Nicky Webber's Blog

It’s the million tiny things nipping at your heels that irritate.

For a couple of years, I’ve considered deleting three published books because they failed to attract readers. Understanding reader preferences is difficult at best but a critical factor in being a successful author.

To relaunch or bin three books plagued my thoughts in the dead of night. I should’ve done this or that, or taken the road most travelled and zoned out. I mostly chose the latter!

Recently, I’ve been bogged down with a series of silly little fixes with almost everything, including the septic tank!

With the new website redesign, new subscribers signing up, and various discussions around book trends, I’ve discovered readers want short, quality written novellas. I had a light bulb moment after learning readers like short two-hour reads and preferably in a series. Oh? Is this true – what do you think? Many commuters read on buses or trains, on holidays and on planes. They enjoy bite-sized book consumption. After  a very tiny whisky, it became clear, not the whisky, the concept. So, I decided to give it a go and transform three existing stories, currently wallowing in the back blocks, a new life and target reader preferences.

My two-book series called In the Deep End, set in California and USA, is about two couples who are best friends. When the one wife dies the other couple invite the widowed husband into their marriage. A contemporary love triangle, with lots of tension and intrigue. It was my second project about five years ago. At the time, I didn’t have the money to advertise and so it sank to the bottom of the online heap. Do I relaunch or bin these three books?

I meant to make them into a proper series but there are lots of new stories to be written! When We Believed was part of that series, but, in my ignorance, I failed to link them together. It got 4.5 stars, and readers asked for more, but I was too busy writing and surviving to apply myself. 

The good news is that I’ve taken these three books and turned them into a five-book series. I’ll write a note in the front to warn anyone who read the originals. The Deep End title will remain the same or similar. I’m uncertain about the mighty Amazon’s rules around this and it’s an unusual situation where you suck it and see – that’s technical kiwi slang with an obvious meaning. 😊

Watch this space. I’d like to run it by you before it hits reality. Drop me a line to author@nickywebber.com if you would like to read the first book in the series.

The post To Relaunch or Bin Three Books? appeared first on Nicky Webber New Zealand Author.

Unveiling the Intriguing World of Whisper Island in a recent interview

If you caught my recent chat with the one and only Angelina Kalahari, you might have picked up on her curiosity about the enigmatic antagonist of Whisper Island.

Caught off guard during out conversation, I found myself delving into the realms of the book, bondage, and S&M!

Curious to delve deeper? Watch the full interview here:  

Within the captivating pages of Whisper Island, you’ll encounter a diverse cast of characters. However, Angelina, after immersing herself in this psychological thriller, was particularly drawn to Henry, the masterful narcissistic antagonist in the tale.

No spoilers here! If you haven’t embarked on the gripping journey of Whisper Island yet, I suggest you do so before continuing.

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room – or should I say , the handcuffs and silk ropes? In a Zoom session with Angelina in the UK and me on the other side of the planet in a dark, hazy, early morning New Zealand, my discussions took an unexpected turn.

I confessed that Henry, the dark and wicked force in Whisper Island, harbors a penchant for bondage and much more.

Before sceptics raise their voices about sensationalism for the sake of book sales, let me assure you – it’s quite the opposite, believe it or not! It serves as a cautionary tale, shedding light on the depths to which individuals, you may hold dear, can descend.

In the deceptive allure of Whisper Island, trust hangs by a thread, paving the way for risks and revelations. I challenge my core characters with adversity, igniting flames of self-destruction amidst the façade of an island in paradise… or is it?

Curious for more thrilling insights and exclusive promos without the need for handcuffs or silk ropes? Subscribe to my Monthly Newsletter and unlock a world of literary delights and surprises. I promise, it’s a journey you won’t want to miss.

The post Secrets & Lies in New Thriller Suspense appeared first on Nicky Webber New Zealand Author.

Unveiling the Intriguing World of Whisper Island in a recent interview

If you caught my recent chat with the one and only Angelina Kalahari, you might have picked up on her curiosity about the enigmatic antagonist of Whisper Island.

Caught off guard during out conversation, I found myself delving into the realms of the book, bondage, and S&M!

Curious to delve deeper? Watch the full interview here:  

https://youtu.be/vSuJ9VqsLYA?si=6KN9V...

Within the captivating pages of Whisper Island, you’ll encounter a diverse cast of characters. However, Angelina, after immersing herself in this psychological thriller, was particularly drawn to Henry, the masterful narcissistic antagonist in the tale.

No spoilers here! If you haven’t embarked on the gripping journey of Whisper Island yet, I suggest you do so before continuing.

