Hello - I hope this finds you well!

My goodness, I had so many responses after my last newsletter and there seems to be some misunderstanding regarding the "KU / Kindle" thing (oh dear!) - so I'm going to dive straight into that first to clarify things.

But don't worry - for those who love a natter, I've got loads of photos and stories to share further below!

(** Oh, in case you didn't know, "natter" is British slang for a friendly gossip or idle chat... hmm, maybe I should start a thing where I use a different term for "chat" in each newsletter? Like "chinwag" (British), "shoot the breeze" (American), "have a yarn" (Austalia / NZ),  "blether" (Scottish)... AARGH! Stop! I'm side-tracking myself again! 😅 )

In book news...

Well, as you know, in my last newsletter, I explained the reasons why it's challenging for authors to have their books enrolled in Amazon's "Kindle Unlimited" (KU) library and why I am planning to withdraw my books from the programme.

I received a lot of emails from readers who were confused and worried that this would mean my books are no longer be available on Amazon at all. So first, I wanted to say: Don't worry! My books will still be available for purchase on Amazon and can always be read on your Kindles - whether they are enrolled in Kindle Unlimited (KU) or not.

I think the big confusion was: Kindle and Kindle Unlimited (KU) are NOT the same thing.

Kindle is basically Amazon's ebook format (and also the name of their ereader device - although you can also read Kindle books on your phone or iPad, just with the free Kindle app; you don't need to buy a Kindle) 

Kindle Unlimited (KU) is an added extra: it's a subscription service where you pay a monthly fee to Amazon and then you can "borrow" ebooks that are enrolled in the Kindle Unlimited library. When you read books borrowed via KU, you don't pay any extra (because it's included in your monthly subscription) but the author doesn't receive the full payment for their books - they just get paid a very small amount for the pages you've read. 

Also, authors are not allowed to put their books on any other platform (eg. Apple, Kobo) or make them available in libraries - Amazon insists on being "exclusive" IF the book is in KU. 🙄 So that's very frustrating. This is why many authors decide not to enrol their books in KU. 

The other difference is that books in KU are not available forever  - they can be removed at the author's or publisher's discretion - and so if you would like to have your favourite stories to read again, it's best to purchase them. (It's a bit like Netflix or other streaming services: you can only watch the movies/TV series when they are on there but they can come off at any time.)

Let’s not rush things...

So you can see why I would like to withdraw my books from KU. However... I did also receive several emails from readers who were distressed that they would not be able to finish the Bewitched by Chocolate series via their KU subscription, as they would struggle to afford to purchase the upcoming new releases.

So I've been thinking things over and I've decided to delay withdrawing my books from Kindle Unlimited (KU) until later in the year. This way, those who started reading the Bewitched by Chocolate series in KU will be able to read the finale via their subscription. Plus anyone else who is currently subscribed to KU will have a chance to catch-up and read my books while they are still enrolled in the programme. 

I hope this will make things easier for those on a budget (although I know it will disappoint those who wanted to read my books on Apple or Kobo or NOOK... oh dear - it's so hard to make everybody happy!)

** And if you can afford to purchase my books - rather than "borrow" them in KU - I would really appreciate that as it would mean that I am paid properly for them. 

It's the best way you can support me as an author and help me continue to write books for you! 😊

Kindle vs Print vs Audio?

There was also some confusion over how changes with Kindle Unlimited (KU) would affect the print and audiobook versions of my books. Don't worry - they will still be available in paperback and on Audible, just like before! What happens with the ebook (Kindle) version doesn't affect the print and audiobook versions. They are 3 separate formats (like 3 sisters who are each individuals and can do their own thing! 😉)

What about the author shop on your website?

Unfortunately, by keeping my books enrolled in KU, it means that I won't be allowed to make them available via my own website. So this means that I will have to delay my plans for my own author shop as well. It's a shame as I had lots of ideas for special editions and other cool stuff... 

Oh well, perhaps this is a project that's better postponed till next year anyway! I already have a LOT on my plate, what with 3 different series, audiobooks and translations in multiple languages, book deals with foreign publishers, workshops & speaking engagements, conference travel and book research trips... not to mention the new books I want to write (+ the 6,835,217 emails still waiting for me to reply in my Inbox! 😝 ) - so it was probably a bit crazy of me to be adding another thing to my To Do list!! 

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For the green thumbs... and the travel bugs!

As you may know, the seasons Down Under are opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere and so while many of you are probably enjoying the first blooms of spring now, we're welcoming the cooler days of autumn here.

Autumn is my favourite season - and in particular, my husband and I both LOVE the gorgeous colours of autumn foliage. Sadly, this is something we miss out on, living in Perth, as the climate here is just too mild to produce those stunning colour changes (you really need that drop in temperature and the chilly nights!). In fact, many plants that go dormant in Europe remain evergreen here and never shed their leaves. (I actually have to pluck the leaves off my roses in winter each year, just to force them to produce fresh growth in spring!)

Still, we do keep trying to grow things that supposedly change colour in autumn...and one of these is our Japanese acer (maple) tree.

We've had this tree about 5 years now and I have to say, it has remained a sickly little thing. ☹️ It just doesn't flourish in Perth's very alkaline soil (despite me adding lots & lots of organic matter to try and acidify the soil around its roots) and it shrivels up in Perth's hot, dry summers (despite me planting it in the most sheltered, shaded corner I could find!). 

So most of the leaves go straight from 'green' to 'brown & crispy' - without ever passing the lovely red stage before they drop from the tree. We have managed to occasionally get a few red leaves - (which my husband and I ooh and ahh over like awe-struck tourists at an exhibition of the Crown Jewels 😄) - but overall, our maple tree has been a great disappointment. 

So you can imagine how delighted we were when we had the chance to visit Vermont a few years ago and see its legendary "fall foliage". I have to say, the Green Mountain State really lived up to its reputation! We were absolutely bowled over by the beautiful landscape and the incredibly vibrant colours... these photos were taken without a filter!

Now THAT's what I call a maple tree!

We finished our autumn foliage tour in the very quaint town of Stowe (perfect setting for a cozy mystery! 😉) in North Vermont and went hiking in Smugglers’ Notch State Park, climbing the trail up to the mountain-top Sterling Pond. If you're a keen hiker and visiting this part of the world, this is a fantastic half-day activity that you should definitely add to your itinerary! 

The trail is fairly steep in places but overall, not too difficult... we met several families with young children doing the hike and even a young man carrying a very self-important little French bulldog 😄

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For the cat lovers...

Finally, for all the Muesli fans, here's a picture that I thought would amuse you: 

I came home from grocery shopping the other day and as I was busily unpacking and putting things away in the cupboards, I heard a strange rustling behind me...

I turned around to see this... hmm... I'm sure "little grey tabby cat" was not on the shopping list!

If you missed my last newsletter and wanted to catch up, you can read it here:  "Cooking" manuscripts, foodie pets and an unexpected birthday tea!

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