Where. Does. The Time. GO to....?

You know, it seems like two minutes ago I was designing a Christmas Doodle for this blog this time last year. I had recently been introduced to Instagram... and I was drawn in to its charm. Makes me think that I should be drawing another one soon... but they take a while to do, you know?

This year, I feel much less prepared... though with almost 1000 Instagram followers, I feel a lot of good feelings towards all the people who have taken a look at my page since it started. Yes. It started, like all things, with just a couple of friends and family. Hi Eva! I think you were one of the first follows.  It's funny, when you look at your Instagram account, and you have, ... 8 followers... and you think. hmmm.. I wonder what this thing is...? But thanks to people, strangers and friends, like #thehunterc a fabulous actor and stunt double, and other illustrators and artists.. I quickly got a feel that Instagram is a different kettle of fish to Facebook and exotic... and opens up a whole new world of friends.

I've had a page for Bradley and the Dinosaur on Facebook or, now, Singing Frog Publishing for some years now... and I do like Facebook.. (probably because I'm older than some).. but even now, we're only up to about 150 friends.. and probably most of those ARE friends! But Instagram is a whole other thing... and I really recommend any authors or illustrators out there set up an account, because Instagram is a great way to meet people in your line of work.  Authors like Jana Broecker (of Cranky Cat fame) and SchockoBart and many others... libraries and printers and cafes and publishing companies... (not to mention photographers and climbers and dental hygenists!) all of whom i would never have met were it not for Instagram. Even Rob Pudner, of Artz4U... I met through seeing his show.. and then following Entertainingly Different through Instagram.

Now it was a pleasure to be on his show... and I hope you caught it. Thanks Rob! We talked about the books some more, and the recent uptick in sales since being on the radio last time. Being on Rob's show is like being at a great party. He even had a snow machine! I was not expecting that!

Thanks to all who have bought the books recently... I hope you have a very Merry Christmas! We've sold more books in the last three months than the last two years I reckon. I hope you leave a review too, because it really helps us self-publishers! No million pound marketing machine here.. just word of mouth. But books like Wonkey Donkey show, that if people like a book, it doesn't matter who publishes it.. word gets around.

Merry Christmas!!

​Julian

Greetings Frog Fans!

Happy Frog Day Fridays.

Radio Show
I hope you've all had a good week. I'm writing to announce, that one of my favourite local stations, and favourite local shows (Artz4U) has invited me back for their Christmas Show.  Yes, the super talented Rob Pudner of Entertainingly Different has asked me to join him for his Christmas Cracker Bonanza on Monday 2nd December from 12pm.

This is really going to get me in the spirit of Christmas as I had a great time last time I was in the studio with him. His show is a breath of fresh air, and he usually has some fantastically entertaining and interesting local people on there.

I don't actually know who's on this time, so that will be a great surprise for me as well as you - but I intend to go armed with a box of mince pies at least.

This will be a good time to talk about the up-coming Story Time event at Paignton Library, a bumper crop of sales since last time I was on... and a generally good pre-Christmas vibe. Rob has such a great voice, I'm also hoping we might be able to do some recording of him reading one of the books.

Reviews
Thanks again to all those who have bought or downloaded the books recently. If you're reading this and have found your way to the website, then 'Hello!'. I would really like to encourage you to leave a review if you have bought through Amazon on the book page.

Also did you know, you can leave a review on Amazon, even if you bought through a bookshop? This works, it just doesn't show as a 'verified purchase'. Also if you don't want to leave a review on Amazon, there are also other places you can leave reviews, such as GoodReads.. or other book seller websites like Waterstones, Barnes and Noble etc.

So many sales recently, but sadly only a handful of new reviews in the last few months. As a self-published author, it really helps get the word out (no mega-marketing machine here folks!) when potential readers can see what other readers think of the book. Of course, I'm dead nosy too - and always enjoy what the kids (and parents) think of the stories. I believe something magical happens when we get to 50 reviews.. so that would be a great Christmas Present for me..!

Well, we can't officially talk about Christmas yet - it's still November... but hope you can join me on Monday on the radio - and we can kick start the festive season!

Happy Frog Fridays!

I've been busy, I'm sure we've all been busy! So apologies it's been nearly three weeks since my last blog. October was a very busy month, what with two radio shows and November has had me working on new projects in the background, whilst also managing promotions.

