Castle News

This is a question that has come up a fair bit in the group with the debut Authors. It is something that you will see all around but may not have paid any attention to. What are comp titles? When should you think about your comp titles? Why do you need them? How many should you have? How can they help you sell your book?

Book 10 of the Otherworldly Emergence Speculative Fictions Novella series is Captured by Cave Hills by Aribela Evans. This is a wonderful paranormal Cosy story that I have enjoyed seeing come to like on the page. The poetic way in which Aribela writes always sweeps me away when I listen to her read a chapter. I am so excited to share this book with the world.

I don't know when it started, date wise, but I met Dianna some time in 2024. She'd just started up BCP Creations and wanted to put out a collaborative novella series.

Getting your book out into the world is quite the achievement, but it doesn't end there. There are more than and estimated 22k books released each year in Australia alone. Then you have to consider; when you are on the internet it is an international Market! I couldn't even guess how many books are released annually worldwide. There are so many creatives striving for attention.

Book 8 of the Otherworldly Emergence Speculative Fictions Novella series is The Final Crone by DL Nix. It is completely self serving when I say this is my favourite book of the series, because if you don't enjoy what you write and find passion in the craft then what are you doing it for? I am so proud to be a part of this series of books and to have met a community of authors. We have kept each other accountable and pushed each other every step of the way. I look forward to h

I am returned this day to answer your queries. Although there have been many, I will only answer questions three. Your patience and understanding will be rewarded in well-considered responses. The demands on my time are high and the answers I provide will sate the most curious mind.

Book 7 of the Otherworldly Emergence Speculative Fictions Novella series is Shadows Beyond the Gates by Heather Salter Purves. This book was pitched Early and I couldn't help but get excited about the story and what Heather has to share with the world.

There is an alignment that settles over me when I get up early in the morning compared to sleeping in. I feel as though sleeping in equals missing out on so much. Normally it isn't a dramatic sleep in. But a sleep in none the less makes me feel like I didn't do what I was meant to. I think this is something that I need to work on. I was riding every day in the mornings but that fell through after a time and I didn't even get a chance to see the sunrise. I would get up with h

Book 6 of the Otherworldly Emergence Speculative Fictions Novella series is Death - A semi-colon of Life by Chintan & Priya. when I first heard the concept of this story I was instantly interested to see how they would be able to put it all together in a concise narrative. They have been supportive and encouraging throughout the double-collaborative process. First as part of the 13 book series and as two people writing one book.

Some people have asked what the plans are for 2026. In the first episode of Finding Elara Season three, I talk about the plans and ambitions for the year. There is quite a bit planned for the show and in general for the year ahead. I broke it down into different segments on the episode. What is happening with the Pod, my business, family and my personal writing. I am open and honest in the episode. Only time will tell if I achieve all of these things throughout the year or

So, write-ins. Why do we do them?

As the ancient gods and beasts fade into memory they are fresh in my mind's eye. We walked the shadowed path hand in hand and I measured their secrets. I continue to guard those secrets for time immemorial. That wisdom has stayed within me. New elements emerge from the essence of creation, as they have done many times before. Each time I have witnessed the change, my duty has been to quell the disquiet from the shadows.

Brett has written a creative non-fiction that has a strong focus on learning from mistakes and he brought along his biggest fan. There is a lesson that there are sometimes a light around the edge of mistakes and you need to learn how to see it.

Bushland Castle Productions has just opened the gates for 2 writing Scroll competitions. A Speculative fiction challenge that focusses on the Catalyst of change and a Memoir challenge that focusses on the heritage that built your foundation. The team are excited to work through the submissions and the Council of Quills have been assembled.

It is a small world at times. You meet people who know people from other aspects of their/your life. This was the case with Gaye. Turns out she is well acquainted with my Mum and I was known as Selva's Daughter. It has been a while since I have been called as that. The spiritual element that Gaye shares within her stories aligns with the peaceful existence I grew up with and what she talks about in her stories.

I was interviewing someone for the podcast recently and I asked who their ideal writing avatar was. This is something that I was introduced to when I first started the podcast in 2018 and it has popped up in writing circle, marketing plans and business development. Who is your ideal client/student/reader/listener. What do they look like, what are they passionate about, when to they find time to listen to podcasts/read books/hang around on social media?

I was so excited to talk to Teena. I have been listening to her podcast for some time and she is so passionate about listening to creative journeys and it was good to hear hers.

So, we all know that writing a novel, novella or even a saga can be a soloist performance. But sometimes it doesn't have to be. Are there times when you wish you had someone to throw ideas around with? To brainstorm with or just have a chat with?

I am content to admit that I am a bit of a chocaholic. I can't really eat as much as I would have when I was younger... the minute on the lips saying seems to be literal after 40. So when I saw a book with Chocolate in large print it was like a homing beacon. Then seeing the title, I'd rather eat chocolate I was instantly curious. But there are secret depth hidden within the tale. It is certainly worth having a look.

The first fiction reading journal I used wasn't really anything special. I had heard of the idea from someone online and thought that would be a great way to keep track of the books I had read and remind me about the stories, months or years down the track. It has come in handy when a third book comes out and I really want to read it, but it was a while ago since I read the first. I write my own opinions in it, so when I read it back to myself it normally brings me back to th