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Mar 4, 2017
2 min

Origins of Gunboy

Hello, 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

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Nov 20, 2016
2 min

2016 - Ahead of the game

2016 has been a fucking atrocious year. Too many beautiful souls have left us. Racism and bigotry is rampant and everyone has forgotten how to love their brother (or sister). It's too easy to bitch and complain, it's like the internet's faceless abuse has finally broken the damn and drowned everyone in that pink slime from Ghostbusters 2. But don't despair. In the midst of all this crap, there are islands of kindness to the world and each other. Volunteers planted 50 million

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Disconnect - GunBoy's Sequel

Nov 11, 2016
4 min

Disconnect - GunBoy's Sequel

I've just written the closing chapter of Gunboy's sequel, 'Disconnect' (Working Title). And it's the first book I've written from notes to novel without a screenplay in between. The difference? Well to start, I realised I can't read when I'm writing. I took a break mid way through and enjoyed Stephen King's Dark Tower, and it screwed me up. When I went back to it, I found myself emulating the great Mr. King in the way a four year old emulates Ironman. I now have two terrible

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Jul 8, 2016
8 min

Publishing Contract Decision Part 3: My Contract

So, 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

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Jul 1, 2016
5 min

Publishing Contract Decision Part 2: My Contract

I'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

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Publishing Contract Decision Making Part 1

Jun 19, 2016
2 min

Publishing Contract Decision Making Part 1

Okay, 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

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Jun 11, 2016
5 min

My 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

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