So firstly, let me announce that Paignton Library, that wonderful copper-gilded building, with SO many children's books, have invited me to do a Story Time on the 14th December at 11 am.

I will be selling and signing books after the event - there will even be a competition!

What better gift at Christmas than a signed copy of an original children's book from a local author? No purchase necessary though - you can also just come along to entertain the kids for a bit :0).

This place is a local treasure. I'm sure some of us remember the wonder of getting your first library card and being able to go to your local library -  and choose any four books you wanted to take home with you.

​I remember being so excited about some of them, that I had to start reading them there and then on one of the big desks (they seemed enormous back then). Even as I got older, if I wanted to know about any subject I was currently interested in, say astronomy or UFOs, or even sheet music... I'd just go and browse the entire section and take a collection home with me.

Yes, today you can look anything up on Google, but nothing can match that feeling of taking 'knowledge' home with you - or a good story! Stories mean excitement and anticipation and Imagination!

Yeah. I guess some of that stuck with me, huh?

So anyway.. I am really excited to be taking not one, not two, but now three of my own stories down to the local library and read them out to any excited faces. Who wouldn't love to meet a Dinosaur and make friends with it? Or travel on a magic carpet to a faraway land? Or find out what happens when sausages go Bad, not Bang??

Haha. I'm smiling just thinking about it - join me there and I hope you will too!

It has been a monster month (maybe that was Halloween) for sales - so a big thank you to any new readers who have just bought a book. If any of you are local, and you come to the library, then I will gladly sign or dedicate your book for you.

P.S. It's also worth reminding that you can currently buy signed or dedicated copies of Bradley and the Dinosaur through eBay (2nd Edition only). The other books will also soon be available on eBay too.

Dino Wishes!

Julian

Happy Fridays, Frog fans!

Or should that be Happy Frog Days, Friday fans ?!

Well the weeks seem to race by, don't they? October (or Funtober as we've renamed it in our house) was a complete blast. A holiday on Lundy painting watercolours, two radio shows, Jumbo Giant Sausages hitting the shops... and more.

It's well over three years now since Bradley and the Dinosaur was published - and although Bradley and the Magic Carpet was the first book to be published with the imprint Singing Frog Publishing in August 2018, 2019 has seen the birth of Singing Frog Publishing as a brand in its own right.

With dedicated efforts to republish a second edition of Bradley and the Dinosaur under that imprint, a hardback edition of Bradley and the Magic Carpet, and now finally Jumbo Giant Sausages released all under the same publishing name. A website, an Instagram and Facebook page all under one roof - Singing Frog Publishing.

This has taken a small amount of effort (cough) - with now nearly 1000 Instagram followers for Singing Frog Publishing, something like 150 followers on Facebook and an almost weekly blog on the website.

Small wonder that it has also been the best year for sales, with the number of paperback sales in 2019 totalling more than those for 2016, 2017 and 2018 combined! Bradley and the Dinosaur has made it on occasion to the #1 Best Seller slot in the 'Prehistory' books category and also #1 in the Dinosaur category when it's been available for free, see the image above.

Bradley and the Magic Carpet also made it to #1 in Middle Eastern Tales and Myths. Who knows where the Sausages will end up?? Naughty sausages. First sales are showing up for those.. so looking forward to the first reviews showing up too.

​Not got a copy yet? Check out our Get a book page.

I'm learning as I go... that is one of the prices of admission for self-publishing, but the journey is worth it - I've met lots of great people on the way, both online and in the flesh. Maybe you're reading this right now? If so, 'Hello!'. I just want to say to those considering self-publishing, that it is doable - and all you need is a dream (some stamina) and the will to see your dream become a reality.

I have also logged all the Singing Frog Publishing titles now with the British Library (if you're a self-published author reading this, remember - this is a legal requirement!) so it's also great to know, they will be around, long after I am.

Have a great weekend!

Greetings Singing Frog fans...!

Are radio shows like buses? Three years nothing, and now, two come at once!

After a very enjoyable time with Soundart FM courtesy of Rob Pudner, I was invited onto Radio Devon yesterday to talk to their fabulous daytime host and quizmaster David 'Fitz' Fitzgerald.

