romance fiction | Mandy Eve-Barnett's Blog for Readers & Writers

Bibliophile’s Collective Tuesday – Attending Another Book Event

September 27, 2022
mandyevebarnett

As secretary of the Writers Foundation of Strathcona County, not only did I help plan, set up and tear down this event, but also attended as an author. It was an early start at 7 am to ensure the volunteers and all the display items were organized and in place prior to the opening at 9 am. As they say many hands make light work and the set up and tear down were completed in record time. The event celebrated it’s 15th year, which is a great milestone and this was the first in-person for 2 years.

It felt good to get my author table set up once again, and have the interaction with readers, and local authors too.

Another part of the day was author readings, and all the local authors delighted us with chapters of their chosen book to read. I read part of The Rython Kingdom – it felt good to reading out loud again after so long.

Of course, as a reader, I couldn’t resist buying a few books! So my TBR is now quite an impressive height! It will be difficult to pick which novel to read, after I finished Fairy Tale by Stephen King. Maybe I can write the titles on slips of paper and pick one out of a hat?

Bibliophile’s Collective Tuesday – Steampunk Book Cover Reveal

September 15, 2020
mandyevebarnett

And now here is the eagerly awaited full cover reveal of my steampunk novel, The Commodore’s Gift. I am so pleased with it. Thanks to DLG Cover Design for making my vision come to life.

The Commondores's Gift 282-1

Genre: Steampunk

Blurb: Under the Buldrick Empire’s rule, Owena finds herself fighting alongside a rebel force. Her aptitude for strategy and swordsmanship come to the fore. When she meets Galen, not only does she fall in love but becomes even more determined to join the fight to restore the rightful King to the throne.

Official launch date 26th September 2020

Location: Facebook Live – Writers Foundation of Strathcona County’s Words in the Park Virtual event. https://www.facebook.com/groups/178555652163835/

10:00 am – 4:00 pm Enjoy author interviews, book trailers, Trivia games and a story sharing contest, prize draws, book readings and much more.

ATTENTION BOOK CLUBBERS!

HAVE A BOOK CLUB AND NEED A BOOK RECOMMENDATION? Have a Book Club? Or thinking of starting one? Know someone who does? If you said YES! Please contact me at www.mandyevebarnett.com I am happy to supply Q&A for any of my books and can arrange a prize draw too.

Book Review

One Step Closer by Sophie Pollard – A good debut novel by Sophie Pollard. The twists and turns and internal angst came through well in the writing.

My current read is: City of Dreams by Suzanne Burkett

What are you reading?

Writing Hub -Books, Writing, Tips & more…

December 27, 2017
mandyevebarnett

writing-hub

Writing:

Due to a dreadful constant cough my energy has been at a low ebb so writing has taken a back seat as I try to get better. It is the worse possible timing over the festive season. Hopefully as I gradually get better my writing Muse will return.

Books: The men are in Spain and the war is affecting them, as it would. Back home things have changed but stayed the same. Relationships are strained and letters are infrequent. Beautiful writing and character development.

Dreamland

Christmas books have been added to my pile – 300 writing prompts and Sleeping Beauties. Now to consider which King book to read first as I still have 11/22/63 to start. I admit Beauties is calling me.

What books did you get for Christmas?

Writing Tips:

Holiday’s tend to reek havoc on our writing schedule but there are ways of grabbing writing time.

Keep track of the number of words you write instead of how long you wrote.

Relax your normal rigorous writing timetable – take time to chill and observe.

Make the most of “un-scheduled” time – waiting for a flight, children’s rehearsals, a break for coffee during shopping.

Wake up earlier (or stay up later) than usual to ensure that you spend some time writing.

How do you find time to writing during the holidays?

Writing Hub -Books, Writing, Tips & more…

December 20, 2017
mandyevebarnett

writing-hub

Writing:

On Saturday I attended the last of my publishers events for the year. It was a packed venue, with numerous vendors and their fare. There were Christmas themed items of course and a plethora of gift buying possibilities. Although the day (a longer one than usual 9 am – 5 pm) was not too busy we did sell books and I even managed to write an additional 550 words on my YA novella while at this event.

agora craft Saturday 16Dec

IMG_4049[1]

It got me thinking about the ‘odd’ places I have written, including soccer games and practice, gymnastic classes, in hotel rooms on road trips, coffee shops and even on a plane.

Where is the most unusual place you have ,managed to write?

Books:

The war has started in this narrative and two of the characters are now stationed in England – parts of which are very familiar to me as I used to live near them. It gives me a greater sense of place I feel.

Dreamland

Writing Tips:

Use regional dialect, patois, sparingly. Once you start spelling words in dialogue phonetically and loading the page with apostrophes, you won’t be able to stop.

If you’re using a computer, always safeguard new text with a memory stick.

(My tip set the auto save on your word document – it saves heartache. Believe me.)

Do back exercises. Pain is distracting.

Upcoming Writing Events- Add Yours for your Location…

December 18, 2017
mandyevebarnett

events

I have searched the adverts and events pages and alas have found no events locally for me to share. I attended one event last Saturday, which was my publishers last event of this year. (I will be reporting on Wednesday on this event).

So please if you do have an event you would like to share please do.

In the meantime a Merry Christmas to all my followers and a spectacular writing year in 2018!

Merry Christmas

I will post my 2018 schedule at the end of December but a gentle reminder that I am looking for authors and writers to interview, promote and link to during the year. So if you have a book launch, a signing/event, would like to be interviewed then please contact me through the form via the Media Kit page on this blog.

I’m looking forward to getting to know you and your writing in 2018.