Look, I’m working! Honest!
Okay lovely people. I know you’ve heard me carrying on about cozy mysteries (or a particular cozy mystery with dragons) for quite long enough now, but today is launch day, so bear with me.
Before we get into it, though, I have some huge thank yous to say. Firstly to all of you who have read my stories and blog, commented on my posts, and just generally been amazing. Writing is a weird little business, where we spend a lot of time in our heads and don’t play well with others (although that may be just me). Knowing that there are people out there who read and enjoy what we do makes all the difference.
Next, to my fantastic beta readers, who are some of the same wonderful people as above and whom I could never do without. Beta reading is not an easy task – I’ve done it, and I love being able to help out other writers, but it’s not easy to give an honest opinion to someone who’s handing you their art (because, make no mistake – be it a literary masterpiece, horror, erotica, or kids’ book – it is our art, and therefore a little piece of us we’re letting out into the light) and saying, there we go. You love it, right? Tell me you love it! Tell me!
Did I mention writers are really needy?
Anyhow – everyone who has beta read for me has been absolutely amazing, and given me the most wonderful feedback, including picking up on things I’d never have noticed otherwise (such as my terrible hodgepodge of UK and US English). Plus they pet my ego on the head and tell it everything’s going to be okay, which is vital.
Just maybe not working as hard as I could be, because this.
I also have to give a huge shout-out to Lynda of Easy Reader Editing. We’ve been friends for a while, and she actually beta read an earlier book for me, and I didn’t even consider anyone else when I was looking for an editor. She’s amazing – quick, efficient, knowledgeable, and above all funny and easy to work with. I keep learning new and interesting (for the grammar fiends among us anyway) things from her, and she made the editing portion of the work ridiculously stress-free and easy, especially for a newbie like me. I’m only recommending her because I can’t write enough books to keep her exclusively to myself.
And there are so many other people to thank, too, because writing may be a thing you do alone, but making a book isn’t – and neither is surviving the writing process. So I just want you to know, lovely people, that every comment, every like, every share is precious to me. You’re all amazing and wonderful, and even when I hate the internet a little I love it too, because of all of you.
And now you can go watch the video for a bit of babbling and less coherent gushing. (Apologies for the less than stellar sound, and the abrupt cut-off – but the scenery’s good, right? 😉 )
Now let’s share a little love, lovely people – what’s a wonderful thing someone has done for you recently? It can be very small or very big, or as simple as being an ear when you needed one. Who would you like to thank? Share away below!
If you’re after an ebook before the price goes up, here are your links:
Paperbacks are available here:
Finally, if you’d like to grab a free copy of the ebook, you can get it here.
Plus don’t forget your Beaufort mugs!
Simon Thurtle says
Congratulations on such an epic achievment! Go you. It’s an awesome book and you should be very, very proud of yourself. 🙂
kimwatt says
Thank you SO much! It’s kind of hard to believe that it’s actually out there in the world! And I have to say that with all the support and help.ive had along the way, including from you, it feels somewhat like a team effort… 😁
Jon says
Yay! I’m reading my copy of Baking Bad on the tablet right now, and enjoying how much it has improved since the draft I read. It was great before, but now it is much better. I think the word I want here is depth. It has more of it.
Um … you wouldn’t happen to have Alice Martin’s contact details, would you? No? Just a thought …
kimwatt says
I thought you wanted to know just what did happen to her husband before you went any further…?
And thank you so much! I’m so glad you’re enjoying it and feel it improved – your beta feedback was completely invaluable. So even more thanks there as well!
Jon says
I’m sure that whatever happened to her husband was completely innocent, and anyway, he deserved it.
kimwatt says
I’m certain Alice would agree with you on all points. *Nods firmly*
Lynda A Dietz says
This is such an exciting time! I’m so glad I got to be part of it. And THANK YOU for the incredible shout out. Working on your books hasn’t even felt like work, and now I’m so invested in the characters that you should probably be glad I live an ocean away so I’m not knocking on your door every day, asking for snippets of the next manuscript—or cake. You’ve made me want to bake more than usual, which isn’t actually a terrible thing.
kimwatt says
Baking more us never a terrible thing – certainly not for the people who get to eat it… And I wish we didn’t live on separate continents, as I’d love to have a cuppa and some cake, and talk Beaufort with you in person!