Hello authors!
I need you! I'm organising the authors for the Triffin on the Trinc event on June 16th 2013. There are 4 spaces left at the captain's table (yes, that's where we'll be based!) and you're welcome to come and speak/give a lecture/answer questions/drink tea (which, as far as I know, will be free. There will be trouble if it isn't!)/generally have a splendid time. There will be room to sell books and hand out goodies as we'll have a chart table which sits 9. There will also be a lectern for reading from and there will be plenty of time for you to speak.
If you've got any questions, or want to take part (and you're most welcome to! Would be great to have you!), feel free to email me at waking_the_dead@yahoo.co.uk and I'll send you the booking form.
Ticking information can be found at:
http://tiffinonthetrinc.blogspot.co.uk/
You can find more info at:
https://www.facebook.com/VictorianSteampunkConnection/posts/386999711391152
- I have a book to promote. If I read/do a lecture, will there be a place for me to sell it?
Absolutely! You can display the book/pamphlet/wax disk in the Captain's Cabin and take turns manning the display to sell all day/evening. Authors will have the large (seats 9) charting table in the Captain's Cabin. All I ask is a nominal charge of £10, assuming you want to come aboard and stay aboard. Ticking information can is at:
http://tiffinonthetrinc.blogspot.co.uk/
- If I don't want to read/lecture, can I have a stall? If so, how much will it cost?
Yes, no problem, £30 for a 6ft table between the cannon on the Gun Deck. Please email Rae for the booking form.
- Do I have to pay to get into the event or will people involved be exempt from paying? If I have to pay to enter the event, how much is it?
You will get in for free if exhibiting/reading/selling/singing/or otherwise part of the event. However, if you want to roam the quayside and it's various fake shops etc. which are great for photo ops, then the council will want a fee, so an advance
booking rate of £5 fee instead of the normal £8.50. Then of course there's the gig, so the "Access all Areas" pass for authors, illustrators etc. will be £30. At 5pm, the quayside closes, but is then free to access the ship. Anyone staying for the concert will need a separate ticket.
- Can I bring someone else to help me man the stall/make a cup of tea etc? Will they get in for free too? Or do they need to pay?
Assistants can enter for free, and like exhibitors, won't be able to visit any of the attractions on the quayside without paying the normal entrance fee, so you have to decide if you're happy to be on board and only visit the cafe, toilets etc. Or if you want to see everything in the historic quay. As for tea, that's provided for stallholders for free - jut buy your own cake. We'll have food and tea on the mess deck, plus toddys and even the Trincs own beer in the evening bar.
- How long do I have to speak?
Unless we're overwhelmed, we're currently thinking of 20mins(ish) with a 10 min(ish) break between speakers, to allow people to come and go, autographs to be given etc. Depending on numbers, you should get more than one opportunity to do this.
- Is there anything I can/can't do on board the ship?
No naked flames, no piracy, apart from that anything goes. You're free to explore all three decks, take photos, fraternise but only with your clothes on, and if the weather's nice and you want to give impromptu readings on deck, that's fine too. There will be sea shanties during the day, and Egyptian Belly Dancers, so prepare to be distracted.
Take care and look forward to hearing from you!
Rae :)
Saturday, 26 January 2013
Sunday, 20 January 2013
Slavery
One of the things which seems to bother some people about my books is the way Erus treats Cedo.
Unfortunately, in the 1900's, it was a way of life. There was no welfare state and, if you were poor or destitute, you had two choices: take what was offered or starve, even if it meant you used for sexual favours or beaten. You took what was there because you didn't even want to think about the final choice: The workhouse. The workhouse, but that was not a place you wanted to go to, no matter how desperate. Tales from the workhouses are far more horrific than any novel or film could ever portray.
We'd like to think that such things no longer take place. Tragically they do, and may even be happening right where you live. People trafficked to be used as sex slaves. Whole families forced to work back breaking hours just to survive. Children who should be in school working in factories just to pay their way.
Whether you want to acknowledge it or not that, and much more, still happens around the world. There are numerous people trying to put a stop to it and, if you search for "Modern Slavery" you'll find many websites and charities which are dedicating to putting an end to it once and for all. Last Christmas, the Advent Conspiracy's advert discussed just how little of a person's annual Christmas spending it would take to help free people from slavery once and for all.
It doesn't matter who you are. It doesn't matter if you only have a little money. You can give something you do have to help others: Your time. Go out there and help change the world. Don't think you can? Wrong! Of course you can!
