Sunday 29 June 2014

Lucky 13, an appeal for help and a call for guest posts...

This week for 

Operation Author: 365 Actions to Becoming a Successful Author 

My 7 tasks have revolved around working towards getting Solomon's Secrets published.

My first action was to meet with Silverwood Books about publishing the book through them. I have some thinking to do then get back to them with what I would like.

I saw some examples of the books they've published and had a long chat over a cup of tea. I'd really like to work with them but everything depends on the success of the crowdfund.

My next action was to put an update on Fundsurfer, briefing those who've already pledged and providing more information to those that haven't, in the hope that it will resonate and they'd like to support me.

Link to the update here
 My next action is an appeal for help...

If you've been enjoying the updates. If you've read some of the extracts and think that this a project worth supporting, please get involved.

Of course, if you ever need help spreading a message I'll help you out too if you've helped me :)

There are several ways you could help:

Twitter

Follow me on Twitter and I’ll follow you back:
https://twitter.com/TomCatDesigns
Facebook
Pinterest
 
Follow and share the Pinterest boards on the book:
Here’s the board of actors I imagine as my characters:
http://www.pinterest.com/amymorse184/solomons-secrets-characters/

Here’s the board of research links that I sourced when writing the book:
http://www.pinterest.com/amymorse184/solomons-secrets-research-links-and-images/


My next action is to call for guest posts. 

Have you got an idea for a post on marketing tips for creatives / writers?

I'm looking for short pieces of approximately 500 words. Share your tips and experiences here.

Tweet me if you are interested:

https://twitter.com/TomCatDesigns

This action is a funny example of how small the world is. 


I sent a press release to the Wellington Weekly News
 
They printed the piece. Later, on Facebook, a friend in New Zealand who's mum had sent them a copy of the Welly Weekly to mark the birth of their son (they too grew up in Wellington Somerset), posted an image. It was the issue I was in...


The next action associated with this is that my old school, Court Fields Community School contacted me and asked me to be the key note speaker at their awards ceremony. I'll be talking to pupils at my former school about following your dreams, entrepreneurship and writing on 10th July.


And finally, I'm still serializing chapters of Solomon's Secrets from time to time and this week I posted chapter 13

Please get in touch if you'd like to guest post and help support my publishing ambitions.  Thanks


 



 

Solomon's Secrets - Chapter 13


I've enjoyed posting chapters here over the past couple of weeks and finding appropriate images to share with you, so for


Operation Author: 365 Actions to Becoming a Successful Author 

I'm continuing to serialize chapters from Solomon's Secrets. 

Today I'm sharing Chapter 13. In this chapter we meet the enigmatic Milton Harkett and for the first time get a glimpse into his covert organisation, The Agency...






A Secret Location
Somewhere in London,


He couldn’t wait, this was important. Milton would want to know this as soon as possible. He knocked once, halfheartedly, then burst in.
“You have to see this!”
“Agent Sheridan,” said the man in an armour of pinstripe. He stood, and walked to the front of the desk. He leaned on it and fold his arms, glaring at him.
“Although I applaud your enthusiasm, I’d appreciate a little consideration first. What is it?”
“Milton, look!” Tom thrust a print out in front of him and jabbed at the image.
“What am I looking at?” Milton hunched over to look closely and squinted.
“The ring. He’s wearing one of the rings.”
“Well I never, you’re right. Who’s hand is this?”
Tom pulled another image from the manila folder tucked under his arm, a triumphant smile on his face.
“Ah. This could be an issue.”
“Why?” Tom couldn’t hide his frustration from his boss, Milton sighed, unfolded his arms and propped himself against the desk.
“That’s Dr Assim Hadad.”
“Yes, and?” said Tom, failing to see the problem.
Milton pinched and rubbed his chin, pursed his lips.
“Special Agent Sheridan, Tom. I’m going to go against protocol here and tell you something. This is strictly between us. It’s not to leave this office understood?”
“Sure, what is it?” he nodded, resting his hands on his hips.
“Assim is the client.”
“Jesus Christ. And what the fuck?”
Milton raised a disapproving eyebrow.
“Sorry,” he said, knowing how Milton hated foul language.
“But it makes no sense,” he continued, folding his arms, the file crumpling against his shirt, “Why would he hire The Agency to find the rings and the manuscript if he already has one of them himself?”
“Yes. It is concerning.”
“Concerning? That’s one way of putting it!” he tightened his arms around his chest, anger rising.
“You do remember last year right? When a client double crossed us and nearly got me and my team killed! Jesus, Milton”
“You don’t need to spell it out to me, Agent. I am more than aware. It was the biggest cock up we’ve had since I’ve run this organisation.”
He pushed himself away from the desk and paced on the spot for a moment, “One that ended up with us having to arrange for the client to disappear. We still haven’t recovered.”
It was as if he were having the conversation with himself, looking at his feet as he tracked back and forth across the expensive rug in the middle of his office, “The Turkish government are still asking questions about what happened to Osman Elmas and MI6 can only cover our backsides for so long. No. We’ll do it differently this time. We’ll make sure we’re one step ahead.”
Tom watched him, his mind racing.
“What are you thinking?”
Milton stopped pacing, and looked at him. His face set in a serious frown.
“We need his ring. And we need her ring. Maybe they can lead us to the other rings and then the manuscript? Take a team, your orders are to find Assim and get his ring– willingly or otherwise – but we need him alive if he’s going to pay us what he owes us. And bring Sasha Blake to me. She and The Agency have some unfinished business.”

