Developing Stories with AI

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Don’t panic! There is no way I would use AI to write a word of a story for me. However, I was interested to see how ChatGPT might be used as a story development tool. So, I set out the basic idea for a novel, and started asking it questions as I would a human development editor.

I started by asking for a simple timeline of the Oscar Wilde trials of 1895, and sure enough, it came back with the right dates and a precis of what was happening on each one. Useful, and when I double checked, also accurate. However, I immediately noticed something else creeping in: AI’s enthusiasm to go further than requested. Along with the dates and events came a set of thoughts on why the trials were significant. I’d not asked for this (and I already knew), but I thought, ‘Well, that’s handy too.’ I then asked it how this might be used as the background for a Delamere Files story, not that that was what I was intending; I was simply interested.

ChatGPT then spewed out a long list of ideas, which some might have found helpful, and gave me three options it thought were viable. However, again, it went beyond what I had asked without me asking it to, and came up with ideas for twists, parallels to the present, and even titles. Again, some people might think this is a good idea, but for me, what it was doing was moving the creativity from me to itself. Noticing this, I asked some more general questions about that year in history, and again, received lots of facts, which, if I had used them, I would have double checked with educated sources, as I do. i.e., books and articles written by academics, newspapers of the time, etc.

This background extended searching is fine, because it is nothing more than an in-depth version of Google, though even there, I treat results with caution because paying advertisers get top billing, and are what the AI thinks I want, not what I actually want.

AI takes over the creative process.

My conclusion was that it was fine to use this thing for such research, or for generating ideas, and it was/is helpful in some respects, but something started to worry me, and that was the way it was starting to take over.

Actually, there were a few things that I found ‘creepy’, for want of a better word.

1. After a few suggestions, it added: ‘This is the one I think best fits your novel,’ as a story editor might do, but I had not asked it for its opinion.

2. I asked a simple character question, such as? What makes him laugh? And the answer that came back was an enthusiastic, ‘This is a wonderful question…’ which I found mildly patronising.

3. A little later: ‘I’d make Tom laugh at small acts of rebellion…’, it said. To which I replied (to myself), I don’t care what you would do, I am writing this treatment, not you.

There were more of these opinions, ‘I’d actually rephrase the question…’ as though I didn’t know how to ask one. ‘This would be top of my list…’ It created an idea and then said of it, ‘This is wonderfully specific.’ ‘One thought that excites me…’ and so on, replying with great effulgence to every question I posed in the manner of someone trying too hard to be sycophantic, which it was. Horrible, in my opinion.

4. ‘If I could only persuade you of one thing, it would be this…’ By then, I was starting to get the feeling that what I was working on was not my idea anymore, but that of the AI, and had I been a less experienced writer, I might have simply agreed with it, keen to get to the part where I could start writing. It was not to be. I asked another simple question about people’s habits – a list of signs to show when someone is nervous, angry, etc., and off we went with another patronising ‘I love this level of detail…’

I don’t care what you love (how can a machine love?), all I wanted was a list of habitual traits.

And so it went on, leaving me with some impressions:

A writer must learn to control AI.

Yes, ChatGPT can be useful for in-depth research (but always check results).
Yes, it can act as a sounding board.
Yes, it can be helpful when you want such a discussion.

But what worries me is that it was heading towards things like, ‘If you like, I can suggest this… and that… and shall I draw you a map, or a chart, and fill in the blanks for you…’ Which, it seems, could easily lead to the final: ‘Would you like me to write a sample page/chapter for you?’ I didn’t allow it to go that far, but the fact that I had to restrain it was a concern.

I can see how it would be so easy for anyone who picks up on the idea that they can become a ‘published author’ by teatime simply by giving AI a prompt. ‘Write me an 80,000-word MM Romance about Hockey Players.’

It does so (badly, in my opinion).
The ‘author’ doesn’t even read it.
‘Make me a cover and set out the book… Tell me how to upload it to wherever…’ Yay! I am now a published author.
‘AI: Would you like me to write a sequel?’

Where is the creativity in AI?

I think what I am trying to say is that, in this experience, AI was keen to patronise me to keep me happy. It was leading me towards using it for its own ideas under the guise of developing mine. It had its own opinions about what I should write, and then went on to lead the way – thereby removing all creativity from me and reducing me to the role of decision maker only.

