SIA Showcase for Readers and Writers discussion

Hi everyone,

My name is Robert Mayes and I'm an emerging author based in Belfast. Most of my work is in some way influenced by my experience growing up and living in Northern Ireland; a singularly strange and unique place. To date I have written one novel and three Novellas. I have just published two of my Novellas to Amazon as eBooks. Here's a bit of blurb for my two novellas for anyone that's interested:

"The Support Group"
Every week, a group of people get together in a community hall in South Belfast and they talk. They talk about their new aches, the mole that just started itching or the fever they're sure is a sign of COVID. It doesn't matter that all the tests have been negative, or that their doctors have re-assured them countless times.
The fear is real. That's all that matters.
It's why Mary O'Neill started the support group. It's the reason why Michelle takes the risk of leaving the sanitary confines of her house each week. It's the reason why Kate has come along for the first time.
There is safety in the support group. There are people who understand. Most importantly, each person acts as a kind of re-assurance for everyone else. No one actually gets sick in the support group.
The Support Group works flawlessly so long as everyone sticks to the unwritten rule.


"Something Beautiful"
Something Beautiful is the regretful memory of a pivotal year in Rob Spence’s life. A disgraced former RUC Special Branch officer, Rob decides to revisit this world after hearing about the death of his most notorious informer on the 6 o’clock news. It’s a world that not many people in Northern Ireland want to revisit, least of all him. But he owes it to her. Aoife Duffy’s name wouldn’t be such a dirty word if she had never met Rob Spence.

You can find links on my website to buy both novellas here, along with brief excerpts of both stories:
https://www.robertmayesauthor.com/


I'm really looking forward to becoming part of this community and interacting with other authors who are trying to get a start. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Here's hoping someone reads a bit more!

I like "Something Beautiful." But the "Support Group" seems to give too much; the whole story is there.

P/S I write similar stories about family and community.

Hi Wanjiru,
Thank you very much for taking the time to read my post.
I really appreciate the feedback, it’s helpful to have viewpoints i haven’t considered before. Hopefully if people read “The Support Group” they won’t feel like my blurb spoiled too much. The support group aspect acts as a starting point for Kate’s story to develop.
Your profile is very interesting and you must have quite a unique perspective! Is there one of your books you would recommend I start with?
All the best
Robert

You are welcome, Robert.
Thank you for wanting to check my books. I notice you are based in Belfat, So, THE COLONIZED And the Scramble for Africa would be an interesting read for you. It's a family and community memoir about peasants' lives in British colonial Kenya.
You can start reading a sample.
BTW: I also have a free download of Entangled in America that will end Dec.18th. I think it's best to download from UK through my website, my name with a .com. You'll see international on 1st page at the bottom.
Happy reading.

Thank you Wanjiru, i look forward to reading. Wishing you a happy holiday season