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.
A historical adventure novel by Phil Page (to be published on the 31st of August)
Writing a book can be a real saga in itself, but then editing it, setting up the book itself and becoming the publisher of the same adds a new level of complexity. Last week I went through the electronic proof three times, and after making minor changes, it eventually all looked good. Now I am waiting for the final printed proof copy to arrive. I am trying to be positive, but the wait is killing me.
In the meantime, it is interesting how much work and effort is required to try and get your newly written book before the buying public. There are not only books stores to think of but libraries and other institutions that may find your particular book of interest. There is no easy way and the grind continues.
As I intend to officially publish the above book on the 31st of August I am in the process of working with my local library of having a book launch on that day. I live in a small country town so that should not be a problem, although it is difficult to work out how many are likely to attend. The invitations should go out this coming week, but not until the final printed proof has arrived in an acceptable state and I sign it off. Then it will be all systems go!
My printer and wholesale distributor, Ingram Spark, have compiled the major retail distributors in Australia/New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Europe, and the United States and Canada in a list form. Please find below that list. This will allow anyone reading this post to enquire from their local supplier. Remember that books can be ordered from most locations before publication (mention Ingram Spark and the title or ISBN number – 978 0 646 88019 8.
United States and Canada
Libraries
Schools
E-commerce Companies
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Walmart.com
Target.com
Chapters/Indigo (Canada)
Book Retailers/Wholesalers
Bookstores
United Kingdom
Agapea
Amazon.co.uk
Aphrohead
Blackwell
Adlibris
Books Express
Coutts Information Services
Designarta Books
Eden Intereactive Ltd
Foyles
Gardners
Trust Media Distribution
Mallory International
Paperback Shop Ltd
Book Retailers
Australia and New Zealand
Amazon Au
Booktopia
Fishpond
The Nile
James Bennett
ALS
Peter Pal
Book Retailers
The above list is incomplete, but it should provide sufficient information for anyone wishing to enquire or order a copy of “When Times Were Tough”. See earlier posts for further details. ISBN 978 0 646 88019 8
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.
Until one has actually written a historical novel, you have no idea of what time, effort and serious thought is necessary to achieve a reasonable result.
Now that my first novel, When Times Were Tough, is ready for publication at the end of August, I have started reflecting on what is necessary to achieve such a goal. This project, my first such undertaking, has taken just over eighteen months to complete, although I don’t think a book is every one hundred percent complete. The three stage editing process has taken me as much time and energy as the original draft, even though the basic story has not varied from my first thoughts.
First, I spent several months gathering historical information on the period, including many first-hand journals and accounts. Having lived in some of the areas of the world included helped the process of trying to paint accurate pictures of the time and place. It was then necessary to compose a broad story outline, including the four main characters and how they fit into that story.
Amazing enough, the first few pages flew off my fingers and it was just a matter of following my instincts from that point on. Using real historical characters and weaving them into the story adds certain credibility to the story, but one has to be careful that such characters are treated with respect. I have used them only where I believe they have added a level of historical reality.
Deciding to publish the book myself has added a layer of complexity, another layer utterly different from the original novel writing process. I can see why many writers do not edit their own books and farm the publishing side of things to a professional.
Marketing a product in an industry without direct knowledge also raises additional challenges. Many thousands of books are published weekly worldwide; getting booksellers and libraries interested in purchasing yours is a challenge and a half. I am not sure that spending big is the answer as the number of users and outlets runs to over fifty thousand. Their interests, involvement and location varies greatly, and it can’t all be covered. Targeting to those interested in your books genre and the physical story line location may make some sense. I am still working on it.
This historical novel story commences in Portsmouth, England, in 1787 and finishes on Norfolk Island 12 months later.
Elizabeth lives with here surgeon father, William, and her mother, Ann, in a large house overlooking the outer harbour. She has just finished her homeschooling and is looking for something different in her life. Her father seems to be having difficulty coping these days. After a few awkward business and family situations, she finds out that there is a fleet being assembled that will be travelling to New South Wales, Australia. She convinces her parents to consider the trip.
In the meantime, a Marine Sergeant, Richard, is transferred from one job to another and he experiences several changing situations that make him think of other opportunities. Joining the same fleet seemed a solution.
Elizabeth and her family sail on one ship and Richard on another. The eleven-ship fleet sailed from Portsmouth with about 800 convicts aboard heading for Australia. The actual eight month long voyage is not included in this story and it takes up again when the fleet finally arrives in Botany Bay.
Two weeks after that the opportunity to join HMS Supply sailing on its first voyage from Sydney Cove to Norfolk Island became available. Both Elizabeth and her family, and Richard, joined a small band totaling twenty two on their way to settle the island. The two of them first meet on this two-week voyage and they cautiously become romantically involved as the settlement finds its feet.
When Times Were Tough 