Join us for Listen Up! A night of talent, tunes and togetherness, all in aid of Tamworth Samaritans*. 

Music, spoken word, performance art, poetry, poetronica and more, you can expect an evening packed with live performances, good vibes and community spirit!

Performers, musicians, writers and published authors supporting the evening include The Other Half, Ellie Galvin, Tamworth Twangers, AppleVenus, James Clark, Paul Macdonald, Cheryl Ann Boot, Graham Foster, Saida Chouwdhury, Ian Henery and more - artists active on local circuits and festivals across the Midlands. 

Doors open at 6pm, so there’s plenty of time to browse the fundraising stalls (cash only) and learn more about the fabulous work Samaritans volunteers are doing. Bar opens at 6.30pm, performances start at 7pm prompt. See you there! 💚

Link: for tickets

I'm not performing but am attending - grab your ticket before its sold out!

​​* my chosen charity 💚

Yesterday, I had the unfortunate experience of complaining about the contents of an email that I'd received from a big brand company. I won't go into detail but I'm slightly gutted to feel 'let down' by their brand. The essence of the situation came down to faith, trust and integrity - which reminded me of this blog post that I wrote many moons ago. So, I thought I'd repost it, as I still stand by these basic principles.
  
                                                                   ***

I've been published for nearly six years, so thought I'd share a few pointers that might make author life a little easier:

1. Choose a social media name eg. @ErinGreenAuthor that you can use across each of the platforms. I have author-friends who use various different combinations across the platforms and it takes me ages to find them or tag them when I want to support their book publications. For example, Donna-MarieSmithAuthor, DMSAuthor, DMSmithAuthor, MsDonnaMSmithAuthor, Smith_DM - sick to a simple formation and use it across everything. There have been many occasions when I literally haven't been able to find them, despite repeated searches, so had to forego the idea of reposting about their new book. If folks can locate you easily, they'll willingly support you.

2. Create your website and share your writing journey as soon as you feel comfortable. Having a dedicated place where anyone can read a blog update, book news or a daily interest post is vital in helping to build your audience. Don't shy away from being 'you' and sharing your personality. Readers like to feel they know you as a person - I've learnt that over the years. My early posts seem very 'sterile and proper' - readers don't get a flare for who I am as a person.  

​3. Grow a thicker skin. It happens to us all but you're going to be on the end of someone else's remark. It hurts. It stings. It sticks in your memory. It surprises you when it happens but I'll guarantee it'll happen. I've had people openly say, 'I don't like your book covers' and 'I can't stand the way your Amazon page looks with loads of quotes from other authors' - both features which I am not responsible for. Or the worst yet, when an author asked me over the table at an authors' luncheon, 'how's your current writing going?' I began to answer with 'it's going well at the minute ...' and before I could say another word - she said, 'well, I don't really care!' Talk about being gob-smacked - I nearly fell off my chair!!! But then, so did she realising she'd spoken her thoughts aloud across the table! So yeah, grow a thicker skin and simply learn how to 'smile and wave'. 

4. Realise that you've no idea who is reading your blog posts or social media. I kid you not but it might be the senior commissioning editor of that publishing group you've been desperate to send a full manuscript to. In which case, are you OK with them reading your last post of, 'I wrote three words today. Wrote nothing else all week. This writing crack is a doddle!' It's very honest but might the editor be a little concerned about your output and meeting deadlines if they signed you? Alternatively, I know from experience that I got my introduction because an editor kept seeing my social media posts and was intrigued by my daily output. She called my agent when she heard I was 'doing the rounds' with other publishing groups. My rule is simple: think Bagpuss! If you're of a certain age you won't know who Bagpuss is, or was. A fat furry cat-puss - a cuddly toy that lived in a shop owned by Emily. Anyway, to cut short stories even shorter, lost articles were brought into the shop and placed into the window for passers-by to view, and hopefully claim. The objects were dirty, broken, stained and tatty but the singing mice 'on the mouse organ' used to clean and repair each one before it went into the display window. And that is my point! Nothing goes into my Bagpuss-shaped window on social media unless it reflects me positively. I don't do politics, gossip mongering, showbiz celeb bashing or author put-downs in my shop window. I do happy-to-be-alive stuff - all polished courtesy of the mice on the mouse organ, Professor Yaffle and Adelaide the doll!

