Summer is over so it's back to work...

(c) Image credit

Hey everyone!

The school holidays are over and the kids are back at school so I figured an update was long overdue, especially with lots of exciting stuff still to come this year.

WalkTen (c) ABR

Our summer started with the kids' sponsored 10K walk at Tatton Park to raise funds for Marie Curie, which The Hub and I therefore did too, but it was a lovely evening rounded off beautifully with fireworks.

We then took ourselves off to North Wales for a couple of weeks over the holidays. The weather wasn't great but we still managed to get around several castles, a spooky house in Conway, the Welsh Mountain Zoo, and various jaunts to the beach.

Puffin Island (N. Wales) (c) ABR

The good and bad thing about where we stay is the lack of phone signal, let alone no WiFi, so I always find it hard when I'm such an internet junkie. On the upside, I got a lot of reading done once the kids were in bed for the night which you can see on my 'Just Finished' shelf on Goodreads if you're interested.

Aurelia's just-finished book montage

Aurelia B. Rowl's Just Finished books »

On the writing front, the year so far has been all about Malice, the mean girl from Popping the Cherry, and getting her story down on paper. All being well, A Girl Called Malice will be hitting the virtual shelves on October 3rd and I cannot wait for you to read her story. In associated news, Popping the Cherry is being repackaged with a new cover to tie in with A Girl Called Malice so I hope to have those to share with you soon. All very exciting!

Also coming soon is the re-release of Christmas is Cancelled on December 1st and I cannot begin to tell you how thrilled I am for my debut story to be taken under the Harlequin wing. Sadly it will mean a new cover, even though I adore the original one, but I have high hopes for what the Carina UK team will come up with.

Next up is an 'Allie' project but after that, it's back into the world of Popping the Cherry to get stuck into books 3 and 4. I've already been given the nod by my editor so book 3 is going to be Nathan's story and book 4 will be Flick's story assuming everything goes to plan. Even though the books are all interlinked, with the storyline and timelines overlapping, you can read them as standalone stories and out of order if you don't mind the spoilers in the subsequent books.

If anybody is interested in joining my team, Aurelia's Antics, on Facebook and/or Goodreads to get sneak previews and hidden insights along with access to advance review copies, just send a request to join or get in touch.

Anyway, even waffling, I have a book trailer to make and much to do (including a new release as Allie this month) so I'd better crack on with it. Next time I post, it will hopefully be with gorgeous new covers so make sure you're following me.

Bye for now,
Aurelia x

Goodbye 2013, Hello 2014...

Impossible!

How can 2013 be over already?! o_O

I hope you have all enjoyed a very happy Christmas and wish you peace and happiness for the coming year.

Thank you all so much for taking to time to read my blog and following my journey. I feel like I have come a long way in the two and a bit years I've been writing and cannot believe I have already celebrated my first anniversary of becoming a published author.

Time really is flying by though and I intend to embrace it, saving my weekends and school holidays for family time, then knuckling down during school hours to get my work done rather than fritter it away online.

The Year in Review...

2013 saw the launch of Allie A. Burrow and the publication of my Young Adult/New Adult series but it has been a steep learning curve as I had to battle with writing to demand, rather than writing the story that is shouting the loudest. I really need to get disciplined and not be so distracted by the internet though; social networking and promotion is a major timesuck and before I know it, a whole morning has passed. Oops.

Way back at the start of the year, I set my usual challenge so what were my resolutions for 2013 and how did I do?

1) Read 50 books

I am absolutely thrilled to have achieved this and actually had a month or so to spare. Writing commitments meant I had to squeeze in reading time in clusters, going long spells without picking up a book and then having a major binge, but hey, I did it. I reached my goal without having to count 2-in-1's and 3-in-1's as separate books ;-)

2) Self-publish my first novel

Alas, I didn't achieve my goal of self-publishing but only because I landed a book deal with a major publisher so I'm not in the slightest bit disappointed. I'm still waiting on some legislation to go through Parliament that directly affects the Peer Pressure series I am writing anyway. I had also hoped to finish Their Last Goodbye but this is still stuck in the pending pile due to getting on with my Popping the Cherry series.

3) Take part in another sponsored event

I smashed this one by taking part in not one, but two sponsored events. First was my inclusion in the On Yer Bike event for Brain Tumour Research and then came the biggie with my skydive to raise funds for Rainbow Trust. I was also a volunteer for one of the Race 4 Life events, rather than a participant, which was incredibly rewarding.