It was quite an experience, and quite different to the other show. It was still quite exhilarating to sit in the foyer in anticipation of what was about to happen, and what I would say - given that this is going to be a much shorter space of time to talk about things. In general, these radio interviews are about five minutes long. So not much time for relaxing! But still plenty of time to say a few words about the books and how it all started. Fitz was great, and the producer Jo Irving was absolutely charming as well. It's all very grand to be 'called in' when you're due to go on air!

​I hope you got to listen, but if you didn't, and you'd like to  - then here is a link for the show. Or if you go via the BBC website, look for Radio Devon and the David Fitzgerald Show and the 17th October.

I am on at about the 1hr 35 minute mark.  However, I also met the lovely Stephanie Austin while waiting to go on the show, and we had a good chance to chat in the waiting area. She has written what look like some fantastic murder mysteries that are based in Devon - Dead in Devon and her latest book Dead on Dartmoor is just about to released. So I recommend listening to her as well - from about 1 hr 15 minutes in. Check out her books too!

If you'd like to buy any of my books mentioned on the show, the links are all on our shop page here.

That's it for now... have a great weekend!

Julian

Greetings Frog fans, Dino Fans, Carpeteers and naughty little sausages everywhere....

Gosh it's all go at the moment, so I think I'll squeeze in a second blog post this week.

Shortly after my very enjoyable time talking with Rob Pudner (of Entertainingly Different) on his radio show Artz4U, I've had confirmation that I'll be appearing on the David Fitzgerald Show on Radio Devon, next Thursday the 17th October. (Probably somewhere between 1130 and 12pm).

This is great news, personally because I was a real fan of Television South West (TSW back in the day) and I remember tuning in specifically to watch a certain rabbit help out with birthday cards being read out for children. This is 30 years ago we're talking about!

However, I remember the show with joy as if it were yesterday and there was a real charm about the show and the newsreaders such as David and Judi Spiers who were drafted on to help out. They all had a particular rapport with Gus Honeybun, the rabbit and it was a real giggle to watch. Beyond that of course, David is a serious newscaster and has spent many years not only working with TSW, but also Sky News and the BBC.

So I'm very much looking forward to meeting him and talking about the books, and about self-publishing. Maybe he won't mind me mentioning 'that rabbit'. I just hope I don't get tongue-tied!

Well, listen in, it will be live so I will be very excited. If nothing else, I'm really looking forward to meeting 'Fitz', and also the producer Jo Irving. 

I'll have to make sure I get there in plenty of time - for my last appearance with Rob, I got stuck in roadworks outside Dartington just 20 minutes before the show was due to start! That was not comfortable I assure you, but Rob is such a professional, he made me feel right at home straight away, in spite of me being late!

So tune in if you can.

I couldn't leave without mentioning that Bradley and the Dinosaur has become a #1 Best Seller in Children's Prehistoric Books in the US. I'm immensely pleased to see that little orange badge - overtaking great books like the Magic Tree House and The Bronze Bow. We'll see how briefly :).

I think there are well over 3000 books and downloads out there now... finally hit double figures for reviews in the US. So please keep telling your friends and family if you've enjoyed the book - and if you've bought or downloaded a copy but haven't left a review yet, they are so much appreciated. Thanks!

Well I had one of my best days of the year yesterday I reckon. My first time ever in a radio studio, and to be talking on there about the books was like a dream come true.

Rob Pudner was an excellent host, on his show Artz4U on Soundart Radio - and gave me plenty of time to talk about the books, and music and he even read from them which was a real treat. I'm going to see if we can put the audio for that up somewhere, with Rob's permission.

You know as a self-published author, it's all go. And if you're a self-published author reading this:
1) Don't put 'And' at the start of a sentence, and:
2) You don't need me to tell you it's all go!

But one of the benefits is that now, looking back on this three years since Bradley and the Dinosaur first arrived on paperback, I'm now at a position where there is something to talk about. Three books instead of one, and not only that, a host of sales, a host of reviews and a raft of experiences. Combine that with a slightly more relaxed (but still hard-working) outlook and yes, I think it was the perfect time to finally get to go on radio. 

