I have a website

Hi All

Just to let you know I have finally created my very own website.  I know most of you think that's pretty run of the mill, but for someone like me it's a big deal.

Anyway if you've got a spare couple of minutes come and have a look www.isobelhartsbooks.com

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Any romance bloggers

I'm keen to do a cover reveal for Compromise Agreement, my new book.  Let me know if you might be interested.  It's a contemporary adult romance.

Isobel

From O.C Shaw to Isobel Hart

I'm really hoping that those who have enjoyed my books have seen I am now writing as Isobel Hart - you will see the covers of What goes around comes around and Full Circle now have the new covers. I am setting up a web page and will post details - no other romance postings will come via this route. Come and find me on facebook

https://www.facebook.com/isobelhartbooks

In the meantime, to celebrate navigating Smashwords  What goes around is currently free on iBooks and presumably all the other sites
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/what-goes-around-comes-around/id948558871?mt=11

Fill your boots - and stay in touch (please)

Writing update

I've finally made a decision. It's been tough, but I'm good with it now I've finally made it. I have written the two books about Lily under my real name - because frankly I was proud of the accomplishment. It was something I did while between jobs, and a revelation how much I loved it. However, I still have to work full time - writing is my selfish pleasure - and unfortunately I'm not sure my company or colleagues will be as supportive as you have all been...

So, while my writing remains a much loved weekend pastime I am going to be doing it under a Pen name. I'm hoping some of you will find me and enjoy my stories as much as I enjoy writing them. I have finished a book and the good news is my first reader loved it, so I hope to have it out soonish, after editing.

In the meantime keep in touch and be happy,

O.C

A quandary for you

Like a lot of other writers I have to squeeze writing into the time I have left after a full time job and family.  I'm not looking for sympathy - I do it because it gives me real pleasure to do so.  The fact anyone enjoys what I write is a bonus that I never take for granted.  The challenge I face is that not everyone is into the sort of fiction I write, especially at work - even though I ever write on my evenings and weekends.

I figure I face three choices...

1) carry on writing as I am
2) start writing under another name - it means I'll have to start from scratch and build up a readership again
3) stop writing

I welcome your thoughts and advice

O.C x

Shooting ourselves in the foot?

I currently have more unread books on my iPad than ever before. The vast majority were freebies - I can't seem to help myself. I see a post by one of the many bloggers I follow and I can't help but one click it. If past history is anything to go by then many of them will be excellent. It's something I've done myself with What Goes Around Comes Around. It resulted in my book being in the top ten freebie chart for romance in the UK and top 20 in the US.

The pros of this are that people get to sample a book and, if they like the author, the hope is they will buy more by said author. That's the theory.

Unfortunately there are now SO many books out there for free, or priced at $0.99, that it takes a rare book indeed - or a much beloved author - to make me buy a book these days.

When I think about the effort and investment (time, blood, sweat, tears and money) I can't help wonder if we're not selling ourselves short? Do we value the work so little we want to give it away? Very few are blessed to make enough from writing to be able to choose it as our sole profession - forced instead to fit our passion in the small windows of time life allows us. Surely we're only making it worse for ourselves by charging so little?

So who wins? Well the readers get loads of free books - but like anything in life that comes too easily I fear (and I speak now as a voracious reader) we cease to value it. Amazon et al certainly benefit - loads of traffic to their sites and no royalties to pay.

I think we may have made a rod for our own backs. I have a love hate relationship with freebies. Love having loads of books to choose from, love seeing my books flying up the freebie charts, love thinking about readers, any readers reading my books. I hate seeing work (by any author) that takes many months to create being unappreciated.

I have no solution - I imagine I'll do other promotions myself in the near future. In the meantime, if the book you are reading costs less than a cup of coffee just think about how bloody amazing that is. If you like it consider saying thank you by leaving a review.

