Clara Fay Author

"When you take ownership of your accomplishments, you can be proud without arrogance."
-- , START WITH WHY, 2009 --

Phew! For a second, I was worried about being too proud of myself ...yikes!

, English American author and inspirational speaker, nails it. Celebrating our accomplishments with real conscious love is not arrogance, it's self-respect. And importantly, being thankful and sharing credit where it is due.

I'm thankful to all who supported me on this journey...

Ian my partner; Alex, Laura, and Michael my children; Marie, Adam, and Kate my children's spouses; Beth, Maureen, and Sherry my besties; Sharon my mentor; Ally my editor and her team; Isaac my designer; and ALL OF YOU who give a shout out and a cheer. It's encouraging. Thank you!

Here are Digital Links to the article on the Bermuda news channels:

The Royal Gazette
https://www.royalgazette.com/entertainment/news/article/20231205/author-wins-three-awards-for-debut-novel/

BERNEWS
https://bernews.com/2023/12/author-clara-fay-wins-three-literary-awards/

See you at the book signing on Friday, December 8 at the Bookmart 12:00 noon - 3:00 pm.

Much fun,
Clara

"Abundance is not something we acquire. It is something we tune into."
--Dr. Wayne Dyer --

What fantastic abundance! Adding the B.R.A.G. Medallion (Book Readers Appreciation Group) with the 2023 Readers' Favorite International Book Award and the 2023 IAN Book of the Year Awards (Independent Author Network).

I must be tuned into the Bermuda radio station .1027, because receiving three literary book awards for a debut novel is truly magical!

What a great segue...

There is indeed magic in the air today!

Nikita Robinson, radio celebrity and host of the Book Club Hour on Magic 102.7fm, Bermuda's number one talk show radio, just interviewed me! About Mark of a Crescent Moon, about winning three literary awards, and about the upcoming book signing event at the Bookmart on Friday, December 8. Watch this space for the recording post....

is now listed on the B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree list on their website: www.bragmedallion.com.

Link: https://www.bragmedallion.com/award-winning-books/ #!/fantasy/author/clara-fay/search/mark%20of%20a%20crescent%20moon/

Much fun,

Clara

.1027

"A grateful heart is a magnet for miracles." -- Jane Fuller

Proof. In my life. Over and over again.

First the thrill of writing and publishing a novel—my dream come true.

Then for that debut novel to win the Reader's Favorite International Book Award.

And now this... WOW!

Just as I'm preparing to fly to Miami this Friday to receive my Reader's Favorite International Book Award...

an email advising me that MARK OF A CRESCENT MOON is a Finalist in the FIRST BOOK category of the Independent Author Network awards.

I'm thrilled! And needless to say VERY GRATEFUL!

Love blog - life is indeed an epic production!

Much fun,
Clara

"The original idea of the web was that it should be a collaborative space where you can communicate through sharing information." Tim Berners-Lee.

Here is today's sharing:


Add A+ Content Detail to Your KDP

For books on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, adding A+ Content to your detail page is a great way to make your book stand out, connect with readers, and share more about your story. A+ Content appears on your Amazon page in a section entitled "From the Publisher" directly above your editorial reviews.

See example in the image from Mark of a Crescent Moon, award-winning debut novel by Clara Fay—showing three horizontal panels: top two panels with teasers about the novel; bottom panel with information about the novel winning the Reader's Favorite International Book Award.

Speechles....

Download the Kindle version of the 2023 READERS' FAVORITE SILVER MEDAL WINNER Mark of a Crescent Moon for FREE! To help celebrate the book's winning award, I'm running a special, limited promo on Amazon TODAY and TOMORROW. Click the link in my bio to get your free e-book download, and tag a bookish friend so they won't miss out! 🆓✨🌙

🆓✨🌙

"Win or lose, I'll feel good about myself. That's what is important." Mary Docter.

Feelings are the win.

Memories of the best moments of our lives are made vivid by recalling how we felt.

The unfettered delight at a reunion with good friends; the joyful pride of accomplishing a long-running goal; the pure overwhelmingly humble ecstasy of holding newborn beings; the revelling freedom of being on a road less traveled.

Discussions around of the law of attraction and manifesting desires hold that feelings are the win; and what comes is always a mirror of that.

