I need to stop looking...

Okay, so I will admit it... due to the fact some of you lovely readers out there have actually been buying my books I am becoming obsessed with statistics! Now, seriously, this should be no surprise - I mean, I am supposed to be a maths teacher after all... HA! So, truth - I LOVE IT!

It's been amazing to see my books shoot up and down the charts - THANK YOU!

Every day I think my sales will stop and they don't! TRULY GRATEFUL! Don't worry, it's not getting my head or anything. If sales continue, I really will be in shock.

Moving on... This Monday, I started volunteering at my local library for a couple of hours. I get to help, and am surrounded by loads of lovely books. FAB! Anyway, I saw a book on display that I have actually beaten in the charts at times... this made me smile. So, I have to make a move and donate some of my books to the library so that readers without an eBook can take a look. (Mental note - on "to do" list!)

Yet, I have to admit that I am in awe at the moment... a parent at school, Jane Watson, made the most amazing Gruffalo and backdrop EVER for my daughter's reception class. Isn't this amazing?! WOW, WOW, WOW... Here is an extremely talented, kind and giving parent willing to go above and beyond what certainly I can do. It makes me realise how much other people do out of goodwill. Without the time and effort many volunteers give many organisations would struggle. SO THANK YOU, JANE! 

I have to say that I finally made the decision to give up teaching swimming as a volunteer. There comes a time when you have to say enough, and it had come. I gave nearly 5 years being a member of the committee at first, sorting medals, as secretary, treasurer, and of course, swim teacher and coach for the younger squad members. I have done my bit to "give back" for all the coaches I had when I was a competitive swimmer many moons ago. I wish the club all the best...

As some of you may realise, today is Valentine's Day, I have blogged about it HERE. Make it a good one! (wink, wink)

Enjoy the rest of your day... and a special thank you to Kyra Dune for featuring me in her BLOG today. It's always very special to see my book cover somewhere else...

Have a Gruffalo-tastic DAY!

I am heading off next week with the family to see the in-laws, since it is half-term, so I hope you all keep enjoying my books. Oh, and it would be great to know what you think of them. As of yet, I have no reviews for RETURN on the US site. Of course, I don't want bad ones on amazon... so feel free to comment on here too!

Until the next one, hasta luego,

Vanessa :0) xx

I am in SHOCK!!!

I am soooooo EXCITED!

Last night, HYBRID had over 400 downloads in the space of an hour! This made it rocket to no. 88 in the ENTIRE free charts for Amazon! WOW... But, it gets better... this morning it was at no.70!

I suspect it came about due to the wonderful article written by Elena Scialtiel in the GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE.

Vanessa Wester: Evolution of a Writer

When I launched The Evolution Trilogy on the 16th December, 2013, in Gibraltar, Elena asked to interview me.

I met up with her the next day, and we sat on a park bench as she conducted the interview and recorded it. It was an enjoyable experience - I do love to ramble. The article she put together truly encapsulates what I am all about. She got me completely.

All credit goes to her for writing it so beautifully.

It means a lot to me to be featured in this way. In England, I have managed to get some publicity for my book, but it is truly limited, since as an "indie" author I have no idea where to go, or who would be interested.

However, in Gibraltar, I got a TV interview, radio advertising, reviews in the Gibraltar Chronicle and a full page feature.

And now, I am featured in the Gibraltar Magazine!

And they have done this all for me for FREE... in the interests of promoting a Gibraltarian!

Sometimes, there is a hole in my heart that can not be filled in England. It is in times like this that I understand why. To grow up in a community like Gibraltar was not always easy, but one thing I know for sure... it is a community that gives, and gives, and gives.

People from Gibraltar, a tiny Rock populated by around 30,000 people, can do amazing things.

Sports - the entire range...

Drama - fantastic productions...

Food - Spanish, Moroccan, English, Italian cuisine... and those CAKES!

And last, but certainly not least, EDUCATION - a brilliant school system that encourages youth to go to university - FULLY FUNDED!

Without the support and encouragement I got in Gibraltar, I would never have got my education and certainly never gone to university - it would have been too expensive! I did grow up in a 2 bed flat after all!

So, THANK YOU... sincerely,

I am truly grateful to the support you have all shown, and only hope I do not disappoint you with my books.

Have a fantastic day... un abrazo grande ha todos!

La llanita 'Beany',

Vanessa :) xx HUGS

p.s. To top it all... this blog has now reached 10,000 views! Amazing :)