1. Log in now to remove adverts - no adverts at all to registered members!

Off Topic Beyond a long shot... Publishing.

Discussion in 'Sunderland' started by Disco down under, Mar 29, 2021.

  1. Disco down under

    Disco down under Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2011
    Messages:
    14,023
    Likes Received:
    6,961
    As the title suggests, this is a long shot.

    Just wondering if anyone knows anyone in the publishing industry or of anyone who has self published through Amazon or the like.

    I wrote a book a few years ago and I'm trying to get it published. Turns out it is a ****ing minefield.
     
    #1
    Montysoptician likes this.
  2. rowley

    rowley Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2019
    Messages:
    3,284
    Likes Received:
    9,025
    It's a hard slog unless you're lucky, or Stephen King!

    Amazon might be the best bet, but you'll get no money unless it sells mind blowing amounts. Not sure how it works, but I met a woman once who said she'd had one published by them. It went on the " free" list. She said something like the idea there being that they published it free and if people read it and like it, they might buy another later on.

    Good luck!
     
    #2
  3. The Norton Cat

    The Norton Cat Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2015
    Messages:
    6,796
    Likes Received:
    11,918
    I've had a few books published but its all specialist stuff so I may not be much help. If you can let me know what specific problems you're having I might be able to offer some insight.
     
    #3
  4. Nig

    Nig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2019
    Messages:
    6,282
    Likes Received:
    15,030
    #4
    Gil T Azell and Makemstine Roger like this.
  5. Disco down under

    Disco down under Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2011
    Messages:
    14,023
    Likes Received:
    6,961
    I'm hoping I'm Stephen King.

    I'd settle for a few quid while I write the next one!
     
    #5
    rowley likes this.
  6. Disco down under

    Disco down under Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2011
    Messages:
    14,023
    Likes Received:
    6,961
    It's mainly where the **** to go with fiction, so it might not be in your wheelhouse!
     
    #6
  7. Disco down under

    Disco down under Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2011
    Messages:
    14,023
    Likes Received:
    6,961
    The Devil in the blood red dirt is a crime/horror based in the 1960's, at the end of the stolen generation.

    A heroin addled WWII veteran and an washed up drunk anti corruption campaigner start looking at a series of crimes that have seemingly been covered up. As their respective addictions spiral, they get sacked further and further into a web of corruption and murder.

    Shorthand, LA Confidential meets Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

    I'm 300 pages into a second book but I've blocked like the bog at the town hall after weightwatchers meeting.
     
    #7
    Teessidemackem, Nacho and Nig like this.
  8. rowley

    rowley Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2019
    Messages:
    3,284
    Likes Received:
    9,025
    No easy way they say!

    It's no help I don't suppose, but The American writer John Irving said in the notes at the back of one of his books ( Last Night in Twisted River iirc) that he had never wrote a book and got to the ending, this to him being impossible.

    So he did it backwards. He had a notion of a set of circumstances that could be construed as an ending. Worked back from that point to the steps that could have preceded it, then when he was happy he was at the " start " he would write forwards to the plan made this way..

    Maybe only for him But he has sold gazillions!
     
    #8
    Disco down under likes this.
  9. The Norton Cat

    The Norton Cat Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2015
    Messages:
    6,796
    Likes Received:
    11,918
    Yeah, fiction isn't really my area. Sorry I couldn't have been of more help. The only thing I can say is, patience definitely pays off.
    Your book does sound good though. Would definitely give that a read when it's available!
     
    #9
    Disco down under likes this.
  10. Disco down under

    Disco down under Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2011
    Messages:
    14,023
    Likes Received:
    6,961
    I think I just got to the point where the first one was hanging over me. I've done nothing with it and no one's read it, so realistically... what's the ****ing point in a second?

    That's kind of why I'm looking to push it out now. Just for that closure. Even if it only sells a few copies, that's probably all the motivation I need.
     
    #10

  11. The Norton Cat

    The Norton Cat Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2015
    Messages:
    6,796
    Likes Received:
    11,918
    #11
    Nig and Disco down under like this.
  12. Neil

    Neil Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2011
    Messages:
    1,044
    Likes Received:
    992
    #12
  13. Nig

    Nig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2019
    Messages:
    6,282
    Likes Received:
    15,030
    That's an old subject.
    Are you between a rock and a hard place ? <laugh>
    Sorry to dig them up .
     
    #13
  14. The Norton Cat

    The Norton Cat Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2015
    Messages:
    6,796
    Likes Received:
    11,918
    <laugh>
     
    #14
  15. Ozzymac

    Ozzymac Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2019
    Messages:
    4,689
    Likes Received:
    10,939
    Main character is a guy named Doug
     
    #15
    The Norton Cat likes this.
  16. Ozzymac

    Ozzymac Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2019
    Messages:
    4,689
    Likes Received:
    10,939
    and his apprentice Dougless
     
    #16
    The Norton Cat likes this.
  17. Montysoptician

    Montysoptician Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2011
    Messages:
    5,360
    Likes Received:
    11,021
    My nephew in Australia, had a book published using these and it's for sale on Amazon
    https://guide.xlibrispublishing.co....sEUdDNIrv9um1w1mANcZoi6zPqx-UWNsaAhJYEALw_wcB
     
    #17
  18. Smug in Boots

    Smug in Boots Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2011
    Messages:
    53,541
    Likes Received:
    112,738
    An SAFC mate has had a few books published and has a new one which features Smug and his many daft stories ...

    ... send me a pm and I'll put you in touch.

    He's a very intelligent lad I stood on the Fulwell with for years, he subsequently worked in Hong Kong, Australia, Paris, etc.

    You can trust him 100%
     
    #18
  19. Nacho

    Nacho Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2011
    Messages:
    16,927
    Likes Received:
    25,828
    Could hardly be more up my street, I love LA Confidential and Fear and Loathing especially the latter. Good title as well, sorry I can't help but I will buy a copy if you manage to get it published.
     
    #19
    Disco down under likes this.

Share This Page