What have you been doing this week and can you sum it up in 25 words or less? I’d love to hear from you. Here’s my week preparing for the publication of my children’s book, The Clocker.
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I’ve got bookmarks. I ordered them to give out at events promoting my debut middle grade children’s book, The Clocker. They arrived on Tuesday and I’m so excited. I think they look fantastic and I hope children and adults will enjoy them.
Have you done something, however big or small, worth shouting out about this week. I’d love to hear from you.
Quirky Nottingham skateboard bench,
Dummy run to check coach stop,
Brain tangle from new challenges,
Rested by volunteer shifts.
Can you sum up your week in 25 words or less?
Does anyone else do ‘dummy runs‘?
What are you pleased with yourself about this week?
I’ve been working through a long list of tasks in advance of my middle-grade children’s book, The Clocker, being published on 28th April 2026. I’ve approved the ebook, ordered some bookmarks, updated my website, had various conversations in relation to promoting the book … The list goes on.
It can be hard to do things you haven’t done before, as well as remind yourself of things you’ve not done for a while. I’m plodding on, taking it step by step and getting there.
You can pre-order my book and see more at:
https://troubador.co.uk/bookshop/middle-grade/the-clocker
It’s been a busy week for me, one of new challenges as I prepare for the publication of my children’s book, The Clocker. As writers, we spend hours plotting stories, bringing characters to life, writing, revising and editing until we’re happy with the result.
Even with the backup of a publisher, there’s still more to do, as an author, and this involves heading into an unknown land. Pushing myself out there, getting help from others, speaking to strangers doesn’t come easily to me. I might be writing Flaunt it Friday but it all feels a bit alien and uncomfortable.
It has been wonderful to receive positive and helpful support not only from friends and family but my writing community at The Writer’s Bureau Let’s Write group.
https://www.writersbureaucourse.com/courses/let-us-write
There’s lots more to do but I’ve made a start. If you’ve achieved something this week, however big or small, let me know in the comments section below.
Find The Clocker at:
https://troubador.co.uk/bookshop/middle-grade/the-clocker
https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-clocker/liz-mackenzie/9781806341719
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
In January, I set myself the task of summing up my week every Sunday in 25 words or less. I’d love to hear your sum ups too. Here’s mine for this week.
The sun arrives and fades, returns
Winks, splutters, twists and turns
As I volunteer, write
Gaze in wonder at the Iron Giant.
Here’s my week summed up. I’d love to hear your ‘sum ups’ – in 25 words or less.
Volunteer, go to physio,
Cat to the vet.
Results of biopsy
(Must it always rain
When I go to the hospital?)
Time to write.
I’ve set myself the challenge of summing up my week in 25 words or less. If you’d like to have a go too, I’d be pleased to see your ‘sum ups’.
Here goes:
I volunteer
And I write
Rain, rain, more rain
And more
Hospital appointments x 2
See family
And relax –
With the cats.
I’m delighted to have a third poem published in the Edge of Humanity online magazine.
https://edgeofhumanity.com/2026/01/14/living-in-limbo/
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