tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88414956214042535782024-03-14T02:04:42.906+00:00Haldred ChroniclesJG Cully's writing blog about the Haldred Chronicles series of fantasy detective novels.JG Cullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09717426358445934098noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8841495621404253578.post-72060829915543121052022-05-25T12:57:00.000+01:002022-05-25T12:57:31.706+01:00FREE ebooks - Haldred ChroniclesA very quick advertising post<div><br></div><div><div>For the next 4 days, these 3 books are absolutely #FREE on #Amazon #Kindle. Grab them whilst you can!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</a>
</div><br></div><div>Kalla, Shade and Anna</div><div><br></div><div>Haldred Chronicles</div><div><br></div><div>A fantasy detective series set in a post war world</div><div><br></div><div>https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0753GF78T?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_awt_sb_pc_tukn</div><div><br></div><div>#KindleUnlimited #freeebook #ebook #fantasy #crime #urbanfantasy</div><div><br></div><div>Oh and this is a small thing, probably shouldn't even mention it, probably best not to even but...</div><div><br></div><div>I'm in the process of writing book 5...</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div>JG Cullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09717426358445934098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8841495621404253578.post-32686930205379803042022-01-25T20:48:00.005+00:002022-01-25T20:48:52.045+00:00Happy New Year<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5eXaKmdNOjoWqQgG4G0UF65i1MfnSwlRsYY80s44rS8lSxESMlDIEP6sdB3QwpUIPQPjuZhvAEhGQGuzkBS_F3H8vI5wqQeDOq4vNP-9TpoS4s-qoZmTcvfS0H_P_nt0QrfwPyQuCts9Y_lLylrZCc2ovoaVwlm99rNWO-dhJlFARdM1RoiEaOLWp=s908" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="485" data-original-width="908" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5eXaKmdNOjoWqQgG4G0UF65i1MfnSwlRsYY80s44rS8lSxESMlDIEP6sdB3QwpUIPQPjuZhvAEhGQGuzkBS_F3H8vI5wqQeDOq4vNP-9TpoS4s-qoZmTcvfS0H_P_nt0QrfwPyQuCts9Y_lLylrZCc2ovoaVwlm99rNWO-dhJlFARdM1RoiEaOLWp=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Bit late
with this, but it’s still the first month of the new year. Happy New Year all!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">As usual,
remember, Alyssa can be purchased at Amazon.co.uk <b><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=haldred+chronicles&crid=6S4MPQ8KBDGU&sprefix=haldred%252Caps%252C129&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_7">HERE</a></b>
and at Amazon.com <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=haldred+chronicles&crid=20H7PAB0UST3L&sprefix=haldred+chronicles%252Caps%252C243&ref=nb_sb_noss">HERE</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">So, a lot
has been happening in the last few months.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">With book 1
out and launched, I spent most of the last few months of 2021 pitching Alyssa
and hoping for sales. I did indeed get
sales but not as many as I had hoped.
Still, I learned a lot.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">All of
January I ran a series of Amazon free book deals for all 3 of my other books. I
likewise advertised on Facebook and A LOT on Twitter.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The results
were mixed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">On the one
hand, I sold over 200 ebooks (as in they were picked up free.) And also a few
people downloaded my books on kindle unlimited, reading well over 500 pages. Additionally, my work on Twitter raised my
follower count to nearly 4400. And this
time, not all of them were other authors!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">But so far
I’ve only seen 1 ebook purchased and no copies of Alyssa seem to have sold yet.
I had hoped that purchases of the other books would in turn make people curious
about book 1. Still learning experience.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I intend to
use February to concentrate solely on pitching Alyssa, but also, I hope to
write book 5.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Yes, book 5
is officially being written! I have a
new idea on an old story plan and am now modifying and improving it. A couple of thousand words already. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">If I can
maintain momentum, I hope to release it sometime toward the end of 2022 but I will
see how things go.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Anyway, that’s
my brief blog update.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Take care
all of you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>JG Cullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09717426358445934098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8841495621404253578.post-53576657564706715742021-11-30T09:14:00.001+00:002021-11-30T09:14:27.563+00:00Haldred Chronicles: the series expands!<!--StartFragment-->
<br>
<p class="MsoNormal">For those who have been following my social media accounts,
you’ll have noticed I’ve been busy.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<p class="MsoNormal">So yeah, all my books are now available in both eBook and
paperback<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What happened back in the day is that I did have Alyssa,
Kalla and Shade (my first 3 books) in paperback via Amazons ‘CreateSpace'
platform. This worked for a spell, but there were 2 big problems.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<p class="MsoNormal">First was that whilst the first 3 books were in paperback,
my fourth book ‘Anna' was not. In addition, due to the way I formatted the
books, they came out very big and expensive to produce. Hence, not a lot of
them sold. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">However, now all that has changed.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have been able to use Amazon KDP to reformat the original
paperbacks and also set up a paperback version of Anna.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J-GU32KbknM/YaXraagKVDI/AAAAAAAAi_A/5eOBoOWE5foz5mdVHmlUYumiakIWLcQbgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/1638263654737811-2.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
</tbody></table>As a result, all 4 books are now available alongside the recently republished
Alyssa in a similarly size format. And
better priced.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You can now buy all 4 books in paperback and they will look
pretty good on your book shelf! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Link to Amazon.co.uk <b><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=haldred+chronicles&crid=6S4MPQ8KBDGU&sprefix=haldred%252Caps%252C129&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_7">HERE</a></b> and link to Amazon.com <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=haldred+chronicles&crid=20H7PAB0UST3L&sprefix=haldred+chronicles%252Caps%252C243&ref=nb_sb_noss">HERE</a></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Enjoy! <o:p></o:p></p>
<!--EndFragment-->JG Cullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09717426358445934098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8841495621404253578.post-4780263727458624972021-10-23T15:45:00.004+01:002021-10-23T15:56:56.075+01:00Haldred Chronciles: two months on<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/#"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yvnGiRp0qFk/YUn1wcrkFGI/AAAAAAAAhMM/GR5aoB52X9Qd0Ia94_mgQWvKihz15ie8QCPcBGAYYCw/s320/1632236986799369-0.png" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Haldred Chronicles: Alyssa UK editions are <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">HERE</a> and US Editions <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">HERE</a><br /><br />In this blog I thought i'd talk about what worked and what didn’t in my efforts to get the word out about my book.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />First to purchase were my wonderful friends and family, who bought a whole raft of electronic and paper copies. And also told people about it on Social media!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I then gave ‘Facebook advertising' a go with a few test posts that were promoted for short periods. The posts had a ‘buy it now' option which according to analytics was clicked a good few times. However, as to just how effective this was I won’t know until December when the first sales report comes through. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I also became highly active on Twitter and a few book advertising sites. I’ve now around 3700 followers on twitter but I’ve found that particularly social media avenue better for ‘writers encouragement' as apposed to selling books; the majority of my followers are other writers! <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Finally, throughout the month of October I ran a series of ‘Free’ ebook promotions for my original books. The idea was to generate some renewed interest in the series. Certainly this seems to have worked as my Amazon ranking for all 4 books have improved a lot. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The question now is what to do next. I really want to have an official ‘book launch' but I’m also hoping to contact a few newspapers with press releases. I have a nice big list of additional advertising ideas, but the issue will be getting the time and resources to implement them!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Overall, I’m happy with how things have started off. The book is out, people are buying it and most importantly, people like it!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />On to the next phase! <br />JG Cullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09717426358445934098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8841495621404253578.post-72017238802170584682021-09-21T16:09:00.001+01:002021-09-21T16:09:55.517+01:00The world of Haldred Chronicles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<p class="MsoNormal">So, what do you think?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The newly rewritten Haldred Chronicles: Alyssa has been out
