Marie Seltenrych

Publisher info

I recently purchased new Photoshop Software, Elements 2021 and a second-hand Cintiq (Wacom). The picture on my profile is the first picture completed using these software products.
I had unpublished this version of Runaway Princesses because of Kindle Unlimited rules (publish with Amazon only for 90 days and renew etc). I have now finished this process for the moment.
It is very difficult for Indie authors to nagitate through all the pros and cons of different publishers online. We are buffeted from Billy to Jack, as the saying goes.
Whilst I was creating the above picture (from scratch) I was disappointed to find my Elements Photoshop software crashing continually. It was another hurdle to overcome as an Indie Author who also creates her own book covers. I truly love to create my book covers and sometimes I have a book cover idea way before I have even begun to write the story nowadays. It must be the magic of creation and seeing the shapes and form evolving from simply scratching away with my Intuos pro pen. It is magical for me.
I have also been trying to format the digital edition so that it displays correctly in EPub products, Kindle, and other places. Unfortunately these products have not cooperated together over the years, making life a little more disturbing for Indie digital artists.
I hope it is a better product now to enjoy. As an Indie author and graphic artist, I do all this just for you, dear reader and those I call my followers. Thank you. Marie
You can find out more about my ideology on my webpage: https://www.runawayprincesses.com/contact

On a flight from Abu Dhabi to Manchester recently, I was asked by one of the attendants "How are you so intelligent?"
[We had enjoyed a short chat during the landing process (near exits).]
I replied, "I am old!", and laughed. With my 70th birthday pending, it was the first answer that came to my head. However, it was a bit of a shock to hear someone asking me such a thing as a stranger perceiving me as "so intelligent!"
When we consider our lives, experiences, opportunities and setbacks, and take time out to ponder our way forward, we must see that our lives are a living organism shaping from day to day, adding and subtracting items of interest and value, to bring about the sum total of our comprehended being.

Looking back over my long existence, I have learned a lot, and possibly forgotten more than I have retained. After all, our brain is a organic lump of matter that somehow cannot exist by itself for very long! It is like a director of an orchestra who has nobody to play any instrument. It is a useless effort to try and get one sound out without something responding. So while our life blood courses through our veins and our brain is working its work, we must try our best to get our thoughts out there into the world, scattered and maybe sometimes picked up by one or two persons who have a moment of inspiration, joy or contemplation.

So, we work our work and let our creative juices flow as the saying goes. But it is more than creativity, it is contemplation, consideration, discussion, activity. Our whole lives are involved in our work as we dedicate ourselves to our task in hand.

I have included some of the fringe accolades that I happened upon during my course of living, tokens of achievement that were always unexpected and appreciated. These are not listed to gain anything in particular, just a matter of fact that happened along the way of my life. The last thing I want is jealousy. Reader, never be jealous of another person's abilities, because your ability is equally astonishing when you ponder your own life and how it has evolved over the years you are alive. Jealousy is not a topic we often hear about, yet it is a lurking destructive possibility for any human being. We can all get caught up in forms of jealousy and must guard ourselves diligently on this matter. "I can do that!" or "That is nothing", are vital signs that we must learn to put down and change.

However, a thought comes to mind that makes jealousy have another side to its coin. God is a jealous God and will not stand to have His creations bow to another. In other words, everything should be in its rightful place. God is justified in that God has the final say for all persons, even for those who cannot believe God even exists. (Theoretical, rational and knowledge based evidences)
So, when you read my words and sometimes even pay a small price to download a copy, please be merciful and gracious. I have limited abilities, time and thoughts, but if I can share some with you for your benefit or for the benefit of those who listen to you, then I have done my job in this life. So, I write stories and dictate to my fingers what to say and do, to bring a new experience, a joy, a revelation or refocus to you, dear reader. To me, you are the first person I think about, yet I do not know your name. You are the one I want to hug, give encouragement and to show love, yet I have no idea who you really are, except that you exist and are present.
If you leave my site with one new thought, fashion or change of plan for the better, then I am satisfied. Thank you for stopping by and for reading this message. One day we will meet in the future (Eternity) and everything shall be made clearer then. Until we meet, take care and remember to use your talents relentlessly while you are able, and never succumb to jealousy.

