Writers Unleashed: Meet the Authors

Saturday 3rd of September; Writers Unleashed, Sutherland Writers Festival, hosted by the Fellowship of Australian Writers (Sutherland Branch) is a gathering of writers and readers. Today was the first time in three years to be face to face and it was great to see so many people. I had the privilege of listening to Gary Lonesborough talk about his first book; listened to Deborah Abela give tips on writing any story. Heard from Deb, James Bradley and Victoria Brookman as they spoke about their books based around Global Crisis. I was part of the group as we listened to Nardi Simpson in conversation with Dinuka McKenzie.

I got to talk to and get autographs from ten of the attending authors and was encouraged to continue my journey. I watched as high schoolers were awarded for their creative writing skills during the SPARK Competition.

I hope that maybe in the next few years, I can sell my book there and even one year, be involved. It is a big dream but one can do that. For now, I will cherish the time at Gymea Tradies.

Delay on Apple Books - Now on Lulu

Today is the last day of August, and it seems that the glitch in the iTunes server is delaying my release of Immortal and the Hex for Apple Books. I was hoping to have it out last week, but after seven days of no communication with tech support and numerous attempts to publish it. The second book of the series will have to come out next month. Well, that’s the way things are; the Reedsy launch was delayed 60 days. I decided to hold off on the third book until October. At least the ebook version until October.

On the other hand, I have released the book on Lulu. I made Lulu 18+ to limit the number of people buying the book on there. However, the book is for anyone that is a young adult or advanced reader age. The content is ideal for those 15/16+, but those as young as 13 can enjoy the story.

On Saturday, I plan on getting more advice on how to get my book out there, known by a wider audience. For now, I am relying on those that have the book and know about the book to spread the word. Take a picture of them with it, and make a comment on social media. I rely on those that read my blogs and my social media to help spread the word. I don’t care if they buy the book in 12 months’ time or five years.

I will keep you updated; as soon as the book is on iTunes Apple Books, there will be a post and a blog.

Asking the Shops

These past two weeks, I have been trying to get my book into different venues to be sold; been my own publisher, distributor and marketing team. This means I am speaking for myself on behalf of my book. Yesterday, I went to Dymocks, in Wollongong Central, to talk to them about getting the book in their shop. It sounded promising but still complicated. Being my own distributor, I had to talk to them directly.

I have to email them to see what else is needed to get the books into their franchise. If I need to print dozens of copies to have them sell, then I hope I get my money back plus some.

Earlier I gave the book shop in Thirroul; Collins Booksellers, a copy of my book so they can decide if they are selling it. I haven’t heard back from them yet, but I am hoping I hear before October ends. There are plans to get my book known to my local area and the world, but it takes time. Small steps and persistent asking.

The only way I can get more people to know about my book is if those who have heard about it, show interest. Click the link below, upvote my book or start following it. Let people know about the book.

Virtual Launch

Three months ago, I tried to time the virtual launch of my book with my physical launch, but things went wrong. I submitted on Reedsy and waited for a review. I waited 30 days before resubmitting it on the site. Then I waited until my launch, and unfortunately, no review, so I was given an extra 28 days. So almost a month after my physical book launch; I have my Virtual Launch.
But this is where I need your help, click on the picture below, go onto the site and comment and upvote the book, let other people know about it.

Launch Site

Who to Trust

When it comes to self-marketing, learning is always going to happen. You feel like you jump into a deep end when you try something new and your lifeguard tosses you the ring and orders you to “Stay Afloat” but doesn’t assist.
There are always people who prey on the new, innocent and gullible. Scams on Facebook, frauds, con artists and lying organisations. Unless you are guided through the new waters, you will get attacked by ‘sharks’ those that smell or spot an easy mark.

@menwithpen 🖊 is an example of this. They saw me as a novice and I fell for their kind words and empty promises. I tried to reason with them and explain my situation and they guilt me into making a sale. They promise they can give you X number of followers, and what they do is then use bots, ghost followers and generic wording for their post.

Now I was polite and asked for an explanation and they went silent on me, ignored my messages, they tried to make it up with a 50% discount on the next offer or adding a free post but they didn’t give a reason for their lack of service.

