It’s cost me, what, £2,000 – £2,500 per title to produce my three novels to date. That’s fine – it’s a hobby of mine and some hobbies cost much more. And I may get a measure of payback down the line. Time will tell.
But my last piece of expenditure has resulted in all three titles being made available on Amazon Kindle. It really is the only sensible way for an unproven indie to produce books these days. If no one buys them, then fine. The investment hasn’t been great. But there’s a limit to how much one can, or ought to spend, on a hobby.
So my two Jersey social history novels, A Jersey Midsummer Tale and Tess of Portelet Manor have joined Barry in the Kindle store. You can read a bit more about each via the tabs above, or hey, you can go straight there with your plastic, UK readers here and Amazon.com readers here.
That’s a three-year project wrapped really. With a nucleus of books up and available I’m looking forward to striking off in a different writing direction. I have four days leave next month when I hope to start making serious progress with my modern slave trade story.
And here’s hoping a few of my blogging friends’ WIPs see the light of day shortly. I’m always happy to throw up a review.
Back On The Rock 
I just bought “A Jersey Midsummer Tale” – It’s wonderful to be able to buy your books! Is there one you would recommend reading first? I was going to start with ‘Barry’ just because I got that one first.
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You bought two! I’m honoured and delighted letizia. Midsummer certainly comes before Tess, but Barry is a complete standalone. You choose 🙂
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I’ll start with Barry then and read it over my Spring vacation and then read Midsummer and Tess later on, in that order. Congratulations on writing three novels – what a beautiful accomplishment!
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The words ‘punishment’ and ‘glutton’ spring to mind letizia. My mother told me off about the rude words in Midsummer so watch out 🙂
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Hahaha! I have been warned 🙂
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I just bought Midsummer! Can’t wait…congrats, Mr. McCarthy!
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Ah Britt, that’s appreciated. Thanks so much.
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E-books does seem to be the best way for indie authors to go. Congrats on the conclusion of your three-year project (that must feel good), and here’s to your new projects and your new direction. 🙂
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Thanks very much Janna. We live in times where so much is possible.
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I’m not sure why you’ve spent all this money, Roy. I thought it was free to publish (I do it on LULU and thought all sites were all like that) 😦
I’m really looking forward to reading your modern slave trade story, but in the meantime I’m going to start on “Barry” 😀
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I really wanted some proper, well-produced books for distribution to local bookstores Dianne. I used an editor and a proper, traditional printer and – whatever the writing quality – they look good 🙂 And I was quite happy to go the expensive road.
Barry, my first effort, will always be quite special for me. Thank you for all you support Dianne, totally appreciated.
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That makes a lot of sense – I think many people go the LULU way and end up with a less than professional look. Your books certainly look (and feel) excellent 😉
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Exciting times my friend, I will be purchasing ‘Barry’ tonight for March break reading and share the amazon link with my book club. I am interested in knowing what you are doing to promote yourself on the big WWW.
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Ah thank you Lisa 🙂 That’s really nice of you. Do you know, I can’t really be bothered to take up all the good marketing advice out there. I’m old fashioned enough to think that a book will stand or fall on its merits. For now I’m happy enough to be ‘out there’ and maybe I’ll do a bit more promoting in time.
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i think you are right about ebooks for indie authors/publishers. It’s one reason I’ll be keeping my Kindle 🙂
Good luck with the books and looking forward to hearing about the next1
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Thank you EBL! But I must say that, as a wannabee author, there is nothing to compare with holding a book with your name on in your hands.
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that must be so great! I’ll be pleased if I ever finish writing one, let alone publish it!
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Electronic publishing does seem like the smart route to take, but I’m a paper girl all the way. I want to hold books in my hand – especially my own. I’m sure someday I’ll wonder why I was so late to the world of e-books and e-readers, but I’m not there yet.
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Thanks Juliann. The economics can only mean that books will increasingly be printed only when there are guaranteed sales. But I agree that I’d much rather look at and read a physical book – no contest.
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