The Year Ahead...

I am coming into 2014 with another book deal under my belt and a lot of plans. Not only am I contracted for Popping the Cherry books two, three, and four, 2014 also sees Christmas is Cancelled switching publishers and being relaunched in time for Christmas. I'd also really like to get the sequel written rather than making readers wait until 2015!

With all of this in mind, it is time to come up with my resolutions for the year ahead, sticking with my usual personal, professional and community themes, so here goes...

1) Read 26 books

I've had to really cut back on my reading challenge for 2014 as there is just too much writing to do and deadlines to be met. If I can average a book a fortnight though, I will end the year happy.

2) Get another 'Allie' book published

Although Allie isn't my main writing persona, I would like to at least keep it ticking over by releasing a minimum of one book a year. Looking ahead at my writing schedule, I'm not sure where I will fit it in but I will give it a darned good go.

3) Volunteer at a charity event

You'll be relieved to know I am hanging up my fundraising boots for a year to give everyone a break from my 'please sponsor me' posts. I have already chosen my charity for 2014 though, Mummy's Star, will assist them in any way that I am able. I would like to volunteer at another charity event during 2014 and if that is on behalf of Mummy's Star then all the better.

So there we have it!

Over to you, have you set any goals for 2014?

How did your 2013 go?

Related Posts

> Happy New Year for 2013
> I'm Throwing Myself Out of a Plane
> On Yer Bike, Aurelia
> New Contract Signed!
> Signed, sealed, but not quite delivered
> What is 'The Call'?
> Time for an update...
> New deal and changes afoot

Charity Skydive: One Month Today!

This time next month, I will be a Lancaster airfield, and will either have jumped already or be getting ready to jump (AAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!) but without your help, there will be no jump at all.

GULP!

I have to reach £500 in sponsorship within the next three weeks and, as it stands right now, I am nowhere near. If you can spare a pound, euro, or dollar, in support of Rainbow Trust; a children's charity that supports children with a life threatening or terminal illnesses, it would be very much appreciated.

To sponsor me, you can text ROWL99 £5 (or amount of your choice) to 70070 to sponsor me or go to JustGiving.

I've already got the T-shirt!

Related posts

>> I'm Throwing Myself Out Of A Plane
>> Happy New Year for 2013

Supporting Help for Heroes

Image used with kind permission from Ron McGeary
(c) http://www.ronmcgeary.co.uk/

I don't often refer to my other alter-ego, Allie A Burrow, on here, but I wanted to share my earlier blog post with you all. Please head on over to read about how, and why, I am supporting Help for Heroes.

Just remember there is 'adult content' over there too o_O

Click here or go to: http://blog.allieaburrow.com/2013/05/help-for-heroes.html

On Yer Bike Aurelia!

Well, that's item three of my New Year's Resolutions done, even without the tandem skydive (which is now all confirmed by the way, but more on that another time), and another t-shirt to add to my growing collection.

Last week, I saw a call-out on Facebook for what amounts to 'bums on seats' for an hour, or rather... 'bums on saddles'!

I was disappointed not to get involved in On Yer Bike for Brain Tumours last year, so I immediately added my name and showed up at the event this morning ready to ride.

I know it doesn't really sound like much, but I haven't been on a bike since 2002, nor have I ever participated in a spin cycle class, so it was definitely a challenge.

News article

I am just one member of the On Yer Bike team, with includes a man I used to do pilates with. The same man who happens to be the reason for this annual event... a true inspiration, and all-round nice guy, he was diagnosed with a tumour just months after getting married. He had surgery to remove it, followed by lengthy rehabilitation, only to have it return. Except this time it's inoperable. Well, today I sat beside him - literally, the bike beside him, both of us immediately behind his wife - and I pedalled, giving it everything I had to endure the hour.

Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of UK children. 

More people under 40 die of a brain tumour than any other cancer, and life expectancy for people with brain tumours has not increased for 40 years, yet brain tumours remain the most underfunded area of research, receiving less than 1% (0.7%) of national cancer research spending in the UK.

Due to my late inclusion, and with only two days to drum up sponsorship, I gave myself a meagre fundraising target of £15 but, thanks to my friends and readers, that figure currently stands and £63 with more funds promised. WOOHOO!