Peace out

O.C

If it's not one thing, it's another

You guys have been great. In fact the ones of you that are reading this have probably been my greatest supporters. I'm so very appreciative I can't tell you.
But I still need your help. Most of you know that independent authors like me are entirely reliant on recommendations from readers. I read something that told me 40% of my time as an author should be spent on marketing myself. I'll be honest, I'm not very good at it. I have barely any time to write in the first place (I work full time and have a family... Can you hear the violins yet?!) Add to that I'm British and we hate anything that feels like bragging - it's a recipe for disaster. Suffice to say it's a miracle I've sold any books at all!

So here's the thing - you can help me. Please leave a review (that goes for any of the books you read for any author), please like my Facebook page (O.C Shaw books) - it doesn't feel like promotion, more like chatting and I'm good at that. And finally, tell other people if you liked them - particularly any of the romance book blogger sites. I haven't set up a 'street team', I'm hoping people just might spontaneously say something. Naive huh?

Til the next time when I hope to have news about launch plans for Compromise Agreement.

Keep the faith :-)

O.C

Reach out and touch

This is just a little thank you to the many people that have taken the time to reach out and let me know you've enjoyed Lily's story.  It has meant so much, and even though not every person likes stories about unhappy marriages and the consequences of that (no spoilers), enough of you have to have made it all worthwhile.

When I was sat at home with a story in my head it was hard to know if I could write well enough to do it justice - to know Lily has resonated with you means the world.

Thank you, thank you, thank you <3

FREEBIE - this weekend (29th / 30th March)

What Goes Around Comes Around is free this weekend as a little Mothers Day bonus. It's Mothers Day in the UK on Sunday. If you are a Mum and you like adult contemporary romance then give it a go!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00D7P8BDI

Enjoy x

Who fancies another freebie?

What the hey - you deserve it.  To celebrate Mothers Day (in the UK anyway) What Goes Around Comes Around will be free on the 29th and 30th March on kindle. I figure it gives you a chance to see if you like my writing - and if you do then maybe you'll tell your friends, or buy the next book, or write me a review.  All of the above is much appreciated.  If you don't, then at least it didn't cost you anything.

Be happy x

Update time

So I've been making really good use of the time I've had off over half term.  What goes around comes around is now available in a print version, with Full Circle hot on its heels (I'll be shouting about it when they're both out.) In addition I went back to the first book in a contemporary fantasy trilogy I wrote for my kids. It was the first thing I ever started to write and I have to say it showed, so I ended up rewriting masses of it.  But it's done now and is being proofed.  More importantly my kids like it (they may be biased).
Finally I've got back to a new contemporary romance I started a little while ago and the words are now flowing.  A title finally emerged today (WARNING - it may change!) - Compromise Agreement.
I know I'm enjoying writing it because I resent every time I'm dragged back into the real world... Watch this space :)

Precious

I'm reading a great series at the moment, I'm really enjoying it.  The only slight issue I have is that the main term of endearment the leading man uses is 'precious'.  Is it only me that struggles to hear that word without thinking of Golum?

Other words I've particularly enjoyed recently include - cockstand.  I've had a bit of a glut on historical romances, and never having heard that particular description for an erection before, I have to say I actually sniggered.  And I thought I'd heard  / read them all!

Always interested in any other terms people have read that have amused them.....

O.C

Is it rude to ask?

I'm getting some great star ratings on Goodreads - it really is amazing whenever I see another 5 or 4 star rating. The fact that people are enjoying my books is just wonderful. Of course it won't be everyone's cup of tea (English turn of phrase), especially when some people will just have downloaded it because it was free, so the fact so many of you have is more than I dared hope.

My one plea, as a lowly indie writer is please please leave an Amazon review too. It's really hard to get noticed at all when you are competing with the huge volumes of books out there, plus all the heavyweight authors and their publicity machines. Us little people rely on your word of mouth and reviews to get noticed at all. Hope you don't mind me asking?

Thanks in advance to anyone who does - feel free to connect via Facebook (o.c. Shaw books) or twitter @shawhopeful to let me know if you do.

