Indie Publishing

I have to stop being a stick in the mud.

But I can't help it. I think of books and I feel all warm and fuzzy. And then I think of this alien device...the Kindle...and...

But it seems that it's growing in popularity in the US, and I heard someone in the UK also saying that it's really good a few weeks ago. They say it's just like reading a book, since you turn pages and it doesn't have a backlight like a computer. It doesn't hurt your eyes like a computer. It's so convenient for carrying lots of book with you. Think of going on holiday without the fear of a load of books preventing you from getting on the plane! Hmm. I suppose I'll take their word for it.

Still, I know there's one thing that will never be the same: the smell.

Remember good old Giles, on Buffy the Vampire Slayer? I love the quote:

"Smell is the most powerful trigger to the memory there is. A certain flower, or a whiff of smoke can bring up experiences long forgotten. Books smell musty and rich. The knowledge gained from a computer is a - it, uh, it has no texture, no context. It's-it's there and then it's gone. If it's to last, then the getting of knowledge should be, uh, tangible, it should be, um, smelly."

There's nothing like the smell of an old book.

But anyway, it seems that there's a market for Kindle ebooks, and it might be worth investigating. People are effectively self-publishing for as little as $0.99 a copy, but I suppose that adds up if they sell enough. And maybe if they sell enough and get a big enough fan base, it might be a good way of attracting a publisher's attention? I suppose that's the dream.

I have to admit that I'm a little intrigued. There's no upfront cost for the publishing to the Kindle via Amazon.com, at least, not at the moment. I doubt it's for me, in terms of as a children's writer... It sounds like an adult game, and the Kindle sounds like an adult toy. (Correct me if I'm wrong).

But I do have one adult novel, which is pretty much finished. It's crime, with a sprinkling of humour. If I did a major rework (as in rewrite the entire thing) and sort out the plot holes, it might be worth publishing as an ebook. I doubt I'd make a lot of money from it, but right now, it would be wonderful to get anything at all from writing.

So. Hmm. I'm tempted. As much as I am prejudiced against the Kindle, as much as I love the smell, the weight, the feel of a book, the tender aging of a much loved book (can't be good for a Kindle if you cry on it!), I am tempted to explore this market.

54321 could have found its niche!

Hello New Year

It's the new year and my new(ish) novel (Zack) is available to read. Well, if you're a member of Critique Circle. If you're an aspiring author, why not take a look at the site http://www.critiquecircle.com/ and drop me a crit? It's a free and easy to use site. :)

Happy New Year, everyone!

Almost the new year...

Another year is coming to an end. Somehow we have to adjust from '10 to '11 when we're barely used to writing '10 instead of '09. It seems like 2000 was no more than two minutes ago. Alas. And I feel myself getting older with every passing second and every cliche sentiment...

Anyway, on a brighter note, here are my writing resolutions!

1. Submit 'Zack' to Critique Circle. Yes, I know I meant to edit it this summer, but that didn't happen. However, I am ready to submit to my writing circle, and the first chapter will be up for review in the first week of January! It'll take around 22 weeks to get the entire thing through Critique Circle, but by that point, I'll have plenty of useful suggestions to help the editing process.

2. Edit 'Zack'. It will hopefully be through Critique Circle by June when the editing joys can be commenced. Hopefully editing won't take too long, and I should have a long summer holiday (with no more uni, yay!) in which to apply myself. A chapter a day would mean I could edit the entire thing in just over three weeks, so perhaps I could get it all polished by July...

3. Research agents in August. Hmm. I wonder if I should head for home or abroad agents? 'Zack' is imbued with British culture, which might make it hard to market abroad...

4. Start submitting 'Zack' in September, and hopefully receive lots of rejection notes in time for the new year!

5. Maybe write/research new novel...

Hehe. I suppose the dates won't quite pan out as I anticipate, but you never know. As long as I get the main things done - the submitting to Critique Circle and the editing - I'll consider it a productive year on the writing front. I'm quite worried about going back to uni and having time for CC, but the plan is to go on CC instead of watching random iPlayer programs. Procrastination will be deleted!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, everyone!

Spring...uh Winter Clean

*blows out the dust and spiders once more*

Yeah... this isn't a real blog post. But I really need to get around to writing one at some point. Maybe I will when I get back from the UL today (University Library) and have finished redrafting my dissertation. But then, there will be fireworks to attend... uh, you see how it is? Busy busy busy...

Anyway, a thrifty tip for you all:
Love a cup of tea, but worried by the expensive prices of tea bags? Try recycling them! You can usually get two cups of tea from one tea bag, especially if you're not keen on super strong tea.

That's it for now...but maybe I'll return...soon...