Tuesday 26 February 2013

Some new excitement - New journeys and the upcoming National Book Day

Well it has been a busy start to 2013.  I have been working on both Larry the Liger and Anastasia stories around being a mum to my two daughters.  I managed to arrange some childcare on Friday mornings which has helped immensely and gives me a solid block of time to devote to writing.  Amy is settling in well with the childminder and loves her, which is great.

I haven't been writing many blog posts lately as I simply haven't had much time but I will endeavour to write more about how things are going.  That is what this blog is all about after all - the writing journey!

Writing has helped keep my mind occupied which is very valuable at this time.  Ella is settled in school and is doing really well.  Her reading is getting much better which is great - she will soon be ready to provide some feedback about the stories before they are published and do some editing!

Larry the Liger's journey began at the end of last year with his first story, The New Home.  The book was very well received and his second adventure, The New Friend, has received fantastic reviews too.  I couldn't be much happier with how Larry's journey has begun.

Sales were very good in December of both Larry the Liger and Anastasia, and the books continue to sell. 

I recently ran a free promotion of The New Friend which went amazingly well and was very pleased when Ella's primary school teacher downloaded it.  Another teacher at the school stopped me a couple of weeks ago and asked if I would read to the school in their Book Week which I said yes to without hesitation!  They run a book week to coincide with National Book Day on March 7th and Anthony Browne is another author who will be visiting the school that day.   

We have arranged for some promotional things to help Larry the Liger make more new friends and they look great.  I am awaiting delivery of one more thing and then I will be posting details of a special competition so look out for it in the near future.


I am currently finishing off the next Anastasia story for Series IV and will then be finishing the next Larry the Liger story.  It's all very exciting and it's great to be receiving some wonderful new reviews.  The latest review is one of my favourites so far:

"5.0 out of 5 stars Warm, charming, and skillfully written ... February 25, 2013
By Ginger Myrick
What a warm, charming, and skillfully written children’s story about fitting in and finding new friends! Larry the Liger is a newcomer to his household and struggles to find his place in it. It is a situation with which most children will relate whether it pertains to home life, school, playgroups, or recreational activities. What I really appreciate about the book is that the tone is not overly elementary or condescending but written in a way to engage the target and provoke thought and further investigation. I have always had a fascination with children’s books and someday hope to write one myself. I only hope I can create the lovely balance of simplicity and cleverness of this book that held my interest to the very end. What a fabulous introduction to a series that is sure to become a classic!" 

Many thanks to everyone who has downloaded Larry and enjoyed his stories so far.  As always, reviews are very welcome and do help others to make friends with Larry the Liger and Anastasia too. 

Loving the journey.  When opportunity knocks - open that door.  You never know where it may lead...


 

Monday 25 February 2013

Fergus writes... about more reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Larry the Liger, February 18, 2013
By
Amazon Verified Purchase
This review is from: Larry the Liger - The New Friend (Larry the Liger Series) (Kindle Edition)
Larry the Liger is a great book. Thanks for allowing us tonnage this book. Will probably get more books in this series
"Thank you for your short but sweet review. All gratefully accepted. Fergus"

3.0 out of 5 stars Larry the Liger is kind and sweet, February 17, 2013
By
AzSunshine (AZ)
Amazon Verified Purchase
This review is from: Larry the Liger - The New Friend (Larry the Liger Series) (Kindle Edition)
This story was very sad during the start and middle... the cat, who he thought was his friend, is a liar, and is mean to him. No one wants him, everyone blames him, and misunderstands him...The story ends good.
"It is all very sad for a baby Liger bit good prevails in the end. Fergus"
 

