Ally AldridgeRIP 🪦 to my NaNoWriMo account October 2010 to November 2023
00:00 Intro 00:15 Initial Reaction. 00:49 The NaNo Forums and the posted statement. 11:30 My feelings and lost trust in NaNo. 12:24 Author Emily Shore's TikTok (info source I shared.) NB: I don't know this author tiktok.com/@authoremilybshore?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc 13:45 Screenshots with more info on the allegations. 29:34 Final thoughts on NaNo. 40:36 Accepting the truth and moving on. Link to the Write Place: https://www.thewriteplace.community/share/dSoFeWOM-55MSvfG?utm_source=manual 33:23 Safeguarding & DBS checks 36:42 Thoughts on the teenagers affected by this & NaNoWriMo's response 39:05 Goodbye NaNoWriMo, I'm NaNo NoMore, Deleting my account
[CORRECTION: At one point in the video, I say he/him when referring to the mod. However no details about the individual other than them being a mod has been confirm. The individual could be a woman, trans person, or even a non-binary person. They could be any of the former mods. We do not know.]
I’ve taken part in NaNoWriMo for over 10 years, but after hearing of the allegations and how it was handled I’ve decided this is not something do not want to be part of.
NaNo NoMore
I completed the first 15 days of the challenge, working on Forest Heart, book three in the Soul Heart series. I have now drafted 22k words. I’m taking a break from writing, as I’m upset over this.
Don't worry, I have plenty of other things to work on; my website, TeeMill, Ko-Fi, social media, and YouTube content. I will still be busy, and any day now, I should get Sky Heart back from my editor.
To discover more about my writing, please visit my website: www.allyaldridge.com
NaNo NoMore - Why I left NaNoWriMo!Ally Aldridge2023-11-18 | RIP 🪦 to my NaNoWriMo account October 2010 to November 2023
00:00 Intro 00:15 Initial Reaction. 00:49 The NaNo Forums and the posted statement. 11:30 My feelings and lost trust in NaNo. 12:24 Author Emily Shore's TikTok (info source I shared.) NB: I don't know this author tiktok.com/@authoremilybshore?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc 13:45 Screenshots with more info on the allegations. 29:34 Final thoughts on NaNo. 40:36 Accepting the truth and moving on. Link to the Write Place: https://www.thewriteplace.community/share/dSoFeWOM-55MSvfG?utm_source=manual 33:23 Safeguarding & DBS checks 36:42 Thoughts on the teenagers affected by this & NaNoWriMo's response 39:05 Goodbye NaNoWriMo, I'm NaNo NoMore, Deleting my account
[CORRECTION: At one point in the video, I say he/him when referring to the mod. However no details about the individual other than them being a mod has been confirm. The individual could be a woman, trans person, or even a non-binary person. They could be any of the former mods. We do not know.]
I’ve taken part in NaNoWriMo for over 10 years, but after hearing of the allegations and how it was handled I’ve decided this is not something do not want to be part of.
NaNo NoMore
I completed the first 15 days of the challenge, working on Forest Heart, book three in the Soul Heart series. I have now drafted 22k words. I’m taking a break from writing, as I’m upset over this.
Don't worry, I have plenty of other things to work on; my website, TeeMill, Ko-Fi, social media, and YouTube content. I will still be busy, and any day now, I should get Sky Heart back from my editor.
To discover more about my writing, please visit my website: www.allyaldridge.com
▶ Redfae at TeeMill: redfae.teemill.com ▶ Redfae at Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/redfaeBracelets to go with my books. Available at https://ko-fi.com/redfaeAlly Aldridge2024-09-18 | OCEAN HEART by ALLY ALDRIDGE #YA #fantasyromance
A gripping story about a mermaid, self-acceptance, and romance that literally sparks.
▶ Redfae at TeeMill: redfae.teemill.com ▶ Redfae at Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/redfae ▶ Soul Heart Bracelets: ko-fi.com/s/288b943a67Celebrate Women in Arts and Music at WAMFEST 2024 in Felixstowe on 11, 12, & 13 OctoberAlly Aldridge2024-09-14 | WAM Fest: https://www.wamfestfelixstowe.art/
OCEAN HEART by ALLY ALDRIDGE #YA #fantasyromance
A gripping story about a mermaid, self-acceptance, and romance that literally sparks.
