Earlier this year I laid out these writing goals, so I’m using this time between Christmas and the new year, to reflect on how I’ve done with them.

1.Submit Best Friends Perfect to publishers.

I submitted this to Wilde City Press (WCP) and they have given me a contract for the series of three books. The first in the series will be published in spring 2014. I’m currently working on edits with the WCP editor on book one, and I’m really enjoying spending time with these characters again.

2.Continue to develop this website, including: blogging two weekly; adding videos of me reading extracts from Best Friends Perfect; adding a writers resources links, (this is an idea I’ve completely stolen from Jo Myles, as a way to curate interesting web resources for me to read later, but also so other writers can read them too).

I added the writers resources page. I have ended up blogging about once a week, sometimes more often. I tried a schedule of blog posts and it didn’t work, as other things I wanted to blog about came up. I will have a more flexible approach to blogging in 2014, including: books I’ve enjoyed; writing tips; thoughts on writing events/groups I’ve attended; things related to gay culture. I have enjoyed blogging, but do find it hard to pick topics which appeal to both readers, and other authors. I saw another  author’s website and it said: writing for readers, blogging for writers. I’d love to hear from you, readers and writers about which blog topics you liked from me during 2013, and which didn’t work so well, so I can try to be a bit more targeted. Otherwise I can continue with my various musings based on the above categories...

I’ve added samples of all my stories, as well as buy links for those which are published. I didn’t do the videos, but have got a video of me reading from And Then That Happened at the Feminist Library, which I’d like to upload to the site, but I think it’s a bit long at the moment.

Somehow, I’ve also added a ‘subscribe by email’ on the right of the website, and linked my blog posts to my Twitter account which I opened in 2013, and facebook with my new Liam Livings facebook profile. Because I have twitter on my phone I tend to do more posts with that than facebook. If you haven't subscribed to the blog by email, it's really easy to do so, just enter your email address into the box on the right hand side of the blog and each new post will be emailed straight to your inbox every time there's new content.

3.Do some guest blogging on other authors’ sites. (I know it’s a bit vague, but I didn’t want to say “10 authors’ sites”, as I don’t actually yet know ten authors who I’d be able to approach, so I kept it vague)

I’ve been on Becky Black’s site, Elin Gregory’s, The Romaniacs, Charlie Cochrane’s and RJ Scott’s sites, as well as many other review sites for the Christmas Serendipity blog tour.

4.Help plan and attend 2013 UK Meet

I loved helping to plan this event, and really enjoyed attending it. This time I was on a few panels, which I enjoyed – once I got over being shy. It was lovely to meet people I’d met virtually, and I also got some great beta reader volunteers to widen my net.

I also started to attend the RNA’s London Chapter meetings, a local writing group, and the Festival of Romance. I’ve joined the RNA now I have contracts with traditional publishers.

5.Finish first draft of The Second Book (TSB)

I did this, and it’s now called And Then That Happened. I’m going through beta feedback at the moment, and will submit it to a publisher in early 2014.

In 2013 I wrote 200,000 new words on stories: And Then That Happened, Guardian Angel for Nanowrimo, Frangipani Kisses short story, Prince & Frog short story which will be part of the Best Friends Perfect series & Christmas Serendipity novella which was published earlier in December.

I’ve also written about 20,000 words of blogs, so that’s a not a bad word total for 2013.

Next time, my writing goals for 2014.

Until then,

Liam Livings xx

Hi, me again. Just to let you know the final stop of the blog tour for Christmas Serendipity is at Mrs Condit & Friends. You can hear me talking about what inspired me to write the novella, have a chance of winning a copy of the story, and read the lovely review as well. All in one place. Come on over and check it out.

I will repost all the stops on the blog tour, and reviews all in one post.

Christmas Serendipity is available to buy at JMS books, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

Until next time,

Liam Livings xx

Some of us buy our presents on Christmas Eve. Some of us buy presents all through the year, so everything is bought and wrapped before December even starts. I normally buy most of my presents online. Some of us are somewhere in between. Here, I speak to Cathy from Christmas Serendipity. Cathy is Tony’s housemate and Christian's work colleague. Cathy tells me about how she plans a Cathy Organised Christmas.

