Inspiration...

I find it hard to believe that even though I left Gibraltar in 1994... The debate over sovereignty of the rock remains, and Gibraltarians and other nationalities alike are held hostage by the Spanish Authorities as they attempt to cross the border.

A lot of great articles abound on the Internet which explain the situation a lot better than I can but I can tell you (from experience) that I hope the attention remains after the event loses its news appeal. This situation is real for the people involved, it affects their livelihood and can be extremely intimidating - I remember my mother saying we should never go to Spain again!

Now, I have just been to Benidorm on holdiay and I loved it there. The Spanish people I met were friendly, open and welcoming. And when I said I was from Gibraltar originally (after being asked why I spoke Andalucian when I looked so English) they did not flinch or seem annoyed - they accepted it with a smile. 

I do not like this twisted politics which makes out Spanish people to hate Gibraltar - I mean, come on... Have you not seen how BIG Spain is compared to Gibraltar?!

For a long time I would not tell Spanish people I was from Gibraltar for fear of how I would be perceived... But, I have long realised that most people are fed up of these games!

As a Gibraltarian, I am proud to be British - my descendants come from England, Scotland, Italy, and Spain. The point is why does it matter? 

My thoughts go out to all the people involved and to my family and friends on the rock.

Vanessa :) xx

FREE BOOKS FOR THE SUMMER

Just before the summer starts I have a treat for you... a load of FREE books to keep both adults and children entertained over the holidays!

FROM SUNDAY 21ST - TUESDAY 23RD download all of these books for free...

HYBRID is the first novel in The Evolution Trilogy.

FIRST DATE is a short novelette of about 9000 words based on my true experience.

"Love is in the Air" and "Out of Darkness" are anthologies for adults in aid of great causes.

"Reading is Magic" and "Gurnard's Book of Delights" are anthologies for children in aid of fantastic causes.

Something for everyone...

Enjoy & please review (you got it free so you might as well)

Vanessa :)

Amazon Author Page - UK

Amazon Author Page - US

  

Amazon Author Page - Canada

  

Amazon Author Page - Germany

  

Amazon Author Page - Spain

Amazon Author Page - France

  

Amazon Author Page - Italy

Amazon Author Page - Japan

AND JUST FOR THE 23RD... download SECOND CHANCES

Books for sale in a "real" shop!!!

I am so excited - my books are now for sale in a real shop - "Gurnard Newsagents" run by a lovely couple, Brian and Chris Brazier, for 22 years!

I had to take a picture of Brian pricing them up, and he kindly agreed to a photo shoot at the front of the shop.

This means my books are now being sold via Amazon, the Indie Popup Bookshop and a real shop...

SO EXCITING

They are stocking three of my books on a trial basis to see how it goes:

HYBRID

GURNARD'S BOOKS OF DELIGHTS - in aid of Gurnard Primary School

READING IS MAGIC - in aid of the NSPCC

This newsagents is at the heart of the Gurnard community, in Gurnard on the Isle of Wight. They sell newspapers, magazines, stationery, toys, etc... it is a brilliant shop!

If you happen to visit the Island, then drop on by and say hello or you can contact them via email gurnardnews@hotmail.com

Thanks for reading,

Vanessa :) xx

What a week! A radio interview, feature on Indie Press It, reading to school children, reviews, and editing...

WOW... sometimes everything seems to happen at once, and I have to hold my breath and think "seriously, did that all happen to ME?"

Anyway, here it is... MY WEEK!

LIVE INTERVIEW via Lydia's Literary Lowdown with Lydia Aswolf

Okay, so first of all I got interviewed LIVE by the lovely Lydia (follow her on Twitter www.twitter.com/lydiaaswolf)

You can hear the interview by clicking here... BLOGTALK RADIO...

The feedback so far has been great from those who have listened to my rambling... (I did say a lot of uh huh, and yes, and blah blah... it was great FUN!)

Honestly, I am still in shock about the fact Lydia loves my writing so much... Maybe, just maybe, people aren't just being nice after all?!?!

Favourite quote... "You are hiding your light under a bushel"

FEATURED ON INDIE IT PRESS



After Lydia asked me to be interviewed, I was asked to write an article for INDIE IT PRESS... and it was accepted.