The team is hoping to raise £10,000, and would ideally love to beat last year's total of £14,000, but the team total currently stands short at £6,000. If you could possibly spare a pound or two, please text YIKE51 £1 to 70070 or go to my fundraising page on JustGiving to make a donation (all currencies welcomed so don't feel left out!).

And just to prove I did it, here is the 'glowing' after photo ;-)

www.justgiving.com/onyerbike2013-aurelia

I'm Throwing Myself Out of a Plane!

Does anybody remember item three of my New Year's Resolutions for 2013?

3) Take part in another sponsored event

I've been caught by the bug and would like to raise funds for a worthy cause again this year. It is currently a toss-up between doing the Race For Life again, or doing the Manchester Midnight Walk. I have to say, I really fancy doing the midnight one, and then maybe volunteer to be a marshall or carry out some other role for the Race For Life.

Well, this year, I'm really going for it, and...umm...I'm a little bit terrified!

EEK!

This July, I will be taking part in Jump in July! and doing a charity tandem skydive to raise funds for Rainbow Trust Children's Charity; a charity that I desperately hope I will never need, but feel buoyed knowing that they are out there, should the worst happen.

Rainbow Trust is a national charity that offers tailor made emotional and practical support to families with a child that has a life threatening or terminal illness. Since the charity was founded in 1986 they have supported approximately 15,000 families all over England.

Rainbow Trust relies almost entirely on voluntary donations and through the outstanding generosity of its supporters is able to help over 1,300 families a year throughout England. However, this is just 12% of the families that could benefit from its help. The charity’s vision is that one day all terminally ill children and their families will have access to a Rainbow Trust Family Support Worker.

Supporters like me... as well as a host of celebrity supporters including Austin Healey, Linford Christie, Alan Titchmarsh, and Trish Halpin (Editor of Marie Claire).

I have never done anything like this before, and I don't even like heights so this is a real challenge. Gulp! Not to mention the fact I don't generally take risks, preferring the safe and sensible, two feet on the ground kind of life. I'm trying really hard not to think about what 'could' happen and scare myself even more.

If you could please consider sponsoring me, it would make it all worthwhile. I need to raise at least £500 in sponsorship to be allowed to jump. You can text ROWL99 £5 to 70070 to sponsor me or go to my JustGiving page, where you can donate in a choice of currencies. 

Every single pound, Euro, and dollar helps, and your donation could make all the difference in getting me to my fundraising target, so please dig deep for this very worthy cause.

And of course, this is your once in a lifetime chance to make me to jump out of a plane, so what are you waiting for? 

Related posts

>> Happy New Year for 2013

Happy New Year for 2013

Another year gone in the blink of an eye, so that must mean it is Resolutions time again.

Okay let's start of with the recap, so what were my Resolutions for 2012?

Um... uh-oh!!

1) Shed that extra stone

I haven't got a clue if I've achieved this or not, as I haven't weighed myself in months. I doubt it very much, but my clothes fit well and I feel good in myself, and I certainly don't think I've gained either. I did at least do the Race For Life, albeit walking a lot of it, AND I jogged the Sport Relief 3-mile fun run with my year-old son, raising hundreds of pounds for very worthy causes.

2) Read 100 books

This one was cutting it very close, and resulted in a reading marathon to hit that elusive '100' on Goodreads.

2012 Reading Challenge

Aurelia B Rowl has
read 60 books toward her goal of 100 books.

hide

60 of 100 (60%)

view books

3) Complete the first draft of a full manuscript

Well, I did a lot better than that, wouldn't you agree? My first completed manuscript was released eleven days ago, and my second completed manuscript was also contracted and will be released this Spring under my other alter-ego.

Two out of three isn't bad - especially as I stomped all over that third one, which is partly why the others didn't do so well.

So what about my resolutions for 2013?

I'm sticking with the three - one personal, one professional and one other...

1) Read 50 books

After cutting it so close last year, and knowing the number of writing projects in the pipeline, I think just under one book a week should be plenty. If I read more, hooray, but I'd be happy to reach fifty anyway.

2013 Reading Challenge

Aurelia has
read 0 books toward her goal of 50 books.

hide

0 of 50 (0%)

view books

2) Self-publish my first novel

This year I want to finally finish Their Last Goodbye, and get that submitted, and then I want to return to Bye Bye, Black Sheep (Peer Pressure #1) and get that self-published this year. Obviously from September, I can treat writing as my job rather than my hobby, and my productivity will hopefully improve dramatically.

