I am currently reading the Barbara Erskine, novel, 'Hiding From The Light' and can't help but notice some similarities with my story, 'The Green Man at Buddleigh'.
I would never dream of suggesting that my story is as well told as hers but some themes are common to both stories.
A woman giving up a job in the City for life in the country. A house with ghostly manifestations. A family connection in the distant past.
I'm half way through. I wonder what other coincidences I will find!
Thursday, 1 March 2012
Thursday, 17 November 2011
Ebook published
At long last, the 'Green Man at Buddleigh' is published as an ebook and available on Amazon at:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Green-Man-Buddleigh-ebook/dp/B00606306O/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1321558961&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Green-Man-Buddleigh-ebook/dp/B00606306O/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1321558961&sr=1-1
Monday, 8 August 2011
Update III
It's so frustrating. I want to get cracking with my new works, the Squad and Apsaras III but I'm detained by the need to edit and rework old material such as the Green Man. I've worked on this book for two years now and I'm still finding ways to improve it. At what point do I say, 'that's it' and commit it to publication on Kindle?
How nice it must be to submit a work to a publisher and let somone else edit it for you.
The proof book, printed by the nice Createspace people as a reward for entering their competition, was a godsend because working on the computer is not the same as reading from a real book. It looks good as well, too good for me to right corrections in.
How nice it must be to submit a work to a publisher and let somone else edit it for you.
The proof book, printed by the nice Createspace people as a reward for entering their competition, was a godsend because working on the computer is not the same as reading from a real book. It looks good as well, too good for me to right corrections in.
Friday, 17 June 2011
latest update
I have just completed another review of the novel and made over a hundred and forty corrections or amendments. The task is made so much easier by uploading the document to my kindle and making notes as I read
Monday, 16 May 2011
Author fraud
Tonights 'One Show' on the BBC, highlighted a practice by publishers to fraudulently use the name of an established name to sell books written by others.
The example used were new books whose front covers bore the name of long dead Enid Blyton. In fact the real authors were unknown and as such, unlikely to promote significant sales. As the reporter mentions, publishers are in the business of selling books and making a profit. They are not a charity. They are becoming less interested in publishing books by people other than the famous and those with celebrity status. Ghost writers often pen the works, purported to be by people in the public eye, so that opportunities for new, emerging writers are reduced. To attract the attention of the publishers, new authors have to almost shock the agencies or publishers in the same way that new films have to push back the boundaries, shock or provoke the public.
This can only result in the publishing industry becoming hostage to its own declining values. Authors will publish their own work as ebooks, as I am, so as to make Literary agencies and traditional publishers superfluous. Deciding what work is and what isn't commercial is necessarily a subjective decision-one that publishers and agencies have consistently got wrong.
There are no problems, however, with Jeffrey Archer. No sooner has his new book, the first of a series of five, been published than the famous author is paraded on all the day time television programmes. I don't begrudge Jeffrey his success; he writes jolly good stories, but I wish that other, less famous writers had the opportunity to promote their works.
The example used were new books whose front covers bore the name of long dead Enid Blyton. In fact the real authors were unknown and as such, unlikely to promote significant sales. As the reporter mentions, publishers are in the business of selling books and making a profit. They are not a charity. They are becoming less interested in publishing books by people other than the famous and those with celebrity status. Ghost writers often pen the works, purported to be by people in the public eye, so that opportunities for new, emerging writers are reduced. To attract the attention of the publishers, new authors have to almost shock the agencies or publishers in the same way that new films have to push back the boundaries, shock or provoke the public.
This can only result in the publishing industry becoming hostage to its own declining values. Authors will publish their own work as ebooks, as I am, so as to make Literary agencies and traditional publishers superfluous. Deciding what work is and what isn't commercial is necessarily a subjective decision-one that publishers and agencies have consistently got wrong.
There are no problems, however, with Jeffrey Archer. No sooner has his new book, the first of a series of five, been published than the famous author is paraded on all the day time television programmes. I don't begrudge Jeffrey his success; he writes jolly good stories, but I wish that other, less famous writers had the opportunity to promote their works.
Monday, 17 January 2011
Publishing disappointment
The recent submission to a publisher ended in disappointment when they asked for over £2200 contribution to publishing costs, despite saying that both the 'Lamb' and the 'Green Man' were of merit and likely to be enjoyed by the public. Although I've brushed aside the disappointment I can sense that my confidence is slightly dented and I need a little while before I begin again. I need to take a few weeks away from creative writing to regenerate what I know is inside, since despite the feeling that it's really too much effort to achieve recognition, I'm too old anyway and other negative thoughts, I do believe that my stories are worth telling, the characters are interesting and the plots satisfying.