This is what I wrote (pictures added by Indie It Press)

http://indieitpress.com/indie-author-vanessa-westers-journey-tiny-dancer-to-titanic/

I am really happy with the feature, and am very grateful to Leisa Greene for featuring me (follow her on Twitter www.twitter.com/indieitgal)

ARDINGLY ARTS FESTIVAL

Over the past month or I have been featured in an Indie Pop Up Bookshop run by Daisy White (follow her on Twitter www.twitter.com/daisywhite1922)

I finally managed to go to one of the "Pop Ups" this Monday at Ardingly Arts Festival.  I had to drive over an hour each way, and get a ferry to get there... (yep, a VERY long day) but I finally met the lovely Daisy and left her some stock of my books to sell - and they are signed! A rare item indeed...

It was a great day, where I got to read to pupils at the school extract of both HYBRID and READING IS MAGIC. They seemed to enjoy both, but unfortunately had not brought money to buy books - this was unfortunate! When I went to an event with my son a few months ago, we were told to bring money to buy the books...

I then had to leave at 6pm so missed the main event (when Judi Dench would be there) courtesy of Wightlink, who only had a ferry running back to the Island at 9pm or Midnight...

Anyway, it was good to see what it was all about... Best of luck to Daisy in trying to sell my books!

REVIEWS

Last night I got a brilliant phone call from an acquaintance who bought HYBRID months ago. She finally read it whilst on holiday and loved it so much she is now recommending it to all her friends... YAY! It made my night... and I have now sold a few "paperbacks" on amazon - I know, amazing...

Her comment was that she would never have expected to like that type of book. It does make me think my description is all wrong. As Lydia said on the interview, the Trilogy is a human story NOT a vampire tale. This is absolutely true!

Another reader has called it a thriller... so this is my take... a paranormal suspense thriller with real bite! Maybe, maybe not? Either way, just read it... then you'll know why everyone seems to like it!

EDITING

Well, I can finally say that I have finished the Trilogy!!!! (Did you hear the fireworks go off there?)

Last week I finished writing the story. I now have to spend a few months editing, and I started by reading HYBRID again. I found a few minor things to change, and the new updated version is now online.

I am now going to read COMPLICATIONS before I start work on editing the finale.

This editing lark takes time to get right. The book will then go to my trusted readers for feedback, and I will then wait and keep my fingers crossed before starting the edit all over again!

Anyway, I have a swimming teachers meeting to prepare for now... my work never ends!

Speak soon
Vanessa :) xx

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE LINKS UK    US

The reason for my being so busy...

I find it hard to believe what I have managed to do over the past month... Unfortunately (before some of you ask), I have not finished my Trilogy. BUT, I have managed to get ready TWO short story compilations...

All details are on my latest blog for children - www.kids4books.blogspot.com

The first, READING IS MAGIC, was published last week... and is in aid of the NSPCC. I have got to know some more lovely, new authors. For some of them, it is the first time they have had work published and I really hope they are pleased to have been a part of this.

I am particularly pleased with this cover (especially since my son is sitting in it!). It was probably the hottest day of the year so far, and the sea water was lukewarm - I couldn't believe it! I took the photo on my phone, and used it to create the cover (not bad, huh...)

I have to add that my son is honoured to be on the cover too... fame & fortune await! HA!

The second, GURNARD'S BOOK OF DELIGHTS, is published as an eBook (paperback to be finalised in the next few days). This collection is in aid of my children's Primary School.

It came about after I ran a literary competition at the school. The funny thing was it all started from my buying a book off an author I knew online. I was so impressed I bought some for my school, and then decided to present them to the school, then thought Oooo... I could run a competition... and then... yep, the collection! Some day I'll learn to just focus on one thing!

Truth, I am exhausted... but proud of what I have done! And I hope both raise some lovely cash for both causes.

I hope that now I can get my head back into my Trilogy!

BUT, I do have some exciting news...

I am going to be at the Ardingly Festival on the 24th June... courtesy of Daisy White and her POP UP INDIE BOOKSHOP details here - http://www.ardingly.com/Ardingly-Arts-Festival/

Even Dame Judy Dench is going to be there... Eek!

My slot is at 4:30 PM!

