PAUSE FOR BREATH?
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 10:46 AM
In my last article I introduced you to Richard Heeney’s book, In My Own Words: Still Running. It brought the highest number of readers so far to our Writers and Storytellers Community. Nearly 500 people clicked on during the eight days since it was posted. It brought a warm-hearted response and Richard passes his thanks on. I am looking forward to his next book – I think! I do hope it is not as heart-rending.
Following its publication, and that of Will Murphy’s A Matter of Trust, another client’s book was published in August. Lily Trainor’s A Revolution in Love is perhaps the best publicised book but that is due to Lily’s driving ambition. I think we can expect news of Chris Nand’s Return to Devil’s Island blockbuster soon. The truth being stranger than fiction there is a fascinating tale behind that story; which I think will get Mediterranean Spain talking and scratching their heads but more of that another time.
At present I am editing Britt Arenander’s Lux Divina. This is a gripping novel; a journey into past lives that leaves me enthralled. Simultaneously I am working on Frederick Crowson’s Rutter’s Raj. This is the true chronicle of this Costa Blanca writer’s grandfather’s exploits from the time he enlisted in Queen Victoria’s Army to the day of his discharge. It is a fascinating insight into Army life during the British Empire from the perspective of ordinary soldiers; a world as different from ours as can be imagined.
Another I derive much enjoyment from is Pam Cook’s unfolding story of her days as a nurse. I suggested its title might be Angels of Mercy. The jury is out on that one. Pam thinks the title might place nurses on an undeserved pedestal. If so then it seems I can look forward to some tut-tut content. Good!
Keidi Keating, the Word Queen, has been on a fortnight’s camping break in Canada. Keidi picks up where I leave off if you wish her to. She is the lady who, for quite a modest fee (check what others charge), can have your book not only conventionally published but also market it on Amazon. For my clients and our community she will also put it on Kindle free of charge. All you need do is sit back and watch sales of your book whilst topping your bank account up. There is no tiresome wandering around retailers asking them to take your book sale or return.
Is Keidi’s service value for money? Let me put it this way. I have personally published several titles. As many more I have written but they were on the back-burner. They are good books with enormous potential but I had neither the time nor the inclination to do my own conventional publishing and marketing. I will be using Keidi’s service for my own needs.
Finally, a subject you will be familiar with; distractions. This memo / article (I don’t like the term ‘blog’) is overdue. I am in the Baltic nation known as Latvia at the moment; it is a working holiday with my Latvian wife, Valda. We return ‘home’ to the Costa del Sol in three weeks. Let me tell you that Latvia is one of the most beautiful countries, and people, in the world. It lives up to its sobriquets: Europe’s Canada and Little Switzerland. I will be sorry to leave but at the same time I am looking forward to being in Spain again. A chance for a coffee (and lunch) with clients and friends; which is the same thing really.