After a terrific Easter the Whit weekend soon came and went and it’s June already! As ever much ‘hawking’ and book touting-oh for an Agent! The perils, trials and traumas of self-publishing plus the hours and cost eat into valuable writing time. Unfortunately there is no other way when starting out in the absence also of a main stream publisher-not for the want of trying and still am. The competition out there in terms of numbers and quality is staggering unless you’re a recognised personality or celebrity. Then it seems just autograph the book, turn up for promos and keep smiling!
First of all, pleased to report steady if quieter sales of ‘Cloverdaisy’ and unsurprisingly, rekindled interest in my 60’s book ‘Winding the Clock Back’. Seems nostalgia for that seminal, iconic decade has never really waned to be honest. Long may it continue. It really was ground breaking on many fronts and loads of fun! Bill Tidy’s fantastic drawings continue to draw many compliments. Looking back I was very fortunate to get the commission with him. Bless you Bill. He must be well into his 80’s now!
On the children’s scene I must mention last month’s Author presentation and read at Nantwich library which happened to clash with a certain Royal wedding! Despite the sparse, stream like attendance it went down very well with those who did attend. However another date would have been preferable as I suggested early May. Even the town was very quiet for a Saturday so lesson learnt here…avoid high profile media clashes. That’s without mentioning the Cup Final! No book sales either which said it all!
Even expected a royalty cheque too but ‘Cloverdaisy’s’ self-publishing ‘group’ tell me they don’t pay any out under £30 in any one quarter which is poor. Makes me wonder. The whole process was expensive and very money orientated so my personal advice to anyone starting out is shop around; do as much of the ground/donkey work as you can yourself with-or to quote an extract from ‘Wike’ …the design of the cover and the interior, price, distribution, marketing, and public relations. The authors can do all of these activities by themselves or they may outsource these tasks which I recommend for printing. Self-publishing is not limited to physical books, but includes pamphlets and brochures, as well as digital media such as e-books and websites. P.R is relentless when you’re flogging your own ‘stuff’ and exhausting but there are no short-cuts.
That said if there are any potential backers or sponsors out there, please give me a ring!
They say ‘every cloud has a silver lining’-though there were none above with the sunshine-and so to the South Lakes for the whole of Whitsun week in and around Grange-over-Sands and good ‘old’ Cartmel. Brilliant atmosphere and weather made it quite remarkable; better than being abroad! Cloverdaisy was well received at Cartmel races where thousands of families had car boot and gazebo picnicked on 3 sweltering days-fabulous. Quite a number of personal copies sold which was encouraging plus copies at the Hazelmere cake & tea rooms and Fletchers organic fruit and veg shop in Grange. Both worth a visit.
At last… The Magical Soap is due out ‘officially’ on the 15th. June which also happens to be my birthday-yes another one I’m afraid! Aimed at 3-5 year olds it’s a magical, rhyming picture book (think on the Gruffalo theme) which is amusing and has an underlying message …what happens to kids if they don’t wash! Unfortunately it won’t be available on line or through Amazon or main stream book shops for a few weeks but from me personally-as per the usual ‘channels’! Priced @ £6.99 it is very good value for money. Jim Crawley’s drawings are superb! I will be doing a read and open presentation for it at next month’s ever popular Moulton Crow Fair*-huge day for the Village-so look out for my pitch! I will also have on sale my other 2 books and a preview for ‘The Conker Tree Kids’ series destined for the autumn. The Crow Fair -*14th. July-is not to be missed for the whole County and is at the usual venue off Main Road. Loads of other attractions on too!
See Events page for earlier activities or local press. Quite a number of summer presentation dates for June and the rest of July are all a bit in the air at the moment due to holidays and venue availability. Though I generally only update my web site bi-monthly a further bulletin may follow before July so watch this space!
Whatever else you may be doing or going… Enjoy the summer!
Best wishes,
David.