a few weeks, people have been buying it and reviews have been positive. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">UK editions are <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1633372790/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_18PZZ3JQC4JTHEBCN23Z">HERE</a> and US Editions <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1633372790/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_g_1PR6VA8S30XNC254S9M0">HERE</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, time to write a little about the world and history.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Basically, Haldred Chronicles is set in a post war fantasy
world. A vast all encompassing war called the Six Nations War had been raging
for 50 years. Then, quiet suddenly, the six war weary nations (Magra, Tornar,
Trima, Darnhun, Halnas and Argon) declared peace and their civilisations
attempted to ‘get back to normal.’<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Into this scenario the various Haldred Chronicles stories
play out. The over arching theme, and
over riding concern for most of the characters, is maintaining this fragile
peace. As might be expected, there are many individuals and factions interested
and intent on restarting the war. They serve as the primary antagonists.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As for the protagonists, most of them belong or are
associated with the ‘Council of Peace', an international organisation setup to
monitor and maintain the peace by ‘any and all means necessary'. So whilst they
might maintain the peace, they aren’t shy from doing so using violence
themselves. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This setting also means that the series as a whole manages
to cross multiple writing genres. It’s definitely ‘fantasy’ based, many of the
stories taking place in an ‘urban fantasy' setting. Additionally, the stories
have ‘Crime fiction' and ‘mystery’ aspects as the stories often involve crimes
and their investigations in the pursuit of maintaining peace. Plus because it’s
me, there is quiet a bit of humour thrown in. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hope this is of interest to some of you.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Enjoy!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<!--EndFragment--></div>JG Cullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09717426358445934098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8841495621404253578.post-29207692786915894462021-08-30T14:13:00.001+01:002021-08-30T21:02:49.060+01:00Haldred Chronicles Alyssa released!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</a>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It’s here
at last<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Well I’ve
already been extensively advertising on social media, but thought I’d blog
about this as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It’s out
ladies and gentlemen. After 3 years of recruiting, editing, proof reading and
production, my first book ‘Haldred Chronicles: Alyssa' is now out!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Get it <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09DTGQ79V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_Z4ZN01B85ME406V3BGG5">HERE</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Also, for
those in America <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09DTGQ79V/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_awdo_AB504D47P6ZJSKJ1JXZY">HERE</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I
hope over the next few months I’ll be posting a little more regularly, talking
about the writing and design of Alyssa, what I’ve learnt about writing, the
world the book is set in amongst other things.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But
for now, please enjoy my book.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Take
care<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<!--EndFragment--></div>JG Cullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09717426358445934098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8841495621404253578.post-34771001996125547582020-08-27T12:39:00.001+01:002020-08-27T12:39:24.459+01:00Still Alive, Still Writing<div>Writing in the COVID Era</div><div><br></div><div>My last update was in Christmas 2019. How things have changed.</div><div><br></div><div>We’ve weathered the storm here, and it has been a storm. We’ve been locked down and cut off for long periods of time due to sickness, and as the months have rolled by time has been hard to come by for us at least. </div><div><br></div><div>Work has been exceedingly busy, which has meant between work and family, very little time for writing.</div><div><br></div><div>However, I’ve not been idle.</div><div><br></div><div>I’ve managed to keep a custom written D&D Role play game going with 4 friends of mine. This has let me at least flex my creative muscles and do a bit of scenario and back story writing. To keep me in the game so to speak.</div><div><br></div><div>Likewise, I’ve been in touch with my publisher and despite everything, progress is being made. Sadly they have been affected by COVID more so than me; based in America, their immediate area has been badly hit like the rest of the country.</div><div><br></div><div>What happens next? Hopefully in the next few months if things calm down there will be some progress on the novel and I will get a bit more time to write. This all depends on things continuing to improve here in Northern Ireland, and at last improving in America. We will see.</div><div><br></div><div>Stay safe everyone</div><div><br></div>JG Cullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09717426358445934098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8841495621404253578.post-91922263929647959742019-12-16T14:06:00.000+00:002019-12-16T14:06:57.904+00:00Happy Christmas 2019<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The most important event of 2019, is happening in the next few weeks. My wife is expecting our second child. She and I have been preparing for this event and very much looking forward to it.<br />
<br />
But as well as this, 2019 has also been an extensive writing year.<br />
At more or less the start of the year I found myself working hard on the latest re-write of my first book ‘Alyssa’. From January until May I worked on the re-write, refining the story elements and applying Brad’s excellent suggestions to the character, structure and direction. The result, as I’ve said before, was the same story just better told. I once again acknowledge Brad’s excellent help in this; he really took hold of the detail of the story and made it considerably better. I hope once it’s released, you’ll think the same!<br />
A few months later in July Brad sent through the second edit. This was a more minor review, with small details picked out here and there. This was a further refinement what had already been changed. I duly replied again at the end of August with my modifications.<br />
This final edit was then officially submitted to the copy editors of Boyle and Dalton themselves.<br />
<br />
Whilst waiting for Boyle and Dalton to get back to me, I took part in 3 separate writing competitions. 2 of them were ‘Kings of War’ related; a wargame system developed by Mantic games that I have an extensive interest in. The other was for Black Library, a Sci-fi publisher run by Games Workshop, another wargames company.<br />
I immensely enjoyed writing these pieces, one of which is included below. <br />
Sadly none of these applications were successful, but It was good to have something to write in between waiting on edits.<br />
<br />
At the end of November, I was contacted by Boyle and Dalton with the final copy-edit, that included minor modifications to the book before the transcript is officially sent for formatting. As of last week, I completed my review of the manuscript and sent it back to Boyle and Dalton.<br />
With Christmas just around the corner, now I play the waiting game for the next stage of this journey.<br />
<br />
2020 is going to be an interesting year. Not only because I will be a father for a second time but also that Alyssa will be re-released, fully rewritten. Juggling commitments will be hard, but to have both these wonderful events in the same year will be a truly marvellous experience.<br />
<br />
I leave you now with my fiction submission for the Kings of War competition. I hope you enjoy.<br />
A very happy Christmas to you all, and to all a Happy New Year.<br />
Till next time.<br />
<br />
Charge of the Fire Elite<br />
“With flaming hearts!” Dorack bellowed, kicking his spurs into the flank of his charger.<br />
“And burning blades!” came the reply as he and his Rhinosaur borne brethren descended on their enemies.<br />
<br />
They struck with the force worthy of their ancestors; the charge’s effect on their target was nothing short of devastating. Skulls were shattered and bones ground to powder as the horns and pounding feet of the Elite Salamander cavalry impacted. The deathly constructs seemed to simply fall apart, one moment whole the next blasted to oblivion by the monstrous reptiles; Dorack hardly had to swing his sword.<br />
On they rolled, carried by their fearsome momentum through the skeletons. They might not be the quickest, Dorack thought to himself in those fleeting moments, but they could not be stopped! The second rank of undead fared no better, and neither did the third, crushed to pieces by the thundering mega-lizards. Before he knew it Dorack’s cavalry had smashed clean through the undead cohort and was out the other side, trailing dust, shattered bone and broken blades.<br />
