The Book Depository offers free postage worldwide

The Book Depository is an on-line bookshop which not only gives discount prices but provides Free Worldwide Delivery.

They are currently advertising The Condor's Feather for:
£14.24 - Save £4.75 - RRP £18.99
That is cheaper than I will be able to buy it from my publisher's agent in Australia.

I have mentioned Waterstone's catalogue price in an earlier post.
They are selling the book for £1 cheaper then The Book Depository, but then overseas postage costs may be in the realm of £7.
If you live in the UK you have choice of on-line booksellers including the publisher, Hale Books, who offers free postage within the UK.
But when you live overseas you have to shop around.

'Short and Twisted' coming soon

In a few months you will no longer be able to buy the old incandescent light-globes!
They will be replaced by the new environmently friendly short and twisted ones.
But, no - this is not a post about light-bulbs, it's the promo for a new book which will be launched in May in Victoria (Au) - a compilation of short stories and poems with a twist in the tale/tail - hence Short and Twisted.
My 100-word submission, entitled Deaf Ears, will be included in the anthology.
As I can't re-print that piece here, here is an 100-word alternative.
Just a little bit of sillyness on the subject of writing poetry:

On Writing Poetry

There once was a student of English
Whose verse was as flat as a dead fish
He tried a quatrain
But he just couldn’t tame it
And ended up with pages of disassociated words in a verbal kaleidoscope of unpredictable rhythm troubled trochaics diabolical dactyls lousy limericks his only rise and fall when he shuffled from one foot to the other while metering out a cacophony of concocted verbosity. Of course he may rival James Joyce or Ania Walwicz but my advice would be to leave the limericks to Lear, sonnets to Shakespeare, forget the poetry and stick to prose!

Photo: Promo for book launch
Limerick - 'On Writing Poetry' by Margaret Muir

The Condor's Feather discounted at Waterstone's

Venture into a truly inhospitable land at the tail end of the globe.


Yesterday I noted that The Condor's Feather was listed on Amazon.
It is also advertised on WH Smith's catalogue and at Waterstone's for pre-order.
However, the best deal is currently offered by Waterstone's where it can be ordered for for ₤13.29 (the RRP is ₤18.99).
Orders will be shipped in July.

Here is the book's blurb which appears on Amazon:

Thia Beresford, bored with the demands of nineteenth century society, decides to forego the luxuries of Huntingley and embark on a riding expedition across the pampas of Patagonia. Accompanied by her father, brother, a playwright, two servants and her Newfoundland dogs, Thia joins the ship in Liverpool.
On board she is intrigued by a mysterious Welshman, Euan Davies, and when they disembark in South America, she is pleased that he agrees to act as their guide.
But after only a week in the saddle Davies' disturbing secret starts to unravel and Thia's party soon find themselves embroiled in a deadly game of cat and mouse with a group of dangerous prison escapees.
Beset by Indians, inhospitable terrain, pampas winds and mountain lions, is it possible this mismatched group of travellers can survive?

Photo: If you look closely at the top photo you can see a cruise ship near the base of the glacier. That gives some idea of the grand dimensions.

I took this photo on the Strait of Magellan

Sabias que? - Lady Florence Dixie

During my first visit to Punta Arenas on the Strait of Magellan in South America, I picked up a small tourist brochure.
Inside I found this tiny article which intrigued me.

The article reads:
The first Europeans to lay eyes on the Paine Range were Lady Florence Dixie, daughter of the seventh Marquis of Queensbury and her companions in 1878.
They had sailed from Liverpool and arrived in Punta Arenas, where they were provided with horses and provisions and explored the region for several weeks.
They made it all the way to the park and named the Tower Peaks "Cleopatras Needles".
This was a pioneer trip into the hitherto little known regions of Patagonia.
Florence Dixie, who authored several books including "Across Patagonia" (London 1880), died in 1907.

When I returned to Australia after my visit I managed to buy a copy of Lady Florence's book.
Reading her story inspired me to write THE CONDOR'S FEATHER.

Copy of article in magazine SOUTH PATAGONIA ADVENTURE - Go to: http://www.patagoniainteractiva.com

A book for Fiji – the dream of Morgan Hayton

Sixteen year old, Morgan Hayton spent two periods volunteering at a village school on the island of Fiji.
Following that successful project, Morgan thought it would be nice for the children at the school to have a book especially for themselves.
With help and encouragement Morgan organised the collection of enough material to fill a book – stories, poems, pictures etc.
All the items are donated freely by the writers and artists.
When completed the ‘Book for Fiji’ will be published by http://www.lulu.com and will be available for purchase from their website.

Tasmanian children’s author, Sally Odgers compiled and edited the collection, wrote some linking text and wrote a few poems.
Because all the material was donated by the creators, this will be a low-cost publication.
But what a brilliant idea!
Perhaps other schools/organisations/individuals might consider ‘adopting’ a school in another country to compile a book for.
I wish Morgan every success in his project.

My small contribution was a picture of an echidna. I offered a few shots but am not sure which will appear in the book.
Pics: An echidna in Tasmania

Cover captures essence of Patagonian story

It is said that you can’t judge a book by its cover.
But it is that cover image which often attracts a reader to a particular book.
In today’s cyber-savvy world many books are ordered via the internet.
And in many cases the only indication of the essence of the story is gleaned from the jacket image.
Last night I received a digital copy of the cover for The Condor’s Feather and I am delighted with it.
Artist, Michael Thomas, has not only depicted the sweeping pampas with the jagged peaks of the Andes in the background, but also a pair of Criollo horses, the riders, and the ever-faithful Newfoundland dogs, Byron and Bella, which accompany the party on their exciting and often dangerous expedition across the wilds of Patagonia.
Of course the soaring condor is not forgotten.
To learn more about the book and discover what inspired me to write this novel following my visit to South America, go to: http://www.squidoo.com/thecondorsfeather
The Condor’s Feather is due for publication in July, 2009 and will be available for order on-line from Hale Books, Amazon or good book stores.
My thanks to Michael Thomas.