Festive Witch Book: The festive witch book is a unique piece of literature that combines elements of witchcraft and the holiday season. It explores the idea of witches embracing and celebrating Christmas and other festive occasions. In traditional witchcraft lore, witches are often depicted as mysterious and powerful beings who possess magical abilities. They are associated with spells, potions, and rituals that are aimed at harnessing their supernatural powers. However, the festive witch book takes a different approach by portraying witches as individuals who also partake in the joy and festivities of the holiday season. These books often feature enchanting stories that follow the adventures of witches during Christmas time.
336 pages, Paperback
And because I wanted to give The Shadow a chance to make it into libraries alongside the first three books, something that I felt was essential, I needed to apply to the National Library to have The Shadow listed. It was here Nancy and I talked about some copyright issues and she assured me the book would be printed only for her personal use, a few copies for her friends who are also GOT fans, and to submit for her graduation project.
These books often feature enchanting stories that follow the adventures of witches during Christmas time. They may include themes of love, friendship, and the importance of family, all intertwined with elements of witchcraft. The main characters of these books are usually witches who are not afraid to show their magical abilities while spreading joy and happiness during the holiday season.
Self-Publishing, My First Experience
When I began writing The Shadow two years before publication, I did so for two reasons. The first was for the fans. In my heart I felt that I owed them this book. They deserved a more conclusive ending than they ended up with in The Key. And the other reason was for myself. From my earliest concept The Guardians of Time was supposed to be a series of four books. I’d finally finished the story the way I wanted it to end, and I wasn’t going to allow it to remain a manuscript in my bottom drawer forever.
The thought of self-publishing my new book after having seven books traditionally published by a major world publisher was daunting to say the least. I’ve been in the industry since a publisher bought the rights to my first book Old Magic at a mini auction in London more than 18 years ago. And now, with The Shadow being the fourth book in a series first published in 2001, I took my first foray into self-publishing.
So, decision made, I started to ask around. Someone told me publishing my own book would be easy. I looked at him with scepticism. I grew up under the belief system that nothing worthwhile ever came easily. You reaped rewards for hard work. There was honour in hard work. And for most of my life, that proved to be true. So I wasn’t expecting easy, and I didn’t get it. Every step was one I had not taken before, every step a lesson in something new. I started reading. Google helped. Yes, Google was great. I asked the question: Self-publishing – where do I begin? And Google brought up fifteen million, nine hundred thousand suggestions. I read until my eyes burned like they were on fire and I could read no more until the next day. I read articles, blogs, reviews and books on the various self-publishing options, from Amazon’s Create Space and Kindle’s Print On Demand to a variety of vanity publishers that would cost upwards from five thousand dollars. I didn’t have that kind of money, but self-publishing is not free. Two or three thousand would make a start, more if you wanted your book to look professional. The less you do yourself, the more you have to pay someone else. Professional editing is one area where you don’t want to go cheap. Another is the cover. I could write an entire book on that topic. But essentially, you just need to remember to allocate enough in your budget for a decent cover.
I was lucky. My daughter is a designer, her specialty the interiors of houses and hotels. Not exactly books but she had the required software and an artistic eye. Between the two of us we came up with a cover I loved. Toss in my other daughter’s expertise on writing blurbs and the cover was created without costing me a cent.
With the cover completed it was time for formatting the interior file to fit the size I chose, the size that came closest to matching The Named, The Dark and The Key. No matter how many times I measured and checked, I still couldn’t make it a perfect fit. And I had to move on, I still had a four-hundred page Word document to reformat. I watched videos for that, and learned how to work with a Kindle Previewer. I selected an appealing internal style from a choice of six offered, then created the author’s rights page, formatting the chapter breaks and headings, and of course the Table of Contents.
The Guardians of Time Original Covers
And it was still only the beginning. There was the ISBN, a 10 and a 13-digit number essential for scanning of paperbacks, which, I discovered later, costs less when purchased in a pack of ten or more, preferably with the barcodes at the same time. And because I wanted to give The Shadow a chance to make it into libraries alongside the first three books, something that I felt was essential, I needed to apply to the National Library to have The Shadow listed.
I can’t recall how many times the process came close to overwhelming me. The most satisfying part of my usual day – the writing part – I’d had to set aside. My next project would have to wait months. I was just growing accustomed to that thought when my first proof copy arrived. I found myself swept up with a tingling excitement that flowed in my veins and pumped my heart harder. I’d done it. My chest swelled. I couldn’t stop smiling. That dreadful sense of being overwhelmed dissipated the moment I held the book in my hand, the moment I read the title, and it felt good.
Below is a photo of the second edition cover, created by AC Graphics.
My first experience at self-publishing had been a daunting task, but a task that generated a sense of accomplishment and pride. It challenged me in more ways than I thought I could handle, but I rose to the challenge and while I still have a lot to learn, I know now that it won’t defeat me.
The Shadow E-Book Edition belonging to a reader enjoying a glass of wine
Share this:
- Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
- Click to print (Opens in new window)
- Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
Excited Nancy with her book The Guardians of Time – The Bond
The festive witch book can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. Children can be fascinated by the magical aspects of the stories, while adults can appreciate the deeper messages behind the narrative. These books often teach valuable lessons about acceptance, kindness, and the power of celebrating traditions. The themes and motifs found in the festive witch book can vary greatly depending on the author and the specific story being told. Some books may focus more on the fantastical aspects of witchcraft, while others may delve into the deeper emotions and struggles that witches face during the holiday season. Overall, the festive witch book is a captivating and enchanting genre that combines the imagery and folklore of witches with the joy and magic of the holiday season. It offers readers a unique and imaginative perspective on how witches can play a role in spreading cheer and celebrating during this festive time of year..
Reviews for "Unravel the Mysteries of a Festive Witch's Spellbinding Adventure"
1. Amy - 2/5 - I was really excited to read "Festive Witch Book" as I love holiday-themed books and witchy stories. However, this book fell short of my expectations. The plot was predictable and lacked originality. The characters felt one-dimensional and didn't have much depth to them. I found myself losing interest halfway through and struggled to finish it. Overall, it was a disappointment for me.
2. John - 1/5 - I couldn't even finish "Festive Witch Book". The writing style was hard to follow and the story seemed disjointed. The pacing was off, with long descriptions of irrelevant details and abrupt shifts in the plot. The dialogue felt unnatural and forced. It's a shame because the concept had potential, but the execution was a complete letdown. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - "Festive Witch Book" had an intriguing premise, but it failed to deliver. The world-building was insufficient, leaving many unanswered questions. The author introduced several plot points that were never fully explored or resolved, which left me feeling unsatisfied. The writing itself was mediocre, with clunky phrasing and repetitive descriptions. While I appreciate the effort put into creating a festive atmosphere, the story lacked substance and failed to capture my interest.
4. Michael - 3/5 - I had mixed feelings about "Festive Witch Book". On one hand, I enjoyed the overall concept and found some of the magical elements interesting. The inclusion of holiday traditions added a nice touch. However, the story felt rushed and underdeveloped. The characters lacked depth and their motivations weren't always clear. The pacing was uneven, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the narrative. Overall, I wouldn't call it a terrible book, but it definitely could have been better.