O.C

Catching my breath

This weekend was amazing.  Seriously amazing.  When you do a free promotion you pray people will give your book a go, but I was seriously overwhelmed at the number of people who downloaded What Goes Around Comes Around.  I am now waiting with breath held to see what those readers think of it.  On the plus side I'm seeing lots of people intending to read Full Circle, so I'm taking that as a good sign.  

Fingers crossed I'll see reviews follow on Amazon and Goodreads.  I'll let you know!

FREEBIE - this weekend only

What Goes Around Comes Around has been available on kindle for free download this weekend.  I have to say, the response has been amazing.  On the plus side I have only ever wanted to get my stories out to people, no easy feat given how choked the market is these days with people self publishing, let alone all the established authors with the weight of the publishing promotion machines behind them.  So it seems to be working - the numbers of downloads have amazed me, particularly seeing my book listed in the top 100 free downloads on Amazon.... Amazing.

On the downside I will now have to face my critics.  Kind of scary.  I really hope people like the story (I particularly hope they like it enough to want to pay for the second and final part of Lily's story - I'm not a complete altruist).  If they don't then I hope I have the strength of character to listen to the constructive criticism and learn from it.  I'll let you know....

Just in case you too like a freebie - here are the links:

 

 

  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D7P8BDI

 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00D7P8BDI

Full Circle finally LIVE!

Full Circle, the second and final part of Lily's story is finally out there.  I now get to hold my breath and hope that people actually like it and approve of the second part in Lily's story.  As ever I'm sure it won't be everyone's cup of tea - I'm trying to focus it to the people who actually like this genre on this occasion. 

I'm already onto my next projects - more updates soon.  In the meantime please do let me know what you think - it's the only way I'll get better as a writer.

Link:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HXHIH2G

Full Circle.. The blurb

Thanks so much for your patience.  Full Circle is nearly ready to go live.  I'm really hoping you like it, and will be excited to hear your thoughts.  In the meantime, here's the blurb to get you in the mood: 

 

Admittedly, misery is a somewhat extreme dieting technique, and everything I read assures me I am likely to puff up like a blood-bloated tick the second I start eating normally again, but hey, I’m willing to take my pleasure where I can find it.

Still emotionally reeling from the cluster bomb fate decided to throw at her love life, Lily is finally shown a lifeline when her book is accepted for publication.

Cast into an unfamiliar world following the novel’s success, Lily knows she has almost everything she could ever want – except love.

Why can’t I move on, Annie?

Still haunted by dreams of her abusive husband and her dishonest lover, Lily longs to move forward and learn to love and trust again, but karma still has some surprises in store.

Karma can be a bitch, and you can expect at some point she will come back to bite you.

As her old life blends with new, Lily faces yet more choices in her quest to find her happy-ever-after.

4.5 * Review for What goes around comes around

A 4.5 rating...
This little debut novel took me by surprise. And, the setting is in one of my favorite places... England.(smile) This was a very emotional and engaging read from start to finish. If you are a woman who understands what it is like to feel like you've given up your identity once the children were born then you will find it easy to connect to the character of Lily. This book also addresses the issue of spousal abuse and at times I wanted to jump into the book and throttle her husband Greg. I still do! He is an angry, controlling and self absorbed man who cares nothing for Lily's needs and wants. Lily feels unloved, ugly and awkward and her self esteem has taken a beating in an 18 yr. empty and loveless marriage. She is overweight and has a distorted view of herself which is also something most of us women can relate too. How many of us are constantly comparing ourselves to what our idea of a perfect body is supposed to be? When you start checking off all of the flaws it's easy to start to believe that you are not attractive or beautiful... and this is where Lily is at the age of 37. 
Lily eventually decides to take a brave step forward and she decides to join the local gym. Lily is very clumsy and as she's walking through the door she quite literally falls into the arms of... James... a Rob Lowe look alike! Despite her humiliation she presses forward like a soldier! Through her visits to the gym she forms friendships and a kind of second family and we start to see a small awakening for Lily as she begins to build confidence in herself. Eventually she ends up joining in on a weekend of walks in the Peak District with a group of individuals to raise money for a good cause. During this trip she realizes that she is falling for James. Insert steamy love affair... :) 
I am not usually a fan of books or characters that cheat on their spouses. But, in this particular story I was rooting for Lily to find the courage to get out of this abusive and loveless marriage. James was exactly the medicine she needed to start the process of re-discovering herself, her need for passion, and realizing that she doesn't have to just accept her fate as an invisible spouse. This relationship with James gives her courage to finally make that difficult step to ending her marriage. And, I was proud of her for making this decision not because of James but because she knew it was time. 
Just when you think that Lily has it all figured out and we're going to have a nice tidy little Happily Ever After ending... events occurred at the end that both surprised and shocked me... and, yes I am itching to find out just where the author will take us in book two. James was keeping a big secret and Greg ends up getting the last word. But, Lily is still hanging on to hope... 
What goes around comes around is a great title for this book. It is very much about Karma and my only hope is that karma will come knocking on Greg's door in book two! 

