Authors who help Authors: Helen Hollick & Discovering Diamonds

Welcome to the first in a short series turning the spotlight on authors who help other authors.

There are many ways that writers can support each other and offering reviews is one of them.

Discovering Diamonds (#DDRevs) was the brainchild of Helen Hollick, a prolific and successful author in her own right, who set up Discovering Diamonds a few years ago to provide a platform for reviews of historical novels.

To kick off the series, I chatted to Helen and asked her to explain what it's all about.

AW: Welcome to the blog Helen. Can I start by asking what inspired you to set up Discovering Diamonds and how does it work?

HH: I had been the Managing Editor for Indie Reviews for the Historical Novel Association for over five years, but in 2016 I felt it time to establish something a little more independent that had a major focus on indie and self-published authors, rather than traditional mainstream. Most of my previous review team came with me – a super group of people made up of dedicated readers, authors and editors –  and so Discovering Diamonds came into being on January 1st 2017.

I had no intention of getting involved with any finances, nor with receiving or posting out physical copies of novels – technology has advanced enough with e-editions to eliminate costly sending of actual books. Plus, the majority of readers prefer a Kindle (or similar device) where reviewing is concerned, so I request mobi (preferably) or  correctly formatted PDF ARC files. (These only go out to selected reviewers and are deleted after being read.)

Our aim is to promote good books worth reading regardless of whether it is written by an indie author or someone established with a well-known publishing company. I do not even ask for, or include, a publisher’s details as a good book is a good book no matter who published it or how! We publish three reviews a week, and these are all four or five-star standard.  

AW: To have one's book declared a Diamond is a badge of honour, I know, but why do you think independent reviews are so important for Indie Authors especially?

HH: Even after all this time, indie and self-published novels are still (erroneously!) regarded as ‘vanity’ and of little worth. Indie writers are, all too often, not taken seriously as authors – alas literary snobbishness is still rife. With better technology, ease of access to professional editors, cover designers and formatters etc there is no reason why a good writer cannot produce a good book. The disadvantage is that most indie writers have a small budget and no access to nation- or even world-wide marketing. No book, no matter how superb it is, will sell if no one knows about it. 

Social Media platforms are an indie author’s shop window, but even then word of mouth about good books worth reading is essential. This is where honest, constructive, reviews come into play.

Yes, at Discovering Diamonds we will say if we felt a book was a brilliant story, but could do with another edit, or that there were a few too many typos. We also like to encourage new authors – maybe this first novel could do with some more polishing but the author has potential, so watch this space for Book Two! 

I post a link on Twitter and Facebook to each review, and where I can, copy the entire review on Amazon.co.uk and Goodreads. (Alas I can no longer do so on .com as well.)

AW: It's a great and generous way to help authors feel that they're not alone out there in the Indie publishing world. I happen to know however that reviews aren't the only way #DDRevs helps authors. Can you tell us a little about some of the other features of the site?)

HH: Every December I like to take a break from posting reviews, so I invite authors to submit a short story. The first year the theme was to be ‘diamonds’ (for obvious reasons) but then I hit on the idea of stories connected to a song... why is Daniel leaving on a plane? Who is dreaming of a white Christmas? Who is making a telephone call to say ‘Hello?’ These stories were not to be about the song, but inspired by it. An added twist was that the reader would read the story and guess which song inspired it... the authors involved have grown quite adept at hiding the clues!

I also have Guest Spots on Sundays, featuring authors and their books, a cover and book selection of the month (and then of the year) – and anything else I can think of to help promote authors.

AW: What about your own writing? Can you tell people a little about your own books (I believe you've branched off in a new and exciting direction very recently and the picture to the left is a bit of a clue...) 

HH: I have been a published author since 1994, with a few historical novels under my belt and a nautical adventure series – the Sea Witch Voyages (Voyage six is in progress, although slowly) I’ve written nonfiction about pirates and smugglers, and have now diversified into the realm of the ‘cosy mystery’. 

A Mirror Murder is the first in the Jan Christopher Mystery series. It is set in the 1970s and based around my thirteen years of experience working in a London suburb public library ... believe me, I have a lot of anecdotes, although I confess, not one single murder – that bit is entirely made up! Jan is my library assistant protagonist, her uncle and guardian is DCI Toby Christopher ... and the action starts when he introduces Jan to his new young Detective Constable, Laurie Walker... I hope readers enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it!

AW: I'm delighted to say that I've read an advance review copy of A Mirror Murder and it's an excellent book!

For anyone wishing to connect with Helen or buy her books, here are all her links:

A Mirror Murder getbook.at/MirrorMurder 

Website: https://helenhollick.net/

Amazon Author Page (Universal Link) http://viewauthor.at/HelenHollick 

Newsletter Subscription: http://tinyletter.com/HelenHollick 

Twitter: @HelenHollick

Discovering Diamonds Historical Fiction Review Blog (submissions welcome) : https://discoveringdiamonds.blogspot.co.uk/

All that it remains for me to do is to thank Helen, not only for being a guest on my blog today but also for her novels, which have given me hours of reading pleasure, and her tireless work in helping other authors. I take my hat off to her, whereas, as this photo shows, she likes to keep hers on!

Review: Life of a Smuggler (Fact and Fiction) by Helen Hollick

Life of a Smuggler: Fact and Fiction
Helen Hollick
Pen & Sword Publications
Amazon UK

What a treat this was; to receive a review copy from the publishers of this, the first in a brand new series: Fact and Fiction, from Pen & Sword Books. And what a great way to kick off this new initiative.

As author Helen Hollick points out, we all think we know a lot about smuggling, and most of what we think we know comes from fiction, and gives us a romanticised picture of what was, plain and simple, an illegal activity.

