In absentia

Since my last post, almost four weeks ago, I have done
very little in respect of writing, promotion & blogging etc., simply
because there was so much going on in my life that I couldn’t give my full
attention to what is mainly a hobby. My cancer treatment was drawing to a close
but still leaving me washed out; we were getting close to the date when we
handed over our house at the notary to the new owners, and we moved into our
rented accommodation and picked up a second-hand car which we plan to take back
to England when we return later this year. All in all it has been a kind of
tiring period for me and applying my creative juices to writing etc. became a non-starter.
Having successfully negotiated that period, I decided it was time to get back
on the hobby horse and begin writing again. It all means that I will attempt to
establish my new web-site, revamp and re-publish one of my flagging titles
(only one?), and look to get some promotion going.

So how will I do all this? Well, the writing will be the
standard plod through writer’s block until inspiration comes flooding into me.
The web-site will get done, but not without the help of my son, Terry, and once
that has been achieved I’ll try a ‘re-launch’. As for the flagging title; it is
THE EAGLE’S COVENANT, probably one of my best books, but probably not appealing
to the American reader because it is set in Germany. Sales have been abysmal.
Well; non- existent really. So the plan is to redesign the jacket, which is
already in hand, and to publish it myself on Amazon. At the moment it is
available as an Acclaimed Books publication, but it has been my intention for quite
a while now to take all my Acclaimed Books under my own wing. It’s more about
managing my own affairs once we have settled in UK again.

I learned from my publisher, Robert Hale Ltd., that my
novel, PAST IMPERFECT, is not due for release until January 2015. I was a
little disappointed that it would take so long, but it gives me a chance to get
stuck into my latest book and have it ready before the end of the year. I won’t
be offering it to Hale, but plan to publish it myself. Considering the time gap
between completion and publication; self-publishing wins hands down. I can have
my book available within two weeks of completion. Makes sense to me.

Another piece of good news is that Kindle will be
including my book, THE BOY FROM BERLIN in their Spring sale. Hale still hold
the rights to that, but at least it will help to expand my readership. Wish me
luck!