Well, I promised you a freebie, so here it is, the title story of my collection Forgotten Dreams and Other Stories. To get the PDF click here. I hope you enjoy it.
If you like the story, you might want to grab a copy of my collection (or my novel). You can do that by clicking here. Remember, if you have Kindle Unlimited, you won’t have to pay a penny. If you don’t, the books are still reasonably prices.
If you are not up for a whole book (yet), it would be lovely if you could show your appreciation in some way – commenting or sharing on Facebook or Twitter (I’m not calling it X as it is just too stupid a name). I am Colette Coen – Writer (on Facebook) and @colettecoen (on Twitter). Alternatively, you could help a thirsty author out by buying me a coffee on the lovely wee site Ko-fi.
Today is the last day of Scotland’s total lockdown (at least we think it is), so from tomorrow we will be able to visit family and sit in their garden or have a walk in the park with them. Very exciting. No longer will I need to feel guilty when I spend 10 minutes with my mum and sister after I have left their milk and bread in the shade for them to collect later. No longer will I fear driving with passengers. But yes, longer, will I live in fear that Covid-19 isn’t finished with us yet.
I am not alone in realising that things I thought were important, weren’t; and that things I took for granted were worth more than precious jewels. I don’t know when I’ll be able to meet up with my groups of friends for a real-life chat or be able to cough without planning my funeral. I don’t know when we’ll be able to get back to having family birthday parties (Zoom for me next week!)
What I do know, is that I have been very fortunate not to have lost anyone close to me. And that I have my little chicks at home with me, eating all the food, chatting until all hours and giving me fashion and IT advice. NB. I love ‘Snip’, why did no one tell me about it before?
I’ve been busy working too, with lots of essays for overseas students now Anglesised so that their tutors can mark the subject matter. Yesterday, I took my work into the garden and ended up with a burnt shoulder for my troubles.
I am also pleased to announce that my first edited book has now been published – the account of a local teacher’s round-the-world trip. Fantastic cover by the Scottish Cartoon Art Studio. If you want to find out more about my editing services, go to Beech Editorial Services.
What can I say, I’ve been busy, and here’s what I’ve been busy doing (or at least one of the things I’ve been busy doing). My new little book, filled with writing tips and available now on Amazon for the price of half an Americano (i.e. 99p).
Write Away: A Quick Guide to Get You Writing gives bite-sized pieces of wisdom (from Stephen King and Eeyore) with a a good dose of things I have learned in my years of writing and editing.
At the moment, there isn’t a cover showing on Amazon, but, since I did create one, it should magically appear soon.
As ever, it would be great if you could give me your support by buying a copy (or reading it for free if you have Kindle Unlimited) and leaving a wee review.
Christmas Present not free today, but cut-price and still time to order the paperback of All the Places I’ve Ever Been from Amazon. My Kindle Countdown Deal will be running from today – only 99p – with the price going up to the still deliciously reasonable price of £2.99 in a few days time.
All the Places I’ve Ever Been – Meg is on the run, so where better to hide than on the tour bus of a rock band. Join her on her adventures to all the places she’s ever been. Click on the image for a preview.
Success and Disappointments – not quite at the end of the year, but I’m Scottish, and if you think I’m blogging on Ne’er Day, you’ve got another thing coming (that, and the fact that I usually do my resolutions in August when the schools go back). So, no resolutions yet, but a little look back on the year: Publications – I was published in Pushing out the Boat, Postbox and the Reflex Anthology and I’ve got another publication pending; Wins – I won the Writing Quarter competition twice in January and July; Success – my proofreading and editing business, Beech Editorial Services started to bear fruit; Disappointments – I had a sniff at a book-sized publication, but unfortunately it didn’t come to fruition. Other Stuff – Pledged money to two crowdfunded literary ventures, one Extra Teeth has just arrived through my letterbox – a new magazine on the block, the other I will let you read about here. Alan Gillespie is an ex-G2 member.
Can’t be bothered reading more than 360 words at a time, then do I have the publication for you – The Real Jazz Baby is published by Reflex Press and contains ‘162 flash fictions from over 120 of the best flash fiction writers in the world.’ (My italics, as I am excited to be included in the collection). Can’t wait to get my hands on it.
Vain thing that I am, I had to wait until I had had my haircut before I could show off my latest publication. Here I am with Pushing out the Boat, which features a story of mine called Brightly Coloured Jewels about a woman whose Candy Crushesque addiction gets in the way of her responsibilities.
Colette Coen has been widely published online and in print, most recently in Five Glasgow Stories. Her new collection of short stories Forgotten Dreams is available on Amazon. She lives in East Renfrewshire where she runs Beech Editorial Services. Buy her a red wine (or a coffee) and she will tell you a story. https://colettecoen.wordpress.com
Colette Coen 