To quote Abba:-
"Ah-ha-a-a-a-a! All the things I could do...If I had a little money! It's a rich man's world!"
Joking aside, it's that time of the year again folks, when I have to assess what's coming in and what's going out...
So with the sales figures hot in my sweaty little hands, I have to say thank you from the very bottom of my heart! Sales of The Owners Volume I are continuing to increase and the figures show that my readers are still coming back for the subsequent volumes!
Thank you so much! It is such a validation for an author to see that people enjoy their work. It's almost more important than the royalties [ok, that might be spreading it a bit thin but it is important].
Today I conducted an author talk at a businesswoman's networking event, organised by the lovely Siann of Poppleton and Appleby http://www.poppletonandappleby.co.uk/.
I must admit I find these things illuminating. In general, women are much more reticent than their male counterparts in putting themselves forward and so having something else to focus on and chat about, can really help them to open up and break the ice.
I was especially honoured to be able to present the winner of the raffle, Eleanor Potter, with the first two volumes of The Owners series...I hope she enjoys them!
Watch out for my list of forthcoming speaking engagements/author talks.
Until then - Happy Reading!
Carmen :)
My link to Amazon is now up and running however BlogSpot is still having issues logging on posts. Please bear with me.
What I would like to talk to you about today is something I feel very strongly about and something which I know you do too. I want to talk about the Rolf Harris situation and people who are like him.
But this blog post is not just for the adults, indeed I am aware that a large number of children read my posts and so today, this is exclusively for them.
My younger readers.
Summer is here and its warm outside and the nights are lighter for longer and you want to be out with your friends...I get that, my children are exactly the same. So when your mum or dad tells you to be home by a certain time, it can seem like they just want you to be bored at home and not out having fun!
And anyway you are safe, right? You are with your friends and there are lots of you and besides you are nearly 10 or 11 or...
Let's get one thing straight - your age doesn't matter. You are still a child. And your parents DO know best!
We live in an increasingly dangerous world. It is not the world that I, or your parents, or many other people would wish it to be but it is the real world. Your parents know and understand this and that's why they want you home at a certain time. It's not because they are evil and want you to be as bored as them, it's because they are worried for your safety.
When I was your age I was always warned to watch out for 'bad men'. Well I am telling you now there are bad women too! And they come in all shapes and sizes, all colours and nationalities and most importantly, all ages!
Don't just think that its younger adults who might pose a threat to you...some of them could be older than your grandparents. Evil young people don't disappear in a puff of smoke before they get older. They age just like everyone else. So just because its an old man who suggests you walk up the road with him, don't think this is safe to do!
TELL YOUR PARENTS!
And one more thing kids - don't grow up too fast! I know the world has moved on since I was a child but its a universal fact that kids can't wait to be older.
[It's funny too 'cos once you are older you will spend all your time trying to stay young :)]
Whilst you are a child, play like a child, talk like a child and this comes from the heart, dress like a child. Leave the little tops and the short skirts for when you are much older and don't fight with your parents when they stop you trying to wear clothes that are too old for you.
You only get one shot at being a kid, so enjoy it!
Here is the number of Childline, a helpful organisation 0800 1111
http://www.childline.org.uk/Pages/Home.aspx
If you are in America you should call 1-800-4ACHILD.
