self publish

My new Book is complete

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Now before I and at least one person who reads this gets carried away, let’s just say those two words are always written ironically the first time around. I know more than most that a writer’s work never really ends.

Yesterday I overcame odds which seemed to pile up around me back in April. Back then my story seemed to have no way out, it felt boring and lacklustre. Amongst the few cool concepts there was just no way I could continue this and get a book out of it. It even made me a tad angry.

Now that’s all in the process of creativity, I have learned. Especially this time around. Ever since I dropped my previous robot crime futuristic project I have tried to write in a way where I am not attached emotionally to the narrative.

Yes, anything I write means a lot to me, but the stuff I am now writing leaves me willing to chuck it all towards the publishing fire and spend it on building a readership. This doesn’t mean the product will lack in quality, there is just less emotion on the line if it fails.

My arrival as an independent author is important and imminent. Tomorrow will see the final performance of my first written and directed play by Iver Heath Drama club. A beta arrival if you say where my work and voice can hopefully be seen, all portrayed by some wonderful performers.

first drafts...

Back track to last year and Open Evening was born, a soon to be published debut novel by me which I am ever so proud to bring out. After finishing that and organisation of the publication I had a great energy to see if I could do another. Not a sequel but another stand-alone book in the genre of mystery and thriller (there will be more about it very soon). By the turn of this year my efforts were well under way for this next story and everything became apparent.

With the balance of shift working and trying to write amongst a social life that tended to decline slightly, my back was firmly against the wall. Consideration must be taken into account as I had very few plot or themes to work with. This book was the child of spontaneity. I planned badly and tried to rely on the Open Evening formula, that being a story which I have seen a thousand times which poured onto the page. This next project not so much, in fact this has been my longest draft to date, just shy of 7 months.

Only my experience and dedication alone got me out of this project in one piece and still my record for starting a project and completing it remains, just about. Next I shall be taking a week or so off writing. Then my attention turns to the final edit of Open Evening, just in time for it to go towards Satin Publishing and then to my readers.

As I said a writer’s work is never done.

Oh and one other thing, my next book is called Darke Blood!

My #YearOfWriting Continues…..

 

 

A thank you to followers

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The Hall of information officially opened for business nearly two years ago with a dedication to gaining more followers. With every entry over that time I can happily say that the follows have slowly crept up to 70. Something which two years ago Lee wouldn’t have thought a realistic thing.

My whole premise is to build a loyal following of good tasted people who will buy my book when it first hits the shelves this September. Yes, Open Evening will make its journey over the summer through a professional cover artist and professional edit. Hopefully a wonderfully polished product will come out the other side and will be something I am more than proud to share with you.

This blog is titled a journey to publication and it is during my year of writing that the destination is sitting just before the horizon now. A year so far which has seen me over come a high level of writers block type frustration along with adapting to being a shift worker. Things will just take longer to create from scratch from now on. My latest draft of a new title will hopefully reach completion with in a few weeks and maybe I will divulge some more info on that soon.

In other writing news my first play will make its way to the stage next week. Hotel doom stars an all talented cast of fine actors and actresses who have worn my writing like a glove. Their input has been amazing and we have a great show. It would be a shame if the audience numbers do not match the level of this show so if your in town next week then check it out here.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has ever supported me on this journey of writing. Whether you have simply liked a status, retweeted or followed me in some capactity I can only do this with your help. Let’s get some new faces out there on the shelves with decent meaningful stories to tell.

editing begins

Year of writing

Should I self-publish? What do you think?

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I’ve been here before, again I’m at a point where letters are going out to literary agents and there’s this thought; ‘why am I doing this?’ Now to get my reasoning for this blog post straight. I am not looking for attention or pat on the back. Yes I know one day my train will set sail and all but what I need right now is constructive advice.

The self-help books have been read, the various forums looked at. Some of closest friends consulted but still there is no answer as to whether or not I should self-publish my first book Clark Thorn and the Warrior Project. Everyone I go to is sitting beside me on the same side of the rather large castle wall. That castle being publication. There is nobody I know, that I could consult with a trustworthy decision or ounce of advice who is on the other side of that wall. Don’t get me wrong I take everyone’s advice on and I am thankful for that.

Now I know literary agents have to be selective and have got to choose the right project for them. They stick up various filters such as the want for a synopsis and a ‘standard’ cover letter. Why shouldn’t they, at the end of the day they only want the very best and they are in the position to want that.

But am I in that position also. Why should I choose the ‘traditional’ route. For all I know every agent that has ever looked at my book could think it’s a pile of shit. But that still doesn’t stop me because I know people are successful and have been successful for producing a lot less.