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room – or should I say , the handcuffs and silk ropes? In a Zoom session with Angelina in the UK and me on the other side of the planet in a dark, hazy, early morning New Zealand, my discussions took an unexpected turn.

I confessed that Henry, the dark and wicked force in Whisper Island, harbors a penchant for bondage and much more.

Before sceptics raise their voices about sensationalism for the sake of book sales, let me assure you – it’s quite the opposite, believe it or not! It serves as a cautionary tale, shedding light on the depths to which individuals, you may hold dear, can descend.

In the deceptive allure of Whisper Island, trust hangs by a thread, paving the way for risks and revelations. I challenge my core characters with adversity, igniting flames of self-destruction amidst the façade of an island in paradise… or is it?

Curious for more thrilling insights and exclusive promos without the need for handcuffs or silk ropes? Subscribe to my Monthly Newsletter and unlock a world of literary delights and surprises. I promise, it’s a journey you won’t want to miss.

Why did you write The Foster Mother?

Embarking on the journey of writing, The Foster Mother, was a deeply personal endeavour for me, rooted in a poignant chapter of my own life.

Years ago, I opened my heart and home to a fragile five-week-old baby girl, removed from her biological mother’s care due to neglect and abuse.

Through nearly a year of fostering, I grappled with the complexities of navigating the broken system and the harrowing presence of the baby’s cunningly camouflaged, troubled mother. This turbulent experience became the foundation for the intricate psychological landscape of my thriller.

Crafting The Foster Mother was a cathartic yet challenging process, as I delved into the depths of my emotions, reliving the anguish and turmoil that once consumed me. The story unfolds as a vivid reflection of the raw, unfiltered reality I faced, evoking moments of heart-wrenching despair and unwavering hope. With every word penned. I found myself drawn deeper into the gripping narrative, shedding tears for the innocent baby and our own tumultuous journey.

Yet, amidst the darkness, there emerged a glimmer of redemption and resolution, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. The Foster Mother is more than just a thriller; it is a testament to the power of empathy and the indomitable strength found in the face of adversity.

As readers immerse themselves in the chilling twists and turns of this psychological thriller, they will be captivated by the authenticity and emotional depth woven into every page. While the basis of the story is part of my own experience, I have, in the interests of writing a best selling psychological thriller, ramped up the suspense with heart stopping incidents between the mother and the foster  mother.  My goal is to one day write a best seller so fingers crossed!

It is my sincere hope that this tale will resonate with readers, sparking conversations and reflections on the intricacies of human nature and the bonds that unite us all.

Thank you to readers who have loved The Foster Mother and left heart felt book reviews online. I very much appreciate your time and effort and it helps my author  business. With 97 reviews for this book I am only 3 reviews away from 100! The magic number when Amazon’s algorithms seriously kick in!

Happy Reading!

Why did you write The Foster Mother? Embarking on the journey of writing, The Foster Mother, was a deeply personal endeavour for me, rooted in a poignant chapter of my own life. Years ago, I opened my heart and home to a fragile five-week-old baby girl, removed from her biological mother's care due to neglect [...]

My Goal is to Write Stories Everyone Wants to Read

Surprisingly it’s been American readers who take the time to read and review my books in droves.

Up until the end of last year the United States made up 94% of my readership.

It’s only been the past couple of months that British readers are paying more attention. As of March 2024, there’s been a shift in my readership with 77 percent of my readers coming from the United States, and readers from Britain suddenly climbing up to 21 percent. Maybe they are finding I write stories everyone wants to read? I can only hope. I’ve done nothing different and yet out of the blue, readers in the UK are taking notice. I’ve tried running promo’s and ad campaigns in Britain in the past with a lack lustre response, so gave up.

I’ve been writing for five years now, and have ten published books so there is naturally some improved traction and awareness starting to kick in. The most strange and unusual thing is the mere one percent of readers from Australia and “Other” which must cover my poor readership in my home country of New Zealand. I wish I knew why?

Clearly I don’t write books that everyone wants to read, certainly not across these lonely southern shores. I usually include New Zealand and Australia as settings for my stories in the hope of capturing local attention. But it appears my words fall on blind eyes and deaf ears.

Good to know that foreign readers find my work palatable, and I can write stories Americans and British people want to read. I guess on my report card it would say; ‘Must try harder.’

I’ve only just discovered now, my new book on Pre-order, Whisper Island, in Australia is not under my Author Profile on Amazon! I’ve logged a call for an urgent fix. It’s sitting perfectly in my profile in America and the UK so why they would drop it into its own blank profile? Scroll down and you’ll see it’s all by itself. Never a dull, un-frustrating moment in the publishing industry. Let’s hope it gets fixed before it’s published in the next few weeks! Ggggrrrrrrrr!