<br />
Before them, a Balefire catapult lay exposed.<br />
<br />
If the undead crew were aware of their peril, they gave no outward sign. Almost leisurely the dead men were reloading their weapon, dead eyes not even looking in the direction of their coming doom.<br />
On Dorack drove his comrades, his warriors keeping pace and forming a phalanx of vengeance, trailing dust as they rumbled onwards. At this rate they would roll up the whole of the enemies flank!<br />
“Death and doom to the living!”<br />
<br />
The challenge did not come from his comrades; it was not the second verse of their War Song. Dorack had to steady himself in the saddle as the booming bow wave of the voice struck him, as if a physical blow. <br />
There, upon his exposed flank, a troop of Soul Reaver Calvary bore down upon him, seeking to blunt his charge.<br />
<br />
Bearing his teeth, Dorack roared, and pulled the reins of his mount with all his might. He hissed burning smoke as his steed fought him, caught by its own momentum, bellowing it’s anger at being denied the opportunity for more destruction. <br />
<br />
But by a supreme battle of wills, impossibly, Dorack the Ancient of Clan Fire Peak, turned it. His muscles straining and eyes blazing white fire, he pulled the mass of enraged Rhinosaur round toward its new enemy. Those warriors on his left and right did likewise, seeing their pack leader twist toward the danger. There’s was the easier task now that their leader had shown the way.<br />
Dorack took up the second verse as the two forces rocketed toward contact with each other.<br />
<br />
“Winter’s woe!”<br />
“Her doom in fire!” came the reply.<br />
With a thunderclap, the two forces met.<br />
<br />
To his right one of his brethren’s steeds reared up, the Rhinosaur kicking it’s legs before crushing down on a Reaver steed and rider, obliterating both in a burst of smashed bone and hissing vampire dust. On his left a Salamander ancient took a lance to the heart as his opponent avoided the horns of the Rhinosaur and struck the killing blow with frightening speed. Dorack’s mount rammed a skeletal horse casually out of the way, and they both came face to face with the vampire leader. Helmetless, the war leaders pale features regarded Dorack with cold fury from atop his undead mount.<br />
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“Some sport at last!” He hissed, dropping a broken lance and drawing his sword, a heavy steel blade that trailed icy blue mist as it left it’s sheath.<br />
<br />
Dorack willed his inner-flames into his axe blade. The flame sparked from within the blade, crackling with power and burning white hot for a moment before cooling to a hissing orange glow. Dorack rolled his shoulders before allowing his eyes to blaze.<br />
<br />
He spat a globule of fiery flame in contempt.<br />
“You are wrong.” Dorack said.<br />
He smiled, showing sharp teeth.<br />
<br />
“I shall prove myself more than mire sport!”<br />
Both rider and mount leapt forward, and the blades of the Salamander and the undead met in a shower of sparks.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
JG Cullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09717426358445934098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8841495621404253578.post-87225464148210711522019-09-02T16:33:00.000+01:002019-09-02T16:33:35.542+01:00Mega progress update!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So last week was a momentous one. Last week, I completed the 2nd edit of my 1st novel ‘Alyssa', and sent it in for final review. This completes the final draft of the rewrite of the novel.<br />
This follows the 1st edit (received in November 2018 and completed May 2019) which was the most extensive part of the rewrite. The 2nd edit, by contrast, was more of a tidy up and improving basics such as descriptions, individual scenes and dialogue.<br />
Regardless, that’s it. The novel is done!<br />
The work now passes to my publishers and I await the next phase.<br />
<br />
Its been a massive undertaking. I have put a huge amount of effort into following the edits and suggestions of my editor and making the original story 10 times better. Hopefully, this is reflected in this new edition when it is released.<br />
As for a release, that’s up to the publishers now. Like everyone else, I will now await their word on what comes next.<br />
<br />
But that’s not all. Last week I also submitted two short stories as part of writing competitions. <br />
The 1st I submitted to Mantic Games, as part of a competition to have a short story featured in the upcoming new rule book for their wargaming system ‘Kings of War’. The prise is a Mega army box (a big box of toy soldiers) which I am keen for!<br />
The 2nd story, character bio’s and the summary was sent to Black Library, as part of a big competition to seek out new author talent for their line of Fantasy and Sci-fi stories set in the Warhammer and Warhammer 40k universes. Again, I’d be very keen to be writing for Black Library so have given it a good go.<br />
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We will see what happens, but I can satisfactory say that my writing muscles have been thoroughly exercised.<br />
I will likely post up my short story submissions onto this blog sometime in the future, but meantime, that’s you all up to date. Till next time.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
JG Cullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09717426358445934098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8841495621404253578.post-28019820144339842162019-04-15T14:15:00.000+01:002019-04-15T14:16:51.703+01:00Where have you been?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
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Ah yeah, it’s been a while hasn’t it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve a good excuse though.</div>
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Boyle and Dalton sent through a developmental edit of my
book ‘Alyssa’ back in November 2018. They did an exceptional job of diving deep
into the style, characters, narrative and flow of the book. Brad, my editor,
sent through extensive notes and since November 2018 I had been working my way
through those notes.</div>
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Alyssa was my first book, written in 2011 and self-published
in 2012. At that time, I was still developing my style and Alyssa was very much
the test bed for future books. Returning to the book, I found Brad's comments
to be right on the button.</div>
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<br />
Just over a month ago, I finished my editing and rewriting
of the novel, and resubmitted to the publishers.</div>
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I will now wait and see if my edits are what they need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Strange as it may seem, I enjoyed the experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had expected the process of rewriting my
novel to be more painful, but instead I knew already that it was badly
needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking at the writing style I
used in ‘Anna’ (my fourth book) and looking at the style in ‘Alyssa’ before the
edits, the books were very different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
took the experience as an opportunity to bring the earlier book into line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also gave me the opportunity to develop
the characters and world a little more, adding much-needed detail.</div>
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With the latest draft submitted, I have now found time for
other writing and non-writing activates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My sister-in-law and family got me a Writing Magazine writing course for
Christmas, and I have been slowly working my way through the course material.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This has been a very interesting experience,
as I’m learning a lot about aspects of the craft I may have neglected, such as
keeping a writer’s notebook and Commonplace book.</div>
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I’ve also taken the time to write a little fan fiction,
writing some stories for some tabletop wargames that I play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether these stories ever see the light of
day or if they ever remain just an exercise to keep my writing skills sharp, I
don’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll see.</div>
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My Instagram account has seen much more posts around
painting models and wargaming than it has writing but this has been a good
distraction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Rest</span> and recovery from an
intense period of editing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As enjoyable
as I found the experience, it was intense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I feel I may have put myself under more pressure than I should have to
get it finished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have learnt from the
mistake and will be pacing myself better next time!</div>
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The next stage will come after the latest edit comes back
from my publishers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know when
that will be but I’m looking forward to moving the story along a little further
upon the publishing path.</div>
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Until next time.</div>
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JG Cullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09717426358445934098noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8841495621404253578.post-43575562151629344682018-12-03T14:39:00.001+00:002018-12-03T14:39:59.350+00:00Other Interests: Table Top Roleplay<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A new blog post, just not within a month of the last one as originally planned. Ah well, next time!<br />
