Apologies for being so quiet lately. Between a cold and the new puppy, I haven’t had much sleep so bogging is way down on the priority list. The pup is still loaded with cold, and is keeping us awake almost all night. During the day, she is full of mischief and I don’t know how she doe sit. Maybe I should start eating puppy food, as it seems to give her plenty of energy! I can’t remember the other two being this much trouble…

The other night, however, we were on track for our first full night’s sleep in a couple of weeks. We’d had a stressful evening: smelled gas when I got home. My dad tested this by…lighting his lighter!!! It’s a wonder I’m here to type this. Went into kitchen and noticed he’d knocked gas ring on. Didn’t explain overwhelming smell in porch, so (fortunately) didn’t cancel emergency call-out. Did indeed have a leak from a worn gas pipe to the meter. Why am I telling you this? Well, at about 1.15am was awoken by a MASSIVE series of bangs. Half expected to look out of window and see porch on the way into outer-space. The bangs went on a while and seemed to be coming from very close by. The next day, we found that some idiots had decided to let off fireworks! Our whole estate is very angry, as many have children and/or pets who were disturbed. These are the same neighbours who thought it would be more amusing to use our garden bin for their household rubbish than their own wheelie bin… Some people just have no consideration for those around them, and I just don’t understand that mentality. I was just glad the house was intact when I got up!

To follow on from my last post, there has been no response from my publishers with regard to my royalty statement. I know I’m not an isolated case. A shop owner has also told me that she has records of all the books that she bought/sold, which can be produced, if necessary. I don’t think it will make a bit of difference, as they seem to be a law unto themselves.

Gotta go as there’s a game of tag going on in my sitting room, between two dogs!

I KNOW I shouldn’t post when I’m angry, but I need an outlet for my emotions.

I finally got my royalty statement for my sales-to-date and it says that I sold NO books when it came out. I know all you readers know this is untrue, and my first ever royalty statement proves otherwise. I am also well aware of the sums of books purchased (and sold) just in local outlets. I signed (and SOLD OUT) twenty at Waterstones in Hexham; that Henry’s Books sold 20-30 in the first few weeks. I also monitored sales at the large distributers, and know that Borders bought 10 when I did the signing there. I know these figures don’t sound like much, but it’s considerably more than zero. That doesn’t even take into account Amazon sales, when the book sold out often in the early months (or doesn’t ring true with the conversations I’ve had with people at the Publishers).

What they are playing at, I don’t know. I sincerely hope that it’s an error, as I would hate to think that what’s going through my mind was correct. It’s no wonder I can’t enjoy writing like I used to, as I feel used. I’m just glad that I had no outlay, but my ‘prize’ has lost its shine. I feel no less angry, but was surprisingly restrained with the email I sent my publisher. Will let you know what happens next…

Finally, I would never say that an author should not use a particular company, based on someone else’s experiences. Simply judge the facts, and come to your own conclusions - not every author feels disillusioned with DA.

I’ve been terrible at posting lately, as life has taken over from leisure acitivities such as blogging. I’ve been caught up in a whirlwind of DIY, tidying and making-do, in anticipation of a survey on my house (I’ve hated having to sit and watch others work, while I’ve had no energy to join in…although even at 100% I never would have done the garden for fear of worms and insects). The surveyor’s report was deemed adequate, but I’ve heard no further, so am still on tenterhooks (have just looked up ‘tenterhooks’ as it’s a weird word, which I use but don’t know the meaning of).

I also found out on Friday that I’m getting a new puppy. We went a-visiting on Sunday, and she will fit into our family just fine - just the right mixture of relaxed and mischievious. We are collecting her on Friday, and I can’t wait to see what my other two think of her. There are some photos in the gallery, for the curious among you.

I am waiting for the postman, too, as the prize I won (vouchers) hasn’t arrived yet. I can’t wait to spend them, and every day, they fail to appear. All I really want is a little stereo for my spare room, as I love music, and haven’t replaced my old stereo which broke years ago! It’s after 12pm now, so I doubt they’ll be here today. Back to waiting again!