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.

My 9 Point Plan to Succeed in 2016

Posted on January 1, 2016 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

1st Jan 2016 is the perfect day to plan the year ahead. Start with optimism and who knows what can be achieved.

1. Read more and review more (As a new author I am desperate to get reviews, so it only seems right that I should put this into practice myself.)

How to achieve:

– I’ve signed up for the Good Reads 2016 reading challenge. 25 books. Not a big target, but it’s more than I managed last year.

– I have a brand new notebook to record the books I read and my thoughts on them. First book of the year is ‘The Iron Ship’ by K.M.McKinley.

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– I’m a member of a local Waterstones Fantasy / Sci-Fi book group. We meet once a month and they encourage me to try new authors. Needing to finish a book to a time scale is good motivation.

2. Publish my next book – Working title Bloodlines ‘Search for the Sentinel’

How to achieve:

– The minute the kids go back to school, I’m turning off the computer, internet etc. I’m going to focus on the draft I’ve already printed ready and concentrate on pulling it into shape. I’ve worked on it previously, so hopefully it will only take a few months to prepare it for a beta reader – Cue long suffering husband?

3. Try to blog at least once a week

How to achieve:

– So far I have a couple of half started draft posts to fall back on. I need to build up a list of posts to do. It’s sometimes easier if you already have a title or a starting point.

– If I manage to start reviewing the books in my Goodreads library, that will cover a few blogs (hopefully 25!).

– I hope to blog about the process of editing and publishing my second book, focusing on things like the front cover selection.

– I hope to blog about the successes and failures of marketing my first published book – Visions of Zarua.

VOZ print book 3d image flat

4. Finish the draft of another WIP – which will be another standalone fantasy currently called Child of Destiny.

How to achieve:

– NaNoWriMo in either April or November. For two years running I worked on Child of Destiny, completing 50k one year and 22k the next. It seems fitting that I finish the first draft during NaNo 2016.

5. Create new – short stories, flash fiction, new ideas for novels

How to achieve:

– A beautiful new notebook to write in and a lovely new Parker pen. It’s a start, then I just need to add a spark of imagination and I’m away…

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6. Enter competitions

How to achieve:

– I have a handful of stories I need to finish polishing and make changes to after receiving some very helpful critiques during previous competition entries.

7. Consider publishing a novella

How to achieve:

– Develop my s/s Death Dream and see if the idea can be sustained through a longer word count.

8. Market Visions of Zarua and get reviews on Amazon and Goodreads

How to achieve:

– I hope to do a blog tour early in 2016 and get to know more bloggers and reviewers. Maybe run a giveaway or two.

– Goodreads Giveaway – already in motion and attracting a steady flow of entrants.

– Contact reviewers, I already have a couple lined up and some I’m hoping to approach this year.

9. I would like to tidy and redesign my website

How to achieve:

– Resist the urge to pull hair out, punch the laptop and swear head off.

– Muddle through as usual.

I’m already thinking 2016 is not going to be long enough for everything I’ve planned, and we’re only on day 1. The next job will be to print this plan and pin it on the wall by my desk where I can look at it and get inspired. It’s always good to have a plan…

Has anyone got any time management tips?

#BookReview of Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

Book Review of Ink and Bone – Volume 1 of The Great Library

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I picked up this YA fantasy novel purely on the strength of one review from fantasyreads.

I’m so glad I did, though I have to admit to several late nights where I just couldn’t bear to stop reading. This was one of those books that helped me rediscover the joy of reading and allowed me to become completely immersed in another world. Not just for the fact that I loved the premise of a society focused on protecting books, but the story and the characters had me hooked right from the beginning.

It is a very fast paced, entertaining read and I loved the alternative history that was so cleverly portrayed, with plenty of magic and intrigue thrown in. The characters have such depth, especially scholar Wolfe, and there are so many details that add to the world, like the sometimes murderous Automatons and the Burners with their Greek Fire. There are many aspects to this story that I can’t wait to explore more, so many possibilities…

Even as I write this review, I could quite happily read the whole book again.

I give Ink and Bone 5 stars and have no hesitation recommending it to anyone who enjoys fantasy.

The worse thing by far in discovering a new series is to know that the next book is not available until July 2016!

Buy it at Amazon.co.uk

Buy it at Amazon.com

Change to UK paperback price

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

I have changed the price of Visions of Zarua to £10.00.

At the original cost of £9.99 there was a p&p charge at Amazon, but for 1p more there is no postage and packaging fee!

If I had realised this in the beginning, I would have set the cost to £10.00 from the start. I suppose that’s all part of the learning process indie authors go through.

I wish I could set the cost lower to be more competitive in the marketplace, but the price is calculated on pages and this book is quite long at 420. At least the extra hours editing to tighten the final word count also shaved a little off the cost!

I’m hoping my next book will come in shorter, but we’ll have to wait and see what 2016 brings.

I’m also investigating registering with the Kindle Matchbook scheme – where those who buy the paperback can buy the kindle version at a reduced cost. At the moment I don’t know if this works in the UK.

