On a Wing and a Prayer
Writing
a monthly blog post isn’t something I look forward to each month because it is
probably the least productive of anything I do that’s connected with the
written word. If I had thousands of ardent fans who hung on my every word, it
would be different, but the truth is, it’s only family and friends, maybe some
neighbours, who actually read my blog. But it is what it is, so I press on and
try to deliver something meaningful and interesting.
Looking
back through my diary, there are the usual suspects: walking the dog,
hoovering, washing, making the bed etc. Going to church, attending an Alpha
Course, which is something for new and non-Christians, really, but something I
thought I needed to help me get to know a few more people. I did meet someone,
not on the course, but in a roundabout way, because of it. She was someone Pat
and I knew from our earlier years here on Mill Farm. She came round for tea,
and we were able to chat about the ups and downs we’d been through. After listening to her, I told her she had a
story to tell (a good one), but she was reluctant to consider it.
Which
brings me, conveniently, to the written word. I completed the sequel to my WW2
story, Shadow Over Paris, and sent the manuscript to my son, John, after
going through it myself. John did a great job, almost like a professional, and
sent back his observations and complaints. I dealt with them and posted it on
Amazon for a Proof Copy. This came, which I went through with a red pen. Once I
was satisfied (will I ever be?), I ordered a book jacket from Nat at the
Booktypsetters.com. I posted the final edit and am now waiting for another
Proof Copy, which I expect to receive in a few days. The title is Shadow
Over Paris – Beyond Midnight.
Writing
the sequel was not something I can honestly say I enjoyed doing. And that
bothered me because I felt I wouldn’t be able to tell the story and achieve the
success I had with the first book. Time will tell of course; all it needs is
for me to spend money on promotion and marketing (more of that later).
I did
make an effort to get myself known on TikTok. I posted a few videos of me at
the piano, playing a tune and talking about my book, hoping that the video
would go viral and I would sell thousands of books. I’m still waiting…
So,
what about Promotion and Marketing? Well, I can tell you that a good P&M expert,
one who isn’t out to scam or con you, would set you back about $4000 (£3500)
for their services (no, they don’t come cheap). I promoted my book, first on
Amazon Ads, and sold about six or seven books. Then I tried Facebook. Overall
cost to me? For six months, I lost roughly £20 a week (not a fortune). I spent
$2500 on FB and earned $2000 in royalties. I sold just over 1000 books (Shadow
Over Paris) and had over 700,000 page reads. For me that was a success. I
stopped advertising because the ad was running out of steam. But I hadn’t given
up, which is where Lila Rose comes in. No, she isn’t a character in my next
novel; Lila is a book publicist, and boy, have we tussled over the last six
weeks.
Lila
found me in the usual way and contacted me. I immediately told her no thanks
and that was it as far as I was concerned. But she persisted and always
answered the questions I put to her. I did some research and even spoke to
three New York Times best-selling authors with whom Lila had worked. Eventually, I agreed to part with my money, but in dribs and drabs. I’m still with Lila and
may end up with egg on my face, but if Lila is all she claims to be, I could be
looking at a profitable association with a professional marketing expert. All I
can do is keep my fingers crossed and hope my investment proves worthwhile.
Of
course, there is another way if your are Reece Witherspoon. She wanted to write
a thriller, so she thought, why not give Harlan Coben a ring? So she did. And
she had interviews alongside Harlan Coben on BBC News, Radio 2, Virgin radio, and, no doubt, half of America. Now she is a New York Times best-selling author.
So that’s how you do it — ring Harlan Coben. I think I’ll follow Reece
Witherspoon’s advice and kick Lila into touch.
Wish
me luck! Michael Parker
