Happy New Year folks, now Christmas is over I'm working hard on a new 'Titus' story and trying to consolidate all my places on the net. It's not easy people, what with google+, blogger, indieauthornetwork, shelfari, goodreads, bookrix, twitter, facebook, youtube, author central on amazon and a host of other places. Every time I think I've got it licked, another place needs my attention.
What I've been trying to do is make sure I have the same bio on all the places I have a profile. However, I've found it's a daunting task getting yourself out there as an 'author'. For instance, you not only have to link to your books on your profile, you have to tell the world. But who is listening? Are you?
For those that are, here's the links to my books. Feel free to leave a review even if you don't buy, you might be one of the kind people who read them on bookrix. You can find them all in my Amazon astores along with some of my favourite writers and music:
And while you're here, check out my paperback. Make a great christmas gift for kids.
Carol x
Friday, December 16, 2011
Now, I know you’re all wondering how the Rudolph saga ended. Yes, I know you’re thinking, 'what saga, where?'. However, it is a fantasy and there is a story behind the story, so to speak.
My good friend Paula thought it might be nice to put together an anthology of children’s stories with a Christmas theme, for children’s charities. So, I got to work on one, while Paula checked out copyright stuff for the Christmas theme.
My little story is about Titus (my main character) and his adventure with Santa and his reindeers. So far so good, you might say, nope! It seems ‘Rudolph’ is copyrighted and after e-mails back and forth, they say I can’t use the name Rudolph.
So, no more ‘red nose reindeer’ well, screw them ‘cause there’s a new guy on the block, his name is Cedric and he has a blue nose. The moral of this story is, writers beware and after all that, please check out Cedric he needs all the friends he can get.
A Titus Adventure with Cedric and Santa in a collection called A Whimsical Holiday for Children, to benefit children’s charities. The authors are donating all profits on A Whimsical Holiday for Children, to charity. I really enjoyed collaborating with some wonderful writers on this book and I hope you like it too.
You can find A Whimsical Holiday for Children in my US & UK Stores, top right on this blog. Here’s a book trailer to whet your appetite.
I have another Titus story written before his adventures with Cedric & Santa called A Titus Adventure which is written for grownups/parents’ to read to young ones and older children to read themselves. When Titus wants to visit his friend Jackson who is in hospital, he runs into all sorts of trouble. So, he sets about trying to find someone to help him.
Here’s another trailer to whet your appetite. Full of it aren’t I, but I made these trailers with my own fair hand so, I gotta show them off. Plus the solo singer at the start of this one is my beautiful granddaughter.
What others are saying about A Titus Adventure.
A sweet Read
Carol Wills takes us for a wonderful ride in an adventure that will leave you sighing and saying "Awww" with a lot of extra "w's" at the end. It is a truly sweet story of a bird named Titus who will teach you the meaning of friendship and the bond he shares with a certain friend. On his way he makes new friends and teaches us that in a journey we always need someone to lend a hand. It is a beautiful story that will leave you enchanted, much like the magic of the Puffpuff bird.
Meli J Nightly
Brilliant!
This is a fantastic children's story, professionally planed and written with a lovely sentiment.
I'm sure that many a parent would be grateful to own a copy of this book when it comes to firing their little one's imaginations at bedtime, or any other time.
Kade Jones
You can find the eBooks in my UK & US stores top right on this blog and the paperback can be found at Lulu .com here: http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/a-titus-adventure/18737644?productTrackingContext=search_results/search_shelf/center/1
Amazon Kindle US http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006H3JK32#_
Amazon Kindle UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B006H3JK32
Lulu.com In paperback
http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/a-titus-adventure/18737644?productTrackingContext=search_results/search_shelf/center/1
I've had an answer but, I'm still confused here's the first note I sent to them:
Hi, my name is Carol Wills and I write children’s stories. All my stories are about little blue bird called Titus and his adventures.
The newest story will have Titus getting lost and meeting Santa and Rudolph who help him find his way home as they deliver the Christmas presents to children.
Can you advise me on whether I need a license to use the name ‘Rudolph’ and how I obtain a licence if I do.
Sincerely
Carol Wills
And here's the reply:
Dear Ms. Wills,
Thank you very much for your inquiry. We have a very strong licensed merchandise and publishing program already in place for Rudolph and are not entertaining new content submissions at this time.
We wish you success in your endeavors.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Flom
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Character Arts, LLC
37 Pond Road, Bldg. 2
Wilton, CT 06897
Now, correct me if I'm wrong but, they seem to think I want to submit content to them but, I don't. So, I sent them this:
Dear Mr Flom,
Thank you for your swift reply to my inquiry. I understand you are not entertaining new content submissions and have no wish to submit to yourselves.
However, I would still like to know if I can use the name ‘Rudolph’ in my story without your express permission.
Sincerely
Carol Wills
Did I word the first one wrong? Am I a bit dim? Or is he saying fine go ahead? Clarification is needed I think. You never know I might get a book out of all this coming and going.
Clear answer...
...here's the final reply:
Hi Carol,
Yes you would need our permission to use the name Rudolph and, per my previous email, we need to decline the request for permission.
Jonathan Flom
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Character Arts, LLC
37 Pond Road, Bldg. 2
Wilton, CT 06897
So, Cedric it is, of course he is from the reindeer police and Santa needs all the help he can get, dishing out all those valuable gifts...hey ho.
The Titus Adventure with Cedric & Santa will be out soon in a Christmas Collection of stories for children. Look out for it.
I’ve just finished a little children’s story about a bird called Titus who has an adventure with Santa and Rudolph. Fine you might say so, what’s the problem. Well, you see this little story is to go into a Christmas anthology of children’s stories a friend of mine is creating.
Anyway, to make sure everything was legal she checked out copyright stuff on Christmas...well it it’s a popular theme after all. Everything was going swimmingly until she got to ‘Rudolph’ it seems he is copyrighted. All the other reindeers are fair game but not Rudolph and he features as one of the main character in my little story Grrrrrrrr.
So I dashed off an e-mail to the license holders and now I’m crossing my fingers and anything else I can think of. If they say no or it costs a fortune, I will change his name to Cedric the reindeer policeman and give him a blue nose. So wish me luck folks. I’ll keep you posted.
Hey peeps, just found a great new site for Indie Authors (self published writers) and readers. You can add your books to the bookshelf and much much more.
Independent Authors Network is a gathering place for Authors, Editors, Cover Artist, Techs and their Readers to interact and sell their services or products. See the newest releases, talk to an author, watch video teasers or connect to professionals to make your book the best it can be before publication. Contact them to be added to their list. Go check it out friends you won't be sorry. http://indieauthornetwork.weebly.com/
Carol x
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
I've just published this little collection of short stories.