In the meantime I have sent a submission to two new agencies. At 6€ a time for postage, not to mention paper and printer ink, just sending 3 chapters becomes a costly business.
In the meantime I have sent a submission to two new agencies. At 6€ a time for postage, not to mention paper and printer ink, just sending 3 chapters becomes a costly business.
Wednesday, 29 September 2010
Editing
Following the good news that a publisher has asked to see the full manuscript of both the 'Green man' and the 'Lamb', the ink on the printer ran out. I ordered new cartridges but decided to try and commission the laser printer that had been lying in the garage in need of new and expensive toner cartridges.
Living in Spain has many advantages but living in the south east corner away from the commercial rest of Spain can be frustrating. I am still waiting, two weeks later, for the Epson printer cartridges but have received the new toners for the HP laser printer from England. As I hoped, when it was finally set up, the laser turned out to be ideal for printing out whole novels. Not cheap mind; two toner cartridges cost £100+ and the machine needs 4.
I printed out the novels and sent them to England, immediately. The postage for the two was 37€. I have decided to keep all my printing and postage invoices in case I should ever receive remuneration and can claim some expenses against any future tax bill.
Call it what you will; sods law or whatever but the day after I sent off the manuscripts, a professional editor who'd reviewed the work gave me some jolly good advice that I decided I would like to implement. What to do? Inform the publishers? Leave it, knowing that if they asked for improvements I knew how to approach it? Email the publishers saying that I was to send along amended copies? In the end I've done nothing but started a new folder with all the updated work. I must say I like it but I may not be finished. Something the editor said made me think and I'm going to take a couple of days to see how I can act on their comment; an innocuous remark but perhaps more telling than she might have realised.
Living in Spain has many advantages but living in the south east corner away from the commercial rest of Spain can be frustrating. I am still waiting, two weeks later, for the Epson printer cartridges but have received the new toners for the HP laser printer from England. As I hoped, when it was finally set up, the laser turned out to be ideal for printing out whole novels. Not cheap mind; two toner cartridges cost £100+ and the machine needs 4.
I printed out the novels and sent them to England, immediately. The postage for the two was 37€. I have decided to keep all my printing and postage invoices in case I should ever receive remuneration and can claim some expenses against any future tax bill.
Call it what you will; sods law or whatever but the day after I sent off the manuscripts, a professional editor who'd reviewed the work gave me some jolly good advice that I decided I would like to implement. What to do? Inform the publishers? Leave it, knowing that if they asked for improvements I knew how to approach it? Email the publishers saying that I was to send along amended copies? In the end I've done nothing but started a new folder with all the updated work. I must say I like it but I may not be finished. Something the editor said made me think and I'm going to take a couple of days to see how I can act on their comment; an innocuous remark but perhaps more telling than she might have realised.
Thursday, 9 September 2010
A breakthrough? Who knows?
I have had a positive response to my latest promotion. Hoorah!!
I have two novels to promote as part of my Saigh Valley Series and I have submitted extracts of both to publishers and agents, along with my pitch. I'm delighted to say that my submission has persuaded one recipient to ask to see the two manuscripts in full. It's what I wanted, because I've always felt confident that there was an entertaining story in there; for an independent someone to read them in full and make a judgement. The real test of whether or not they are to commercial standard. Let's face it, if my stories can make them money, they'll be interested; if not, then I'll know the truth, if their judgement can be trusted.
Last week, I tried to read what would be called a 'Chick Lit' novel and had to give up after the first chapter. I can't comment on its quality only that I couldn't read it. Apparently, most novel readers these days are women and therefore most new works pander to this market which makes it yet more difficult for men to find something to entertain them. I hoped to step into the breach with stories that would appeal to both sexes. Stories with a good plots, interesting characters and a satisfying ending. No science fiction, no mysogynistic psychopaths and definitely no bloody elves or fairies. Just a jolly good story, tinged with humour, coloured with a tragedy and told with feeling untrammeled with excessive verbiage.
So I must make a hard copy of each of the stories, which with both together amounting to 800 printed A4 sheets will cost, both in paper and printer ink, a prety penny. The postage from Spain will be in the order of 30 to 50 Euros depending on the mood of the postmaster. It's not cheap to make a full submission but I have a feeling that it's going to be worth while. The feeling that the daily writing, the struggling to bring the plots into line, turning mere words into something that gives pleasure is the best feeling that an author can have.
