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Flaunt it Friday

~ my word (s) ~ 8 Comments

It’s Friday again. What are you pleased with yourself about this week?

I’m delighted to have had several more reviews of my children’s book, The Clocker. Especially gratifying were these two comments: “Once I started reading the Clocker, I couldn’t put it down” and “I can’t imagine a young person who wouldn’t love this book”.

It’s an amazing feeling when people not only read your book but take the time to write a review. It reminds me of the importance of doing this for other authors.

Oh, I also managed a volunteer shift at the charity shop with no internet, ergo no card payments. Cash only – like being back in the 70s.

5 star reviews – whoo hoo

Flaunt it Friday

~ my word (s) ~ 11 Comments

I admit that I find it really hard to push myself ‘out there’ in terms of promoting my children’s book. I’m feeling really pleased with myself that I have not one but two bookings at local libraries in the summer. I’ll be reading from my book and getting the children who come along to do some drawing and writing. It feels like a massive achievement.

What are you feeling pleased about this week? I’d love to hear from you.

https://troubador.co.uk/bookshop/middle-grade/the-clocker

Wordy Wednesday

~ my word (s) ~ 3 Comments

We are all familiar with the use of a ‘smith’ meaning a craftsperson, for example a blacksmith or silversmith. My word for today is wordsmith, simply meaning ‘a skilled user of words’ (New Oxford English Dictionary of English).

It is a very timely word, my debut children’s book, The Clocker, having been published yesterday. I like the idea of being a wordsmith. It is a craft shared by many around the world, in different languages, styles and genres. Where would we be without wordsmiths?

A special shoutout to all my fellow bloggers and to the Let’s Write group at The Writers Bureau.

https://www.writersbureaucourse.com/courses/let-us-write

Flaunt it Friday

~ my word (s) ~ 9 Comments
https://troubador.co.uk/author/liz-mackenzie

With my first children’s book due for publication on 28th April 2026, my first Flaunt it Friday is about The Clocker. I have wanted to write a book for children since the age of 11. As I’m now 67, it’s taken a while!

The Clocker tells the story of Nev and his favourite hen, The Clocker. Blurb:

Nev’s life stinks. His mother left, and he lives with his Dad, who is a bit weird. The school bully, Kez, is making his life a misery. 

The best things in Nev’s life are his five hens, especially his favourite, The Clocker. He can talk to her, and she understands. 

After struggling to find something to write for a poetry competition, Nev decides on a poem about The Clocker. He is chosen to represent his school and read his poem at the Regional Schools’ Poetry Festival. 

On the downside, the poem ramps up the bullying. Will Nev ever gain the confidence to stand up to Kez?

The book is for ‘middle grade’ readers (age 8-12) and can be pre-ordered at:

https://troubador.co.uk/author/liz-mackenzie

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Clocker-Liz-Mackenzie/dp/1806341719

https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-clocker/liz-mackenzie/9781806341719

https://www.tgjonesonline.co.uk/Product/Liz-Mackenzie/The-Clocker/15907156

I did it