Olive Rose Steele's Blog

THE JOYS OF SUMMER

Summer brings warm weather, and with it, leisure and fun, including fairs, street dances, cultural festivals, backyard barbecues, and outdoor sports. Summer is when we write stories with humour and color. Summer inspires creativity and transforms imagination into compelling stories.

That said, let me introduce my new book, BEFORE YOU GO, the third book in the Millionaire series. BEFORE YOU GO is a captivating story about love and redemption. It captures moments in the summer when love is palpable and emotions reach their peak. Prepare to be drawn into a world where joy and romance intertwine, creating an unforgettable summer reading experience.

Olive Rose Steele is the author of CRY TOUGH https://www.blackwoodselfpublishingmadeeasy.ca/

Summer is the ideal time to write; the temperature is warm, sceneries come into focus, people’s emotions show, and more importantly, you feel like sharing your thoughts.

Immediately, writing a Memoir comes to mind. People write Memoirs to share experiences, entertain or move people’s emotions in particular ways, define themselves in their own terms, and change or present a different perspective on a subject.

I am quoted as saying, “Your story matters,” and I really meant it. By writing your Memoir, you tell your story your way based on your experience of the situation. So, this summer, bring back your memories; write down your thoughts and publish a book. The Scriptures say in Exodus 17:14, “And the Lord said to Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book.”

So go ahead, write your Memoir.

Olive Rose Steele is the author of WATTTOWN ROAD: In Retrospect (A Memoir), the CEO of BLACKWOOD: Self-publishing Made Easy, and the Publisher of RESONATE Newsletter.

We heard it directly from the publishing agent who spoke at our 2025 Writers Day Conference, on April 22, in Mississauga, Ontario.

Getting picked up by a mainstream publisher is not easy; in fact, you are likely to pitch several dozen agents and never get picked by a mainstream publisher. This information came as a big surprise to the attendees at the conference.

You have completed your manuscript, edited and polished it; you pitched to mainstream publishers, and they rejected your submissions. Take heart, there is another way.

A named mainstream publisher imprinted on your book makes your book the ideal, however, there are credible book agencies that offer assistance to authors who are interested in self-publishing their work.

I self-publish with Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), the publishing arm of Amazon, because I trust the name and brand, and I have helped authors and aspiring authors publish their books using the KDP/Amazon method. https://www.blackwoodselfpublishingmadeeasy.ca

I say, work with what you’ve got until you get what you want. Self-publishing is tried and true. Happy Writing!

Olive Rose Steele is the Author of CRY TOUGH (A Novel)

https://www.amazon.ca/Cry-Tough-Olive-Rose-Steele-ebook/dp/B00TUFV4OC?ref

I arrived at the Glenerin Inn to finalize plans for Blackwood’s 2025 WRITERS DAY CONFERENCE. I felt chilly; I needed to warm up, so I grabbed a coffee from the vending Kiosk in the lobby.

The Writers Conference on March 22 featured a discussion on writing psychology by Dr. S. Laing, insights from literary agent Jes Trudel on self-publishing compared to mainstream publishing, and a talk by Cheryl Antao-Xavier on the need for quality manuscript editing. Attendees discussed using social media for promotion and marketing. The event was successful, demonstrating good organization and resulting in happy attendees.

I admit, the thought of organizing a Writers Conference filled me with fear of failure, but then I realized that careful preparation could showcase my abilities. Know that if you envision a possibility, you can achieve it; fear is misleading, so follow your ideas.

Olive Rose Steele is the author of CRY TOUGH (A Novel) https://www.amazon.ca/Cry-Tough-Olive-Rose-Steele/dp/0981072313

People approach for counsel, an opinion, or a recommendation, but soon, they revert to the old ways.

I’ve told everyone who listens to start a New Year with a better plan; I am not saying you need to make a new resolve (which is ideal); just DO NOT return to the previous year’s defaults. Why? Trying the same things repeatedly doesn’t mean they will eventually work.

For example, a safe space is often too comfortable. Step out of your comfort zone.

Start the business you always wanted;

Write the story you want to tell;

Quit that job–you hate it!

Save toward the big goal;

Love again.

We are two weeks into 2025. Invest in your SELF.

Olive Rose Steele is the author of WATT TOWN ROAD (A Memoir)

BLACKWOOD: Writers Day Conference, March 22, 2025, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., offers a unique platform for networking with like-minded individuals and industry professionals and provides valuable opportunities to forge new connections and collaborations. Participants will gain exclusive insights from seasoned experts and thought leaders, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their craft.

