From the Type Face #1
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Hello
I hope 2020 is bringing you good health, terrific books to read and brilliant writing opportunities. I’ve chosen to focus my time and energy on the areas where I already have a toe-hold, humorous writing and book blogging, so I don’t enter writing competitions. However, I know many of my contacts like to take part in short story, flash fiction and novel events, and some of them have won prestigious prizes. Here’s a link to a great free source of competition opportunities.
My chief goal for 2020 is to self-publish my debut crime novel on Amazon. I know it will be difficult, but I like a challenge, especially when it involves learning new skills. I’ve depended on computers for most of my working life, but I didn’t grow up with them and received little formal training. I’m ignorant of many basic IT rules, and because I don’t speak the language of computers, I can’t solve problems fast. However, I usually find a long and winding road to where I want to be. With technology, I’m like one of those drivers who hates turning right across traffic and therefore works out routes based on left turns only. I get there in the end, but sometimes it’s a slow journey.
At the moment, I’m preparing my crime novel for a professional edit. I’ve decided to invest in the best editing job I can afford, but not because I worry about spelling and punctuation. Those are areas where I’m confident. I want a professional eye on my work because, with the best will in the world, all of us repeat ourselves, have blind spots or, as in my case, can be just plain old-fashioned. I’ve put so much love and effort into writing this book that I don’t want it to fall at the last hurdle.
Where am I finding advice and support on self-publishing? For one thing, I’m starting to engage with Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. I’ve sent a couple of queries to their help desk, and found them very supportive. However, I’m still relying on how-to books. The one I like best is Let's Get Digital by David Gaughran. I like Gaughran’s writing style, so my copy is bristling with post-it notes. However, many books on this topic by other authors are available.
I have also attended a day course on self-publishing run by Jericho Writers. It wasn’t cheap, but the presentation was excellent and I took away lots of useful information. I notice they’re running that course again soon. Similar courses by other providers are available.
Recently, I was fortunate enough to be included on the list of book bloggers working with Anne Cater, a top book reviewer, blog tour organiser and CWA Dagger judge. As part of blog tours I’ve reviewed ‘You Beneath Your Skin’ by Damyanti Biswas, ‘The Introvert’ and ‘The Introvert Confounds Innocence’ by Michael Paul Michaud and ‘Death Deserved’ by T. Enger and J.L. Horst. All of them are posted in the review section of this website.
In March, I’m looking forward to the Killer Women Festival. ‘Now in its fourth year, London’s only author-led, boutique crime festival opens its doors to women and men with a packed programme.’ You can check it out here.
What did I enjoy most in January 2020? The books I’ve read and reviewed for blog tours have been original and entertaining. Trying to figure out how to navigate the all-important Popularity List on Amazon has been interesting, if frustrating. And I’m enjoying working on the final stages of my crime novel. In fact, I’m having to resist the temptation to continually re-write as I go along. When your deadline is self-imposed, it’s too easy to let it slide.
On a personal note, I’ve joined a knitting circle. We meet in a local pub and knit, among other things, blanket squares for good causes. I was taught to knit and sew as a child, but I’d almost forgotten how. Last week, I dug out the pieces of a cushion cover I knitted ten years ago, and sewed them together. My new wool cushion looks amazing, so long as you position it with the side that has fewer dropped stitches facing upwards. I’m sure there’s a metaphor for creative writing somewhere in this, but I’ll leave you to work out what it is.
Take care
Loarn