#IWSG – Changes

July 1, 2026 by Roland Clarke

For much of June, as in previous months, I’ve been concentrating on one writing project, so I haven’t posted anything here since June’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group post, Story Ideas.

However, over the last few days of June, family members and carers were packing up our belongings in our trailer home with some guidance from my wife and me. The last Saturday in June, we were moved by Viking Medical Transportation to our new home in Nampa. We have downsized from a two-bedroom home to a bedroom and bathroom in my wife’s second son’s new home, bought with some of the money from our house sale.

https://www.vikingmedicaltransportation.com/

We are now working out which belongings we can keep and where to put them. Some crucial items still need to appear, but they will eventually.

On the writing side, I’m slowly revising my North Wales police procedural, Fates Maelstrom. Having finished writing a chapter-by-chapter outline with improved plot lines, I can now return to editing, or rather revising, my 2018 draft.

My regular carer is a bit of a history buff and expressed interest in my Alternative History novel, Eagle Passage, so I’ve been revisiting that. Whenever I need the distraction of another project. I’m seriously considering revising my continuation of the Viking Age.

However, I can’t abandon my Ukraine saga, Freedom Flights, which remains on hold, probably until there is peace and an end to the horrendous war.

Slava Ukraini

Heroiam slava!

Every month, IWSG announces a question that members can answer in their IWSG posts. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or a story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.

July 1 question – Is there anything you’d like to see changed, added, and/or rearranged about the book publishing industry?

As I’m finishing this on the morning of July 1st, my answer will have to be extremely rushed. Can self-publishing be improved as an option?

Cover design by Jonathan Temples. Cover photo by Nick Perry.
https://rolandclarke.com/spiral-of-hooves/

Having only self-published the second edition of Spiral of Hooves, I know little about this publishing avenue. Rather than struggle to convince a publisher that I’m a valuable investment, I’m considering self-publishing, as many authors are taking that route. I know some of you are doing this successfully.

At the moment, there seem to be a lot of poorly written self-published books out there. So, the market is flooded, and it’s hard to stand out. The answers seem to be better self-editing and revision, plus a greater commitment to marketing one’s own books. Due to my health and declining time, I’m beginning to realise that writing, editing, and marketing will take up more time than I have remaining.

Strangely, one of my carers is a self-published writer of fantasy and erotica, using the pen name Kataya Moon. Her solution is to sell her books on multiple sites, offer editing services, and ‘moonlight’ as a carer. To me, that is not a viable career path in my twilight years.

Can the industry develop better self-publishing avenues, or is there already a sensible, viable, and inexpensive route available?

As one IWSG co-host has suggested elsewhere, it all comes down to marketability.

The awesome co-hosts for the July 1 posting of the IWSG are Rebecca Douglass, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Cathrina Constantine, and Jacqui Murray!

Finally, don’t forget to visit other writers via the IWSG site for their invaluable insights on writing:

Insecure Writer’s Support Group

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG, and our hashtag is #IWSG.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group Day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time – and return comments. This group is all about connecting!

Not #IWSG keyboard delay

June 3, 2026 by Roland Clarke

I’m posting this in case I miss the Insecure Writer’s Support Group Monthly post deadline. Today’s excuse is that I’ve been struggling with my keyboard for over a month, on top of the ongoing health problems.

The problem is that my keyboard either doesn’t type keys or insists on typing multiple versions of the letter or number. The multiple versions are easier to edit. My solution has been to use dictation software. Initially, I was using Word’s built-in dictate add-on. Now I’m using the pro version of Wispr Flow, which I highly recommend.

If you’re after software dictation, Wispr Flow will give you a free month of Pro if you use a reference link from me. Send me a message with your email, and I’ll send you the link.

As I said above, my health is an additional problem, especially when I have problems speaking. Wispr Flow mistypes when I swallow my words, and carers can’t understand what I need.

I will post my proper reply to this month’s IWSG question as soon as I finish dictating and editing it.

The awesome co-hosts for the June 3 posting of the IWSG are Victoria Marie Lees, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, and C. Lee McKenzie!

Finally, don’t forget to visit other writers via the IWSG site for their invaluable insights on writing:

Insecure Writer’s Support Group

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG, and our hashtag is #IWSG.

#IWSG – Apology

April 1, 2026 by Roland Clarke

As my regular followers must have noticed, I haven’t posted anything since March’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group post, Space Lunch.

Not only have my eye problems continued, but I’ve had severe head congestion, mainly in my sinuses and throat, creating terrible phlegm. This has made it hard to do anything except emergency work.

It’s been impossible to write or even clear my emails. Although I’ve made writing plans in my head, I’m unsure when I’ll post the next episode of my Ukraine saga, Freedom Flights.

Slava Ukraini

Heroiam slava!

