I’ve had a good Kirkus review for Called to Account (the fourth book in the Sir Anthony Standen Adventures) and decided to use that for the paperback back blurb. I’ve emailed it over to my cover designer Jacqueline, so I’ll soon be able to complete the preparation for paperback publication. I posted the Kirkus review on my website here.
I’ve updated by Kirkus ProConnect page, with some sample chapters. Apparently agents ask for that.
I’ve finished listening to the audio files for Fire and Earth. Simon did a great job. I found only three small errors. One was a glitch which sounded like maybe some electrical interference during recording. Another was Simon inserting a rogue “you” into a dialogue. The other was an Anthony where it should have been Antonio. That one was my fault, so I’ve updated the ebook and paperback script on both KDP and Ingram Spark. That cost me nothing on KDP, but £22.66 on Ingram Spark.
I know a lot of people hate Amazon with a vengeance, but as a self published author, and as a reader, they seem to me to offer a great service. I’m lining up my paperbacks ready for 8th November on Ingram Spark, so that all my paperbacks can be available to bookstores at the launch of Called to Account. It was my publicist, Brian who suggested Ingram Spark, although I had heard of them before. They run a publishing and warehouse operation for physical bookstores, and critically have a returns policy. Apparently no bookstore will order books unless they’re able to return unsold copies. As an indie author that feels like a big risk, because not only would I lose the small royalty I’d made, but I’d pay for the return and destruction of my books. Still, I’d be thrilled to see my books in bookstores and reaching a wider audience.
I guess it’s to do with the discount that Ingram Spark have to offer bookstores, but I’m going to have to increase the cost of my paperbacks on Amazon to match the Ingram Spark price. Amazon do seem to run a very efficient operation. It’s all about getting ready for the launch of Called to Account now. Then I can start thinking about the fifth book.