Category Uncategorized

Author headshots

June 10, 2011 Uncategorized

One of the issues linked to pen names is the author headshot. If you are using a penname, how do you deal with the demand for a photograph? If you're using a penname for privacy reasons this is almost impossible. The increase in social media is making it more difficult. In the old days Charlotte Bronte signed her name Currer Bell and that was enough. Now you have to worry about photos, videos, interviews and more and that's all before you start to sell books. This has lead to some authors having to go to extremes. There is an anecdotal tale of a female thriller writer who hired a male actor to manage signings and stand in for photo shoots, or the male romance author who added his photo only after the first books had sold.Now, I am honestly not sure why this is. If I am buying a book I am

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Updates and progress

June 6, 2011 Uncategorized

My main project right now is the sequel to The Docks. The manuscript is over 10,000 words, the outline is complete and the cover's being designed. The problem is that the more time I spend writing, the less I have for promotion, and my sales figures for the month so far reflect this. To try to correct this over the next few months there are a couple more interviews scheduled, and blog features booked, as well as some upcoming reviews for Fire Season.I should be sending The Docks off to reviewers in the next few weeks, as bloggers let me know they have gaps in their schedule. Meanwhile, I'll be back to writing the sequel.

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DailyCheapReads spotlight on Fire Season

May 20, 2011 Uncategorized

Fire Season has been highlighted as a Supercheap read (99p until the end of May) as part of the British author month. Read the article here: DailyCheapReads.co.ukYou may be wondering why I post every time Fire Season gets a mention somewhere. For me at least, it's the equivalent of the proud parent waving graduation photos. One day I am sure I will be so jaded that I stop mentioning every reference my books get. For now, however, I fully intend to celebrate them! Especially considering how lucky it is to get this type of feature for a debut novel, on a blog as popular as DailyCheapReads. For US readers, it should be on the US Daily Cheap Reads site later today. Now, if you will excuse me, I am off to celebrate, tweet, forum-post and generally shout this from the rooftops.

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Another Fire Season review

May 16, 2011 Uncategorized

A quick review from A Robbins Book Review blog. It's short but sweet:"It takes a while for the drama to start but once you get to it the story is a wonderful amazing read. This is a recommended read by me and I will be on the lookout for more."Read ReviewNot much else to update, although "The Docks" will hopefully be coming to Kindle soon. It's already available on Smashwords, under "Reader sets price" option so you can download it free if you like. Once this goes into the premium catalogue I'll need to set a fixed price (probably a huge $0.99) , but for now, enjoy the discount option.Read "The Docks" on Smashwords

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A new short story, and thoughts on releasing works

May 11, 2011 Uncategorized

If you've been following me on Twitter, you've probably noticed I've been working on a new short story.It is complete, although the final draft is closer to a novella at just under 20,000 words. The edited version I got back has a few changes, but not many which is a good sign. The real problem is deciding on a title. My working titles are not good, but luckily publishers tend to change the name before release.Now there's the question of how to release it. The short story I had planned could have been sold to a magazine, but there's less demand for 20,000 words. (For other short story writers, Duotrope is a useful resource about open markets).I could release it as a e-book myself. I've had some interesting experiences with e-books: My books on Smashwords (both Arrival and other titles as

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General updates

May 6, 2011 Uncategorized

"Thanks to the expertly voiced narration, the author's story-telling gifts are strongly in evidence, particularly in his masterly evocation of time, place and events that will haunt readers long after the book has been put to rest." Bookpleasures (Read Review).Fire Season has picked up another review on Amazon.com from Norman Goldman, editor of Bookpleasures and an Amazon Vine reviewer.The short story I am working on is now nearly complete, although it appears to have changed genre halfway through. The beta-readers says it's a great crime drama. As that isn't a genre I read or am familiar with, I have no idea what conventions I am trampling all over. I just hope it's an entertaining story.The Kindle version of Fire Season will be 99p until the end of May. Similar discounts are available

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Fire Season on Kindle – 99p

April 25, 2011 Uncategorized

For Easter, and to celebrate the launch of the Kindle Edition, Fire Season on Kindle is now 99p, down from £2.97. For readers overseas it is also available from Amazon.com and Amazon.de at a similar discount.Following the interest in the book after the Sample Sunday extract, I'm using this post to answer a few questions.For people looking for the discount rates the book is available from:Amazon.co.ukAmazon.comAmazon.deAnd as far as I am aware, the offer will be on until end of May.If you want a sample of the book, the Sample Sunday post is an extract. Alternative the free e-book Arrival can give you a longer sample of my writing style.Here's the publisher's press release:--Press release --For Easter, Fire Season by VH Folland is now 99p on Kindle. (For US and German readers, it has been

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An Author Interview

April 20, 2011 Uncategorized

My first author interview is up, conducted by the new Indie e-books blog. I'd like to say thanks to them for the opportunity, and I wish them all the best with their new blog (which has certainly introduced me to a few e-books I hadn't known were out there!)Indie e-books Blog - VH Folland Interview

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Back from launch, and very tired

April 17, 2011 Uncategorized

I'm back from the book launch and very tired. I'll post a better update once I clear my head. We ran out of the Arrival pamphlet and Fire Season cards. A number of copies went, but none signed, which I am told is unusual. Unfortunately I did back away from the chance of a video interview, which would have been good publicity, but by that point my voice had gone and I felt like a zombie so how it turned out would have been random chance.It was also a chance to talk to the Vulcan to the Sky team members present, about restoring the Vulcan and this year's display schedule. Mentioning XH558, the charity offer from the publisher is still on. Buy the book from either of the links below and the profit goes to Vulcan to the Sky.

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Japanese Earthquake

April 7, 2011 Uncategorized

This is a complete break from the normal focus of the blog. This morning, on Twitter, this comment made my day:"from DirectRelief: @VHFolland @CloviasLawn - thanks for all your help raising awareness and funds for the need in Japan."Then just now the BBC reported another earthquake, 7.1 on the Richter scale.This request won't be particularly well written, but sometimes even writers run out of words.

Please help if you can. The Pennies For Japan campaign is ongoing, selling a collector's set of elongated pennies, or individual ones as necklaces. There is also the Write for Japan anthology, a set of short stories available as an e-book or print book. Both of these raise funds directly for the Red Cross.If you can't donate, please visit one of the lenses below and click on a link or an

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