I know when I bookmark feelings of appreciation, celebration, gratitude, joy, fun, luck, that more unfolds.

Not that I bookmark feelings for the specific goal of manifesting—after all, one can't manipulate the Universe.

Or can you?

In "Feeling is the Secret," Neville Goddard says: “Every feeling makes a subconscious impression and unless it is counteracted by a more powerful feeling of an opposite nature must be expressed.”

Hence, if you can control and direct feelings.. da dah...manifestation.

OK, not that easy. Maybe.

In any case, it's pure fun to feel great about such things as...
..AN AWESOME CRITIC'S REPORT FROM THE BOOKLIFE PRIZE 2023 COMPETITION!!!

Woooo hooo! Yipee!

I'm feeling dead chuffed to have my novel, MARK OF A CRESCENT MOON, this week receive an awesome Critic's Report from The BookLife Prize.

Stay tuned for the winners' announcement in the fall!

Much fun,
Clara

"A writer is working when he is looking out the window." Burton Rascoe.

I found a great window - , Harbor House, Harbor Hideaway in Marblehead, Massachusetts hosted by the lovely Kristen @ .

Spent a week in this charming, historic seaside town just outside of Boston. Looking out the window. Writing. Focused only on getting my second book underway - . A sequel to . An awesome experience. A gift I gave myself.

I got to know Alexa Hayden, 30-something daughter of Fleur and Thomas Hayden, on her quest to release her anger, to let go of the past, and to find her truth as a medical doctor at the intersection of spirit and science.

Alexa ran from her life. She even threw away her cell phone, sometime between the funeral and boarding the plane to Thailand. She wanted to disappear. But can she?

On the plane, she met the chatty but brutally observant Millie, who found out more about what makes Alexa tick than Alexa herself knows. It had been uncomfortable, and Alexa hoped never to meet Millie again. But will she?

In Bangkok, the sage-like Mr. Khun, a Bangkok Street food vendor who dispenses words of wisdom along with his delicious Khanom Pang Na Moo, saved Alexa from unsavoury sorts. She accepted Mr. Khun's invitation to spend time in the mountains on his family farm. There she met....

Well, let's not give everything away!

Much fun,
Clara

"The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible." Winston Churchill.

The notion of positive thinking gets lots of airtime.

From Mary Poppins ("a spoon full of sugar makes the medicine go down...") to the Mayo Clinic ("positive thinking helps with stress management and can even improve your health..."), the role of positive thinking in our everyday happiness is well known.

How to achieve being a positive thinker?

Positive thinking often starts with self-talk. Being purposeful about better self-talk is a great beginning.

Is there a practical tool to achieve better self-talk?

In , Fleur learned a tool from her Grana—making a list of the positive aspects of a current situation.

It's simple. If there's one thing wrong/ or worrying in a situation, search out nine things in that situation that are right / or going well, and name those nine things. Writing is better than thinking or speaking, as the act of putting pen to paper reinforces the learning.

This isn't about sugar-coating reality, but understanding how focusing on negative thoughts does not serve us.

Much fun,
Clara



.thyself

"You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should." Max Ehrmann, excerpt from poem DESIDERATA, c1927

DESIDERATA became popular in the late 70s when recorded as a spoken word version by Les Crane.

Rediscovering the poem DESIDERATA by Max Ehrmann is a warm, nostalgic blast from the past.

DESIDERATA ends with the line "Strive to be happy."

Yes, it's all us. Our happiness is created by our own hands.

The quote from resonates a theme of the book - being about creating our own reality.

As well, it's a nod to the surprising intersection of protagonist Fleur la Salle's artistic and spiritual journey.

Much fun,
Clara

"A day without laughter is a day wasted." Charlie Chaplin.

Lucky folks! It's a two quote day!

Maybe even a three quote day, if you count my words of wisdom about a calm ocean!

It was deep, in case you missed it...

Alluding to the thought that creative ideas come from a calm mind. Yikes! Better get on my meditation practice to tease out book 2!

Back on the fish theme - I watch the weather from Wednesday, wondering if our local fishermen can get out for a good catch in time for Friday fish day.