▶ Redfae at TeeMill: redfae.teemill.com ▶ Redfae at Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/redfaeFolk of Air series by Holly Black (Hardback editions)Ally Aldridge2024-09-01 | I read these books for free. Let me tell you how. 😍
A few Christmases ago, I got a Kindle. We have a Prime account and with Prime you can borrow books to read for free (and then return to borrow more). In the Prime library was Cruel Prince.
Book two, The Wicked King, was not available on Prime.
I checked to see if I could borrow it with my library card and found I could! It was available on the Libby app. Using my library card I borrowed the ebook, and they had Queen of Nothing, so I borrowed that straight after.
I also used my library card on Borrow Box (audio books to borrowusing my library card) to listen to The King of Elfhame, which is a prequel to this series.
I loved these books so much I wanted them for my shelves. I asked for them as gifts, and they only cost £10 for the paperback boxset from The Works but alas, I did not get them.
My kids often get book tooens as gifts but I always forget to have them with me and end up using my own money, so I decided it was time to pay myself back and get the hardback editions from Bookshop.org an online shop that gives vack to highstreet shops. As I had the book tokens, it cost me less than £5 for all three books.
I love my new books. They look beautiful next to my stunning Hunger Games hardbacks which I got from Dial Lane Bookshop, Ipswich as gift from my hubby bought for my birthday.
Follow my bookshop affiliate link to get your hardback copies of:
#hardbackbooks #hardback #hardbacks #bookshop #bookshopping #amazonprimebook #amazonprime #borrowbooks #libbyapp #borrowbox #librarybooks #treatmyself #shelfie #shelfiesaturday #hungergames #thefolkoftheairseries #hollyblack #hollyblackbooks #prettybooks #bestseries #fantasybooks #yafantasy #fantasyromanceThe Queen of Nothing by Holly Black (Hardback edition)Ally Aldridge2024-08-31 | I read these books for free. Let me tell you how. 😍
A few Christmases ago, I got a Kindle. We have a Prime account and with Prime you can borrow books to read for free (and then return to borrow more). In the Prime library was Cruel Prince.
Book two, The Wicked King, was not available on Prime.
I checked to see if I could borrow it with my library card and found I could! It was available on the Libby app. Using my library card I borrowed the ebook, and they had Queen of Nothing, so I borrowed that straight after.
I also used my library card on Borrow Box (audio books to borrowusing my library card) to listen to The King of Elfhame, which is a prequel to this series.
I loved these books so much I wanted them for my shelves. I asked for them as gifts, and they only cost £10 for the paperback boxset from The Works but alas, I did not get them.
My kids often get book tooens as gifts but I always forget to have them with me and end up using my own money, so I decided it was time to pay myself back and get the hardback editions from Bookshop.org an online shop that gives vack to highstreet shops. As I had the book tokens, it cost me less than £5 for all three books.
I love my new books. They look beautiful next to my stunning Hunger Games hardbacks which I got from Dial Lane Bookshop, Ipswich as gift from my hubby bought for my birthday.
#hardbackbooks #hardback #hardbacks #bookshop #bookshopping #amazonprimebook #amazonprime #borrowbooks #libbyapp #borrowbox #librarybooks #treatmyself #shelfie #shelfiesaturday #hungergames #thefolkoftheairseries #hollyblack #hollyblackbooks #prettybooks #bestseries #fantasybooks #yafantasy #fantasyromanceThe Wicked King by Holly Back (Hardback edition)Ally Aldridge2024-08-30 | I read these books for free. Let me tell you how. 😍
A few Christmases ago, I got a Kindle. We have a Prime account and with Prime you can borrow books to read for free (and then return to borrow more). In the Prime library was Cruel Prince.
Book two, The Wicked King, was not available on Prime.
I checked to see if I could borrow it with my library card and found I could! It was available on the Libby app. Using my library card I borrowed the ebook, and they had Queen of Nothing, so I borrowed that straight after.
