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Dreena’s Writing (Dreena C) @dreenawriting.co.uk · 2d

After a truly hectic few weeks (six, so far), through careful planning, I’ve contrived today to involve the kind of day where it’s all easy admin. The type that can be achieved on the phone in bed (a.m) or sitting on a sofa in front of the fire, after a dog walk (p.m). Ecstatic, to be honest! 🤷🏻‍♀️📚☺️

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Joanne Harris @joannechocolat.bsky.social · 6d

Unsolicited writing advice, no. 189:
There are many different ways to be a writer. Being a professional writer is only one of them. All are valid.

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Dreena’s Writing (Dreena C) @dreenawriting.co.uk · 13d

👏👏👏

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Gloo Books @gloobooks.bsky.social · Aug 25

We don’t talk enough about independent publishing and why it matters (2/2).

#publishing #entrepreneurship

Often the bigger the company, the less willing they are to take creative risks. “Risks” include debut authors, underrepresented voices or subject matters – stories that challenge the norm and are outside the mainstream or bestselling trends.

Indie presses... Take chances on debut or marginalized authors (in fact, these are almost all of Gloo’s authors)

Invest deeply in a smaller number of books. (we put significant PR and marketing into every book because we believe in every book we publish).

Focus on cultural impact, NOT JUST FINANCIAL RETURN. A series that celebrates Asian food and culture? A horror children’s book with a Latino main character? A book about the intersection of the bicycle and feminism? SOLD.

Who publishes a book shapes the kind of stories we get access to

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Gloo Books @gloobooks.bsky.social · Aug 25

We don’t talk enough about independent publishing and why it matters (1/2).

#publishing #entrepreneurship

Does it really matter who publishes the books you read?

When you pick up a book, you probably check the title, the author, maybe even the cover design. But do you notice who published it?

The publisher decides what stories get printed, which books get promoted and ultimately what ends up on your bookshelf.

Big Publishing has a huge advantage. The “Big Five” publishers produce the majority of the books you see in stores and together control around 80% of the trade book market.

That means a few powerful companies have an outsized influence on what we read.

When so much cultural influence is centralized, the range of voices, perspectives and ideas reaching readers shrink. (Think of the dominance of sequels, reboots and superhero movies – publishing falls into the same trap).

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WholesomeMemes @wholesomememe.bsky.social · 15d

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Joanne Harris @joannechocolat.bsky.social · 22d

Unsolicited writing advice, no. 443: Imagery can be wonderfully evocative, but always give it space to breathe. The page is a gallery; give the space to one really worthwhile picture; don't clutter it with lots of frames that will distract your readers...

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Dreena’s Writing (Dreena C) @dreenawriting.co.uk · 21d

Latest musings from me and the editor (Sherman). ⬇️ 🐶

preview.mailerlite.io/preview/5326...

Talks, chats, and book news. And a few words from Sherman🐶

The Official Newsletter of Dreena Collins and Jane Harvey

preview.mailerlite.io

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Dreena’s Writing (Dreena C) @dreenawriting.co.uk · Sep 11

Jersey folk 🇯🇪

Perotine took me foraging🫐

In archives, records, articles, & books. In hedgerows, on beaches, fields, & lanes. In recipes, vraic, inside sodden boots, & under the branches of the blackthorn bush.

Interested in what I found? Come along on Sun 28th Sept, 2pm, to hear more ⬇️ 📖

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Joanne Harris @joannechocolat.bsky.social · 27d

Unsolicited writing advice, no. 176:
Don't underestimate your reader. Give them space to imagine; to dream. You don't need to tell them everything; just the things they need to know.

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Joanne Paulson 🍁 @joannepaulson.bsky.social · Aug 17

If it were a movie . . .

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Dreena’s Writing (Dreena C) @dreenawriting.co.uk · 27d

That is a more succinct way of saying it, yes! 😆 And also not sure all photos would work… but I haven’t figured that part out yet (as my data set is very, very low…)

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Dreena’s Writing (Dreena C) @dreenawriting.co.uk · 28d

Posts with a photo of me in them - the four or five I’ve ever made on author pages 😆- have always had excellent traction. That being said, I do think part of that is novelty (in my case) and that not all pics would work.