5.0 out of 5 stars Larry the Liger - The New Friend Great chapter book!, February 14, 2013
Amazon Verified Purchase
This review is from: Larry the Liger - The New Friend (Larry the Liger Series) (Kindle Edition)
The illustrations on the cover were fantastic! The rest of the book
was wonderfully illustrated by the text. This is an easy reader.
The story lightly touched on negativity of being selfish and
listening to gossip. It leaned toward the positive in being
brave, loyal, and not prejudging. Also, bought out that serving
others develops friendships. Also sometimes those we trust will
be led to falsely accuse.
Great story for discussion and reading groups.
5.0 out of 5 stars Larry the Liger-a lovely read., 7 Feb 2013
Amazon Verified Purchase
This review is from: Larry the Liger - The New Home (Kindle Edition)
I really enjoyed reading about Larry the Liger-and finding out exactly what a liger is! This is written in a clear, straightforward way and tells the story of Larry the baby liger who was abandoned by his creator, and his experiences of finding a warm and loving home. The repetition of some of the phrases throughout the story provide the potential for participation by the younger listener to the tale. I intend to share this story with my 5 year old son, but anticipate that older, independent readers would also enjoy meeting Larry.
 
"Our two creations to date of Larry and Anastasia are all Good in a world where not everything is good. Children's Books should all have a happy ending and Good should always overcome Bad!
Let children have their childhood whilst they can. Fergus"

Thursday 21 February 2013

Fergus writes... about Yellow Ribbons and the Unknown Soldier


Eleanor of New York City writes about the Queen wearing a Yellow Ribbon awaiting news of her brother in the War and wants to know where she can read about it.

HM The Queen did not have any brothers and I think you are perhaps confusing HM The Queen with HM The Queen Mother. Both had the name Elizabeth. I think also it was an earlier war and WWI not WWII.

I think probably you are referring to Lady Elizabeth Bowes Lyon who married Prince Albert (later King George VI) and laid her wedding bouquet on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Westminster Abbey in 1923.

Not a Yellow Ribbon but a similar sentiment.

Captain Fergus Bowes-Lyon

Killed in action at the Battle of Loos

Grave Unknown

Scottish Soldier of The Black Watch.

 The Queen Mother's five brothers were in the army and her sister Lady Rose became a nurse in London, while Glamis Castle was transformed into a hospital. Lady Elizabeth performed many tasks for the convalescent soldiers, such as taking photographs of them to be sent to their homes, knitting, and sewing khaki shirts. Many of these soldiers came from Australia and New Zealand and, many years later when visiting these countries, she would recognise an "old boy" in the crowd.

In the summer of 1915 her brother, Captain Fergus Bowes-Lyon, was killed in war action

He was the only member of the British Royal family to be killed in World War 1 - Fergus, an officer in the Black Watch, was killed in action at the Battle of Loos in 1915. Another brother, Michael, was reported as missing in action in May 1917 but was subsequently found to have been taken prisoner after being wounded. He spent the rest of the war as a POW.

In Memory of
Captain The Hon. FERGUS BOWES-LYON

8th Bn., Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
who died age 26
on 27 September 1915
Son of 14th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, of Glamis Castle, Forfarshire; husband of Lady Christian Bowes-Lyon (now Lady Christian Martin). Educated at Eton. Previously served with 2nd Bn. in India. (Queen Mother's brother).

Remembered with honour
LOOS MEMORIAL

Captain Fergus Bowes-Lyon (April 18, 1889 - September 27, 1915) was an older brother of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

He was born at Glamis Castle in Forfarshire and educated at Eton College, Berkshire. Just a fortnight after the start of World War I, he married Lady Christian Norah Dawson-Damer (7 August 1890 - 29 March 1959), daughter of the 5th Earl of Portarlington, on 17 September 1914. She bore him a daughter, Rosemary Lusia Bowes-Lyon (18 July 1915 - 18 January 1989).

In the First World War he served with the 8th Battalion, Black Watch and was killed in the opening stages of the Battle of Loos. Leading an attack on the German lines, his leg was blown off by a barrage of German artillery and he fell back into his sergeant's arms. Bullets struck him in the chest and shoulder and he died on the field. He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial

His mother, Cecilia Bowes-Lyon, Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne, was severely affected by the loss of her son, and after his death became an invalid withdrawn from public life until the marriage of her daughter Elizabeth to the future king in 1923.