It does help to be talented at something in this world but it isn’t vital for success. Right now I don’t know, much like last year and when I opened the Hall of information. My idea now of self-publication is finding a relatively decent company/service whom I could pay to help me out. I am currently writing book 3 whilst book 1 is gathering dust. Wouldn’t it be better for me to build a readership by self-publishing?

I am fully open to suggestions. The floor is open for anyone to give me any constructive advice? Comments are welcome.

Decision Time, To self Publish or not, that is the Question?

Lee Hall Leave a comment

I’m back, fresh from a week in the hot sun and ready, well sort of. To take on the world of self publishing!!!

Decision Time!

I did say at the close of my last series of blogs that I would come to a decision when I return. But what exactly does that decision involve? (yes I am drawing this out, literally)

Do I self publish my first novel, Clark Thorn and the Warrior Project?

During my holiday I took some time to think, I walked along the sandy beach taking in doses of ultra violet rays.

My position right now is represented below (excuse my wonderful Paintbrush skills)

self

Copyright Amateur Hour

As you can see once the self pub path has been taken there is no return. But I have a plan!

On my ever continuing journey towards self-publishing why don’t I continue to try and acquire an agent whilst doing so? (This is represented by the engineering drawing  below*)

self2

So that’s where I am now. In the next month I will be implementing another edit of my book and then a new search for representation will happen! This will involve putting together a top notch Synopsis and covering letter which I will share with you good people.

No matter what the goal is it will always be the same and that is to get my novel published and read by the world!

I think either way there is a leap of faith that I need to take, it’s time to stop hiding behind a decision I am somewhat afraid to make and go for it!!! (pause for applause)

I hope you enjoyed this short but to the point blog, that is the aim for me this series. Write something worth reading that doesn’t drag on! A few minutes in the Hall of information is all you need.

Until next time, I’ll be seeing you, please share, comment and like, have a nice day/evening/morning/afternoon

Episode 7 : Winter is Coming (Season 1 Finale)

Lee Hall 1 Comment

For those who have been here since the start, our journey of series 1 is coming to close. The Hall of information is going on holiday next week so I thought this would be appropriate to end the pilot series of this blog.

But has the Hall been commissioned for a second series?

My answer to that is yes yes oh yay! The following I have received has been enough for me to put efforts into continuing this campaign with publication of my book firmly in sight. There will come a transition phase during the second series where my blog post’s will become more frequent. I quite like the idea of Thursdays, the weekend is in sight and people are in much better moods. But my initial thoughts would be to release content on a Monday also!

Game of Thrones Review 

By way of making this blog popular, I review popular things (that’s probably the most valuable lessons I can give to someone thinking of doing a blog. Reference popular stuff, it makes it more appealing)

So for my birthday I was given series 1 and 2 of the popular George R R Martin television adaptation Game of Thrones. Having been a citizen of the internet since this show’s arrival I was no stranger to it’s perception. In fact I was led to believe that the whole cast would be killed off on an episodic basis. That’s the exaggeration of the trolls for ya. But I was impressed to say that wasn’t the truth.

We are thrown into a world of castles, kingdoms, trial by combat and successors to an iron throne. There isn’t nearly enough words for me to describe this rich and immersive world of characters that is somewhat brief in my opinion (I will say tits, tits everywhere). I understand the book is immensely complex and translation to TV requires attention spans to be kept on their toes. To me the series seemed rather slow from the get go although there were plenty of moments that shocked and intrigued me. There just wasn’t enough for me to sink my teeth into. I love TV shows, the time spent with characters and their stories developing over episodes is something I very much appreciate.

Although I haven’t a bad word to say about Game of Thrones, the first series felt more like a chore than an enjoyment to me. I have been told, that the series following and beyond is well worth the investment of time.  But surely the first series should also have such moments.

There are some great characters among the brilliant cast and I am somewhat looking forward to see where the story goes in series 2. The sets, costume and action are of a superb level of quality and if this was my book being adapted then I would be beyond proud.

Overall I liked series 1 and I give it 8 Joffrey’s out of 10

Introductions Part 7 (Ok this is wearing thin now)

By the end of May 2013 I felt as if I was ready to send my manuscript out to potential agents and publishers. Having given the book a half-hearted edit. I drew together a list of 50+ contacts and fired off the emails.

In this time I had began to draft book 2!

I received very little response from anyone regarding my book, and the responses I did receive were blanket emails.

What was I doing wrong? After some research I changed my cover letter, put together a synopsis and tried again. By September of that year I had finished drafting Book 2 and decided to take a closer look at book 1.  I had received contact from a literary agent and editor who showed some level of interest but it didn’t feel right to me.

The winter of 2013 consisted of me restructuring Clark Thorn and the Warrior Project, I added 10,000 words and split the 12 chapters. The four hour sessions were back and I worked immensely hard to bring my book up to an immaculate standard.

The new edit was complete and again I would approach publishers and agents.

Again to no avail.

