Monthly Archives: February 2013

Pile EM High And Sell Em Cheap

I have been thinking a good deal recently about book marketing and, in particular how best to market my forthcoming book, Samantha. It is often remarked of the English that we are self deprecating, that we have an aversion to blowing our own trumpet. Obviously this is a stereotypical observation, however it does, in the case of myself contain a kernel of truth. I find it incredibly difficult to tell people in a face-to-face context about my published collection of short stories, The First Time and my forthcoming book, Samantha. When I open my mouth to talk about my writing I can feel my face turning red and yours truly suddenly becomes rather reticent. The perception that self-publicising is not the done thing, dies hard in me.

I do not feel the same disinclination to promote my work on the internet. Perhaps this is due to the fact that I have never met any of the people who read my blog. I don’t have to face my blog’s readers, the computer comes between you and I. Distance helps communication. Ironically where I to meet any of my blog’s readers face-to-face the fact that a relationship of sorts (as regards my writing) had developed over the internet would make talking about my books relatively easy (at least I think this would be the case, it hasn’t happened as yet so I have no way of knowing for sure)!

Still on the subject of marketing, I have read a number of posts which suggest that authors should listen to their readers to ascertain what they like about their work and then go on to employ this knowledge to improve their craft. Obviously it is good to learn what one’s readers think of one’s writing and writers can learn from constructive criticism. However I can’t agree with the view that authors should ascertain what readers appreciate in order to provide them with more of the same. As a writer I write about those issues which interest me and about which I feel strongly. If readers disagree with my perspective then, of course I respect their views, however I am not prepared to tailor my writing in order to gain fans and/or sell more books. Naturally I hope that people will buy (and more importantly like) my books, however there is no value in selling books in large quantities only to sacrifice one’s integrity.

Sorry for a somewhat rambling post.

Kevin

Editors Wanted

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I’m considering employing the services of an editor/proof reader to go through my forthcoming book, Samantha which is currently in draft (unfinished) form on my blog. Once finished I will make further changes to the manuscript and then (very possibly) use the services of an editor. I’d be grateful for any suggestions regarding editors and/or proof readers. Please either comment on this post or, if you prefer send an email to newauthoronline@gmail.com.

Many thanks,

Kevin

Going to hell in a hand cart

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On occasions I feel that I’m caught up in a technological maelstrom from which it is impossible to escape. On the positive side of the coin Twitter and Facebook offer the opportunity to promote my writing, however social media and technology more generally can suck us into a world in which deep thought is replaced by constant (and often unthinking) clicking on links which happen to take our fancy at a particular moment in time. Who among us has not gone online meaning to quickly check their emails only to find themselves an hour or so later browsing the internet?

One of my happiest recollections as a child revolves around sitting in the school library reading. Sometimes I’d randomly take down a book from the shelves and find myself captivated by Andrew Lang’s rendering of the Greek myths. On other occasions I would pick up the Oxford Book of English Verse and read old favourites such as Wordsworth’s Solitary Reaper. I could sit there for hours or at least until one of the staff chased me out into the great outdoors to play! In my school days I lacked the distraction of the internet and of mobile technology. Not so today. In 2013 I, like so many others face the temptation of constantly checking my mobile to see who that text who’s beeping disturbed my concentration came from and, of course to reply to the sender. If it isn’t texts or browsing the internet then I’m tempted to check to see if my friend has responded to my email asking whether he is free for a drink on Friday.

A year or so ago I took the decision to go without using the internet for 5 days. To clarify I still had to use the internet in connection with my full time job, however I didn’t go online for personal browsing during those 5 days either on my computer or my mobile. During that time I read a lot and also enjoyed walking in the local park. It was a good experiment and I’d recommend it to my readers. See how much more you read and do other things when access to the internet is prohibited (by yourself) for a week or so.

People have been saying for centuries that the world is going to hell in a hand cart so isn’t my concern about modern society’s obsession with technology merely a manifestation of this old and frequently overblown fear? Of course technology offers many positive benefits. As a blind person I embrace the freedom which the text to speech facility on my Kindle gives me to enjoy ebooks. Again blogging is a wonderful way of connecting with like minded people and of sharing ideas. Technology is neither good nor bad it is how we employ it which is the issue. Is the internet going to remain our servant or will it become our master? I don’t know the answer to that question but what I do know is that we need quiet time for reflection and reading. If we lose that then we will all become poorer.

(Note: while writing this I heard a text being delivered. I am in the spare room and my mobile is sitting on the bedside cabinet. I made a decision not to check my mobile and as of now the text remains unread).

Avoiding computer nasties

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Over the last week or so I had been periodically receiving the following message while using my Windows 7 laptop “warning, potentially harmful software detected. Click here to review and take action”. I have the free versions of Avast anti-virus and Zone Alarm on my computer and as the message was not generated by either of these products I began to wonder whether my PC was infected with malware and/or a virus. A system scan with Avast detected and successfully removed a number of threats, however the above message continued to plague me. My next step was to download the free version of Spybot Search and Destroy. The scan took about 40 minutes and lead to the detection of several nasties lurking in the depths of my PC. I’ve now successfully deleted the offending malware and my computer is running much faster and just (if not more importantly) I’m no longer concerned about unauthorised persons poking about in my PC and stealing data!

I like the company who provide Spybot Search and Destroy. Unlike many companies who offer free anti-virus or malware deletion products, the manufacturer of the software provide a prominent link to the free version of Spybot Search and Destroy on their site so no digging around for the free version or accidentally downloading the paid for product. For Spybot Search and Destroy please visit http://www.safer-networking.org/.

(Kevin Morris is the author of The First Time. For his collection of short stories please visit the Amazon Kindle store).