 
The Queen Mother laid her bouquet on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Westminster Abbey on her wedding day in remembrance of her brother.

Wednesday 13 February 2013

Fergus responds... to recent reviews

Larry the Liger - The New Home, January 21, 2013
5 out of 5 stars This review is from: Larry the Liger - The New Home (Kindle Edition)
This is a cute story and opened a series of questions for my children who had never heard of a Liger. We did some internet research and used this fictional book as a starting point to look up some amazing true facts.

"Thank you for your interesting review Gwendolin from Knoxville, TN USA. The truth is rather stranger than fiction. Rachael and I were hardly a half a step ahead of you. More like a quarter of a step.

We had a meeting about our Web Site and during a coffee break I asked for a quick word privately with Rachael as I had an idea which I thought might interest her. We had worked on Anastasia together for three series and in the third series we had the situation of Anastasia saying she was half lion and half tiger. We developed the call sign for the Liger of Liger Cub to Papa Liger.

But what is a Liger? The rest is history. Rachael took up the challenge and wrote the first story, which was so well received, and now the second is published and number three under way.

There has to be good in the world and this darling Liger Cub is all good!

It is a story for young children the world over. It is now 2013. The stories of my childhood are long past. We seek a new generation of Children's Authors and the English Language is a world wide language for children from Japan to Norway to learn about Larry the Liger and improve their Language Skills.

Fergus Wilson February 12 2013"
 
Larry the Liger - The New Home, February 6, 2013
5 out of 5 stars This review is from: Larry the Liger - The New Home (Kindle Edition)
I downloaded this book in an attempt to keep my 5 year old nephew occupied during a train journey and I wasn't disappointed. The author has woven a beautiful story for young children and her simple, but effective writing style captured my nephew's full attention, so much so that I was asked to read it again and again.

I would strongly recommend this book to anyone looking to entertain a small child and the absence of pictures as one reviewer mentioned is not an issue. Children have the finest imaginations and my nephew had no trouble making pictures in his head as a result of the authors well written prose.
"Fergus replies. You are absolutely right! Rachael Phillips has a winner here!"

Sunday 10 February 2013

Fergus responds... to a recent review

ANASTASIA OMNIBUS Series III
5.0 out of 5 stars My review 6 Feb 2013
 
"Anastasia third series is amazing. I loved every minute of reading it. I loved the characters. The storyline was amazing and I was able to really imagine what was happening. I love the idea of the main character being someone famous who solves crime. This was extremely well written and I think you should download this book. This book is for children but I am 22 and thoroughly enjoyed this book. So it shows its for anyone of any age. I have also read the First series and loved the short stories to build up to a bigger picture."
Fergus writes "Thank you for your kind words Chantelle. The day you were writing an American Special Forces Veteran in his mid 60s wrote in similar complementary tones.
I believe the Series III Omnibus story is the best story ever and will never be surpassed. It is am emotional rollercoaster from page one. It has everything.
You are 22 and the veterans are in their late 60s, No matter whether a child of 22 or a child of 82 this book is for all children and adults alike.
It makes readers cry and they like to cry it seems.
Anastasia seems to have a cult following."

Friday 8 February 2013

Enjoying the journey :)

Friday has finally arrived and with it my precious 3 hours of writing time, while Amy is with a childminder and Ella is at school.  I should be spending it on the next Anastasia story but I am a bit too distracted to write today; my mind is on Larry the Liger...  The promotion is going really well and I have spent my week organising other promotional things for Larry which I will share with you in the near future.  I love that Larry is such a hit.

I was stopped at the school this morning by a fellow mum saying how excited she was to realise I wrote children's stories.  She loved Larry the Liger's adventures so far and suggested the school may want me to be their celebrity for a new tree being planted!  How funny but it did brighten my morning.

