Blurb:
Tinsel is the newest apprentice in Santa’s Workshop, but this young elf lands himself in strife on his first day!
He’s sent to care for the reindeer and instead ends up on a magical adventure.
Will the Toy-Inspector allow him back into the Workshop?
A fun Christmas story for younger readers and those young at heart.
 
Amazon Universal Link http://mybook.to/Sleighe

​In March 2019, my sister (who lives in Canada), visited me in New Zealand, and we embarked on a memory tour. We revisited places from our childhood, including Queenstown, where our grandmother used to live. 




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​Our great-grandfather had been an engineer on the iconic century-old coal fired steamship, the TSS Earnslaw, back in the day when it transported stock and supplies across Lake Wakatipu. We enjoyed a delightful sunny cruise to Walter Peak High Country Farm.




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​During our travels, we set a challenge, to each write a 1500 word story. I chose to write a Children’s Christmas story, based on a writing prompt from my Aspiring Author Series, and that’s how, ‘Sleighed’, came to be created.  



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Aspiring Author Series Link Aspiring Author Series (6 book series) Kindle Edition (amazon.com)
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Wendy Scott has a New Zealand Certificate in Science (Chemistry), which allows her to dabble with fuming potions and strange substances, satisfying her inner witch.
Wendy writes short stories, fantasy, and children’s novels. Her books have won multiple awards.
One of the creeds she lives by is to always – Live a life less ordinary!
Full book list http://www.wendyjscott.com/
Amazon Universal Link http://mybook.to/Sleighed
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Connect with Wendy:
Children’s Websites
http://www.authorchildrens.com
http://www.hieroglyph.ws
http://www.tails-wjscott.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ChildrenAuthorWJScott
Twitter:
@WendyJayneScott
https://twitter.com/WendyJayneScott/
Pinterest:
https://nz.pinterest.com/wendyscottbooks/
 

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​​Medieval Medicine – Leeches!
Bloodletting was common in medieval times as physicians believed this cured many ailments (including toothache, impotence, lust, warts, over-drinking, swelling, poisoning, belly aches … the list is extensive!).
Once attached leeches don’t stop until they’ve had their full. One leech can suck in about 15ml of blood. But beware! Leeches entering body openings like mouth, nostril or ears can cause internal bleeding and kill the patient. Yikes!!!! Perhaps today's medicine doesn't taste so bad after all!

2018 KCT RRBC Blue Treat Award Winner.

There’s a cauldron of trouble brewing in Valloaria…

Strap on your broomstick –you’re in for a hell of a ride: The Witch-Hunt Series.

Sabrina and Lauren’s tales entwine – linked by blood and magic. Sabrina, a newly fledged healer, is thrust out of her sheltered life at Mistress Florisah’s healing school after the destruction of the witch-ancestor portraits. An anti-witchcraft militia is poised on Karthalon’s borders threatening full scale genocide, unless Sabrina, the last of Lauren’s bloodline, can destroy the Lodestone, and restore magic to Valloaria, but the Lodestone is buried deep within the heart of the Order’s headquarters. Sabrina struggles to accept this suicide mission, and is distracted by her inappropriate affection for Micah, a prospect monk. Lauren’s ghost haunts Sabrina’s dreams as her diary reveals the tragic events behind Lauren’s actions. With invasion imminent, Sabrina embarks on her quest armed only with a sliver of the Lodestone, and Lauren’s diary but how can a lone girl prevail against an army?

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Wow! It’s almost time for this fabulous Writers’ Conference to kickoff and it promises to be one for the books! Literally!
What better way to enhance your writing skills, interact with other authors, find new books to read, play games, win prizes and all from the comfort of your home!!
Five years ago, when Nonnie Jules, created this conference. there were few, if any, virtual conferences taking place. We were all still enjoying getting out and attending physical events. But now, in the midst of this pandemic, virtual conferences are the new normal. I say this just to demonstrate the innovative thinking of our fearless leader!
The RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB is an international book club dedicated to reading and giving honest reviews. But it is SO much more. It is a community of writers who develop friendships, encourage each other, uplift each other, and support each other in so many ways.
This conference is one of the highlights of the year for this community!
Take a Peek at our 2020 Sessions and Workshops!

