#PRESSRELEASE Bullshit London Comedy Walking Tours

*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***

A Well-earned Break From The Usual London Bullshit

LONDON, March 25th, 2015 — Election year again, while most denizens of London despair at the volume of Bullshit gushing around there seem to be some people who want more of it. Bullshit London Tours are gearing up for an even bigger third year of comedic tom-foolery launching April 9th 2015. Having been voted one of Time Outs top 101 things to do in London, tours run every Thursday at 7pm. Book through their website (www.bullshitlondon.com).

Do you want to see the site where Queen Victoria exploded? Perhaps you want to learn about the Roman Renaissance movement of 1860? These walking tour guides will show you “the kind of London that would have happened if Monty Python had been elected Queen!”

The tour begins on the steps of St. Paul’s cathedral, and meanders entertainingly around the South Bank, ending at Trafalgar Square. Audience participation is thoroughly recommended, and the tour is quite brisk, taking about two hours to complete.

 

Editors for more information, photographs, or to schedule a free press tour: contact Reuben by email; reuben@bullshitlondon.com, by phone; 07588913297, http://www.bullshitlondon.com or speak to Anthony, ant@bullshitlondon.com,

Birthday Reflections

AS MY BIRTHDAY rapidly approaches, it is my habit to reflect upon the past 12 months and give thanks, make adjustments where necessary, make amends where due, and dream up new and exciting plans for the next 12 months.

TRAVEL

I am continually thankful for the fantastic opportunities that I experience in this life. Last year involved a lot of travel – some planned, some not. I was fortunate enough to spend a few months in Costa Rica and meet many, many wonderful people from around the world. Hopefully one day I shall return and see some of my great, new friends once more. It was in Costa Rica where I was finally able to release a lot of emotional baggage and ties to the past, and reconnect to the free spirit and lonely child in the depths of my soul.

Canada was an unplanned experience, but the ‘wanderlust’ had grabbed me. It was a great counterpart to my experiences in America, and I had an interesting time there, but I doubt very much I could ever call Canada ‘home’ –  the people are warm, but the climate is far, far too cold!

PATTERNS & CHANGE

Throughout my life, I notice reoccurring patterns. No matter how hard I try to push in a different direction, my passions (and what I’ve come to believe are my destinies) keep pulling me back to where I am happiest and most content. England was also an unplanned destination… homeward bound after 15 years… a perceived backwards move…?

My country of birth has changed much since I’ve been away, mostly politically, and not for the better! Europe appears to have strong-armed its way into most, if not all of our legislation… I think there is even a European mandate on the correct way to have a ‘stiff upper lip’! It did not feel like the country I left behind before the millennium.

Tara’s Folly

It was wonderful to connect with family and old friends from long ago. An early experience, and something I’d always wanted to try, was to thatch a roof for some dear friends of mine who were building a summer house castle in their backyard! In England we call such things ‘follies’.

Although I had no intention of staying, so many of my friends and family lamented the fact that I had given up on my childhood dream of becoming a professional actor. I hadn’t given up on it, merely shelved it for a more suitable time, in fact I had been quite successful before I emigrated to the US, back in the late 90s..

NEW EXPERIENCES

Being open to new things, and relaxing into being led where life wanted me (getting out of my own way!) it’s been a fantastic final sprint to the finish line. Although it took quite a bit of effort to raise the money I needed to get headshots for my new acting career, step one of the professional process started well. I’m currently batting four-for-four: four auditions, four castings! In the past month I have appeared as the lead, or co-lead in three short, student films, which will help with step two of the process: getting my showreel together. And in May, I begin shooting my first indie feature film.

Two new books were published late last year (“The Shepherd” and “49q? The Enigma Continues”), and I have three more in the pipeline. I really does feel like I have landed right back in the happiest times of my life, back when I was last here as a freelance actor and writer! With more life experiences under my belt, and many, many more new talents, especially concerning business ownership, I feel supremely confident in the outcome of the next twelve months.

