REVIEWS!!!

FIRST REVIEWS ARE IN...

I am chuffed to bits with the three reviews we have received so far. I am especially relieved that the paperback impressed the reader (you have no idea how much I have fretted over it, and I still do not have my copy - come on, Amazon!)

Thank you to the readers who reviewed.

We have now started to slip in the ratings. It's all about sales unfortunately.

However, I am pleased to announce that we have already raised in excess of £50!!!

So, well done everyone...

Speak soon,
Vanessa :)

5.0 out of 5 stars Cover to cover in one afternoon 19 Jun 2013

 

By Crabapple

Format:Paperback

This is such a charming, funny and uplifting bunch of stories. My niece (8) loved following the Yellow Sick Toad. When she went home I ended up making a coffee and reading the rest of the book. I admit I bought it in the first place to support the NSPCC to whom the proceeds are going, but there was no amateurish writing here and I was pulled along by the hand. Breakfast Dreams will appeal to younger children (and parents of fussy eaters!) while Mangoes is likely to be a favorite of an older child who will enjoy the twist in a rags to riches tale. My personal favorites were Granny Rainbow, Mr O'Rouke's Shed and the hauntingly written and surprisingly simple Upon the Crest of the Moon. The paperback is well produced and professional looking. At less than a fiver it's a bargain and all in the name of a good cause.

 

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth every penny. 18 Jun 2013

By Kate

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

 

'Reading is Magic' is a wonderful collection of short stories which, if nothing else, highlights the diversity of the human imagination. As a hobby writer, I shy away from writing short stories simply because I struggle to present a well-rounded idea in so few words. All of those involved in this book, however, seem to possess the ability to quickly draw the reader in to their respective worlds, making us feel quite at home from the very first line.

There is a story in here to suit everyone.

Worth EVERY penny.

 

5.0 out of 5 stars Not finished yet... 19 Jun 2013

By Fluffy Socks

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

 

Haven't read all of the stories yet, but personal favourite so far is 'No One Rides Red Horses.' Love, Love, Love it!

 

 

 

 

Moving on up...

Well, what can I say... yep... I'm... SPEECHLESS (for a few seconds)

READING IS MAGIC has hit the charts...

In books now...

Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 3,119 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

• #29 in Books > Fiction > Anthologies
• In the kindle charts...
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #9,981 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #37 in Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Anthologies
  • #49 in Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Fairy Tales
  • #60 in Books > Fiction > Anthologies
• For the first time (in my experience so far) the paperback is outselling the eBook!

 

You have no idea how nervous I am... I hope to receive my copy tomorrow! Fingers crossed!

 

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS SUPPORTED THIS BOOK SO FAR...

 

Let's see if we can go up the charts further... (I am allowed to dream!)

 

(Now doing a celebration dance)

 

Speak soon,

Vanessa :)

WELCOME

I decided to compile GURNARD’S BOOK OF DELIGHTS after I ran a literary competition to celebrate World Book Day 2013 at Gurnard Primary School.  On World Book Day, I presented the school with two signed copies of The Bother in Burmeon by S.P. Moss.  I decided to challenge the school children to write a story involving time travel, and some did.

The imagination these children have shown has been fantastic, and the effort taken by the younger ones to illustrate their stories has been impressive. 

 

In the end I had to select a handful of pictures to include.

 

All children received a certificate, and some The Bother in Burmeon goodies kindly donated by S.P. Moss, who subsequently agreed to judge the Years 4 and 5 entries for an overall winner. I judged the Reception to Year 3 entries.  The overall winners from each year group received a £5 Amazon Voucher I donated.

I wrote DETECTIVE GLENDA specifically for this collection, and it is my first completed children's story (I have started many before).

I had mainly written adult and young adult fiction, but after writing this story I got the children's story writing bug and decided to write BREAKFAST DREAMS and THE MERMAID for another collection to raise money for the NSPCC.

 

I had been publishing collections of adult stories for charity already via www.shortstoriesgroup.blogspot.com and decided to try to compile a collection of children's stories. 

 

Now, I have to be honest, if it had not been for Katherine Hetzel READING IS MAGIC would not have come about.  You can imagine that I was too busy to find new authors, since I am currently trying to complete my YA Trilogy on top of what I already do, so Katherine managed to get a group of new fantastic authors involved. 

 

Most of them are active members of THE WORD CLOUD, a place which gave me a lot of help and advice when I first started writing. I even attended the FESTIVAL OF WRITING in York last year.

And so, I am pleased to announce that READING IS MAGIC is now available as an eBook & paperback.

GURNARD'S BOOK OF DELIGHTS is now available via Amazon as an eBook.

Thank you reading and enjoy! :)

Best regards,

Vanessa Wester