This was an amazing week, and the good folks of Soares Grocery showed up not only with fab fresh fish, but also with a great sense of humour!

So I'll remember to keep a sense of humour as I let book 2 rise to the surface... and get caught in my net!

Much fun,
Clara

💡

"For original ideas to come about, you have to let them percolate under the level of consciousness in a place where we have no way to make them obey our own desires or our own direction. Their random combinations are driven by forces we don't know about." Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Hungarian-American psychologist.

The combination of flour and water results in a force that produces beautiful bread.

Making sourdough bread reminds me of the patience needed for creative projects.

Three days to activate dormant sourdough starter.
Two days to proof the dough.
One hour to bake the loaf.

It's a labor of love that completely hinges on the crucial beginning step - fermenting the starter.

Sourdough wasn't the only thing fermenting in my house this week.

Book 2 is fermenting; ideas are percolating...

Teaser: The story picks up 35 years after to follow Alexa Hayden, 30-something daughter of Fleur and Thomas Hayden, on a quest to find her truth as a medical doctor at the intersection of spirit and science.

Working title: Where Goes the Crescent Moon.

Today ONLY, you can download the Kindle version of Mark of a Crescent Moon for just 99 cents! Click this link to get your discounted e-book: https://www.amazon.com/Mark-Crescent-Moon.../dp/B0BXMD2HCV/

When you're finished reading, I'd be honored if you left a review on Amazon or Goodreads! Reviews help more readers discover books, and they support the writing community in a big way. Thank you! 🌙✨🌙✨🌙✨

Special one-day promo! Today ONLY, you can download the Kindle version of Mark of a Crescent Moon for 99 cents. Already have your copy? This is a great opportunity to send a bookish friend the Kindle version at a discounted price! Simply follow the link below and click "Buy for others." 🌙✨

https://www.amazon.com/Mark-Crescent-Moon-Clara-Fay-ebook/dp/B0BXMD2HCV/

"Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life." Omar Khayyam.

I read somewhere, can't remember where now, that when we can view all stuff as the same stuff, we are free.

Feeling so excited coming back from today with the first corn harvest of the season. Almost as excited as book launch one week ago!

Bermudians know what I'm talking about... Bermuda corn is amazing!

And don't get me started on the Bermuda onions - shown in the picture next to the Bermuda corn! Of course, the famous Bermuda onion is how Bermudians come by their nickname of "onion."

Much fun,

Clara

"A lot of times the interview relies not so much on the interviewee, but on the interviewer." Ernie Johnson Jr.

I'd like to thank interviewer / Lifestyle reporter of for a lovely interview. Very comfortable and just a lovely experience.

Digital:
https://www.royalgazette.com/arts-entertainment/lifestyle/article/20230424/clara-makes-her-literary-mark-with-debut-novel/

Much fun
Clara

"My house has too many distractions. There's the email. There's checking my Amazon ranking. I know I'm the only author who's ever done that, ever. There's the fax. Too many distractions. I like to go out and write." Harlan Coben

Love it! I now know what "checking my Amazon ranking" is about!

Hmm... I think I'd better cut that out! What do you think?

Much fun,
Clara

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❤️

Today is the last day to download the Kindle version of Mark of a Crescent Moon for free! Share or tag the reader in your life who is always looking for their next read. Free download available here: https://www.amazon.com/Mark-Crescent-Moon-Clara-Fay-ebook/dp/B0BXMD2HCV/

"No duty is more urgent than giving thanks." James Allen

Now that all the hoopla is done, here is a moment of quiet gratitude...

An author's journey begins with a dream, blossoms with the support of so many people, and ends with heartfelt gratitude.

Thank you, , for patiently teaching me the basics of novel structure.

Thank you, , for coaching me on how to polish my manuscript as well as my author’s mindset.

Thank you, , for your informative Women in Publishing Summits and webinars.

Thank you, my children, Marie and Alex Fay, Laura and Adam Kirk, Kate and Michael Fay, and my grandchildren, Maia-Jane Fay, Linc Fay, Luke Fay, and Serena Kirk, for the love and joy you bring into my life. You have inspired the realization that living one’s authentic life well benefits our descendants.

Thank you, my dearest friends, Beth Latwaitis, , and , for your interest and excitement.