[Marie has achieved many accolades for her volunteer work in her capacity as author, writer, teacher, and services to her community over many years. These are some of her noted achievements and awards:
Certificate in Acting 1969; Bachelor of Ministries 2004.
Experience: Stage production; Acting; Public speaking (motivational); Preaching (over 10 years); Worship leading (7 years);
Teaching Religious Education (4 years); home schooling children (7 years); Editor of Newsletter (Slacks Creek 3/4) (7 years);
Awards: Certification of Appreciation Cooinda House (2012); Certificate of Recognition Australian Blood Service (2012), signed by Jennifer Williams CEO; Certificate of Appreciation: Humpybong State School, (signed by Sam Knowles (Principal) and Ros Smith (President P & C) 2006. Certificate of Appreciation Underwood Neighbourhood Watch (2003) Silver Lapel Badge Award Slacks Creek 3/4 signedby Alex F. Erwin, Superintendent 1380, (2002). Merit Award, Writers World 1999. Certificate of Appreciation, Redeemer Lutheran college Middle School, 1999 (signed by J. Winslour (Head of Middle School) and W.J. Basrow (Librarian); Avon Team Leader Certificate 1999 (signed by Dianne Walsh District Sales Manager) ]

Irish born Australian, Marie Seltenrych [nee Rafferty] began writing and drawing at age 4. During Summer holidays in her beloved Leixlip, she drew pictures and made comics with her beloved siblings, Dolores, Liam, Josephine and Raymond. Her youngest brother, Keith, (17 years her junior) has inspired her to write and has been one of her biggest encouragers. From crayon and pencil scribbles, she has gained skills and confidences to write, draw and publish short stories, children's stories, adult romance titles, an adult mystery, a play, a book on prophecy, a book on "How to do online publishing", various devotionals. Marie is also a poet (much to some people's surprise), and is always busy helping someone along the publishing journey. Her belief is definitely, "Love your readers"; "practice makes perfect;" "Pick up the pieces and move on" and "get the talent honed".