Thanks for reading and keep being amazing!
Unfortunately, in the 1900's, it was a way of life. There was no welfare state and, if you were poor or destitute, you had two choices: take what was offered or starve, even if it meant you used for sexual favours or beaten. You took what was there because you didn't even want to think about the final choice: The workhouse. The workhouse, but that was not a place you wanted to go to, no matter how desperate. Tales from the workhouses are far more horrific than any novel or film could ever portray.
We'd like to think that such things no longer take place. Tragically they do, and may even be happening right where you live. People trafficked to be used as sex slaves. Whole families forced to work back breaking hours just to survive. Children who should be in school working in factories just to pay their way.
Whether you want to acknowledge it or not that, and much more, still happens around the world. There are numerous people trying to put a stop to it and, if you search for "Modern Slavery" you'll find many websites and charities which are dedicating to putting an end to it once and for all. Last Christmas, the Advent Conspiracy's advert discussed just how little of a person's annual Christmas spending it would take to help free people from slavery once and for all.
It doesn't matter who you are. It doesn't matter if you only have a little money. You can give something you do have to help others: Your time. Go out there and help change the world. Don't think you can? Wrong! Of course you can!
Thanks for reading and keep being amazing!
Monday, 14 January 2013
No Phobias Here, Please
Those who regularly read my personal facebook page will know that, when in the wrong mood, I can be a chronic complainer. Wobetide if your company has failed somewhere along the line; you'll be hearing from me! It's actually become worse over the past year, a sign, I believe, that I'm getting old.
For those of you who are inflicted with my often long winded complaints (You are allowed to "unfriend" me, you know!!) will know that yesterday I really lost the plot.
If you didn't catch it, I was complaining about an article published on the Observer newspaper website (the offending article has now been removed, thankfully). It was written by a writer (and I use that in the loosest sense of the term) who decided to take it upon herself to write what, in essence, was a hate speech against transgender people.
I HIT the roof! I don't, and will never, tolerate any kind of "phobias" (I'm arachnophobia but that's a different story). We're not in the 1500's any more and people should be allowed to live their lives however they want. I don't care if you're pink, blue, black, yellow, green or rainbow coloured. If you're happy, you're happy. You will always have an ally in me and safe place on this blog.
As much as I'd hate to see anyone loose their job during times like this, the author of that piece (Julie Burchill, for the curious) really does need firing. No one, and I mean no one, should be allowed to get away with what she wrote. I don't care if they're a columnist for a supposedly upmarket newspaper. She should be promptly sacked and then handed over to the police for prosecution regarding hate speech and inciting violence. If any one of us had said what
And, if the Google News search is anything to go by, I'm not the only one.
It's time we stood up to these bigots. Time to stand up to the ones who think they're immune to any kind of retribution because they have the protection of an editor and newspaper. Time to wipe out this so called "news" and create something new and beautiful. Are you will me?
Well, are you?!?!?!
For those who didn't catch it, here's my complaint to the Observer in full:
To Whom It May Concern:
As a regular reader of your newspaper I find it utterly atrocious that you allow Julie Burchill to spout unwarranted, and quite frankly offensive, views. I would like to point out that we live in the 21st Century and, while freedom of speech must be maintained, so should the dignity of those who for so long have been pushed in to the minorities.
While I'm sure your editor allowed this piece through to no doubt "improve circulation and readership", all you are doing is lowering yourselves to the standards of the red top rags and the lowest of the low of news services. How about actually standing up for the people who find themselves regularly beaten and harassed because they are different? How about speaking to the people Burchill chooses to vilify and writing an honest, open article on their lives? (and not sensationalising it at all. Have you people learned nothing from the phone hacking and Saville scandals?) In fact, how about finally getting rid of Burchill and her outdated and vile views and replacing her with one of those people she so enjoys attacking?
How about you don't follow the "norm" and actually do something different? You would win yourselves a lot more friends that way than making even more enemies just by trying to improve your circulation with the mindless, outdated, and unresearched views. We in society have to think before we speak, and will suffer the consequences if we don't. Burchill should not be exempt from these rules and should be made aware that her words can lead her to be prosecuted.
While we need to protect our freedom of speech (which I'm sure you'll cite that article as), we also need to be aware of what we are doing and saying and how it can make others feel.
I do hope you take the complaints you're receiving about this article seriously and actually think about what you're putting out in to the world. This world is a bad enough place as it is without you allowing people like Burchill to whip up even more hate and prejudice.