This one, is on a very different topic.<br />
Whilst I love writing, it is not my first love. I’ve found myself involved in a variety of weird and wonderful interests over the years and I’d like to tell you about some of them in some of my blog updates.<br />
<br />
The first was what partly inspired me to write in the first place; tabletop role play, or pen and paper role play. Basically, it involves a bunch of people sitting around a table and effectively acting out the lives of a variety of characters created by themselves according to the rules of the game they are playing. Depending on those rules, they might be a group of adventurers exploring a dungeon, a spaceship’s crew, or even a group of vampires.<br />
<br />
I started tabletop role play with an old classic by the name of ‘Vampire; the Masquerade’ by White Wolf publishing. This game casts the players as a variety of different kinds of vampire, all attempting to survive in the World of Darkness; the game's setting a world much like our own, only worse. It was an easy introduction, as the game rules were easy to follow, particularly the rules for creating my character. I favoured assassins and combat centred characters. It was a good introduction.<br />
<br />
After this, I got into another game by the same company; ‘Mage the Ascension’. This was when things became interesting. Mage was as deep background-wise as Vampire, except the magic rules in it were wonderfully free-form. It was also the game that encouraged me to ‘GM’ my own games. GMing stands for ‘Games Mastering’. It’s always left to one person in a roleplaying game to keep things going; to introduce the players to the background, story, notable non-player characters and objectives. I took to this and started crafting my own stories, writing them within the games background and allowing the players to run free within the narrative I created.<br />
<br />
With the experience of Mage under my belt, I took a chance on a new roleplay game that had just come out. A tactical RPG, which involved models as well as the player's imagination. This game was called Cadwallon; it was amazing.<br />
<br />
True, the edition my friends and I picked up was a direct translation from the original French. As such, the English was a little ‘unusual ‘ and it required my good friend Gavin to go through the book and re-translate the rules to our liking. Despite this, we loved the setting and the opportunities.<br />
<br />
Over one year, we played 28 separate sessions of Cadwallon, all from stories I had created. Over a dozen players were involved, sometimes all at once! One night, I had three separate sessions going with three separate groups. One in my kitchen, one in the living room and one briefly in my hallway! It was a mammoth undertaking and I was immensely proud of the stories and situations we created from the game.<br />
<br />
So much so, that it formed the nucleus of my own fantasy world that, in turn, would lead to writing my first Haldred Chronicles book ‘Alyssa’.<br />
<br />
After Cadwallon I continued to play RPGs. Rogue Trader, from Fantasy Flight, was particularly good fun and was played on a scale like Cadwallon. It encouraged me to apply my writing style to several short stories that I subsequently submitted to Black Library, albeit without success.<br />
<br />
Today I don’t get to play the games as much, but I still find myself collecting the rule books and background. These still very much interest me.<br />
<br />
Next, I’ll let you in on another passion. Wargaming…<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
JG Cullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09717426358445934098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8841495621404253578.post-3965018301836331472018-09-23T20:43:00.001+01:002018-09-23T20:43:31.370+01:00Exciting news!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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And when I say exciting news, I really mean it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For the last year, I have been contacting agents and publishers, hoping that one of them would pick up Haldred Chronicles. It has always been my ambition to become a fully published author. Sadly, whilst many have praised the writing and style, none have been interested in taking on the series.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Until now.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The wonderful people over at the hybrid publisher Boyle and Dalton have very kindly agreed to publish my first book ‘Alyssa’. I had contacted them a while back and after a few emails, the exchange of manuscripts and the official signatures, they have agreed to take me on.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This is fantastic news, and both my family and I are overjoyed. We hope to publish in 2019.<o:p></o:p></div>
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With this news, planning has gone into overdrive. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m researching extensively how to market the series anew, as well as looking into fresh methods of getting the word out. I’ve set myself a number of goals, such as more regular blogging (I know, you’ll believe it when you see it) and blogging about more than just the books (expect wargaming, sword fighting, airsofting and more to start appearing on the blog).<o:p></o:p></div>
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All the while, I will continue to work on book 5 of the series. I hope to use the next few months to really get my teeth into the book, and then concentrate on getting the word out about ‘Alyssa.’<o:p></o:p></div>
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So exciting times are ahead, and 2019 will be the year of Haldred Chronicles!<o:p></o:p></div>
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JG Cullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09717426358445934098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8841495621404253578.post-53640525683248214882018-08-06T11:18:00.002+01:002018-08-06T11:19:08.655+01:00Seeking publishers and writing book 5<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It’s been a few months since I released the 4th book, ‘Haldred Chronicles: Anna’, so I thought it was about time I let you all know how things have been going since then. <br />
<br />
Glad to report, I’ve been busy.<br />
<br />
After many years of meaning to but never getting around to it, I have at last started submitting the book series to publishers and agents. I have spent the last few months submitting to about 8 separate publishers and agents, and I’ve a few more on the cards. <br />
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I have had 3 rejections so far, but I’ll see what happens with the rest. Can’t say I’ve not been trying.<br />
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I have been meaning to do this for a long time, but what was standing in my way was a lack of a covering letter and a synopsis. I knuckled down and wrote both of them, checked them over, and have sent them on their merry way. I choose ‘Shade’ as my main signature book, as I consider it my best work. It’s mid-way through the series so hopefully will be an advertisement to publishers and agents interested in seeing the rest of the books.<br />
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As well as this, work is now well on the way on book 5.<br />
<br />
I’ve written 4000 words already and progress is good. Originally, book 5 was going to explore the Courier-Fey of the series, with one of the primary characters being one of the said Courier-Fey. However, after a trip to Scotland that involved walking through a beautiful forest park up near Stirling, I changed my mind.<br />
<br />
Book 5 will instead feature the people of the northern kingdom of Trima (strongly Scottish and Irish influence) and their efforts to defeat a monster that threatens the peace. Victoria and team will travel to this new land and lend them aid.<br />
<br />
I’m already enjoying new characters and the chance to create a new culture for the series.<br />
<br />
Anyways, I’m off today so I’m going to take advantage and get more writing done. Till next time! </div>
JG Cullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09717426358445934098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8841495621404253578.post-13853802392692736142018-04-09T21:27:00.000+01:002018-04-09T21:27:22.136+01:00What next?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Haldred Chronicles: Anna is out. 2 years of work and book 4 has at last been
released. I am happy with the result and
it seems so are my readers! So, after more
than a month of resting, what now?<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve already completed one big task, and that was to submit
a short story to sci-fi and fantasy publishers Black Library as part of their
call for submissions. With the able help
of my wife Deborah, who proofread the
submission, I sent off the 500-word
extract and summary a couple of days ago.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The second big task now sitting on my to-do list is, of course, book 5. I have taken some time to look through my
various story ideas and have decided to go with ‘Haldred Chronicles:
Twig’. This story will concentrate on
the Courier-fey, message passing creatures that have been a staple of Haldred
Chronicles since the first book. Now,
with book 5, readers will learn a little more about these creatures.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have a few other plans as well that I’ll work on when I
have time. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I hope to go over my
first 3 books and reformat the look of them.