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

An old friend of mine plans to produce a play I wrote in my early 20s and enter it into the Lewisham Festival in November – naturally, I shall be co-starring.

On the business front, I have partnered with a new actor friend who runs ‘factually inaccurate tours of London’ (www.bullshitlondon.com) Drawing upon my past experience, not only will I be conducting tours later this year, but will be helping expand the business in new and exciting ways, and possibly creating some form of licensing program to develop other cities. Another ‘blast from the past’ friend – a highly successful business coach and self-development guru – offers an opportunity to indulge my love of helping people fulfill their true potential.

There are still many old friends I have yet to hook up with, but that’s all planned for this new year. It has been a really wonderful twelve months, and I have no regrets. As to thoughts, ideas, and plans for the next year…?

Don’t confuse confidence and happiness with arrogance when I say it is my fullest intent to be paid to appear in a feature film later this year. I will have an agent, and I will continue to help all those I come into contact with, as is my nature.

REFLECTIVE WORDS OF GUIDANCE

I’ll try not to sound too preachy here, but I really want others to benefit from the wonderful life experiences I have gained.

Take time to be quiet and calm, and connect with life around you. Do your best to find your true place in the world – don’t strive for something that doesn’t resonate, instead ‘feel’ where you should be and what you should be doing. Have confidence in your ‘true’ self, don’t let other people’s opinions or comments wrongly influence what your heart is telling you is right. Don’t sell your life for the mere attainment of money to attempt to buy back your happiness. Instead, choose to be happy in all things – be selfish (in the true sense of the word) and know that ALL of your real friends want only one thing for you: Happiness. Focus on what makes you fully happy, and the world around you will change for the better!

 

In happiness, joy, and love, I thank each and everyone of you!

 

*** CROWDFUNDING RESEARCH ***

Hi folks! Your help is need in a little bit of early research into a crowdfunding project I am hoping to launch in about 30 – 45 days time.

I have the fantastic opportunity to be involved with a brilliant, new actor pal of mine (Reuben) who devised an awesome, alternative London walking tour (www.bullshitlondon.com) back in 2013. I am rigorously learning the script as we speak…!

Together we hope to expand the business opportunity in many new and fun ways to create a wonderful new platform to help other actors earn a ‘dignified’ wage, whilst ‘resting’ and looking for acting work.

We haven’t established a monetary target as yet, but here are a few things you can help us with at this stage:

1. Would you consider donating to our crowdfunding appeal? (a pound or a dollar all adds up!) You don’t have to state how much you’d be prepared to offer at this stage, just a tentative yes or no is fine.

2. What sort of rewards/ incentives would entice you to offer more? Limited edition T-shirts (autographed!) posters, free tours, advertising… a tour dedicated in your honor… that sort of thing.

3. Would you help out with promotion and marketing – retweeting, sharing, commenting, liking the upcoming FB page, blogging, etc. Simple yes or no.

4. If you can’t help in any of the ways above, do you know of any workers/ offices in London that would like to book a private tour? (please add details below, or send them our website)

A HUGE thank you for reading all of this, I know you are all busy people, and we really appreciate any and all input. Please either email me (ant@bullshitlondon.com) and/ or add your comments below.

PLEASE share and tweet this link to your page.

#FREE #Kindle #Book This #FreebieFriday

On Friday March 6th you can download a FREE copy of my mind-boggling mystery-trilogy-in-one-book: “49q? The Enigma Continues…”

That’s right… zip… zilch… nada… nothing…

…all I ask in return is that you rate it and review it on Amazon when you get the chance.

UK DOWNLOAD HERE

US DOWNLOAD HERE

Bullshit London Tours

What an exciting weekend that was!

Whether you’re new to London or have lived here for centuries, Bullshit London Tours are sure to entertain and surprise you! I managed to piggy-back off a group of six Australian tourists that had booked an off-peak tour (main season is April – October) with our host, guide, and comic entertainer, Reuben Williams (if that name is to be believed!)