This complaint will also be sent to the Press Complaints Commission.
Yours,
Rae Gee
For those of you who are inflicted with my often long winded complaints (You are allowed to "unfriend" me, you know!!) will know that yesterday I really lost the plot.
If you didn't catch it, I was complaining about an article published on the Observer newspaper website (the offending article has now been removed, thankfully). It was written by a writer (and I use that in the loosest sense of the term) who decided to take it upon herself to write what, in essence, was a hate speech against transgender people.
I HIT the roof! I don't, and will never, tolerate any kind of "phobias" (I'm arachnophobia but that's a different story). We're not in the 1500's any more and people should be allowed to live their lives however they want. I don't care if you're pink, blue, black, yellow, green or rainbow coloured. If you're happy, you're happy. You will always have an ally in me and safe place on this blog.
As much as I'd hate to see anyone loose their job during times like this, the author of that piece (Julie Burchill, for the curious) really does need firing. No one, and I mean no one, should be allowed to get away with what she wrote. I don't care if they're a columnist for a supposedly upmarket newspaper. She should be promptly sacked and then handed over to the police for prosecution regarding hate speech and inciting violence. If any one of us had said what
And, if the Google News search is anything to go by, I'm not the only one.
It's time we stood up to these bigots. Time to stand up to the ones who think they're immune to any kind of retribution because they have the protection of an editor and newspaper. Time to wipe out this so called "news" and create something new and beautiful. Are you will me?
Well, are you?!?!?!
For those who didn't catch it, here's my complaint to the Observer in full:
To Whom It May Concern:
As a regular reader of your newspaper I find it utterly atrocious that you allow Julie Burchill to spout unwarranted, and quite frankly offensive, views. I would like to point out that we live in the 21st Century and, while freedom of speech must be maintained, so should the dignity of those who for so long have been pushed in to the minorities.
While I'm sure your editor allowed this piece through to no doubt "improve circulation and readership", all you are doing is lowering yourselves to the standards of the red top rags and the lowest of the low of news services. How about actually standing up for the people who find themselves regularly beaten and harassed because they are different? How about speaking to the people Burchill chooses to vilify and writing an honest, open article on their lives? (and not sensationalising it at all. Have you people learned nothing from the phone hacking and Saville scandals?) In fact, how about finally getting rid of Burchill and her outdated and vile views and replacing her with one of those people she so enjoys attacking?
How about you don't follow the "norm" and actually do something different? You would win yourselves a lot more friends that way than making even more enemies just by trying to improve your circulation with the mindless, outdated, and unresearched views. We in society have to think before we speak, and will suffer the consequences if we don't. Burchill should not be exempt from these rules and should be made aware that her words can lead her to be prosecuted.
While we need to protect our freedom of speech (which I'm sure you'll cite that article as), we also need to be aware of what we are doing and saying and how it can make others feel.
I do hope you take the complaints you're receiving about this article seriously and actually think about what you're putting out in to the world. This world is a bad enough place as it is without you allowing people like Burchill to whip up even more hate and prejudice.
This complaint will also be sent to the Press Complaints Commission.
Yours,
Rae Gee
Saturday, 12 January 2013
Inspirational Interview 2 - Kez
I've had the joy of getting to know Kez over the last year. She's been one of the supporters of the Veetu Industries series, offering help via her blog, Gothic Angel Book Reviews. She's now writing her first book and took a little time out to come and speak to us. Please give her a very warm welcome!
~~~
~~~
1. Hi Kez! Thank you for taking the time to talk to me! First things first, tells us a bit about yourself.
I'm a 29 year old mom of 1. His name is Calum and he is nearly 6.
I have been reading since I learned how and my love of reading a good book only increases as time goes by.
I
am a YA book reviewer/blogger and have decided within the last year
that I wanted to write a book of my own. However, I only got the courage
towards the end of 2012.
2. How did you get in to writing?
I
had been toying with the idea for nearly a year but couldn't quite push
myself over the ledge into the writing world, which is funny because
now I can't claw my way back out LOL
3.
Tell us about your book. Where did you get the idea from? How long have
you been on working on it? When will it be available to buy?
It's
a YA Paranormal Romance about a girl who's parent are murdered and
their souls are stolen. She has to try and retrieve their souls so that
they can be free.
The question is, will she be able to free them and will she fall in love along the way.
As for where I got the idea from? I don't actually
know. I just woke up one day and realised that I had an idea for a book
and would love to see my name on a book cover.
I've been working on it since about November 2012.
