This is just a short note to advise that it has taken me 18 months to write, edit and get my historical adventure story ready to publish – “When Times Were Tough”.
Until one has personally gone through the entire process, it is impossible to list the many knowledge and skills necessary to achieve the task. It is a different world that you must learn by any means available to progress successfully to the next stage of writing and publishing a book. If I had known what was entailed, I probably would not have started the process in the first place.
Even as I write this, there is an error in the proof that has just been sent to me that requires immediate attention. And I thought I was home and hosed!
My next task is to entice wholesalers and retailers to promote and sell the book. This is extremely difficult because you are fighting against thousands of other authors and publishers simultaneously trying to do the same thing. It is truly a buyer’s market out there, and even getting those making these stocking and marketing decisions aware of or interested in your book is highly challenging.
When I finish writing this short post, I will go through the list of all who I believe should receive a free printed copy of the book. Even making up the list requires one to think about where a copy legally has to go (Australian Library etc.), to those who may find it interesting enough to add it to their purchasing list and then, those who you personally wish to receive one. The list is getting longer and longer and each one is going out at my cost.
At the end of the day, I have only gone through this process really to scratch an itch and to set myself a challenge. I am not sure whether the irritation has gone yet, but the challenge certainly has been one that has taken many thousands of hours to get to this point. In any event, I am hoping that I will at least be able to sell enough books to cover the many costs incurred so far. Time will tell.
When Times Were Tough – a historical novel by Phil Page
ISBN 978 0 646 88019 8
Website: whentimesweretough.com
Published by: Phil.Page Publications – email: phil.page@beagle.com.au
Printed and commercially distributed by: Ingram Spark.
Beta Readers comments -:
1/ A really interesting insight into maritime geopolitical history, told through likeable characters going on a big adventure – told with confidence by a narrative voice that has a good eye for detail. Has lots of historical texture and context but doesn’t let this overpower the story itself, which is the emotional development of the characters.
2/ I thought it was an interesting story. It had some romance and lots of adventure with a good group of characters. We got to know all as they crossed the sea to start a new life, and it was very interesting reading about all settling in Australia.
When Times Were Tough 