The First Week!

It's almost a week since the launch of Separated From the Sea, and the official blog tour is gathering momentum.

I've had some wonderful reviews from a variety of book bloggers, and on Amazon and Goodreads too - I'll return to those later. 

You can get a copy from Amazon here!

 

Receiving feedback from readers is very special. If someone likes your work - or better still, if someone loves your work! - then that's the best reward of all. I was overwhelmed by the response to my flash collection, Brightly Coloured Horses, but that didn't stop me being terrified that no one would enjoy Separated From the Sea!

I'm truly grateful to everyone who has bought (or who is intending to buy ;-) ) a copy of either of my books. I'm lucky to know a supportive bunch of people, and I'm very thankful for my online writing 'friends', and my core team of real-life friends - both writers and non-writers. 

Marketing is hard work, and often thankless. I recently shared an article by Tom McAllister, from his blog, https://themillions.com/

It perfectly sums up the post-publication journey, when you start to realise that the majority of your friends and family - the very people you thought would buy your book come what may - are just not interested at all. Sadly, no one is as excited by your book as you are yourself and, to be fair, people just don't have the time to read every book that is paraded in front of them. We all promise to read books that we never get around to buying.

Yet Tom's blog post is positive too - here are a couple of my favourite parts:

"Many people close to you will disappoint you. But there are people who will come through, and they will keep coming through, and sometimes you’ll be surprised who falls into which category. I’ve learned to cherish those friends and family members who are always there, or even sometimes there. It takes real sacrifice on their part to support this weird thing I do. It takes money and time for them to seek the book out, to ask their local shops and libraries to carry it, to share it on social media."

"People will read your book. Almost certainly not as many people as you wish. But sometimes a friend from high school or a former teacher will surprise you by showing up to a reading, or posting a review online. Sometimes a stranger will email you out of the blue and say they loved it, and in those moments it will feel like you’ve accomplished something impossible. It will feel better than you ever thought it could."

You can read his full post here

 

Before I go, I'd like to say a big thank you to all the bloggers and reviewers that have taken time to post something about Separated From the Sea. Here's a selection of my favourite bits:

"...a book to be treasured. ...these stories may not be long but they are powerful."

Linda Green

"There are many destinations that I felt transported to and it did give me a longing to get out of the city. I like that the book features some of the same characters in other stories, gives the stories more of a connection and makes it feel more considered.
It’s quite difficult to narrow down to just a few favourites because there are so many gems in this collection but if pressed I would have to say Enough, Sea Glass, The Last Of Michiko and Michael Secker’s Last Day. 

It was a pleasure to read this collection and I would definitely pick up another book by Amanda Huggins."

Kate Avery

"Overall this is a brilliant collection of stories, which I highly recommend."

Simon J Leonard

"Separated From the Sea is a collection of short stories, some are short and sweet, others are slightly longer but all are written in Amanda’s gentle almost poetic writing style.

Sometimes melancholy but always thought provoking and deep.A beautiful collection of stories to dip in and out of at leisure."

@Bookaddiction / Wrong Side of Forty

"It takes a truly great writer to make you fall in love with a character in such a small amount of words! Thoroughly recommended!"

Amazon Review

"Having previously read and enjoyed Amanda Huggins’ flash fiction collection ‘Brightly Coloured Horses’, I was anticipating her new collection of short stories, ‘Separated From the Sea’, published by Retreat West, with the relish you bring to a gourmet meal. I was not disappointed.
Each story is a brilliant jewel, superbly crafted by a word smith who plies her trade and is at the top of her game.
Each story delicately draws the reader in, spinning its web of word magic, evoking emotions and pinning down the crucial moments of change. There is a world within each tale and each is complete in itself.
They all can be and should be reread, for it takes more than one reading to unpeel the layers of emotion and revelations. The last lines often ring like a bell, remaining in your memory and making you think beyond the story’s conclusion."

Amazon Review - Aly Rhodes

"Amanda Huggins writing has an endearing style which draws you into each story and whether or not you desire it, includes you in the plot. She takes the reader around the world although never far from the sea or its influences. Whilst describing settings she leaves some space for you to react to her characters...She delivers endings which will not go away, leaving either a smile or a shiver.
I read a lot of short fiction and am prepared to swear that this is amongst the three best that I have read in many years.This is a collection to be bought, and treasured, to be read now and in ten years time."

Amazon Review