Petal- Power Publishing is now linked to a fab new website selling original, fun and ethically-sourced t-shirts and hooded sweatshirts. Why not check it out? A donation to charity with each item purchased. www.brandgnu.co.uk

We had a write-up in the Shropshire Star on Saturday 16th May. Very nice- thank you, Toby Neal!

Under the Rainbow is now available in Shropshire libraries! Hopefully copies will be well-used and well-loved.

I have just watched some Eastern European ladies dancing in The Square in Shrewbury and bought a wooden pig from the local Scope shop.

All the best, Steve x

Under the Rainbow is now available through Waterstones shops. They may not have it in stock but can order one pretty speedily. Shrewsbury Waterstones has copies in stock. We’d rather you ordered through an independent shop, such as the Book Nook in Newport, Shropshire, or Wenlock Books, Much Wenlock, Shropshire, but all sales are obviously much appreciated.

Hasn’t the weather been strange? I’m hoping for a bit of snow this weekend so I can get my skates on!?

All the best, Steve xxxx

What a lovely village! Please visit www.picklescott.org.uk for news. The village is set in the wonderful Shropshire hills, in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Great area to take the kids for a day out. Picklescott has a great pub, The Bottle and Glass, which is child friendly. Very picturesque. Church Stretton is nearby and is an historic market town.

Great views and open air to fire the imagination.

Steve.

Sharon and I enjoyed our visit to the Book Nook in Newport. Thank you for your hospitality, Alison!

It was a lovely sunny day on April 11th and so the shop was fairly quiet. We had great fun all the same. The shop has lots of children’s books and smashing gift ideas.

We met Jean Bews, author of a children’s philosophical novel”Cauldron of Birth,” and she told us all about the teaching of philosophy in shools, particularly as regards younger children. Interesting stuff!

Bye for now! Best wishes, Steve.

The Book Nook is a lovely independent bookshop and there will be a number of authors, including children’s book authors, in the shop to meet customers and sign copies of books (if requested) on Saturday 11th April between 10am and 1pm.

Contact the shop on 01952-820005 for further details. The address is- 5 Stafford Street, Newport TF10 7LU.

Newport is a great place to visit with plenty to enjoy in addition to the shop.

Do join in the fun with your children this Easter weekend. Steve and Sharon will be there and would love to meet you.

On the first Thursday of each month there is an event at the Old Post Office public house in Shrewsbury where writers can display or perform their work. This is for musicians as well, apparently. Could be fun/useful to anyone within easy reach of Shrewsbury. More info available at Facebook page-http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=57800646625

Hope this is useful to someone.

Just a quick note for information purposes!

We are just in the process of setting up a trading account with Waterstone’s bookshops. Anyone who has independently published a book and wants it to be stocked in any Waterstone’s branch needs to contact Peter North, Independent Publisher Coordinator. The contact details are- Waterstone’s, Capital Court, Capital Interchange Way, Brentford, Middlesex TW8 0EX. Send him a copy of your book and he will send you details regarding opening up an account. You need to be prepared to offer Waterstone’s a 57% discount currently on the cover price of your work. The paperwork to complete is very simple and the books are bought by individual stores via Gardners Books Ltd of Eastbourne. As the publisher/author, you have to contact individual stores to ask them to stock the book via Gardners.

So, after all, there is more about Brentford than nylons and a lower league football team!

Please do share any experiences/ideas you have had regarding getting sales for your work. Patience and determination seem to be required in equal measure. Our own interest is in children’s books, but the same approach appears to apply across the board.

Nicky Morgan, a much-published author, has recently started a very useful blog/website at http://need2bpublished.blogshot.com
Highly recommended reading for unpublished authors and also for illustrators. Please let us know what you think of it. Good luck!

BOOKSHOP VISIT

On Tuesday 10th March Steve and myself visited, Wenlock Bookshop, (www.wenlockbooks.co.uk) in the beautiful Shropshire village of, Much Wenlock. We were invited by Anna, the owner of the bookshop, to meet Hope, Freddie, Rachael, Lydia, Jacob and Oliver from the children’s Poetry Club.

Wenlock Books

Shaz & co

Steve & co

Anna drawing with the children

The children then made up their own poems before creating colourful chalk pastel illustrations to go with them. We all got a bit messy with the chalks but had a fun time.
 

Toad drawing

 

Roman Soldier picture

 

 

Dog in a playground drawing

 

 

'French Class'

 

 

Two headed horse drawing

 

 

Anna's rainbow umbrella

The children then left with a copy of our book – it had been a lovely afternoon.

Shaz