My first novel will be published in
early September. We’ll be sharing it as a Kindle e-book, paperback, and eventually
an audible presentation. This first-time author has high expectations for the
project, and I look forward to feedback from people who enjoy the Thriller genre.
Anyone attempting to write and
offer a book to the world might want to glance over the following five points discovered
while hammering out The Courier:
-1-Writing is hard, and
there are thousands of great authors working to sell their art.
Literary agents rejected my novel because it wasn't ready to be shared. I
consider the dismissals by the agents a positive. They assessed the manuscript
as needing further rewrites and pointed me in the direction of the self-publishing
industry. TAKE AWAY: Prepare the best
possible draft before sharing it with the agents and publishing companies.
-2-There are incredible
resources available to assist writers with their craft. I found the grammar
checking software Grammarly useful. It’s also worth listening to your draft
while you review it and Natural Reader’s realistic sounding software is
affordable and proved to be a powerful instrument to assist rewrites. The
online talent agency called Reedsy will assist in finding editors, cover
designers, website technicians, and other useful services. TAKE AWAY: Tools,
instruments, and professional support are available to anyone capable of
searching the Web.
-3- People judge a book by the
cover. You can create your Novel Cover if you're a talented graphic
artist or enjoy working with available templates. You can also shop around and
might be surprised at the availability of Excellent cover designers offering professional
work at reasonable prices. TAKE AWAY: Invest time or money in creating an
excellent cover for your novel.
-4-Marketing is the second
half of the battle. The Indie Novelist’s work only begins after
the last draft is complete. Exposing your book to the correct audience is
essential to successful marketing. I found books by Mark Dawson, David
Gaughran, and the free booklets found on the Bookbub website extremely helpful.
When you sign up for Gordon J.
Campbell's list, you receive a Top Secret Document based on the protagonist
Gregg Westwood. (www.gordonjcampbell.com)
TAKE AWAY: Build a mailing list
by offering something interesting to people. Do your homework and run a
systematic marketing campaign based on the tracks laid down by proven experts.
-5-Writing contests offer Excellent
opportunities for feedback and possible exposure. There are
several legitimate writing contests, and some provide a professional critique for
an additional fee. Winners gain exposure and prize money. TAKE AWAY: You can
test your product by entering first novel competitions.
Here’s a little bit about THE
COURIER
An expatriate businessman, Gregg Westwood, leaves the Officers’
Club at an American Air Base in Japan unaware about the impression he’s made on
two intelligence agents. They sized him up as someone with potential for
strategic deployment, and more importantly, he's under the radar.
Gregg's exploits start with what he thinks is a one-off assignment
as a courier, and the straightforward task spirals out of control. He's forced
to rise to the occasion and use every resource available to survive. Even his
family is jeopardized, which forces him to return to Japan to settle scores.
The Courier is one man’s struggle to fight for survival in a world
that he's not been trained for and where violence and retribution are the names
of the game.
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