Liam Livings: What are your essential tools for a perfect Christmas, Cathy?

Cathy: No matter where I am, who I’m with, I’m a great believer in The Spreadsheet.

Me: OK, so what’s on this spreadsheet? Sounds like it might take some of the fun out of it all?

Cathy: Not at all. I have a column for who I’m buying presents for, what I’m going to buy them, a budget, and then a tick box for when it’s bought.

Liam Livings: what about if there’s a group of you spending Christmas together, friends maybe? 

Cathy: Well, I don’t want to tell others how to do their own Christmas lists, that’s up to them of course. I might show them mine, so they can see how it works, but it’s up to them if they do it of course. But shared responsibilities, they all go on The Spreadsheet.

Liam Livings: Shared responsibilities? Like what?

Cathy: so who’s going to source the tree, who’s making sure we have enough logs to last us through the Christmas shut down of shops? What about crackers, party nibbles? All these things don’t just happen, someone needs to think about it, and tell someone else to make it happen.

Liam Livings: And I suppose that someone’s you?

Cathy: I’m happy to let someone else do it, but it just always seems to end up being me, with The Spreadsheet, ticking things off.

Liam Livings: I can see that would happen, yes. Well, thanks Cathy, I’ll let you get back to your spreadsheet.

If you'd like to hear more from Cathy, Tony, David and Christian, you can read about them in my Christmas novella, Christmas Serendipity. It's available to buy at JMS books, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

I hope you enjoy it,

Liam Livings xx

I am continuing my blog tour for Christmas Serendipity, and I have some lovely reviews to repost here too, in case you missed them.

I'm over at Jenre's Well Read talking about how being part of UK Meet helped me with the release of Christmas Serendipity.

I'm guest blogging on Top 2 Bottom Reviews, talking about if I plot or pants, and which of my characters is my favourite, as well as having a review from them too.

Christmas Serendipity has a lovely review at The Novel Approach.

And last, but not least, Joyfully Jay gives the story another great review too.

I hope you enjoy reading the guest blogs and reviews. If you'd like to try a bit of Christmas Serendipity, there are samples on the review sites. It's available to buy at JMS books, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

I hope you enjoy it,

Liam Livings xx

My three Favourite Christmas songs

With the help of Wikipedia for interesting facts, today I’m reflecting why these are my three favourite Christmas songs.

Stay Another Day by East 17 – 1994

I can still remember watching this on Top of The Pops in December 1994, while vacuuming the day room of a nursing home I had just started working in. Even now if I hear the song I’m immediately taken back to that time. I love the cheesiness of the song. I love the fake snow falling. I love the white suits the guys are wearing. I love the random woman swirling around in white clothes. And let’s just get it out there – some of the East 17 guys are pretty easy on the eye. C’m on, I bet you agree with me? I enjoy Brian Harvey as he says ‘Don’t you know we’ve come too far now, just to go and try to *frow* it all away.’ Now that’s the east London/Essex accent I know and love. The thing which I always love to hear about the song is that it was written by Tony Mortimer and was said to be about losing his brother who took his own life. This is still their biggest hit song and was ‘the fourth biggest selling boyband single of the 90’s in the UK.’ If that’s anything to go by...

Merry Xmas everyone by Slade – 1973

I checked when editing the Christmas Serendipity story, and that is the proper title of the song, not Merry Christmas. It was Slade’s best selling single. A friend told me this earns them £800,000 every year. And I've just fact checheck that, and it's right. There's a NME article about how much this, and other songs had earned by 9 December. Not bad for something ‘based on melodies from discarded songs written six years before.’ I love that the video for this song was taped during a blistering hot summer in New York City. I love the witty little touches in the lyrics which encapsulate Christmas with family – whatever your definition of family is. ‘Are you hanging up a stocking on your wall / Are you hoping that the snow will start to fall...’ Yes and yes to those from me!

Fairytale of New York by The Pogues – 1987

This song just means Christmas to me. Every year when I’m driving around buying last minute presents, running errands, picking up a Christmas tree – and I hear it on the radio I can’t help smiling. And a song which does that has to be in my list. I also enjoy the fact that some of the lyrics had to be banned, which according to Wikipedia only took place in 2007. Did the BBC take twenty years to realise those two words were offensive? Apparently the f word – which Americans use derogatively for gay people, is according to Mitch Benn, ‘Irish and Liverpudlian slang for a lazy person.’ All of this knowledge is purely Wikipedic you understand.

