Listening to my readers, I was delighted to launch a boxed set of the Sebastian Trilogy eBooks.  With free ‘Sebastian’s Journal,’ the set offers excellent value: one stop erotica in a box! The set zipped straight to number 4 in Amazon.co.uk’s top 100, erotica.

The Sebastian Trilogy

I’m learning that there is a broad spectrum of opinion regarding self publishing within the industry.  Traditionally, self published authors were perhaps considered to be writers who were unable or unwilling to sell their manuscript to traditional publishing houses nor to gain representation from an agent.  However, along came Kindle Direct Publishing via Createspace and now a plethora of self pub companies and suddenly it was much easier and cheaper to self pub.  Writers who feared rejection could now see their book for sale at minimal or no cost to themselves without facing the dreaded slush pile.

What if an author has self published and now wishes to traditionally publish?  Conferences such as WDC14 comprise many industry experts extolling the virtues of hybrid publishing – the merger of trad and self published books or a combination of the two.  Such conferences will shout loud and clear the message that there is no longer stigma attached to authors/books who have chosen to self pub.  However, does this reflect within the industry itself?  Do agents and editors practice what is now preached?

While one can see the potential viewpoint of an agent:  your book has already gone to market and is therefore unattractive to trad publishers,  let’s delve a little deeper and think about this.  If a writer can demonstrate marketability and demand for his/her book then should it be dismissed by agents/editors?  If it’s saturated the market then the answer is probably yes – where can it go next?  However, if the writer has dipped their toe in the water and their work has been well received with evident scope to further develop and sell then why wouldn’t an agent or editor be interested?  After all, the risk is less if the book has been proven to have a market keen to buy it.  The self published writer has most likely demonstrated an ability to build a social platform and enthusiasm toward promoting their book.  They have established an audience and when one considers the expense and risk to publishing houses of taking on a new author, a successfully self published author has already proven their book sells.

Hybrid publishing seems to be the way forward.  Traditional publishers and agents can cherry pick the books that they wish to acquire/represent while the author can retain digital rights perhaps (although eBooks are increasingly becoming the bread and butter of the book world) or in any case, negotiate and work in partnership together so that all parties benefit from a mutually rewarding opportunity.

So … it really shouldn’t be ‘them and us’ trad Vs self, in my opinion.  If a book has legs, let it run!

What an incredible journey I had this last weekend at the Writers Digest Conference in New York City.  I set off from Heathrow Airport, London, with more than a little trepidation at venturing so far alone.  As I sat on the plane for the 8 hour journey (no idea why it only took just under 6 hours flying home although the pilot clearly floored the accelerator pedal!) I mentally kicked myself.  Janey, this is just another crazy thing in the long list of craziness that is your life.  Just like flying to Borneo last year to trek through the jungle and stay with the Iban people.  I had sat on that super long flight wishing I could have the plane turn around and go home, yet it proved to be one of the most amazing experiences of my life.  This trip was no different albeit with fewer deadly snakes and spiders and a diet that didn’t consist of monkey and rat!

What I discovered was a wealth of writing education and inspirational talks amongst like minded people, in a fabulous environment of the Roosevelt Hotel.  I clung to every word uttered by best selling authors, dreaming that one day I could have a tenth of their success and talent.  Then it sank in that they too were once where the 5 or 600 of us sat, at the start of their writing journeys and everyone seemed to agree that they felt motivated and inspired to return home and write – and to produce the very best work that we are capable of.

The most terrifying and exciting element of the conference was for me the agent pitch slam.  I described it as speed dating for writers;  with just 90 seconds to pitch my books but no guarantee we’d click and date 😉  Each of the 6 agents I pitched was charming and encouraging so now begins the follow up – sending out 5 partial and one full manuscript.  I have a favourite whom I’d love to work with but I’ll keep that a secret for now.

I can’t deny I was star struck by the awesome, hugely talented, witty (and yes tall, handsome) Harlan Coben and his signed novel ‘Missing You’ now has pride of place on my bookshelf.

