No, it’s not a clarion call to the people of Scotland to vote YES in the forthcoming Independence Referendum. It’s simply a follow-up to my earlier post McPublish And Be Damned!, in which I declared my New Year’s Resolution to become a truly independent author and publisher.
I’m delighted in this post to report job done. My two remaining books with publishers, The Bookie’s Runner and The Preservation of “The Olive Branch”, have now been given a makeover and re-published under the McStorytellers label.
I’ve no doubt that under its new stewardship The Bookie’s Runner will continue to be popular among readers. The true story of a downtrodden man, which most people seem to connect with immediately, it has been called “a modern masterpiece” and has been compared with classics like Bonjour tristesse.
I’m delighted in this post to report job done. My two remaining books with publishers, The Bookie’s Runner and The Preservation of “The Olive Branch”, have now been given a makeover and re-published under the McStorytellers label.
I’ve no doubt that under its new stewardship The Bookie’s Runner will continue to be popular among readers. The true story of a downtrodden man, which most people seem to connect with immediately, it has been called “a modern masterpiece” and has been compared with classics like Bonjour tristesse.
Sadly, I don’t think The Preservation of “The Olive Branch” will ever be as popular or as widely acclaimed. As the author Cally Phillips said in a recent review of the book, “It does not just defy genre, it almost defies definition.” And therein lies its lack of appeal. Because it’s different, it’s a challenge to read. Few want to take up the challenge, yet those who do invariably feel rewarded by the experience – “Gobsmacked!” declared one highly respected reviewer.
Actually, though, I’m no longer overly bothered about the book’s popularity. In the spirit of a true “indie”, what matters to me now is that it has been formatted, covered and described my way. I can decide when and how – and even if – to promote it. I’ll be the first to know if someone has ordered the paperback or if a copy of the Kindle version has been downloaded. And I’ll know quickly. I’ll be able to experience that tiny ray of sunshine piercing through the dark Amazon clouds. I won’t be kept waiting any more to find out about the sale six months or even a year later, by which time that little golden moment has long gone.
That’s what I love about being “indie”. It means being in complete control – of production, of promotion, of sales. And that’s why independence will always receive a YES vote from me!
Actually, though, I’m no longer overly bothered about the book’s popularity. In the spirit of a true “indie”, what matters to me now is that it has been formatted, covered and described my way. I can decide when and how – and even if – to promote it. I’ll be the first to know if someone has ordered the paperback or if a copy of the Kindle version has been downloaded. And I’ll know quickly. I’ll be able to experience that tiny ray of sunshine piercing through the dark Amazon clouds. I won’t be kept waiting any more to find out about the sale six months or even a year later, by which time that little golden moment has long gone.
That’s what I love about being “indie”. It means being in complete control – of production, of promotion, of sales. And that’s why independence will always receive a YES vote from me!