This well-researched (in fact, I was amazed how much information had been packed into a relatively short book) volume gives the truth about the frequently hazardous exploits of the 'Gentlemen' and no detail is left out. From what they smuggled, why they did it, how they did it, and the consequences, this is a thorough investigation of smuggling practices through the ages, including the origin of the word itself.

There is fascinating detail about the identities of some of those involved, many of whom were 'ordinary' people: basket makers, butchers, dressmakers, shoemakers. 

Some were merely names, while others gained a little more notoriety. I particularly enjoyed the stories of Tom Johnstone of Lymington, and Thomas Hill, a smuggler in the 'Colonies' whose tale was a classic, albeit cheeky, case of 'poacher turned gamekeeper.'

Was it glamorous? No, not at all. The author recounts for us in vivid detail the violent Battle of Sidley Green, which was a fierce and bloody clash. We have descriptions of executions and reminders throughout that this was a dangerous occupation indeed.

Yet there is levity too: I loved the image of the vicar who insisted that his congregation wait for him to take off his vestments so that they wouldn't have a head start when news came in of a wreck.

And as for the assumption about wrecking and what caused it, we learn the surprising truth about that, too.

As someone who regularly used to drive through Weston Longville in Norfolk, I was intrigued to learn that the famed Parson Woodforde, whose story I thought I knew, was also involved in smuggling in his own small way. And that Thornham, where I used to enjoy a drink at the Lifeboat Inn, and latterly took my children to walk along that part of the north Norfolk coast, was also a location associated with smuggling. But Norfolk is not the only county featured and anyone reading in the UK will be delighted to learn of the smuggling stories of their own area.

This book is beautifully laid out and in what clearly will be a style feature of the series, every so often we are treated to a 'little known fact'. All the information is collated in neat chapters and all is presented in the context of the historical periods so that we learn how certain events, such as the English Civil Wars and the American War of Independence affected the smuggling 'trade'.

And it is all told in Ms Hollick's wonderful conversational style, which makes the reading experience feel rather like being invited into her kitchen and told these wonderful tales over a cup of tea (legally imported, unlike in the smuggling days!)

This book is informative and fun. Who could ask for more?

Helen Hollick is a best-selling historical fiction author, with her books A Hollow Crown and Harold the King being published in both the UK and the US. Her Pendragon's Banner Trilogy, set in the fifth century, is widely acclaimed as a different telling of the Arthurian myth. The Sea Witch Voyages, a series of pirate-based, part fantasy, nautical adventures are popular on both sides of the Atlantic. She has written two nonfiction books, Pirates: Truth and Tale and co-wrote Discovering the Diamond with Jo Field.
Find her on HelenHollick.net 
She is also the guiding light and driving force behind Discovering Diamonds, an historical fiction (and occasionally nonfiction) review site.

Discovering Diamonds and Chilling with Books

So, you've written your book. You've published your book. And, unless you are one of what must be a very rare breed, you are now flip-flopping between thinking you've produced the best story that ever appeared in print, or the worst since man picked up a stone and started scratching on the walls of his cave.

What you need is a critical eye. You need to submit your book for reviews. Oh, so easy to say. Frequently though, you'll find that if you're self-published, many review sites will not accept your work.

Once upon a time, the Historical Novel Society ran two review schemes; one for traditionally published books and one for 'Indie' books. Not only did it offer to review, but there was a system which meant that each month a few books were chosen as Editors' Choice books and were put forward for Book of the Year.

This was a boon for Indie authors. It meant that not only did they get a review by highly respected reviewers, but they had the chance to win a prize.

Following some structural re-organisation, the HNS decided recently to combine their two review schemes and whilst they do continue to accept submissions from Indie authors, there is no longer a chance to be put forward for Indie Book of the Year.

However, there are a couple of places where you can send your book where you'll not only get an unbiased review but also get the chance for book of the month, and year.

The first of these is for historical fiction and is run by Helen Hollick, who used to be Managing Editor of the HNS Indie Reviews. At Discovering Diamonds, she has a team of highly professional, experienced reviewers who take their job - although they are all volunteers - very seriously. If a book is accepted for review it will be given a considered appraisal and if deemed outstanding, it will be declared a Discovered Diamond and put forward for further awards, such as Book of the Month. The blog is fantastic, with guest posts, articles, and even a competition for book cover design.

Helen was adamant that when the HNS revised its policy that there should still be somewhere for Indie Authors to get a 'stamp of approval' which is otherwise so difficult to come by. If you don't know Helen, she is a globally successful author of several books: an Arthurian Trilogy, an Anglo-Saxon series, and now a series about Jesemiah Acorne, who features in the Sea Witch Series. Helen has also written non-fiction books. She is one of another rare breed, that of successful author who will do almost anything in her power to help, support and encourage upcoming authors.

Find the submission guidelines HERE

Another great place to send your book is Chill with a Book. They won't review, but they will send your book out to a number of their team readers who will then assess the book according to certain criteria. If your book passes all these, it will be awarded a Chill with a Book award and, again, there are also monthly and yearly awards, as well as a special award bestowed by its creator, Pauline Barclay. Chill accepts books of - almost -all genres.

Chill with a Book also offers a book cover design award. Pauline is an author herself; another one who 'pays it forward'.

Find the submission guidelines HERE

Both Helen and Pauline work closely with Avalon Graphics, where designer Cathy Helms takes time from her work of designing quality book covers to help with judging competitions and designing logos.

More about Avalon Graphics

So, if you are an Indie Author - or indeed a Traditionally published author, submit your book/s. Not every book gets accepted, and even those which do don't necessarily win a Diamond or a Chill logo. But this just means that these are marks of quality, awarded after careful consideration by people who really know what a good book looks like, inside and out.