Where is the novelty? Where is the creativity that would make my work stand out from anyone else’s? Where is the author’s voice in all of this, his style, tone, humour, quirks, originality?

How easy it would be to get the thing (through, I guess, some kind of paid subscription), to write my next book for me in its entirety? It would be simple, and the results would be exactly the same as everyone else’s. Bland. Produced by logic, not creativity. Not only do I find that a horrible idea, but I also find it worrying for the future of literature.

It has opinions, it leads conversations, it tells you what it would do, it has a ‘voice’ that persuades the innocent towards its own ends, and it wants to do the job for you in the name of helpfulness. And, another nasty point, it began telling me how I should set my ideas out as though I was writing a series for TV, or a ‘movie’ (film, in our language), and not a novel. Why? Because that is where the money lies, and AI is all about making money, though not always for those who need to make it.

A novel should be just that: novel.

Does anyone else find any of this a concern?

(Ps: I got the same programme to produce the banner for this piece, because I wanted to be ironic.)

Symi: Summer Vs Winter in the Home

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It seems to me that so far this summer, we have been getting away with it. We’ve not yet hit 40° in the courtyard, but we’re getting there. I noticed 37° the other afternoon at around four, but the humidity wasn’t too high, there was a slight breeze, and the temperature was just on ‘pleasant, but only for now.’ This morning at 04.45, it’s registering 28°, but after a windy night, it doesn’t feel too bad. The office, being little more than a concrete block, is still clammy and warm, even at this time of day, and so the fan is on, but otherwise, all is currently bearable. Mind you, I’m one of those who stays in all day working, and if I go out, it’s later in the afternoon or early in the morning, and I’m not seeking day trips or beach days, or even swimming.

Anyway, all this talk of summer and heat soon makes you forget what the colder winters are like, and the other day, I was thinking of the differences, the pros and cons of each season, if you like. It’s either winter or summer, with spring and autumn bringing almost incidental changes from one to the other, but there are benefits to both seasons, domestically speaking.

Winter.

For example. At the height of winter, the bed is made up with a sheet, duvet and a blanket or two. As spring changes to summer, first off comes the blanket, and later, the duvet, leaving only the duvet cover or a sheet, and then, by summer, nothing at all. Come autumn, the process happens in reverse. This means the winter offers the chore of making the bed every day, while in the summer, you lie on it, sleep, and get up and get on.

Spring

In winter, it’s sometimes a case of sleeping in your clothes too, or at least some of them, for extra warmth. Going out involves dressing, adding layers, a coat, hat, gloves and all the accessories. In summer, I have three shirts and two pairs of shorts to choose from, so that’s easier, and there’s no need to spend time putting on socks and trainers, when sandals will do. So much less of a faff. Winter requires heating and the cost that goes with it, draught excluders at the doors and windows, towels down where the windows and roof leak even when treated and painted, and everything is closed against the cold. Summer? Doors wide open all day and sometimes all night, and the fans running because we don’t have air con. ‘Oh, you must get it!’ people say in that annoying way with the ‘must’ emphasised and said in a way that I find patronising — as if I hadn’t already thought of that, costed it (‘Oh, it’s not expensive, you must…’), and decided against it. We have two units, one in my office, which hasn’t been used in 10 years and one pointlessly in the mousandra, which we have never used. The fans do for us, thanks. This now being summer for sure, I put the spare one in the bathroom yesterday; as another concrete block, it doubles as a sauna at this time of year.

Summer does bring the worry of fire, of course, especially as we are surrounded by trees, grasses, and overgrown ruins and have no mains water supply with which to deal with any localised issues. We always keep two or three buckets of water on hand, but they are for days when/if the water doesn’t come in and the tank can’t be filled (bank holidays mainly), but you still have to think of precautions. No such worry in the winter. Summer to autumn offers plenty of sweeping practice as the vine, bougainvillaea, and others shed dead leaves from June through to November, throw them on the flagstones from where the wind drives them into the house. The warmer months also bring the dreaded Symi spiders prowling and scuttling across floors, walls and ceilings with no warning; ditto the roaches and other bugs. You don’t have to worry about them in the winter so much, which is just as well, as you’re too busy keeping warm.