Learn who stole the clock from St Pauls… where God lives… the world’s smallest children’s prison… and much, much more…!

My favorite part had to be the guided tour of the famous Swedish soap opera film set…

As said, if you thought you knew London, think again!!!

For more details and bookings, check out their website: http://www.bullshitlondon.com/

“A tenner! This tour’s worth more than a tenner…”

“Oh, okay, here’s twenty!”

“Twenty! Twenty? Nah, nah, you have to haggle…”

If Monty Python did London tours… this might well be it.

 

SPECIAL TIP: Ask them about their special pub crawl…

 

#AUTHOR INTERVIEWS: Pat McDonald – “The Blue Woods Trilogy”

Welcome to the next author interview… I have the great pleasure to introduce a very talented author, Pat McDonald. If you like intelligent crime fiction, this trilogy will have you hooked from book one. Imaginative characters and absorbing plot lines. If any of my production company chums are reading this, I think these would make excellent TV drama… But enough high praise, let me allow Pat to tell things in her own words:

 

1. Your background is law enforcement. At what point in your career did you start thinking about writing a crime novel?

Writing is all I have ever wanted to do from when I wrote poetry and short stories as a teenager, it was my ambition to return to creative writing when I finished my career of which the latter part was spent in law enforcement. After seventeen years immersed in that arena it was inevitable that I should begin there although it wasn’t a conscious decision, it just happened. Perhaps it was a need to download much of what my head contained and then leave it behind.

I had a wealth of experience that I have used as a framework in which to allow my imagination to run riot. Inspiration for my books comes from my observations of the real world, which I think is reflected in them. The world is full of inexplicable phenomena and extraordinary people and provides me with sufficient material to allow my imagination to take it and ask ‘what if’ in those circumstances this was to happen. Just a twist can take something ordinary and make you wonder at it. I do think, however, that I have some deep recesses of my mind where lurks a murky pool of things to draw upon!

2. You’re now on your third novel, do you find it is becoming easier to write or harder, and why?

I only intended to write one crime novel and as a ‘free flow’ writer my stories just pour out, so much so that I find it hard to end something I’m doing. This is why I have begun my crime fiction with a trilogy. I usually find I have more than one ending which leaves me with a cliff-hanger and a carryover plot – it is after all a potential real life series and real life doesn’t neatly fit most of our everyday time lines. I did manage to end the trilogy, although it would lend itself to a series if ever I chose to return to it. I would say that writing has perhaps become easier, although I would prefer ‘better’, sufficiently to try out something else.

3. Do you draw on any specific experiences in your law enforcement career? Can you elaborate?

I haven’t taken any of the actual crimes from my experiences, but rather the setting and the process of law enforcement. However, I deliberately set it earlier than present day because some of the things I write about would not be allowed to happen today. My imagination can take a potential view of the ‘ordinary’ and turn it into something else entirely. Although my books are set within an imaginary police force, they also encompass the lives of the officers involved and the villains they have to deal with; sometimes the two become so fused that it is hard to separate them. My books are fiction with a real edge. They present characters and scenarios that I hope reflect reality, but the kind that doesn’t end in happy ever after – well real life doesn’t does it?

4. If you couldn’t write in the crime genre, what would be your next choice and why?

My current work in progress is a move away from crime to a different genre. My Y.A paranormal thriller Breaking Free is about stalking and is set in the North of Wales, UK. It has a hint of historical W.W 1 drama that is surprisingly haunting! One of the characters in Getting Even escapes from the clutches of the bad Detective Chief Inspector and although he pursues her she drops out of the plot. I wanted to find out what happened to her, so I pick up the story when she returns to a small but close community in North Wales. I wanted to explore how someone could ‘lose’ themselves and to examine further about stalking and its outcome. I have recently found my ending to this story and am working the plot towards that end.

