M J Mallon YA Author and Poet

3 years in publishing, 10 lessons I’ve learned

Excellent post from Louise Jensen @ Fabricating Fiction

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This week marks three years since my debut, The Sister, was published. There was no gentle easing into the publishing industry because, and I am eternally grateful – my first novel soon rose to No. 1 in various countries, spending almost the entire summer in the top spot in the UK. It quickly sold over half a million copies and was snapped up for translation by twenty-five territories, nominated for the Goodreads best debut award, and became the sixth biggest selling book on Amazon in 2016. As lovely as all this was – and it was – there was no time to sit back and enjoy it, the pressure was on to finish writing my second book, The Gift.

Fast forward to now, over a million sales later, and publication of my fifth thriller, The Family is imminent and yet I still feel as though I’m finding my…

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Smorgasbord Posts from Your Archives – #Potluck – #Shortstory: The Old Man of Snow and The Snow Snake by M. J. Mallon

Thanks to Sally and this second #potluck post my short story shared on her blog. Resharing in case you missed it first time round.

COLLEEN’S 2019 WEEKLY #TANKA TUESDAY #POETRY CHALLENGE NO. 134 #SYNONYMSONLY

It’s poet’s choice of words this week.

I’m going to have a go at a Shadorma as per the detail on Colleen’s blog:

The Shadorma is a poetic form consisting of a six-line stanza (or sestet). Each stanza has a syllable count of three syllables in the first line, five syllables in the second line, three syllables in the third and fourth lines, seven syllables in the fifth line, and five syllables in the sixth line (3/5/3/3/7/5) for a total of 26 syllables.

When writing a Shadorma I would concentrate on a specific subject. The brevity of syllables is perfect for that kind of structure.

A poem may consist of one stanza or an unlimited number of stanzas (a series of shadormas).

“The Shadorma is a Spanish poetic form made up of a stanza of six lines (sestet) with no set rhyme scheme. It is a syllabic poem with a meter of 3/5/3/3/7/5.

It can have many stanzas, as long as each follows the meter. Little is known about this poetic style’s origins and history but it is used by many modern poets today. This variation of the haiku, which is evident by its syllable pattern, can be seen in use in many writing venues.”

Poetry Forms: Shadorma

Star Beta Readers

Editing

Struggles highs and lows

I’ll get there

I promise

Thanks for all the help, dearest

Star beta readers

I’m in the process of editing the second book in the series The Curse of Time – Book 2 Golden Healer.

I’ve had some amazing help from my blogging friends/authors: Ritu, Willow, Richard Dee, Adele Marie Park, Dorinda.

and to Joy, and Rachael too who have given me some very helpful feedback too.

Please check out these very special angels:

https://butismileanyway.com/

https://richarddeescifi.co.uk/

https://willowdot21.wordpress.com/

https://firefly465.wordpress.com/

https://rachaelritchey.com/

https://dorindaduclos.com/

https://joylennick.wordpress.com/

It’s taking me longer than I originally anticipated to complete this final draft but soon it will be ready for one of my final beta readers – my daughter!

Here’s the link to the prompt from Colleen:

https://colleenchesebro.com/2019/07/02/colleens-2019-weekly-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-134-synonymsonly-2/

Colleen was a huge help with book one and I really appreciate all she has done for me. Here’s her opinion of my first book:

The Curse of Time Book 1 Bloodstone:

“This delightful book will appeal to teens and young adults who love stories filled with magical crystals, dark family curses, and mysteries waiting to be solved around every corner. Each chapter leads you on a journey of discovery where Amelina earns the right to use three wizard stones to reset the balance of time and finally break the curse that holds her family hostage. A captivating tale!” – Colleen M. Chesebro (Editor)

Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Social Media Links

Authors Website: https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com
Collaborative Blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
#ABRSC: Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjmallonauthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

How Writing Prompts Can Help Your Blog

A great list of many blog challenges you can get involved in from author H. R. R Gorman

Let Me Tell You the Story of...

