Ross Cottage Publishing

04/09/2023

The lovely and talented Margaret Martin. Catch her at St Duthac Wednesday week and keep an eye open for her next best selling novel from RCP. Coming soon.

YOUR INVITATION TO SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT!!

As many of you already know, Debbie's mum, Margaret Martin, decided that Lockdown would be an ideal time to write her first book, and at the Love Me Tender age of 86 years young, her book was chosen to be published by Olympia Publishers of London. 😀

The subsequent success of Margaret's book, Family Matters, has resulted in an invitation to be one of the star attractions at the upcoming St. Duthac Book and Arts Festival in Tain. 🤩

Margaret will be appearing at the lovely Carnegie Lodge Hotel in Tain between 2pm and 3pm on Thursday, 14th September, where she will perform a short reading of her fabulous book, and then enjoy a few questions and answers, along with a friendly chat about the success of the book, and an update on the progress of the follow-up novel (I know!), entitled Money Matters, which will hopefully be available soon! 😲

After Margaret's appearance, the hotel will also be hosting the highly renowned local crime fiction author JD Kirk Books from 4pm until 5pm, so the opportunity for a fascinating, fun-filled afternoon of literary entertainment and chat is there for all! 🖋

Everyone is welcome, and I know that Margaret would love to see some of your lovely friendly faces, so if you are free on the afternoon of Thursday, 14th September, please follow the link for tickets below, and we'll be delighted to see you there! 😍

There will, of course, be teas and coffees after Margaret's event. ☕

Enjoy the sunshine, everyone, and we'll see you soon! xx

https://www.stduthacbookfest.com/copy-of-tickets

02/03/2023

Happy . It’s all about the books!

08/12/2022

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=194808509723468&id=100075829606576

Festive Present Buying Ideas from indies

I have lots of very talented friends and acquaintances who produce a wide array of things from books and art, to plants and photography. I’m highlighting these micro-businesses so that you can chose to support a local person this Christmas, if you wish, rather than a faceless corporation. There will be crafters, authors and artisans where you are, so if you’d prefer to seek them out, please make the effort. When you purchase from a small business, or individual, even one sale makes a difference.

Abelkids Press - Pauline Mackay author and publisher - Ablekids Press was founded by Pauline in 2007 in Inverness, the Capital of the Scottish Highlands and she now has a shop you can visit if you’re local on Market Brae Steps in the city centre where you can buy a selection of children’s books in a range of languages including Gaelic. You can also purchase via her online store https://www.ablekidspress.com/index.php?route=common/home

Iain Bozier – Qualified Horticulturalist – Iain specialises in hardy perennials, cacti and succulents, as well as vegetables. Check out his shop for current availability. https://borringtons.com/shop/

Debhandmade & Highland Home Cook – Debbie Ross – baker, cook, writer, artist –

Buy original and affordable art work, cards other merchandise here: https://debhandmade.com/shop

Buy the cookbook here – currently on offer –
http://highlandhomecook.co.uk/cookbook

Or the ebook here:
Cookbook - Kindle Version
https://amzn.to/3I6OBZh

Buy festive food gifts here: https://www.highlandhomecook.co.uk/contactus.php

Buy poetry here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Immersion-Debbie-Ross/dp/1916155626/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1643724914&sr=8-7

East Sutherland Rescue Association – Dornoch Indie Lifeboat – buy a range of reasonably priced gifts made in the UK and support this local volunteer run emergency service https://esra.uk/shop

Elaine Fryson - author - Elaine’s first book Darcey the Duck, is available to order through the publisher's website at a discount of 25%. Please follow the link: https://www.austinmacauley.com/book/darcey-duck

It is also available on Amazon, Waterstones and WHSmith online.

Helen Forbes - author - has a new book coming soon. QUEEN OF GRIME is book one in her new Edinburgh series, featuring crime and trauma scene cleaner, Erin Flett, due out on 14th December 2022. pre-order the e-book here: https://amzn.to/3UFCDU
or order a signed copy of the paperback here:with free UK P&P: https://www.helenforbes.co.uk/mybooks

And if you haven't read the free prequel novella SPOILS OF THE DEAD, you can get your copy here: https://bookhip.com/VPLSRVX

Order now if you'd like delivery of a signed copy for Christmas.

