The Long awaited update!

Well Helloo!

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.

 

Freelance Writing:

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.

 

 

From the Amazon page, please read below:

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)

 

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