Until the next complete post, I’ll just hand over to the IWSG information and pass on the optional question.

Remember, the question is optional!

April 1 question – If you have a playlist (or could put one together) that either gets you in the groove to write or fits with one of your books, what is it? What type of music or what songs?

The awesome co-hosts for the April 1 posting of the IWSG are Melissa Maygrove, Cathrina Constantine, Kate Larkinsdale, and Rebecca Douglass!

Finally, don’t forget to visit other writers via the IWSG site for their invaluable insights on writing:

Insecure Writer’s Support Group

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG, and our hashtag is #IWSG.

IWSG – Space Lunch

March 4, 2026 by Roland Clarke

Although I knew March’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group post was approaching, I’ve continued to have eye problems, which have made it hard to write or even clear my emails. So, I’ve delayed the next episode of my Ukraine saga, Freedom Flights.

Slava Ukraini

Heroiam slava!

Since my January IWSG post, I’ve been posting Fevered Fuse, the first of my Snowdon Shadows novels featuring Sparkle Anwyl, in serial form. Links to each post can be found via my updated Snowdon Shadows page on the left-hand sidebar. However, I’m postponing the next chapter for the same health reasons and, vainly, hoping for more feedback on my recent post, Serialise or Submit? My Recurring Dilemma.

However, I realise, after reading this invaluable post, that I’ve become appalling at visiting other writers’ sites. So, why should they visit me? Health could be a reason for my non-involvement, but there are others as well. I seem to have too little time and too many commitments… or is checking up on news from Ukraine and now Iran a distraction?

Before I answer this month’s question, some of you may be wondering about the strange post title, Space Lunch. In fact, the file is called ‘Space Launch’. Alongside my eye strain, I also have a keyboard that’s misbehaving, typing too many letters or missing them. I try using dictation software, but it also makes ‘misssteaks’ I must correct.

Yet Space Lunch sounds intriguing.

Remember, the question is optional!

March 4 question – What elements do you include in your book launch? Or what do you have in mind for your future book launch? Or what advice do you have to offer to others planning to launch a book?

Until I have another ready for release, my only published novel, Spiral of Hooves, remains my only launch. Initially, with the Kindle release on Monday, December 9th, 2013, by Spectacle Publishing, I concentrated on contributing posts to the website of other Spectacle authors whose books were released at the same. We also reciprocated by posting on each other’s sites.

Released on Monday, August 7th, 2017, the second edition was a chance to try a different approach with an online release day gathering involving author friends, one of whom, a published mystery writer, provided an endorsement for the back cover. I encouraged the other writers to talk about their writing and books. There were also competitions with prizes, including autographed copies of the novel.

Whenever I get to launch another novel, I’ll probably repeat the online book launch gathering, but I’ve seen more authors doing extensive book tours, including visits to other writers’ blogs for interviews or to post there.

I would advise fellow writers to look to more successful published writers than me, for instance, Jacqui Murray, author of the popular prehistoric fiction saga, Man vs. Nature. Her latest book in the saga, Balance of Nature, has just been released. In 2019, I joined her tour for Book 2 in the Crossroads trilogy, the second part of her engrossing saga.

So, Space Lunch is still intriguing. Any thoughts on what it is or where it’s being held or performed? Answers on a postcard or in the comments, please.

The awesome co-hosts for the March 4 posting of the IWSG are PJ Colando, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, and Natalie Aguirre!

Finally, don’t forget to visit other writers via the IWSG site for their invaluable insights on writing:

Insecure Writer’s Support Group

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG, and our hashtag is #IWSG.

Serialise or Submit? My Recurring Dilemma.

February 22, 2026 by Roland Clarke

Apologies for the delay in posting anything. Health issues, so the doctor upped a medicine, and now pain has been replaced by drowsiness. So, posting this has been difficult.

I was intending to post the next part of Fevered Fuse, but I began to wonder what effect that would have on my publishing rights. Although I’m posting on my own website, it seems a publisher is likely to consider that excerpt too long and therefore ‘published’. That means I’ve given up my First Publication Rights.

Or have I?

I’ve already posted 13,000 words, which is about 18% of the novel’s total word count. The percentage some say might be acceptable is 5-10%, which I’ve exceeded already. However, although I have over 900 subscribers, the most ‘Likes’ I’ve received is 8, which is 0.9%. So, surely posting Fevered Fuse chapters has yet to dent future sales.

Nevertheless, before the novel is submitted, it would be advisable to change anything I post online, or instead I could explain in my submission letter that few people read those chapters.

Unless I switch focus onto revising Fates Maelstrom, which follows in chronological order from Fevered Fuse in the Snowdon Shadows series, and which one beta reader felt had a stronger opening in the first three chapters, so far.

I realise I decided to serialise after the responses to my January IWSG post, though I didn’t fully understand the consequences. Does anybody have any further comments?