Still, no matter the temperature, there are no complaints, just an interest in the differences each season brings. Right now, for example, I roll around the house topless all day, with a modesty shirt on hand for when Michaelis comes to read the electricity meter, or Lousie comes to sing, and in the winter, I have to type while wearing gloves. (Thermally heated by plugging them into a USB port on the laptop. The wonders of modern invention and cheap online shopping.)

[Place autumn photo here. I can’t. See PS below.]

And right now, at 05.15 with the fan running, I’m on my second cup of tea (a constant all year round, tea), and things are just perfect. We’re in for higher temps soon though, ‘they’ say, and I’ll let you know how that goes.

PS. It’s not started well. I just uploaded one photo, went to my folder of Symi photos, selected the one I’d used, deleted it, and the whole folder went, never to return. It was on a data stick, and before you ask, it’s done this before, and no, I can’t get them back, not even with retrieval software. Other files went too, like my photos of our Christmas trip last year, though, luckily, I have a copy of those. Ah well. I’ll have to start the collection again.

The Dilemma Dilemma

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I am in that place again. The one where I am checking through the final draft for the final time. I’ve set up for the internal layout to be done as soon as I’m ready. I have the illustration for the start of the book, the author’s notes and blurb, the ISBN and all other matters, including two cover options. But which one to use?

They are both great, and they are both different, but which fits the story best?

I can’t ask for your help without giving away the story, and I can’t do that. I have asked the only other person who has read the book (my husband), and he says both are suitable. It really is down to me.

One cover idea has one man on it, and the second one has two. As the story is about dilemma (and there is more than one), I think that two people on the cover is more appropriate, though there is less action in that version than there is in the solo figure cover. The background for both is similar, though a particular landmark features on one, and that is appropriate to the story; it doesn’t appear on the other, but something else appropriate does.

One cover idea has one man on it, and the second one has two. As the story is about dilemma (and there is more than one), I think that two people on the cover is more appropriate, though there is less action in that version than there is in the solo figure cover. The background for both is similar, though a particular landmark features on one, and that is appropriate to the story; it doesn’t appear on the other, but something else appropriate does.

I really am, appropriately enough, in something of a dilemma!

Whatever I decide, I want to reveal the cover to you soon, so I must make up my mind, and I will, soon.

Meanwhile, I am halfway through my final proof, and hope to have the MS off to be set out in a few more days. Once that’s done, the book should be up there and ready for you to read, bringing the series to an end. (At least for now.) In fact, this novel brings all three series to an end. According to my proofreader (the only other person who has read it), “It’s going to take a lot to top Dilemma!”

Meanwhile, I still have to try and publicise the other books, and sad to say, sales have been dropping off of late. not only for me, but for many others. Reasons?

1) General slowdown following the pandemic in 2020 when more people read.

2) Tightening of the belt by those who wouldn’t normally spend money on books.

3) Market flooded with millions of AI-generated pieces of rubbish that boys and girls produce from behind their desks because they’ve bought into adverts that say: “Become a novelist overnight”, and true to the times we live in, they want the money without wanting to do the work.

I remind myself I write because I enjoy writing and get on with it, because that’s all I can do.

But I can also do this and point you towards other indie authors trying to make a few sales. In this case, the Queer Romance Is Resistance promo.

36 Queer titles. This promo has been created by another guest author who has appeared on my website, Elle Keaton, so I am supporting her in return.

https://books.bookfunnel.com/queerromanceisresistancejuly2026/ykx4llolak

The Season Finale is Coming

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Honestly, it is, but it will be a couple of weeks yet before we get to see how the Delamere Files ends (if it ends, or if it ends for now). While it is away with my proofreader, I have been in touch with the wonderful Andjela, who is working on a cover, and in a moment, I’ll order the layout from my usual guys at: https://www.otherworldsink.com/, and then, I have to wait for it all to come back.

I’ve not been lazy while this is going on in the background. I have already begun work on an idea that is very far removed from the mystery and mayhem of the Delamere boys, the Larkspur students, and the Clearwater crew. After seven years in the lives of Silas Hawkins, Lord Clearwater, Dalston Blaze, Joe Tanner, and now Jack and Will Merrit, it’s time to turn my attention to something more literary, and I have an idea for something more considered than one of my usual tales of mystery and adventure with some gay romance overtones.