I do want it to be available to buy soon, but have yet to write the
last third and then embrace the world of self publishing.
4. What do you enjoy most about writing? Do you find it to be an outlet for yourself? Is there anything you don't like?
What
I like most is the fact that it comes to me easier than I had thought
it would. I'm not saying what I've written is good, it could be a load
of crap, but it comes to my mind thick and fast and my fingers have a
job of keeping up with the thoughts in my head.
I had a plan for where this book would go but from when i started writing it, it has lead me astray.
The
basic premise is still the same, but how I get from beginning to end is
not the journey I planned. Not that that's a bad thing. I hope! ;)
5. Did you plan your book or are a "by the seat of your pants" kind of writer?
I
did have a plan. I wrote what I thought was 6 chapters, in a notebook
because at the time I didn't have a laptop with Word on it.
However,
once i got a laptop with Word, I realised that what I thought was going
to be 6 chapters was only about 2 and I had to go back and put more
description in because I didn't have enough.
I
put a self-imposed ban on writing over Christmas 2012 and thought that
when I got back to writing that I would actually do some planning
because the first part just came to me.
However,
I got this physical ache in my gut that told me I need to write. So
this last week I have turned 39,004 words into 55,646 in just 4 days.
6.
There are thousands of books released every year. How do you feel about
being in that kind of market? Do you have plans for how to promote
yourself? What would you say to other people who are thinking of
entering the writing world but feel depressed that they'll never make
anything of themselves through it?
Well
I intend to self publish, and let it just be e-books at first. Once I
see if it sells or not, I will then consider using Createspace to
publish paperbacks.
I
don't know much about promotion but I am working so much on the writing
that I am hoping to have some thoughts on promotion ince I type The
End.
As
for anyone wanting to write, i say WRITE. Do it for yourself, not for
anyone else. You have to be happy with your book before anyone else will
be. You have to pull yourself up by the bootstraps and say to yourself
"I Can Do This" because you can. If I can, trust me, anyone can!
7. The world's a pretty dark place at the moment. What would you do to change it?
I
would write more books for people to get lost in. If I feel down, I
read or write. It always cheers me up to be out of the RL world for a
bit.
8. If you could give a message to the world, what would it be?
Be kinder to each other. There is too much hate and life is too short. Let's work together to make this world a better place.
9.
If you look at the media, things appear to be falling apart on a daily
basis; economies, relationships, businesses etc. What are your hopes for
the world in 2013?
For this country to pull itself out of its recession. For government to actually stand up and do something right.
10. Finally, where can we find you online?
You can find my blog here: www.gothicangelbookreviews.blogspot.com
My Facebook Pages:
Twitter: @Gothic_Angel28
Thank you for the interview Rae, I only hope that your readers will take a chance on this Indie Author.
Tuesday, 8 January 2013
The News In Brief
This was an email I sent to a friend, briefly detailing my Christmas and New Year. It made him laugh so I thought I'd share it with you.
The News In Brief
- *yawn* Back to work properly.
The News In Brief
- We survived December 21st! Yay! Time to annoy my apocalypse loving friend.
- Fuzzcopter out at 8am Christmas Eve.
- Christmas Day looked a lot like this:
- New Year's Eve looked a lot like this:
- I HAS NEW CORSET!
- This made me laugh (If you find this video is blocked for you, go to You Tube and search for "British Guide to Marshalling". The actual video title is "
- I has lots of
new pens. Think people are trying to tell me something.
Sunday, 6 January 2013
OpRollRedRoll
Firstly, Happy New Year! I know it's a bit late but I hope that you're all settling in to the new year and have great plans. :)
*** Trigger Warning: Rape ***
Over the past few days I've spoken (on Facebook and Twitter at least) a lot about something called OpRollRedRoll (#OpRollRedRoll on Twitter). The story behind it has been gathering momentum over the past couple of weeks. The details are too immense to go into with new evidence coming to light every day. You can read about what started it at this Huffington Post story. The story is bad enough; I've not dared to watch the video and don't think I'll ever be able to bring myself to.
Why am I concerning myself with a crime story from thousands of miles away? Why not? Not only should something like this concern many people, it's also one which is close to my heart.
You see, I'm one of possibly millions of Jane Doe's, women who've been attacked and who, for whatever reason never got the justice they deserved. Some may have been too scared to speak, fearing ridicule and worse. Some, as with this story, may have been told it wasn't worth pursuing a prosecution for whatever reason. A huge one is evidence. The evidence of a rape, especially in drugged cases, can disappear in hours. Unless the person knows what happened, by the time they find out it's normally too late to do anything.