I also used my library card on Borrow Box (audio books to borrowusing my library card) to listen to The King of Elfhame, which is a prequel to this series.
I loved these books so much I wanted them for my shelves. I asked for them as gifts, and they only cost £10 for the paperback boxset from The Works but alas, I did not get them.
My kids often get book tooens as gifts but I always forget to have them with me and end up using my own money, so I decided it was time to pay myself back and get the hardback editions from Bookshop.org an online shop that gives vack to highstreet shops. As I had the book tokens, it cost me less than £5 for all three books.
I love my new books. They look beautiful next to my stunning Hunger Games hardbacks which I got from Dial Lane Bookshop, Ipswich as gift from my hubby bought for my birthday.
#hardbackbooks #hardback #hardbacks #bookshop #bookshopping #amazonprimebook #amazonprime #borrowbooks #libbyapp #borrowbox #librarybooks #treatmyself #shelfie #shelfiesaturday #hungergames #thefolkoftheairseries #hollyblack #hollyblackbooks #prettybooks #bestseries #fantasybooks #yafantasy #fantasyromanceThe Cruel Prince by Holly Black (Hardback version)Ally Aldridge2024-08-29 | I read these books for free. Let me tell you how. 😍
A few Christmases ago, I got a Kindle. We have a Prime account and with Prime you can borrow books to read for free (and then return to borrow more). In the Prime library was Cruel Prince.
Book two, The Wicked King, was not available on Prime.
I checked to see if I could borrow it with my library card and found I could! It was available on the Libby app. Using my library card I borrowed the ebook, and they had Queen of Nothing, so I borrowed that straight after.
I also used my library card on Borrow Box (audio books to borrowusing my library card) to listen to The King of Elfhame, which is a prequel to this series.
I loved these books so much I wanted them for my shelves. I asked for them as gifts, and they only cost £10 for the paperback boxset from The Works but alas, I did not get them.
My kids often get book tooens as gifts but I always forget to have them with me and end up using my own money, so I decided it was time to pay myself back and get the hardback editions from Bookshop.org an online shop that gives vack to highstreet shops. As I had the book tokens, it cost me less than £5 for all three books.
I love my new books. They look beautiful next to my stunning Hunger Games hardbacks which I got from Dial Lane Bookshop, Ipswich as gift from my hubby bought for my birthday.
▶ Redfae at TeeMill: redfae.teemill.com ▶ Redfae at Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/redfaeNew on my Ko-Fi store! https://ko-fi.com/redfaeAlly Aldridge2024-07-08 | OCEAN HEART by ALLY ALDRIDGE #YA #fantasyromance
A gripping story about a mermaid, self-acceptance, and romance that literally sparks.
▶ Redfae at TeeMill: redfae.teemill.com ▶ Redfae at Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/redfaeHerts Book Fest - Day 2 at Southern MaltingsAlly Aldridge2024-06-23 | This is my Author Life video sharing how day 1 at Herts Book Fest went as an attending author.
▶ Redfae at TeeMill: redfae.teemill.com ▶ Redfae at Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/redfaeChatGPT and Story Plotting with Simon LelicAlly Aldridge2024-06-16 | OCEAN HEART by ALLY ALDRIDGE #YA #fantasyromance
A gripping story about a mermaid, self-acceptance, and romance that literally sparks.
▶ Redfae at TeeMill: redfae.teemill.com ▶ Redfae at Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/redfaeHerts Book Festival - Day 1 at The CastleAlly Aldridge2024-06-09 | This is my Author Life video sharing how day 1 at Herts Book Fest went as an attending author.
This video was made with ClipchampMy Signed Copy of Sorceress of Truth by J.D. GroomAlly Aldridge2024-06-05 | This is my Author Life video sharing how day 1 at Herts Book Fest went as an attending author.
▶J.D. Groom: jdgroom.comHerts Book Festival - Get Ready With MeAlly Aldridge2024-05-27 | This is my Author Life video sharing how I get ready to take part as an author at Herts Book Fest.