If you're interested in reading this book it is available on Amazon for only a dollar! And, it's free to borrow for Amazon prime members. I highly recommend that you give this book a go... it's a great read for that little price tag! And, I think this will be an author to keep an eye on. 

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Right to write

I keep reading debates about writing.  The "proper" writers are indignant at the new indie "authors", who think it's okay to dash off a story and self publish, with no real thought or perceived effort.  They claim they are choking the virtual bookshelves with so much sub standard material, the discerning reader can't find the "proper" books.  Indie authors are deemed not to care about the quality of their output; they don't use editors sufficiently seems to be the primary gripe.

In return indie authors claim there is good and bad writing everywhere.  Traditional publishing routes are not the arbiters of "good" however much they may wish to be - let the public decide, is the cry.

I can see both sides, if I'm honest.  God knows there are a LOT of books out there.  Books are even given away these days.  It used to be only one or two, but now there are hundreds.  My own kindle is full of books I didn't have to pay for, and am not sure I will ever get round to reading.  Some of them are indeed truly awful.  I accept my own first effort left a lot to be desired - particularly in it's need for an editor - but my God, if even I can spot the errors to the extent I can't finish the book then it must be bad.  I understand the challenge of balancing cost of editing cover etc with how much you are ever likely to make on a book, but there is a piece about personal pride, and if you actually expect someone to part with money for a book, then there are some quality minimum standards that should be adhered to.

BUT - the "traditional" authors need to accept the world has moved on.  The virtual world allows a level of democracy (for want of a better word) that means being with a publisher is no longer an entitlement to the highest sales.  

The publishers need to understand digital channel marketing better, while the self published brigade need to invest in the traditional skills of publishing.  Then the public will ultimately decide.  Do they always get it right?  No - just look at some of the talent competitions on TV.  But they are the paying audience, and as we all know - the customer's always right.

So what have I learnt so far

The main things I have learnt are:

It can be hard to hear that not everyone likes your book. It turns out that not everyone is into contemporary adult romances, particularly the adult bit, and particularly if they are still regular church goers.  One of the dangers of telling all your friends you have written a book is that they all then want to support you by reading it, which is great on the one hand but challenging when they were never your intended audience.  Still I can't really afford to be fussy.

Fitting in writing with a full time job and family is hard.  There is just not enough time to do everything, and sadly writing is the luxury pleasure that goes first.  The frustrating thing is that I now have 4 stories buzzing round my head (seriously) that I want to write, and invariably they buzz loudest just when I'm meant to be going to bed.  

The consistent feedback I've had is that the book eases into itself after the first couple of chapters.  Trouble is any potential publishers ask for the first couple of chapters and judge you on that - you see the problem.  I'm working on it for future books.

It's hard to get going outside of the UK - I really have no idea how I'm going to manage that.  

I really struggle with twitter.  I want to like it, but am failing so far.  It feels like a lot of people shouting about themselves, but I'm yet to be persuaded anyone is actually listening.  There are a couple of funny people.  Camel Toe, you've made me laugh more than once, but otherwise I'm at a loss.

Otherwise it's all going well.....