Tag Archives: good news

Hard back, large print

08 Friday Jun 2018

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LP books Very excited to open this morning’s post to find these beauties in a jiffy bag! This is my first book in large print, and isn’t it lovely? I’m hoping many libraries will buy it so it can reach lots more people.

I love this cover. Seeing it on the finished book was the first time I’d seen this cover. That model is so definitely Kitty, though I suppose really she should be a little more gaunt around the face to be historically accurate. But let’s see her as she was before the famine, healthy and happy.

 

In other news, I’m now working on two books at once. Editing a second Irish novel, and starting to write another one, set in Dorset. The aim is to publish both next year, though neither has a definite title yet! You’ll hear it here first. Or ‘like’ my Facebook author page https://www.facebook.com/KathleenMcGurl  which I sometimes update earlier than my blog with news.

Who of you uses a library? I must admit I don’t, these days. I’m a compulsive book-buyer, and have so many in my To-Be-Read pile I don’t need to add to it with library books. Yet I think libraries are a brilliant service, and in the past I’ve used them a lot – especially when my kids were young.

 

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The Girl from Ballymor

23 Thursday Feb 2017

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Well I don’t know about youthe-girl-from-ballymor_highres but I think this cover’s absolutely GORGEOUS!

I love her vibrant hair which is exactly right for my heroine, Kitty. And the background image is perfect for the setting of west Cork, Ireland.

This book feels like it’s been a long time coming. I actually finished the first draft and sent it to my editor way back in August last year. Since then there has been a number of rounds of edits, and I have just this minute finished going through the printed proofs.

This book, I am DELIGHTED to announce, will be available as a paperback as well as ebook. It’s been my dream for ages to hold one of my novels, printed, in my grubby little paws (or maybe I’ll even wash my hands before picking it up). And now that’s finally going to happen! Although, as this book won’t be released until 1st June we’ll actually be out of the country at that time (as you’ll know if you’ve looked at my other blog linked from the last post). I’ll have to wait until I’m back to finally get to hold it.

It is funny the reactions I’ve had when telling people it’ll be available as a paperback. Old friends and in-laws who just don’t ‘do’ Kindles are the most delighted for me, hugging me excitedly as finally they will get to read one of my books in a format they like. Other people, especially those who read a lot of ebooks, smile uncertainly, shrug, and ask me to explain why paperback is such a big deal.

I’m likely to make more money on the ebook sales than the paperback, but still, knowing that format will be available does feel like a really big deal. My publisher is a digital-first publisher, and only selected books go into paperback. The fact they’ve picked one of mine means they have faith in this book and think it’ll sell. That’s a real confidence booster. And it will, of course, be lovely to actually have a copy of the book on my book shelves at home. I’m also delighted that this format will mean the book can reach more readers.

I’ve added a page at the top of this blog for reviews and links relating to this book, as for the other ones. It’s available now for preorder.

 

Another blog… and some news

05 Sunday Feb 2017

Posted by in Books, Campervan, Writing

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I haven’t been completely ignoring this blog – I have just been stupidly busy so far in 2017. I’ve been editing the next novel, and writing the one that’s to come after that. And I’ve been planning a six-month trip in our campervan, which will begin in April. Associated with that I’ve been learning Italian.

Oh, and then there’s the day job, of course.

So – about this six-month trip – my husband and I have set up another blog in which we will write about our travels. Please do take a look, and if you are interested in following our progress around Europe, bookmark it or subscribe to follow it by email. I won’t put much about the trip on this blog, which I’ll keep for writing and book news. Here’s the link to the new blog: https://inktravel2017.wordpress.com/blog/ 

And a little bit of writing news – my book The Pearl Locket is on promotion in the US, currently selling at just 99c. This has given it a lovely boost, and I was over the moon earlier today to see it reached number 27 in the overall Kindle chart.  Of course I had to get a screenshot of that, to grin stupidly over whenever I need a confidence boost:

us-charts-5-2-17

It’s slipped a bit since I grabbed that screenshot but it was up there for a while, honest!

Catching up!

05 Sunday Jun 2016

Posted by in Books, Campervan, Holiday

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Oh dear it has been over a month since I posted anything on this blog. I had a fortnight’s holiday in Ireland in May, travelling round in our campervan, and I feel as though I have barely stopped moving since.

There is a little bit of bookish news to share – The Emerald Comb is currently on an Amazon promotion – 99p on Amazon.co.uk until the end of this month. Grab it while you can!

As a result of this, I now have TWO books with best seller flags which is extremely pleasing. Obviously I needed a screenshot of this – and here it is.Two best seller flags

While in Ireland we toured the south-west corner – counties Cork and Kerry. This is where my next novel is mostly set, so I found it very inspiring. No date yet for publication but I will let you know when I have one.

Gertie (our campervan) turned out to be perfect – better than we’d dared dream. I love everything about her. Just as well, because next year we plan to spend six months touring Europe in her! Here she is parked at the foot of Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s highest mountain, which we climbed on a beautiful and memorable day. That’s me, just before we set off.

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Publication Day!