Special thanks to Sharon Bridget Doyle, whose guidance taught me the value of alignment in my spiritual journey.

And thank you, Ian Cummings, my partner, for sharing a great life with me. And for showing me the wonders of your homeland with its moors, mountains, and ancient sites, and especially your interest in megalithic standing stones, all of which inspired this story.

Much fun,

Clara









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"The essence of spirituality is, to be constantly aware of the oneness of all; at the same time to celebrate the uniqueness of the individual." Jaggi Vasudev

So many people shined their light of joy, smiles, pride, kindness, and love towards me over the past few days for the launch of . Pure oneness at its best.

The essence of is about oneness, and the power we reclaim when we remember who we truly are - connected as one with divine spirit and with all life.

When we feel the oneness, we receive the gift of ease, accomplishment, and creativity for ourselves.

I send out my gratitude to everyone who reached out by phone, email, WhatsApp, text, social media, and pure positive thought to wish me well.

Much joy,

Clara

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year." Ralph Waldo

After exciting events, I like to take time to review and assimilate. Was it the best day in the year? What was the feeling at that moment, and can that feeling be brought into every day?

This morning, I'm enjoying coffee and one of the yummy "book cover cookies" my daughter thoughtfully had made for my birthday/ book launch day celebration on Friday evening.

Today is the best day in the year for in my heart is gratitude for my beautiful family and close friends for coming out to celebrate with me.

Much fun,

Clara

Download the Kindle version of Mark of a Crescent Moon for FREE! To help celebrate book release week, I'm running a special, limited promo on Amazon. Get your free e-book at the link below, and tag a bookish friend so they won't miss out! 🆓✨🌙

https://www.amazon.com/Mark-Crescent-Moon-Clara-Fay-ebook/dp/B0BXMD2HCV/

TODAY IS OFFICIAL BOOK LAUNCH DAY!

Clickable Link PDF:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kHk9EC1mC_IhALu0yq2gw2CYbL6XNoHb/view?usp=sharing

"The idea of waiting for something makes it more exciting." Andy Warhol

Have you ever wondered what authors do the day before the official launch of their debut novel?

I never did!

That is until just now when I thought it might make for an "ok" IG/ FB post! LOL.

Well, here is the rundown on my "day-before-official-launch-of-my-debut-novel!"

• Breakfast with 2-year-old granddaughter who stayed over last night.
• Fun chat/ coffee with a new friend.
• Birthday gift shopping (for me).
• Relicensing my car. (In Bermuda license is up on birthdays.)
• Order nibbles for launch / birthday celebration/ small get-together tomorrow night.
• Coordinate Street Team information (I never knew an author had a "Street Team" to read book ahead of launch and post reviews).
• Ensure promotions are in place for first four days of official launch - stay tuned.
• Post something on social media women's writers' groups. There are lots of supportive women's writers' groups out there!
• Check to ensure keywords and categories are in place.
• Go out and enjoy the sunshine!

There you have it!

A day in the life of an author about to officially launch debut novel!

Much fun,

Clara

"Without promotion, something terrible happens... nothing!" P.T. Barnum.

As authors, we are totally in charge of promoting our own book. To bookstores, to libraries, to customers.

Thank you, Facebook Group Writers, Editors, Agents, and Publishers for .

It warms the heart to see women supporting women, no matter what field, endeavor, tradition.

Special thanks to who puts on the every year, inspiring women and creating a supportive community for women writers and publishers.

Much fun
Clara
Instagram
Facebook

"Now the bright morning Star, Dayes harbinger, comes dancing from the East." John Milton, Song on May Morning.

What a great word - harbinger!

The Bermudiana (Sisyrinchium Bermudiana) is the harbinger of spring in Bermuda. This national flower, a small member of the Iris family, is endemic to Bermuda.

The Bermudiana is hardy and can be found in a variety of habitats, including sandy beach dunes, rocky shorelines, and coastal forest floors.

I found this little beauty photographed here along the South Shore, high on clifftop overlooking Bermuda Longtails, another harbinger of spring, that were cavorting over the waves.

Harbinger. Didn't use that word in . Thought I did. Something similar though. A word just as cool - foretelling. As in visions, saying what would happen before it did. Oh, that's not anything like harbinger... Well, next time I'll work in the word harbinger. Such a great word!