Each of them featured slightly different font and paragraph design so I
now want to re-edit them so that they are all the same. In addition, I hope to use the re-formatted work
to create better-printed copies of the
books via Kindle Direct Publishing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve also been working on a synopsis of book 3,
‘Shade’. Together with a recently
completed introduction letter and the first 3 chapters, I hope to use this
package as my way to advertise the series to potential publishers and agents.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There is plenty planned for the next few months. I feel like the Easter holidays have allowed
me to get back into writing and make my plans for the future of the series.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Till next time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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JG Cullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09717426358445934098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8841495621404253578.post-89311017115935264652018-01-31T23:42:00.000+00:002018-01-31T23:42:19.065+00:00Haldred Chronicles: Anna released<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I am a man of my word<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ladies and gentlemen, Haldred Chronicles: Anna, is now available for download on Amazon Kindle. Find the links below <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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United Kingdom =<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Haldred-Chronicles-Anna-JG-Cully-ebook/dp/B079F58Q3Q/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1517440752&sr=8-3&keywords=haldred+chronicles">Haldred Chronicles: Anna</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
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United States = <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Haldred-Chronicles-Anna-JG-Cully-ebook/dp/B079F58Q3Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517440762&sr=8-1&keywords=haldred+chronicles">Haldred Chronicles: Anna</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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And as a special bonus, all 3 of the previous Haldred Chronicles books are free on Amazon Kindle from today until the 5<sup>th</sup> February. So if you want to start a new series, or know someone looking to, now is the time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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United Kingdom = <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=haldred+chronicles">The whole series</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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United States = <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=haldred+chronicles">The whole series</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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I hope you enjoy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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JG Cullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09717426358445934098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8841495621404253578.post-22244605023579286482018-01-28T21:11:00.000+00:002018-01-28T21:11:17.354+00:00Book 4 release date<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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At long last, after 2 years of work, Haldred Chronicles:
Anna is finally being released!<o:p></o:p></div>
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My 4th book will be available from the 1<sup>st</sup>
February 2018. The final proof is being
checked over, the cover is ready, and all I have to do is the technical stuff
and it will be available on Amazon Kindle.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As a bit of history, the beginnings of this book were in
2012, as it was originally going to be the 2nd book in the series after
'Alyssa'. However, the story didn't quite fit with what I had planned at the
time so it was shelved. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Now, after extensive updating to bring it in line with
everything that's happened in the previous books, it fits with the series just
right. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Without giving too much away, the new book takes the characters
to a foreign land and will introduce the reader to several more nations of the
Haldred Chronicles world. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I hope all of you will enjoy reading this latest book, just
as much as I have enjoyed writing it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Expect another blog update on the 1st February, announcing the official release and providing a
link to purchase :). <o:p></o:p></div>
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One more thing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I'm making all 3 of the previous books in the series
(Alyssa, Kalla and Shade) available free on Amazon Kindle from the 1st February
to the 5th February. So if you know anyone who might fancy getting into a new
book series, please let them know!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Until the 1st my friends! <o:p></o:p></div>
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JG Cullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09717426358445934098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8841495621404253578.post-91902757694466311352017-07-20T11:14:00.001+01:002017-07-20T11:46:49.818+01:00Still good, still writing!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I seem to be continuing the trend of long periods of time between blog posts, sorry everyone!</div>
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I've a good excuse though, as I've been very busy writing and planning.</div>
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Book 4 of Haldred Chronicles is progressing along very nicely. I'm onto my 2nd draft now, and the core story and characters are complete. My plan now is to flesh out descriptions and details, fill in a few more scenes for key characters, and proof the entire book once done. After that, I should have a complete story that I can then confidently pass to a few trusted proof readers.</div>
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It looks as if it'll be finished by November as planned (if not before). </div>
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At the same time, I've found myself drifting back to the distant past of my writing lifetime. Years before I started Haldred Chronicles, I was writing a massive novel with the tentative title of "Adventure and other bad ideas" (thanks to Saul for the original title suggestion). This novel eventually laid the background work for Haldred Chronicles (it's set in the same time period) but was never finished, despite me writing over 77,000 words for it.</div>
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Now, with Book 4 heading toward completion, I'm thinking of giving it another go. It won't be a 5th Haldred Chronicles book, but instead will be a big stand alone novel set in the same place. Rather than concentrating on the Council of Peace and criminal investigations, this new novel will turn it's attention to a group of mercenaries and their adventures. Characters from Haldred Chronicles may pop in from time to time though. Time scale wise, it will be set after the current crop of the novels. </div>
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That's the plan anyway. I first have to finish book 4. All being well, the next time I post an update it will be to report book 4 completion!</div>
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Wish me luck. Till next time.</div>
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JG Cullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09717426358445934098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8841495621404253578.post-6717663817371664052017-05-01T08:30:00.001+01:002017-05-01T09:10:20.283+01:00The Haldred Chronicles series is FREE on Amazon Kindle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A very quick blog post to let you all know some exciting news.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From the 1st May to the 5th May, all 3 of my current Haldred Chronicles books (Alyssa, Kalla and Shade) will be free on Amazon Kindle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, all 3. For the first time ever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So if you or your friends want to pickup the entire story so far, now's the time! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1st May to 5th May. Completely free :). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?k=haldred+chronicles"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amazon.co.uk</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=is_s?k=haldred+chronicles"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amazon.com</span></a></div>
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JG Cullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09717426358445934098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8841495621404253578.post-55494131725509357272017-03-29T11:57:00.000+01:002017-03-29T11:57:21.526+01:00News for 2017<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A very brief blog post, just to keep everyone updated.<br />
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First up, I've been very busy on social media. I've been more pro-active on Twitter, posting more regularly and engaging with more people. As a result, since my last blog post my follower count has ticked over 2000 and still rising; a trend I hope to continue! In future I hope to get back into interactions on the Goodreads community.<br />
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Anyone interested can find me at <a href="https://twitter.com/jgwritesnovels%C2%A0" target="_blank">@jgwritesnovels</a><br />
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Secondly, using the excellent Creative Writing Syllabus & Rubric from Eva Deverell (find her resources at <a href="http://www.eadeverell.com/">http://www.eadeverell.com</a>) I have confirmed that I have moved from 'Neophyte' to 'Apprentice' in the creative writing lexicon. This has given me a fresh inspiration and opportunity to investigate further methods of improving my craft, and expanding my writing skills.<br />
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For instance, I'm now keeping a proper writing journal in addition to hopefully updating the blog more often. This way I've been able to more easily gather my thoughts and consider what I've worked on and progressed, day by day.<br />
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Thirdly, I've been hard at work on Haldred Chronicles: Anna. Despite the busy times of looking after my young son (who is almost one year old now!), I have been grabbing time here and there to write further on the story. I'm still aiming to have finished by the end of the year, maybe even November 2017, but I'll see how I get on.<br />
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Finally, I have at last started to seriously hunt down possible publishers for Haldred Chronicles, and literacy agents. The series has been available on Amazon Kindle since 2012 and I have gained a wealth of feedback and encouragement. I think the time has come to see if I can pitch my idea of a long running series, that I hope to write for more or less the rest of my life.<br />
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So its all good, and I hope it stays that way. Till next time! </div>
JG Cullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09717426358445934098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8841495621404253578.post-25206202582423917902016-11-29T22:38:00.000+00:002016-11-29T22:38:48.149+00:00A Tribute to Nanowrimo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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During November 2011,
I took part in the National Novel Writing month writing challenge. The objective was to write at least 50,000
words by the 30<sup>th</sup> November. I
succeeded in the challenge, writing at the time 51,000 words. A year later that
Nanowrimo writing piece became Haldred Chronicles: Alyssa; my first novel.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Since then almost every
year, I've taken part in Nanowrimo. It has been a fantastic experience each time,
and has enhanced my writing extensively.
