Deep State (Acer Sansom #4) is next out of the traps for me.
They say that a week is a long time in politics. It feels like a long time in self-publishing, too. A week ago today Unhappy Families (Romney and Marsh File #6) went ‘live’. So far so very encouraging. Once again, sincere thanks to all who have supported my writing with downloads, recommendations and reviews. I sincerely appreciate all the help I get.
But I’m not in a position to rest on my laurels. There is work to do. As I said in my last blog-post Acer Sansom #4 Deep State is away at the menders and so I’ve been free to crack on with other projects. I thought that I’d probably be getting back to Booker & Cash #3. I didn’t.
A review on Unhappy Families gave me an idea for something to include in Romney and Marsh #7 A White-Knuckle Christmas. It was a thread from book #5 that was touched on in #6 and I realised I hadn’t mentioned it in the first draft of book #7. So I spent most of the week dealing with that omission. I’m glad to have done it. It’s serendipitously provided a platform for something else (as well as another few thousand words).
After that I still didn’t return to Booker and Cash #3. But I did return to them.
Many moons ago I wrote a script for a Romney and Marsh stage play. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Then I rewrote it as a short story of fifteen thousand words (that’s about fifty pages). I had no idea what to do with it. And then fairly recently I had this notion that I could write a short story in each of my three series (Acer, R&M and B&C) and bundle them into one book. I could then make this book a give-away and charge for Rope Enough (R&M File #1). That way readers could sample each of my series with one download. If they liked what they read in any of the sample short stories they might then go on to download a full-length story in the series. Sound like a plan?
Anyway, I wrote the Acer story last week (just ten thousand words – about thirty pages) and now I’m working on the B&C one.
I’m enjoying a different kind of writing. I’m still undecided on what I will do with them when I’m done but I’m fairly sure that I will bundle them in one book. Another possibility is to give them away in exchange for readers’ email addresses – I notice that sort of thing is quite popular with authors these days. Building that email list is essential for independent authors. A trick I missed and still haven’t done anything about.
I’ve also been thinking quite a bit about where I’m going with my writing. The advent of a new year will do that to you, I’ve found. I’m not making resolutions but I do have some targets.
1) Release Deep State Acer#4
2) Release A White-Knuckle Christmas (Romney and Marsh File #7)
3) Finish and release Booker & Cash #3 Waifs and Strays (provisional title).
4) Finish and release the short story bundle.
5) Devote some serious time to getting my books more widely known about and doing some promotional work.
I was supposed to be having a crack at audio books in this sabbatical but that seems very unlikely now.
I’ve got four months to complete this list and then it’s all change…
It just remains for me to wish all of you who have supported my writing with downloads, reviews and social-media and word of mouth recommendations a happy, healthy and peaceful 2016. Thank you.
Oliver Tidy 
Another good blog, may I suggest( I will anyway) that point 5 more promotions, should be moved to point 1. Happy new year Oliver and that break through is not too far away.
Thanks, David. I knew you’d say that. And I’m not saying you’re wrong. Putting it at number five maybe indicates how I feel about it. 🙂
Best wishes.
Ok fair point, that leaves the option of using an agent that does the marketing for you (not me) Look at Peter May, new book out on the 14th and a UK tour visiting Waterstone in the UK and Scotland. Probably not viable for “Unhappy Families”
More thought to the virtual world of marketing. Using more bloggers, and Publications that are out there.
It’s the virtual world that I’m looking to, David. I have plans to instigate but first I want to sort out my other self-inflicted writing commitments. I need to fully focus on that aspect of things and I know I won’t be able to if I’m in limbo with writing projects.
Best wishes and thanks for your interest.
The short story bundle is an excellent idea, they are how i often find new series and authors
Thanks, Caroline. I’m quite excited by the idea. Now I just have to make sure the stories will encourage readers to try something longer.
Best wishes.
And the same to you all and many happy writing years .
Hi David
Thanks for your good wishes. I hope I have a few more books in me yet.
Best to you and yours for 2016.
Happy New Year, and what’s the all change in 4 months ?? Cliffhanger …
Happy New Year to you too! Long time no speak!
Glad someone noticed the ‘cliffhanger’ in there 🙂 But you can’t expect me to reveal all just like that, can you? Where would be the fun (for me.) Keep watching!
Best wishes.
I am behind on reading your blog so I just read this. You have an ambitious plan and I wish you well.
Why do you keep giving your books away? I admit that I did read the first one as a free book but I bought all of the others. Just curious.
The last book was released on the day of my family holiday party. After the dishes, all four or five dishwasher loads, were finished, I went upstairs and read your book. Loved it.
Hi Brenda
Thanks for your comment and your good wishes.
So far so good on the plan, although I have added significantly to this list by deciding to do some revisions of earlier books too. I might struggle to complete B&C#3.
It’s my experience in all this that someone in my position i.e. relatively unknown must be prepared to give things away from time to time to create interest and generate downloads, which in turn can see the books rise up the charts a bit. The alternative is the books have a little publication day flutter and then sink without trace in the oceans of ebooks.
It’s good to learn that the latest book provided some enjoyment for you after the chore of all that washing up.
Best wishes.