To get involved as an author on future POP UPS... contact Daisy White:

www.daisywhiteauthor.co.uk 

https://www.facebook.com/#!/DaisyWhiteAuthor

https://twitter.com/DaisyWhite1922

http://pinterest.com/daisywhite1922/

http://www.tumblr.com/blog/daisywhite1922

I have no idea how it'll go... but I had to give it a go! whatever happens it'll be a fun day out!

I am also going to be interviewed by Lydia Aswolf on Saturday 22nd June on her BlogRadio station... this is in the US!!!

Again, fingers crossed it'll go okay - either way I'll have a good chat!

Lydia recently read my book and blew me away with an excellent Goodreads review:

"You know that habit...the one where you think you know where things are going in the book you're reading? Check such expectations at the door. Vanessa Wester isn't going concede to any expectations on behalf of her readers with her debut novel, HYBRID. No, she blows them to smithereens with real skill and panache. Solid, sympathetic characters, a breathtakingly fresh premise, and a pace that resulted in me finishing the book and immediately grabbing COMPLICATIONS, the next book in this series. I look forward to more from this talented author...and I've put my money where my mouth is to that effect."

Anyway, after all of this I hope to finish my Trilogy before school breaks up for the summer (fingers crossed).

Thank you again to all of you who constantly encourage me!

Vanessa :) xx

I have too much to say...not enough time

Okay, so my blogging has seriously been lagging behind recently, mainly because on a toss up with writing my novel and blogging writing wins!

So, a quick update before I have to go be mum again (half term week)

My daughter, Elsa won an award for swimming and I was very proud of her... she was even interviewed and was featured in the local IOW radio station! Woo hoo

My son completed his SATs, then went to Kent for a week, and then had Scout Camp for the weekend.  Exhausting, but he had a fab time...

I have been extremely busy finishing the finale of the Trilogy (it's getting there) as well as putting together two short story compilations to be published this summer! Phew!

I have also been working with a group of authors via Facebook to help with promotion and the amazing Gordon has put together a website...

http://foodies.cucinavivace.com/indieauthorpromos/

There are currently many titles on there for only $0.99 or £0.77 so please go and take a look!

I also ran a free promo for HYBRID and FIRST DATE yesterday and it went really well.  They are both only 77p now anyway... Thank you to anyone who downloaded!

Enjoy the rest of your half term week... may the sun shine some more!

Speak soon,

Vanessa

What to do?

I have not blogged too much recently since I have been trying to concentrate on writing the finale to my Trilogy.  I have also been reading more, which is always relaxing, and spending time with my family.

I have to admit that I went through a real low patch last week (the cloud still hovers over my head) where I started to think that maybe I was an idiot to think I was a writer. I mean, I am supposed to be a Maths Teacher - isn't it time I got back to the day job? So, I have mulled it over and I'm going to wait another year before I think of applying for teaching jobs again.

I was mega busy this weekend, and so didn't think about my writing and then on Monday I saw my latest review via Gary, an author I know a little bit from Twitter and the Short Story compilations.

Truth, I am stunned by what he has written in his review... I really did not expect it!

It means a lot to me to know I can connect with another reader, and gives me the added push to keep on writing.

Enjoy and thanks again for your support,

Vanessa xx

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent first book, you'll be hooked May 19, 2013

By Gary Henson

Vanessa Wester has a great first book in 'Hybrid'. If this is her first, we all have a lot to look forward to in the coming years as she brings out more of this series and hopefully other stories.

The opening is set at a University in England. Wester immediately drew me into the worlds of the two main characters, Steven and Caitlin, as well as some very well established secondary characters. I was invested in her creations right away.

Then Vanessa throws me a unique twist I was totally unprepared for, even though I had an inkling of what was eventually going to happen. It's not a simple 'young vampires in love' story by any means. There is a lot more to the core story and how it drives her characters forward. I was actually disappointed when it ended; I wanted more. And from the epilogue, I believe the next book will be even better!

As a further note, I read both 'Hunger Games' and 'Twilight' at the insistence of my family (all female). 'Hybrid' was much more engaging and believable than either of those books. I found 'Twilight' very shallow and simple. 'Hunger Games' is better but still just 'Gladiators' for kids. 'Hybrid' is a step above both these books and I would not be surprised to see it on film some time soon.

'Hybrid' is an engaging, fun, twisting, page turner that bodes well for Ms. Wester's writing career. I'm ready to grab books two!

The Evolution Trilogy