▶ Redfae at TeeMill: redfae.teemill.com ▶ Redfae at Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/redfaeOcean Heart - Friends to Lovers or Enemies to LoversAlly Aldridge2024-04-20 | "Jace is my best friend. We’ve always done everything together, but now he has a girlfriend & we never get to hang out. Except the last time we did, we kissed & I realised I want to be his girlfriend. I joined a swimming club to make some new friends. It’s the first time I’m good at something. Really, really, good! I met Ana. Love her. She’s my new bestie. And, I met Murray… He’s the swim team star. The Legend. All the girls fancy him, but I can’t stand him. One thing Murray and I agree on is wanting Jace and his girlfriend to break up. It turns out Jace’s new girlfriend is Murray’s little sister. He hates any guy dating his sister, so he’s offered to help me get Jace. All I have to do is agree to fake date him. The more time I spend with Murray, the less I hate him. I don’t know what’s real anymore! To make matters worse, my emotions are all over the place and when I lose control…. Weird things happen. Things I can’t explain, and I’m scared I’ll hurt someone. Or kill them…" - Mariah Turner 💛 Ocean Heart by Ally Aldridge is a YA Fantasy Romance set in a British high school. Mariah is navigating first love, trying to fit in, and she’s about to discover she’s a mermaid. It brings a whole new meaning to “It’s complicated!”
#help #friendstolovers or #enemiestolovers #help #oceanheart #ThisorThat #mermaid #romancebooks #fantasybooks #comingofage #romantasy #yafiction #readersofinstagram #bookstagramSky Heart by Ally Aldridge Coming Soon!Ally Aldridge2024-04-10 | I’ve been working on editing Sky Heart - averaging about 30k words a month. This edit is almost finished, with a lot of work on improving the fight scenes.
Book two is about Kiely. She’s just been dumped and after doing a lot of daft things to get over her ex like drinking and partying, she finds herself face-to-face with a werewolf. Dragged into the shifter world, Kiely joins the Soul Reapers. Now everyone’s soul is in danger! Kiely needs to learn to trust, forgive, and control her new powers to get control of her life.
I recently discovered Livingston on YouTube, and think he has an amazing voice. This song captures all the feels of the book, the dark and light powers. As someone that rarely buys music, I had to go get this one. I played it on repeat whilst working on improving Sky Heart.
💛
This video was made using Canva Pro. Ocean Heart is the first book in The Soul Heart Series and out now!
OCEAN HEART by ALLY ALDRIDGE #YA #fantasyromance
A gripping story about a mermaid, self acceptance, and romance that literally sparks.
▶ Grab your paperback copy here: Amazon: http://getbook.at/OceanHeart
▶ Redfae at TeeMill: redfae.teemill.com ▶ Redfae at Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/redfaeBook Festivals 2024 #books #readerscommunity #booktube #bookfestivalAlly Aldridge2024-01-31 | These are the events I’m planning to attend in 2024 #bookfestival #comicconventions
💛 Sun, 11 Feb - Foreword Festival @ Constitution Club, Bury St Edmunds
💛 Sat, 18 May - Herts Book Festival @ Hertford Castle
💛 Sun, 19 May - Herts Book Festival @ Southern Maltings Art Centre
💛 Sat, 20 Jul - CapCon @ Trinity Park
💛 Sun, 21 Jul - CapCon @ Trinity Park
💛 Sat, 3 Aug - Legends Comic Con @ Stonham Barns
💛 Sun, 4 Aug - Legends Comic Con @ Stonham Barns
OCEAN HEART by ALLY ALDRIDGE #YA #fantasyromance
A gripping story about a mermaid, self-acceptance, and romance that literally sparks.
This video was made in Canva ProHighlights of 2023 #authorlife #authortubeAlly Aldridge2024-01-07 | I think the biggest highlight of 2023 was author events. I got to meet YA Fantasy readers and chat about my books. I got to meet fellow authors and make new friends. I’ve learnt so much and surprised myself.
Highlights:
💛 Dial Lane Books, IpswichI signed copies of Ocean Heart & the owner displayed a copy in the front window.
💛 Herts Book Festival, Hertfordshire My first book festival. I had so much fun, I was buzzing! Was like an author getaway, meeting up with two of my long time author friends.