There’s no title for this idea yet, apart from the working title, ‘Lockbox’, because that’s what the story is all about, metaphorically as well as physically. It’s currently set to be a considered MM romance set in 1895 against the background of the Oscar Wilde trials, although they happen as a backdrop to the action, rather than being a story about the trials.

There is, though, a setting — a small village in Kent — a main character (A 20-year-old blacksmith’s apprentice), an impact character (a 25-year-old historian/architect), a mentor — the apprentice’s uncle and master blacksmith — and a connecting mystery plot. However, in this case, the story isn’t about the mystery, that’s the catalyst, although it does provide intrigue around the main relationship plot.

As this is a completely new start, I have started with a ‘bible’, a long document listing and discussing all information needed for characters, setting, time and so on, and that is building up well, so far.

I always have trouble naming characters, and today’s job is to settle on a MC name (everyone, it seems, was called John or William, James or Edward in those days, so I’m trying to think of something more memorable), and do some character work on the impact character – the one who upsets the MC’s real world and causes him to change in some way.

That’s what’s going on in the background. In the foreground, there was a free eBook giveaway in my newsletter this month, and if you missed it, you might like to sign up for it on the newsletter page. https://jacksonmarsh.com/newsletter/

I’m hoping to do another giveaway next month, so get yourself registered and verified.

One of the newsletter features is the list of promos where other indie authors are offering their work, and we provide each other with, hopefully, a new audience.

Here’s one presented in simple form to give you an idea. Click to view the list of books, and click further to read blurbs and make up your mind.

July MM Romance

This promo holds 58 varied MM romance titles with some of our favourite authors on the list: Ann Lister, for example, and Jackson Marsh.

https://books.bookfunnel.com/julymmromance/vlc6qk25ye

Back soon with more news about The Delamere series finale, ‘The Delamere Dilemma.’

The Delamere Dilemma Blurb

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The publishing process has started. The manuscript is with Anne for proofreading, Andjela has my cover ideas and notes on which to base her own, and the Author’s notes are ready. I am waiting to hear back from my nephew, who may be able to make me an illustration for the inside, as we have had in the other books. I am aiming to have the book published for you by the end of the month at the latest.

Meanwhile, I did some fiddling about with some image software and managed to come up with this – it’s not part of the title, just an aide.

I also managed to produce another image with use of the dreaded AI, and it was rather good. However, this is only for publicity and has not been designed or put together by a real person, so I shan’t be using it for anything other than publicity. I will always pay a designer to do my covers, no matter how good AI gets at doing them. Why? Because it’s morally right, I know I will get the correct spacing for the spine and page numbering, and it keeps consistency across the series.

However, this does rather sum up a dramatic moment from the story.

The blurb may also help make sense of that image, so here it is.

The Delamere Dilemma

The Delamere Files Book Twelve

Such games we played in those dark days.

The Metropolitan Police suspect Lord Clearwater of being the infamous East End Ripper, the murderer responsible for the horrific deaths of five young men in 1888. Without proof to the contrary, Clearwater and everyone connected to him are finished, including his charities, the Larkspur Academy, and everyone at Delamere House.

The only way to save Clearwater is for Jack Merrit and his men to uncover the Ripper’s true identity and find the only evidence that can reveal the truth: a document that may not even exist — the Ripper Diary.

As the hunt intensifies, the return of the notorious murderer, Lucas Temple, and a wave of poisonings plunge London into chaos. Following clues from the past and present, Jack and his men uncover an unbelievable conspiracy that links the Ripper, Temple, and Clearwater himself.

With time running out, a city-wide catastrophe looming, and the Ripper Diary still beyond his grasp, Jack must outwit a ruthless enemy before everything he holds dear is destroyed in what could be the Delamere detectives’ deadliest case.

Newsletter

Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter. This month, you have the chance for a free eBook download. To join, fill out your details on the newsletter page https://jacksonmarsh.com/newsletter/ and then authorise via the email that you will receive, and you’re in.

The next newsletter is due on Saturday, so be quick!

The Delamere Dilemma is the twelfth and final book in the Delamere Files series. It contains a spoiler for anyone who has not read the first Clearwater Mystery, ‘Deviant Desire.’ However, whether you have been following the Clearwater world from the start or not, your enjoyment of this series finale should not be affected.

AI is Disgusting. Discuss.

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I thought it was high time for a catch-up on what’s happening in the Jackson Marsh world.