Anthony Stewart Head as Milton Harkett (Image from: http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com)
 
Clive Owen as Tom Sheridan (image from: http://masguau.com)



Coming soon - Solomon's Secrets is in the final stages of preparation for publication. Help me to see it in print by pre-ordering now.


  • e-Books £3
  • Paperbacks £10 (inc P&P)

http://bit.ly/SolomonsSecrets_Fund

Saturday 21 June 2014

Crowds, BBQ's and Sunshine...

Crowds, BBQ's and Sunshine... and no, I'm not talking about the World Cup. In fact, I've been actively avoiding it!

This week, my seven actions for  
 
Operation Author: 365 Actions to Becoming a Successful Author

Have involved keeping the momentum going with the crowdfund, continuing to serialize Solomon's Secrets and finding ways to write outside so that I can enjoy sunshine and BBQ's in a rare week long spell of good weather in England. #SolomonsSecrets

I wrote a guest blog for Bristol Books Blog this week on Crowdfunding, offering tips to other writers considering this route to publication

Read the guest post here

I've been talking with a local publisher and have just over a month and under £300 still to raise to get Solomon's Secrets published. Please support me, so I can support a local publisher and a local crowdfund start up, get my book independently published and in local bookshops.

  • Signed paperbacks are £10 (inc P&P)
  • Kindle books are £3

http://bit.ly/SolomonsSecrets_Fund



I've been experimenting with audio and recorded the first chapter on SoundCloud

Listen to the prologue here

I have continued to serialize Solomon's Secrets on here and I have also put the first 6 chapters on a downloadable file on my website

Download the first 6 chapters here

I've made some miniature manuscripts that I'm going to guerrilla market around Bristol. Look out for these little books. I've already left one in The Lounge on North Street.

Look out for these in Bristol

I've also been writing the old fashioned way this week. Sitting in the garden or in one of Bristol's lovely parks, with a notebook and writing passages for the next book in the Sheridan and Blake Mysteries series, Gabriel's Game.

And finally, this week I have also released the second edition of The Bronze Box.

The kindle version is out now and the paperback proof has been ordered.

You can still get the first edition in Paperback at the moment, but only until the proof has been approved.  

The kindle version of the first edition is already out of publication. So if you want to own a rare book, warts and all, get in there quick! 

If you'd like a signed copy of this rare paperback, please email me. I have four left in stock and will sign a copy and post it to you for £10 (inc. P&P).


The Second Edition of The Bronze Box features a new epilogue, I've corrected the errors that slipped through the editing process and there is new cover art.


 You can also get copies of both The Bronze Box and Solomon's Secrets via the crowdfund.

Look out for more chapters of Solomon's Secrets being serialized here and please spread the word.

I'm off to enjoy the sunshine in Bristol and have a BBQ later!
 
Thanks for reading and supporting me.





Solomon's Secrets Chapter 12


I've enjoyed posting chapters here over the past couple of weeks and finding appropriate images to share with you, so this week for

Operation Author: 365 Actions to Becoming a Successful Author 

I'm going to continue to serialize chapters from Solomon's Secrets. 

Today I'm sharing Chapter 12. In this chapter we're inside Jon's head...






