3words August begins tomorrow

Just saying. 🙂

No doubt I’ll see you here, right?

Right?!

 

 

seeking editing work

Hello from “sister” site:

I will have one or two pieces of final edit work to do after August 18th, taking 5-10 days, but they will need to be scheduled as and when the authors are ready.

Apart from those, I am available to work on new projects. 🙂

So, if you have some editing/copyediting/line-editing you want doing, please contact me by posting a reply to this with your email address, or email me direct at economyedits@gmail.com

I am happy to work on anything from a one-page letter to a 500,000 word novel. Or longer. Although, obviously, that monster-novel will take a much longer commitment than the letter.

My rates are still just £3 or $5 per 1000 words, or a flat £3/$5 fee for anything shorter. For shorter pieces I will invoice upon completion, but for longer works I will invoice half when I begin and half upon completion, with an option (not obligatory) for a half-price final read through whenever you have completed any alterations.

Please read my testimonials page for more insight, and/or forward a 1000 word sample for me to work on and return, free of charge, no obligation, for you to decide whether you want to work with me.

I am already  looking forward to working with you. 😉

economyedits.wordpress.com & economyedits@gmail.com

 

 

3words July – tomorrow

3words will be returning tomorrow.

This time “we” will be writing for just 20 days, so “we” will generate a 2000 word story.

I’ve had no ideas so far regarding character, setting or plot etc, with which to set us on our way, so if you have an idea let me know.

Oh yeah, the “rules”:

It’s simple –

1. “We” choose a character name, setting or event so we all begin in the same place
2. Every day I post 3words here & via Twitter using #3wordswonky69
3. Every day any participant writes 100 words of a story INCLUDING the 3words
4. Post your 100 words via the #3wordswonky69 or on your blog or keep private
5. TWENTY days later (on the 20th) you will have a 2000 word story
6. Perhaps I’ll anthologise any interested participants’ stories into an eBook?

As we progress, others involved can suggest words for us to use, and no doubt I will incorporate some.

Anyone wanting to play along either post a comment to let me know, or just simply play along via the #3wordswonky69

 

 

editmonkey on your shoulder

Would you appreciate or benefit from having a little EDITMONKEY sitting on your shoulder, helpfully pointing out when you:

• use the wrong there/their, stationery/stationary, affect/effect
• should have a full-stop in place of a comma
• are missing quotation marks
• are using a passive voice
• use some words too often
• use words like very that can be replaced by stronger ones

?

Well, Economy Edits was created to help the indie writer on a budget. Find us @

economyedits.wordpress.com

 

 

a FREE copy of MY book for YOUR review

Hi.

Are you interested in reading one of my books for free in exchange for an Amazon review?

That’s why you’re here, right? I thought so.

Simply let me know which of my books below you would like to START with (see what I did there… enticing you to read one then another… subtle, huh?), and I will email you a copy. Easy. 🙂

And there are FIVE EXCITING OPTIONS. (Did you become extra-excited by the caps?)

 

First up, my romantic tale of one woman’s life:

 

This follows Lizzy Anderson from her first birthday when she realises she sneezes in sevens (hence the title – had to be a reason, right?). She struggles through a tough and lonely childhood, meeting the love of her life aged 9, and again at 18. They begin a life together, and we are drawn in to her journey, hungry for her highs and lamenting her lows as she weaves through adulthood, parenthood, love and death during one woman’s life, leading to old age and the inevitable. ( approx 310 pages / 93,000 words  )

 

Next, my possibly confusing dare of a read:

This story centres around Ed, a middle-aged, frustrated would-be-writer, family man struggling to maintain his grasp on a reality he finds he never really wanted, having been caught in the flow where there were more interesting lives he could have lived, if only he’d made other choices at three key moments in his life. When a catalyst creates a window of opportunity for him, Ed decides to write the novel he’s always dreamed about, but gets lost in a metafictional frenzy of ideas, struggling to find his true self while he and seven others live the same life. ( approx 730 pages / 275,000 words )

 

Next, a deliberate change of pace with my good friend Wonky:

Wonky lives in a carpet, and is the protector of 12 yr old Odd Bob, an overweight and often-bullied friend who used to talk with Wonky in the downstairs loo of his family home. As he grew up, he lost faith in Wonky, but Wonky’s always been there, trying to help and do the best he can for his friend. When the bullying worsens and Wonky’s frustration grows regarding being unable to help as much as he wants to, something strange was always going to happen. And it does. This is the first tale in a series. The second is already available. The third will be started soon. ( approx 40 pages / 12,000 words )

 

And finally, my two collections, the first being three novellas set in a cafe:

In the first tale, Cafe Books, a young man returns to his home town to help his mum with her cafe. He swore he would never return because of past problems with one particular girl, but can’t deny his mother. Then the girl walks into their cafe and all kinds of feelings, memories and secrets are exposed. In the second tale, Ten Minute Windows, a lonely and frustrated mother frequents the same cafe and sits at her favourite table every day, for just ten minutes, being the only time she has for herself. One day there’s an obnoxious man at her table, and he keeps coming back, day after day. In the third tale, Kissing The Mist, an undecided young fiancee seeks the advice of her much-loved, book-fan grandmother, bringing another old, second hand book as a gift. Only, this time the book comes with a history and the grandmother’s past unfolds and unravels the young woman’s delicate grasp on the life she’s found herself living.

