And welcome to a lovely and very sunny day in West Yorkshire.
Yes, it appears that spring has well and truly sprung (at least for now). The sky is blue, the breeze is cool, and all is right with the world.
Well, apart from on a couple of fronts.
Blotto
The first blot on the horizon is my unexpected but completely self-caused level of work.
This is all wrapped up in the imminent self-publication of my debut novel, The Heart That Died, on the 1st of May, a subject, that if my marketing goes to plan you will be well and truly fed up of hearing about by then (hopefully to the point of buying a copy just to shut me up.)
You see, the book is written. The manuscript sits on my laptop as we speak. It has been beta-read, proof-read, and is in the process of being properly formatted, having the last errant spaces (before and after paragraphs is a nightmare. The pesky things are virtually invisible.) pruned, and the last non-curly comma cropped.
But then comes the next step. Which is activating my Amazon KDP account, proving my identity, providing an IBAN and SWIFT code, signing tax agreements, terms and conditions, and then, finally, uploading the manuscript to be re-re-formatted,
Getting Meta
At that stage I’ll also be uploading the artwork and blurb I completed through Canva, both the uniquely sized e-reader version and the full wrap-around cover for paperbacks. I’ve not even thought about hardbacks as yet.
Oh, and then there’ll be the setting up of my author profile page which will inevitably mean talking about me, a wonderful subject I hate pouring forth on.
And that’s this week.
Next week, will be a matter of uploading the manuscript, more resizing and reformatting, Sorting out metadata (??), fixing a price point for launch, and finally setting the date of said launch
It’s a bit.
Busy Work
Still, however much work there is, at least I have full artistic control of the finished product (so there’ll be no-one else to blame. Dammit!). At least I won’t have to write any more tailored begging—I mean query—letters to prospective publishers only to not ever hear back from them ever again. At least I’ll get to keep the bulk of the after tax profits should any arise.
It just means a level of activity and stress I’ve become unused to as a medically retired drain on the public purse. It means lots of swearing at the laptop and any well meaning interruptions for my very supportive super spouse, Tina.
A final point which will become moot this weekend.
Because front number two is the upcoming estrangement of myself and Tina.
A Me Party
Before anyone gets too concerned this is a purely temporary measure. Much like her recent waterfall climbing adventure (see here for details.) this entails my lovely step-daughter, Sarah who is in need of help moving her away from London, where she has been living for the last 7+ years to her native Chester.
As this will involve carting half a house in the back of a van, Tina’s sister Jen has also been deputised to lend a hand. So that’s one generation of trouble heading down south to help another generation of trouble move up north.
Next week, will be a matter of uploading the manuscript, more resizing and reformatting, Sorting out metadata (??), fixing a price point for launch, and finally setting the date of said launch
It’s a bit.
Busy Work
Still, however much work there is, at least I have full artistic control of the finished product (so there’ll be no-one else to blame. Dammit!). At least I won’t have to write any more tailored begging—I mean query—letters to prospective publishers only to not ever hear back from them ever again. At least I’ll get to keep the bulk of the after tax profits should any arise.
It just means a level of activity and stress I’ve become unused to as a medically retired drain on the public purse. It means lots of swearing at the laptop and any well meaning interruptions for my very supportive super spouse, Tina.
A final point which will become moot this weekend.
Because front number two is the upcoming estrangement of myself and Tina.
A Me Party
Before anyone gets too concerned this is a purely temporary measure. Much like her recent waterfall climbing adventure (see here for details.) this entails my lovely step-daughter, Sarah who is in need of help moving her away from London, where she has been living for the last 7+ years to her native Chester.
As this will involve carting half a house in the back of a van, Tina’s sister Jen has also been deputised to lend a hand. So that’s one generation of trouble heading down south to help another generation of trouble move up north.
I, of course, am surplus to requirements and much like the last time I was abandoned to my own devices I intend to fill the weekend with booze, take-outs, football (not necessarily in that order), and a well earned rest from author-y things
It is my fondest wish that all four parties in question manage to curb their excesses enough to survive until Monday, The girls without killing each other, me without killing my liver.
Wish us luck!
Until next time!
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Hey, there! If you enjoyed reading any of the above, why not take a look at some of my published work? Below you’ll find links to a number of short stories I’m lucky enough to have included in anthologies. I’d love to know what you think.
New Tales Of Old
Death Ship
Pestilence: Drabbles 1
Reaperman: Drabbles 3
The Musketeers Vs Cthulhu
Eldritch Investigations
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