Leighton DeanMay 11, 20181 minFree BooksSo here's the thing. No one will buy your book unless you have reviews to help convert those who land on your page into sales. But how do you get reviews without anyone buying your book? Last year I tried some marketing on Gunboy, I had visitors but not many conversions. It currently has 8 reviews, and is sinking into obscurity with each passing day. Save Our Souls has had a better launch week (not launch day) than GB, but it too has slowed down and with only 3 reviews I know
Leighton DeanNov 29, 20172 minWinner!I have a lot of love for NanoWrimo. Without it, I wouldn’t have written my first book. Or at least I wouldn’t have sat my ass down long enough to finish it. I’ve missed out on it since 2013, having chosen to be on holiday instead. I have a lot of love for Glu Wine and Bratwurst too. And Kafel Kolsch. But alas Germany was not on the itinerary this year so why not immerse myself in a new story. I was part of an interesting thread on Facebook, and author who I have reviewed and
Leighton DeanMar 4, 20172 minOrigins of GunboyHello, gentle readers. When I started the book in 2013, it was because I didn’t know if I could write a book. It was a worthwhile question to put to myself. In 2015 I was about to self-publish, and my editor Siobhan recommended it to my now publisher Gary Compton. I don’t think I can ever thank her enough for this chance. Now the date has been set. I will be published on March 7th (that’s this Tuesday) for everyone to read - or not. And that is a terrifying prospect. I expect
Leighton DeanJul 8, 20168 minPublishing Contract Decision Part 3: My ContractSo, back to it. Point 7 - Contributor Copies. This will outline what you (as the author) get out of this deal. For Free. You should at least get one digital copy pdf/mobi/epub. One paperback and one hardcopy, should it get printed. If you're getting it printed, make sure you've not signed over the printing rights. It may also offer you a discounted price should want to purchase more. However, depending on the size of the company etc. You may be offered a stack of books, you k
Leighton DeanJul 1, 20165 minPublishing Contract Decision Part 2: My ContractI've back peddled. After two weeks of deliberation and questions, alterations and confirmations I have signed a contract so the GunBoy gets published. It's just over three pages long, has some long words but nothing I needed to look up (thankfully). I'll break it down, point by point over a couple of posts so you don't need to hang about reading me waffle on all night. At the top, you get a paragraph explaining who is whom in the rest of the document. It's pretty standard. I
Leighton DeanJun 19, 20162 minPublishing Contract Decision Making Part 1Okay, I had a whole self publishing thing to post but if I post it I wouldn't be telling you guys what's really going on. I said last week that I'd declined the option to be published, I did. What happened next was unexpected, I was offered again. I put my cards on the table, after all I have a self publishing strategy all in place I've even paid for a cover (see above). I wasn't expecting any of this. They say flattery can get you everywhere, or anything. I've never been one
Leighton DeanJun 11, 20165 minMy First Edit!!!Okay, the just shit got real. Yeah right Leights, you've been quiet for over six months, why should we believe you? I hear you, and of course you're right. But for everyone who has written a book out there, you know... I could blame that thing called life. But I'll admit it, it was me. It was that ugly praise sapping leach, self doubt. I was nearly there, I had my Manuscript (MS from here on in) done, ticked off ready for a proof edit and I went ahead and jumped into yet ano