Much fun
Clara

"Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is that you don't know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!" -- Anne Frank.

Go for your dreams. You can do it!

Here is the link to the full article on Bernews:

https://bernews.com/2023/04/clara-fays-new-book-now-available/

YAY! I did it!

Much fun!
Clara

"The only difference between fear and excitement is your attitude about it." Unknown.

Such as shame the origin of this quote is not known. It's a great quote and sums up a lot!

Before flying off for a great adventure with 13 family members to , a lovely old-world Italian villa deep in the hilly countryside of Chianti, I placed my order for author copies of . With shipping being what it is to Bermuda, I figured it would be a while before I received the books. Low and behold, this box was home waiting for me upon my arrival.

Must have been the jetlag - because I didn't rip right into the box! At least that's what a tell myself. But could it have been a bit of fear holding me back? What if the book doesn't live up to my expectations? What if it doesn't look professional?

Ha! I can't wait to open it! This is so very exciting....stay tuned!

Did I tell you about ? It was awesome. Peace and tranquility, beauty, and lots of nature. Mountains, hills, boundless views of vineyards. Such a blessing to spend two weeks in this environment with my partner, my three children, and their beautiful families. The villa was heaving with fun, laugher, good cooking together, and great wine. We even had a chef with a portable pizza oven create a wonderful pizza party for baby granddaughter who had her two-year-old birthday.

Much fun
Clara

“Books are mirrors: you only see in them what you already have inside you”. , The Shadow of the Wind.

Reading is so personal. What appeals to you may not appeal to another. Not just from the perspective of personality and ego, but also a matter of timing, and what you are focused on now. Because your taste in books also changes. Luckily, there are tons of books to appeal to this diversity.

Thanks to book reviews, we can quickly identify a book's suitability for our preferences.

Reviews give a summary of the story, the genre and tone of the book, and importantly, an impression of its quality.

Thank you, David Arthur, for taking the time to read and to write this lovely review.

Much fun
Clara

"An auspicious coincidence is the right thing happening at the right time." .

Choosing April 21st lines up nicely for an auspicious book launch!

Three reasons:

1. It's the night of the waxing crescent moon - the moon shifting from a new moon towards a full moon - signifying a good time for change and action. "It's time to be bold and start something new. It's about new beginnings," says . What better time to put into motion a lifelong dream!

2. The crescent moon features in in several ways. Fleur has a crescent shaped birthmark on her neck, marking her as the last in her line to do the work. The Irie tribe use crescent moon tattoos to symbolise mastery. The night of the crescent moon is the crisis night when Fleur must resolve the mystery of her ancestry.

3. April 21st is my birthday! Good enough reason if you ask me.

Much joy
Clara
# SakyongMiphamRinpoche

"Feedback is the breakfast of champions." , author of One Minute Manager, quoting what colleague Rick Tate often said.

Today, I'm excited and appreciative to Jessica Barbosa of for serving up a great review for .

It's so very satisfying to have outside validation that your story is indeed an enjoyable one. And it's not just your family and friends saying so!

Much fun
Clara

"A breeze blew through the room, blew the curtains in at one end and out the other like pale flags, twisting them up toward the frosted wedding-cake of the ceiling, and then rippled over the wine-colored rug, making a shadow on it as wind does on the sea.” F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby.

Classic Fitzgerald at its best; use of weather to build mood.

While I'm no Fitzgerald (use of grand understatement to tell truth), in Mark of a Crescent Moon the following weather description paints Fleur La Salle's mood:

"Fleur emerged through the thicket of reeds from the rough wooden boardwalk and glimpsed the clean stretch of sandy beach. The beach was separated from the ocean by a line of pebbles that danced with every rolling wave. The early morning fog mirrored Fleur’s lack of clarity. The ocean, still as an illusion, was the perfect backdrop for her restless thoughts."

Today, here in Bermuda, weather is playing with my mood!

A "cold/ damp" 58° F, and 48 km/h winds. "De hawk is on, (weather turned cold), and de veatha is blowin' like stink, bie, (it's windy)" as they say. Perfect kind of a day for me to figure out those book promos. Argh....

Much fun
Clara
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