I have met and communicated with some extremely talented authors, been
challenged to improve my writing, and taken full advantage of the huge range of
tips and tricks offered by the Nanowrimo community.<o:p></o:p></div>
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5 years after that
first big push into the world of writing, I'm still at it. Last week I finished
my 2 short story submissions for the Mantic Games Nanowrimo-inspired writing
competition, and submitted both. I'm currently working on the Haldred
Chronicles: Shade synopsis, with a view to submitting to potential publishers. I also have a fourth Haldred Chronicles novel
to work on called ‘Anna’. <o:p></o:p></div>
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As something of a
tribute to the last 5 years, you will find on Amazon for the first time, my
third book ‘Haldred Chronicles: Shade’ free for downloading on Kindle. It will be so for the next five days so if
you’ve not already picked it up, now is a good time. Like my other books, it had its beginnings as
a Nanowrimo entry.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B014PZ6ZAO/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_MeGpybWQWAGSQ">Shade
on Amazon.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B014PZ6ZAO/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_eiGpybTEAA11Z">Shade
on Amazon.co.uk</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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To both the organisers
and many participates in the Nanowrimo community, thank you all so much for all
your encouragement, direction, advise, critique and most of all, for all the
fun I’ve had during the many subsequent Novembers since I took my first steps
into writing stories. May the next 5
years be the same.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Until next time.<span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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JG Cullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09717426358445934098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8841495621404253578.post-51344330409714584832016-11-01T12:02:00.000+00:002016-11-01T12:02:57.458+00:00I've not been idle <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well it's true, it's just I've not had much time to write a blog, but I'm taking a bit of time now to redress the balance.<br />
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It's been four months since my last blog update, and exactly seven months since my son Logan was born. We've been a busy little family since then, and our 'wee man' has been growing up fast.<br />
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On the writing front, I've been busy with the following.<br />
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I finished the first draft of the Wrathborn wargames background and submitted my writing so far to its creator. We'll be meeting up again soon to expand on the background further.<br />
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I submitted a short story entry to Black Library publishing house, who produce Warhammer and Warhammer 40k novels. Sadly, my entry was not accepted for publication, but I did get past the first triage so I'm pleased they took a good look at my entry. I'll definitely be trying again next year.<br />
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Very recently I've been working again on my fourth Haldred Chronicles book 'Anna'. For a long time I've been going back to it but not feeling inspired enough. Now, with an infusion of new ideas, the story is back on track! I'm up to 22,000 words and counting.<br />
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I'm also writing a synopsis for Haldred Chronicles : Shade. The plan is I will being using Shade as my pitching book to publishers, so I need to write the synopsis very carefully.<br />
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Finally, I'm taking part in Nanowrimo, the November writing competition, but in a different kind of way. Mantic Games, a local wargaming company, are running a writing competition in celebration of Nanowrimo. They want a couple of short stories written for their Warpath and Kings of War gaming systems. So, I'm going to have a go! Closing date is 1st December so like all those taking part in Nanowrimo proper, I've a deadline to work toward.<br />
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Plenty to keep me busy these next few months. Until next time, take care.<br />
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JG Cullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09717426358445934098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8841495621404253578.post-85977766259837876762016-07-22T16:07:00.001+01:002016-07-22T22:38:03.679+01:00Plans within plans<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, Slate Pro, sans-serif, sans-serif;">It's been a busy few months as Deborah and I adapt to the new arrival in our life. Little Logan is now nearly four months old and doing very well. Our little son is growing up quickly and our current prediction is he will be a mischievous one!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, Slate Pro, sans-serif, sans-serif;">Whilst looking after the wee man has been my top priority, it doesn't mean I have been idle on the writing front.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, Slate Pro, sans-serif, sans-serif;">I have massively expanded my Pinterest account with writing tips and tricks. Everything from story structure to simple grammar has been posted up and I've found it very useful to have this library of knowledge at my disposal. If you're interested, find my pins here:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, Slate Pro, sans-serif, sans-serif;"> https://uk.pinterest.com/jgcully/on-writing/</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, Slate Pro, sans-serif, sans-serif;">In turn, I've continued to develop the 4th book in my Haldred Chronicles series. 'Anna' is taking shape nicely and I'm aiming to have the first draft complete in a couple of months. As in my previous blog post, I will see how it progresses but am not going to promise anything just yet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, Slate Pro, sans-serif, sans-serif;">I've also continued to write background for Wrathborn, a wargame system, as well as keeping my Black Library short story submission up to date.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, Slate Pro, sans-serif, sans-serif;">Finally, just within the last few days I received my copy of "Writers' and Artists' Yearbook 2017", which I shall be reading extensively for information on publishers and agents.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, Slate Pro, sans-serif, sans-serif;">Till next time!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, Slate Pro, sans-serif, sans-serif;">PS: this is the first blog post I've written and published completely on my BlackBerry Passport! Next, let's see if I can write a book on it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, Slate Pro, sans-serif, sans-serif;">PPS: unfortunately in my haste to publish this blog I managed to make a number of grammar errors. My thanks to those who picked up on them and let me know; corrections have now been made.</span></div>
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JG Cullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09717426358445934098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8841495621404253578.post-45968707475966025012016-04-25T23:37:00.000+01:002016-04-25T23:37:36.929+01:00What's been happening?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /><br />It’s been a long time since my last update, but during the last four months, a huge amount has happened.<br /><br />The most significant, and most important, is the birth of my son; my first born.<br /><br />Logan was born on the 1st April 2016, and my wife and I could not be happier. The ‘wee man’ (a very common Northern Irish phase that applies to him perfectly) is doing very well and growing up fast. It’s only been three weeks but we see such changes in him. We are, as doting parents, taking a lot of photos. Not all of which will be on Facebook.<br /><br />In between recent daddy duties and preparing for the birth of my son, I have actually managed a lot of writing.<br /><br />Within the last few months I have written a couple of fan-fiction stories for a wargame that I play called ‘Dystopian Wars’ by Spartan Games. Its a game set in an alternative 1800's with a distinct Steam-punk style to both its background and game play. The fiction pieces were for a friends gaming campaign to flesh out a small rulebook he was preparing, and I have included the longer of the two at the end of this blog post. I hope fans of the game will enjoy, and I hope other readers will just like the story on it’s own.<br /><br />I have also continue to do work on the Wrathborn wargame, fleshing out more background details and stories for the gaming system. More work will follow in the coming months all being well.<br /><br />I also very recently sent off a sample story to Black Library, a publishing house that produce novels for the sci-fi and fantasy wargames Warhammer 40,000 and Warhammer Age of Sigmar. They are currently running a competition to choose new authors and had requested submissions, so I duly threw my hat into the ring. Hopefully they look on my submission favourably, but we see.<br /><br />Finally, I have not been idle on the Haldred Chronicles front.<br /><br />I have chosen ‘Haldred Chronicles: Anna’ to be the fourth book in the series. This was one of the Haldred Chronicles books I was thinking of kicking off in December 2015. I am now working my way through my original 19,000 words and updating the draft. When I have time, and with a new born this is often a very mutable thing, I intend to work on the book and flesh things out. <br /><br />My objective is to have a first draft done by the end the summer, and maybe release the book in November or December 2016. Time will tell, but at least I have something to work toward. <br /><br />In the meantime, on the 1st May 2016 the first two Haldred Chronicles books (Alyssa and Kalla) will be FREE on Amazon Kindle for a limited time. So if you haven’t had a read of them, or know someone who’d maybe be interested in a little fantasy murder mystery and detective, head on over to Amazon.co.uk (<b><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=haldred+chronicles" target="_blank">HERE</a></b>) or Amazon.com (<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=haldred+chronicles" target="_blank">HERE</a></b>) and grab a free copy of both books. I hope you enjoy!<div>