I did realise I may have to update my author picture because it was taken over 2 years ago when I was pregnant with Amy so I looked very glowy.  The advantage to keeping the picture is that I am unlikely to ever be recognised by the man on the street!  Most mornings my hair is hidden under a woolly hat with the winter sun highlighting signs of middle ageing!

I have no desire to be a celebrity in any way but I truly desire for everyone to love Larry the Liger.  My dream is for every child to know about Larry and listen with wonder at the stories.  That is what the books are all about; to unlock a child's imagination and allow them to visualise the story in their head.  I read recently that a writer should write the way they want the world to be.  I love that idea and hopefully Larry can help bring something positive to a child's world.  Age appropriate and nice stories that help a child to understand the importance of being kind in a world that often is not.

Larry the Liger captures the innocence of a child and is a positive character for children to take into their hearts and imaginations.

Here's to Larry the Liger and a wonderful weekend.

The journey continues...



Larry the Liger: his father was a lion, his mother was a tiger!

The New Friend - free 7th through 11th February 2013:

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00B9U567C UK
www.amazon.com/dp/B00B9U567C US/India
www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00B9U567C Japan
www.amazon.com.br/dp/B00B9U567C Brazil
www.amazon.es/dp/B00B9U567C Spain
www.amazon.fr/dp/B00B9U567C France
www.amazon.it/dp/B00B9U567C Italy
www.amazon.ca/dp/B00B9U567C Canada
www.amazon.de/dp/B00B9U567C Germany


Wednesday 6 February 2013

Fergus responds... to a recent email

"Ralph, a Green Beret veteran from Kansas, emails to say that his Special Forces veterans group meet every Wednesday and the topic of conversation is Anastasia.

They would not take this were it from a young man, he writes, but for a young girl of 15 years they are deeply impressed and proud to have this fictional youngster showing how it should be done.

Ralph says 'the rescue in The Epic and Where Eagles Dare is based on the Son Tay Prison Camp raid of 1970 in North Vietnam'.

He goes on to point out 'Anastasia is fiction but Son Tay was a reality.  Well done Anastasia - keep it up girl!'

Well Ralph you think it is based on Son Tay... Yes you are right!

Fergus"
 
 


 

Larry the Liger - his latest adventures

Larry the Liger is proving to be a big hit and he has received some great reviews.  I am so pleased with my little, liger cub that I have decided to make Larry the Liger - the New Friend free from Thursday 6th Feb to Monday 11th Feb 2013.

The New Friend is the second Larry the Liger story and we find him settled in his new home with the zookeeper, the zookeeper's wife and Chloe the cat.  Larry seems to be getting into trouble a lot in this story and things get worse when he finds a strange, red animal in the garden.

Can Larry prove he is a good liger and what does the strange, red animal want with the chickens?

This is a lovely family story and can be read to your children or read alone by children of 6 yrs upwards.  There is no violence or bad language in the Larry the Liger stories so you can relax knowing your child is reading something age appropriate.

I hope you will enjoy reading this latest story and if you have the time I would love to hear your thoughts in the form of a review.  See it as returning the gift ;)

Happy reading everyone and to help you decide to take the time to download the story here are some reviews of Larry the Liger - the New Home, his last adventure.

Larry's journey has begun....

"5.0 out of 5 stars A great read that children will enjoy 11 Dec 2012
I downloaded this free book after it was recommended to me by a friend to read when I next visit my niece. The book is an enjoyable read regardless of your age. The writer has created a phrase regarding the liger not being a lion or a tiger, cheetah or a panther which stays in your mind long after you have finished reading the book. A great read that children wills enjoy."


"5.0 out of 5 stars Larry the Liger - The New Home January 21, 2013

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase


This is a cute story and opened a series of questions for my children who had never heard of a Liger. We did some internet research and used this fictional book as a starting point to look up some amazing true facts."
 