I have two novels to promote as part of my Saigh Valley Series and I have submitted extracts of both to publishers and agents, along with my pitch. I'm delighted to say that my submission has persuaded one recipient to ask to see the two manuscripts in full. It's what I wanted, because I've always felt confident that there was an entertaining story in there; for an independent someone to read them in full and make a judgement. The real test of whether or not they are to commercial standard. Let's face it, if my stories can make them money, they'll be interested; if not, then I'll know the truth, if their judgement can be trusted.
Last week, I tried to read what would be called a 'Chick Lit' novel and had to give up after the first chapter. I can't comment on its quality only that I couldn't read it. Apparently, most novel readers these days are women and therefore most new works pander to this market which makes it yet more difficult for men to find something to entertain them. I hoped to step into the breach with stories that would appeal to both sexes. Stories with a good plots, interesting characters and a satisfying ending. No science fiction, no mysogynistic psychopaths and definitely no bloody elves or fairies. Just a jolly good story, tinged with humour, coloured with a tragedy and told with feeling untrammeled with excessive verbiage.
So I must make a hard copy of each of the stories, which with both together amounting to 800 printed A4 sheets will cost, both in paper and printer ink, a prety penny. The postage from Spain will be in the order of 30 to 50 Euros depending on the mood of the postmaster. It's not cheap to make a full submission but I have a feeling that it's going to be worth while. The feeling that the daily writing, the struggling to bring the plots into line, turning mere words into something that gives pleasure is the best feeling that an author can have.
Wednesday, 11 August 2010
Promo 1 Update
Well I've received two refusals by email and an acknowledgement of receipt from a publisher I contacted directly. One of the refusals was so quick it left no time for proper scrutiny. I shall not submit to them again.
It's always hard to receive refusals, particularly as these letters intimated that they were not sufficiently excited by the proposal.
It's impossible to know if my proposal was flawed, the synopsis, was poorly conceived for instance, or whether the standard of writing in the submitted chapters 'didn't light their fires'.
I constantly receive emails from people who want to give me advice on submissions in exchange for a fee. It seems the way the industry is going. Once upon a time there were publishers. Then along came Agencies who filtered the submitted work sent to the publishers. Now we have the firms that review and amend all work submitted to the agencies, all the time adding to the list of people taking a cut of any royalties.
The rewards can be good and many people are writing in the hope of attracting a publisher but its hard to get a foot in the door when celebrities seem to be the first priority. I heard yesterday that Carol Vorderman, her of 'Countdown' fame, is publishing a book tomorrow. It's surely easy for a publisher to promote her book because she's an established name, compared with an unknown. I can't blame Carol, who I've briefly met on the 'Countdown' set, but it sure makes it difficult for unknowns, some of whom are undoubtedly talented, to break into the industry.
It's always hard to receive refusals, particularly as these letters intimated that they were not sufficiently excited by the proposal.
It's impossible to know if my proposal was flawed, the synopsis, was poorly conceived for instance, or whether the standard of writing in the submitted chapters 'didn't light their fires'.
I constantly receive emails from people who want to give me advice on submissions in exchange for a fee. It seems the way the industry is going. Once upon a time there were publishers. Then along came Agencies who filtered the submitted work sent to the publishers. Now we have the firms that review and amend all work submitted to the agencies, all the time adding to the list of people taking a cut of any royalties.
The rewards can be good and many people are writing in the hope of attracting a publisher but its hard to get a foot in the door when celebrities seem to be the first priority. I heard yesterday that Carol Vorderman, her of 'Countdown' fame, is publishing a book tomorrow. It's surely easy for a publisher to promote her book because she's an established name, compared with an unknown. I can't blame Carol, who I've briefly met on the 'Countdown' set, but it sure makes it difficult for unknowns, some of whom are undoubtedly talented, to break into the industry.
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
Why branding?
With the rewriting of my two 'Saigh Valley' novels completed, I must now consider how to 'sell' them to the agencies.
Normally, I imagine that an author submits a single folio, or part of it, for review, but I'm minded on this occasion to submit a concept based on my two novels with the promise of more to come.
In other words, I want to try and persuade an agency that my books will sell better as a series rather than as a stand alone story. This idea is founded in what I consider to be the way the public decides what to read and what to buy. Recent history has shown the popularity of series with the JK Rowling series of books about Harry Potter. Other characters that have attracted a following are Biggles, Billy Bunter, from my younger days, to Tolkien and the Angelique books of Anne and Serge Golon.
