The Big Christmas Push

You can't have missed it. Every shop on the High Street has a Christmas display. Publishers are launching their titles for Christmas, or should I say, for Christmas presents, and Indie authors are no different. Well, a little different. Here they are offering a short, an extract, or a full novel, either free or for 99p / 99c. It's their shop window, a lead into each author's catalogue.

First up, The Prolific Reader Everything Fantasy, from epic to urban to humour to historical. Although the promotion is being run in conjunction with InstaFreebie for ease, the landing page will still be live after 10th November, and links to other genres are offered in the column alongside.

Second up, is Fall Gods & Goddesses of the Past You guessed it, Old Time religions feature heavily here, from Egypt to China, from Viking Asgard to Celtic water spirits, immerse yourself. Downloads via Instafreebie.

Running until 15th is the SFF Ebookaroo offering over 80 titles in all sub-genres of speculative fiction. You'll even find a collection of my horror shorts in this one. Downloads via Instafreebie.

And finally, only because it isn't supposed to be live yet - hint: most of them are already live, go check - is a no-sign-up Romantic Speculative Fiction promotion at 99c / 99p. There are 21 titles including a box set and an anthology of short stories whose authors have donated their profits to Bookbus, a charity combating illiteracy. And what better Christmas gift than that?

All in all, enough to keep you going well into the New Year. But do return next weekend, when I should have news of my own [cue mysterious music...].

Season's Greetings One and All!

Some say that it's New Year's Eve when they sit back and take stock ready for the coming year, but I tend to do it Christmas Eve afternoon. The presents are wrapped, the meals are planned, the dusting is done, the computer is switched off... well, nearly.

 It's been a bit of an emotional year - health, family crises - the sorts of things that money can't readily soften but where a little peace and a good hug can work wonders.

So as you gather round your tree to toast the season, don't just take time out to think about those who sit alone, make a difference physically. Sure, we can donate to charity - Age UK, Mind, the Salvation Army - even give a carrier of groceries to our local Foodbank, but what can beat seeing the eyes of a neighbour when they open their door to a big smile, a sticky bun and 'Let's have coffee!"

We can all make a difference to someone. And sometimes it can make a big difference to us.

Happy Yuletide.