My errors of judgement.

Hello one and all

 Yes its me again, with another dollop of trash and trite. What thorny issue should we deal with today? I have something in mind but I think I have visited the subject before. However, I believe we should look at it again because it can cost you, the author, both time and money.

When we complete our work and are prepared to show it to the world  we have various choices to make most of which we may never have contemplated when we began this journey of discovery called publishing. Certainly most of us, and I include myself here, will have had little or no knowledge of publicity marketing and promotional work. Perhaps I was a little lucky in that I once ran  plumbing business so had a modicum of experience, but plumbing and publishing are different beasts entirely though both require people skills.

So we have done it your book is ready and after sending thousands of requests to agents and publishers and you have papered the entire house in rejection slips like me you decide to embark on the self publishing route. It can't be that hard can it have some books printed upload the file to Amazon and wait for the millions to role in. How long did it take you to realise it wasn't going to be that easy? Weeks, months we all get there our friends and family can only do so much. Therefore we have to do something else to sell our work, we all congregate on Facebook twitter goodreads and every other site we can think of we go where we think we will be heard but thousands of others are already there doing exactly the same thing. We become lost in the crowd and still the books sit under the bed gathering dust.
  
 What other mind blowing strategy can we try? We are so desperate to make a favourable impression we leap in without regard for or respect of the implications. Only in hindsight can we determine if our choices were good or bad. I cannot say which is ideal for you, all I can do is tell you what errors I made and point out another route. You then have to determine which is best for you and your pocket.

When I began, I had a few pound to spend. How best should I use that small investment, should it go on an editor to mould my work into how they desired it to be or should I plough on regardless and leap into the unknown? I chose the latter. I went with a large vanity publisher, paid them a fortune and got an inferior service. In hindsight I now realise the product, while being a good story, needed a professional editor to guide me through the faults that existed. Harsh lesson learnt

After nursing my injured pride and depleted bank balance (I sold precisely five copies and gave away a dozen) I eventually began writing again and Dead men Lie is the result. it is however far different to the original draft. Unwilling to be taken for a fool a second time I discovered a lovely lady who has edited my book for me. When we began we were both novices, we learnt as we went along, we listened and became better. We failed a couple of times, almost got suckered by another so called publisher and I vowed then and there that no one apart from me would determine the destiny of my work. But the leeches still exist, even now we are occasionally fooled, not so often, but occasionally another plausible rogue crosses our paths.           

 How to get reviews? We all desire them, apparently it is what readers look at first. Do they, certainly some do but are they all important? Go into a bookshop and what do you look at first, the front cover, the back spurge or the authors name do you rush home and examine the reviews on certain sites before parting with your hard earned cash. I know that's being simplistic and the world had changed. But the principle remains the same we buy what we like first and foremost. We have to have reviews though, even me for my  apparent disregard devour every review eagerly to see what someone has said about my work, its human nature to have nice things said about us. So how do we get these elusive reviews?

  Certainly never ever pay anyone for a review. if you do you are prostituting yourself at the door of suspicion.Ask yourself if you can be sure that the review such people give is honest or even if they have read your work. Certainly I have my suspicions that some, not all, and certainly not the majority, but some reviewers cobble together their copy from the work of others. Maybe I am being unjust to the majority of honest and dedicated reviewers, but these are simply my uncorroborated views. I suspect though there is a modicum of truth in what I say, because in every level of society there is a under belly of rogues. So never ask for reviews certainly never pay and as i discovered never plead for reviews. I did that just recently, I got suckered into asking my friends to aid me with three reviews for a specific purpose. Guess what not one responded, therefore point proved, its far better to wait for genuine comments from genuine readers. They do come and I would rather have those than twenty sub standard reviews.   

Now I fear we come to my pet hate. How do we, the self publisher, sell more copies of our work? Some will give work away, this is their prerogative but personally I despair at this tactic. Why I hear you ask. Consider this, name any other profession that charges nothing for their work I do not include charities in this. Bet you can't, as an ex-plumber I never undersold my talent. It took too long to earn my certificates to undermine my training by doing something as idiotic as underselling myself. To write a book takes time and effort so why should anyone expect to get my work free. If they want it, make them pay, charge a smaller price but for Gods sake make a profit, even if its a penny. I fell into this trap (Not the freebies) by giving my book away to people to review, I didn't get one back, all I did was lost the cost of ten books. You learn that those who down load free books simply move onto someone else when yours comes off offer. They win, you lose, what's the point? Oh I hear some authors laudably proclaiming they are number 1 2 or 3. in some chart or another but within a week they are back where they started and God knows how many copies out of pocket. That is my point of view, personally I would love the practice to stop but I doubt it ever will.  

As I said at the beginning, this is my view on life, you may agree, you may disagree. That as they say is your prerogative, as for me, I may not be rolling in cash but  I sleep soundly in the knowledge that Dead Men Lie, no matter how well it does or doesn't do, will happen through no fault of either it or its author. We have tried our best and will continue to strive for, if not perfection, than at least as near as we can get and we will have achieved it through our hard work and diligence.   

 here endeth today's rant hope you have enjoyed it if so perhaps someone would like to leave a comment would be nice to hear what others think occasionally.