When you start a writing blog, there’s only a couple ways to start interacting with other writers and readers:

Depend on people you already know to follow links to your blog
Start using your blog to interact with other bloggers

If you’ve got #1 set because you’re a Twitter star, congrats! That’s awesome!

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Most of us, however, have to (or want to) deal with #2, and a great way to do that is through the use of prompts.

If you’re not convinced, keep reading – otherwise, scroll down to find a list of active prompts (curated by me and checked at least monthly for dead links).

Why Prompts?

“Aren’t prompts just limiting my creativity?” you may say.

To you, my fine friend, I must admit that it’s possible! Sometimes I answer a prompt and feel like the sliver of garbage I spewed out would have been better left with my…

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#author #bookblogger #meetup #StokeonTrent

This looks awesome an author book bloggers meet up in Stoke on Trent.

Chat About Books

We had such a lovely time at today’s meet up at the North Stafford hotel, Stoke-on-Trent. A MASSIVE thank you to all who came along and made it such a fab event. To those who couldn’t make this one, you were missed and we hope you can join us next time 😊

It has been great catching up with ‘old’ friends and meeting new ones. A big thank you to my partner in crime, Steph. I wouldn’t want to do this without you. Thanks, as always, for sorting everyone out with name tags. You’re a star!

Take a look at Rachel Sargeant (@RachelSargeant3): https://twitter.com/RachelSargeant3?s=09

Take a look at Steph (@StefLoz): https://twitter.com/StefLoz?s=09

Take a look at Susan Boulton (@BoultonSusan): https://twitter.com/BoultonSusan?s=09

Take a look at Kiltie Jackson (@KiltieJackson): https://twitter.com/KiltieJackson?s=09

Take a look at Caroline Venables (@thedivinewrite1): https://twitter.com/thedivinewrite1?s=09

https://www.facebook.com/scribblersue/

Take a look at Noelle | CrimeBookJunkie 🕵️‍♀️ (@nholten40): https://twitter.com/nholten40?s=09

Take a look at…

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The Lost Princess Richard Dee #ARC #BookReview #IndieAuthor #Betaread

Goodreads Synopsis:

The prequel to Ribbonworld and Jungle Green
Where is Layla Balcom?
The most famous woman in the Galaxy, heiress to the Balcom empire, has vanished.
Has she simply exchanged her celebrity life for peace and quiet or has the unthinkable happened?

In the midst of the search, where rumours and speculation are rife, journalist Miles Goram thinks that he’s found the answer. A girl on the run suggests that Layla could be a hostage, in a club where the rich indulge their fantasies.

It’s located on Dalyster, a corrupt and secretive world. A place where his status as a reporter will do him no favours in his efforts to uncover the truth.

With his world falling apart, Miles is caught in the rivalry between politicians and businessmen.

Review

Many thanks to Richard Dee for an Advanced Reader’s beta copy of the novella The Lost Princess – all opinions are my own.

This is the prequel to Ribbonworld and Jungle Green. I really loved the premise of this story and couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy and it did not disappoint. I feel very privileged to have had a chance to beta read this novella – a great honour indeed. The narrative starts of at an intriguing pace and continues to keep the reader absorbed throughout.

It is a quick, well-crafted read with fantastic characters and an imaginative Sci-Fi setting: Dalyster: An obscure planet, it had a reputation for corrupt officials and illicit pleasure, provided you had the funds.

It is an imaginative and engaging way to introduce readers to Ribbonworld and Jungle Green.

Here’s a link to the latest news about The Lost Princess, Ribbonworld and Jungle Green: https://richarddeescifi.co.uk/the-lost-princess-arriving-soon/

Ribbonworld is the prequel to the Balcom Dynasty #1 – A sci fi which I’ve uploaded to my kindle.

Ribbonworld is set in: ‘Reevis, a planet without days or nights where life is only possible under a vast pressure dome.’

Richard Dee’s Sci fi is very readable. #highlyrecommended.