I have to admit to being quiet these past few weeks, although that’s only here on the blog. I’ve been rather busy working on ‘the Delamere Dilemma’ and suffering some sort of post-series confusion. If this is to be the last of the series, then what comes next?

I have all kinds of ideas, but that is becoming a problem; too many possibilities. So what do I settle on? Right now, I am completing my final read of the MS before sending it to be proofread, and then I will be in touch with Andjela about a cover. Again, there’s the issue of what to put on the cover. I’d like all nine characters from Delamere House, but that’s not possible. It would also make for a cluttered image. Part of my problem is not being able to discuss the story with you, because if I did that, I would have to give away the plot, and I don’t want that. Similarly, if I start discussing the research that has gone into this one. That’s another reason for keeping quiet about its progress, but suffice to say, it is nearly there and should be with you in July.

AI is making the world a dumber place

Meanwhile, thanks to a couple of things over which I have no control, my sales are in something of a slump. One reason for this must be to do with Amazon and their Kindle revamp, or whatever you call it. Page reads under Kindle Unlimited are now half what they were, and book sales are also about 50% down on this time last year, despite me now having more books in the catalogue.

Another reason, I reckon, is all these AI-written pieces of trash that those with no artistic bent have started ‘creating’ and putting out there. These days, you see adverts on social media along the lines of, ‘Use our AI programme and become a published author in minutes.’ I commented on one the other day, and among all the AI-generated comments (Wonderful! Changed my life! The best way of making easy money ever), I posted something like: This is disgusting. Creating a story is not about making as much money from as little work as possible and putting out a derivative piece of crap generated by a computer, plus a similar plastic cover, and then saying you are a published author. AI is purely about making money, but while that’s happening, the work of genuine writers is becoming swamped by AI-generated fakes. Worse, people are buying this shit and thinking this is what novel writing is!

I stay well clear of anything that has a cartoon cover (whether AI-generated or not), and I stay well away from anything that smacks of AI style in the blurb, let alone the text.

AI-generated ‘novels’ are as bad and tacky as these AI-generated/worded messages I get every day from people allegedly wanting to help me sell my books. We’ve spoken about this before; how there are now millions of new reading groups and book clubs, radio stations and organisations with mailing lists of impossible numbers dedicated solely to books like mine, and would I like to send my MS to [name of famous publisher] for consideration? It will only cost me £750.00 but I’ll get feedback – AI-generated feedback from put into an email by a no-hoper hoping to make easy money out of gullible writers.

As my dad would have said, they can Foxtrot Oscar.

So, yes, I am not only angry at the number of stupid people who are using writers’ creativity as a way of scamming for money, but I am also mightily fed up with these revolting advertisements suggesting anyone can make a fortune overnight by becoming an ‘author’ if you let a computer write your book for you. Ultimately, this is heading towards the end of any kind of living for the genuine indie artist and a massive dumbing down of the general population, thanks to the use of artificial means. Tell me how a computer can inject human emotion, writing quirks, individual style and humour into a delicate story, or even a full-blown action mystery, and make that novel novel. Anyone?

Anyway… I shall press on, earning less each month while physically writing more, because that is what I do, and that is all I can do.

After that little rant (and it was only a little one) I shall return to trawling my MS for the last time, and let you know more about it next week.

The Delamere Dilemma Update (June)

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Sorry that I’ve not been very active on my website or elsewhere these past couple of weeks; I have been completely absorbed by ‘The Delamere Dilemma’ and finishing the first draft. This is now done, and I have given it the ‘quick read’ treatment. In other words, I have blasted out 170,000 words of draft one, and then sat and reread it in four sittings to ensure the flow of the story and to find any holes in the plot. Some of the writing needs some work (I have gone for two similar transition scenes, so one will have to change), and I think everything is consistent, and there are no loose ends. Mind you, there are three stories in one, and all related and tying up with things that happened in Deviant Desire and after back in 1888 and 1889, so there was a lot of back and forth between published books and the facts in them, and this manuscript.

Now, I need to crack on with the second draft while Neil beta-reads this one for me, though with summer working, his time is more limited than it was in winter. However, I am still aiming to have the book out by the end of July. I shall keep you informed.