Bloomsbury Street, London


“So tell me more about yourself, Jon?”
He didn’t like where this was going. What was he comfortable telling her? How much of the mask would he allow her to peer around? He had to stay one step ahead of her if he was going to pull this off.
“There’s not much to tell really. What would you like to know?”
“OK, well let’s see. We’ll start with something not too personal – work. Why silk?” she cupped her hands around her cheeks, leaned on her elbows and looked at him. He enjoyed the attention she was lavishing on him. He wanted her to know him, but this wasn’t the time. He had it all planned, things came in the right order. Patience. He cast his eyes down and laughed to himself, “How long have you got?”
“So give me the quick version – give me the ‘tell me about yourself’ job interview pitch.”
He considered it for a moment, “I’ve never even had a job interview.” He hadn’t thought about it before.
“What? Never? Really?” she looked disproportionally shocked.
Was she flirting with him?
He could be honest, but edited, if it led to her opening up and offering more of herself to him. If she would start to trust him enough to take him to what he wanted.
“I’ve never needed to. I’ve always either worked for the family or myself.”
“Family. Hmm. Let’s do that then. Did Solomon’s Silks start off as a family business?”
How could he distil it into something acceptable?
“No, no. My father owned a Butchers shop in Hackney. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth though. Our grandparents had money. From about the age of fifteen I used to help my father out. But I learned a lot about running a business and building up relationships with regular customers.”
“I bet you did, with that silver tongue of yours.”
He smiled, flattered. She was growing increasingly fond of him, he could tell. She’d come so close to letting him in at her apartment. Patience. It wouldn’t be long now before she would give herself to him.
He continued his story, “It was the eighties and everyone was out from themselves. Maggie was in power and everyone wanted to make a fast buck. I used to acquire things for my dad’s regulars.”
“Acquire things? Like what?”
He smiled, they were interesting memories but not all of them could be shared.
“Cheap tobacco, knock off Walkman's, copied tapes, stuff like that. I made quite a bit of money and financed my way through university, doing various jobs for people. The silk came later. A business opportunity opened up and I took it. I spent much of the nineties traveling the world trading with Sheiks and Oligarchs. It suited me. I never was one to put down roots.”
“And you’re parents?”
“Both dead now. Dad sold his shop and retired but died just a few weeks after giving up work. We always said he’d die of boredom. As I got older I never had much to do with them, I was always independent.”
“Brothers? Sisters?”
What should he tell her?
He hesitated. Took a sip of wine. Glanced at the menu again.
“A twin brother. Jack.”
He left it at that. No sense in saying anymore. It was none of her business. Not yet.
“So where’s Jack now?”
“He’s gone.”
“Dead?”
He nodded. That would do.
“Oh. I’m so sorry.”
“It was a long time ago,” he said, avoiding eye contact with her.
There was an uncomfortable silence.
“Go on. Ask me something else?” he offered her a smile, hoping she could be encouraged to change the subject. It was too soon for Jack. He wasn’t ready to talk about that part of his life.
“OK,” she said, her voice uncertain. Her eyes drifted away in thought. He could tell she had many more questions. It was in her nature. Always asking questions. Always probing. Living for the pleasure of discovery.
That’s what he liked about her. Everything was interesting to her. Even things most people would step over in the dirt. Her enquiring mind was always open. It invited him in. He enjoyed that. He was usually on the periphery. Rarely invited in. The aloof millionaire in the corner people were afraid to get involved with. He never quite understood why. He could be generous, welcoming.
He’d been generous and welcoming to Cécile, but she’d thrown it back in his face.
Sasha wouldn’t be like that – would she?
Whatever role she was to play for him, his space was his own.
Should he let her in?
“Have you ever been married?” she asked.
That was an unexpected question. His cheeks felt hot. This was too personal. It needed to stop.
“Never. Never met the right woman and never had the time. I had a business partner once, but I don’t think it counts!”
“Too busy working and making money?” she flashed him a smile and he watched, fascinated as she sipped at her wine.
He laughed to himself, a contented laugh. More an expression of comfort than humour. She seemed to get that. Seemed to get him. It was refreshing. He wanted this to go further. Wanted to bring her into his life. At least he felt ready. Yes, he should let her in.
“So what do we do next then Dr Blake?” He folded his arms on the table top and grinned at her.
“Dr Blake? Well, that’s very serious,” she smiled. He liked the way she did that. The way her smile meant something, “Mister Solomon. We need to be in Paris in a couple of days if we’re going to try to find any trace of Assim’s ring at his apartment. Should I get some Eurostar tickets? I need to pop into town and run some errands anyway.”
He laughed. She was so sweet. Eurostar tickets indeed – “I have our transport covered.”
She pinched her eyebrows together, a small smile fixed on her lips. Suspicious, but not wanting him to know it. She was always suspicious. It quietly infuriated him, he’d given her no reason to distrust him. He kept it to himself and explained.
“My plane is at the City Airport. I’m planning to head back to Nice tomorrow morning. I have a seat for you. And a place you can stay.”
The smile fell away and her brows knitted.
“A plane? Wait a minute – you have your own plane, or am I missing something?”
“I have my own plane.” He sighed.
Why all the questions? couldn’t she just accept the suggestion without forever asking questions?
“OK?” she nodded, uncertain, “So then what? Where are we staying?”
“At the house.”
“What house?”
“My house of course. For someone so clever, sometimes you’re a bit slow, Sasha.”
She stuck her tongue out at him. Was he amused, or annoyed? He wasn’t sure, so he laughed.
“My main home is just outside Cannes, up in the hills. My little retreat. I have several guest rooms and have already had the housekeeper make up a suite for you. Don’t worry. I have everything covered.”
“You don’t need to do that, Jon. I wouldn’t want to cause you any inconvenience. I’m happy to make my own arrangements.”
Why would she do that? What did he need to do to earn her trust? Her respect? He shook the thought away.
“Nonsense. It’s a big house and I rattle around in it most of the time. I’m looking forward to having a guest. I insist. And don’t give me that guilt filled look. We have a lot in common you and I. You’ll rigorously defend your own independence, I get that. Think of this as a job and accept all the associated benefits as part of your payment. Trust me.”
She lifted her glass and he tapped his to it.
“Fine. And thank you,” she said.



Kate Winslet as Sasha Blake (image from: http://images.teamsugar.com)

Tom Hiddleston as Jon Solomon (image from: http://resources1.atgtickets.com)



Coming soon - Solomon's Secrets is in the final stages of preparation for publication. Help me to see it in print by pre-ordering now.


  • e-Books £3
  • Paperbacks £10 (inc P&P)

http://bit.ly/SolomonsSecrets_Fund