5. Protect yourself as an author mentally, physically and emotionally in order to create. I literally think of myself as a bean factory inside a giant bubble. I know that sounds strange but I do. I have input and output like any other factory, with working hours and downtime. Whatever boosts my productivity, creates happiness or is a positive experience to my life then I welcome it. If something externally hinders me, be it people, places or certain topics then I steer clear of that 'thing'. Hence the bubble in which my bean factory sits - entry is on an invite only basis, just like Mr Willy Wonka's factory! That sounds harsh, but I've learnt over the years what's good for me. I've learnt that my raw materials for creativity are art, reading, music, nature, exercise, meditation, sunlight and stars, animals, good people, good food and good sleep. I can honestly say that is my week listed right there! For the assembly line, I need space, routines and silence to 'think and do' which results in word production - thousands of the little buggers each week, I'm delighted to say. If you've stuck with me this far, you're probably wondering why a bean factory? Because for me there are few things in life as perfect as a tin of Heinz baked beans. I never buy other beans; in my opinion they don't compare. I can't see inside the sealed tin, can't see the actual product and yet I will happily pay more for the dearest baked beans, because they are worth every penny. The reason being, I know what I'm getting every single time - guaranteed and without fail. Never have I found a blemished bean, no sauce, half empty tin, funny taste, squashed beans, weird smell, watery sauce and I've been eating Heinz beans for half a century. Not once have they failed to deliver the goods for me. I want my readers to know exactly what they are getting inside 'the tin' when they open one of my books. I want my readers to have certain expectations which I meet every time they part with their hard-earned cash for my next publication. And like Heinz, I'm never going to trash-talk Cross and Blackwell beans simply to boost my own sales. That's me! Inside my little bean factory bubble, every day that I can be, because I spent so long as an unpublished author praying to be given a chance to write books. 

6. Not everyone out there wants you to be a success - some folk simply want to make oodles of money off the back of your dream of 'writing a book'. Be careful. I've heard too many remarks such as 'I've finally got a publishing deal and they only charged me £4000 pounds!' This is vanity publishing, they promise you the earth, charge you for their production services and deliver you a pile of printed books for you to sell yourself. This is not a traditional publishing deal. This is not independent publishing. I frequently see services advertised for authors and my first question is - what's their track record? Is that editor known amongst the industry or simply an over enthusiastic nobody who wants to make a quick buck. That might sound harsh but they are out there, preying on us creatives who are eager to see our stories in print. Don't fall under their spell. Sometimes its not simply about cold hard cash but boosting their own reputation or association.

7. Find your tribe. In the beginning you have no idea who's who and what's what. You make friends all over this bookish place with anyone that wishes to be your buddy. After a while you realise you have a select group - your true tribe. These are the ones you can trust, they have your back, they support you in any way they can, they are thrilled to bits when you sign that new contract and they are your writing family. Find your tribe and repay their kindness with the exact same support!

I was thrilled to have spent yesterday at the ‘Meet Cute Festival’ held at Home Farm in Elstree, near Borehamwood. My day started extra early as I needed to deliver my dog to his ‘home from home’ boarding for the night. But once he was settled, I packed my car ready for a day trip along the M1.
 
The sun was shining, Pink! was singing at her best and I had my usual Maccy’s breakfast for a fabulous day. I arrived just as the festival opened at 1pm and was greeted by the smiling faces of a posse of author-friends, who I haven’t seen in many years. I think it ranged from 5 – 7 years for some folks. Regular followers will know that the past few years have dealt me some unfortunate life cards regarding health issues and relationships – but now, I’m back! I can’t explain how delighted I was to see my tribe again. Though I think the smiles in the photos below says more than I ever could! 
 
There were many book lovers and published authors mingling throughout the day – which was wonderful. The event was very casual and informal which matched the ‘glamping’ setting perfectly. 
 
