Our Friend, Robin

Most of the plethora of fledgling birds have left the garden now, booted out by their exhausted parents to go and find their own way in the world. The fluffed up young sparrows and the enormous baby blackbirds no longer pester the adults for scraps, and a calm sense of order has returned to the birdbath.
The only youngster who has decided to stay is the feisty little robin. He now sports a very handsome red bib and has spent most of the summer endearing himself to us with his cheeky curiosity. He has taken a great interest in our activities, watching from close quarters, normally under our feet, as we have trimmed the hedges, built the shed, had water fights, washed the cars (an activity that caused him no end of excitement as it washed out all the spiders, though he did get sprayed a couple of times), and he has claimed a prime spot in the chocolate vine above the patio table and chairs where he can listen in on our conversation when we're sat out there.
He's become ever braver as the weeks have passed, so much so that yesterday I turned around from my desk to see him standing in the open patio door, watching my every move. He remained in place as I obediently hurried through to get the pot of bird seed, then fluttered out onto the patio for his snack.
But if that was a surprise, it was nothing to the shock he gave me today when he hopped right into the dining room and was well on his way to the kitchen when I came around the corner. I gasped, he gasped (I think, though I don't speak robin), I stepped backwards and he took to the wing and flew outside, where he waited by the door for some more seed.
Speculation is rife about what he'll do next, though I think the idea of a robin hammock next to a radiator for him to over-winter in might be going a bit too far!

Kindle Promotion for 'Billy and the North Oakian Alliance'

I'm happy to announce that Kindle will running a promotion for Book Two of the Trilogy 'Billy and the North Oakian Alliance' on Saturday 8th September.
To reach Billy's Kindle page, either click on the blue book cover to the right, or click here. Hope you enjoy the second book. Book three is under construction as we speak!

The Next New Story!

Café ThreeZero set a writing challenge of 'Choices' this week, which prompted a short short. It's called 'The Choice Shop' and, well, we've all been there, haven't we?
If you fancy a look, here's the link: The Choice Shop
Hope you enjoy it.

Models in Weekly Parts

While watching television the other night, he who fixes the computer started muttering and doing some lengthy multiplication out loud. 'That's over £800!' he cried, at last, startling me so much I spilled my coffee.
The source of his outrage was an advertisement for a magazine, subscribers to which will receive parts of a model of the 'Sovereign of the Seas' in weekly issues. The first issue, to entice potential model makers, is offered at the bargain price of £1.99. Subsequent issues will cost £5.99 and there are, apparently, going to be over 135 of them.
The Telegraph has calculated the model will take two years and seven months to build, longer than it took to build the original, full scale and fully functioning version, and will cost £804.65.
Telegraph magazine article
Even with the interesting and informative articles in the magazine, that's a pretty eye-watering figure, and if experience is anything to go by, at least one issue will never turn up, meaning the end result will be missing a mast, or a chunk of hull, or the sails.

The Ongoing Fake Review Row

Various high profile authors have come forward to add their voices to the campaign against the practise of fake reviewing, or 'sock puppeting' as it's known. Ian Rankin, Lee Child and Val McDermid are amongst many who are appealing to both Amazon and fellow authors to seek an end to the practise.

It's thoroughly dispiriting to an indy author struggling to find a way into the market. If I'm to make it as a writer I want to do it honestly and on merit, but the honest author is at an automatic disadvantage when others are either creating their own false identities to promote their own work and undermine that of their rivals, or are paying others to do it for them.

I'm not sure what the answer is. For now there is no real pressure on Amazon to change its system: as far as they're concerned, reviews work. I suppose it will only change when the end consumer demands it.

For more information, see the stories on the Telegraph and Forbes websites.

The Problem of Reviews

As an indy author publishing on Kindle, I know very well the power reviews have in the selling of a book. Having a bad review that slates your narrative, your dialogue, your plot, basically trashing months and months of graft in the space of a single paragraph, can mean that your book is doomed, even if the slating is totally unwarranted. On the flip side, a five star review that heaps praise upon a possibly rather shaky work can see it soaring up the charts.
It's a cruel business, because anyone can write a review, anonymously, with or without even reading the book. As such, as a buyer I've learned to treat reviews with scepticism, but for many they're still what clinches the deal.
An example of the abuse of the review system is playing out in the news today, with one of my favourite authors being forced to apologise after being exposed as a review cheat. Using various false names, RJ Ellory has apparently been posting reviews, glowing ones for his own works, terrible ones for the works of his rivals. If it's true then it's a thoroughly despicable thing to do. Selling books is hard enough, without fellow authors conspiring to derail your efforts by underhand means. It's cheating. No other word for it.
The good news is that a story such as this exposes the inherent problems with the review system. I just wish it hadn't been an author I've admired so much that had been caught.
Telegraph RJ Ellory Story

Travel Dreams

There are many places in the world I should like to visit, among them the Grand Canyon, Maine, Yosemite, many parts of Australia, Canada, along with so many places closer to home. Now I have to add Africa to the list, thanks to a Telegraph gallery: Telegraph Africa Gallery
The first picture alone would be enough to get me over my fears of flying and into a helicopter. The wise one would go for picture number nine - he does, as he oft reminds anyone listening, like elephants!