 
"5.0 out of 5 stars A real treat for your children February 5, 2013
I downloaded this book in an attempt to keep my 5 year old nephew occupied during a train journey and I wasn't disappointed. The author has woven a beautiful story for young children and her simple, but effective writing style captured my nephew's full attention, so much so that I was asked to read it again and again.

I would strongly recommend this book to anyone looking to entertain a small child and the absence of pictures as one reviewer mentioned is not an issue. Children have the finest imaginations and my nephew had no trouble making pictures in his head as a result of the authors well written prose."


www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00B9U567C
www.amazon.com/dp/B00B9U567C
www.amazon.ca/dp/B00B9U567C
www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00B9U567C
 www.amazon.com.br/dp/B00B9U567C
 www.amazon.es/dp/B00B9U567C
 www.amazon.it/dp/B00B9U567C
 www.amazon.de/dp/B00B9U567C
 www.amazon.fr/dp/B00B9U567C

Saturday 2 February 2013

NEW RELEASE! Larry the Liger - the New Friend

I am very pleased to announce the publication of the second Larry the Liger book - The New Friend.  I am loving Larry.  The stories are a pleasure to write as I really get a sense of this little liger's personality.  He is very cute and he loves to eat.  He is a lover not a fighter and he proves himself a very useful liger in this, the second story in the Larry the Liger series.

If you haven't read the first one, The New Home, then take a look.  You can 'look inside' all of my ebooks on Amazon and decide if you fancy downloading any.  While you're there please click 'like' for the books :) 

For those who don't know, Larry is a liger: his father was a lion, his mother was a tiger!

In this new story, The New Friend, Larry meets a strange, red animal who seems to be upsetting the chickens in the garden.  You will have to read it to find out if Larry can be a brave liger.  Chloe, the cat, is still around and remains her usual, selfish self. 

Larry's adventures are well and truly underway so why not join him and share these lovely stories with your children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews or just to make you feel like a child again.

I hope you enjoy the stories and, as ever, reviews are very much welcomed.

Here's to Larry the Liger and his new story, the New Friend.

Happy reading all :)

Larry the Liger - The New Friend available to download from Amazon in all territories:
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00B9U567C
www.amazon.com/dp/B00B9U567C
www.amazon.fr/dp/B00B9U567C
www.amazon.es/dp/B00B9U567C
www.amazon.it/dp/B00B9U567C
www.amazon.de/dp/B00B9U567C
www.amazon.ca/dp/B00B9U567C
www.amazon.com.br/dp/B00B9U567C
www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00B9U567C
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00B9U567C

Fergus responds... to recent reviews and feedback

Fergus says:

"Everyone is entitled to their own view.  There is no magic formula for writing a book.  Everyone to his own.  The reviewer says (from Amazon.com when reviewing Anastasia Series III Omnibus) 'I am told that you have to start a book by putting a crisis in the middle so people will want to know what is wrong.'  I do not know who said that but I do not agree.

Ask any man who has read Anastasia Series III and they will tell you it is the best thing since sliced bread.  It is an emotional roller coaster from the start.

Rachael Phillips has my full confidence and Larry the Liger is fantastic!  I will let you into a secret, dear reader.  Larry is a series of ten but following will be Percy the Peacock - a tale of a peacock without a tail.  I have reserved this one for Rachael.

To the ladies of Austin, Texas, I thank you for your kind comments about Series III and am sorry you are using up so many tissues each time your group discusses it.

No reports of Laszlo and Zoltan yet, still Missing in Action.  Yes, Anastasia will wear a yellow ribbon every day until they return.

To the Old Green Beret who recognises so much of the story.  Yes, it is a work of fiction carefully crafted by Rachael Phillips but many of the incidents, as you immediately spotted, are based on true events.

Yes, we paused for breath while we waited for the American Presidential Election but Mr Obama was starring in the book immediately afterwards.

Fergus."

Anastasia Series III Omnibus is available to download from Amazon along with all the other Anastasia stories.  You will also find Larry the Liger waiting there for his New Home and 'Larry the Liger - the New Friend' is coming very soon.