Monthly Archives November 2010

Getting a book into Waterstones

November 25, 2010 Uncategorized

This seems to be the holy grail for UK writers. As a small press author who seems to have managed it in a few stores, speaking to my publisher I found out it isn't as easy as you think.Some articles make it sound like walking into any random store with your book and waving it at the manager stand you in good stead of shelf space. This is misleading. Although Waterstones managers do have some discretion over what goes on the shelves, they do also have a central list that they pick from. The three basic things you need to get into a book store seem to be:1) ISBN: you have to have one.2) (in the UK) be listed on Nielsen3) A recognised distributor who manages sale or return.4) Access to the Waterstones independant books listingThese will let you get listed on the Waterstones computer system,

Read More

A Nano update

November 18, 2010 Uncategorized

At the weekend my final copy of the manuscript went off to the publisher. They let me know it had gone to print earlier this week, so everything is progressing nicely.Now I should be working on selling my book, but it's a little difficult with one remaining ARC and no printed books yet. So, for the next two weeks, my attention will be on something else I have been neglecting: NaNoWriMo.I've got the first few thousand words written up, but not put in yet, and since we are halfway through the month I have some catching up to do!

Read More

Reviews!

November 12, 2010 Uncategorized

This was going to be a post about the difficulties of promotion when you're an author with a small press, since the channels for established publishers assume you are self-publishing and the ones for self-publishers assume you are with a company and have unfair advantages. I'll put this post up another time, however, since I actually have a few updates on the book.The book trailer has been accepted for YouGottaRead's trailer contest for January, so I'll probably be Tweeting a lot about that when it occurs.My publisher let me know that the Nielsen feed has updated with cover and distribution details, so the book is available to be ordered Sale or Return from just about every bookshop in the country.Clover Hill Book Reviews took an ARC earlier this year and kindly got back to me with two

Read More

Cover Image!

November 8, 2010 Uncategorized

Last week I was told the publisher had received a copy of the final artwork from Barry Weekley. This week I got my final cover layout. The "furniture" like author name and publisher logo are still being adjusted, but this is apparently pretty much what the front is going to look like. The back? Well as I hoped it's a wrap-around cover and the image continues on the back. What is on the back won't be a surprise to anyone who followed my story on Twitter, or anyone who's seen the lens.I have to say, I rather like it. It certainly stands out.

Pre-order Fire Season from Amazon.co.uk

Read More

Twitter Story – Week 12

November 7, 2010 Twitter Story, weekly round up

"I don’t think he planned that far. You missed him trying to get Rose’s help, through an odd mix of begging and barking." Jake’s tone was light, and Jim grinned. The crop sprayer pilot had never been good at asking for help, even when he needed it.

"You know she’s not qualified to work on it, right?" he asked and Jake nodded.

"That’s what she said. Think you might know anyone who could give him a hand?" Jake’s suggestion was deliberately casual and Jim sucked his breath through his teeth in mock thought.

"A few. Say ten or so." He knew her old crew would be more than happy to have a quick look up here and see what had happened to their old lady. Looking down at Matt, now shifting the stepladder along the wing to a new spot, Jim smiled. She might not be his, but his

Read More

Twitter Story

November 6, 2010 Uncategorized

As the story nears its end, the final round up will be tomorrow. Happy Bonfire Night, and stay safe!

Read More

A Goodreads giveaway

November 2, 2010 Uncategorized

The Goodreads Giveaway complete yesterday and I sent the books off this morning.I'll admit I have doubts about sending out proof copies. After all these aren't the finished copies so complaints about justification, or the cover art, would be somewhat unfair. However this appears to be standard practice in publishing, so I'll follow my publisher's lead and keep my fingers crossed for good reviews.On more hopeful news the lens about my book, http://www.squidoo.com/FireSeason, will be one of the featured lenses for their Books cateory until the second of December. That should build some interest. An advertising campaign targeted to specialist interesed parties, will also kick off later this month.In some ways I feel as if this is getting away from me a bit. When I started I was expecting a

Read More