Category Archives: Uncategorized

Selling Your Book – A Dose Of Realism

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Selling books isn’t easy unless, that is you are an established author with the support of a publishing house. My short story, Samantha has received 2 4 star reviews, one on amazon.com and the other on amazon.co.uk, however I haven’t sold a single copy. How can that be I hear you ask? Amazon offers a programme called KDP Select. If an author enrols their book in the programme they are entitled to offer their books free for upto 5 days in any 90 day period. Samantha is enrolled in KDP Select and all downloads (and reviews) have been forthcoming during the free promotion of the short story.

I don’t regret having enrolled Samantha in KDP Select (it was instrumental in bringing my story to the attention of over 100 people), however it would be nice to actually sell a few copies.

To anyone starting out as an author I’d certainly recommend considering enrolling your book in KDP Select as it is, in my experience a great way of promoting your work. I would, however add the caveat that using KDP Select doesn’t mean that readers are going to buy your work (they will, almost certainly download it free but free downloads and, hopefully reviews will not, necessarily translate into people parting with cold hard cash. Anyone thinking of using KDP Select should also read the small print and, in particular the stipulation in Amazon’s Terms and Conditions that while enrolled in KDP Select a book may not be offered for sale anywhere other than amazon. Amazon do check so, if you use KDP Select I’d advise that you ensure that your work is only available on Amazon while enrolled in the programme.

To visit my Amazon author page please go to the following link http://www.amazon.co.uk/K.-Morris/e/B00CEECWHY/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Sting In The Tail And Other Stories By K Morris Availible In The Kindle Store

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Following on from my post of earlier today (17 June) in which I announced that my collection of short stories, “Sting In The Tail And Other Stories” is available on amazon.com, I am pleased to confirm that the book is now available on amazon.co.uk. To learn more about “Sting In The Tail” please visit http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sting-tail-other-stories-ebook/dp/B00DFK6R54/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1371459274&sr=1-1&keywords=sting+in+the+tail+and+other+stories. To learn about my other books please visit my Amazon author page which can be found here http://www.amazon.co.uk/K.-Morris/e/B00CEECWHY/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Sting In The Tail And Other Stories By K Morris Availible On Amazon

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My collection of short stories, “Sting In The Tail And Other Stories” is available as an ebook on amazon.com and can be found here http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DFK6R54. At time of writing “Sting In The Tail” does not appear on amazon.co.uk, however it should be available for purchase in the UK Kindle store very soon.

Many of the stories in this collection have an unexpected ending. In the title story, “Sting In The Tail” a clever fraudster prowls England’s green and pleasant land in search of his next victim but will he meet his match? IN “The Dinosaur” Lord Dudlum is faced with an ethical dilemma, should he give into the demands of his daughter or do what he knows to be right? Other stories look at what happens when the worlds of money and sex collide.

To view or purchase “Sting In The Tail And Other Stories” please visit the above link.

Libraries Killed the Author?

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The author Philip Pullman is concerned that authors receive no royalties in respect of ebooks borrowed from public libraries. Authors receive six pence for every copy of their print books borrowed from libraries but nothing for ebooks. Pullman is concerned that as the market for ebooks expands being an author may become uneconomical. He is therefore calling on the UK government to change the law so that writers receive payment in respect of ebooks borrowed from public libraries, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2340789/Philip-Pullman-Pay-library-e-books-writing-commercially-viable.html

Mandrake

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At university back in the dim and distant past I read history and politics. One of the books I read as part of The History of Political Thought was a slim tome by the Italian writer Machiavelli entitled “The Prince” which, in essence argues that might is right and that princes (those wielding power) are entitled to use whatever means are at their disposal to retain power. Machiavelli’s arguments have lead to him being labelled as immoral by some while others argue that he is a political realist who was describing the real world rather than the world as we would, ideally like it to be.

I was reminded of my studies when my friend Brian asked whether I would like to attend a production of Machiavelli’s “Mandrake” at the Brockley Jack Theatre, in London on Saturday 15 June, I wasn’t aware (or at any rate I’d forgotten) that Machiavelli had, in addition to “The Prince” written a farce, consequently I jumped at the opportunity to attend. The fact that the theatre is located above the Brockley Jack pub was, I must confess an added incentive to go along!

The description of the play as it appears on the Brockley Jack’s website is as follows:

“Mandrake – Machiavelli’s greatest sex farce.

 

Callimaco wants Lucrezia: Lucrezia is married to Sir Nicia. Sir Nicia wants children. Ligurio wants to please both Callimaco and Sir Nicia. But what happiness

can Lucrezia find? And Siro, the unpaid servant, how can he turn things to his advantage?

 

It’s about marriage, lust, adultery, corruption and deceit – all aided by the Mandrake Infusion. Machiavelli’s comedy is one of the landmarks of the Italian

Renaissance – it marks the break with Medieval drama and is the forerunner of Shakespeare’s comedies.

 

It played to packed houses in the Florence of the Medici; in Venice it was so popular that the audience overwhelmed the stage and made it impossible to

complete. And it has remained popular ever since.”

