De-blog

I've been a bit busy over the past few weeks. I re-designed my website, although I kind of cheated, as I used a template - it's now in HTML5, which is rather groovy. Check it out here: debbiemcgowan.co.uk While you're there, also check out my 'read' page for excerpts and free ebooks . I've decided to give away book one of the Hiding Behind The Couch series (also called Hiding Behind The Couch) for free indefinitely. For the next few weeks you can also get book two (No Time Like The Present) for free, and I'll be giving away others for free from time to time. I've also written the rather funky little novel called Double Six . It's a sci - fi fantasy, a bit 'timey-wimey' and all that, written for young adults, but adults will enjoy it equally, I think. And here's Chapter One for you to read, and hopefully think, "Oh, I'll give that a go!" - it's only about £1.49 / $1.99 for ebook , and £5.99 for the paperback, av...

As a prelude to the launch of In The Stars in 2014, I've made a video trailer for In The Stars Part I , which incorporates some quotations from the book - tricky to choose without spoilers whilst also trying to be intriguing. Music is "Stars Might Shine" by Albin Loán , a Swedish singer songwriter who lives in Sydney, Australia, which is apt, as one of the series' characters is Swedish and this is of relevance to the In The Stars storyline. Zodiac illustrations have been adapted from those created by the wonderful Emma Pickering for the sections of the book(s). In the Stars follows 'The Circle' through a year of their life, and the timeline is separated by the zodiac, with an ongoing theme that questions the notions of religion, fate, horoscopes, clairvoyance and science, as well as some references to Shakespeare, who oft pondered these matters. I'm a sceptic and a social scientist, but I have endeavoured to provide a balanced story, for as much a...

Hey, Larry! Could you polish this freshly minted shiny new penny just a little bit more for me? I can't quite see the world reflecting back at me perfectly enough yet. This is how I felt sending editing notes to author Larry Benjamin, after he sent me the manuscript for his latest novel, Unbroken , published by Beaten Track on 20th September 2013. It began back in March, when Larry emailed me: question--do you want to read Unbroken? Do I want to read it? Do I want to read it? Are you serious? After the question with the most obvious answer in the world, Larry wrote: You don't need to feel pressured to publish it Don't feel pressured? Aggggghhhhhhh! Larry Benjamin, you know, whose first novel was published by Carina Press (which is part of Harlequin Group, who are HUGE) says I don't need to feel pressure to publish it? Say what? (it may suck for all I know) Ha! Fat chance of that! So, this email exchange began on Wednesday 13th March. On Thu...