Can any of you confirm if it does or not?

The kindle version is still reduced for the Holiday period across all Amazon Kindle stores. Check out the links if you fancy picking up a bargain.

Amazon UK 99p

Amazon USA $1.47

Happy New Year everyone!

What does it take to write a novel?

Posted on December 28, 2015 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

Answer:

7 note books, reams of paper, years of hard work, thousands of hours of writing and rewriting, 4 beta readers, several online courses and professional critiques, and lets not go into the money involved…

Now that Visions of Zarua is published, I decided to use this lazy day between Christmas and New Year to tidy my desk drawers and go through all the old paperwork. I’ve boxed up all the note books that hold the first draft, the pictures of characters and places that helped me create my world, my extensive notes on everything to do with Paltria and its characters, the various critique reports and my notes on rewriting.

Who would have thought that pile of scribbles and half formed plans would turn into this…

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Visions of Zarua started way back in 2003 with a tiny idea. I wonder what my younger self would think if she knew the long, long journey ahead.

My top 4 blog posts for #newwriters and #IndieAuthors

Posted on December 27, 2015 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

As 2015 draws to a close, I’ve been thinking about my New Years Resolutions. Apart from the usual eat healthy, drink less and exercise more, my top resolutions have to be to write more and blog regularly.

With that in mind, I decided to look through my posts of 2015. I have only been blogging for about 6 months and amongst my 40 odd posts I wanted to share my favourites aimed at aspiring writers and indie authors. Click the links to read the posts in full.

I summarised my Top Tips for New Writers, ranging from attending evening classes, using beta readers and professional services in My Top Ten Tips for New Writers

Ready to proof read your novel? Use my Proof Read Top 10 checklist to give you a head start.

For those who plan to self publish in 2016, I’ve shared my tips on How to Survive Publication Day and The things I wish I’d done before Publication Day to help your publishing experience go smoothly.

For me 2015 has been a year of learning lots of new skills, of frustration when things haven’t gone to plan, but ultimately I’m left with a great deal of satisfaction knowing I’ve achieved one of my biggest dreams – publishing my first novel as an ebook and paperback.

I hope to publish my second novel next year and to continue building my author profile as well as reaching new readers and writers. I’m planning a blog tour in early 2016 and my Goodreads Giveaway (which closes 14th Feb 2016) is already attracting attention.

The world of indie publishing is full of opportunities and I look forward to the new challenges 2016 throws my way.

Bring on January 2016, I’m ready for you!

Getting in the festive mood with a Goodreads Giveaway & Kindle sale!

Posted on December 24, 2015 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

To combine the fun of the holidays and the recent launch of my paperback, Visions of Zarua, I’ve set up a Goodreads Giveaway.

It starts on 25th December 2015. To be in with a chance of winning 1 of 3 signed copies, please click the link from tomorrow.

Goodreads Giveaway

I’ve also reduced the price of the Kindle edition for a limited time only. The price reduction is available across all Amazon Kindle sites. Please click the links to buy your copy now.

Amazon.co.uk £0.99

Amazon.com $1.49

Merry Christmas to everyone.

Paperback available now!

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

I’m delighted to announce that there is now a paperback version of Visions of Zarua available to buy from Amazon.

It’s been a mad few months getting everything ready for self publishing. I’m looking forward to a quiet Christmas and then I’ll be diving into my next project. Hopefully everything I’ve learnt will make the process a lot smoother next time around.

Visions of Zarua – Paperback coming soon!

Posted on December 2, 2015 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

I haven’t posted anything for a while so I thought it was time for a quick update.

Since my eBook was released on the 16th November, friends and family have been asking when the paperback would be available. So the answer is very soon.

I’m just waiting to agree the cover and then I can request my proof copy. If all goes well, it could be on sale in time for Christmas.

Looks like I’ll be needing another bottle of champagne.

My author interview with ‘NyaReads’

Posted on November 24, 2015 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

I’ve just had my first author interview published on NyaReads website.

Please click the link to read it here.

My first poll experiment – contractions in fiction

Posted on November 20, 2015 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

I’ve never run a poll before. As I’m planning to write a blog focusing on what I’ve learnt about editing, I thought this little experiment might be fun.

When my editor, Alison Williams, first mentioned to me ‘There are places where your writing sounds a little too formal, a little strained, usually where you haven’t used contractions’ I was a bit confused. I’d always thought you could only use contractions in dialogue.

I headed straight to my overflowing bookcase and checked out my favourite fantasy authors (David Gemmell, Robin Hobb) and a whole selection of other novels in every genre I own. I checked old and newly published works, and of course I researched the subject online. I was amazed to find that authors have been using contractions all this time and I hadn’t realised. It’s one of those things you just don’t notice unless you’re looking for it. I hope I’m not alone in my confusion, it certainly seems to be a much covered topic on the internet.

Please join in the poll, share and comment. If it works, I’ll be writing about the results next week.