5. What are the elements of writing you love and dislike the most?

I am a ‘free flow’ writer and as such do not plan my books. I sit with a blank page and allow the stories to develop as I write. I found this method surprising when I began, but love it and believe it works for me as a creative story teller. When I begin to write the next chapter or sub-chapter I have no idea what I am about to write. I love more than anything developing the characters that I create and imagine myself as each one whilst writing their particular chapter or sub-chapter. I love ‘oddball’ characters; describing and developing them gives me great pleasure. P.C Hugo Bott is a particular favourite and the most unlikely police officer who enters at Rogue Seed; he is a legend in his own police force for being in the right place at the right time and despite his communication limitations is a successful crime fighter or is he? I believe that most writers dislike the editing process the most; getting a book polished sufficiently for publication I found the hardest part of being a writer. But then my first book Getting Even is a lengthy one. I did however improve as the trilogy progressed and learnt how to reduce that, which may be why after publishing Boxed Off in December 2014 even that process began to become enjoyable!

6. If you could offer one piece of advice to an aspiring writer, or someone considering writing a novel, what would that be?

I think that every writer will be different and I do have my own way of doing things. I would and do advise writers just to write. I tell them to stop trying to conform to a preconceived set of ‘rules for writers’, which I believe stifles creativity. Let it flow as you think it, give reign to your thoughts, ideas and imagination. I do speak out about people who write books and articles on how you should write, what words you shouldn’t use and a whole gamut of advice on the destruction of the adverb, because I believe it frustrates and destroys genuine expression. Think about your story and be true to it; you conceived it because you wanted to tell it, so concentrate on how you imagine it could proceed and end. Your style and way of writing is as valid as anyone else’s. If we all conformed to the one set of rules it would be like writing to a formula – how boring would that be for literature? Ask yourself though, is there more than one ending? There is nothing worse than reading a book and finding yourself disappointed by the ending. But at the end of the day it is YOUR story, so be true to yourself – how would you want it to end with a ‘bang’ or a ‘whimper’?

British Crime Author Pat McDonald lives in a rural part of the Midlands, United Kingdom. She previously worked as a researcher, project manager and programme manager in the NHS and in law enforcement and the criminal justice system. She is now a full time novelist. Her crime trilogy (nicknamed ‘The Blue Woods Trilogy’ because of an over active imagination at disposal of bodies!) consists of Getting Even: Revenge is best served cold, Rogue Seed and newly published Boxed Off.

Amazon Page: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pat-McDonald/e/B00R372WK4/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1424778904&sr=1-2-ent

Author Website: http://t.co/ImQ9ZT2ZbZ

Author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pat-Mcdonald/502374626484358?ref=bookmarks

Twitter: Pat McDonald @issyblack

 

 * * *

ANTHONY DONNELLY blogs about all things writing, inspirational, and motivational. He has published a number of books for children and adults. His latest book, a short, inspirational parable THE SHEPHERD  is currently climbing up the Amazon charts, and is available in Kindle or paperback. When not sat at his keyboard writing, he can be found in Costa Rica, North America, or somewhere in Europe motivating and coaching individuals and groups in self-development techniques and life-balance. Most recently you can see him back on the sets of films and in front of the modelling camera again.

#AUTHOR INTERVIEWS: Jason Black “Titan Fleet: Invictus”

WELCOME to another author interview, this time with new writer, Jason Black, author of TITAN FLEET: INVICTUS, a great, new scifi fantasy set in outerpace.

 

Your debut novel, TITAN FLEET: INVICTUS, was inspired by the death of your Mother, could you elaborate on how this was inspirational for you?