3) Take part in another sponsored event

I've been caught by the bug and would like to raise funds for a worthy cause again this year. It is currently a toss-up between doing the Race For Life again, or doing the Manchester Midnight Walk. I have to say, I really fancy doing the midnight one, and then maybe volunteer to be a marshall or carry out some other role for the Race For Life.

So what about you?
What goals have you set yourself for the year ahead?

Related posts:

> New Year's Resolutions for 2012 (13 December 2011)
> Off topic: Race for Life 2012 - for Nan... (18 January 2012)

> Off topic: Sport Relief 2012 (26 March 2012)
> My Poor Neglected Blog (29 June 2012)
> Update: New Year's Resolutions 2012 (20 July 2012)

Blog guest: Deadra Krieger with 'Ruff Love'

If you've had your eyes peeled the past couple of days, you'll have seen me over at Deadra 'D.F.' Krieger's blog to chat about my dog, a rescue mutt called Buddy.

Well, today, I am delighted to welcome D.F. over to my blog to tell us about one of her very special pets. But be warned... if you get emotional over pets, you may want to grab a tissue before you proceed ;-)

So, D.F, put your feet up and make yourself at home, it's over to you...

It's no secret I'm big into animal rescue, and I have the household to prove it. Five cats, 2 dogs, 2 ferrets, a gerbil, and various fish fill any spare moment I have with antics and the need to clean. Every single one of our cats comes from a rescue situation, but one cat in particular will stick out the most when we have visitors...If you can find her.

Lady LeFaye, also known as Faye Cat, is one of rescues whose circumstances left physical marks on her instead of just emotional ones. You see, Faye was found on the side of a road having seizures when she was a kitten. Uncertain what was wrong with her, and without the vet facilities to check, the animal control took her back to their facilities and tried to make her as comfortable as possible. They didn't expect her to live til the morning.

The next day Faye was still alive. The entire left side of her body, plus her tail was paralyzed, but she was fighting hard to get up and move around. A foster for the animal control volunteered to take her home and work with her. For a few weeks they put her through aquatherapy where she regained use of her back leg, most of her tail, and some of her front shoulder. But, like most animal controls, her time was limited and her number had been called. She had only a few days left to find a home or be euthanized.

My poor neglected blog

Oh dear, it's been a month since I said I would get back into the swing of things on here.

Whoops!

But in my favour, at the time of writing it, my deadline was June 10th and I thought I'd have more time. Instead, the deadline got changed to July 10th and I've been a busy bee working on a special Christmas & New Year related story.

At the beginning of the month, I went on holiday with my family and my in-laws, staying in a gorgeous villa in a lovely resort in Majorca soaking up some much needed sunshine and we all had a lovely time. The laptop went too so I could carry on with the WIP (still thinking I had to submit the day after I got back) but didn't have internet so couldn't do any updates.

Off topic: Sport Relief 2012

I am proud and delighted to announce that my five-year-old son and I completed our 3 mile challenge for Sport Relief on Sunday and we even managed to run it - okay, so I jogged the whole route and he had to walk a few times but hey, it's a long way for little legs. We were only intending to walk it so it's a massive achievement for us both - I'm still in shock, haha!


I'm even more delighted to announce that as at 9pm Sunday, we had raised £260 in sponsorship!! Donations have ranged from £1 to £20, including a couple of trans-atlantic sponsors. We are extremely grateful for every pound raised so THANK YOU if you were kind enough to sponsor us, it means A LOT.

Crossing the finish line and collecting our medals

There's still time to sponsor us if you'd like to, by the way, just go to our Sports Relief page.

It's kind of nice to feel proud of myself...

Did you get involved with Sport Relief over the weekend, either by taking part in an activity or even just watching the show and making a donation?

Off topic: Race for Life 2012 - for Nan...

I still can't believe I have done this - it seemed like such a good idea at the time!

On Saturday 23rd June 2012, I will be hauling myself to Tatton Park in Cheshire to take part in Race for Life 2012 in aid of Cancer Research UK.

I would be hugely grateful if you would consider sponsoring me - even £1 would be great - and I have hopefully made it as easy as possible by offering many different methods of donating so you can scan, click or text it through!

Scan to donate

Text LAUZ75 £1 to 70070
Text LAUZ75 £2 to 70070
Text LAUZ75 £3 to 70070
Text LAUZ75 £4 to 70070
Text LAUZ75 £5 to 70070
Text LAUZ75 £10 to 70070