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Dreena’s Writing (Dreena C) @dreenawriting.co.uk · Sep 11

www.jerseyfestivalofwords.org/events/peron...

Perotine - On The Trail Of The Guernsey Martyrs | Jersey Festival Of Words

Uncovering and retelling a story of persecution and intolerance.

www.jerseyfestivalofwords.org

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Dreena’s Writing (Dreena C) @dreenawriting.co.uk · Sep 11

Jersey folk 🇯🇪

Perotine took me foraging🫐

In archives, records, articles, & books. In hedgerows, on beaches, fields, & lanes. In recipes, vraic, inside sodden boots, & under the branches of the blackthorn bush.

Interested in what I found? Come along on Sun 28th Sept, 2pm, to hear more ⬇️ 📖

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Dreena’s Writing (Dreena C) @dreenawriting.co.uk · Sep 10

Ebook out on Thursday!

Dreena’s Writing (Dreena C) @dreenawriting.co.uk · Aug 31

Pre-orders Live.

A new collection from Dreena Collins. Prize-winning stories laced with comeuppance and a pinch of hope.

Don't miss out. Order now, pay on arrival.💛 #books 📚

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FLC7DQYP/

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Dreena’s Writing (Dreena C) @dreenawriting.co.uk · Sep 7

Spent the evening making bookmarks as gifts for attendees to my next talk. Plants from my garden, pressed & then repurposed, in a nod to the foraging, alms giving, & preserving undertaken by Perotine in the book.

Dedicated? Thoughtful? Foolish? 🤔 Maybe all 3! 😆

(Also: twas blooming fiddly.) 📚

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Joanne Harris @joannechocolat.bsky.social · Sep 3

Unsolicited writing advice, no. 186:
You don't need to go far to 'get ideas'. Ideas are everywhere: in books, in the news, in conversations with strangers. The secret isn't finding ideas, it's finding new and interesting ways to convey them to readers...

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Dreena’s Writing (Dreena C) @dreenawriting.co.uk · Sep 7

This week has involved my ‘other’ job, and catching up with family, PLUS a manuscript deadline, and the prep and delivery of a workshop. MS was uploaded yesterday and workshop delivered today. Miraculously, I did it. The laptop, however, has just given up the ghost in protest… 🤷🏻‍♀️📚 Time for a snooze!

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Lily Lawson @lifelovelily22.bsky.social · Aug 31

mybook.to/MFD

mybook.to/TasteofWhats...

Check out my books - #readers

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Dreena’s Writing (Dreena C) @dreenawriting.co.uk · Aug 31

Pre-orders Live.

A new collection from Dreena Collins. Prize-winning stories laced with comeuppance and a pinch of hope.

Don't miss out. Order now, pay on arrival.💛 #books 📚

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FLC7DQYP/

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Fly on the Wall Press @flyonthewallpress.bsky.social · Aug 29

We have a treat for you today - a sneak peek into the first chapter of feminist fantasy Witchborne by @rgrosvenorauthor.bsky.social 3 days before it comes out into the world!

flyonthewallpress.substack.com/p/a-witch-is...

#books📚💙 #fantasyauthor @inpressbooks.bsky.social

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Joanne Harris @joannechocolat.bsky.social · Aug 27

Unsolicited writing advice, no. 17:
The difference between flat and well-rounded characters is often a question of how much they change during the course of your story. Where does your character's journey begin? And where are they by the end? The longer the journey, the more rounded the character.

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Dreena’s Writing (Dreena C) @dreenawriting.co.uk · Aug 25

Perotine is my forthcoming novel, inspired by the true story of The Guernsey Martyrs.

Come along to hear about the research process and motivation, and enjoy a sensory experience as we explore her life - and prosecution.

www.jerseyfestivalofwords.org/events/peron...

£ 6
Sunday 28 Sept, 2-3pm

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Dreena’s Writing (Dreena C) @dreenawriting.co.uk · Aug 25

If you're local to Jersey and someone who'd like to know:

- 🛏What type of bed a 'common' woman may have had in the 16thC
- 🍃Where she and her family might have harvested vraic
- 🍷And how a small, silver cup could lead result in brutal, religious persecution

You'll be interested in my talk! ⬇️

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