I’ve just realised I have no modern songs. Oh well, I’m evidently quite nostaligic at Christmas time.

What are your favourite Christmas songs? Do you despise some of mine? And if so, why?

I think you’ll notice mention of some of these in Christmas Serendipity as the songs David and Christian enjoy while spending the festive season together.

Christmas Serendipity my new novella, is available on JMS website, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com

I'm off to wrap the BF's presents as he's out tonight and I'm home alone...or I could have a bath and a Gilmore Girls marathon...decisions decisions...

Until next time,

Liam Livings xx

The blog tour continues. So in case you've missed them here are the latest posts. I have been all over the shop this week too!

I'm on The Novel Approach talking about which character was the hardes to write, and my favourite scene from the story.

I'm at All Romance Ebooks talking about my research for the story, a day in my writing life and which stories from my backlist was easiest to write.

I'm spending some time with Tam reads, writes and rambles, talking about whether I've made love under a Christmas tree, X rated Christmas presents, my favourite Christmas song and film.

And last, but not least, I'm with my writing mother, Charlie Cochrane, talking about what inspired me to start writing, if I'm character or plot driven, thte classic book I couldn't finish - romance purest out there, brace yourself for that one, and my next projects.

I'd love to hear from you all, commenting either here, on my brand new facebook profile, or on the various places I've been this week. It's probably the best travelled week I've ever had.

Just a teensy reminder, that the book's for sale on the JMS website. Other suppliers will start listing it from w/c 16 December.

Hope you're having a great December in the run up to *the big day*. I like to think of Christmas as not just about the day itself, but the whole break from the usual routine, from just before Christmas to New Year's Day. That way it doesn't put too much pressure on just the one day. Right, I'm off for a few more bits of online present shopping

Until next time,

Liam Livings xx

To understand where the story got its title from, I’d like to hand you over to Tony, David’s best friend, and Cathy’s housemate. Tony, can you tell us about that film you made David watch one Christmas?

Tony: It’s my absolute favourite films. It’s about this guy and this woman who meet while shopping for gloves for their partners in New York City on Christmas Eve. They both feel a spark. Jon wanted to see where that led to, but Sara didn’t think it was meant to be, as they were already with other people.

Liam Livings: So, what made them think there was a spark, just while buying gloves?

Tony: It’s not just about the gloves, or that would be a very short film. No, they spend an amazing afternoon together, ice-skating at the Rockefeller Centre, chatting, eating, everything. It’s so romantic, I love it. My friend, David does too, but he wouldn’t admit it *out loud*.

Liam Livings: so how come Jon & Sara don’t just exchange numbers, and take it from there?

Tony: That would be too simple, this is Hollywood you know. Sara believes in fate and says she’ll leave it up to fate to determine if they’re meant to be together now, or in the future. Jon and Sara put their name and numbers on a $5 note and second hand book, respectively. Sara’s logic is if fate, serendipity is meant to bring them together they’ll find the right $5 note and second hand book and get in touch with each other. Don't you know, Serendipity is a happy accident, finding something great when you weren’t specifically looking for it.

Liam Livings: sounds complicated?

Tony: It’s perfect. It’s romantic. I love it.

Liam Livings: so why was it serendipity that your friend David met Christian?

Tony: Let me put it to you like this - that Christmas wasn’t exactly what either of them had planned. They both sort of ended up having Christmas with Cathy and me. It could have been awful. But with a bit of Cathy’s organisational skills, a generous helping of alchol and some serendipity, it was great.

Liam Livings: Christmas Serendipity...

Tony: Exactly, now have you got a gin & tonic I could have?

If you'd like to hear more from Tony and his friend David, and find out how well David and Christian get on, you can read about it in my novella, Christmas Serendipity. It's for sale on the JMS website at the moment, and will be on other distributors from w/c 16 December.

I hope you enjoy it.

Until next time,
Liam Livings xx

I've been all over the shop lately talking about my new release. Just in case you missed these the reviews and giveaways, they are below.

