About Suzanne Rogerson Author

Suzanne lives in Middlesex, England with her husband, two children, a crazy cocker spaniel and a rather aloof cat. Her writing journey began at the age of twelve when she completed her first novel. She discovered the fantasy genre in her late teens and has never looked back. Now an author of four fantasy novels including the Silent Sea Chronicles trilogy and her debut fantasy, Visions of Zarua, Suzanne has also turned her hand to short stories. At last count, she has 4 books to her name including two feel-good Christmas collections. 2026 is the year she plans to publish her new romance series - The Mermaid Hotel Series - set in Cornwall with a matchmaking hotel owner. She loves gardening and has a Hebe (shrub) fetish. She enjoys cooking with ingredients from the garden and regularly feeds unsuspecting guests vegetable-based cakes. Suzanne collects books, is interested in history and enjoys wandering around castles and old ruins whilst being immersed in the past. She likes to combine her love of nature and photography on family walks, but most of all she loves to escape with a great film, binge watch TV shows, or soak in a hot bubble bath with an ice cream and a book.

Today’s Featured Author – Suzanne Rogerson

Posted on March 4, 2016 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

I’m very pleased to be the featured author on Into Another World’s blog this week.

Into Another World

Please welcome to my blog author Suzanna Rogerson. Her book, Visions of Zaura, is currently special for $1.99 for a limited time.

Interview

Please tell us about your current release?

Visions of Zarua is my debut fantasy novel, which I self-published in November 2015.

The novel focuses on the interlinking stories of two wizards who live 350 years apart. The first is an apprentice wizard named Paddren who’s been plagued by visions of death ever since he was a boy. The second wizard, Jago, is a junior wizard who lived 350 years before Paddren’s story begins. Jago returns to Zarua after a five year absence to find a dark undertow sweeping through the city. But the Elders refuse to believe Zarua is under threat, a mistake that has far reaching consequences.

Both wizards must fight to save the realm of Paltria from the dark menace of Zarua’s past.

How did…

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Visions of Zarua 99p / $1.99. My #Mslexia Ad & Subscriber Spotlight in #WritingMagazine

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

Two days ago I received the new Mslexia magazine and was very happy to see my ad for Visions of Zarua at the top of their noticeboard on page 12.

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If you can’t read my blurry picture, the ad states ‘Visions of Zarua by Suzanne Rogerson. Paddren is plagued by visions of a city on the brink of annihilation. When his master dies investigating the visions, Paddren vows to find the killer. His childhood friend, the skilled tracker Varnia, and her lover Leyoch agree to help. They’re guided by a wizard from centuries ago – a wizard whose history holds the key to the horror at the heart of the abandoned city of Zarua. Can Paddren decipher his visions in time to save the Paltrian people from the dark menace of Zarua’s past?’

Then today, I received my Writing Magazine and right in the centre is my piece in the Subscriber Spotlight section.

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(Hopefully this picture is a little easier to read.)

These magazine pieces have come at the perfect time to drum up a bit of interest in Visions of Zarua as I have just set up a kindle and ebook price promotion of 99p / $1.99. I’m hoping this will help persuade people to take a chance on my debut epic fantasy.

Available to buy here: amazon smashwords

I’m looking into ways to advertise this price promo, so any tips you can offer will be very welcome.

I also have news of another Goodreads Giveaway. This time I’ve limited it to the UK, but I will do another worldwide giveaway in the future. The giveaway runs from 10th to 24th March, so I will be shouting about it nearer the time.

Please share and help spread the word.

#WordlessWednesday – #photo Our plum tree still looking good after today’s hailstorm

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

#TuesdayBookBlog #review of Fire, Bed and Bone – Henrietta Branford #childrensbooks

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

My Rating 5 out of 5.

Pages 136.

Blurb from the front cover, which makes an interesting change.

‘A revolt is brewing. The year is 1381 and unrest is spreading like plague. England’s peasants are ready to rise against their unjust landlords. The violent upheaval will affect everyone – even dogs, like the old hunting bitch through whose eyes, ears and nose these dramatic events are revealed.’

