Well, it seems the lovely Paula Acton nominated me for a Reader Appreciation Award. It’s very gratefully accepted. Reading blogs is as important as writing them. I’ve connected with so many great people through their blogs, and have gotten some excellent tips and advice into the bargain!
Here’s the deal. I need to tell you something I’ve been up to lately, and nominate six other blogs for the Reader Appreciation Award.
Well, the first part of that task is simple. Like Paula, I’ve been getting stuck into writing. Having released my debut novel, The Hunter Inside, on 12th May, I’m delighted to be able to say that work on my second novel, From the Sky, is going swimmingly. I’m just about to hit 20 thousand words, and have written just over 6 thousand in the last three days. I’m not at work for the rest of the week, so I plan on getting somewhere close to 30 thousand by the end of the weekend. I’m so motivated to write, and also for my work to reach people like my blog does. So far The Hunter Inside has sold almost 50 copies (7 in the US and the rest in the UK), and I would love more people to read and review it so I can hear what people think of it! I might as well mention my little offer that I have going. If you read The Hunter Inside and like it then review it on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk and email me at gow2002@sky.com with your details, you’ll qualify for a free copy of From the Sky when it’s released. For £1.91 you can get two novels!
Anyway, enough about me. Like I said, the Reader Appreciation Award is to appreciate readers, and here are six more blogs you should check out:
1. LazyLauraMaisey’s Adventures of Danda and Yaya – Laura has a hectic schedule, working and studying and writing, but she always has time to read my blog posts and comment on them. I’d be lost without her, and she’s always very funny!
2. M.S Fowle – Mel is the author of Nora’s Sun , The First Night, and The First Blood. She is not just talented, she also makes time in her day to comment on my blog posts lots! I get great feedback and great ideas from Mel, so thank you!
3. Steve Browne – Steve has a very well written blog, and is gracious enough to read my blog and give me feedback and support. People like Steve deserve awards like this!
4. JAYLT’s WriteNow – This blog is fantastic for writers! But JAYLT is a great blogger, both for reading and writing. If you’re a writer you’ll get some great tips from following the WriteNow blog, and you’ll get feedback, support and praise from Jay!
5. Tania L. Ramos New Author Publishing – Check out Tania’s trailer for her new book, Be Still. It’s seriously awesome. I am going to read that book!! Tania is someone else who makes time in her busy schedule to encourage others. I would love to be her real life friend! 
6. Vee’s Poeta Officium – Vee has an excellent blog that has some really inspiring posts, tips and articles for writers. She is also a great follower to have, as she encourages others and even gives a helping hand when she can. She’s had a v. busy month (see what I did there?) and has recently posted some great content to her blog.
I thank you one and all!
Seriously? I’m really, really pleased, ecstatic and honoured – again! I’ll definitely get my posts done for both these awards this week. Thank you so much.
Good luck on writing your next novel – it’s brilliant to see how committed you are, and how your drive never seems to waver
~ JLT
Posted by justlikethat05 | June 6, 2012, 9:12 pmThanks Jay. Don’t worry, I’ve had whole years where my commitment was non-existent!
Posted by davidmcgowan | June 6, 2012, 9:15 pmP.S. Completely agree with the other people you’ve nominated for this award – great pick
Posted by justlikethat05 | June 6, 2012, 9:13 pmDavid,
Thanks for the nomination! As well as the kind words.
I do look forward to reading what your up to and can appreciate your journey.
Continued success in your writing of your new book.
Steve
Posted by stevebrowne | June 6, 2012, 9:15 pmThanks Steve. I thought it was a nice way to show how much I appreciate you following my journey and being a part of it, helping me to stay focussed and motivated.
P.S. You don’t need to hold your breath. I had a shower, remember?
Posted by davidmcgowan | June 6, 2012, 9:18 pmHey David. You’re fabulous. Thanks for the nomination. I really appreciate it. Good luck with the next novel. I’m a few chapters into The Hunter Inside and really enjoying it. It’s so readable. I’ll get a move on and finish it and do a review. Can’t wait to read the next one!
Posted by lazylauramaisey | June 6, 2012, 9:49 pmThanks LLM! Glad you’re enjoying it. I’ll let you into a secret, but shhh, don’t tell anyone. I’m going to release the first chapter of From the Sky on my blog tomorrow!
P.S. You’re fabulous too!
Posted by davidmcgowan | June 6, 2012, 10:01 pmO amazing! I’m looking forward to it. I’ll tell you a secret too. You mustn’t tell anyone. It’s top secret……….. I’m not sure what I’m going to do my blog about tomorrow…. Now don’t go telling everyone, ok?
Posted by lazylauramaisey | June 6, 2012, 10:11 pmWooo. *squeal* I can hardly wait!
Posted by davidmcgowan | June 6, 2012, 10:13 pmMy favourite part in your last comment? The *squeal*.
Posted by lazylauramaisey | June 6, 2012, 10:22 pmLike a girlie pig!
Posted by davidmcgowan | June 6, 2012, 10:26 pm‘A girlie pig!’ Haha. If there was an award for funniest random comment, you’d win it. I award it to you right now actually. For your comment – ‘Like a girlie pig’ – I hereby pronounce you, Winner of the Funniest Random Comment.
Posted by lazylauramaisey | June 6, 2012, 10:30 pmAs long as I don’t have to nominate 50 other blogs for the Girlie Pig Funniest Random Comment Award!
Posted by davidmcgowan | June 6, 2012, 10:32 pm51, actually. Get started on writing that post!
Posted by lazylauramaisey | June 6, 2012, 10:34 pmBang goes our lunch date. See you at Christmas!
Posted by davidmcgowan | June 6, 2012, 10:44 pmAnd you have to tell us 281 facts about yourself and your top 11 favourite colours and your favourite weather and your favourite day of the week. And what music you’ve been listening to recently and what you ate for dinner.
Posted by lazylauramaisey | June 6, 2012, 11:04 pmI would like to decline the award. You deserve it more for your caterpony.
Posted by davidmcgowan | June 6, 2012, 11:13 pmDecline it? That surprises me. I thought you’d be all over it. You love writing. There’s plenty to write about with that award.
Posted by lazylauramaisey | June 6, 2012, 11:15 pmYeah, but novels are 100,000 words, not blog posts!
Posted by davidmcgowan | June 6, 2012, 11:17 pmWell no-one’s stopping you making a novel out of your nomination. You’ve just got to think outside the box, David.
Posted by lazylauramaisey | June 6, 2012, 11:32 pmCongratulations on your award
Xx
Posted by Vikki (The View Outside) | June 7, 2012, 8:56 amThanks so much!
Posted by davidmcgowan | June 7, 2012, 9:01 amCongratulations on the award! V deserving! Lol ;P (I mean it though, you’re on a roll!)
Posted by Virginia | June 7, 2012, 1:30 pmCongrats and thank you so much!
Posted by M.S. Fowle | June 8, 2012, 1:54 am