I was at Joyfully Jay on 6 December talking about character development and what inspires me.

I was at UK Gay Romance, talking about my perfect Christmas and why I like Christmas.

MM Good Book Reviews reviewed the novella and had me over on 8 December to talk about where I got the idea for Christmas Serendipity and what other works in progress I have.

And last, but not least, Sinfully Sexy Book Reviews and talk about the importance of characters, and people, like Cathy in the novella and whether the Queen's Christmas Broadcast is something only older people tune into. As an update to that post, I'm pleased to confirm on Christmas Day, after opening presents at home with the cats, we will visit my Great Aunt for her presents, and end up at the BF's brother and sister in law's, further into Essex for Christmas Day meal. I'm not sure if we will see The Queen's Christmas Broadcast, but I believe the BF will 'tape' it somehow.

If you'd like to check out the novella, it's currently for sale on the JMS website at a discount.

I hope you enjoy the reviews, interviews, and that it all makes for a sparklier, brighter Christmas, wherever you are, and whatever you're doing.

Until next time,
Liam Livings xx

This post is about Christmas traditions I’ve grown up with. I've noticed most people think their traditions are the norm, and it's only when you discuss them with other people you realise how peculiar your tradiions are.

1. My family never had turkey, because Dad didn’t like it, and we normally only had the four of us for Christmas in Hampshire, so a chicken was enough. Before Christmas, we used to visit friends and family back in Essex, where Mum & Dad grew up, and then have just us for the day itself.
2. Not playing games. Because there were only four of us, we rarely played games. What we did was sink into the sofa and watch our favourite Christmas TV, having carefully circled the TV magazine for things to watch. Most years my brother and I recieved blank video tapes to record our favourite Christmas TV moments over the holiday. Sometimes there were battles over clashing programmes! 
3. Cold cuts with chips on Boxing Day. Left over chicken, ham, beef, cold sausages, all served with crisp, beer battered chips on Boxing Day, covered in lashings of mayonnaise and pickles. Sometimes I think this is a better meal than the main event the day before.
4. Yorkshire puddings no matter which meat. Officially you’re only supposed to have Yorkshire puddings with beef, but with every roast dinner, and with every Christmas meal, we serve at least twelve little muffin sized Yorkshire puddings to soak up the gravy.They're also pretty delicious the next day, heated up with golden syrup drizzled on them. For those who are making a face, it's the same as pancke mixture, and don't knock it until you've tried it ;-)
   
5. Brandy snaps and custard. I hate Christmas pudding, I hate Christmas cake, I also not too keen on mince pies. It’s something about raisins and currants in them all. My Christmas pudding is always a bowl of custard with brandy snaps.
6. A seaside walk on Boxing Day. Mum lives near the south coast of England, and every year we would have a walk along the seafront at Bournemouth on Boxing Day. It was perfect to blow out the cobwebs from spending the whole of the previous day sitting and eating.
7. The BF and I have started a rota of Christmas films we work through during December: The Family Stone; The Holiday; all Harry Potter films too. It gets me in the mood every year to revisit these films each year.
   

If you want to find out about Cathy, Tony, David and Christian’s Christmas traditions, you can snuggle up with a cup of tea/coffee/eggnog/whatever and enjoy this novella. I hope it’ll get you in the festive mood. Christmas Serendipity is published on Sunday 8 December by JMS books.

What Christmas traditions to you have?

What do you think of mine? Do they shock and horrify you, or would you like to adopt some for your own?

I'd love to hear from you all.

Until next time,

Liam Livings xx

Hi everyone,

I'm back from my holiday in Tenerife. It was first trip there. We will definitely return. There, among eating lots, watching The Good Wife and enjoying the black sandy beach, I read four books - I'll put what I liked about my favourites here soon - and I planned my next story called The Wrong Room. This is about a man who walks into the wrong room in a village hall. He thought he was going to a meeting of a writers group, but ended up in a different meeting entirely, with nothing to with writing.

In other news, there have been a few giveaways to win free copies of my novella, Christmas Serendipity, which is published 8 December.

I was on RJ Scott's website.

And on Stumbling Over Chaos with Chris.

There are more stops on the blog tour during December.

Until next time,

Liam Livings xx