1. Amazon Author Central:  What It Is and How It Can Help You Sell More Books
2. Anatomy of an (Almost) Perfect Book Review
3. Anatomy of a Blog Post / Your Content Is King 
4. Are You Failing As an Author?  The Reasons Why and How To Start Soaring
5. Book Marketing Without A Plan: ‘Know Where’ You’re Going Before You End Up ‘Nowhere’
6. Creating A Writer’s Platform That Will Get You Noticed
7. How To Blog an Entire Book in 30 Days
8. How To Build An Audience and Sell More Books
9. How To Turn Your Blog Into A Hot Spot!  Keep Readers Coming Back For More
10. STOP Marketing Your Books! How To Get Others To Do It For You
11. The Basics of Spelling & Grammar: What You May Have Slept Through In School That’s Now Hurting Your Writing
12. The Easiest Way To Format Your Paperback via Word Doc
13. The Elements of a Short Story
14. Powerful Keywords and How They Can Increase Your Blog’s Traffic
15. The Simplification of “SHOW DON’T TELL”
16. The Skinny on Social Media – Using It The Right Way So You’re Not Just Spinning Your Wheels
17. TRELLO – A Step-by-Step Guide to Using it Effectively to Organize and Write Your Next Book
18. What It Takes To Become A More Productive Writer
19. Writing Dialog That Feels Like Realistic Conversation
20. YOU the Reviewer Are Ruining YOU the Writer. Why Your Book Reviews Are Turning Off Potential Readers and How You Can Turn It Around
21. FREE BONUS SESSION
22. Filter Words and How To Avoid Them In Your Writing
23. What RWISA-Ready Looks Like

