Carlyle, and fellow author Erika Bester (who writes under the name of Kristin Ping), were invited to collaborate on what the publishing world calls a list aiming box set of fiction books, along with a number of USA authors.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have spent the last year aiming to become the first female South African fiction author to make the USA Today Best-Sellers List,\u201d Carlyle said.<\/p>
\u201cI was thrilled that we made the list in Women\u2019s Month, it is a great celebration of us as women.\u201d<\/p>\n
It all started with a group of USA authors who sent out an invite to the two well-established SA writers who are famously known in their circle of best-selling international authors.<\/p>\n The Shadow Files box set was conceived about a year ago and the group spent hours and many resources bringing the concept to life.<\/p>\n They had a year to write, edit and market their individual books and the box set.<\/p>\n \u201cNot much sleep, exercise or great cooking was going on during the last three months as I directed just about all my focus and energy to this dream.<\/p>\n \u201cMaintaining a family and work balance on top of this massive challenge was difficult, but as I am a woman I naturally managed it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n She shares her home with husband Dirk and their two sons Ethan and Jordan.<\/p>\n Carlyle and Erika worked on this dream, not only for themselves but also to show the importance of making the impossible a reality for all female fiction writers.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is no secret that the book world is not as big a deal as it should be in our country.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is also a stigma attached to female fiction, independent authors,\u201d said Carlyle.<\/p>\n \u201cI have found that indie author\u2019s, especially female indie authors, are not taken seriously in this country.<\/p>\n \u201cI have been told by many publicists and local agents, as well as bookstores that we don\u2019t matter as fiction writers and no one will buy my books because of the genre I write in.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Carlyle turns another page in her career<\/a><\/p>\n Vanish into Evanescent with author Carlyle<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n So Carlyle (who has done book signings abroad, and has generated quite a buzz in the indie author USA network) took it upon herself to prove them all wrong.<\/p>\n The Shadow Files box set reached number 123 out of 150 on the USA Today Bestsellers List.<\/p>\n Although Carlyle is over the moon, she said the fight is not over.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is just the beginning for me, the ultimate goal is to find the kind of support, accolades and resources so readily given from other countries right here in our own country,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n You can find Carlyle on Facebook at https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/carlyleL<\/a> or on her website at www.carlylelabuschagne.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za <\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2018\/09\/36GCNGENERALCARL_70936-520x390.jpg\")