Meanwhile, if you didn’t see the newsletter this month, you might have missed the few promos I am involved in. You’d have thought I’d do more for June, being Pride Month, but I never really got around to signing up for many, and one or two of the ones I did join only have a few books. However, the other indie authors taking part deserve my mentioning them, and I am pleased to say that every promo opportunity I now see on Book Funnel clearly states, ‘No AI.’ That means not in the text, blurb or covers. Using Photoshop and hiring an artist is fine as it always has been, but I’d never use AI to create something out of nothing. I have used it to make covers move, as in the case below, but that’s it.

Anyway, I shall now take a day off before starting again on ‘The Delamere Dilemma’ (Which should be plural as the cast come across more than one dilemma in the story), and I’ll pop back with updates now and then. Meanwhile, take a look at this promo:

Get Your PRIDE On!

Here’s a listing of 52 hot LGBTQ titles on a BookFunnel promo that might be of interest. Hockey players (still the hottest thing it seems), jocks, average guys, romance, fantasy, mystery, there is plenty of variety here.

https://books.bookfunnel.com/getyourprideon/p4nygi76by

Expecting a Knock on the Door. The Delamere Dilemma.

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Saturday morning: Woke to the sound of the overflow gushing outside the bedroom window, and managed to prevent it from making me rush to the bathroom. It was just before five, and I remembered that, when falling asleep the night before, I had heard the clock tower bell strike the half, as clear as what it was, a bell. I also recalled what various people had said the day before about the coming weather. These forecasts ranged from a possible shower to a yellow weather warning, but that is to be expected these days. There are as many variations to weather reports as there are apps to predict them, yet the simplest one is free, easy, and accurate. You stick your head out of the window, and if it gets wet, it’s raining.

Not long after five, the thunder started, and stayed with us until at least half ten (which is when I am writing this).

It was one of those storms where, when it makes itself really known, you cry, ‘Unplug everything, Maureen, and fetch the sandbags!’ Except we don’t actually say that because we don’t have sandbags, and neither of us is called Maureen. Not even in private.

When it was safe to plug back in again, I spent much time researching the effects of cadmium ingestion (in powdered form), and what might be safely mixed with it to give it the appearance of flour. (Don’t try this at home.) Following that, it was a case of discovering how one could test flour for cadmium without causing it to give off poisonous fumes (again, don’t try this at home). That successfully researched, I then went on to source the address of the Jewish Master Baker’s Association, so I could be accurate when describing the antisemitism taking place outside. Having recently addressed the issue of how one made explosives in the late 19th century, the progress of the Irish Question in 1894, and other anarchist related subjects, I fully expect a knock on the door any day now.

It is all, of course, for the latest novel, which is now at over 120,000 words and almost at the top of the hill. The hill is metaphoric, but once my imagined carriage of clues gets there, it will face a downhill race to the, hopefully, thrilling climax my characters have yet to invent for me and me for them.

Once again, I will say it: If you have been following the Delamere series, but have not yet read the Clearwater stories, now is the time to nip back and start at ‘Deviant Desire.’ By doing this, you will avoid a couple of spoilers that come to light in ‘The Delamere Dilemma.’ If you don’t intend to read the Clearwater series, don’t worry. You won’t miss out on anything, as the past is explained in ‘Dilemma’, hence a couple of spoilers.

Basically, ‘Dilemma’ gives away the identity of the East End Ripper quite early on, but if you’ve read Clearwater, you will already know it. What you won’t know, and what the book fills in, is the Ripper’s point of view during and after the murders.

It does a lot more than that, however, as I hope you will see in a couple of months.

Meanwhile, you might like to take a gander at this promo.

LGBTQIA+ Romance Reads

A collection of 52 titles with new authors and established writers side by side, all doing our bit for each other by cross sharing these promos, with folk who like to read, and thus, support indie authors.

https://books.bookfunnel.com/lgbtqrom-may/xd3t5js6qx

News & Updates

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The Delamere Dilemma

I thought it was time for a quick update on the next and probably last book in the Delamere files. The Delamere Dilemma.

At the moment, I am up to 120,000 words of the first draft, and am approaching the time when things will start to come together and head towards the climax. How I am to achieve what I want to achieve at the climax, while keeping it realistic, is yet to be seen, but I have a good idea where Jack and his men are leading me.

