In this show, I’m going to come clean about why I’ve trademarking my podcast name. Honestly, this isn’t the first time I considered discussing it. The last time I chickened out. Also, I will discuss the books I published this year and my mixed feelings about using Advanced Reader Services. And I’m going to come out of the closet as a book cover designer.
In this episode, I discuss revising a murder mystery novella and creating a book marketing plan for the Candidate. And, I share how I began to feel scared to self publish.
On the eve of November 30, 2016, I typed the last few words for my national novel writing month target of 50,000 words for the prequel novel, Silence. Upon the completion of this milestone, I had two manuscripts sitting on my hard drive waiting to be edited. The plan was to take December off, a well-earned break, then dive into the revision and editing process; this was the plan. It was a dream that I had every intention of following.
As I write this, I’m supposed to have a couple of days off to recover from National Novel Writing Month. It was a great idea in theory. As an entrepreneur, I’ve found that I can’t do anything or take time off without thinking about my business, or my next book. A not so great habit I should kick to the kerb.
I can’t believe I’ve decided to do this nevertheless, I’m excited to announce, I’m adding a second blog on top of all the other things I’m committed to doing as an authorpreneur. For quite some time, I’ve been wrestling with the idea of creating an author website for my fiction books. This would mean having three websites, including a website that I’m no longer using. As I pondered this idea, I couldn’t help thinking, there must be a better way. The results of this pondering lead me to create this behind the scenes blog. So, what is Behind the Scenes? How is it relevant to my book coaching and Indie Authorpreneur Blog? And, what can you expect from this blog?
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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