Cheers D

Today's thoughts

Morning all

  Like me I suspect you hope to please everyone....fact is we cannot. The hard truth is for all your social media friends and connections, most are simply doing what you do, trawling the internet attempting to sell their work.

 While some will engage, might even buy your work most will promise the world but do little while expecting you to aid them in their quest for world domination. Does that sound terrible?

  The hard truth is you are seeking what>>>>> To be successful as a writer we are looking for approximately 100,000 sales. Not many in the grand scheme of things and when we consider the worlds population of God Knows how many Billions why worry about those who don't want to know seek out the interested ones discard the uninterested and move on.

I have reached a milestone in my advertising campaign, if it doesn't work stop doing it, if those who say they will aid and assist you and don't discard them, seek out only those who really do come through for you and reciprocate. Build a unit of like minded assistants and forget the rest.

 I have lost track of those who say one thing and fail to deliver, the people who tell me they will buy a copy of my book yet want a freebie in return for some idealistic promise which never materialises.

Now perhaps i have become hardened to what I must do, but if a promise is made that person gets a few days grace. If they do not produce I move on and that is what we must do. Stop chasing the rainbow and hunt for those 100,000 people who will give you what you desire freedom to pursue your dreams.

 This isn't written in a fit of pique, nothing has occurred over night to upset me its simply a awakening to the fact that no one will do it for you, if you want success you must look for those who can aid you and not waste time on those who cannot.

There endeth today's Procter lesson.

 have a good and successful day in whatever you do. I trust uit will become the first day on your own individual path to where you want to go.

D

Our First Fair.

Good morning

 Saturday has come and gone and I have reflected upon what occurred. Was it a success? of course it was. Hythe came out in force and was most amenable to both myself and Dead Men Lie. Unfortunately there are no pictures, i was alone and not knowing anyone didn't have the nerve to ask anyone to take a few snaps of the table but next time i promise there will be evidence.

 Always in fear of the unknown I approached the venue with a sense of trepidation, it was a church hall in a backstreet a most unfavourable position, or so I thought, how wrong was that. Almost before we were set up the first visitors began to arrive and from early on until about 2 pm there was a steady and eager crowd flowing through the venue.

 Like all these fairs there are the lookers and the interested and you begin to sense one from the other. What I didn't spot was the thief who made off with a copy, but that was a lesson learnt and one I will not be making again. That aside we sold seven copies handed out a lot of literature and spoke to so many people that I trust I made an impression. apart from the sales many expressed an interest and one person actually downloaded the book from Kindle there and then which is always a bonus.

 One lovely lady spoke to me and expressed her interest, her voice betrayed her identity and when i asked she mischievously said "oh I am always being mistaken for *** ***** " The reason is because it was her. Not sure if being recognised made her hurry away but she did look back, smile and hold up a leaflet so perhaps we have a celebrity reader watch this space.  

Another stall holder purchased a copy of the book and started to read it, she sat silently devouring each page and I waited for her reaction, always a terrible time. Then she closed it stood and walked towards me. What is she going to say? Is she going to tell me it was rubbish in front of customers I do hope not. Of course not she smiled and said "Bloody brilliant couldn't pout it down read three chapters already."

There you are not much else happened, spoke to one elderly gent who had spent thousands publishing his book with a vanity publisher and sold ten copies. it was a sad story especially when it was all about his life with his now departed wife in India. But his is a story we hear of so many time s when will people learn the best way is to print on demand. If anyone asks for money to publish your work you are obviously in the wrong place, but that is a story for another day.

As for the first fair it was well worth the effort. I booked more with them that day and from that have found other more exciting places to showcase my book perhaps this is the start of a massive surge of interest in Dead Men Lie. Certainly the review that was posted overnight on Sunday was also a great fillip for my somewhat battered ego.

A women said to me on Saturday as I handed out leaflets, "You have the ability to do well, you are not afraid to get out and tell people about your work. While others sit and wait you make it happen people like you deserve to be heard. I wish you well." She didn't buy a copy but she might and that is all we can hope for.

 Therefore if you are relying on Facebook for your sales it will never happen, go to those places where customers lurk, find your niche and work it for all your worth. If you are personable and your merchandise is sell-able you will become noticed and that is what we all seek after all isn't it.

Good luck my writing friends . Now I have to amend my sales technique, and point of sale material. because that is another thing I discovered . If you have lots to offer, customers are drawn to you to discover what is all about. All I will say is my reindeer worked better than I thought.

Speak soon friends

D  
      

Be honest

Morning all.

 Well her we are again for another basin full of my thoughts moans and general groans. But today that's not what I am going to do. Why I hear you wail what is wrong with me? Nothing at all simply I need some assistance for a change.

I have been offered a chance to increase my sales of that book everyone is fed up hearing about. To do this i need 10 published reviews on Amazon and I have 7. Therefore I need nay require no ask for three of my good friends to write some nice words for me.