The timetable of events were organised to occur at various locations simultaneously. I attended a group participation session hosted by Sarah Bennett, where authors Donna Ashcroft, Jules Wake and Leonie Mack planned a novel – which was hilarious and gave the readers in the audience an insight into the world of a creative. Cressida McLaughlin, Heidi Swain and Jessica Redland were interviewed by the adorable Kathleen Whyman, about their writing careers and experiences in the published world. The bookworm, Kim Nash interviewed author Kirsty Greenwood about her publishing success and writing process – very insightful. After which, I attended a ‘Mastermind-like’ session hosted by Alison May in which three authors, Philippa Ashley, Kerry Barrett and Jennifer Page bravely took the hot seat to answer questions on the topics of Jane Austen, Jilly Cooper and Board games. The three authors were incredible by scoring between 12 - 14 points each out of 15!  
 
I came away exhausted by the high energy and yet uplifted by the vibe! I took a slow drive towards home, back up the M1, and stopped for tea … another Maccy’s at the same location as breakfast. And arrived home, tired but happy. Thank you to everyone that I spoke to – you each played a part in my weekend of happiness!
 
Though my true happiness was collecting my beloved dog the next morning, after his mini-staycation with a fabulous couple called Simon and Phillipa! A girl’s not a girl until she’s got her dog by her side!

Today is the longest day. An incidental occurrence for most people but for me a significant day in the calendar. Why? Because I simply adore Stone Henge – which you’ll know if you follow me on Twitter/X. I won’t explain my reason why - that’s personal to me. But for as long as I can remember these distinct stones have brought me joy. And today, is their day of beauty. 
​

This morning, I was chatting ‘books’ with someone who enjoys reading. I don’t like recommending titles as we’re all so different in our choices and tastes. All too often I’ve had people say to me ‘you must read (insert book title) – it’s the best!’. I’ve then read the said title and thought it totally naff! Worse still, I’ve wanted to bill someone for the twenty hours I’ve wasted, plus the cost of the book. Shame that isn’t a thing in life? As a result, I tend to mention books which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed and which have stayed with me long after the final page. I tend to give the briefest outline highlighting what I liked. I’d happily scrub these five books from my memory enabling me to read and enjoy them again for the first time! Below, I’ve provided the beginning of the official blurb too.  
 
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen – you knew it would be there! I simply adore it. I’ve read this novel so many times since I was a teenager and I still find something new every time. I’m rereading it at the moment, just because I can!  
The official Blurb:  Jane Austen's much-adapted novel is famed for its witty, spirited heroine, sensational romances, and deft remarks on the triumphs and pitfalls of social convention.
 
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot – this book truly amazed me. I had never heard of HeLa cells before but was gripped with this real-life story. And, very grateful!
The official Blurb: Her name was Henrietta Lacks, but scientists know her as HeLa. She was a poor Southern tobacco farmer who worked the same land as her enslaved ancestors, yet her cells—taken without her knowledge—became one of the most important tools in medicine. 
 
Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owen – set in the ‘deep South’ – this book reminded me of Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill A Mocking Bird’ - the tone, the style, the injustice of life.  
The official Blurb: For years, rumours of the “Marsh Girl” haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet fishing village. Kya Clark is barefoot and wild; unfit for polite society. So in late 1969, when the popular Chase Andrews is found dead, locals immediately suspect her.
 
The Kite Runner – Khaled Hosseini – set in Afghanistan in 1975, a country I knew very little about. Filled with beautiful descriptions of landscapes, kite flying and cultural tradition. Warning: one scene contains a sexual assault/violence – just saying as I wouldn’t wish for anyone to be emotionally triggered or affected, if you’ve experienced this in life. 
The official Blurb: The unforgettable, heartbreaking story of the unlikely friendship between a wealthy boy and the son of his father's servant, The Kite Runner is a beautifully crafted novel set in a country that is in the process of being destroyed. It is about the power of reading, the price of betrayal, and the possibility of redemption; and an exploration of the power of fathers over sons—their love, their sacrifices, their lies.  
 
We Need To Talk About Kevin – Lionel Shriver – having worked in schools and met many adorable pupils … well, I couldn’t put it down! 
The official Blurb: Eva never really wanted to be a mother - and certainly not the mother of the unlovable boy who murdered seven of his fellow high school students, a cafeteria worker, and a much-adored teacher who tried to befriend him, all two days before his sixteenth birthday.    

I'm frequently asked for my book titles in publication order so here's a little reminder. Whether you're seeking a lengthy stay in Shetland, a summer break in Brixham or village life in the heart of England - there's an Erin Green book waiting to welcome you!

Link: Amazon