When I asked for at least half my money back, they ignore me and don’t respond. If they came up with a logical explanation for the lack of results, I would have been happy to accept it but they haven’t came up with anything so I have to believe they are scamming me and anyone else until they prove themselves innocent.

Their latest attempt to explain is that they changed their wording and apologise for the inconvenience. Not impressed.

(Update); it seems many people lie on the internet, (not surprised there) but it seems I have trusted the wrong people when it comes to reviews. Some gave me what they promised, others haven’t. I can’t do anything about it. However I can be mindful going forward and double check everything.

Title Treat and iTunes Trouble

Life has ups and downs, good and the bad, something will go right, and something will go wrong.

This week, I finished having the cover designed for book three. The artist did a fantastic job of keeping the book’s main plot hidden but revealed enough to give some hints. it will be revealed next month, but I am happy to reveal the Title of the book. It was a lot of back and forth and missing each other. That’s what happens when you work with someone from another country.

On the flip-side, I was hoping to have Book Two available on iTunes this week, but there has been an error and some glitches, which prevents the book been published on Apple Books. I hope before the end of the month, the book will be available. I will also put it on Lulu before August 31st.

There is always good and bad, right and wrong. I hope next week, the iTunes goes right, so something else can go wrong.

Universities, Schools and Cafes

When you are selling your own book, there are many ways to do it, and it seems that one method is bringing the books to the people. This past week, I took the book to the local cafe - same place I had the book launch - I took it to the university that I studied at while attending a training course and my old high school.

What I am trying to do is get the word out, expand the audience and those interested, get my face and the book out there. Using social media and connections, I traveled north and south of where I live to get my self out there. I sold a few copies of my book and told people about it. I spoke to a class and teachers about the book and have people interested in buying a copy. That’s all I can hope for.

Starting a new trend

The octothorpe, the 8-pointed symbol on the keyboard that you get if you click shift [3] or the pound sign, number sign, or even just plain hash. It was something that was used for weight, telling phone numbers, and in the modern day, in social media, it is used for grouping posts, pictures and media together. The “Hashtag”

Well, I am hoping to introduce my own # to the world.

#Immortallegacyseries

Since it will be a five-book series, I am hoping that by the time I get to book 4; it will be trending. I plan to use this on all my book-related posts on all my media. I hope that by the end of 2022, at least 100 posts will be grouped under this new hashtag. I hope that those that have the book will use it too.

It won’t be the only hashtag I plan on making. I hope to make a few with each coming book. So get trending, use the new hashtag if you have the book, and share a post about it. The more it grows, the more people will know about it.

Selling and Signing

This week I sold several books, each signed. That’s something I got to get used to my signature. I am not planning on changing what I do. I even don’t plan on changing how I sign, but what to write along with their name and the signature is always tricky. You don’t want to be cliche. You don’t want to sound impersonal. But you don’t want to write a whole paragraph either.

Signing a book at the launch.

When it comes to signatures, people have their initials, their first and last name, fancy loops and swirls. I kept mine pretty simple, it may change depending on the speed I write but it is clear and easy to read.

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I still have over 70 books to sell that I can sign for people from my hometown to Western Australia, even those overseas. I look forward to seeing photos of people holding the book, the book on the shelf or on the coffee table. I am looking forward to seeing bookmarks sticking out of them. I am happy when someone tells me they are reading it. I am pleased when people are enjoying the storyline. I am even eager for people to pick up on things and criticise it. The more feedback I get, the better the next book will be.

Beginning of Phase 3 - Book Three

Last week I finished editing the third book of my series, and yesterday I heard from my cover designer. The first discussion of what to have on the front lasted 30 minutes, and he was impressed with what I gave him. I can’t wait to see the first draft. The cover is going to give the storyline of the third book without spoiling the ending - of course - as well as give hints to what will happen.

With the second book already out on Amazon, I plan to put it on iTunes this month and later on Lulu. The plan to have three books out in three months changed when the third book was ready in time, and the cover designer was swamped with work. With “Age of the Immortal” not reaching everyone on Amazon yet, I will put off submitting the third book until October. However, I will most likely have a cover reveal in September. Since I haven’t released the Title of the Third Book (unless people have seen the posts on Instagram.) That won’t be revealed until the Cover Reveal.

I am going to put a link to the second book here in case anyone is interested in grabbing Book 2.