I’m looking forward to attending. For further information on the play and the Brockley Jack please visit http://www.brockleyjack.co.uk/brockley_jack_studio_whats_on.html

 

Lucky Girl – How I Survived The Sex Industry By Violet Ivy

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I have received a request from Violet Ivy, the author of “Lucky Girl – How I survived The Sex Industry” to review her book. No inducements have been provided. I have, however received a free electronic copy of the book. It is my intention to read and review “Lucky Girl” in the next 10-14 days. My review will, of course represent my considered, fair and honest perspective on the book. In the meantime I have included the book description, as provided to me by the author below:

    Lucky Girl – How I Survived the Sex Industry

“Lucky Girl – How I Survived the Sex Industry

 

The intimate autobiography of an international call girl. Scary, funny and bizarre stories recorded for your amusement, edification or simply for interesting dinner conversation.

The sex industry is clouded in mystery. It has to be to some extent or it wouldn’t survive. But in this age of internet porn, buying pubic hair trimmings online and wife swapping parties it’s about time the veils of mystery were taken down.

For moralists, let’s visit the chicken and the egg scenario. Which came first the prostitute or the client? If there were no clients then obviously there would be no sex workers. But what if there weren’t any prostitutes? Would guys wank themselves silly to porn? Harass their post-menopausal wives? Frequent bars trying their luck? Or hassle the secretary and risk being charged with sexual harassment? Would statistics for rape be on the increase? Is prostitution a necessary evil in our society? Don’t mindlessly believe and quote information spoon fed to you by friends, family or the media. Make an educated decision.

Although it was never my intention to get into this industry, I’ve travelled the world, had incredible experiences and bought several properties. I won’t have to rely on the government pension when I retire.

My closest friends are co-workers, madams and clients. Brilliant people who I would never otherwise have had the good fortune to meet. I will never regret my decision to enter this field. It has not always been a bed of roses, but when I compare it to what my life might have been; cleaning job, shitty boss, marriage, perhaps divorce, mortgage, kids, living in the burbs, scraping by to give my kids a better life than I was destined for, I feel that I have been rescued…..thank God.

Money doesn’t make you happy? Tell that to someone thrown out of his house because he can’t make the payments or the mother who can’t afford Christmas presents for her kids again this year. I’ve been poor. Money equals choices. Options of how to travel on this journey we call life. Did I make some mistakes? Sure! But there’s not too much I’d change. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Money gives security. Poverty causes ulcers. Financial hardship can also make you compromise yourself in ways that being a sex worker never will.

This industry eats its young and damages those not strong enough to cope. Every worker has a different personality, head space, upbringing, personal history and therefore experience. This book is a glimpse of mine. I am not advocating anyone join the profession. That is a personal choice.

When I started out I could never have imagined what my life journey would look like or where I would be now. I don’t even know where in the world I will be in twelve months. What I will be doing? Who I might be bonking, caning or smearing with hot wax? Exciting isn’t it? Carpe diem – seize the day. I’m a lucky girl.”

 

In Praise of the Traditional Book

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Does it matter what form a book appears in? Both my books – The First Time and Samantha – are available in ebook format only (it was the easiest way of publishing and the cheapest).

As a reader I value the accessibility of ebooks. Being blind I can read electronic books using the text to speech facility on my Kindle or Voiceover on my Ipad. I am, however unable to read hard copy print books as my poor eyesight renders doing so impossible.

Having said all that I would like, in the longer term to collect my stories together (in real rather than virtual covers) and have them appear on actual bookshelves. There is something magical about handling a paperback or hardback book. Literature somehow appears more real preserved between covers than is the case when it flashes up on screen or is read aloud using voiceover or text to speech.

Print books can (and do) last for centuries and I guess that many owners of e-readers would feel long lasting pangs if their print books disappeared in a puff of smoke while the loss of e-readers would cause less profound turmoil.

Perhaps I am showing signs of my age (I’m 44 years young)! But, in my view print (and braille) books possess a value which their younger relative (the e-book) lacks. One can not sit in a room surrounded by e-books nor can one obtain pleasure from the texture of electronic publications. Long live the book in all it’s forms but god preserve us from a world in which only e-books exist.

The free promotion of Samantha ends on 11 June

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The free promotion of my story, Samantha on Amazon ends at approximately 12 pm on Tuesday 11 June. To download Samantha free of charge please visit http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samantha-ebook/dp/B00BL3CNHI.

Anyone for Tea?

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One of the great pleasures in life, other than a few pints with close friends, in convivial surroundings, is a nice hot cup of tea. When writing I often sit with a cup of tea close to hand and, from time to time I pause momentarily, remove my fingers from the keyboard and enjoy a sip of that refreshing beverage.   I like my tea with milk and although I have tried to give up sugar, on occasions I succumb to temptation and put sugar in my beverage.

I love tea accept when it goes all over my laptop. Tea and laptops really don’t mix but despite my best of intensions yesterday wasn’t the first time (and it won’t be the last) when I send my favourite hot beverage splish sploshing all over my laptop, desktop and the papers scattered all over my desk. Well the laptop needed a clean anyway and the tea followed by the wipe down with a damp cloth and kitchen towel should have done the trick.

Anyone for a cuppa? I’m just off to make one.

 

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