Contact Marie Seltenrych
marieseltenrych@icloud.com

Smashwords Interview

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in a little town called Leixlip, Co. Kildare, Ireland; I was born in the Main Street of Leixlip, where houses were built in a row, to support each other I suppose. My earliest memories of that beautiful place are when I was one year old. I can recall my first birthday when I spilled a cup of hot tea over my chest. The doctor tried to place a cage over it but he did not succeed. Later, I asked my mother about this. "You kicked and screamed" she said. "Do you know why?" I asked. "No," she replied. "Because the metal was so cold it hurt me more than the burn."
That is a true story about me around 1949, so don't lie to me because I have a very long memory!
Before I began school (that's another great story) I could read. The day that my older sister, Dolores, brought home her first books, I snatched them from her hand and ran off to read them.
When you think of it, reading around age 4 was possibly a good beginning for a writer. Also, I drew pictures as much as possible: my mother gave me used envelopes, opened; I used the insides of the white envelopes to draw pictures with a pencil. I remember exactly what I drew: princesses with dresses that always ended up having layers like frills as they seemed out of perspective until I had added a few more. I drew bonnets like flowers around their round heads; banana shape for a mouth; two small dots for the nose, larger for eyes. I think I even added eyebrows at some point. I wish I had kept some of those drawings now that I have a grand-daughter aged 4 who loves to draw and write. Who does she remind me of?
I am sure that listening to Mammy and Daddy telling stories: mostly ghost stories from their own portfolios which terrified me possibly gave me the impetus to write my own tales. Mammy used to tell us stories at bedtime. I also remember how beautiful she was in a muted silk dress going dancing, with a real fur coat.
I thought she was the most beautiful woman in the whole world.
One of my stories was sparked by an incident that happened in this house in Main Street, Leixlip, before I started school: A tinker called in for help. Mammy went upstairs to get some things for this woman.
The woman wore a tartan shawl in browns and creams, that came down to the calves of her legs. She had brown hair and a tanned complexion (weather-beaten). We were alone for about ten minutes as Mother searched for something to give this woman. As I looked at her legs, I saw something that shocked me: a puddle of water was landing on the nice, sparkling red polished concrete floor. I remember thinking: "Bad baby, dirtying Mammy's floor." I was silent.
Mother appeared with a bundle of baby clothes, including a prized yellow cardigan which I wanted to keep for a doll I had.
Many years later I wrote Five Golden Rings and a Diamond, the story of a young tinker who tries to find a new life and abscond with her own kidnapped child. Did my hometown influence me? I think so.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
15 years ago I decided to write a children's story. So my journey began. I sent the manuscript to a couple of Christian publishers at the time (Albatross) was one of them. I waited 3 months to get a reply, which was nice enough but also a refusal: "It's too Christian and we are not publishing this genre at present..." In other words, "Sorry, we don't like your manuscript."
I decided to get printed copies done (no internet back then). Henry was a trojan salesman and I appointed him my manager.
I turned out to be a shocking saleswoman (I wanted to give my books away to all my friends). Henry sold loads for me, some to schools all over Australia. Some teachers adopted the themes and used my book as a class book, which was a very nice compliment. I had other setbacks when Henry tried to sell the books to book shops.
I still have copies of my first children's book, The Gum Tree Gang and the Mystery at the Old Queenslander, and I assure you that they are so beautiful I am now reluctant to part with them. If you try to pull out the pages it is almost impossible, and the cover remains beautiful as at first. I am now impressed by Marooka Press Litographic (moved on sadly). I did get back my outlay on this title but did not make anything extra. I am so glad that I was not depending on selling this title for my daily needs as I would have been homeless and had to use the pages of the books as a blanket!!
I do love the journey with all its ups and downs. Being an Indie author is amazing and never boring. The journey is tough but rewarding at the stops. The people we meet and the fellowships we make are in a class of their own as we aspire and inspire each other on and up.
Read more of this interview.
I Publish
Price: $8.00 USD. Words: 6,120. Language: English. Published: April 12, 2020 by Marie Seltenrych. Categories: Nonfiction » Publishing » Self-publishing, Nonfiction » Self-improvement » Personal Growth / Success
Self-publish your book at Draft2Digital, Smashwords, Lulu, KDP Amazon and through reedsy. Updated Oct 2023 to include information on the best editing software at Prowritingaid.com (free+paid service) ISBN information and Tax matters_
Planet Poo
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 1,430. Language: English. Published: May 25, 2016 by Marie Seltenrych. Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Space opera, Fiction » Science fiction » Space opera
Kid's Call: A mud-ball Alien, 2 kids and a dog become friends when their rocket lands on a smelly planet. Facing wormholes, outer space and a rocket that will not go, a girl, a boy and a dog must find a way to finish their mission. Mud-ball Alien is there to help. On their return Mum has a special clean up mission for them - bath time! Written in rhyme to add interest. Age 4 - 8
Guide to Energy Saving
You set the price! Words: 2,460. Language: English. Published: August 19, 2015 by Marie Seltenrych. Categories: Nonfiction » Engineering, trades, & technology » Power Resources / Electrical
4 ways to save money effectively in energy savings: Power meter; dial thermometer; LED lighting and a solar panel. Unique and transforming ways that ordinary folk can do alone or with the help of an Electrician.
Kola and Gumboot See Food Shapes in the Sky
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 1,220. Language: English. Published: May 14, 2012 by Marie Seltenrych. Categories: Fiction » Children’s books » Stories in Verse, Fiction » Children’s books » Stories in Verse
Kola and Gumboot are two unwanted toys who meet on the unwanted toy pile and become good friends. In this first story Kola, an old dusty dog, organizes a surprise picnic for his dearest friend, the faithful Gumboot, a donkey with torn fur. Great graphics to stir the small child's imagination. Themes include finding true friends, seeing shapes in the clouds, sharing and having food with friends.
Edit, Self-publish; Sell your book with Six Top Online Publishers
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 15,370. Language: English. Published: May 19, 2011 by Marie Seltenrych. Categories: Nonfiction » Publishing » Self-publishing
(5.00 from 1 review)
Publish with CreateSpace, Amazon/KDP, Lulu, WordClay and Smashwords: links, hints, formatting, ITIN, ISBNs, Images,distribution. Digital and non-digital manuscripts Helpful informtion for you to start your publishing journey.
Five Golden Rings and a Diamond - Part One - Ireland Passion and Pain
Series: Five Golden Rings and a Diamond, Book 1. Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 67,850. Language: English. Published: October 11, 2010 by Marie Seltenrych. Categories: Fiction » Romance » New adult
(5.00 from 1 review)
Niamh Murphy (pronounced Neev) is almost 16 and growing beautifully. Her strong character defies her father's wish to trade her for something worth more than gold. Her girlish brashness takes her on a romantic hunt that hurries her growth into a woman who will stop at nothing to gain true love: Secret Sheltha language idioms used (McAllister, 1934)

Series

The Gum Tree Gang and the Mystery at the Old Queenslander
4 children become detectives in order to help their friends, having found something weird going on in the Old Queenslander. But, how will their parents react to their late night adventure?

