This week we have a panel of authors talking about self-publishing.

JM Simpson, Jo, is in a 1-2-1 interview in episode 47. Her Debut novel Sea State is set in Castleby, a fictional town in Wales (based on Tenby). It's a suspense thriller set against the backdrop of a lifeboat crew. There are now 6 books in the series which has progressed into crime and thriller territory and despite a number of offers Jo chose to self-publish. Christmas in Castleby is released on November 1st. A new series set in Scotland is planned in March 2025.

Next is Jane McParkes, the author of a new Cornish cosy crime series with an eco twist. It includes 'green' characters, ideas and solutions set against the back drop of a traditional murder mystery. The Olivia Wells Mysteries combine Jane's love of Cornwall and her interest in the environment and sustainability.

A Deadly Inheritance – book 1 - published 2023
Eco -architect Olivia Wells returns from a successful life in New York to the Cornish village of Penbartha to oversee a co-working community of eco and creative entrepreneurs in a converted railway building. There's opposition, arguments and a murder as well as a dark web of secrets and lies.

Deadly Treasures - book 2 – published 17th July 2024
It's midsummer in Penbartha and the opening night for eco-architect Olivia Wells' latest project. There's fascinating links to famous plant-hunters of Cornwall. Book 3 (Title TBC) out in 2025, and Book 4, A Penbartha Christmas Mystery - to be published Oct/Nov 2025.

And finally, Kerry Birds. By day, a mother and an environmental chemist, by night wine drinker and writer of lots of stuff, mostly domestic thrillers and contemporary romance, mood dependent. The book thing was a bit of an accident, but she thinks she likes it! Particularly as she’s surrounded by good people in the world of writing.

You can find each of them on social media - @jmsimpsonauthor on TwiX and Insta; @JaneMcParkes on Insta, Twix, Facebook and Substack; @Kerry.BWriter on TwiX

Jo mentioned an article she's written for Abbie Rutherford's blog, and you can get that here: https://www.abbie-editorial.com/to-be-or-not-to-be-self-published

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Happy writing, and may the wo...