The Monthly Spotlight: An Indie Review Group discussion

Hey all,

I'll start a thread for introductions.

I'm Abi (Abigail) I'm a PhD student from the U.K. and I specialise in the publications of Black-British authors of the long-18th century. Outside my PhD work, I mainly read novels from the 18th and 19th centuries, but I'm trying to expand my horizons and am open to reading most things. This year I've been making an effort to get into sci-fi and fantasy fiction.

I write historical fiction/alternative history of the Regency Era. And my debut novel is a satirical romance/tragedy called 'Oh dear, Maria!'

:-)

Hello Everyone!

My name is Robert and I am a crime fiction/thriller writer located in Sacramento, CA. My love of writing was reignited early in the pandemic and I fear it can’t be turned off! My favorite genre to read is Space Opera, but I can be very picky when it comes to Sci-fi. I have found myself reading a host of new genres recently thanks to exciting indie authors and I look forward to exploring many more! I can honestly say I would have never published without the support of fellow writers I’ve never met in person and will always and forever be trying to pay it forward.

My debut novel, Walking on Thin Ice, is a crime fiction novel that takes a unique psychological twist on the classic whodunnit.

Thanks for the invitation, Abigail! I am sooo overcommitted on Goodreads but this sounds like an interesting group. I can tell that other members will have some trouble telling the two Abigails apart because not only do we have the same name, we write in the same era. So I’m Oregon Abigail for purposes of this group.

I’m a retired editor from Coos Bay, Oregon, working on a historical fiction series under the name Ann Lee. Darking Hundred novels are all set in a single year (1800) and in a neighborhood of rural Surrey near what is now the town of Dorking, called Darking at the time. Each book has different characters and subjects; the idea is to create a composite portrait of a time and place through largely unrelated stories. The first book in the series, Coldharbour Gentlemen, was released last November and is about a boy who becomes embroiled with smugglers and gets in over his head.

Liking Robert’s concept!

Abigail wrote: "Thanks for the invitation, Abigail! I am sooo overcommitted on Goodreads but this sounds like an interesting group. I can tell that other members will have some trouble telling the two Abigails apa..."

Aha! I'll happily go by 'Lincolnshire Abigail'! I didn't know about your books under your pen name, Abigail. I've just bought 'Coldharbour Gentlemen' sounds just my cup of tea!

Thank you for doing that, L.A.! I can’t bring myself to do marketing so it has languished despite positive reviews. I hope you enjoy it.

Nice to meet you, OA! That is coincidentally one of my favorite Sci-fi shows on Netflix (highly recommend). Your novel does sound exciting, between you and your namesake, you two will make me a historical fiction buff in no time 😅. Thanks for joining our reading group and I hope you enjoy the discussions!

Thanks, Robert! Looking forward to it.

Hi, I'm Megan, a former copywriter/editor turned fiction writer living in Dallas, Texas. My focus is mainly on short stories, but I am currently working on a "middle-aged romance" that has yet to have a title—I'm in the planning stages.

I'll read any genre as long as the writing and storytelling is on point. I'm looking forward to participating.

Megan wrote: "Hi, I'm Megan, a former copywriter/editor turned fiction writer living in Dallas, Texas. My focus is mainly on short stories, but I am currently working on a "middle-aged romance" that has yet to h..."

Hi Megan, great to have you here! :-)

Hi everyone!

I’m Nicola, avid reader, some might say slightly obsessed!

I was until recently also an indie author (published three books and one short story - contemporary and paranormal romance) so I know how much readers and reviewers mean to an indie author.

There’s some amazing talent out there and the books don’t always get the audience they deserve.

Nicola

Megan wrote: "Hi, I'm Megan, a former copywriter/editor turned fiction writer living in Dallas, Texas. My focus is mainly on short stories, but I am currently working on a "middle-aged romance" that has yet to h..."

Nice to meet you, Megan! I haven't read many short stories, I'm usually full-length or nothing, so I'm looking forward to branching out in this group as well.

N wrote: "Hi everyone!

I’m Nicola, avid reader, some might say slightly obsessed!

I was until recently also an indie author (published three books and one short story - contemporary and paranormal romance..."

Welcome Nicola! So happy to have you here, as an owner of two of your books, I am looking forward to discussing indie novels with you. I would agree that you are at least "slightly obsessed" with reading, and I think it's a high compliment :)

N wrote: "Hi everyone!

I’m Nicola, avid reader, some might say slightly obsessed!

I was until recently also an indie author (published three books and one short story - contemporary and paranormal romance..."

Hi Nicola, great to have you with us! I'm somewhat of a reading obsessive myself. And I love your support and commitment to indie authors! You're very right, there are some real gems that get overlooked!

Hi! I’m Cheryl, and I have one book published (Sitting on Top of the World) and am working on a sequel — YA historical fiction. I live in Mansfield, Tx, and love doing flash fiction contests.

I’m right in the middle of another indie book (We Have July), but Waiting for Saturday is sitting on my shelf waiting for me to read it!

Cheryl wrote: "Hi! I’m Cheryl, and I have one book published (Sitting on Top of the World) and am working on a sequel — YA historical fiction. I live in Mansfield, Tx, and love doing flash fiction contests.

I’m ..."

Great to have you here, Cheryl!

Hi! I’m Lisa. I’m from the UK. I’m an author/book reviewer/mom/optical advisor!

I love to read sci-fi, fantasy fiction, YA contemporaries etc.

I have 3 published novels. The first two in The Sationem Series, Animo and Autem. This is a YA fantasy series. I’ve also very recently published the first in a new sci-fi series, Hydrus.

Looking forward to taking part!

Welcome Cheryl and Lisa! So happy that you both are joining us on our indie read journey :)

Hello! I'm Martin from Newark, UK.

I have worked in various careers in social enterprise and perform in storytelling / spoken word / 'stand up poetry' for want of a better description. I was writing a novel which I recently abandoned at 3,000 words after 22 years when I realised I would never live long enough to complete, and have found that release to be a great catharsis. I am beginning to focus instead on writing the short stories which I previously used as an avoidance technique when I was 'supposed' to be writing a novel. And of course I read as much as I can, probably not surprisingly in avoidance of less interesting duties.

I am keen to delve into the world of independent literature: I did self-publish a collection of short stories in 2011 midway through not writing my novel to rave reviews (of two people, one I didn't know). Well not rave reviews exactly...

Martin wrote: "Hello! I'm Martin from Newark, UK.

I have worked in various careers in social enterprise and perform in storytelling / spoken word / 'stand up poetry' for want of a better description. I was writ..."

Great to have you here, Martin! And lovely to learn more about your writing/reading background! :-)