I went through the motions in terms of disappointment, anger and all the other negative stuff, wondering why nobody was interested. My perception of the literary industry was becoming apparent. A closed door society where everyone behind that door will fob off and cop out any way possible. Why not, they are doing this for a living they have to be that way.

(Introductions part 10) Remember a few episodes back, well here it is again. I sent off my manuscript for an appraisal and that’s where I am today!

July of 2014 I decided that I would pursue the route of self-publishing

What am I doing right now

Having recently received my manuscript assessment I went to work in implementing changes and put it in line with the issues pointed out. It took me less than 10 days (of mostly 4 hour’s an evening) to finish and now I am currently taking a break.

Decision Time

I would most like to leave the close of this series on some level of cliff hanger and that is what I will do, when I return for series two I will have an answer on whether or not Clark Thorn will be self-published.

Thank you all for reading Lee’s Hall of information, please share, follow, sign up and tell the world! Series Two will begin on Thursday the 25th of September!

Episode 2

Lee Hall 2 Comments

That difficult second episode where most viewers return to give it another chance to see if it’s any good

It’s been a week and I am back quicker than you can binge watch orange is the new black on Netflix. If you were able to withstand my constant spamming about the pilot blog then bloody good for you, and thank you.

To be perfectly honest I had no idea what type of reception I would get and all I can say is YEAH! We got through to a number of people. (I say we because this isn’t just a solo effort from me but all of you) Thus I would like to extend the biggest of thank you’s and a hello to those who have taken the time to read what I have to offer (some of you even signed up to receive email updates). I’ve now got followers from many corners of the internet and I salute you all. Whether you saw the link via social media, recommended by a friend or even by me. All of you good people are starting to build the base for what will be something extraordinary.

(An additional thanks to those who have come from Booksie.com, the place where many of my writings started out)

Last week’s ‘feature length’ offering brushed over some of the topics I will be covering here so I will waste no time in continuing from where I left off.

Introductions Part 2

So a couple of years passed and the windows 98 computer was now literally in pieces. (I will note that my writing had been since printed off via a Lexmark z13, also now in pieces). They were smashed up for data protection…

That is the best way to dispose of any computer, smash it up and break the sledgehammer handle in the process (that actually happened). My efforts to pen Jack Thorn continued via a Tesco value notepad (very humble beginnings). Eventually I would go on to finish the first draft at the age of 15. I decided that I would rather not do school anymore and spend valuable GCSE (final exams) study time writing.

Looking back I don’t have a single regret of choosing to do that. As always, I used my ‘cross that bridge when I get to it attitude’. Leaving me in a history exam reading one particular question and saying ‘well fu**’.

Final grade D (not bad if you tell me but I can’t imagine what the person grading that exam thought)

(But if you are currently in school don’t do what I did, do as I say and that is stay in school, get as many qualifications as you can and stay as long as you can to ride it at least into your mid-twenties) (That’s my contribution to the youth of today)

School came and went leaving me behind in a sense as I didn’t fancy sixth form and their policy was stay on or leave. I left, but in all that time I spent looking for a job, I continued writing and converted Jack Thorn onto a windows xp slightly less piece of sh**.

To be continued….

IMG_1696

The humble beginnings of Jack Thorn

Market research (of sorts)

research

So as I edge closer to deciding that I will self-publish my first book, I asked my good Facebook followers about preferences between printed books and e-books.

post

And this is what some of my good followers responded with:

answers

So the response was kind of mixed,  my initial decision come September will be to self publish via kindle or other e-book platform and also a print on demand service which provides the reader with a book they can hold.

I’m 25 (as of Monday the 4th)

As I scratch around desperately in search of the years, I say out loud ‘Where have they gone?’. The last two paragraphs of introductions part 2 were nearly 10 damn years ago. I may be paranoid but I sometimes go deep into thought about time and how it’s slipping away. I mean 2030 is closer to than the mid 90’s (feeling old yet?) If you remember the emergence of the spice girls you certainly will.

What makes you feel old? (don’t say my age) Let me know via the comments.

Some Photoshop fun

So recently my good friend Matthew Streuli has decided to have some fun with Photoshop and my face. With the use of Facebook there have been a few more artists who have popped up trying to emulate and sometimes better Matthew’s work. Below is the best of what I can only call Lee Facing. The newest social media sensation. Do you dare to have a go? Post to my Facebook page and let’s see who can put my face on stuff. That is why it’s called FACEbook right?

lee face 1

The original picture (myself left and Matthew right)

Then it turned into this

Then it turned into this

And then chaos ensued

leeface collection

As you can see I have mad paintbrush skills, by hacking these pictures together it has made a collage of sorts.

That wraps up another week an episode of Lee’s Hall of information. Check back next week, same bat blog, same bat time (roughly)