Hi everyone!

I've been training hard, and my goodness, it hurts! Yes, I've even given up wine, so the last few weeks have been particularly productive, and I feel better already! I also believe it's helped my writing as I'm sleeping better. The jeans are marginally looser, making me feel chuffed with myself.

It's been a funny old time since the Queen's death. I'm not a Royalist, but I respected the woman who worked tirelessly throughout her life. I keep hearing the word "constant" used to describe her, and I can understand why. "Constant" has become essential to many of us because our lives have changed beyond recognition from the early 70s. To name but a few transformations, we now have laptops, the world wide web, iPods, iPad, TV streaming channels, mobile phones, working from home etc. We always had some form of stability when we saw the Queen getting on with what she did. The future will tell all under King Charles II - we shall see.

Meet & Greet

Alongside finishing the edits for Light V3, I've been doing my best to get as many copies of Turmoil into the world through marketing, advertising and, frankly, tormenting people. For me, Facebook and Instagram have proven fantastic ways of raising awareness of the books. Still, as an ex-sales woman, I believe it's better to just get out there, meet people and talk about your product, namely, my books.

To do this, I'll be outside the Visit Derry Centre in the Guildhall Square on Saturday 8th, October, from 1.00 pm. Weather permitting, to meet and greet all you book lovers, hand out some flyers, and I hate to say it, but Christmas is coming! Maybe I'll give out some free copies of Turmoil in the hope of getting more reviews, so come see me. I'm still far off the 100 review mark for Turmoil on Goodreads, but I have a cracking rate at 4.68 out of 5, and I'm desperate to get a century before the end of the year!

So how can you help? Have you left a review for any of my books yet? Many have read Turmoil and left reviews, but sadly many have read Darkness but haven't. So I'm calling on you all. Please, leave a review. They're so important, especially to a Derry girl who’s an independent author. Who is keen to sell her books and wants to encourage every reader in Derry to enjoy them!

Reader Demographics

I thought you might be interested in hearing the demographics of the readers who have bought my books so far. My original vision for writing the series was to help the younger generation understand living in Derry during the Troubles. What I find fascinating is that I was wrong! My target audience is not buying my books, but their mammies, daddies, grannies and grandas are!

Why?  I hear you ask. Well, it appears that although the violence of the Troubles is and will never be forgotten, it's the simple things in 1972's Turmoil that the more mature of us enjoy most. Quirky things like gas and electric metres running out! Making your own clothes, the togetherness of the women linking arms as they go to work at the factory, the descriptive clothes, the music and the everyday living of growing up in the early '70s in Derry.

Another surprising discovery is that I've hit the 55-45% mark between women and men buying the books. These statistics tell me the series is an all-rounder that appeals to all, which is fantastic, considering women are much more avid readers than men! My biggest market is the UK (not surprisingly), Ireland, New Zealand and the US!

Wherever you are, whatever age or gender, I just wanted again to thank you for your ongoing support! 

JB

Ps. If you've lent the book to a family member or friend, can you nag them to do a review! :)