So here I am back in England with a fresh spring in my pen and a renewed hunger to succeed in my writing dream.  I can’t wait for next year’s conference …

It’s been a fun afternoon collating the winners of the recent giveaway hosted by christinahardingerotica.blogspot.com ~ mine was the first such competition that Christina has hosted so I was very honoured.

Following incredible reviews of The Sebastian Trilogy and Sebastian’s Journal, Christina  gave away a signed copy of ‘Sebastian’s Journal’ and 5 signed bookmarks.  I actually sent 2 signed bookmarks to each winner as just one looked rather lonely in the envelope.

Please do read Christina’s reviews of my work by clicking the above link.

Not that I’m excited about the forthcoming Writers Conference in NYC but I can tell you precisely the days/hours/minutes until I step on the plane at Heathrow, London!

I’m now furiously researching the agents in attendance for the Pitch Slam.  With just 90 seconds to entice the agent to request my manuscripts I’m in stalker mode! [Not literally, I should add!]  There is a wealth of literary talent and experience wrapped up in a neat bundle of 54 agents ~ rather like Christmas morning finding 54 gifts under the tree ~ oh to be able to keep one.  Just one special agent with whom I can form a great working relationship.  I’d even forgo the gift wrap!

Like a woman possessed, I signed myself up to attend as many seminars as I possibly could.  My itinerary doesn’t leave me time to eat or even breathe but I simply can’t wait for every precious second of the entire 3 days.  I did however leave myself crucial retail therapy time before my flight home 😉

I’m thrilled to have launched a brand new edition of all three books in The Sebastian Trilogy!  Not only does each book have a newly designed cover, but the printed book size has changed too.  At 5 x 8″ it’s small enough to tuck in your handbag/purse/beach bag, but don’t worry, none of the story has been lost – it packs the same punch as before but has been tweaked and enhanced!

I hope you’ll agree that the 2nd edition rocks!

Cover Reveal ~ The Sebastian Trilogy

I’m delighted to reveal the new covers for The Sebatian Trilogy!  It’s been tremendous fun working with the talented designer/illustrator Sam Wall at http://www.samwall.com  who interpreted my concept with her own stamp of creativity and imagination.

I have three signed copies of my latest release, ‘Sebastian’s Journal,’ to give away! Simply send me a private message on Facebook telling me what you enjoyed most about The Sebastian Trilogy.  Competition ends on 1st June ’14 when I’ll choose my favourite replies! I also have 10 signed book marks for the runners up!

Thanks so much to all who have entered so far.  It’s very humbling to read your wonderful messages. It’s going to be a hard choice to make!

The small print: My decision is the only one that counts, as my husband will confirm 😉 I also reserve the right to use your comments anonymously in the future, including marketing purposes and cheering myself up when I have writers’ block. I reserve the right to add even smaller print if anything else comes to mind.

Google yourself!

It’s time that I began the onerous task of trying to acquire a literary agent.  With this in mind, I started to search the internet and one message in particular was very clear … I should Google myself!

Literary agents naturally wish to see that a prospective client is web-savvy – that the author with whom they partner is pro-active in marketing their own work. Thankfully, I have built up a presence on Twitter with a strong platform featuring the cast of my Sebastian tales.  Each cast member has been recruited by me with an emphasis on strong writing skills and knowledge of my novels.  After all, they are representing and bringing to life my work … my passion!

Facebook is a social media platform that is also crucial.  I absolutely love the interaction with readers, many of whom I now think of as friends.  Running competitions has been a fun way to draw more ‘likes’ but also to give something back to my readers.  Signed bookmarks, Sebastian mugs and signed books are some of the freebies that I’ve sent to USA and UK readers.  Who doesn’t like a freebie? I doooo!

So, my Google search of myself yielded the following (thankfully nothing more scandalous than the eroticism of my tales):

That I have an author page on http://www.Goodreads.com, my Facebook fan page, links to my books, my website, blog, twitter page, author interviews, reviews of my work … and much much more!

Therefore if you’re a writer, be an internet whizz too!  As the least tech-savvy woman on this planet I assure you that if I can do it, you can too 😉