💛 Felixstowe Book Festival, Let’s Talk Fantasy This was a long time dream of mine coming true & made a new friend that I shared the event with. 🥰
💛 Legends Comic Con, Stonham BarnsGot to befriend the Bury & Beyond Writers thanks to an intro by @rachelchurcherwriting . Looking forward to doing more with this bunch.
💛 MK Lit Fest, Milton Keynes Another excuse to meet up with some author buddies and we got interviewed about our books.
As a shy person, my dreams of being an author involve hiding in a cupboard to write with no peopling. I definitely did not want to make any public appearances! But, the author community is so welcoming and supportive, they gave me the confidence to get out there.
Moving into 2024, high on my plans is to do more events. With each one, I get more confident and look forward to the next.
For 2024, I am already booked to do the Foreword Festival on 11 February in Bury St Edmund’s. And, looking at another Comic Con in the summer.
Please come along, and meet the authors. There’s such a good vibe, it’s infectious.
OCEAN HEART by ALLY ALDRIDGE #YA #fantasyromance
A gripping story about a mermaid, self-acceptance, and romance that literally sparks.
#2023recap #bye2023 #hello2024 #2024goals #authorlife #authorfriends #authorevents #bookshop #bookfestival #authorsoflemon8Fable #readingapp #readingcommunity #booktubeAlly Aldridge2024-01-01 | I actually finished one more book after making this video and before the year was out - 2023 total was 25 books, that’s an average of a book a fortnight. I’m really pleased with that.
Fable Reading App
I discovered this app via Lemon8 but was reluctant to download another reading app. But, I kept seeing it, so in December I decided to give it a go. This app is VERY new to me.
Initial reaction is I wished I downloaded it sooner. It has a really good community. It literally is a social media app just for readers.
I joined my first book club. We are reading IceBreaker by Hannah Grace. I’ve new been in a book club before but it’s fun to try new things.
The round up on this app asks you to pick your top 5 books to make a summary image. Oh my gosh, picking just five was sooooo hard. I’d struggle to pick only 10, but 5! Aghhh!
Blood Moon - Borrowed from the library. Thought it would be about shifters or vampires, but it’s a teen romance with coming of age themes like starting your period.
Scythe - This is a dystopian with a lot of gore. The world building and characters is epic, I loved the whole series.
The Diseased Ones - I’m currently reading this series but this is book one. It’s about a society that has put lawed super powers as a disease that must be irradiated. Think Marvel, seen in the future.
The Guidal - Another futuristic super power series. This one has a more magical feel, and more romance. There’s so much to love, and the series gets better and better.
Trouble - I checked this out as the author was one of YALC’s ambassadors, and the book blew me away. It’s a dual POV romance with coming of age themes like pregnancy and bereavement.
Sometimes my Top 5 also included Making Trouble by Rachel Churcher #dystopia , The Girl Behind the Glass #fantasy by April Grace, and Glass House #paranormalromance by Rachel Caine, Hunger Games #yadystopian by Suzanne Collins.
#readingapp #fable #readinggoals #readingtracker #booktube #fable #2023reads #fablebookclub #readmorebooks #readersgonnareadWhat is Storygraph? #readingapp #storygraph #booktube #readinggoals #readingAlly Aldridge2023-12-29 | What is Storygraph? #readingapp #storygraph #booktube #readinggoals #reading
Someone on Lemon8 mentioned Storygraph earlier this year and I checked it out. I wasn’t ready to give up on Goodreads so decided to use both apps.
What I love about Storygraph is that it shares stats about your reading. Without this app I’d say I don’t tend to consume audio books, but it turns out I’ve finished more audio books than print books. I’m not surprised to see ebooks is my top medium.
I do read non-fiction but I don’t record it. The fiction genres chart shows I mostly ready YA and Fantasy, which is no surprise. And, I noticed I’ve been very into dystopia this year, however, I was surprised Romance wasn’t higher. I don’t tend to like books with no romance.
In the app, you can click on any of the chart segments to see more. For example, I can find out which books I read that were fast paced, or that I rated five stars.
I think it’s fun to see my reading habits in charts. It’s been interesting. Do you use Storygraph?
