Occasional Rants
Today is International Women’s Day. In between paragraphs, I’ve added quotes from inspirational women, both past and present, but let’s start with this one. “Extremists have shown what frightens them most. A girl with a book.” Malala Yousafzai Last week, wearing my professional hat, I attended an event about the representation of women in the…
» Continue Reading
The Plutonium Jubilee – a shameful anniversary
70 years after Britain's atomic test programme began, the British Nuclear Test Vets are still waiting for justice
This month, it is seventy (70) years since Britain launched its atomic test programme in the Pacific, and yet Britain remains the only nuclear power to have withheld recognition from its nuclear test veterans. The British Nuclear Test Veterans have met opposition at every step of the way. It’s a subject I’ve blogged about before….
» Continue Reading
Rosemary J Kind and I have several things in common. We both write historical fiction. In our latest releases we tackle the complicated theme of justice. “Equal justice under law is not merely a caption on the facade of the Supreme Court building, it is perhaps the most inspiring ideal of our society. It is…
» Continue Reading
Help: my eBook business model is broken
When the line between lending and piracy becomes blurred
A few weeks ago, I was watching a topical panel show. When the question of plastic pollution came up, one of the panelists replied, ‘No, you’re not laying the blame at my door. I bought plastic on the understanding that it would be recycled. It’s not my fault if someone went and dumped it in…
» Continue Reading
Another email today from a reader saying, ‘Do you know that when I Google you, I get your photo but with the bio of an American Jane Davis?’ Yes, dear reader, I do know. I am clearly not American because I have bad teeth. But I’ll admit it. I’m nostalgic for the days when I…
» Continue Reading
It’s been a long time since I published a rant, but today I’m livid. Last week I read an article by traditionally published author Ros Barber and was in complete sympathy with her. This morning, after reading her reply to those who have suggesting the solution may be self-publishing, I find myself her opposite. I have…
» Continue Reading
Who will buy? Jane Davis ponders ebook pricing
Who decides when the price is right? And what is the author's cut?
Yesterday I joined a discussion in a forum for a group of self-confessed book lovers. An on-line book club, if you like. One member commented that she had noticed a steep hike in the cost of ebooks and didn’t understood the reason for it. Others rushed to agree. Time for a little clarification: (1) Ebooks…
» Continue Reading
Who says that librarians are scary?
A myth-busting exercise at Redhill Library
Having previously failed to convince Surrey libraries to stock my self-published titles, I was delighted to be invited to Redhill to talk to a packed room of librarians and key influencers. But, whilst my intention was to bust a few myths, I was also interested to learn about the obstacles as they see them. If the publishing…
» Continue Reading
Let’s get this straight: I don’t have a lot of money, so I don’t like being ripped off. I don’t even like the feeling that someone might be ripping me off. So when I pay a builder £7,000 for a job, I don’t expect to receive a bill for materials that he forgot to include in his…
» Continue Reading
Many of you will know that I am interested in cover design. Today, a review I posted on Amazon has invited more comments that anything else I have posted of late, and so I thought I would share it. ‘Amazon customers have occasionally commented ‘that is not a review’ when I have posted my thoughts…
» Continue Reading
Want to be featured?