Children’s book – I’d say 9+ but the book doesn’t state. I would be happy for my 9 year old to read it, and I think my son (11) would enjoy it too (in fact my son read ‘White Wolf’ by Henrietta Branford a couple of years ago and said it was one of his favourite books).

My daughter bought Fire, Bed and Bone at her school fair. She said she really liked the cover and the blurb and that’s why she picked it out of loads of other books. I decided to read a page or two just to see if it was suitable, but I couldn’t stop reading. I read the book in a couple of evenings, though around page 100 it almost became too emotional to read (that might just be me as I’m a sucker for an animal story).

This book is brilliantly written. I was immediately drawn into the world of ‘old dog’ as she is affectionately called by her owners. But she is not old and has two litters through the story, proving herself a fiercely protective and loving mother. She is also devoted to her owners Rufus and Comfort, and their children. I loved her voice and all the little details that she as a dog notices about people and the world around her. I was not surprised to read Henrietta Branford grew up in The New Forest, England (a place close to my heart) and that she learnt a great deal from her father about animals from a shooting and fishing perspective.

It’s a short, wonderful read, and I recommend it to everyone.

I can’t wait for both my children (and my husband) to read it and see what they think. It will be an interesting experiment, something we haven’t had the chance to do as a family before. I look forward to updating this post with their opinions, I only hope they love Fire, Bed and Bone as much as me.

#WordlessWednesday – Mist on the water & my favourite #photos of the morning

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

Did you guess the object? And my perfect writing holiday.

Posted on February 21, 2016 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

The object in the photograph below (which I posted it in response to Hughes weekly photo challenge week 12 – games) was of course a footprint, a cast of a wolf footprint to be exact.

Thank you, Hugh for picking my picture to showcase on your weekly blog challenge.

It is not as exciting as a fossilised footprint (being only 12+ years old), but it is very special to me and reminds me of one of the most magical and memorable experiences of my life.

I stayed on holiday for a week at Wolf Watch UK, actually within a wolf reserve in Shropshire, England. It’s a brilliant organisation and for me it was a once in a lifetime holiday. Please check out their website Wolf Watch UK to see how gorgeous the place is and the important work they do. I don’t know if they still run holidays, but there are plenty of opportunities to visit the wolves on things like photography days.

(The pictures in this post are not the greatest quality as they are only photos of photos, it was way before my days of digital photography.)

I loved that whole experience. Hearing the majestic and haunting sound of the wolves howling in the evening and early morning – I couldn’t think of a better alarm clock. I would spring out of bed at the first howl (not that easy when you’re 5 months pregnant!) and record their howling on my little palm top computer. I have a sound file that I wanted to share, but the .wav format is not accepted by wordpress. If anyone can tell me how to convert and add sound files I would love to update this post. As it is you’ll have to put up with a rather poor quality image of one of the wolves mid-howl or yawning its hard to tell.

Back in 2004 there was no TV reception in this beautiful Shropshire wooded valley so it made the perfect writing retreat. I started planning and writing scene for one of my works in progress called Child of Destiny. I hope to finally finish the draft in 2016.

My husband wasn’t that happy without a TV. And he certainly wasn’t keen on the wolf feeding experience.

I loved my time in the wolf enclosure. Even though I was 5 months pregnant with my first child, I wasn’t going to let that stop me getting up close with these lovely creatures. I think you’ll agree I look a lot happier about it than my husband.

I’ve always been an animal lover, but my obsession with wolves started when I read Robin Hobbs Farseer trilogy. Nighteyes was, and still is, one of my favourite all time fictional characters. I’d love to have met him.

This holiday will always have a special place in my heart and it’s brought back lots of memories writing about it now. I would love to revisit Wolf Watch UK, but I have a few years to go before my youngest is 16 (age limit imposed for safety reasons).

If you ever get the chance, go along and meet the wolves. The experience will stay with you forever.

I’m taking a few days off social media to finish the edit of my next book. Please do leave comments though, and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

#AtoZChallenge – Are you signing up for April’s blog challenge?

