Today is the 31st of August 2023, and my new Historic Adventure Novel is now officially on the market. The writing is done, the editing has been completed, the cover designed, and the new book has been published.
While a great deal of time, effort, and thought has been expended to get it to this stage, it has been a worthwhile project. I now intend to let the eighteen-month endeavour settle into its own rhythm. I doubt whether the book will ever make a financial profit, but providing it gives pleasure to its readers, I am happy.
Somebody the other day asked me if I would write another book. I paused before answering, “I doubt it.” It was about as much as I could come up with.
Those interested in a late 18th-century adventure based around Portsmouth and the first European settlement of Australia, including sailing ships, conflicts, convicts, military life, daily hardships and life during that period, will find this book fascinating. While the convicts were transported to Australia, I hope this book transports you to a place that assists you in understanding what life was like in 1788.
Here’s to “Enjoyable reading.”
Website: whentimesweretough.com
Email thoughts or comments to: phil.page@beagle.com.au
Check the the other pages on this site to fully understand what “When Times Were Tough” is all about.
It is a real experience holding the first printed copy of a book you have created yourself in your own hands. Well, I have done that, and it is undoubtedly something that I shall never forget. The satisfaction one gets after well over 1,000 hours of work, including the doubt that sometimes creeps in, is well worth the effort.
Now that many online bookshops have it displayed in their listings, it is now a matter of waiting to see how the general reading public views one’s efforts. The few that have seen the finished product have commented favourably on the cover’s design, courtesy of Helen Christie, and the ease of reading due to the typeface.
Thinking about the number of hours involved in creating the book, and the relatively small return to an author for each book sold, one would need to sell many thousands for a decent return per hour worked. It is indeed a labour of love, unless it becomes an international bestseller of course. I am certainly not holding my breath on that one.
If you are vaguely interested in a historical adventure novel set the late 18th century, please read the other posts on the production of this book.
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 