book launch
MUTIN Launches…
…with a fabulous reading from Captain Ted Cooper. It is encouraging to hear the words of your novel read aloud and, in this instance, I actually enjoyed the flow and building tension – it made me want to read more. I hope you do too. A side note: Ted Cooper was a good childhood friend who became a captain in the merchant navy. Sadly, he passed away before MUTINY was written.
Cup Cakes and Conversation
In preparation for the book launch today, the cup cakes are ready and guests arrived last night – very excited about the event. It’s raining this morning but looks like clearing in time for the festivities.
We were busy making cup cakes yesterday, with blue icing and topped with little submarines made from a selection of candy – designed by our daughter, Amy, and perfect for MUTINY. Yum!
A Background Note, Two Readings and Q&A
As we wind up for the book launch a week from today, the sequence is taking shape. Fortunately, two of my daughters have offered to do readings – both of which will introduce main characters. One daughter will be the MC – she has finished reading through MUTINY, so will be able to speak with some authority on the subject. My dear wife will be happy doing the nibbles and I will act as the main host, welcoming people and ensuring that they are well supplied with food and drink. Everyone attending will get a free copy of MUTINY, so happy days in the life of a writer. There will be time for some Q&A and no doubt yours truly will give the background impetus for MUTINY. Of course, you may be expecting some photos from the event?
MUTINY is Printed!
Yes, dear blog readers, you saw it here first. The advance copies of my new book have arrived. Just a small adjustment to do on the spine and it is ready to order in bulk for the book launch. I love the glossy cover, the colors and images, and the size too – perfect.
MUTINY is a loosely fictionalized autobiography – but you will have to guess which character I am basing myself on. And there are many snippets from my life story too. In other words, every time you see the disclaimer that, “This work is entirely fictional,” you can assume that some of it is not!
I just hope my readers love it and are left with a smile on their faces when they finish reading.
Factoid: One of the advance copies I ordered was printed on yellowed paper – fortunately, Amazon gave me a ‘promotional credit.’ The cool thing is – this yellowed copy goes well with the yellow submarine on the back cover!
Here is the link to my books in both paperback and kindle.
Ready, Set, Go!
OK, I have been in contact with my illustrator and formatting agent from my last book (details to come) and can now begin to plan THE BOOK LAUNCH! Yes, an exciting part of the publishing process – who to invite, where to host the event, advance publicity, catering, etc.
If all goes well, this will coincide with my next birthday. So, wait little longer dear bloggers, this event will unfold before your eyes. And, you may be invited to help choose the cover design. Oh joy!
3 Days until the launch of 3 WISE MEN!
So, what happens when you come to my book launch?
I was chatting to our hostess for the book launch of 3 WISE MEN. She loved the book and is an avid reader and she had visited one of the main locations that features in 3 WISE MEN. I flipped to a paragraph and she loved it. “That’s exactly how I remember it!” she exclaimed. Now, she is enjoying the 3 WISE MEN on her Kindle and looking forward to the attending the launch – being held here:
Here’s a few goodies you can expect:
1. Good company and good food and drink. Why else would you stop off on the way home after a busy day??
2. Meet the author. Though not exciting in itself, it would be nice to meet the author and find out some inside information about 3 WISE MEN. Of course, the author will be working diligently to avoid giving away too much of the plot!
3. Meet the author’s wife. This is much more important, because she has endured month after month of reading the book, listening to fresh ideas and reading final drafts. Therefore, she is highly likely to give away something important in the plot without you having to purchase a copy to find out yourself. Then again, she may not, or may forget which bits got left out in the revisions!
4. See pictures of places and characters that were captured on camera by the author (who is also an accomplished photographer) during his research into 3 WISE MEN. While doing so, you will hear a few small extracts from the book that dovetail into the photographs to provide a seamless narrative. Well, I hope so!
5. Have the chance to win a few nifty and attractive giveaways (and not just books)! Yes, there will be some door prizes. To prepare for this here are a few suggested questions that could be asked:
* How many people loose their lives in 3 WISE MEN – one, or more than one?
* Is 3 WISE MEN really a Dan Brown book on steroids? (No, delete this vain suggestion)
* Which of these events does not happen in 3 WISE MEN – a kidnapping, a drugging, a hallucination, or a suicide?
* What classic English sports car does the protagonist’s sister drive?
* Which of these countries does not figure in 3 WISE MEN – Israel, France, Russia, Italy or New Zealand?
* Name the perfume company that features in 3 WISE MEN (that should be an easy one!)
* Approx. how many words is 3 WISE MEN – 65,000; 75,000; 85,000; or 95,000? (Hint: you would be short-changed to buy a thriller of less than 75,000 words)
* Does 3 WISE MEN mention a ‘white rabbit’, ‘3 witches’, or a ‘talking gnome’?
And so on.
6. By now, the food and wine (or juice) will have prepared you for the chance to purchase a signed copy of 3 WISE MEN for yourself – and at a great price too!!!
7. With book in hand, you head home to enjoy a great evening of reading!
Date set for 3 WISE MEN Book Launch
THE COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN!
For anyone interested in getting face-to-face with 3 WISE MEN and its author (and his wife), then keep July 19 free from 5:30-6:30+. This event is being sponsored and is being held in Taupo, New Zealand. Contact via “Leave a Comment” for an invitation or more information.
First copies of 3 WISE MEN hot off the Amazon Press!
What an exciting moment – to arrive back home and unwrap the draft copies of “3 WISE MEN.” After nearly 20 months of writing, research, travel, editing and copy-editing, proofing, re-doing the manuscript, etc. it is such a privilege and joy to feel the actual book! Someone asked me recently whether I had thought about giving up on finishing this novel and, to be honest, yes – at least once! However, I always wanted to share with others what I thought was an exciting and compelling plot. It was the power of the story – the unusual circumstances that faced the humble protagonist – that kept me going! For his sake (the hapless Jak), the story needed to run its intriguing course. 
Thanks again for all who contributed to this moment!!! Perhaps writing a novel is a bit like child-birth, but three times as long and less painful? I am so thankful to Jan – my wife – and to my wonderful family who have endured the long period of gestation, and numerous revisions, that this novel went through. They now share in my overwhelming joy to see it in print. And, what a wonderful cover and layout too!
My advice to wannabee writers? Never write seeking fame or fortune – write because you just have to! And, don’t wait for a literary agent to snaffle your talent – or you could be waiting forever. For example, approx. 0.029 percent of authors get signed up with a literary agent – that is about 3 per 10,000! Not an encouraging statistic, but it reinforces the mantra of most literary agents – “We can’t take a risk on an unknown author.”
While I enjoyed working with an agent on a non-fiction book a few years ago, I would have to say that Literary agents are a dying breed who seem to have little faith that a new author will supply them with the breath of inspiration that they need to stay alive. So, believe in your story, write as best you can, and then improve it to the point where you know that you must self-publish with your head held high!
PS: You can find 3 WISE MEN in Kindle and paperback versions here at Amazon
Update: The local venue for the book launch is now chosen and will be held on July 19.