You are reading this thinking to yourself, “This bloke writes interesting stories. I get a lot of fun out of reading them. I wish he had a wider audience.”
I know how you feel.
I’m patient. I can wait as people discover this website, but I’m not going to live forever so I need to get on with it.
To that end, I published my first novella THE LONG WEEKEND and it caused a major sensation in the publishing world [not really, I made that bit up…….. I do write fiction after all].
I would like to keep the ball rolling so I have put together a collection of short stories [you know how I love to write short stories]. This collection majors on those stories that demanded a ‘part two’ and occasionally a ‘part three’.
Self publishing is expensive; especially if you do it right.
It doesn’t cost a fortune but it does cost.
I design my own covers but the stories need to be proofread and the manuscript needs to be formatted for eBook distribution. Then there is the cost of producing paperback copies. I never feel like it is a book until I can hold it in my hand and smell the print. I don’t order very many paper copies but the few that I do order cost a lot.
I have two more novels and another collection of short stories in the works and I would like to release them into the world but the out-of-pocket expenses is a killer, so it will have to be one project at a time.
I have set my goal at the minimum they will allow [$501] and if I achieve this it will pay the up front expenses. This needs to happen because the chances of selling enough copies to cover expenses is slim. Apart from you guys, no one knows that I can write, so it will take time to build a following, the same as it has here on WP.
The campaign will accept as little as a dollar [ but the price of a cup of coffee seems better]. There are the usual ‘rewards’ built in depending on the amount you pledge, from a simple thank you note through to a signed paper back delivered anywhere in the world.
If you enjoy what I do, please consider following the link and jumping on my bandwagon. If you are ‘doing it hard’ then don’t dare put in any money. Only those who can afford to give up a few dollars are allowed to contribute.
Whether you contribute to my campaign or not please know that I appreciate that you take the time to read my stories………… it means a great deal to me. Thank you.
Had I been living in the States I would gladly have lent a $ hand, but living where I am I am afraid unless we speak of hundreds the rate of exchange and bank commission will kill me. Nevertheless, you have my moral support and I thoroughly enjoy your blog posts.
You are hereby invited to the ‘People Who Have Read ‘The Long Weekend’ Club Weekly Meeting’……… it’s held in the phone box at the end of my street…. lol………. seriously…… how cool are you?
A Thin Man vibe was what I was after…. and yes it will be a series [two more books in the works].
As a special thank you to those good people who have purchased the book, I’ve set up a blog to promote the book and also to give some extras to those good souls who have supported me………. short ‘Sam and Scarlett’ stories.
thelongweekendd.wordpress.com
P.S. I know you must be as busy as everyone else but, if you get a moment please write a short review of the book……. prospective buyers read such things and it all helps.
Glad you enjoyed it, and thank you again.
Terry
“Four whole days.No phone calls, no board meetings, no writing, just me and the wife enjoying a long, quiet weekend.”
Thank goodness for us Sam and his lovely wife Scarlett are unable to have the weekend they had hoped for.Murder, mayhem and betrayal make for a much more enjoyable weekend!Scarlett was part of the establishment, the nobility.Sam was not.And yet he fit into the world she inhabited with ease.It probably has a lot to do with his questionable background.Join the two as they ferret out the motives as the well as the person or persons responsible.
You won’t be disappointed.You will be entertained.
You made me think I should try this, but I don’t know if it would work. I’m toying with self-publication for my third book, ( the second is due out soon via a publisher ) but the cost seems quite daunting. Even the editing seems to be over $1,000 so I don’t know if its possible
I think that with your skill, editing is the least of your worries.
I understand the comfort of a publisher, and if someone had shown faith in ‘The Long Weekend’, that is the way I probably would have gone but I have learned a lot over the last year or two and self publishing is the way to go.
In ten years time you will find that most authors will have gone that way.
A friend of mine, Sandi Wallace, just got her first book published [Tell Me Why] [rural crime series] through an independent publisher. They outsource most of the work involved in publishing a book including cover design. They keep most of the profit from sales and only pay royalties when costs have been covered. Their strength is obviously marketing……. as you have probably found out…….. but that also goes on to ‘costs’ so you are effectively paying for in, but not up front.