I have always written stories and poems, since I was small, as I was always alone as a child and only had my imagination as company, but I never finished anything, and growing up, I would start new projects, and never finish them.  My Mum and Dad would always joke with me about that fact.  I really enjoyed writing the stories, however, I never really had the confidence to share that part of me with anyone else, apart from my Mum, who was also very talented with artistic things.  After my Mum passed away in August 2013, I realised what a huge gap she had left in my life, and I needed to fill that gap.  I had promised her, jokingly, that I would actually finish something one day, but now this promise became extremely important to me, as I believe a promise should always be kept.  When my Dad passed on to me my Mum’s laptop, I found a new lease of life, and began to go back to the places I had once walked before in my imagination.  This time with a goal to actually finish a book, and to share it with others.  My Mum was always giving, and always bringing a smile to someone’s face, which is what I hope to do with my books. I am very much my mother’s son.

Where do you gain the inspiration for your main characters from?

Although my inspiration for sci-fi comes from a lot of years of watching sci-fi programs, Star Trek, Buck Rogers, Star Wars, Blake 7, etc., the inspiration for my main characters is not based on any one person.  For example, my inspiration for Megan is just the fact that I wanted a strong, independent woman to be really, more an inspiration for the reader, than anything else.  I believe women can be strong and beautiful at the same time, be compassionate and also tough.  And the same goes for men, they can be tough, strong, authoratative, rugged, but also at the same time, loving and caring and supportive.  These things are a good basis for any character I believe, and I hope this gives the reader something to connect with, and hope for maybe.  I also liked the mixture of different personalities working together with their differences towards the same goal.

Your genre is science fiction-fantasy, if you couldn’t write in that genre, what other genre would you write in and why?

I have started a fantasy book for the younger readers, but I also have several outlines for horror books in mind.  I really enjoyed writing the latter chapters in Titan Fleet: The Invictus, without giving anything away, where a different side to my writing came out, and I would like to explore this more in future books. My wife, and several others, have told me that chapter 81 is one of the best chapters in the book, and I’m looking forward to scaring them more in the future.

Can you give us a hint at what to expect in your first novel, please.

Titan Fleet: The Invictus is set in space, and it follows Pace on his first command, along with his first officer, Megan Frost.  Their mission turns into something a lot more than they expected and they are forced, not only to save themselves and their new crew, but also their planets population, from two evils.  It is fast paced, with plenty of action, not too techy, with a little bit of something for everyone.  Some romance, big space battles, aliens, conspiracy, horror.  I’m sure everyone would enjoy it, regardless of what genre they are into.

If you could give any advice to novice and aspiring authors, what would you suggest?

Just Write It!  You think you can’t do it, you think you don’t have the time, but you can and you do.  Just believe in yourself.  You just have to find your voice and your style, everyone is different.  Plan your writing time.  Make an appointment with yourself to set that time apart.  I have something I call my Sparks book, in which I jot down ideas (or bright sparks!).  I write down my plot outline, every single detail of each character, and have drawings of the ships, place names and descriptions, anything that helps you build your story world in your mind.  Then just write it, make no excuses.

Are you reading anything right now, if so, what is it and why?

I am reading Hollowland by Amanda Hocking.  I originally saw Amanda on Youtube talking about getting started and how indie publishing worked for her.  She inspired me to push forward with my book when I had writers block.  I enjoy zombie films and books, so it was a no brainer for me. (Pardon the pun!)

Thank you for participating in this interview, is there anything else you’d like to add?

Just that it was very kind of you to ask to interview me, and I am always open to answering questions from readers or potential readers. 🙂

 

 * * *

ANTHONY DONNELLY blogs about all things writing, inspirational, and motivational. He has published a number of books for children and adults. His latest book, a short, inspirational parable THE SHEPHERD  is currently climbing up the Amazon charts, and is available in Kindle or paperback. When not sat at his keyboard writing, he can be found in Costa Rica, North America, or somewhere in Europe motivating and coaching individuals and groups in self-development techniques and life-balance.