It is not only Characters who draw reader loyalty; authors too have a following. These days readers avidly pick up the latest James Patterson story, knowing that it is unlikely to have been penned by the famous author. This idea is mirrored in the art world where the value of a painting can rise if it can be ascribed to a particular and notable 'school' of artists.
This association of the buying public with a product or its manufacturer is the essence of 'branding' and it is this that I hope to create.
How strong is my brand name?
'Tales from the Saigh Valley', I believe, conjures up an image of bucolic peacefulness. The word 'Saigh' with its similarity to the word 'shag' would provoke interest because of it being synonymous with sex.
(The word 'Saigh' is derived from Celtic and Greek roots and means 'arrow' eg. Sagittarius, the archer). It should be on the front cover of each book.
How strong is the Brand theme: English pubs and inns?
The main strength is my knowledge of the workings and life of the trade. The characters I have met and to some extent shared my life with. It can be a rich source of stories, allowing much opportunity for human interaction and the full gamut of emotional interplay.
Are my two current stories strong enough?
They are two contrasting stories, but both having intricate plots with surprises at the end. The first story, The 'Lamb', has at the centre, two different types of pub and two different lead characters who's personality matches their respective businesses. Henry, solid and dependable has the 'George' whilst Jackie secretly buys the 'Lamb' and turns it into a high class brothel.The story follows their very different paths to find happiness. A lady friend of mine has read the story and it reminded her a little of a Jackie Collins novel.
The second, the 'Green Man' is a ghost story that forms the backdrop to a story about banking greed. Since the story is based on a real life experience, I believe many readers will empathise with the story. A reader has described this story as 'quirky'.
Both stories have the benefit of a 'feel good' endings, which I find encourages most readers to read other books by the same author.
What next?
The 'Red Lion at Nippley'. A story about the Fäht-Winkler family. Murder and witchcraft lie at the heart of this story. It should be finished in 2011.
Normally, I imagine that an author submits a single folio, or part of it, for review, but I'm minded on this occasion to submit a concept based on my two novels with the promise of more to come.
In other words, I want to try and persuade an agency that my books will sell better as a series rather than as a stand alone story. This idea is founded in what I consider to be the way the public decides what to read and what to buy. Recent history has shown the popularity of series with the JK Rowling series of books about Harry Potter. Other characters that have attracted a following are Biggles, Billy Bunter, from my younger days, to Tolkien and the Angelique books of Anne and Serge Golon.
It is not only Characters who draw reader loyalty; authors too have a following. These days readers avidly pick up the latest James Patterson story, knowing that it is unlikely to have been penned by the famous author. This idea is mirrored in the art world where the value of a painting can rise if it can be ascribed to a particular and notable 'school' of artists.
This association of the buying public with a product or its manufacturer is the essence of 'branding' and it is this that I hope to create.
How strong is my brand name?
'Tales from the Saigh Valley', I believe, conjures up an image of bucolic peacefulness. The word 'Saigh' with its similarity to the word 'shag' would provoke interest because of it being synonymous with sex.
(The word 'Saigh' is derived from Celtic and Greek roots and means 'arrow' eg. Sagittarius, the archer). It should be on the front cover of each book.
How strong is the Brand theme: English pubs and inns?
The main strength is my knowledge of the workings and life of the trade. The characters I have met and to some extent shared my life with. It can be a rich source of stories, allowing much opportunity for human interaction and the full gamut of emotional interplay.
Are my two current stories strong enough?
They are two contrasting stories, but both having intricate plots with surprises at the end. The first story, The 'Lamb', has at the centre, two different types of pub and two different lead characters who's personality matches their respective businesses. Henry, solid and dependable has the 'George' whilst Jackie secretly buys the 'Lamb' and turns it into a high class brothel.The story follows their very different paths to find happiness. A lady friend of mine has read the story and it reminded her a little of a Jackie Collins novel.
The second, the 'Green Man' is a ghost story that forms the backdrop to a story about banking greed. Since the story is based on a real life experience, I believe many readers will empathise with the story. A reader has described this story as 'quirky'.
Both stories have the benefit of a 'feel good' endings, which I find encourages most readers to read other books by the same author.
What next?
The 'Red Lion at Nippley'. A story about the Fäht-Winkler family. Murder and witchcraft lie at the heart of this story. It should be finished in 2011.
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