Two Days to Go

November 4, 2021
With only a couple of days to go before the publication of Discord's Shadow, it's now available to pre-order on Kindle and in paperback at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KQRY6MS and B09KNCZR3D respectively, as well as on Smashwords. This has been such a long time coming that I wanted to make it a little more special, so you can also download the first in the series, Discord's Child, from Smashwords FREE until 6th November using the coupon you'll find at  http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ksdearsley. I'm also uploading the Iyessi songs for Discord's Shadow on the Exiles of Ondd Facebook page throughout this month.
It's hard to believe everything is coming together at long last. The only thing I haven't done myself is to design the front cover. The reason I didn't order a custom-made one was not only a matter of expense, but because I would have found it hard to give a designer adequate instructions. The cover has to do so many things. It needs to give some idea of the novel's genre, atmosphere, characters and setting for readers unfamiliar with the series. It also has to fit in with the style of the previous novels, and it has to work in several different sizes. I liked several premade covers, but the one I finally chose, having looked through thousands, showed up as well in thumbnail scale as in paperback. Of course, Discord's Shadow, The Exiles of Ondd Book Three and K. S. Dearsley also had to fit on it without destroying the image. It's a lot to ask of one design. The cover I chose is the work of Betibup 33, who were a delight to deal with–prompt, efficient and very reasonably priced! You can visit their site at http://www.betibup33.com.
On Monday, I had the chance to read out the opening of Discord's Shadow at a new group, called Get the Word Out, that meets monthly for a writing and performance night. The response was positive, so I hope all the effort has been worth it, and that you'll agree it's been worth the wait. If anyone would like to leave a review, particularly at Smashwords or Amazon, feedback is always appreciated.
It's tempting to think that I shall be able to take a break from the exiles for a while after Saturday, but I have a feeling they won't let me rest completely just yet. 
Enjoy!
 

The Wait is Almost Over

October 26, 2021
Preparing Discord's Shadow for publication has been rather like getting ready for Christmas: you have a list of things to do and things to get that seems to get longer rather than shorter as the days race by, then just as you're ready to throw up your hands and resign yourself to being too late, they're all done. There are still a few things on my publication list, such as reformatting the manuscript for Kindle and paperback but, at the risk of jinxing myself, they should be easily doable in ...
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Time Well Spent

August 22, 2021
I treated myself to enough books to fill a shelf in the Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale, and I couldn't resist starting on them any longer. I must have had the wrong glasses on when I chose them because instead of series starters, I found that two of the books I downloaded are second instalments. Once I stopped being irritated with myself, I realised what a good opportunity this was.
As anyone who follows this blog can hardly have avoided noticing, the third novel in the Exiles of Ondd series, ...
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I Used to Be Indecisive...

August 9, 2021
"Set up a mailing list," they said. "Make your readers feel special, send them newsletters, give them something extra." It sounded like a good idea, so I looked into it. I researched reputable providers and it seemed simple enough.
Having written a landing page and welcome email, and devised a programme of newsletters, I began to have second thoughts. I got as far as setting up an account for verification before I discovered that my existing email address would not be accepted as it isn't att...
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The Time Has Come

July 19, 2021
At last I can announce that Discord's Shadow is available to pre-order at Smashwords. This means that it now has a firm publication date of 6th November 2021. I was going to make it a week earlier, but the Smashwords site recommends releasing books at the weekend after a holiday, and as 1st November will be a Monday, I decided on Saturday 6th instead. (Never let it be said that I don't pay attention to advice!) This date will not change, barring floods, fires, hurricanes, earthquakes or the i...
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The Way They See It

July 7, 2021
One of the biggest no-nos of fiction writing, according to those who feel they are in a position to dictate rules, is changing the narrative point of view. They claim that it is hard for readers to follow what is happening, or to identify with the characters unless they see everything through the eyes of one character, particularly within one scene. Hmmm...
I recently read two books–the 2010 Costa Award-winning The Hand that First Held Mine by Maggie O'Farrell, and the CWA Dagger Award-winn...
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Happy Returns

June 25, 2021
Wow! What a long time I've been away. It wasn't my intention to abandon you all, and I hope that when you hear my news you'll excuse me. You see, I've been travelling–armchair travelling, that is. I've been off across continents, getting footsore and weary, being seasick, struggling with different languages, getting lost, trying new food that doesn't necessarily agree with me, upsetting some people and making friends with others. Going on a journey with the Exiles of Ondd has been frustrati...
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The Three Rs

February 8, 2021
Not reading, writing and 'rithmetic, but repair, reuse and recycle. They apply to writing just as well as they do to saving the planet.
Every writer has a problem piece of writing, one that doesn't want to be pinned down to a page, that refuses to turn out as you envisaged, or that pings back at you with a 'thanks, but no thanks' every time you send it out. Instead of giving up and consigning it to the bin, try applying the three Rs.
Can it be repaired? Make yourself a checklist of features t...
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Tweet Mining

January 25, 2021
Hashtag writing prompts on Twitter are great fun and a good way to find other authors. I know I'll like their work, because I've already seen lots of examples online. These fellow authors also know about the ups and downs of writing. For the most part, they are happy to give other writers their support and encouragement.
Many of the regular hashtag prompts are for tweets from or relating to works in progress. I consider Discord's Child and Discord's Apprentice to be parts one and two of a lar...
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Keep On Keeping On

January 16, 2021
Chances are that if you expected 2021 to be better than 2020 you've been disappointed so far. Even if you enjoyed a good Christmas and started the new year as full of good resolutions as ever, the reality of short dark days, dingy weather and lockdowns might have already sapped your motivation. Take heart–you are not alone!
I find it's easier when times are hard to write something factual. Doing research, planning articles and the discipline of writing pitches and presenting facts readably ...
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About Me


My writing career began as a freelance feature writer for the local press, businesses and organisations. Now a prize-winning playwright and short story writer, my work has appeared in numerous publications on both sides of the Atlantic. I write as K. S. Dearsley because it saves having to keep repeating my forename, and specialise in fantasy and other speculative genres.

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