Would you like to find out more? Subscribe to my Monthly Newsletter.

If you are a reader and would like to post a review, you can do it on my website in the ‘comments’ field at the bottom of the page of each book or directly on Goodreads or Amazon. Read the 66 reviews for The Foster Mother in Australia, (where my other nine books reside!).

Enjoy a good week ahead and don’t let the online gremlins get to you!! 🙂

GOOD NEWS!  Easter Break Special Finally I've finished my newest book. My new thriller, Whisper Island, is only $0.99 for an Easter Break Special! Whisper Island will be published on 29th March. This introductory offer only lasts for the Easter holidays. Don’t worry in you have a pre-order – you’ll get this introductory price too!!!You [...]

Do you ever wonder about your genetic ancestry?

Well, if you’re anything like me, you might be surprised to find out that your genetic ancestry shares a bit of DNA with Neanderthals.

It turns out that about 23 percent of humans carry traces of Neanderthal genes, hinting at some intriguing intermingling between our species and our prehistoric cousins. Talk about a nod and a wink, right?

Interestingly enough, my husband and I discovered that we each have a tiny 0.03% Neanderthal genetic ancestry. It’s almost like we’re a perfect match, thanks to the wonders of modern genetic testing, courtesy of 23andme.com.

Recently, an article in The New York Times caught my attention, shedding light on a research study suggesting that Neanderthals were early risers. I suppose the saying holds true – the early bird catches the mammoth! How researchers arrived at that conclusion is beyond me, but it’s certainly food for thought. And speaking of early risers, my day typically kicks off around 5 am, with my husband not too far behind, making his way to the coffee machine by 6:00 am.

Now, you may be wondering why I’m sharing all this with you. It might sound like I’m delving into some peculiar research for a future book, perhaps exploring cross-species love affairs? But alas, that’s not the case. Instead, I find myself indulging my curious mind while eagerly awaiting the final professional edit of my upcoming psychological thriller, “Whisper Island.” Ah, the freedom from deadlines, finally able to step away from the laptop and immerse myself in a world of diverse interests.

Lately, I’ve been diving into documentaries on YouTube, delving into the world of Neanderthals and the fascinating new evidence suggesting that they were far more intelligent and resilient than previously thought. Archaeologists have unearthed hunting tools and clothing, painting a picture of a sophisticated and organised society. It’s a refreshing perspective on a group of beings once maligned as sub-human, closer to wild animals than to us. Personally, I like to think of Neanderthals as my ancient relatives – intelligent, gentle souls who lived in close-knit communities, just like us.

So, if you’re someone who embraces the early hours of the day, perhaps you, too, share in this rich genetic tapestry. And if you ever decide to take a genetic test, you might be surprised at the results of your genetic ancestry, the diverse mix that makes up each individual – even us Neanderthals were part of the grand mosaic of humanity.

If you would like to see what my new book is about here’s the link.

Please subscribe to my newsletter to received monthly updates, freebies and other made insights!

Set in the Pacific Ocean, Whisper Island is exotic and isolated.

It takes three days flying on a couple of small planes to arrive at this remote hideaway. Perfect for my six wayward characters in my new psychological thriller suspense.

I used the real life, Caroline Island as the basis for my fictional Whisper Island. It’s one of the most remote islands on the planet and is 230km (140 miles), from the closest land at Flint Island.

So it made sense for me to place my six characters on Whisper Island, AKA Caroline Island, part of the Kiribati chain. It has an enormous lagoon with spectacular coral reefs and lush rain forests.

There are also Coconut Crabs, and not crabs as you know it!  They weigh 4kg (8.5 lbs) and are one metre (3 yards) long! These creepy critters are the world’s largest terrestrial arthropods. They eat fruits, seeds and meat – yes they scavenge off dead bodies. Way too scary for me! No they don’t feature in Whisper Island!! They move fast and can carry objects weighing up to 30kg! This of something like a three-year-old child!

They can’t breathe under water but they can climb trees up to ten metres high. They can move up to six km a day – that’s almost three miles. How horrifying is this?

I decided not to include them in Whisper Island‘s story, I write thriller suspense – not horror! Just so you know I had no intention of going to Caroline Island to check the Coconut Crabs out for myself!

Whisper Island is now available on Pre-order here. You can read the Prologue and the blurb on my website and subscribe to my monthly newsletter on www.nickywebber.com

Whisper Island will be released during Mid-March at the latest. So not too long to wait!

Happy Reading!

My Goal is to Write Stories Everyone Wants to Read Surprisingly it's been American readers who take the time to read and review my books in droves. Up until the end of last year the United States made up 94% of my readership. It's only been the past couple of months that British readers are [...]