Doing the show too gives you even more new experience and I'm coming to realise that it's not just about a book.. it is of course a brand, and Singing Frog Publishing is all of those things... writing new stories, reaching out to children and the wider public who will enjoy those stories - but also being available via social media, or this website, or on radio at last - to talk to the readers and to other authors and entertainers.

So if you're an author and you haven't considered radio yet, give it a go! Ask a local station. It will be fun.

Greetings Dino Fans... Frog Fans.. Carpeteers and naughty little sausages everywhere:

Well, I'm just back from a calm and restful holiday on Lundy Island.. with only Ravens for neighbours. That was wonderful.

I came up with an idea for one new story while I was there which I'm thrilled about, and also got some time between getting the fire going and cooking brunch to practice some watercolour painting as well.

But I can't go to bed tonight without a reminder that tomorrow I will be on a radio show with the highly entertaining Rob Pudner of Entertainingly Different, who has his own arts show 'Artz4U' on Soundart Radio FM. I am delighted to be invited on his show, and can't wait to find out what it's all about.

No doubt we will talk about music and self-publishing and SPONGE PUDDINGs... I'm hoping it's true - that his other guests 'Georgy Porgy' will be there and we may even get a live tasting of their wares on the show. Who knows? It's all action and adventure, right?

More news - the free download on the 30th September was very successful, and just over 500 (506 to be exact) people downloaded a free copy of Bradley and the Dinosaur that day. So I'm very pleased about that, and hope maybe a few new reviews may come in from that. Thanks to all of you for downloading and reading the book.

A special mention to some of the wonderful people I met on Lundy, and the wonderful conversations we had about writing - it's never been an easier time to self-publish - so if you're looking for some tips - or at least to hear about what I did wrong! Then tune in tomorrow...

Dino Wishes!

Julian

Ooh.. there's more.. we now have an email address you can contact singing frog publishing on - info@singingfrogpublishing.com and I hope to set up a twitter account very soon. Not sure what we'll do with it.. but I'm sure we'll think of something!

Greetings Dinofans!!

Goodness gracious me my ears and whiskers. It's all 'go' this writing malarky, there's always so much to do and so much to plan and keep track of and well, just lots to tell you really.

I think the day I run out of things to say, that's the day I'll stop writing. What I have to tell you right now though, most importantly, is that there is a FREE Kindle download of Bradley and the Dinosaur available this Monday the 30th September (and for some of Sunday too). Just go to the shop page for the links to the Kindle page. Don't do it now though, unless you want to pay full price! This is to celebrate almost one year now since it was released.

Remember, this is a version created specially for an electronic device - so it has more pages than the paperback book, (you can also zoom in and see the quality in Jackie's artwork). Also there are some extras included at the end that are not available in the Second Edition paperback.

The last time this was available for free was back in February, when something like 500 people downloaded the book in a single day. Over 2500 copies of this book have been bought or downloaded now, on Kindle and in paperback.

"Bradley and the Dinosaur is an astounding and memorable book that will have your children and children you know captivated as well as entertained and in awe throughout the book." - Aimee Mann, reviewer and founder of REDHEADED BOOK LOVER.

So if you are wondering whether you'd like to own a paperback copy, it's an ideal way to read the book and see if you love it as much as all the other Dinofans who have bought it over the last three years.

If you've read this one, did you know there's a sequel? Bradley and the Magic Carpet. Find out what Bradley did next!

Good news Frog Fans, Dino Fans and Carpeteers!

JUMBO GIANT SAUSAGES is now available on Amazon in all marketplaces - in both paperback and Kindle versions.

Do you know someone who's a naughty sausage?

Do you know someone who loves sausages?

Have you ever wondered what naughty sausages would actually do if they got loose in your kitchen?

Well, wonder no more. All is revealed in this new children's picturebook from
Singing Frog Publishing, written and illustrated by Julian Hilton - winner of Reader's Favorite 5-star and Purple Dragonfly awards.

In this Rhyming picture book adventure, sausages in a pan decide they have had it with sizzling, and decide to escape. Who will stop them?

Not only will children laugh and giggle at the antics of the sausages, but they also all have numbers (SIX in all) so it's great fun for toddlers who are learning numbers to practice them, but also a thrilling tale of naughtiness and come-uppance for older children up to seven or so.

Available to buy now on Amazon. Check out our ordering page here.