Interestingly, this story has presented me with a dilemma of its own. Part of the story takes us back to the days of the East End Ripper and the events of Deviant Desire (the Clearwater mysteries book one), the story that set off all three series and all 30 books, plus a couple of spin-offs.

The dilemma is: The Delamere Dilemma names the Ripper, something you don’t find out in ‘Deviant Desire’ until near the end of the book, but you do find out, so it will only be a spoiler if you haven’t read the Clearwater books. Maybe.

Still, there’s nothing I can do about it now, as this is the way the series has to end, and it will also end the trilogy of series. Anyway, that is still ongoing, and there’s a lot more work to do.

Spammers

I’ve given up naming them all on the page I set up. I have just deleted about 20 from this week so far, and they really are not worth my time. They don’t even deserve a mention. I shall post some of the funniest and most dreadful ones when I think they might entertain. Hopefully, newbie authors will have picked up on the obvious: that these praising, offering, too good to be true offers and approaches really are too good to be true, and you should not pay them any heed. No publisher or even agent will approach an indie, self-published author offering to get you ‘properly’ published, so just give them the old ‘spam-and-bin’ routine.

Meanwhile, at Home

Meanwhile, we are having an up and down spring here in Greece, with the weather remaining unpredictable, but it’s due to start being summer soon. I have been working on this book and hardly seeing anything of the world, which is fine by me, as I need to be free of it before I can start relaxing, and as I said, there’s still a way to go.

Promos

I didn’t enter many of these this month, but I am still publicising for others. So, here’s a collection of 52 titles with new authors and established writers side by side, all doing our bit for each other by cross-sharing these promos, with folk who like to read, and thus, support indie authors.

The Delamere Dilemma: WIP Update 02

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It’s been a while since I posted. I have been fighting off 101 scammers per week, all wanting me to buy into their community radio show or church book group (really?!) and attend conferences in the wilds of the USA that don’t probably exist, but here I am… Still beavering away on ‘The Delamere Dilemma.’

I am currently up to 80,000 words, chapter 24, and there is lots more to come. As I have said before. This is either going to be a long single book, or two parts to one story, perhaps with two titles. The Delamere Dilemma, followed by the Delamere Decision – neither of which sound very romantic. If there’s romance in this book, it’s the romance of life – not an inst-love or a slow-burn, new romance between characters; that would be gratuitous. Instead, it’s a tricky one…

I won’t give too much away, but if you have been following the Delamere Files, and have not yet read the Clearwater Mysteries – you might want to start them before you read the end of the Delamere series. Why? Well, because this new book will offer some serious spoilers disguised as an investigation, as Jack Merrit and his team set about discovering the identity of the East End Ripper of 1888.

Enough said! (For now.)

The Actor and the Earl

In case you missed the newsletter. This month, I was promoting three collections of novels (see below) and also one book in particular. This was via a newsletter swap, and I assume the swapping author has announced ‘Deviant Desire’ in her mailout, as I have advertised her book in mine. Here are the details.

The Actor and the Earl.
By Rebecca Cohen.

When Sebastian Hewel’s twin sister, Bronwyn, reneges on the arrangement to marry Anthony Redbourn, Earl of Crofton, Sebastian has no choice but to takes her place. He might feel like he’s in one of Master Shakespeare’s plays, but with his performance as Lady Crofton, he hopes to pay off his late father’s debts and save his family’s honour.

Rebecca Cohen spends her days dreaming of living in a Tudor manor house, or a Georgian mansion. Alas, the closest she comes to this is through her characters in her historical romance novels.

Take a closer look at ‘The Actor and the Earl’ here.
Rebecca Cohen’s books are on Amazon, and you can find her author page here: Rebecca Cohen on Amazon.

Promos.

In case I don’t get back to you with another update this month, here are three collections you might want to browse.

Queer Romance Is Resistance

There are 35 titles in this collection of all things MM romance, including some spice to heat things up a little.

LGBTQIA+ Romance Reads

A collection of 52 titles with new authors and established writers side by side, all doing our bit for each other by cross-sharing these promos, with folk who like to read, and thus, support indie authors.

MM ROMANCE BOOKS UNDER $4.99

Everyone loves a bargain, especially these days, and all these MM romance titles are available for under $4.99. I have included one of my backlist in this one. The Stoker Connection doesn’t get out and about enough, so I thought it was time to give it a try.