This has got to be one of the most important decisions an aspiring author can make. To self-publish or to not self-publish? Choosing to self-publish is a huge decision to make and it shouldn’t be made lightly. It’s one of those decisions you need to make in consideration or the facts and your strengths and weaknesses
Am I a writer? What if I can’t write? What if no-one will read what I publish? Seriously, if had a dollar for every time I heard this from an aspiring writer, then I would be a multi-millionaire. It’s almost like a right of passage. The first thing you learn about being a writer is to doubt yourself. It’s like you’re cancelling yourself out of the game before you even have a chance to play. These doubt-filled questions are deeply rooted in fear but not just any fear. A fear of failure. A fear that you will fall flat on your butt. Fear isn’t necessarily a bad thing, in fact, it’s a great thing, but you shouldn’t let fear make your decisions or stop you from taking action and pursuing your dreams. So, how do you believe in yourself as a writer when you’re just starting out?
In September 2015, I quit my soul-sucking nine to five to work on my coaching business full time. My dream was to coach during the day and pursue my dreams of being a published Author by night. Unfortunately, my reality was very different to what I had originally imagined. My business took over my time. I had very little time to write my James Lalonde Thriller series and to write more books for my Personal Success non-fiction series. This is partly because I rushed through the business creation process and I didn’t take the time to get super clear on what was really important to me. I learned that clarity comes from taking action not by thinking, but the biggest mistake I made was not listening to what I truly wanted.
Did you know that your idea of writing talent is a myth? Yes, a myth. Many people who fall in love with the dream of becoming a writer do so without realising that a writer has one of the longest apprenticeships.
When Will Thatcher, doesn’t show up for work, James Lalonde is forced to attend an afternoon tea with Alistair Carmichael in his place. The lovely autumn afternoon tea comes to an abrupt end when a body turns up on the lawn of the Carmichael Estate with strange markings on his neck.
But, something is missing, a priceless painting is off the wall. However, it’s no ordinary painting, it’s a Van Gogh purchased in an auction a few months ago. After discovering fresh tracks, most likely left by the murderer James realises the murder is still in the estate.
Rookie reporter James Lalonde is bored. And, he isn’t a journalist. He’s an all-round dogs-body, to editor-in-chief, Rhys Kelly. But, his luck has finally changed. After eavesdropping in on the morning editorial meeting, James learns he has his first-ever story. There’s one catch. If the story gets too complicated, it will be taken away from him and given to another journalist with more experience. Sure it’s a boring interview with the soon to be sworn-in magistrate, Albert Harrington, but it finally gets him out of his six-month slump as an editorial research assistant.
The following day, James turns up to his interview with Albert to discover a trail of blood smeared through Albert’s house, an empty safe, the murder weapon on the floor, but no body. Detective Anwar Khan turns up to the crime scene, puts two and two together, and believes James murdered the controversial magistrate. Can James clear his name and write his first-ever story before his editor takes it away from him?
James has a nose for trouble. But that’s nothing new. This time, things are different–his life is on the line. James is the chief editor of a small newspaper. It’s hardly captivating work. He’s bored. But all of that is about to change.
Late one evening, he returns home to discover his long-time girlfriend and journalist, Valentine, has left. Early the next morning, James fails to reallocate her assigned story. To avoid blank space in the culture section and losing his job, he decides to write the story on the local museum’s latest acquisition, Excalibur. But, there’s one thing he didn’t count on–Excalibur is missing, and a dead body is at the crime scene.
If you love gripping cloak and dagger mysteries with twists and turns, then you’ll love this first instalment in the James Lalonde Amateur Sleuth Mystery series. Get it now.
86,532 of 85,000 Words
Yesterday, I sent Duplicity off for proofreading. Yay! And I’ve set up preorders for this novel on Kobo, B&N, and Google Play with a release date of the 24th of November 2022. And, I will be making this novel available for free to my James Lalonde Insiders reader club. You can become an insider here.
0 of 60,000 Words
I’ve decided to add an extra book between the second book and the start of the byline series, where James arrives in New York. Book Three will be set in a 24 hour period in London. This novel will be available in ebook on all major ebook retailers by the end of mid 2022. And, the paperback editions soon after. I will be making this novel available for free to my James Lalonde Insiders reader club. You can become an insider here.
112,960 of 99,000 Words
Book Four the James Lalonde series needs one final round of revisions before I can hand it off to my editor. This longer novel will be published on all major ebook retailers in early 2023. And, the paperback editions soon after. I will be making this novel available for free to my James Lalonde Insiders reader club. You can become an insider here.
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