 Is it too difficult to post a 4 or 5 star review after all many of you will have read Dead Men Lie you have said as much so many times. Three further reviews will allow me to advance my sales the great comments sent to me directly evidently do not count.

 The ball as they say is now out there who will pick it up and make my day.

Thank you in advance

D

how to hack off an obnoxious neighbour

We all have them, those people we have to live alongside but can't stand the sight or sound of well I think I found the answer as to how to hack them off big style.

First watch them renew 3 foot high fence,
Next build the worst six foot fence imaginable.
Thirdly watch as they build their own six foot fence to hide my monstrosity.
Then remove my temporary fence and enjoy their perfect fence.

Result
Neighbour annoyed and I get a nice new fence to the height I always wanted at no expense to myself, the end to a perfect Sunday.

 Small pleasures must be achieved when and wherever possible.
D

How authors are ripped off.

Morning all.

 I am a trifle cheesed off today. While bored yesterday I discovered a site devoted to me on Google. has anyone ever googled themselves its fascinating what is written about oneself. Anyway there in all there glory were those well known books written by me all those years ago.

 Forgotten souls withdrawn by myself almost six years ago still on sale. Where these people think they are going to get editions to sell is beyond me nor for that matter can I explain the prices.
Forgotten souls was on sale for £9.99 yet now they trade for £25 -£35 do I get the royalties for these sales. More disturbing was seeing a book written for family only, its title trips of the tongue 'Mum there's a red Indian In the Garden' This was sold for £10 as well yet now this particular site has the audacity to sell a copy for wait for it £45. I hope no one pays this come to me if you want a copy I can get you a brand new copy for a quarter of that price.    

 Now i get a tax return from Amazon for tax collected in US i paid $0.36 tax despite telling them I wasn't a tax payer in the US. Why can't life be easy.

 back to the grind stone

D

message from Australia.

Hello once again

 So today I will attempt to delve a little into my inner workings as an author. I have broached this once or twice and never really satisfactorily explained why I do what I do.

"Oh you write have you been published?"

That is the first thing everyone asks. Then, when I say no I self publish, I see the blinds fall across their eyes as if I am unworthy to call myself an author. You must have experienced something similar, if not you have that joy to come. What is the difference between myself and say Mister Dickens? Truth is there isn't a lot. Many of the well known authors either began life as, or dallied with, self publishing. At one time it was the only means by which you could get yourself into print, only since the advent of the major publishing house has times changed. Perhaps that is also on the wane, with more and more publishers being swallowed up into larger conglomerates, maybe the day of the Indie Publisher is about to take over once again.
   
If that is the case then we have to do all we can to present the best work possible. Each Indie author has to swallow their pride and accept the words of advice that editors and proof readers give. Their views aren't cheap, but certainly it can be the difference between mediocrity and star quality. Dead Men Lie, lies somewhere in the middle, our budget was small, we did the best we could and rectified the errors we found as they came to light. Which might explain the following brief note I received via e-nail yesterday morning from a reader in Australia. He has given me permission to present it here in its entirety, I hope you enjoy, I did even though its not a review as such.

 Dear Mr Procter

   Some time back I purchased your book and read it with interest. Under the pseudonym of kangaranger I wrote to you in a way that perhaps you thought flippant. Fact of the matter was I didn't think you would publish my thoughts, not many authors would.

Because of your honesty, I have followed your progress with interest, I visit your Facebook page and your Blogsite, while occasionally dropping in to view your web page. I find you both interesting and unafraid to speak your mind. Sometime I wonder what you were feeling when you right from the heart. You have obviously suffered for your work, perhaps the Gods of publishing haven't been that sympathetic towards your cause. However if karma is to be believed then you will succeed eventually I hope so.

 Now for the good bit, I downloaded your latest version of Dead Men Lie recently, why, because you said it was going to be good. I was not disappointed, there remain a few minor, and I do mean minor, issues with grammar, but I am Australian, so what right have I to speak about grammar or punctuation. Certainly you have achieved something I could never do, a book is an awesome thing to have produced. As for the story brilliant, the text is far more cohesive, the speech more realistic, the plot tighter, the characters more real. One question though, when will you reveal the identity of the Chamberlain. More importantly I loved the subtle twist right at the end, clever stuff Mr Procter to leave the reader wanting more.

I hope you do well with this book, certainly I have told all my friends about it. Continue the good work and good on yeah. Respect sir    

Yours John c/o Bennett station, Australia.
.    

 I have said it before and will reiterate, remarks such as this is the reason we put ourselves through so much grieve.

 For now I have a lot to do, preparing for various shows and feats. One word of good news, some of you will know that we are going to showing at the Battle of The nations in May. This is a re-enactment where hundreds of like minded souls present all that was great about the British fighting man (and our allies). It was announced today that Sky will be there to record it for posterity, maybe yours truly might find his name mentioned. If so remember any book sold during that weekend or ordered before will mean a £1 donation from me to the chosen charity which I believe is the local hospice. A worthy cause which you can aid by simply buying a book you see two exciting ways to enhance your well being.

 Speak soon

D