OUT, BUT NOT DOWN

The official launch for Aquasapien went well at Canterbury Library. I didn't sell as many copies as I would have liked, but then again who is ever satisfied with sales?
​Sold several copies of WOTW which was interesting and a couple of  copies of Red anthologies too, which was great. No Soroptimist anthologies this time.

​I've other places booked for signings in the future including Hythe on the 2nd July and Ashford on 24th September so not all bad news.

​Some people were interested when Aquasapien might be coming out on Kindle format and a couple of folk asked about Audible format. I looked into Audible, which is where books are narrated, good for people with visual problems, or English as a second language. I used to use audio books when I travelled from Thanet to Hastings and back everyday for work. Those days were long and with 135miles to negotiate, is sometimes a chore, so I joined Rye library at mid-point. I borrowed and listened to over 135 novels during my time travelling. It was good to hear all the classics I'd never got round to reading, though the Sci-Fi and fantasy was limited to Pratchett and Wyndham in those days.

​Audible books are popular, but it requires a narrator and guess what, that costs more money. We researched it on my favourite site, Fiverr and it worked out at £2,000+. You naturally pay more for well-known people. I've wondered since, whether holding auditions might be a good idea. I mean it's an acting job really, like on the radio, and you'd get accreditation too (though no royalties - sorry).
I'm seriously considering auditions and already have one person interested. Did I mention that you need to be comfortable narrating sex scenes (of various levels). It would be interesting to see if anyone 's interested. I have worked out I could probably pay £135 - £140. This equates to  30 - 34 pence per page - there are 448 pages. Watch this space and please feel free to apply. You need to be male, have a fairly deep voice and be broad-minded.

​On another note I attended the Kent Creative Awards on the 19th May with fellow writer, Kim Hammond,  from Inspirations Writing Group. We didn't win, but it was a good evening and we met a couple of interesting folk. I was surprised how many creative people are very happy to blow their own trumpets. I suppose that's what you have to do to make yourself known. As some of you may know, originally it was suggested that I put myself forward as a nomination, but I felt too uncomfortable shouting how brilliant I am. Despite what the rest of you might think, I prefer to let my work shout for me. Sadly if you don't sell many copies, or come to the mover and shakers attention, then it seems that writing itself does not sell books.
​Maybe next year I put myself forward, it can't hurt, though I'm not going to wear some of the avant grade outfits I saw this time, and if anyone ever see's me wearing such please remind me that I'm mortal.

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