Michael Gallacher – Twisty Foldy Net - Photographer – Buy prints, t-shirts and calendars here: https://store.twistyfoldy.net/?fbclid=PAAaaChQmM5iPHBDGoFQOe2qVwM1wJ5DtcoyEV5m-Ymj2v-BSX2KO70H3Ss9o

Paula Harmon - author - Her third book in the Margaret Demeray series is out on 29th December, but you can catch up on the first two if you hurry. Co- Author of the Caster and Fleet series of Victorian Lady Detectives, Paula has a range of books to suit all tastes. https://paulaharmon.com/books-by-paula-harmon/

Val Portelli - author - ‘Simply Spooky’ or ‘Weird and Peculiar Tales. are ideal tales to tell around a fire at Christmas, or see Val’s other titles here: https://author.to/ValPortelli And on Amazon

Tony Ross – author – Buy the detailed and useful ‘ Work Successfully from Home’ in paperback or ebook here: https://rosscottagepublishing.co.uk/wfh.html

Lorraine Thomson, author and artist - Modernist Dreams Brutalist Nightmares is a searingly honest and brutally funny account of being part of the first generation to grow up in Cumbernauld, Scotland's most ambitious and experimental New Town. Billed as The Town for Tomorrow, Cumbernauld is famous for being the setting of Gregory's Girl and is infamous for its brutalist architecture. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Modernist-Dreams-Brutalist-Nightmares-Thomson/dp/1737982978/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1667377436&sr=8-2

Helen White - Jeweller, artist, tutor - Helen’s products are inspired by animals, especially cats. You can find her work here: https://helenkawhitedesign.com/
And on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/helenkawhitedesign/

There are lots of other authors and musicians I know who you might support with a purchase this Christmas including: Ceitidh Hutton Author Liza Mulholland Henderson Merryn Glover Sam Appleby and Miller Check out their social media for links to books and music.

Anyone who didn’t see my original post, please feel free to add yourself to the comments for people to find you.

01/09/2022

https://www.facebook.com/103922424787733/posts/639015687945068/

01/09/2022

https://www.facebook.com/103922424787733/posts/638318704681433/

31/08/2022

Writing your book is the easy part, marketing it is a lot harder, especially if you’re not naturally wanting to put yourself ‘out there’. These tips from author, Sophie Flynn, via Jericho Writers, are simple steps anyone can take to promote (that is marketing) their book.

Seven Easy Tips for Promoting Your Book | Sophie Flynn

So many of us dream of being published and yet, when it gets to it, things can still be a bit of a mixed bag. Sadly, I’ve seen a lot of authors recently not enjoying life after their publication date – they hate author marketing and feel like it’s their fault their book isn’t getting noticed.

If you’re frustrated and wanting to take action, here's a quick list (originally posted on my twitter) of super-easy things you can do to feel more in control of your book once it’s out...

Side note: Now, to be honest any marketing you do is never going to compete with what a big (or small and dedicated) publisher with a decent marketing budget, strong sales team and most importantly excellent distribution can do. But, but…

There are lots of small and, more importantly, very easy ‘marketing’ things all authors can be doing that will make your books easier to find for those that are most likely to want to read them. So...

1. Make it *super* easy for people landing on your profile to find your books! In your bio, put in a link to where you want people to go - with the most important link at the top (eg if you have a new book out, that book goes top). How-to here.

2. Pin your most important tweet to your profile. This should always include a ‘call to action’ - just think ‘what do I most want people to do when they land here?’ It’s usually 'buy a book', so pop that link in. How to here.

3. Tell people what your book is about! I know you think you talk about your book too much - but I promise most of the time, we miss out the key aspects of our book and they all become one generic blur of ‘twisty page-turning must read’.

This can be done without being a sales pitch! Share news articles about the issues in your book with a message about why it matters. Take a photo of the place your book is set and mention how the setting is important. Write an anecdote about why you wrote what you wrote. Here’s a very simple example.

4. Tell EVERYONE who helped you on the way about your book! At Jericho Writers we LOVE hearing success stories from people we’ve helped and always support them because it’s good for us and good for them. (Another side note: if we’ve helped you land a deal, get an agent, self-publish or anything else, please get in touch with Esther at [email protected] - she’d love to chat to you!)

Not done a course or used paid services? No problem. Maybe you listened to a podcast that gave you the tip that hooked your agent? Email them - they may give your book a shout-out. Wrote in your local library? Email them - they can pop you in the newsletter. Met an author at an event that inspired you? You guessed it... TELL THEM!!
5. Never miss an opportunity to plug your book. I have mine on my personal email signature like this (made in Canva which took 5 minutes). It’s fine to be shameless.


6. Get your family and friends involved! It can feel like everyone has a book out but for most people, knowing an author is pretty rare so give them things they can share - posts that they can put on their feeds, links to buy your book, an easy blurb of what your book's about etc.

7. Finally, remember the start of this email. Your job isn’t to market your books, your job is to write them. My points here are all about maximising the EASY parts we can and should be doing to make sure anyone who finds us also finds our books, that's all.