Thankfully, with this case, there is mountains over evidence, all of it being brought to light by hacker group Anonymous. Normally I wouldn't condone what they do but, this time, I feel that they've done the right thing which is why I've stepped up to offer my support. You too can help. If you're on Twitter, search for the hastag. If you're not, there's a Facebook page where people are linking to petitions and information.
No one, whether female or male, should have to hide in the wake of abuse against them. No one should have to feel so hopeless that they feel that their only option is to kill themselves (as we saw recently in the Indian cases). No one should be told that they can't have justice. No one should have to go through what this young woman is going through. No one should find themselves, as a victim, being blamed for being raped.
If you feel you can stand up for someone, no matter what the incident, do so. You never know who you're going to help.
Happy 2013, everyone! May yours be blessed and filled with light, love, safety and freedom.
*** Trigger Warning: Rape ***
Over the past few days I've spoken (on Facebook and Twitter at least) a lot about something called OpRollRedRoll (#OpRollRedRoll on Twitter). The story behind it has been gathering momentum over the past couple of weeks. The details are too immense to go into with new evidence coming to light every day. You can read about what started it at this Huffington Post story. The story is bad enough; I've not dared to watch the video and don't think I'll ever be able to bring myself to.
Why am I concerning myself with a crime story from thousands of miles away? Why not? Not only should something like this concern many people, it's also one which is close to my heart.
You see, I'm one of possibly millions of Jane Doe's, women who've been attacked and who, for whatever reason never got the justice they deserved. Some may have been too scared to speak, fearing ridicule and worse. Some, as with this story, may have been told it wasn't worth pursuing a prosecution for whatever reason. A huge one is evidence. The evidence of a rape, especially in drugged cases, can disappear in hours. Unless the person knows what happened, by the time they find out it's normally too late to do anything.
Thankfully, with this case, there is mountains over evidence, all of it being brought to light by hacker group Anonymous. Normally I wouldn't condone what they do but, this time, I feel that they've done the right thing which is why I've stepped up to offer my support. You too can help. If you're on Twitter, search for the hastag. If you're not, there's a Facebook page where people are linking to petitions and information.
No one, whether female or male, should have to hide in the wake of abuse against them. No one should have to feel so hopeless that they feel that their only option is to kill themselves (as we saw recently in the Indian cases). No one should be told that they can't have justice. No one should have to go through what this young woman is going through. No one should find themselves, as a victim, being blamed for being raped.
If you feel you can stand up for someone, no matter what the incident, do so. You never know who you're going to help.
Happy 2013, everyone! May yours be blessed and filled with light, love, safety and freedom.
Sunday, 30 December 2012
My 2012
Or How It Happened From The Perspective Of Someone Slightly Crazy...
January
YAYYY!!! Book coming out!!
February
Book coming soon!!
March
Where's book?
April
Book coming soon?!
May
YAYYYY!!! Book launch soiree!!
June
Phew! Time for a rest!
July
YAYYYY!!! Book 2 signed!!
August
Olympics!! Go Team GB!!
September
YAYYYY!!! The Asylum! Lots of fun, new people to meet! Hi! How are you?! Hope you're well! Thank you for stopping by. :D
October
Wooo! Book 2's out!
November
Must promote Book 2. Oops, got Dad's birthday. Will do it later!
December
Must promote Book 2 and finish Book 3. Yayyy! Christmas! Everything else can wait until the New Year!!
~~~~
Don't forget to go and check out some of the other posts:
Thank you to friends old and new
A Mad Engineer's Wintermass
January
YAYYY!!! Book coming out!!
February
Book coming soon!!
March
Where's book?
April
Book coming soon?!
May
YAYYYY!!! Book launch soiree!!
June
Phew! Time for a rest!
July
YAYYYY!!! Book 2 signed!!
August
Olympics!! Go Team GB!!
September
YAYYYY!!! The Asylum! Lots of fun, new people to meet! Hi! How are you?! Hope you're well! Thank you for stopping by. :D
October
Wooo! Book 2's out!
November
Must promote Book 2. Oops, got Dad's birthday. Will do it later!
December
Must promote Book 2 and finish Book 3. Yayyy! Christmas! Everything else can wait until the New Year!!
~~~~
Don't forget to go and check out some of the other posts:
Thank you to friends old and new
A Mad Engineer's Wintermass
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