Books

Quest & Crown
Price: $8.99 USD. Words: 60,910. Language: English. Published: May 2, 2021 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth, Fiction » Romance » Clean & wholesome
Leap into the saddle with Garty and his horse, Brill as they roam the country of Kallai to find the missing princess. Falling in love is not on his agenda, but when the Knight meets the romantic Joanne, intentions are blurry. Hunted down by madmen who might kill him in an instant, Garty keeps his eye on the goal and his Knights' honour. Can he find an invisible princess before he meets the King?
Ten Marks of the Beast Revealed
Price: $8.99 USD. Words: 13,360. Language: English. Published: May 1, 2021 . Categories: Nonfiction » Religion & Spirituality » Biblical Studies / Prophecy
The Beast of Revelation has remained a mystery for 2,000 years. Now we can look inot the past to see the future. And be guarded in our souls for the forthcoming judgement.
Five Golden Rings And A Diamond
Price: $5.99 USD. Words: 88,370. Language: English. Published: February 12, 2017 . Categories: Fiction » Women's fiction » Chick lit
Teen mother Niamh Farrell's husband disappears; feared drowned, the young mother is forced to abscond from her clan in the West of Ireland. Niamh's (Neve's) journey to find true love takes her on a soul-searching mission that navigates the globe. Confidence blossoms until a heart-shattering day when a man turns up at her door in Maryborough Queensland seeking a work of art!
Runaway Princesses Rainbow Rumble
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 3,950. Language: English. Published: December 20, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Cultural & ethnic themes » Cultural interest, general, Fiction » Fantasy » Epic
Hadley and Skylar, (middle names) will give you a great read. Spoiled to their core, they want even more, just like the kids we adore. So off they go to find out what the world has to offer, so they close their castle door. Surprises await and lessons must be learned to never, ever leave your parents or guardians without telling them before. Stay at home kids. It's really good there.
Runaway công chúa
Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 15,350. Language: Vietnamese. Published: January 9, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Graphic novels & comics » Superheroes
Công chúa sinh đôi, Biscottini và Bruschetta sẽ đưa bạn vào một cuộc hành trình học tập khi họ tìm tình bạn thật sự.Họ nhận thấy nhiều hơn những gì họ mong đợi.
Five Golden Rings and a Diamond Part 2: Australia Flame 'n Fame
Series: Five Golden Rings and a Diamond, Book 2. Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 80,050. Language: English. Published: July 5, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Romance » Adult
Niamh continues her quest for love and stability as she works as a nanny in a Cane farm setting in Queensland Australia. Her troubles grow as she gets involved with the robust cane cutter, Luigi, tries to live up to Barbara the Aboriginal young woman's high standards, and finds that Father John and his brother Paddy are hiding a terrible secret. Niamh faces her new future with hope...
50 Hours
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 49,780. Language: English. Published: December 19, 2010 . Categories: Fiction » Holiday » Humorous, Fiction » Mashups
Three Aussie women find themselves accused of drug smuggling. They find solace in each other, even as their hope for justice fades. Reviewer 2020 "This story predicts something similar that did happen four years after it was written..." (H.M.S) Sadly, today this brings to mind the Bali bombings, where 102 living souls were murdered, including 88 Australians, people just needing a break. R.I.P
Runaway Princesses
Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 11,890. Language: English. Published: November 3, 2010 . Categories: Fiction » Children’s books » Concepts / General, Fiction » Children’s books » Social Issues / Runaways
(5.00 from 1 review)
This is the original long version of Runaway Princesses, based on two real little girls who loved to make the most of their lives by pretending. Two sisters, Bronwyn and Brookly were my inspiration in 2008, when the tale began its journey.
The Gum Tree Gang and the Mystery at Mount Tamborine
Series: The Gum Tree Gang and the Mystery at the Old Queenslander. Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 23,360. Language: English. Published: October 20, 2010 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
The Gum Tree Gang must find a way to save their convention centre, or suffer the loss of having a school convention (and loads of fun) ever again.
The Gum Tree Gang and the Mystery at the Old Queenslander
Series: The Gum Tree Gang and the Mystery at the Old Queenslander. Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 25,060. Language: English. Published: October 20, 2010 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
Tracey and Krystal find strange messages at the Old Queenslander and share them with their obnoxious brothers, Kevin and Matthew, who decide to try and help their school buddies. Will they end up in police custody or will they find a way out of the pickel they are in and prevent a serious crime!
Pageant Plot Pardon - Play - Esther
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 8,630. Language: English. Published: October 15, 2010 . Categories: Plays » Religious & Liturgical, Nonfiction » History » Jewish
(5.00 from 1 review)
Royalty Free 3 Act Play based on Biblical Book, Esther (Queen) Revised 6 March 2022 (EPub version) Stage directions for actors and producer. Suited to your local Amateur Drama Group or Professional Acting group. Setttings can be as elaborate or simple as you need. Backdrop ideas. 6 main characters + supporting cast members.

Marie Seltenrych's tag cloud

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Smashwords book reviews by Marie Seltenrych

  • Message to my Children vol.II Hear the Message on Feb. 07, 2011
    (no rating)
    Very inspirational and moving. God is at work here and Susan is following the leading of God's Spirit for the benefit of all those who love the Lord, or who are curious. Recommend for those who want to stir their faith and move in the Spirit of the Lord.