I am looking forward to reading more from Richard Dee. Richard is a talented author and great supporter of the indie community.

My rating: 5 stars.

I also enjoyed reading Andorra Pett and The Oort Cloud Cafe – check out my review here: https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/2019/03/30/bookreview-andorra-pett-and-the-oort-cloud-cafe-mystery-scifi/

Richard runs The Indie Showcase on his blog to help support and introduce indie authors to the larger community: https://richarddeescifi.co.uk/the-indie-showcase/

Don’t miss out, do check out his blog: https://richarddeescifi.co.uk/

Have you read any of Richard’s books? Do comment I’d love to hear from you.

Happy reading!

I’ve written loads of reviews. Please follow to links to read more of my reviews:

https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/2015/09/28/a-m-of-my-book-reviews/

https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/2016/11/27/my-kyrosmagica-reviews-n-z/

Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Social Media Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjmallonauthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

Smorgasbord Posts from Your Archives – #Potluck – Health – My Gallbladder Operation by M.J. Mallon 2014

Thank you to Sally for my first post from my archive #potluck #health #gallbadder #operation.

#Bookreview – Soul Swallowers by D. Wallace Peach and giveaway winner

Wonderful review by Robbie Cheadle of Soul Swallowers by D Wallace Peach. And great news I’ve won the giveaway for Double Blind by Dan Alatorre.

What Amazon says

When swallowed, some souls gift insights, wisdom, a path to understanding. Others unleash power, proficiency with a sword, and indifference to death. One soul assimilates with ease. But swallow a host of the dead and risk a descent into madness.

Estranged from his family over the murder of his wife, young Raze Anvrell wields his fists to vent his rage. Then a chance at a new life beckons, and he retreats to the foothills of the Ravenwood, the haunt of unbound ghosts. He and his mentor build a freehold, a life of physical labor and the satisfaction of realizing a dream. They raise horses and whittle by the fire until the old man dies, and Raze swallows his first soul.

When his brother reaches out, open wounds begin to scar. But the tenuous peace won’t last. While those who rule the Vales yield to the lure of…

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There Is Far Too Much Emphasis Placed On Planning

Great advice from Jack Eason about keeping planning to a minimum to let your creativity flow. #writerstips #writing

Have We Had Help?

I know I’ve spoken about planning in the past. But like a lot of seriously overused writing crutches, it bears talking about yet again.

So many new and not so new writers insist on planning every single detail in their current work in progress almost to the point of being totally paranoid about it. It’s as if they need an Idiot’s How To Guide to be able to write. It has to be said that following this inflexible method leaves nothing to be desired. Neither does it make you think before you write. Nor does it allow you to make use of your imagination, not to mention being adventurous and therefore spontaneous. Give me research and spontaneity over planning any day.

It’s fine if you are just another hack with no imagination whatsover, ghost writing for a living. But I ask you, where’s the fun in that? Where is the…

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Carrot Ranch June 20 Flash Fiction Challenge #FlashFiction

June 20, 2019, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about having to wait. Who is waiting and what for? Think about how the wait impacts the character or the story. Go where the prompt leads!

Respond by June 25, 2019. Use the comment section below to share, read, and be social. You may leave a link, pingback, or story in the comments. If you want to be published in the weekly collection, please use the form. Rules & Guidelines.

The idea for this piece of flash came about from job shares. Imagine if the person who you were job sharing with was a murderer… What a thought!

My flash:

Only two more hours, she joked as she left. I smiled. I knew I would say the same to her after two days’ time. The weekend is teasing me, waiting with a glass of wine. At two minutes past five I open her drawer to eat the snack she left me. It kills me to admit it but it tastes good. She’d said it was foul but lied. One more bite.

Shame that death arrived before the weekend. She didn’t need to poison me—we were both on the same prolonged career path.

https://carrotranch.com/2019/06/21/june-20-flash-fiction-challenge/

Cheerio for now!

Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Social Media Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjmallonauthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

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What Amazon says

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