Head Above Water Blog – Writing, Headspace, Creativity, Verve

  • Head Above Water Blog: My Debut short story collection Random Acts of Optimism released September 2023!

    Fantastic news: September publication of my debut short story collection! Readers of the Head above Water blog will have followed my story since 2009 of writing endeavours, resilience and persistence, shortlists and near misses. I have written alongside raising a family, challenging circumstances, a new job in public libraries and a Masters by night in…

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  • Indie Author Giveaway Hop

    I am taking part in the Indie Author Giveaway Hop, hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Krazy Book Lady. The dates for this hop are June 13th to 19th. The prize options are a signed paperback copy of Housewife with a Half-Life OR a Kindle edition of Housewife with a Half-Life…

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  • Official Release of Housewife with a Half-Life Paperback and Comp!

    When I released the ebook of Housewife with a Half-Life I was delighted with the response but many of you kindly said that you’d like to buy the paperback version. I’m happy to now pronounce Housewife with a Half-Life formally available on paperback.Cheers! Clink Clink! You can purchase Housewife with a Half-Life on Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk,…

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  • Who would you like to see in a kilt competition and paperback launch!

    Join me tomorrow Tuesday 12th June for the online paperback launch of Housewife with a Half-Life. Stop by to find out who has won the signed paperback and to enter the other competitions for book and other domestic fun prizes. Thanks so much for your good wishes and support! If you’re on Facebook like A.B.…

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  • #FridayFlash Further chronicles of Mars (in tribute to Ray Bradbury)

    In tribute to Ray Bradbury In the long years of silence he waited, not knowing he waited. Ears that had been turned to him closed, the dust lifted and fell. He looked through the clearing for signs. He saw nothing, heard nothing without knowing he wanted to see, or hear. But his hands sought the…

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  • Video readings from Housewife with a Half-Life!

    Ahead of the paperback launch next Tuesday 12 June I’ve recorded some extracts from Housewife with a Half-Life! What it means for Susan to be a Housewife with a Half-Life Fairly Dave meets Susan’s mother   If you prefer, here is the text of my readings… How Susan is a Housewife with a Half-Life ‘You…

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  • Why I self-published both paperback & ebook

    One of the main attractions of self-publishing is the ease with which you can now produce and distribute your masterpiece and along with that how you can offer it as a very reasonably priced ebook which any right minded individual will of course shell out for. All you have to do is upload your file…

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  • New book by D J Kirkby

    I wanted to wish DJ Kirby the very best on the release of her new book My Dream of You. Join DJ on her blog and on Facebook today for wonderful competitions including for an amazing hamper and signed books. About My Dream of You One summer’s day Betty let love carry her a step…

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  • #fridayflash Hard shoulder

    I fancied trying to keep within a 500 word limit. It’s late in the day and this is a bit of a riff but anyhow… On the hard shoulder she gave me the cold shoulder as we sat anxious and rattled. I’d had bangers and mash in the motorway diner, she’d had a platter of…

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  • News of paperback launch of Housewife with a Half-Life 12th & 22nd June

    I launched Housewife with a Half-Life as an ebook on May 8th and I’m delighted now to be able to announce the paperback launch of the book. The online launch of the paperback will be on the 12th of June. I’ll be building up to it with video excerpts and posts about the process of…

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  • When Dreams Come True Launch Rebecca Emin

    Following on the publication of the popular children’s book New Beginnings, mother of three and writer Rebecca Emin is launching her next book for 10 to 14 year olds ‘When Dreams Come True, today and details of where to find out about the book and the launch are below. Having known Rebecca for quite some…

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Welcome to my Head above Water blog! I’m Alison, writer, mother and public librarian with a background in Communication Studies and Psychology. I have a particular interest in creative resilience, motivation and how nature and wonder can restore us. In my day job I run book clubs and creative events for children and adults.

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