Do my eight plus faithful readers want me to continue the serialisation of Fevered Fuse? An alternative is that I send a copy of the current draft to anyone as if they were beta readers. If you would like that, post a request with your email address in the Contact section.

The following are the posts I referred to, although opinions vary on the pros and cons:

Posting Writing Online Is Dangerous If You Post Too Much: https://kidlit.com/post-writing-online/

Let’s Address a Common Misunderstanding About Author Websites: https://writerunboxed.com/2016/02/22/author-websites/

Stop Being Afraid of Posting Your Work Online *: http://writerunboxed.com/2010/04/23/stop-being-afraid-of-posting-your-work-online/

What Writers Should Know about Copyright: https://www.copyright.gov/engage/writers/

Is it a Good Idea to Post Chapters of Your Novel On-Line to Build Your Platform?: https://authorkristenlamb.com/2010/04/is-it-a-good-idea-to-post-chapters-of-your-novel-on-line-to-build-a-following/

Should You Post Your Novel Online for Free?: https://www.writersdigest.com/questions-and-quandaries/should-you-post-your-novel-online-for-free

Posting Writing Online: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/blog/posting-writing-online

Cregennen Lakes © Ian King – http://snowdonia.info/

Please note that I continue to follow events in Ukraine daily. I am trying to work on Episode 49 of Freedom Flights, set in September 2025.

Slava Ukraini

Heroiam slava!

#IWSG – Floored

December 3, 2025 by Roland Clarke

Although I knew December’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group post was speeding closer, I forced myself to focus on completing November’s priorities first. So, this month’s question had me stumped… out with no runs. But I’ve jumped ahead and need to back up to address my writing intentions.

Last month, I said my Snowdon Shadows police procedural, Fevered Fuse, was shelved, but some kind writers offered to critique a few chapters for me, as that decision was preying on my mind. They helped me devise a strategy for the series… well, for the first two books, in chronological order. Naturally, my heart is still in Wales.

‘Fevered Fuse’ needs work before it is publishable, unless I release it in serial form to fans of Sparkle Anwyl, its quirky lesbian detective. One issue could be that the novel attempted to incorporate Sparkle’s early cases and her earlier teenage conflicts.
‘Fates Maelstrom’, the second book in the series, is my priority and a better use of my final time here, if I avoid all the pitfalls that plague ‘Fevered Fuse’.
The two other titles, No. 3, Seeking a Knife, and No.4, ‘Ruined Retreat’, will remain as drafts to revise if an earlier title encourages readers to demand more of Sparkle.

As for my Ukraine saga, Freedom Flights, our Ninja Captain was correct in saying, “I know you are passionate about Ukraine. Keep after that story. Don’t let people forget”. The people of Ukraine are why I keep writing. I’m now attempting to write enough episodes to cover two earlier months every current month. Hence, in November, I covered events that took place between April 1^st and May 30^th, 2025.

Slava Ukraini

Heroiam slava!

Remember, the question is optional!

December 3 question – As a writer, what was one of the coolest/best gifts you ever received?

My first thought was, “I’m stumped, or I’m floored”, since nothing came to mind.

Then, like last month, I remembered “A Sailor’s Life for me”. Aged about eleven, I wrote an essay on ‘A Day in the Life of a Navy Helicopter pilot’, which was among the winners of a memorable three days with the Royal Navy. All the prize-winners went to Portsmouth, toured HMS Victory, visited the Fleet Air Arm’s HMS Ariel, went inside a docked submarine at HMS Dolphin, and travelled on the guided missile destroyer, HMS Devonshire, along the South Coast from Portsmouth to Devonport. Of course, I didn’t join the Royal Navy, as my career took a different path, as I covered last month.

HMS Victory in drydock at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Date: 9 May 2008 (according to Exif data). Source/Author: Ballista

However, prizes aren’t gifts, and that means thinking of one that gets me off the floor…

Maybe a tape recorder. Recently, my wife, Juanita, bought me a recorder so I could tape crazy thoughts at night or when my laptop was asleep. Great gift and better than the high-tech digital one that was too small for my fingers in the dark. The only problem is when Juanita asks who I’m talking to. Perhaps creating an acronym, as my detective Sparkle Anwyl does, is my most accessible mnemonic device.

Looking at my desk reminds me of other cool gifts: the decorated notebooks that friends and family have given me over the years… some too attractive for my scrawl.

There are sure to be cooler gifts, but they’ve evaded recall.

The awesome co-hosts for the December 3 posting of the IWSG are Tara Tyler, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Pat Garcia, Liza, and Natalie Aguirre!

Finally, don’t forget to visit other writers via the IWSG site for their invaluable insights on writing:

Insecure Writer’s Support Group

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG, and our hashtag is #IWSG.