Caveat. If you’re an indie author, especially, I’d say your job IS to market your books, but outsource as much as you can afford to if you’re not an expert, otherwise you’ll need to learn and it can be a very steep learning curve. There are many organisational who can help you including Jericho Writers and LoveBookTours.

Good luck if you have a current release. Do feel free to share links to your current releases here in the comments.



Photo and main article attributable to Sophie Flynn and Jericho Writer.

30/08/2022

More copies of ‘Code 135’ are off to the Dornoch Bookshop today so if you’re in the area you can pick up a copy there too. Proceeds to indie lifeboat in Dornoch (ESRA)

If you’re not local you can buy your copy here:

https://rosscottagepublishing.co.uk/code135.html

30/08/2022

Check out Nigg Hall Book Fair for our list of atttending authors. First up, Fara Sutherland.

https://www.facebook.com/103922424787733/posts/637688424744461/

11/08/2022

Yay! They’ve arrived! Book Delivery Day

11/08/2022

Lookie what we have here! 😍

10/08/2022

VERY excited, proud and pleased to announce the launch (no pun intended) of Neil Dalton’s history of the Dornoch Indie Lifeboat. No dry record, this is voyage of discovery!

Published to coincide with the 40th anniversary celebrations of ESRA, (The East Sutherland Rescue Association) founder member Neil Dalton takes the reader along in a no holds barred account. He covers everything from the very common misconception that ESRA is part of/or funded by the RNLI (it isn't), equipment, training, call-outs and inevitable tragedies. But there are many moments of joy, fun and even fame, as the organisation features on the BBC's 999 programme.

There are plenty of photos in this detailed and interesting account.

When you buy a copy you’ll be adding to the organisation’s much needed coffers. All profits from the sale of this book will go to fund ESRA and Dornoch’s indie lifeboat.

Buy from here: https://rosscottagepublishing.co.uk/code135.html

24/06/2022

The writing competition is go. Entries being accepted now. The closing date is close. Get those creative hats on and send us something.

16/06/2022

Don’t forget our Nigg Book Fair short story comp. Details below:

31/05/2022

Some useful advice from the ever helpful Books Go Social’s Laurence O’ Bryan. Three keys to selling your book(s)

Subject or Delivery or Marketing

The keys to selling books.

If we get any of these wrong our work can languish on the back pages of Amazon’s endless online library and never be found.

Which do you think is the most important key?

1. A compelling subject, something with popular appeal. Something you can bring a fresh perspective to. The greater the amount of fresh perspective, the greater the latitude you receive from the other two key elements in book selling. I also suggest that without a compelling subject, something that makes us flip the pages. neither of the following will make much difference. This is why this is the number 1 key for me.

2. A well crafted presentation. This includes your choice of words, the structure you wrap them all in and the presentation in online and real life book stores. Is your writing enjoyable, does the structure appeal and does the presention work to show your book in the best possible light?

3. A well done marketing campaign to tell people about the book. All the above are great, but if no one hears about your book, no one will buy it. It might the best, most compelling, most well written book, but without marketing, it won’t find readers. And books crave readers.

To me both 1 and 3 above are critical to success, with 1 being the most important. At BooksGoSocial, we have seen many books with less than perfect writing and/or packaging do very well, because the content is compelling and the marketing tells lots of people about the book.

Please, consider how each of these keys relates to your book, and if you are wondering why your book isn’t selling, think about how you craft each of these.

30/05/2022

All systems go for the Nigg Book Fair Short Story writing Competition! Check out our page for rules and payment.

27/05/2022

Have you heard of the Emma Press? They’re a lovely wee indie press who publish poetry, short fiction and children’s books. Started in 2012 they are going strong and have won a raft of awards. They have a few calls for submission each year and are definitely worth looking up. You can buy a year of poetry for children for example and poetry collections like the Bell Tower by Pamela Crowe, which was published yesterday and I can’t wait to read!

Author Emma Wright Emma Dai'an Wright is the founder of The Emma Press, and works across all areas of the business, from commissioning, editing, typesetting, illustrating, marketing and sales. She isn't the author of any books - this bit is […]

05/05/2022

SPS LIVE TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW!

