So many indie books are brimming with imagination. It is time that they are recognised for the things that are outlandish, unexpected, and oddly-specific to them. As we bring 2025 to a close, I’m dishing out my fun awards to a small selection of the indie books I’ve read this year. What stood out toContinue reading “Coe’s Oddly Specific Book Awards”
Author Archives: cblansdell
November 2025 – I’m Back with Stories to Tell
Thank you for joining me through the ups and downs of 2025. I will reflect on the year (and the books I’ve read) in more detail later. For now, let me catch you up on what I’ve been up to during my blog’s hiatus these past few months. Interactive Short Story: Little Bead in aContinue reading “November 2025 – I’m Back with Stories to Tell”
August 2025 – A Pause in the Blog
For the next 2 months, I am going to be taking a break from this blog. I have fun writing these posts, but they take me about 6 hours on a weekend to complete. Hours that could be spent preparing my sequel for beta readers in November (among other things). I tend to hyperfocus whenContinue reading “August 2025 – A Pause in the Blog”
July 2025 – Recovery, Wraiths and Cover Reveals
After last month, some of you may want updates on my burns (because you are nice like that). I will save that for the end of this month’s blog post. In the meantime, I have a lot of bookish news to share. In June, I was invited to join Willow Wraith Press. ‘What is WillowContinue reading “July 2025 – Recovery, Wraiths and Cover Reveals”
June 2025 – A Shock to the System
This month’s blog is not going to be writing-related. Sometimes real-life events can be every bit as outlandish as fictional adventures. Some of you know that my mum and I live on the same property. We bought the place with joint resources and have separate living areas. Last night, I heard my mum shouting inContinue reading “June 2025 – A Shock to the System”
May 2025 – Upcoming Releases
I am deep in edits this weekend. There are certainly tantalising bits of world-building I could share, but they’ll take too long to write about. Instead, I’d like to direct you to some indie books coming out in June.
April 2025 – Remember to Breathe
If I allow myself to skip posting or writing for a day or two, I will still love writing next year. If I let myself worry about falling short of ambitious goals, I could burn out.
March 2025 – Surprising Research
Just a short update this month. While researching, I came across a piece of information about octopus blood. It is called haemocyanin, which is a copper-based protein. Apparently, it is better at transporting oxygen in cold conditions than haemoglobin. It also has a higher viscosity than human blood. This is an example of how IContinue reading “March 2025 – Surprising Research”
February 2025 – Supplementary Short Stories
Early in my novel-writing journey, I learned about newsletter hooks: free short stories that could introduce readers to a new author and encourage them to buy their other books. My novelette, The Tidelings of Dras Sayve, which celebrates its first anniversary on 21 March, started its life this way. Now in KU, my first newsletterContinue reading “February 2025 – Supplementary Short Stories”
January 2025 – Year of Sequel Editing
We are one month into 2025 now. The weather in Cape Town has been more beautiful than usual for summer (no wind), and it is really feeling like a holiday city with growing numbers of overseas visitors. I won’t complain about tourists because I am holding out hope that one day I may entice myContinue reading “January 2025 – Year of Sequel Editing”
C B Lansdell 