What I’m doing here is an experiment. I would like to think that it has a chance and if it succeeds I’ll do it again only next time it will be for the next in the Sam and Scarlett series. My readers, friends and relatives are just as broke as I am, so I’m not holding my breath.
Obviously, I would prefer to fund the next project from sales of the previous one but that is a bit optimistic for me at this stage.
You have a much larger following than I do and you have the runs on the board with your first novel so if I were you I would consider it once your contract runs out. On the other hand, if your publisher treats you well then why bother?
I had this conversation with Michael Robotham a little while ago and he said he could see the advantages, particularly financial, but he has a personal relationship with his publisher……….. I get that, and he is doing very well from the sales of his books, so why rock the boat?
araneus1 
I hope that you meet your goal. Really enjoy your work.
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Thanks kid……………. fingers crossed………. we either make it or it’s back to eating baked beans with a can opener!
Terry
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Had I been living in the States I would gladly have lent a $ hand, but living where I am I am afraid unless we speak of hundreds the rate of exchange and bank commission will kill me. Nevertheless, you have my moral support and I thoroughly enjoy your blog posts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for those words of support………. very much appreciated.
Terry
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I just read ‘Long Weekend’ and enjoyed it. It could be a series. Very reminiscent of Nick and Nora Charles of the ‘Thin Man’ series.
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You are hereby invited to the ‘People Who Have Read ‘The Long Weekend’ Club Weekly Meeting’……… it’s held in the phone box at the end of my street…. lol………. seriously…… how cool are you?
A Thin Man vibe was what I was after…. and yes it will be a series [two more books in the works].
As a special thank you to those good people who have purchased the book, I’ve set up a blog to promote the book and also to give some extras to those good souls who have supported me………. short ‘Sam and Scarlett’ stories.
thelongweekendd.wordpress.com
P.S. I know you must be as busy as everyone else but, if you get a moment please write a short review of the book……. prospective buyers read such things and it all helps.
Glad you enjoyed it, and thank you again.
Terry
LikeLike
“Four whole days.No phone calls, no board meetings, no writing, just me and the wife enjoying a long, quiet weekend.”
Thank goodness for us Sam and his lovely wife Scarlett are unable to have the weekend they had hoped for.Murder, mayhem and betrayal make for a much more enjoyable weekend!Scarlett was part of the establishment, the nobility.Sam was not.And yet he fit into the world she inhabited with ease.It probably has a lot to do with his questionable background.Join the two as they ferret out the motives as the well as the person or persons responsible.
You won’t be disappointed.You will be entertained.
Pamela Read (Quiall)
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That is so cool Pam, thank you………….. may I use that?
Terry
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Of course, it was written for you.
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You made me think I should try this, but I don’t know if it would work. I’m toying with self-publication for my third book, ( the second is due out soon via a publisher ) but the cost seems quite daunting. Even the editing seems to be over $1,000 so I don’t know if its possible
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think that with your skill, editing is the least of your worries.
I understand the comfort of a publisher, and if someone had shown faith in ‘The Long Weekend’, that is the way I probably would have gone but I have learned a lot over the last year or two and self publishing is the way to go.
In ten years time you will find that most authors will have gone that way.
A friend of mine, Sandi Wallace, just got her first book published [Tell Me Why] [rural crime series] through an independent publisher. They outsource most of the work involved in publishing a book including cover design. They keep most of the profit from sales and only pay royalties when costs have been covered. Their strength is obviously marketing……. as you have probably found out…….. but that also goes on to ‘costs’ so you are effectively paying for in, but not up front.
What I’m doing here is an experiment. I would like to think that it has a chance and if it succeeds I’ll do it again only next time it will be for the next in the Sam and Scarlett series. My readers, friends and relatives are just as broke as I am, so I’m not holding my breath.
Obviously, I would prefer to fund the next project from sales of the previous one but that is a bit optimistic for me at this stage.
You have a much larger following than I do and you have the runs on the board with your first novel so if I were you I would consider it once your contract runs out. On the other hand, if your publisher treats you well then why bother?
I had this conversation with Michael Robotham a little while ago and he said he could see the advantages, particularly financial, but he has a personal relationship with his publisher……….. I get that, and he is doing very well from the sales of his books, so why rock the boat?
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