a wild roller coaster at the moment, and it is fantastic! A word of advice for budding writers out there: just get out and broadcast the news about your book. You will be surprised at how many people take in interest in your work. Go get 'em!
It feels like I'm on a wild roller coaster at the moment, and it is fantastic! A word of advice for budding writers out there: just get out and broadcast the news about your book. You will be surprised at how many people take in interest in your work. Go get 'em!
Join my tribe today, and I
will send you a fabulous FREE book to get you started… (be warned, my vampires
do not sparkle, and my wolves will bite!)
Tuesday, 16 August 2011
Local Author in Local Newspapers and Bookshops
It is all very exciting! At the weekend I had another photo shoot for a local newspaper, and my feature article will appear in The Sentinel (via www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk) on Saturday 20th August.
But before that I will feature in the Crewe Chronicle, Sandbach and Middlewich edition on Wednesday 17th August, and the Cheadle and Tean Times (http://www.timesechoandlife.co.uk/#/news/4548375783) on the same day.
I have also confirmed another book signing event, this time at Waterstones Booksellers in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent on Saturday 1st October from 11:00am - 3:00pm. Come along and have a chat if you are in the vicinity.
But before that I will feature in the Crewe Chronicle, Sandbach and Middlewich edition on Wednesday 17th August, and the Cheadle and Tean Times (http://www.timesechoandlife.co.uk/#/news/4548375783) on the same day.
I have also confirmed another book signing event, this time at Waterstones Booksellers in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent on Saturday 1st October from 11:00am - 3:00pm. Come along and have a chat if you are in the vicinity.
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