<br />That’s all folks. I leave you with my Dystopian Wars fan-fiction story and I hope you enjoy. Till next time.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">A Mystery Considered</span></div>
<br />Lord Alexander Stanwell-Howe shot bolt upright in bed.<br /><br />“That’s it!” he cried, much to the surprise of his cat ‘Lady Hathaway’, the black feline jumping in fright off the four poster bed.<br /><br />Quickly Stanwell scrambled out of bed, jumping into his slippers and practically running for his over-stacked work desk in the next room. He lite an oil lamp sat nearby and started searching frantically through the documents upon the extensive oak wood desk.<br /><br />“Yes, yes I’m sure of it!” he said, though whether to himself or to the many cats that quickly assembled round him was unclear. He eyed a particular document, emblazoned with the seal of the Federated States of America.<br /><br />“Ah ha! This proves it!”<br /><br />He looked to a particular tiger furred cat that sat, curled up on a nearby shelf<br /><br />“The prime minister will need to hear this immediately Lord Barnsby!” Stanwell declared; the cats only reaction was to eye him suspiciously before seeming to fall back asleep. Leaving the papers still strung across his desk, Stanwell marched confidently to his bed side. He grabbed a small handle set into the side of his bedside cabinet. He turned the handle several times, before a well-worn red button flicked upwards from within the mahogany construction; he pushed it and was aware of a bell ringing somewhere distant.<br /><br />After a few minutes, Stanwell’s butler arrived.<br /><br />“You rang my lord?” he said after opening the expansive double doors of his master’s bedroom and study. His lordship was by this stage changing into his day clothes.<br /><br />“Yes indeed Winston, I must meet urgently with the Prime Minister and the Minister of War. I have concluded something of great and frightful importance! They must be informed at once!”<br /><br />“Very good sir, though I should warn you it is two o'clock in the morning.”<br /><br />Stanwell blinked in surprise at his man servant. He strode over to the window to his bedroom, still buttoning his shirt, and pulled open the curtains; nothing but star-scattered blackness stared back at him. <br /><br />“Well Winston, I’m afraid we shall have to dispense with the niceties of sleep. This can’t wait and indeed, I fear we may already be too late. Please communicate with them that I shall meet them at the Houses of Parliament, post haste!”<br /><br />“Very well sir.” Replied Winston, hiding his concerns for his master’s sanity behind his neutral expression. He hurried to carry out Lord Stanwell-Howe’s unusual request.<br /><br />* * * * *<br /><br />An hour later, Stanwell paced up and down the flag stones of the inner sanctum of the Houses of Parliament. Around him the only observers were a couple of late night guards who eyed the unusual man wearily; his pacing was facilitated via his custom built mechanical chair, that he used when conducting government business. The spider-like machine lurched up and down, steam hissing from joints of it's mechanical legs occassionally, though Stanwell gave no indication that the unusual motion was upsetting him. Instead, his face appeared fixed in concentration; his single machine-eye, embedded where his left eye should have been, flickered blue and red as if he too were some kind of machine given human form. Beside him, one of his small black cats kept pace with both chair and master. <br /><br />Stanwell did not speak to the cat as he prepared himself; he'd learnt through experience that chatting to cats in public was frowned on.<br /><br />Just at that moment the Prime Minister arrived; it was three thirty in the morning so he was not in the best of moods.<br /><br />“I do hope you have a damn good reason for getting me out of bed at this ungodly hour Stanwell!” the Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, bellowed as he thundered from the parliament buildings main entrance, flanked by his heavily armed household guards and several nervous looking aids.<br /><br />“I assure you I do sir!” Stanwell replied, immediately brought out of his concentration now that his summons had been answered. “Is the Minister of War with you?"<br /><br />"Well I wouldn’t say I'm with the PM, par-say." Came a voice, as Lord Strathgordon made his appearance from a side door, slipping in with much less extravagance than the Prime Minister. He regarded Stanwell through his goggle like glasses and tipped his top hat. The PM simply glared at both of men as he came up to them, handing his cloak to one of his aids and straightening his waist coat.<br /><br />"Get to it man, why are we here?" Ordered Benjamin.<br /><br />"I have grave news gentlemen." Stanwell announced. "An attack is imminent!"<br /><br />Despite the late hour, Lord Strathgordon chuckled. "My dear boy, we are at war. An attack is always imminent."<br /><br />Stanwell returned the smile. "Indeed minister, but I mean imminent in a location we did not suspect was under threat. I speak of the Indonesian islands!"<br /><br />"Rubbish!" Grumbled the Prime Minister. "Our latest spy reports indicate the Empire of the Blazing Sun would prefer no hostilities there. It's too important for them and too important for us. A major engagement would drain their resources to too great a degree, especially with their attacks upon the Russians."<br /><br />"I would have agreed with you a week ago Prime Minister." Stanwell shot back, his mechanical chair hissing as it manoeuvred to better position him to speak to the two most powerful men in Britannian. "But I have been going over other intelligence reports, from other sources. I have deduced a conspiracy is afoot; our enemies mean to deceive us!"<br /><br />"Explain." Asked Lord Strathgordon politely, indicating with his walking stick.<br /><br />"Our own intelligence has shown that the Japanese government would rather hostilities not begin in Indonesian; they require all their resources to strike against the Russian and American fleets. However, I have studied the intelligence reports of our American comrades. They detail the troop movements of the Prussians and French. I have realized something in my deductions; several of our enemies army units are missing."<br /><br />"Missing?" Asked Benjamin, his brow furrowing.<br /><br />"Yes sir!" Continued Stanwell. "For months they were reported in Europe and the Mediterranean, engaged on numerous fronts. Then suddenly, reports on particular army units ceased!"<br /><br />“Could the units not simply have been destroyed?” Strathgordon suggested.<br /><br />“These are not companies or even regiments Minster, but entire army groups! As successful as our engagements have been, and those of our allies, destroying an entire army battle group of any size is no mean feat! I fear that these army groups have disappeared from the European and Mediterranean threatres, because they have been redeployed!”<br /><br />Stanwell reached into the folds of his coat, producing several rolled up parchments. He unrolled one and held it out for the two ministers to see.<br /><br />“An intelligence photograph, one taken not long ago near Indonesia, perhaps only two hundred miles distance. One of several. It was not marked as important when first I came upon it, but I fear it is.”<br /><br />The black and white photograph appeared to show nothing more than a dark shadow in the sea, obviously photographed at great distance and in stormy weather.<br /><br />“I took the liberty of enhancing it.” Stanwell said, unrolling another page. This one showed more of the shadow, and several notes that Stanwell had made. At the top of the page, the words ‘Metzger B’ were written in black ink.<br /><br />“A Prussian battle robot.” Said Strathgordon, adjusting his glasses as he peered at the parchment.<br /><br />“Difficult to see considering the photograph was taken during rough seas." continued Stanwell. "I did further cross referencing with other reports. I was not only able to identify the robot but confirm that this particular battle robot was attached to the 23rd Reserve Iron fleet. One of the fleets now missing from the European threatre.”