Hi everyone, and welcome to my new newsletter. Rather than just send an email when I finish a book, or when there’s a deal on, I thought I’d start a newsletter updating you on my writing process over the previous month. I’ll let you know how progress is going on my next book, what I’ve been up to in the world of self-publishing, what I’ve been reading, and anything else writing-related. I hope you enjoy it!
So, how was October?
Well, I finished my final revisions of The Florentine and sent it to an American friend to make sure there are no howlers in the dialogue of the American characters. At the same time, I’m writing The Nice Guy and the Devil, which is coming along slowly. Now The Florentine is done with I’ll be able to dedicate more attention to it. That said, I’m around 20,000 words in. I’ve been sharing snippits of both on my Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts, so if you want a sneak peak you can head to one of those.
I’ve still not received any full manuscript requests from the agents I submitted The Florentine to, and I’ve chosen to reject the “hybrid” publishing route (where you pay some of the costs) because I don’t think those companies could offer me more than I get from Amazon.
So, I’ve submitted to Unbound (crowd-funding publisher). I’m nervous about it because I think I really fluffed my last submission to them, but hopefully they don’t keep any records at all. If they reject it, then I’ll start the ball rolling on the self-publishing process (cover design is the main thing I need to arrange, obviously planning to work with Thomas Walker again).
I’ve been enjoying good Kindle Unlimited numbers on The Forbidden Zone this month because it was selected for a Bookbub Featured Deal email, so that’s been a boon. It also means more reviews, which is always a good thing for the Amazon algorithm.
Generally speaking, it’s been another month of struggling towards the one thing all writers want more than money or fame or Amazon reviews: validation. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t the main reason I want to be published in the traditional way (because I’m not naive enough to think it’ll make me rich). I think most writers only feel legitimate when their books are on sale in highstreet bookshops. My fantasy is sitting on public transport and seeing someone reading something of mine. One day, perhaps, one day.
What am I reading?
To be honest, with a four (almost five) month old daughter, I’ve not had a lot of time for reading because the light goes off in the bedroom pretty early. I barely get through Private Eye each fornight. That said, currently on my nightstand is Tripwire by Lee Child, the third Jack Reacher, as I slowly catch up with what everyone else already loves.
Watched anything good lately?
Funny you should ask, I reviewed Mare of Easttown for Frame Rated, which I thought was just bloody brilliant. You can read my glowing review by following the link below.
Mare of Easttown: Limited Series (2021) • Blu-ray & DVD [HBO] — medium.com
A detective in a small Pennsylvania town investigates a local murder while trying to keep her life from falling apart.
Continue reading on Frame Rated »
I also really enjoyed Only Murders in the Building on Disney+, and Vigil was good fun recently. Haven’t got around to the new series of Endeavour yet, but I’m looking forward to it.
That’s it really
That’s the sort of thing this newsletter is going to be about, I hope you enjoyed it, there’ll be another one next month.
