Mirrordom

Venom and Blaze has been out in the world for exactly one week!

In this time, it’s been bought by lovely readers in Australia, America and the UK. My little novel has travelled further than I have in its short life!

I am so grateful to everyone who has bought and reviewed it – it’s lovely to hear what people think and to get constructive feedback. I’m particularly delighted at how many of you are saying you like the character of Venom and enjoy watching her develop as the story goes on.

I’d love to see reader photos of you and the book out and about – so if you can grab a photo of Venom and Blaze in front of Sydney Opera House, in the centre of Times Square or on Tower Bridge, I want to see it!

What else is happening?

Currently, I’m working on the fourth novel in the series and have just finished the second draft. As usual, I’ll let it sit for a bit before editing it some more and, when I reach the point of being happy with it, I’ll share it with my publisher, Fire and Ice YA, to see what they think.

I’m also working on two standalone novels at various stages. One of them has been submitted to a publisher, so I’ll let you know what becomes of that. One of my aims with this blog was to document the entire process – including the failures and rejections. So, whether it gets rejected or accepted, I’ll be writing about it here. The second book is still in the process of being written.

How is your week going? Have you picked up a copy of Venom and Blaze yet?

Venom and Blaze is officially released today!

You can now buy both the print copy and the Kindle version online.

Venom and Blaze is a book that has quite a special place in my heart. As you may know if you follow my chaotic ramblings on the blog, it was originally written after what was meant to be the first book in The Mirrordom Legends. However, one throwaway line uttered by Venom in what is now the third book and I knew I had to tell her story.

I also wrote most of this book in a ten-day stay on the Channel Islands, one of my favourite places in the world,

What other people are saying

I had a lovely review from an ARC reader posted on my Goodreads and wanted to share it with you here. I really appreciated this review since it was obvious the reader understood exactly what I meant to convey.

The giveaway is now closed

I went live over on Instagram to reveal who won the giveaway and I posted the recipient their prize today. I plan to host other giveaways in future (Fable and Legend comes out this autumn, so stay tuned for that), so make sure to follow me on Instagram if you don’t already.

I’m now a published author!

I’ve wanted to be traditionally published since I was old enough to know what books are. To actually have that dream come true is something I don’t take for granted. I’m so grateful to my publisher for taking a risk on a brand-new, wannabe author. And for everyone who has been an ARC reader, bought the book, left a rating, written a review, liked a post, commented on my socials, read my blog and generally been supported: THANK YOU! This means more than you can imagine.

A huge thank you also goes out to my mother, who taught me how to read and write in the first place. Thanks, Mum.

What’s next?

Fable and Legend comes out in the autumn – which means going through the whole process outlined in my What’s Involved In Writing A Book series of blog posts. That includes editing, working with the designer on a cover, promoting and more. I’m very proud of Fable and Legend and I hope you love the characters in that book as much as I do.

Meanwhile… what are you waiting for? Go and check out Venom and Blaze!

My complimentary author copies of Venom and Blaze arrived yesterday! To celebrate, I’m running a giveaway over on my Instagram page.

The competition runs until Venom and Blaze‘s official release day: July 16. So make sure you get over to my Instagram account and follow the instructions so you can be in with a chance to win.

I’ve also been advised that, for those of you who have ordered hard copies, they’ve already been received! I’m looking forward to hearing what you all think of my debut novel.

Some of my ARC readers have already left me feedback and reviews on Goodreads – which is so lovely.

Want to read it for yourself?

The boring (but necessary) bits

• Sadly, the competition is open to UK residents only. Sorry, everyone else!
• Entrants need to be over 18, as the book contains several trigger warnings. Please familiarise yourself with them first as Venom and Blaze isn’t going to be for everyone.
• By entering, you agree to supply with me a postal address so I can send the prize on. More information on how I use your data can be found in my privacy policy.

Venom and Blaze is now available to pre-order! It will be released on July 16.

About time! Where can I order?

Here are all the places you can place your order:

I’ve forgotten what the book is about. Remind me?

Here’s a reminder of the synopsis:

For anyone using an e-reader, the synopsis is typed below.

“During a time when unicorns roamed free and dragons cast shadows across the sun, the wise men and women of the land told stories of a troubled future. The legends whispered of a time when every baby born would be blonde, genial and entirely Good. But straight after it would emerge a baby with black hair, dark eyes – and an entirely different nature. They would be called Mirrors and nobody would know from whence they came or what to do with them once they arrived.”
Venom… wants a normal life where no one can tell her what to do. (Especially her father, King Viper.)
Blaze… wants to be free. (After all, he has been imprisoned in a dungeon since he was a baby.)
Thorn… wants to get the girl. (Which is a shame, because the girl has other things on her mind.)
At least one of them is going to be disappointed.

Will you be hosting a giveaway?

I’m glad you asked. I certainly will. I’m planning to host a giveaway on my Instagram, so keep your eyes peeled for that nearer the release date.

Once I’ve read the book, where can I review it?

Reviewing books makes such a difference to authors. I’d especially appreciate it if you left a review on Amazon, but you can also review on Goodreads. Even if you hated the book, I’d be interested in your opinion. I understand my book is definitely not for everyone. I saw another writer say a good review lets them know what they did well and a bad review teaches them what to work on. So I take the same approach.

I love it when people take the trouble to put a playlist together for me to listen to. So, my little present to you is a series of songs to listen to while you read Venom and Blaze. Every song has a link (in my head) to the story of one of the characters.

Venom

Who’s Afraid Of Little Old Me? – Taylor Swift

Venom is a complex character who has the potential to choose between right and wrong. Her upbringing and situation has made her feel powerless in life and there’s a very clear moment in the story where she has to choose which way she wants to go and whether to to what she knows is right or embrace her darkness.

This song, by Taylor Swift, reminds me of Venom’s personality and the descent of compromising who she is in a desperate bid for survival.

Blaze

Thunder – Imagine Dragons

Blaze is a dreamer who doesn’t fit the mould. Irrespective of the jeering of his contemporaries, he has his own path to forge and he does so with relentless conviction.

This song, by Imagine Dragons, reminds me of Blaze’s fearlessness in the face of all odds.

Thorn

We Could Be So Good Together – The Doors

I can’t say too much about why this is Thorn’s song without giving away some key plot details. Sufficient to say, if you study the lyrics to this song by The Doors, it fits Thorn’s motivation and actions surprisingly well!

Viper

you should see me in a crown – Billie Eilish

Power is what drives Viper – and what better song to celebrate his unhinged actions than with a spot of Billie Eilish?

There are, of course, other characters in the book. Once you’ve read it, I’d love to hear what songs you think would suit their personalities.