It has almost been a year since
winning Nano 2012 and my last Blog post. Since then so many things changed, I
have met really wonderful people through my writing and Social Media sites,
strengthening relationships and I even managed to meet some of my virtual
friends. New opportunities crossed my
path, some good and some not so, but I am always set to learn from both.
If I look back at where I was a
year ago, I am really astonished to see where I am today - Things certainly
changed! Let’s start off where I last left – Nano 2013 and the birth of my
first ever Novel.
My Crime Novel (Name to be revealed closer to completion)
Well, as you know or would have
seen below, I reached the word count to be classed a ‘Winner’ for Nanowrimo
2012. I subsequently continued writing the novel and pushed through December to
reach 90% completion, when I had to stop and honour my commitment to a collaborative
novel I was invited too earlier the year: Please see below Isabella: Captured
Souls.
The Novel is still safely kept
and every now and again one of the characters pop into my head, just to confirm
that they have not been forgotten. I also have very special friends who remind
me on a regular basis that they are looking forward to reading my first full
length novel. I will be honest, and this
is not an excuse, but my focus might have swayed a little from this exciting
venture to another of my own and possible the most exciting time of my life – Springbok Publications.
My aim is to get back to my
Novel later this year, when things have settled down a bit, and have the first
draft done by February 2013. Why so long I hear you ask? Well I do believe my
writing has improved since I started, so I will probably end up re-writing most
of it during this time.
Jack is still milling around. In fact, he cannot wait to
introduce himself....in his special way…
Springbok Publications
In the early hours of another 'fresh' January morning, Springbok Publications was born.
The name is not only a combination of
suggestions by two of my closest writing buddies, but very significant in
meaning to me. It will not only remind me of the Country that fount my routes
and where the Springbok roams free, but of the nature of this beautiful little animal.
Free and fast, proudly stotting and jumping with joy, effortlessly leaving
earth and gravity behind, contagious its energy and grace. But it also
reminds me of the frail nature of the Bok and that we should always stay humble
and keep our feet on the ground, for we share the land with beauty and beast and
only by keeping alert and reading the signs around, we will survive, until we humbly meet the King.
The birth of the
Bok changed my life! Three days after it got to its
feet, I appointed my first editor and since then, we have been jumping along.
Now a registered company,
Springbok Publications aim to publish two books this year:
1) Isabella:
Captured Souls
The collaborative novel I mentioned earlier. It is a tale of
love and loss across the years, Isabella: Captured Souls
is a paranormal novel with a difference. The story is told through seven
different points of view, culminating in something that will change all
their lives forever.
Please see the website to meet the authors and for more
info. Isabella is currently being edited and everyone is very excited and waiting for its
release.
2) Springbok
Publications Wildlife Anthology – Plight for the Rhino.
23 Writers from around
the world gave their time and talent for this anthology, where all profits from
the sale of the book will be in aid of Save the Rhino International.
We have the most wonderful writers on board
and I cannot wait to share their animal stories with you. We are proud to announce that the first Anthology will be published by November 2013.
Please follow our
progress on the website, there are big news to be announced soon!
There are more projects in progress, but with the two publications in full swing we will have our hands full till the end of the year.
The South African - I continued to contribute to The South African newspaper in the UK and my Brandpunt column had its 1 year
anniversary in May. Follow this link to find my column and the rest of my published articles.
Not all my articles are in Afrikaans, some are in English (This is when I’ve been
naughty and thought it would be more appropriate for an even wider audience)
Maandblad Zuid-Afrika: - I am very proud to have had an
article published in this very informative and factual Dutch magazine
and am happy to announce that, in early 2014, another article of mine is scheduled
for publications (If accepted off course).
Short Story success:
An announcement I made earlier
this year and something I am still very proud of, was my first writing success in South Africa! Die Hol Kol (The hungry spot), a short story I wrote was published by the
South African publisher Boekemakranka.
My
Kort vir jou Sop (My short for your Soup) is a collection of short stories
by some of South Africa’s most renown writers and I am really honoured and
thankful to have my mere story included in this publication. All proceeds from
the sales go to local charities, the Authors' royalties
to Kleinmond Soup
kitchen and the Publisher’s, to the Friends of
Kleinmond Library.
Please support these charities by buying a book (Amazon), it is a very special
collection and made the headlines in South Africa.
Wright for Light - I am very honoured and thankful
to announce that another short story I wrote (Nico’s Story – a Defiance of
Science) was published in the Write for Light collection. All the proceeds from
this book will go to Light for Children - a charity that helps vulnerable and
disadvantaged children in Ghana.
Discover thirty-eight
inspirational stories and poems by authors from all around the world. Relive
their tales of hope, courage, strength and perseverance as they all unite to
respond to the following:
Tell us about a time in your life when you found light in the darkness.
Write for Light is a collection of true stories and poems that are touching and triumphant, bold and beautiful. We invite you to explore the extraordinary lengths people go to in order to find light in dark times.
Please support this Charity with me! (Amazon)
Tell us about a time in your life when you found light in the darkness.
Write for Light is a collection of true stories and poems that are touching and triumphant, bold and beautiful. We invite you to explore the extraordinary lengths people go to in order to find light in dark times.
Please support this Charity with me! (Amazon)
So that is it!!
For those who managed to read
to the end, I thank you and I promise to keep the next one much shorter. Thanks
also for your encouragement and support on my journey, it is much appreciated.
Thanks again.
Mooibly!
Conrad
www.conradbrand.com