 

 

#Author Interviews: Mistral Dawn – “Taken By The Huntsman”

WELCOME to the second in my author interview series. A new, up-and-coming author today, Mistral Dawn – a pen name as intriguing as her romantic fantasies! Her debut novel, Taken by the Huntsman is doing well on Amazon, but first a few words from the pen-mistress herself:

 

1. “Taken by the Huntsman” is a fantasy romance novel. Have you always written in this genre or did you evolve into this?

Taken By The Huntsman is my first novel.  The book I’m working on now is the second one in the series, so it’s also a fantasy romance novel.  Before Taken By The Huntsman my writing was mostly limited to school papers and letters of complaint. 😉

2. Where do you gain the inspiration for your main characters from, people you know or your imagination?

Well, The inspiration for Taken By The Huntsman came from a dream I had after a rather spirited debate with an online friend about the nature of consent (and some other political issues I won’t bore you with).  When I woke up I thought about the dream and realized it might make an interesting story (as well as provide me with a soap box 😉 ).  I texted a friend and asked her if she thought the idea had merit.  She said she did and so I wrote the first couple of chapters and emailed them to her asking her to read them and tell me if she was bored yet.  She was kind enough to say that she wasn’t bored and that she’d like to read the rest of the story, so I wrote it.  The ideas for the next few books and short stories came from characters who came to me and told me that they deserved a story too, and it was my job to write them.  So I will! 🙂

3. What do you find the hardest part of writing a novel is, and how do you overcome it?

The hardest and easiest part of writing was the sex scenes.  OMG! They were so much fun to write! After all, who wouldn’t enjoy letting their wildest fantasies run wild through their head? 😉  But sometimes it’s hard to rein them back in to the realm of the possible.  Also, I’m a woman so I’ve never made love as a man.  What do men think about during sex?  How does it feel to them?  How, exactly, does one make love to a woman?  These are all important questions!  And has anyone ever noticed that many men have difficulty expressing feelings in words?  I need input people! 😉

4. If you could give any advice to novice and aspiring authors, what would you suggest?

I’m very new to writing, so I don’t know that I’m the best qualified person to give others advice.  Someone told me to read a lot and write what you feel.  Maybe that will help others as well. 🙂

5. Are you reading anything right now, if so, what is it and why?

At the moment I’m reading Seed by db nielsen. Seed was chosen as the first book being read by the #IndieBookBeSeen GoodReads book club.  Congratulations db! 🙂

6. Thank you for participating in this interview, is there anything else you’d like to add?

You’re welcome, and thank you for having me Anthony! I’d just like to tell my readers:  Thank you so much for reading my book!!  I appreciate the fact that you’ve given your time and your money to experience my work; it humbles me that you have been willing to do so.  I value all of your feedback, both good and bad, because it can only make me a better writer and help me create a better product for you to enjoy.  So thank you, as far as I’m concerned you’re totally awesome! And please keep those reviews coming! 🙂

 

To keep abreast of Mistral Dawn and her future publications, check out her own blog here:  http://www.mistralkdawn.blogspot.com

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ANTHONY DONNELLY blogs about all things writing, inspirational, and motivational. He has published a number of books for children and adults. His first novel 49Q? THE ENIGMA CONTINUES is currently climbing up the Amazon charts, and is available in Kindle or paperback. When not sat at his keyboard writing, he can be found in Costa Rica, North America, or somewhere in Europe motivating and coaching individuals and groups in self-development techniques and life-balance.

 

 

#WRITING Tips: Branding on a Budget

Global Book Promotion Group on Facebook

When most people think of branding, they tend to associate with the big, household names like Coke, Virgin, Heinz, etc. They didn’t become a household brand overnight, there was a consistent process they took to get there. Although this article doesn’t have the scope to give you the whole process here, and is directed more towards writers and authors branding themselves, this will get you a long way towards where you need to be to gain a good following for your work.

The most important thing to consider when thinking about branding yourself is that IT IS NOT AN OVERNIGHT PROCESS.