<br /><br />Strathgordon and the Prime Minister exchanged looks.<br /><br />“This better not be a wild goose chase Stanwell.” Grumbled Benjamin. “or I might reconsider retaining you as my advisor.”<br /><br />“I assure you Prime Minster, it is not!" Stanwell quickly retorted. "I have many reports and analysis documents just like this. I will gladly turn them over to prove my point; our enemy is moving. They are redeploying army and naval battle groups to Indonesian in preparation for an attack. It will be headed by the Empire of the Blazing Sun, but it is their Imperial Bond allies who will provide the lions share of the manpower and firepower. This will leave the Japanese free to continue their attacks elsewhere without undue drain on their resources.”<br /><br />“Prime Minster, with your permission I would like to convene the War ministry immediately to consider a response.” Strathgordon asked.<br /><br />The Prime Minister nodded somewhat reluctantly; he let out a breath. <br /><br />“Very well, see to it Strathgordon. I will have an emergency cabinet meeting organized in the morning. Stanwell, you best prepare yourself. This will be a busy week if what you say is true.”<br /><br />“I shall Prime Minster!”<br /><br />Stanwell saluted, an unnecessary gesture from a civilian but the Prime Minster returned it anyway, shaking his head as one of his aids returned his cloak and he turned to leave.<br /><br />Strathgordon and Stanwell watched him go.<br /><br />“Good work Stanwell.” Said the Minister of War. “We’ll consider carefully how best to respond. We may well have to call on our own allies to aid us in this endeavour.”<br /><br />“I agree my lord.” Nodded Stanwell. Despite his manic nature, his face turned serious.<br /><br />“I fear this clash will involve all of our own Grand Coalition allies and our enemies in the Imperial Bond. The fate of all of the Indonesian islands may be at stake!”<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
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JG Cullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09717426358445934098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8841495621404253578.post-11834598374575420782015-12-14T11:27:00.000+00:002015-12-14T11:27:03.743+00:00What should I write next?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keeping to a trend, at last, a blog update! Sorry for taking so long.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To update you all on my writing, I attempted Nanowrimo 2015 in November, but sadly I only managed 7,000 words on my concept novel ‘Haldred Chronicles: Titan’. I got the characters and a lot of scenes fleshed out but I just didn’t make the time to finish it off.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, I still started the novel well, and it now joins several other ideas that are more than just a few lines on a page. Hence the title of this blog post.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2015 has been a great year. Haldred Chronicles: Shade was released in August, and recently all 3 of my novels are now available on Amazon in both Kindle and paperback format (check them out <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_8?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=haldred+chronicles&sprefix=Haldred+%2Caps%2C230" target="_blank">HERE</a> for the UK and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Haldred+chronicles" target="_blank">HERE</a> for the US!). I’m very glad I now have a proper starter ‘trilogy’ of novels and judging by reviews, people are liking my writing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2016 is going to be a busy and exciting year for me outside of writing, but I still want to keep writing even a little bit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To do this, I want to start 2016 by properly kicking off another project.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That’s where you, the person reading this blog post, come in. Help me choose which idea to pursue. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are the options:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Haldred Chronicles: Titan = "Victoria and Co find themselves on the world's first ‘tourism’ ship, but someone plans on spoiling the party..." = This was my Nanowrimo 2015 novel and I got to 7,000 words with it. Should I finish it in 2016?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Haldred Chronicles: Anna = “Victoria and her team travel to the mighty Magra empire to investigate a series of deadly seaborne raids from mysterious attackers.” = this novel was originally to be my 3rd book but ‘Shade’ took over. It’s set in the Magra empire, a Chinese/Japanese themed land were villages along the sea have experienced deadly raids by unknown enemies. I’ve already written 19,000 words on this and developed some interesting characters. Should I continue?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Haldred Chronicles: Fey-hacking = “Courier-fey provide secure, reliable, almost instant communications across Larrick City…or do they?” = Courier-fey are like text messaging in the world of Haldred Chronicles. After reading a brilliant book about the News of the World hacking scandal I thought to myself, what if something like that happened with the Courier-fey in my world? This story at the moment has only a couple of introduction scenes, but I like them; one involves a talking cat. Maybe this is the novel I should write in 2016?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Adventure and other bad ideas: Sophie’s story = “Sophie Dalvich, a barmaid at the Broken Dreams tavern, finds her cartography and map making skill’s requested by a group of mercenaries.” = This was to be the BIG novel, way before Haldred Chronicles: Alyssa was written. It was what established the Haldred Chronicles world but the story itself was never finished. Despite this, even in it’s draft form it is over 75,000 words long and has an entire cast already created for it. It concentrates on a group of adventures operating in Larrick City, from many different cultures and races, banded together on various mercenary missions. I could go back to it, refine it, and produce it as a huge spin-off novel. Should I?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So those are the options. Titan, Anna, Fey-Hacking or Sophie’s story. The titles will probably change but the concepts are there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vote by replying to this post with the name of the story you like. Likewise, PM me on Facebook, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Twitter, LinkedIn or Tumblr (now that Tumblr has instant messaging!) and let me know which one you like the look of. See links to the right of this post.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then I’ll make 2016 the year of that novel.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks everyone. Till next time!</span></div>
JG Cullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09717426358445934098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8841495621404253578.post-77464119606540768422015-09-01T13:15:00.002+01:002015-09-01T13:15:58.692+01:00Haldred Chronicles BIG news<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At long last, the third book in my Haldred Chronicles series
is out on Amazon Kindle. Haldred
Chronicles: Shade.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can purchase the new book <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Haldred-Chronicles-Shade-JG-Cully-ebook/dp/B014PZ6ZAO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1441098546&sr=8-3&keywords=haldred+chronicles" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b> </a>on Amazon.co.uk, and <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Haldred-Chronicles-Shade-JG-Cully-ebook/dp/B014PZ6ZAO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1441098507&sr=8-2&keywords=haldred+chronicles" target="_blank">HERE</a> </b>on Amazon.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I’ve been keeping secret an additional update on the
series, which I can at last share.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From the 1<sup>st</sup> September to the 4<sup>th</sup>
September, Haldred Chronicles: Alyssa (book one) and Haldred Chronicles: Kalla
(book two) are <b>FREE on Amazon Kindle!</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Search for Haldred Chronicles on Amazon.co.uk (click <b><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=haldred+chronicles" target="_blank">HERE</a></b>) or Amazon.com (click <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=haldred+chronicles" target="_blank">HERE</a></b>) to find them. It’s a perfect opportunity for those who have
not yet read the previous two instalments, so please spread the word!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And stay tuned. I’ve
more good news coming in the next few days regards Haldred Chronicles:
Alyssa. Those visiting Amazon, might
already see what’s coming next...</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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JG Cullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09717426358445934098noreply@blogger.com0