Hi and welcome to my May newsletter. I do love this time of year, but it also heralds the start of hay fever season. Being outdoors for work can be a challenge sometimes at this time of year, though, of course, my lovely dogs makes it all bearable - check out my newest [boys] below. Plus more new authors of fantasy for you to discover. Thank you for being part of my publishing life ❤️ With best wishes Frances |
Just the last few chapters now and then the first draft of book 3 is done. I'm really pleased with progress but not comfortable enough yet to give a definitive publication date. There'll be no let up, though, as the edits of the first chapters are starting to roll in. Meanwhile, I've found a reading buddy at work who also
loves fantasy and we've started on a TBR list - our first co-read is going to be From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout. Do you have a reading buddy? Or are part of a book club? What are you reading with them right now? |
The day job, for now....? If you've come across my Author Bio you will know that I train guide dogs for the blind. This month I’m going to tell you about one of my favourite dogs in training at the moment. It sucks, but I can’t tell you his name because he’s sponsored. It starts with an F, though, so
feel free to come up with a name for him yourself! |
This friendly giant
came through to training with the possibility of being rejected on the grounds of motivation. See, we want our dogs to love the guide work, so they don’t actually experience it as work but as a fun activity with their future client. Now this dog just came across as slow and lazy. He walked slowly even though he’s large and strong, and he would never exert himself if he didn’t have to. |
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It was touch and go, but we’re six months on and somewhere in the middle of June he is going to be placed with a client. This client met him and immediately fell in love. This dog still moves slowly, but it’s not because he doesn’t like the work. In fact, once he figured out what was expected of him, he’s grown to enjoy it
very much. And what’s even better, he’s actually come to be one of the smartest and best guide dogs I’ve trained. Because he doesn’t quickly get bothered, he’s an absolute champion in busier areas. He simply doesn’t focus on things he doesn’t need to focus on, because that would take more energy; and this friendly beast works smarter, never harder. And he never forgets a route he’s guided someone down. If he’s walked a route before, and we start down that route again, I don’t have to say a word.
Even at points where I have to give a directional command or ask him to find an object (like a zebra crossing or a particular store door) I don’t have to say anything. He remembers and he’ll guide me along the same route exactly. It’s brilliant, especially because his future client is so wonderfully chatty with her companions or busy enjoying walking around outdoors independently, that she sometimes gives a command a little too late. No worries for her, because this fabulous dog meets her needs
and personality exactly. It’s a match made in heaven, and I can’t wait to start working in the instruction period with the two of them!
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PS. The second picture is during a break with Elske, who you’ve already met in an earlier newsletter. You can see how much bigger he is here, and I just find it adorable that she finds such comfort in his energy that she lies either up against him, or like this with her head on top of him. |
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Discover new fantasy reads To find new readers for my books I work with fellow authors to widen our readership by promoting our books to each other's email list. We offer an e-copy of a book, novella or custom short story for free on
sign-up to our newsletter, to help the reader decide if they want to keep following us.
Interested? Just click on the images or links below. |
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| In this epic fantasy, laced with humour, four unlikely comrades join forces in a quest to unravel the mysteries of the Stone of
Death. "I found myself immediately swept into and immersed in the magical world and well-wrought characters." Get your free book here. |
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| If you like mermaids, curses, a chosen one trope, and no spice - though with plenty of romantic sub plots, this first in a series, written for young
adults, could be for you. "It felt like I wasn't reading at all but in a magical place. I love when a story can do that!" Get your free book here.
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Check out these free short stories, novellas, and full books, and get the chance to win a $25 gift card to Amazon, B&N, or iTunes. |
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