 Even if you haven’t started writing your first novel (and essentially you should start this process at least a year before you think you’ll be publishing your book) here are three major steps you should take which won’t cost you any money:

1. Start a blog
2. Set up a twitter account
3. Create a Facebook page

With just these three social media platforms, you have the basis for laying the groundwork for establishing a brand. The most important element of branding is consistency and uniformity. Whether you are branding yourself as an author, or your book, there has to be a central theme to your platforms. You should use the same graphics, titles, and keywords for each of the above. For example, I write across many genres and for both children and adults, so I have chosen to brand myself, therefore the titles for 1 – 3 above are:

1. http://www.adonnellywriter.wordpress.com is my blog
2. @adonnellywriter on twitter
3. https://www.facebook.com/adonnellywriter is my Facebook page

You see how I use ‘adonnellywriter’ in all of the above, and I even have a matching email address adonnellywriter@yahoo.ca. The reason I chose this is because it states clearly my name and what I do in one. I also use the graphics from my latest book THE SHEPHERD, as that is what I’m focusing on right now and have a self-help workbook coming soon that accompanies it.

Obviously, if you have a budget, I would advise you to create your own website in addition to the other three items above, but that can be added later.

The reason I suggest these three elements and personally utilize wordpress is because I can very quickly and easily link all three together to cross-post my articles and news. I focus on posts that are specific to authors and writing, and I link to my books available on amazon.

Although this is free, you will have to commit time and effort to this process and work on each element consistently every day, or at the very least 2-3 times a week.

TWITTER: Using hashtag searches relevant to your core field (#books #aurhors #writing #readers, etc.) SLOWLY start following people on twitter. This can be a laborious process at first, but I recommend adding 10-20 new people a day at first, and engage with them. Retweet things that are on topic, relevant, and you find interesting. Interact with the people you follow: network and form friendships. THIS IS WELL WORTH THE TIME AND EFFORT and if you shortcut this step you are shooting yourself in the foot. Tweet about things you think will appeal to your audience – you’ll know what you’re doing right and wrong by the retweets and favorites you get.

BLOGGING: Commit to posting at the very least ONE interesting post per week (more is obviously better, but one is okay to begin with) Connect with other bloggers, make comments on their posts. Write interesting things that engage your audience and let them into your world. What are you writing? Can you give them an exclusive sneak peek? Do you have some insider tips? Remember to keep the core elements of your branding, don’t go off on silly or irrelevant tangents, but also don’t be too repetitive and boring.

FACEBOOK: As with the other two above, start building your audience. Connect with other writers, authors and readers. Post things of interest to them. Do you have a promotion? Are you trying out different book cover designs? Join an author promotion group like the one above – engage with the other members, make friends, network. Don’t be overkeen to self-promote too much, you are laying the seeds of a growing brand.

As said at the beginning, branding is a process, it won’t happen overnight, but it is so much easier to take a long term view, start small and slowly, build a loyal following, keep them entertained and interested. The rewards will come in time, and by making it fun and connecting with new friends in your field, you’ll find it very fulfilling. To teach you how to brand yourself fully would take a book, but following these little tips will put you a long way along the branding path.

I hope you found this interesting and informative, please share it with your friends, and leave comments and feedback below.

 

#Jokes: Something to Make You Smile

I learned early on in my attempts at stand-up comedy in the US that I’d better not give up my day job, but every now and then I get a quick gag or one-liner that just makes me laugh. After watching a tv docu-drama about the late, great British comedian, Tommy Cooper, I was staring up at the night sky and this one came to me…

“The Big Dipper went on a quiz show the other night. It didn’t win, but it got a constellation prize.”

My mind then went to ‘potty’ humour, and amended it to…

“An 80 year old lady went on a quiz show last night. She didn’t win, but she got the constipation prize.”

And that one reminded me of an old Einstein joke…

“Einstein was constipated the other day, so he asked his assistant for a pencil to work it out.”

Boom! Boom!

 

As said, no competition for my ‘day’ job any time soon 🙂