14 Thursday Apr 2016

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At last, The Daughters of Red Hill Hall has been published, and is out there in the big wide world! It feels like ages since my last publication – well, it is over a year. Before that I published 6 books in 2 years (including my self-published books for writers). I’m writing more than ever, but full-length novels simply take longer to complete!
Red Hill Hall banner

Anyway – I am delighted to be able to say this one’s now available, and am looking forward to finding out what people think of it. I will link to related blog posts and reviews on the dedicated page for this novel – click the link at the top of this page.

If you read the book and enjoy it, please do leave a brief review on Amazon. I’d really appreciate it as it does help future sales.
champagne
I’ve spent half the day on Twitter and Facebook announcing the publication, and this evening I think I might just have to celebrate with a glass or two of something fizzy (and I don’t mean lemonade!)

 

 

The Daughters of Red Hill Hall

12 Friday Feb 2016

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My new book, The Daughters of Red Hill Hall, is now available for preorder from all ebook retailers! It’s been a long time since the last one so I am very excited to have a new book baby almost ready to go out into the world. This is its holding cover, not the final cover, but aholdingcoverctually I really like this atmospheric image.

Here’s the blurb -I hope you like the sound of this!

When Gemma discovers a pair of ancient duelling pistols encrusted with rubies in the basement of the local museum, she is immediately intrigued…

On a fateful night in 1838 two sisters were found shot in the cellars of Red Hill Hall. And when Gemma begins to delve deeper into their history she begins to realise that the secrets of that night are darker than anyone had ever imagined.

As the shocking events of the past begin to unravel, Gemma’s own life starts to fall apart. Loyalties are tested and suddenly it seems as if history is repeating itself, as Gemma learns that female friendships can be deadly…

Preorder from Amazon UK

Preorder from Amazon US

 

 

 

Screen shots

24 Thursday Sep 2015

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I have been making heavy use of the snipping tool today, capturing screen grabs as The Pearl Locket has climbed the charts. It won’t last long, so I’m enjoying it while I can. So please excuse this horribly self-indulgent post.

Here it is, #1 in Women’s Historical Fiction. It’s also #1 in Sagas, #50 overall, and has a lovely little best-seller flag.

best sellers 24-09-15 ranking KDD 8pm Saga best seller flag

Updated 5pm on 25th – book has continued to climb the charts even though it is now back at full price. Here’s the current snapshot which has me even more excited! Never thought I would hit top 10!

ranking 25-09-15 5pm

The Pearl Locket – publication!

28 Saturday Feb 2015

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Yesterday was publication day for my second Carina UK novel, The Pearl Locket. It’s been said before, that launch day for a book is a little like the day your son or daughter leaves home to fend for themselves. You’ve done your job as author, bringing your book-baby into the world, and you can do no more. Now it’s time for the book to be released into the big wide world, to sink or swim on its own merits. It’s a scary moment.

The Pearl Locket_FINAL

And I think it is worse this time round. With my self-published books, I thought that if I sold a couple of hundred copies that would be ok, I’d be happy. My first Carina book was exciting, but I still counted as a new author to most readers, and so there was nothing I had to live up to.

But (thankfully!) The Emerald Comb did well, and now I have readers who were eagerly awaiting my next book. I have been battling a confidence crisis for the last few weeks. What if they all hate the new book? What if I disappoint them? I know plenty of other writers – enough to understand that this is a perfectly normal reaction to publication of book 2. I have been trying to step outside of myself and say (as I have said to others in the past), “don’t be daft. It’s a good book – some people will love it, some might not, but you can never please everyone. Now off you go, promote it a little, and get on with writing the next one.”

So, that’s what I am doing. Getting on with the next one, that is. I am DELIGHTED to say that Carina have offered me a second two-book deal, which means I really DO need to get on with writing the next book!

Give Up Ironing!

08 Monday Dec 2014

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I was in the shower, a couple of months ago, and was mulling over how come every time I used a tweet about how writers should give up ironing to make time to write (to promote my book Short Stories and How to Write Them) the tweets would get retweeted more than any other. Maybe, I thought, as I shampooed my hair, I should write an entire book called Give Up Ironing, as the idea clearly resonated with many writers.

By the time I came out of the shower the book was fully formed in my head. All I had to do was sit down and write it. Which I did, during October and early November.

This is the result:

Cover small
It’s quite a short book, at just 15,000 words, but then busy writers don’t want to have to spend too long reading self-help books, do they?

It’s full of advice on how to free up more time to write, make the best use of the time you have, and also approach your writing with the right mental attitude to help you get a lot done.

Many facebook friends responded to a plea for time management hints and tips, and I’ve included a lot of those in the book.

It’s currently available for pre-order from Amazon at a price of £1.53 (links below). It will be released on January 1st, just in time to help with your writerly New Year Resolutions!

Buy from Amazon.co.uk

Buy from Amazon.com

Mr Cavell’s Diamond – now published!

29 Tuesday Apr 2014

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Cover image - smallDelighted to announce publication of my Regency romance novella, Mr Cavell’s Diamond. It’s currently only available as an ebook, but if it does well enough I’ll do a paperback version as well. I uploaded it last night, and was over the moon this morning when I found it had already gained a 5-star review on the American Amazon site. The reader must have bought it as soon as it was available and read it immediately. She or he is a fast reader (and no, it is not someone I know!)

Anyway, here are the links if you’d like to take a look.

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com