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

Today I signed up for the A-Z April Blog Challenge. I’m number 757 on the list, so it’s obviously very popular.

I’m still in my first year of blogging, so this is the first time I’ll be taking part. My editor, Alison Williams, recommended it. I look on it as a way to help me blog more, to find new blogs and hopefully build my own audience. It’s also a great opportunity to try out a few new things that I’ve been wanting to do for a while, and to share some of my favourite recipes and experiences.

My theme is crafts, or a loose interpretation of it. This is ranging from foraging, soap making, and my very special recipe for Zucchini cake – the kids number 1 favourite cake and it’s almost healthy too.

I’m still stuck on b, k, l, u and x. Guess I’m going to have to get creative.

I hope you can check out some of my April blogs and look forward to checking out yours too.

Follow the link here if you want to find out more about the A-Z April Blog Challenge.

#wordlesswednesday – Frosty morning by the Thames

Posted on February 17, 2016 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

Visions of Zarua – Results of the #Goodreads Giveaway Feb 2016

Posted on February 15, 2016 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

First of all thanks so much to all those who entered, and to those who have helped me spread the word.

Three winners were picked by Goodreads and the signed books are about to be sent out. Congratulations to the winners, I really hope they enjoy the book.

I ran my giveaway of Visions of Zarua for 2 months, not having put much research into what is a good timescale beforehand. Others have suggested that a shorter period is better, but maybe for a new indie author the longer the giveaway runs, the better.

2070 people entered the competition and of those 835 marked it as to read on their bookshelves. I’ve also managed to pick up some new followers. These are people that would never have heard of Visions of Zarua without Goodreads, so I see the competition as a great success. I really enjoyed running the giveaway and I may run another competition again soon.

I have also considered doing a Rafflecopter giveaway, but know even less about this than I did Goodreads. Can anyone offer any advice?

A bit cheeky I know, but if you were intrigued by the giveaway and fancied picking up a copy, Visions of Zarua is available for only £2.99 on Kindle, Kobo, iBooks, Nook, and Smashwords for other formats.

For any authors out there considering a giveaway, I say go for it.

UPDATE – 17th February 2016

A small note of caution. Running the giveaway is free, but the costs can still add up. My lucky winners were from Romania, India and USA. In all, the postage has cost me £27.45. Add to this the cost of the books which I brought direct from createspace and had to pay shipping on as well. I’d say I’m around £50.00 out of pocket.

However, as far as advertising costs go, that’s a bargain.

I know 2070 people (plus their friends on Goodreads) have now seen my book. Being in the fantasy section of the giveaway ensures I have done all I can to target my ideal audience. So although the giveaway hasn’t had much impact on sales yet, I’m hopeful it will help spread the word about Visions of Zarua. I read somewhere that consumers need to see a product a lot (something like 7 – 10 times) before they buy. So I shall just keep plugging away and keep dreaming of those sales and reviews rolling in.

1 day left to enter #goodreads #giveaway for epic fantasy – Visions of Zarua

Posted on February 13, 2016 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

Two wizards, 350 years apart. Together they must save the realm of Paltria from Zarua’s dark past…

If you want to be in with a chance of winning 1 of 3 signed paperback copies, enter the Goodreads Giveaway now. It ends midnight 14th February 2016. So far 1440 people have entered.

Please share this and help me spread the word. Thank you.

About Visions of Zarua

An ancient darkness haunts the realm of Paltria.

Apprentice wizard Paddren is plagued by visions of a city on the brink of annihilation. When his master Kalesh dies in mysterious circumstances, the Royal Order of Wizards refuses to investigate. Helped by his childhood friend, the skilled tracker Varnia, and her lover Leyoch, Paddren vows to find the killer. The investigation leads Paddren down a sinister path of assassins, secret sects and creatures conjured by blood magic. But he is guided by a connection with a wizard from centuries ago – a wizard whose history holds the key to the horror at the heart of the abandoned city of Zarua. Can Paddren decipher his visions in time to save the Paltrian people from the dark menace of Zarua’s past?