Want to know the benefits of attending this conference? I can’t say it any better than Nonnie.
You’re a writer.  You realize that there is a lot for you to learn to become a great writer…heck, even a good writer.  You’ve heard about writers’ conferences but you’ve no time to attend, you’ve no money to spare, and most of them are just too darned far.  You’ve heard that they are wonderful, though, and you’d really like to see what they’re all about, so, what do you do?
Well, there is such a thing as a virtual writing conference, and below I’m going to share with you some of the benefits of attending an RRBC writers’ conference & book expo.
*A virtual conference allows you to attend from the comfort of any place of your choosing (living room, bedroom, bathroom, your car trunk, Starbucks, etc…).  Writers’ conferences and book expos come a dime a dozen as we say down South.  I mean…just like churches and liquor stores, there’s practically one on every corner.  But, with the busy lives that we lead, we often find it difficult to get away to visit or participate in one, so the next best thing is to find one online.  No need to worry about the cost of travel fare (car, bus or plane), no need to worry about hotel accommodations (you get to sleep at home), or, the cost of eating away from home…you get all that you need, when you need it, right where you are. #BENEFIT
*Resources you will use forever.  When you attend a virtual writers’ conference, you have the ability to revisit much of the information that is shared because it is all online.  The sessions and workshops presented at an RRBC writers’ conference, are all created with the purpose of educating attendees.   Our sessions and workshops are on carefully selected topics that we know authors need in order to grow in their writing careers.  The handouts that you receive (virtually), are invaluable along your journey as a writer.  No matter the format utilized to present these sessions, attendees leave our sessions and workshops enlightened and with a renewed sense of having learned something that will make them a better writer and stronger marketer for their books. #BENEFIT
*Payment Plans.  Have you priced writers’ conferences and book expos lately?  Well, I have and who can afford them without skipping a mortgage payment?  Geez!  There again lies the beauty of a virtual conference (at least an RRBC one).  Not only are the prices lower than any others we’ve found, but, we also have payment plans to make it easier to afford an author booth to promote your books, a vendor booth to introduce and sell your wares, and all the sessions and workshops your amazing brain can handle! #BENEFIT
*Community.  The RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB popped onto the scene over 7 years ago and has offered to writers something never heard of before:  a community of support that truly cares about the success of its members, and a community of like-minded individuals who care about the success of their fellow members just as much as they care about their own.  There’s no competition here.  We’re all trying to get to the same place, and we’re gladly sharing the load so that we all get there quicker!   This community (or family as we like to call it), is there through the good times and the bad;  there to lift you up when you’re feeling low and need the encouragement to write another page; there with advice on how to handle certain situations involving your writing, tips on how you should write, what literary services you should utilize, and so much more.  We purchase, read and review each other’s books, we give our honest opinions on those books, we promote one another via our blogs and social media forums, and during the conference, we all get to commune to further our careers and friendships even more. #BENEFIT
*Friendships.  Many RRBC members are surprised at the bonds of friendship they form once they immerse themselves within the club.  The World Wide Web is known to be a cesspool of ‘crazies’, stalkers and any other negative label that you can attach to someone who you should be wary of on the net.  But, not so in RRBC.  Now, don’t get me wrong, there are some that I’m sure you should be leery of, but, I can assure you they are not within the realm of our core members…the professionals who work hard to protect and maintain their reputations as authors.  We are a global organization with members around the world, which means, when you find those to call ‘friend’, you’re never without a place to rest your head along your travels. #BENEFIT
*Find great new books.  Since the inception of RRBC, we hear on a daily basis how readers were introduced to amazing books they might never have found had it not been for RRBC.  The traditionally published have their work plastered all over the place, and sometimes, our Indie awesomeness is a little hidden…you have to dig deep to find it.  That’s not the case within RRBC.  We have amazing talent in our midst and their books speak for them.  If you’re looking for great reads, look no further than our catalog.  The conference & expo is THE place for our members to introduce their latest work and you don’t want to miss out on any of it! #BENEFIT
***
So, there you have it…  the most important benefits of attending a virtual writers’ conference & book expo hosted by RRBC.  What you will walk away with will far outweigh the pennies you will spend to take part in it.  And, because 2020 is our year of being judged on the skill with which we write, we hope that all our members care enough about their writing and their reputations as writers, to take part in this awesome event, which can only serve to further their writing growth.
Last year’s event was amazing and it was our 4th year putting it on.  With the past few years under our belt, can you imagine the things that we’re going to do this year?  I don’t think you can!
Everything about this event is geared towards your success.  If you haven’t registered yet, we invite you to do so today.  Don’t be the lone wolf standing on the sidelines of this wonderful event, wishing after the fact that you had been part of it.  Jump right on board our rocket to the stars.   We certainly have enough room for ya!
See you at the conference!
*JOIN RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB!
There you have it! There’s still time to jump in and participate in any of the workshops that interest you!PLEASE NOTE: the conference site will go offline at some point over the weekend, but will re-open on Monday at 10 AM CT, in the event that you get an error msg saying the site is private when you visit.

​THE WISHING SHELF BOOK AWARDS 2019
FINALISTS/WINNERS
Below is a link to the list of the 2019 FINALISTS and WINNERS in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. The children’s books were read and judged by children in 8 UK primary and secondary schools, the adult books by 2 Reading Groups, 1 in London and 1 in Stockholm. The books were marked according to EDITING, THEME, STYLE, COVER and, in the case of many of the children’s books, ILLUSTRATIONS. Every book that was awarded over 30/40 was a finalist.
If you happen to be looking for a good read, the readers at The Wishing Shelf Awards thoroughly recommend the following:
www.thewsa.co.uk/finalists2019
www.thewsa.co.uk/winners2019

31 Fantasy Writing Prompts to ignite your imagination.
Have fun creating fantasy stories to share with your family and friends.
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I love developing story ideas - especially fantasy worlds!

