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Coming Soon  Follow me on Twitter @GeordieWriter Join the Blue Jackets on Facebook Read The Fallen each week for free Blue Jackets on Amazon Thursday's Child: Blue Jackets Part 3 UK, USA Growth Spurt: Blue Jackets Part 2 UK, USA Induction: Blue Jackets Part 1 UK, USA Add Comment I've been writing, editing and proof reading pretty much constantly for days to get my latest project ready. Now I can finally announce it! I am taking a journey into the world of self-publishing with an anthology of my own work. Entitled 'Olverston Grange ...and other stories' it is a collection of my previously published short stories, flash fiction and poetry as well as a fair smattering of brand new unpublished pieces. Everything in it has been extensively edited and rewritten so even if you have read my work this will be a totally different experience.  Keep your eyes open for the announcement of its actual release! And the reason for the blog title? I've just downloaded the new content for Skyrim. There are already a number of apologetic posts on this blog dating back to the original release of Skyrim. I promise to not let Dawnguard distract me as much. Follow me on Twitter @GeordieWriter Join the Blue Jackets on Facebook Read The Fallen each week for free Blue Jackets on Amazon Thursday's Child: Blue Jackets Part 3 UK, USA Growth Spurt: Blue Jackets Part 2 UK, USA Induction: Blue Jackets Part 1 UK, USA Yesterday I ended up having two very interesting conversations. In reverse order: A discussion about the current state of the publishing market. Of Amazon and the independents and the turmoil the publishing world was currently in. As I am about to self-publish, I wondered if I had become part of the problem. Was I, in fact, about to add to the chaos? I asked the question ' Am I feeding the indies [independent publisher's] or the beast? The answer took my off-guard. 'You aren't feeding the indies. You are an indie." The answer took me totally by surprise. I had to agree. In a few short days, I will be an independent publisher (at a tiny scale). I've gone from lying in a hospital bed to potentially starting a business in a couple of weeks under three years! Guess you've just got to keep pushing... The other conversation took place earlier in the day. I was talking with my best friend about the book I am about to release. I explained that it's a collection of my previously published work (that I still hold the copyright to) and how I was rewriting it all to correct the errors (grammars and typos mainly) and to also reflect my change in style from the first short story of mine saw print. As a horror fan he seemed more than pleased. Most of my earlier work, while not exactly horror, is dark and appeals to his tastes. He is also a massive film fan and commented "Ah, it'a a Director's Cut." I suppose it is. I am going back and fixing the errors I left in and coming somewhere close to completing the work but - big promise time - Greedo will not be shooting first! Follow me on Twitter @GeordieWriter Join the Blue Jackets on Facebook Read The Fallen each week for free Blue Jackets on Amazon Thursday's Child: Blue Jackets Part 3 UK, USA Growth Spurt: Blue Jackets Part 2 UK, USA Induction: Blue Jackets Part 1 UK, USA The feedback about my Blue Jackets series has been, for the most part, positive but more and more I find people are commenting on one thing. The length. Why, they ask, is it so short? It's too short for a novel. I was expecting some sort of negativity as I have taken the story out of its natural habitat, the comic, and written it as a series of short stories. Why did I do this? The answer has a lot of aspects to it but the main reasons are A) I really didn't feel ready to write a novel and B) I had (I think) a really good way of getting a readership. Was I right? Time will tell... The reason it is short is because it is a short story, written as a series. I like it that way but it will be changing. I am currently writing the Blue Jackets novel but don't hold your breath - I'm not a fast writer... I have three projects on the go at the moment. The novel I just mentioned, a (hate the word) biography and the third project which I will be launching shortly - expect a major announcement shortly. On a more important note... Today I went to the physiotherapist. She agrees that my recent relapse, coupled with the removal of my toe nail has had a major effect on my already limited mobility. Because I am three years (almost) into dealing with my MS she is more inclined to listen to what I say than some of my previous physios. A new exercise plan has been implemented, it is much reduced and is designed to attack one bunch of muscles. So now I'll be working on my Quads in an attempt to lend support to my knee. I have also heard that Jack Osbourne has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis too. My condolences go out to him and his family. He seems to be attacking life with MS from a very positive place and as I have realised, this is the only way to go. Keep the mental attitude correct and then deal with the physical as it comes... Good luck, man! Follow me on Twitter @GeordieWriter Join the Blue Jackets on Facebook Read The Fallen each week for free Blue Jackets on Amazon Thursday's Child: Blue Jackets Part 3 UK, USA Growth Spurt: Blue Jackets Part 2 UK, USA Induction: Blue Jackets Part 1 UK, USA I've looked at the Amazon guidelines to self-publishing and wow! No wonder so many people are uploading their stuff - it's so easy! This, however, is the problem. Because it is so easy many people are adding their work without the proper proof-reading and editing. I'm making sure my work goes through the correct prep. Only not now... Now, I am waiting for the medication to get out my system. I've entered the crying stage so not long to go now... Seven days until I announce the release! Short blog because of side-effect. I may well be back later... I have a problem. It's glaringly obvious but it had to be pointed out to me. I am impatient. Stressed when things aren't immediate. Peeved when I have to wait. You know the sort... Sometimes things need to be worked at - I have no problems with that. Sometimes they take time - that is an issue for me. The thing is, once it was pointed out to me, it was obvious. So was the solution. Accept that things are beyond my control and work harder to ensure they don't stay that way. To ensure I don't lose my steam again, I have set myself targets. The first of which is the release of my first self-published book. I have stated in the past that I have issues with authors that work without the aid of the safety net provided by proof-readers and editors and this is still true. But with so many authors extolling the virtues of cutting out the middle man I am giving it a go. The manuscript is reaching completion and the 'to do' list is rapidly shrinking. I have regained a lot of the enthusiasm I had lost and am feeling enthused and raring to go. The cover of the book is ordered and the first draft delivered - it is great! I can't release any more info because technically I don't own the lead story. I sold the copyright. In 8 days and counting down.... This is a big risk with money on the line. Fingers crossed... Follow me on Twitter @GeordieWriter Join the Blue Jackets on Facebook Read The Fallen each week for free Blue Jackets on Amazon Thursday's Child: Blue Jackets Part 3 UK, USA Growth Spurt: Blue Jackets Part 2 UK, USA Induction: Blue Jackets Part 1 UK, USA | AuthorM. Leon Smith lives in the North East of England. He writes short stories of natural and supernatural horror as well as a Young Adult Superhero series: Blue Jackets ArchivesMay 2013 Categories |
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