One (1) Attendee……….CDN$250.00 (breakfast and lunch included);

Your promotional material in swag bags; a video recording of the conference.

Get Your Ticket at https://www.blackwoodselfpublishingmadeeasy.ca/events

It is mid-December 2024, and I walked through a snowy path to my favorite coffee shop. After brushing the snow off my boots, I entered to find a warm atmosphere with familiar faces, soft laughter, and seasonal music. I sat across from a woman in a Santa hat who was quietly enjoying her coffee.

I thought.

What was my vision for 2024?

Self. I prioritized my needs and practiced self-care.

All of us should confidently take a retrospective look at our lives as we mature. Minute by minute—not just at the end of the year, though I believe it is wise to commit to New Year’s resolutions.

Continue your journey into 2025, embracing new experiences and opportunities that await you along the way. Discover challenges that will help you grow and connect with individuals who inspire you.

Happy New Year!

Olive Rose Steele is the author of CRY TOUGH (A Novel) https://www.amazon.ca/Cry-Tough-Olive-Rose-Steele/dp/0981072313/ref

Register for 2025 WRITERS DAY CONFERENCE: https://www.blackwoodselfpublishingmadeeasy.ca/events

I was nervous. Windsor, Ontario, was new to me, and my apprehension intensified, mainly because I was traveling alone. I knew I would feel at home when I reached the Ontario Motor Coach Association (OMCA) Conference, where I would showcase my books in the Artisan Marketplace; I felt at home once I got there.

Authors (established, self-published, aspirers ) must find ways to promote and market their work. I realize an atmosphere with hundreds of attendees buzzing around might be overwhelming, but it is where authors should be.

There is a running myth that self-published authors are fortunate to sell 250 copies of one title each year. However, many published authors have done that, and then some. Please don’t be stymied by what other people say. Find ways to make your books sell. Show readers a good book—they will purchase it.

Happy writing, everyone!

BLACKWOOD 2025 Writers Day conference, Upcoming Events

My head went side to side rapidly. I needed a cup of strong coffee.

So, my beloved daughter and her family came home on holiday; I facilitated a Writing Workshop; I spoke at an author colleague’s 80th Birthday Party, and our annual Author’s Book Marketplace went off without a hitch.

Then, the server at my favorite coffee shop called me, panicking. Where the heck have you been? (It is all good).

In all this, I considered the folks obliged to deal with Summer’s hectic activities, secretly looking to the Fall so they could borough. Then I wondered what the rush and excitement were really about. Like you, I will continue to immerse myself in the work I do; I believe in going with the flow of my surroundings.

So, have a happy rest of the summer–remember, life happens!

I sat on the patio of my favorite coffee shop. It was lovely; the skies overhead were azure, not a speck of cloud. I slowly absorb my latte and browse social media. Suddenly, my fingers stopped on an Instagram post about a Mississauga Literary Festival. The post read:

Attention authors: We’re holding our first-ever Mississauga Literary Festival on September 14. If you are interested in joining us, please fill out our form.

I am an author who lives in Mississauga. I would love to showcase my work at the festival. So, I began to complete the Vendor Application. Then I saw this:

SELF-PUBLISHED AUTHORS NEED NOT APPLY

It is not a secret that individuals in some literary circles discourage self-publishing. I am here to say that many of the myths about self-published authors have already been debunked. We have come a long way in making ourselves relevant in the publishing industry.

Public Libraries should not ban authors who have independently published their work. We should not be blocked from taking the next steps on the ladder of writing and publishing.

I will accept no excuses from the Mississauga Library for not accepting self-published authors at their Literary Festival.

“Scrap the old idea of looking for a “Mainstream” Publisher to accept your work.”
― Olive Rose Steele. https://www.blackwoodselfpublishingmadeeasy.ca/

Olive Rose Steele is the author of AFTER ALL THI TIME, Still (A Novel)

When I stepped outside of the hotel I stayed in Atlanta, Georgia, I looked up, and there they were the Golden Arches. The familiar sight indicates my coffee would taste the same as at the Golden Arches in my hometown in Ontario, Canada. I walked in with a smile. I found a table that accommodated two with one person seated. I sat. A conversation developed. We talked about the reason that we were both in the vicinity, which was to participate in the WOMAN ON FIRE AWARDS AND GALA. We had great expectations, she was a nominee for Business Woman of the Year and I was a nominee for Writer/Author.

Olive Rose Steele, CEO BLACKWOOD: Self-publishing Made Easy https://www.blackwoodselfpublishingmadeeasy.ca/