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.
My word this Wednesday is blurb. I’ve always thought it seemed a very informal word to describe the short description that appears on the back of a book, or to describe a film.
An early 20th century word, it was coined by Gelett Burgess, an American humorist. He is said to have invented the word for the promotional cover of his own book.
It is, of course, a term now widely used and recognised by publishers and authors. That small word, though, holds great importance. The blurb on the back of a book is, for many of us, the difference between buying or not buying. I wonder if that’s true for you?
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.
The day has arrived. Today, 28th April 2026 my children’s book, The Clocker, is officially published. There were times when I nearly gave up, days when I didn’t believe it would ever happen, struggles and challenges along the way but I couldn’t be happier that I’ve made it. I am a published children’s author.
I have already had some very positive reviews and it’s an amazing feeling to read that others enjoy what you’ve written. Although writing a book involves a lot of time being shut away, tapping the keys on your PC, the help of others can often go unnoticed. I’ve found Troubador Publishing to be an incredibly supportive, knowledgeable and helpful team. My partner, my daughter, wider family, friends, and writing group, Let’s Write, have all played a part. Without turning this into an Oscar speech (!) thank you to everyone.
As well as now having a box of my own copies of the book, Troubador distribute to bookshops around the UK. The Clocker is on Amazon in paperback and kindle formats, and on Apple Books for those with Apple devices. If you do purchase and read the book, please do write a review.
I am available around The Midlands for author events and to visit schools to read extracts and talk about my book. Please contact me via my Contact page Contact me
On Tuesday 24th June 2025, I will have a visitor to my site. This is new experience for me and I look forward to telling you all about her and her new children’s book.
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