Expect plenty of internationally bestselling authors, industry experts on a variety of craft and marketing topics, and the opportunity to network with hundreds of your fellow writers across two days In London. The schedule will be announced over the next few weeks, but please rest assured that the speakers will be excellent and you will leave having learned a ton of useful information and been invigorated by being in the company of people who love writing just as much as you do.
You can grab your ticket here:
selfpublishingformula.com/spslive

02/05/2022

Been a bit quiet this month. We’ve had two week of friends and family staying and have been busy on a range of projects. Next week is a holiday and then we’ll be back with a bang with a local launch of one of our upcoming titles. More to follow…

Thank you to a everyone who’s purchased a copy of our latest title, ‘Working from Home Successfully’. If you’ve read a copy and enjoyed it, would you mind giving it a wee rating or review please? Reviews really matter as they’re the only way to improve visibility on these massive platforms. Thank you.

05/04/2022

I thought you might like to know a bit more about us, so here’s a bio to start with.

Mostly a technical writer, AW Ross has dabbled in story writing too. He was one of those kids who liked to take things apart to see how they worked, but enjoyed writing about it too. So, taking things apart seemed to go hand-in-hand with writing manuals.

Technical writing is not just about writing. In fact, he spends most of his time learning about new technologies and products so he can share that information with others.

His forte is making things simple. He takes complex concepts and explains them simply, clearly and in contexts which make them easy to understand. He believes in making knowledge accessible for everyone.

So he’s definitely a ‘techie’ although one who can actually explain concepts proficiently and accessibly.

He likes Sci-Fi and Tartan Noir and has dabbled with writing both.

For someone with such a pragmatic brain, his right side is surprisingly active and he has spent a lot of time on creating designs for websites, marketing and newsletters. An ideal combo for a jobbing writer/publisher.

02/04/2022

Here’s what local author and columnist, Barbara Henderson, from our local rag, has to say about A W Ross Author Page

The lovely Barbara Henderson interviewed me last Friday and this is her article in the Rossshire Journal (probably be in all Highland News group papers today). It's in the Artyness section.

Either click the photo to see it all and read the article or view it on our website:
https://rosscottagepublishing.co.uk/press.html

31/03/2022

RCP in the guise of Debbie Ross Author Page and A W Ross Author Page have run the for the last 4 years. This year will be year 5 and we plan to celebrate with something special!

https://www.facebook.com/103922424787733/posts/535051718341466/

With 6 months to go until the we thought it might be time to bring this page to life again! We’ll be part of the spectacular Duthac Book and Arts Festival again this year and as it’s our 5th year running - as well as being Scotlands Year of Stories - we thought we would run a story competition. Details to follow.

If you’re an author and would like a stall, do get in touch as we have a maximum capacity and stalls go quickly. As ever, all proceeds in aid of Nigg Community Hall.

Save the date! Saturday 24th September 2022

31/03/2022

Did you know 2022 is the ‘Year of Stories’ in Scotland? Lots of organisations are running events, so check it out and get involved follow and

https://youtu.be/N-SDmagVbBg

Hear about the exciting events programme in 2022 with contributions from Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, Jenny Gilruth MSP, Minister for ...

31/03/2022

We’re working on final edits for 2 books currently. I have a love/hate relationship with editing. I worked for a coms/tech company producing documents and had to do a lot of proof reading/ version edits & then I switched to an internal publications department. Working on your own documents is different proposition.The relationship between you and your work is often too intense.

What are your best editing tips? Helen Sedgwick Author did a fabulous workshop last year on creative editing as part of the Wigton Book Festival and she also delivered a workshop for . If you get a chance to hear it, it’s worth a listen.

22/03/2022

Here’s another ‘cover reveal’ for you today. Drum roll please! Here’s a preview of A W Ross’s memoir. It’s a cliché, but it’s definitely a triumph over adversity tale. Ten years in the living, 40 years distilling and 5 years in the writing. The mantra ‘write what you know’ will never be more true.

https://rosscottagepublishing.co.uk/

22/03/2022

Here are our current and ‘coming soon’ non-fiction titles, along with a cookbook which is still a work in progress. Fiction titles due in 2023. You can read more and purchase copies at the website via various outlets.

rosscottagepublishing.co.uk

19/03/2022

This looks like a helpful event if you’re working out how to use social media as an author.

Thanks for sharing Caroline

https://britishisles.scbwi.org/events/having-an-effective-online-presence-with-josie-deacon/

19/03/2022

The 2nd of our 3 new releases will be a childhood memoir, which Tony has been working on for a few years. It’s his story, so I won’t muscle in on it. It has been hard to write and was even harder to live, but it’s a survival tale, not a misery tome.

Puzzle picture, Church Street, Port Glasgow by Neal Crossland.

18/03/2022

Sneak peek of one of our new titles. This book has been in the making for over a decade. So long infact, that it had to be fully revised. It’s going through final tweaks now and will be in the world later this year.

17/03/2022

More titles coming soon. Do you want to know what?