 

And finally, my collection of (mostly) shorter stories:

This features ten of my favourite stories from the last twenty years, and include: a Pushcart Prize nominated story of two alienated sisters and one twisted father; a chance meeting in a public park between a man, a cheeky young girl, her dog and her mother; a super-short life story of an unappreciated working man who lives for his family; a once-exiled flasher who dares to return to his childhood village hoping for some kind of redemption; two co-workers struggling with their undisclosed-yet-known-about affair and their own feelings toward each other; a man talking with his lover’s cat at night in the garden, trying to right their problems, but only exacerbating them; a much-mocked/unloved father feeling compelled to spend more and more time in his dream-based reality; a mother and her young child mourning the loss of the dear man in their life, while trying to remain positive; an office clerk struggling with a family death and his drinking problems during an unwanted anniversary; and a man reflecting on his abused childhood and abusive wife, desperate to believe in something.

 

So there we have it. Or them. Hopefully something will tickle your fancy and you’ll want to read. And then review. Just leave me a comment or send me an email with your (first, heh) choice and I’ll express deliver a pdf copy to your inbox.

Many thanks for reading this far. I just wish I had something extra special to offer you by way of reward… oh wait…

Seven Sneezes available in PAPERBACK

 

Find it first at CreateSpace 🙂

https://www.createspace.com/4869363

 

Also, if makes no difference to you where you buy it, please buy from CreateSpace as you will pay the same but my commission is bigger. Cheeky but true. 🙂

 

Saturday Swims, part 1

As per my post yesterday, today I begin my quest to better market (or simply improve) my eBooks.

And, as the subject suggests, I am beginning with Saturday Swims, being about

my first published short story collection. And yes, I know a writer should love his words, but I really do like these stories.

But what did I DO for them? Well…

• I offered a free PDF copy of one of them for anyone who signs up to follow me
• I updated and really improved the Amazon product description (see below)
• I posted Facebook, Google+ and Twitter updates
• I contacted some book-friendly sites via Twitter to tweet re this book
• I submitted the book to AwesomeGang.com to list (very helpful site)
• I submitted the book for review at a couple of sites

Now for another coffee and per chance a cookie… 🙂

 

Here’s the new/updated product description:

These are ten of my favourite stories, being tales of everyday people struggling through sadness and hope while hoping for connections within distance, all of them trying to find a liveable pathway through the minutiae of daily living.

In A SWIM IN THE CLOUDS, two once-close sisters reconnect through words and books, but mostly through action while confronting their dark past, and their hopes for a better future.

In GIRAFFE SPOTS, a lonely man who is missing his sister’s support learns how to blow bubbles and forgive while spending an afternoon in the park with three surprising new friends.

In UP AGAINST A WALL, an everyday family man stoically performs his job, but lives for his family, while feeling his life is unappreciated by all, especially his beloved, distant daughter.

In BOBBY LOU, a once-exiled and self-confessed flasher returns to his home town seeking redemption, reconciliation or understanding, and rekindles an important connection.

In HAZARD LIGHTS, two lonely co-workers struggle to be true while keeping their affair a secret, yet daren’t admit even the most rudimentary feelings towards each another.

In COLD, a relationship-questioning drunk discusses his problems with his partner’s cat in the garden while said partner sleeps, seeking answers or reason but finding only mistakes.

In HALFWAY HOME, a long-term family man struggles to find any kind of happiness in his distant wife or mocking daughters, and finds he feels happier living within his sleeping reality.

In EVERY MINUTE, a boy and his mother struggle to find any kind of sleep or peace, pining for the man of their house who is no longer with them, while wishing for a better future.

In HOW EASY WE BREAK, a barely-functioning, self-distancing alcoholic tries to keep hold of himself but slips, and slips again, influencing and harming those who would love him.

In LADDERS, a currently unemployed, middle-aged, repeating-father is unhappy at home, but finds an unexpected way to dream while resolving his past mental and physical issues.

( 155 pages / 41,000 words )

FREE story – yes, really

Not wanting to leave out anyone who hasn’t already been following my blog, I want to make today’s idea (see last post for reference, but covered here, too) available for everyone.

So, for anyone who clicks that little Follow box over there ===>

to Follow My Blog via email, I will send you a specially created for you –yes, with your name included– PDF copy of any one story from my Swimming In Clouds short story collection.

Your PDF will include:

• the story you chose 😉
• your name
• the date you subscribed
• my thanks

So don’t delay, sign up today, and receive your free story.

 

 

yes, you! – my blog followers…

I’m speaking specifically to those who are already following my blog, but anyone who signs up will be eligible.

Eligible for what, you ask? Well…

For anyone who clicks that little Follow box over there ===>

to Follow My Blog via email, I will send you a specially created for you –yes, with your name included– PDF copy of any one story from my Swimming In Clouds short story collection.

Your PDF will include:

• the story you chose 😉
• your name
• the date you subscribed
• my thanks

So don’t delay, sign up today, and receive your free story.

 

 

my eBooks – marketing ideas

I’m not doing much in the way of marketing at the moment, and speaking with a friend I know I need to be pulling my fingers out and actively advertising each of my books in relevant markets, AND subbing free copies for reviews AND improving my visibility on sites like GoodReads, Smashwords etc…

So…

I’ve decided I’m going to try and allocate 30-60 minutes every day to ONE of my eBooks. For example:

 

Monday –  EcoMonday Edits, regarding my editing services, ECONOMY EDITS.

Tuesday – Tell Me Truesday, focusing on TELL ME SOMETHING TRUE.

Wednesday – Wonky Wednesday, focusing on the WONKY series.

Thursday – 3wordsday, focusing on the daily prompt writing extravaganza.

Friday – Kissing CaFriday, focusing on KISSING CAFE WINDOWS.

Saturday – Saturday Swims, focusing on SWIMMING IN CLOUDS.

Sunday – Sneezy Sunday, focusing on SEVEN SNEEZES.

 

Well, it’s the start of a plan. Here’s hoping it lasts and flourishes.

If you have any helpful suggestions, or would like a copy of any to review, please let me know.