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My 2016
The highlight to 2016 for me has to be my first grandchild, Amaya May Parsons.
She is the most wonderful addition to the family. I'm so proud of my son Kris, and his fiance Sam for producing such a lovely little person. Never a day goes by without thinking of her-her blue eyes and cheeky smile... toothy grin (above)... lol. I could go on for ages. I've even tried to write the text for a picture book with her in mind.
OK so... back to the rest of my year.
It's been a bumpy ride. My brother having a heart attack, though he's almost back to full health now, thank God. Both sons Kris and Ryan starting new jobs (one in maintinence and the other in an advertising company) they're both very happy, you couldn't ask for more really.
On the downside for me, not getting a book released, and on the upside, the Rhondda Book Fair 2016!
What a fantastic booky event. We (my wife Jan, and I) decided to run a book fair on our own. We did get help from friends and family of course, but primarily it was just us. I booked the venue and date - Jan sorted the refreshment side of things (no mean feat), while I sorted the authors and timetable for the day - author panel's, setting up the theatre etc.
The day itself, weather-wise was terrible with a capital "T" honestly. The rain poured down from the start to the finish, only getting worse as the day progressed. Then the mist rolled in, just to top it all off. But the event... The event was amazing. Lots of people turned up, despite the weather, and the author panel's were a great addition.
We had a live-feed to Facebook, so viewer's who couldn't attend, could watch and send in questions for the authors, and it went down a storm. Everyone enjoyed the tea, coffee, soft drinks and cake-cake-cake that my wife and her friends served to eager customers! Thanks to everyone who attended, and to all those who helped with the day. A special thank you to Debra Jones the manager of the SOAR Chapel Community Centre, for her contribution and patience.
The rest of the year was schools-schools-schools - visiting book fairs and other events. As I said, I didn't launch any books in 2016, although there was the anthology: Dark Gathering - Tales of Horror and Mystery, published by the Swansea Writers Circle, my short story Shady Close was featured. It came out on Halloween.
Looking back now to what I did do, authorwise. I have written a few short stories (need to find a home for them) and finished some other manuscripts.
Keep a look out in 2017 for a few book launches from Colin R Parsons, namely: DISC Direct Interface Shadow Control, by Pegasus Elliot Mackenzie. Death Trap, by DramaScape. Ghosted by Tallyberry Publishing. I'm working on something called Wizards Exile (tell you more about that in 2017).
All in all, a bit of a mixed bag.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a healthy 2017.