So as I've been saying in my various other social media outlets, some time in 2012, I will actually be a published author.

WiDo Publishing have offered me a contract for my novel, Locked Within:

http://karenjonesgowen.blogspot.com/2011/04/w-is-for-wido-publishing-and-winner-of.html

Ahem. Boo-yah.

I'll be doing most of my blogging and such on my writing-focused blog, Coffee Thoughts, from now on, so keep checking there for updates!

A little while ago I entered by first novel, Locked Within, into a contest being held by WiDo Publishing. The prize is to be considered for a publishing contract. Of three finalists, any or all may be offered a contract.

Today it's been officially announced that I am one of the three finalists.

Now I have to put together a promotional plan as the last step, so if anybody's got any advice, I'd really appreciate the help!

This is the result of more than a year of writing and over 10 years of grinding a small nugget of inspiration into something worthwhile.

( Pics under cut... )

I could some advice from anyone from or living in the UK about some ideas I had to how to deal with the Royal Family in my new book, or at least in the setting's background.

Nathan Bransford is holding his sort-of-annual 1st paragraph contest. It looks like a fun contest so I'm going to give it a shot. It's also interesting to see how so many others start their own stories.

Originally posted at Coffee Thoughts

I have a new post to my writing blog, Coffee Thoughts, about a new book idea that struck me today.

So I'm certain everyone knows by now, but here it is again.

Jen and I are going to be parents. We weren't trying very long, but she's now 3 months pregnant and due at the end of June.

We are both terrified and thrilled, but have found ourselves surrounded by people offering advice, babysitting services, and hand-me-downs that'll take the pressure off before the baby comes.

I really suck at keeping up with this.

So... What's been happening? Still writing, still editing, still looking for an agent. Looking forward to Christmas and our second Christmas Dinner for Friends, which I'm more than happy to keep up as a proper annual tradition.

I got myself a shiny new camera with which I've been taking some photos of the snowy world. I'm really looking forward to doing more photography.

Also, while having a 2-week holiday to just chill, do some DIY, and get some early Christmas shopping done is incredibly relaxing, it really does make you antsy for the Christmas holidays to start! Let's go here, Time! Hurry up and make it half five already!

Jen and I went to Cork for the weekend. We had the worst run of luck on the way down, whicb culminated in a tyre blowing out on the M8. 2 hours and one emergency pick-up and replacement later, we were back on our way. We really need to join the AA. Emergency pick-ups don't come cheap, not to mention having a blowout on a busy motorway is pretty frightening.

When we got to the Oriel House Hotel, the lovely woman at reception heard our story and upgraded us to a suite leftover from the two wedding parties booked for the weekend. This thing was bigger than some apartments I've seen. It even had a dining table. Who uses a dining table at a hotel?

Anyway, the hotel was incredible. Amazing food, friendy staff, and great prices. I can't say enough good things about the hotel. Next time we go to Cork, we're going to try and get the Oriel House again.

Our wandering around Cork City brought us past the Hugenot Burial Ground. I never knew Cork's development had been influenced by French settlers, very cool.

I introduced Jen to the English Market, which we found fairly easily despite me only having been there once almost ten years ago. It hasn't changed. It's still a fantastic experience and one of my favourite things about Cork.

We got home in just two and a half hours yesterday and spent the afternoon relaxing on the couch. We're both pretty tired, but we needed that trip away. We're just sorry we didn't go for longer.

I've set up a new Facebook profile for Reiki, which can be found under "Paul Shortt Reiki."

This should make it easier for me to manage client lists and determine exactly who is and is not interested in hearing about treatments. Next step is to get a proper website built and get some rea advertising.