#storygraph #readwithlemon8 #lemon8books #reading #readinggoals #readingapp #readersoflemon8 #readers #yareader #fantasyreaderGoodreads - App for Readers #booktube #readingapp #readinggoals #readingtracker #readingAlly Aldridge2023-12-28 | I’ve used Goodreads to track my reading for years. I love how you can set a reading goal, and how at the end of the year it shares your stats.
I set my yearly goal at 18 books. I am a slow reader and it can take me a month to finish one book! I didn’t want the challenge to hard that it was unrealistic and demotivating. I ended up reading 23 books and there’s a chance I could read more before the year is over.
I like tracking my progress on my current reads and seeing the percentage complete is rewarding for me. I love writing reviews so I can reflect on what I liked about the books.
I’m good at choosing books I love which is why my ratings are high. I don’t force myself to read a book that doesn’t appeal to me. Most my reviews are 4 to 5 stars because I love them. 😍
I’m not surprised that Hunger Games is the most shelved book as it’s had so much publicity, whereas a Soul of Glass and Fire is a less well known indie book.
I’m going to continue using Goodreads, and will likely set my 2024 goal at 18 again, because it worked well this year.
#goodreads #goodreadschallenge2023 #goodreadsreview #2023yearinbooks #books #yafiction #yafantasyWhich Reading App? #goodreads #storygraph #fable #readingapp #readinggoals #booktubeAlly Aldridge2023-12-27 | Which is your favourite app for tracking your reading journey?
I have used Goodreads for years. I started using Story Graph this year, and very recently I started using Fable.
I thought I’d share what each are like and if I have time I’ll also do a longer YouTube video comparing them.
There is another reading app I use too called Litsy. However, I don’t use it to track my reading and I can’t log in, and it’s gone from the App Store. I’m guessing it no longer exists which is sad and I had no idea it was going.
Which of these is your favourite? Is there another one I should check out?
Here are my profiles on these apps if you want to join me:
#readingapp #goodreads #storygraph #fable #readinggoals #readingtracker #booktubeHappy Christmas #happychristmasAlly Aldridge2023-12-25 | Enjoying Christmas with my kids. I hope you have had a lovely 2023, and that 2024 is even better.Author Diary: November 2023 #authorlife #authortube #november2023Ally Aldridge2023-12-24 | This is my Author Life video sharing what I got up to in November.
00:00 - Intro 00:15 - Trip to Dial Lane Books, Ipswich 01:20 - The Hunger Games collectors edition - all four books 04:00 - Suffolk Folk, Clarecraft, and the green children of Woolpit 11:18 - Lemon8 Winner, 2nd book I bought 13:25 - Fable, a social app for readers 14:00 - Save the Cat Writes a YA Novel and Forest Heart 19:25 - Sky Heart Editors Feedback 24:00 - The Write Place, and critique groups 24:35 - 2023 Wrap up, Hopeful for 2024
Social Media mentioned in the video:
▶ Redfae7 on Lemon8: https://v.lemon8-app.com/s/hwewbxysR ▶ Redfae on Fable: Follow what I'm reading on Fable--it’s free! fable.co/redfae-239209522672 ▶ The Write Place: https://www.thewriteplace.community/share/lniwRF2nRmKHE_mZ
OCEAN HEART by ALLY ALDRIDGE #YA #fantasyromance
A gripping story about a mermaid, self-acceptance, and romance that literally sparks.
This video was made with ClipchampThe Hunger Games Collectors edition #bookshopping #hungergamesAlly Aldridge2023-12-24 | Book Shop: diallanebooks.co.uk
OCEAN HEART by ALLY ALDRIDGE #YA #fantasyromance
A gripping story about a mermaid, self-acceptance, and romance that literally sparks.
▶ Redfae at TeeMill: redfae.teemill.com ▶ Redfae at Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/redfaeBook Review - The Toll by Neal Shusterman (Book 2 in the Arc Of A Scythe series)Ally Aldridge2023-12-23 | Book Review of The Toll By Neal Shusterman Book 2 in the Arc of a Scythe series
The character art I used in this video, I created in Canva using their AI app, Magic Media. I typed a description of the character and this is what was generated. canva.com