Happy Creating,
​Wendy x


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Carl Prescott may have saved the world from the Beast, but the duties of the Invisible Hand never end. The story begins when a medieval castle is discovered hidden beneath the Thorndike Institution. While the professors search for clues, our hero is summoned to Hell to meet the demon Sylvia. She once ruled a satanic kingdom in Eastern Europe from that castle, and will do so again.
There is much more to this beautiful woman than evil intentions. To stop her plan, Carl must first understand why she is so focused on him. To learn the truth, he must face God, Satan, and Death. In this nonstop action-packed adventure, he must stand at the Crossroads of Existence and cross the Rope Bridge to meet his destiny.
If he succeeds, life can return to normal. If not, the galaxy and every soul therein will be devoured by a voracious black hole, which even God will be powerless to stop.​

​It is hard, sort of.
For me, writing comes in spurts of inspiration. When the muse is sitting beside me, ideas pour from my mind through my fingers and onto the screen in front of me. At times, I beg my fingers to type as quickly as the thoughts coursing through my cerebral cortex. By the time my muse takes a nap, hours may have passed and I feel wonderful and excited for what comes next. My second sci-fi novel comes to mind. It is entitled The Second Predaxian War. The rough draft for that 60,000 word story was written in four weeks. Those are the good times.
Good times are not that common. Carl Prescott and the Sleeping One is illustrative. While I do not remember how long the rough draft took, six months passed between the day I started and the day I sent it to my editor for review. The book was somewhat longer than the earlier example, but not six times longer. There were other reasons for the longer period, such as my employment situation, working to publish earlier novels, etc.
The only advice I would offer on the process is to not reread your story until the rough draft is complete. The two best days in an author’s life are the publication date and the day the rough draft is complete. On that day, you are an author. You have written a book. Starting over and trying to fix problems is a death knell. You may decide massive rewrites are needed, or worst of all, you may decide the whole book sucks. In effect, you are denying your right to be an author. Do not do that. There is plenty of time, I mean really a lot of time, to fix it once the words “the end” are typed at the bottom of the last page.
Write for the reader, not yourself.
Some time ago, I read a book by a well-known author about the writing process. He warned writers about telling their own story, especially in memoir form. There are two exceptions to that. One, if you are a famous celebrity (film, TV, music, politics), millions will buy your book to learn about your every habit. Two, if you have been through some terrible times due to illness, war, and the like, others in the same position may flock to your story to find solace in their own lives. For the rest of us, we have to entertain our readers. While we will make the story our own by incorporating our beliefs and convictions, the reader must have an incentive to read it. Being a guy, I like fast-paced action stories, which is exactly what I prefer to write as well. In essence, we are screenplay writers, actors, directors, and producers all rolled into one. Write something to make people glad for the experience of turning each page.
Do not give up.
Yes, I have written quite a few stories, and yes, I wish more books were sold. One thing I have learned about myself is that storytelling is my passion. I hope one day to be able to focus on marketing more. That may have to wait until I give up my day job. At my age, that is not too far away. With the online tools now available to writers, all I pay for is editing and cover illustration. That means I am free to do what I love for a long time to come. That pleases me immensely. If you feel the same as I do about writing, please realized how blessed we are to share our words with the world.

My 5* Review:
One of the best fantasy stories I've read!
The cover alone called me to grab this book - absolutely gorgeous! Shiloh's story hooked me from the first page with action and questions, and without being burdened with too much backstory (this was deftly fused into the story). A first rate YA fantasy story with superb and seamless world building. The characterization was in depth and I empathized strongly with Shiloh. Clever plot elements enhanced this royal tale of bigotry, court intrigue, and treason. Witchcraft at its best and richly deserving of all five stars! Loved it and I will soon be reading, Unclean, book 2, in the series. ​