Tag Archives: writing

is this an epub file that I see before me?!

3 Replies

I’ve written previously regarding the difficulties I have encountered when attempting to open the epub file containing the proof of my book, “The First Time”, (see https://newauthoronline.wordpress.com/2012/12/05/doing-battle/). I was beginning to think that the fault lay with me (impossible because I am faultless and, of course modest to boot)! However I’ve since received several e-mails from recipients of my book, “The First Time” stating that they have found it impossible to open the epub file.

Fortunately my friend Jeff knows more about technology than I have had hot dinners and pointed me to the following Firefox add-on which enables the user to open and read epub files using the Firefox browser https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefox/addon/epubreader/. Thanks to Jeff I’m now able to read my book and other epub files. I’d certainly recommend this free add-on!

DOING BATTLE

4 Replies

On 3 December I wrote about the feeling of wellbeing which floods my being whenever I do battle with the great god of technology, (see https://newauthoronline.wordpress.com/2012/12/03/the-joys-of-technology/). In that post I waxed lyrical on the joys of playing that old favourite of a game, guess the password and of how the great god of technology won and prevented me from accessing the proof of my book, “The First Time” due to my inability to guess the password required to view the epub file. Well I have a confession to make, while doing battle with the epub file of “The First Time” my addled brain failed to register the fact that the document was in zip format and therefore required unzipping prior to me being able to view it’s contents. To be fair to myself I half registered this fact, however I vaguely supposed that opening the document with Adobe’s epub software would somehow magically lead to it’s unzipping. I know, I know K should be consigned to the back of the class to stand in the corner with a dunce’s cap on his head!

I’ve now installed 7-zip (a tool for unzipping files), however I’m still unable to unzip the darned thing! I’ve called in the assistance of my old friend Jeff who’s experience in computers far exceeds my own. It is a wise man who knows when the great god of technology has beaten him and so I retire blooded and beaten from the field of battle. I’m off now to lie down in a darkened room with a wet towel over my head.

Extract from my forthcoming book, “The First Time”

5 Replies

Below is an extract from my forthcoming book of short stories, “The First Time”. The first story in my collection is entitled “The First Time” and explores why Becky, a young graduate with a first class degree in English literature enters the world of prostitution as a professional escort girl. The extract follows on from Becky’s first encounter with a customer

“Becky pulled open the car door and flung herself into Julie’s arms.

Julie hugged her friend close neither girl speaking for several

minutes. “God it was horrible. I can’t believe what I’ve just done up

there” Becky said eventually breaking the silence. Julie could think

of nothing that could serve as anything other than a wholly inane

response to Becky’s distress so kept her peace. “Julie are they all as

awful as Mike”! “Beks there are guys much, much worse than Mike Carter

believe me!” “I can’t believe that Jules!” “Becks I recently saw a

bloke who asked me to dress up in a school uniform and pretend to be

his 14-year-old daughter. He wanted me to call him daddy while he screwed me”. “You told him where to go didn’t you Jules?” Julie looked out of

the window into the dark night  for a long time without speaking.

“Lets get you home Becks” she said after what seemed an age.”

(“The First Time” is scheduled for publication in December. For a limited period I am giving away free copies to my blog’s followers. If you would like a free copy of “The First Time” please send an e-mail to drewdog2060 at Tiscali.co.uk. The address is rendered in this manner to attempt to defeat spammers).

Book Reviews

1 Reply

On 11 November I published my first book, “The Girl At The Bus Stop” using Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing. As of today (29 November) “The Girl At The Bus Stop” has been downloaded 195 times. Given that this is my first book I am pleasantly surprised at what seem to me at least to be relatively good figures. However I have as yet received no reviews of “The Girl At The Bus Stop”. There is an old saying that “no news is good news” and I assume that those who have purchased my book are pleased with their purchase otherwise they would vent their displeasure by leaving a negative review on Amazon. I must confess though that I would like to receive reviews as it is always good to know that one’s work has given pleasure to others.

Prior to setting pen to paper (well fingers to keyboard to be pedantic) I had left several reviews on Amazon of books which I’d enjoyed and/or found particularly interesting. I must admit however to being guilty of frequently meaning to leave a review of a book which I’ve especially enjoyed but, in the end never getting round to doing so. My early new year’s resolution is to write reviews of the books I read both to help potential readers and to assist the authors in question. I’d love to hear from my readers so if you have read “The Girl At The Bus Stop” do please let me know what you thought of it.

Living in Wonderland

Leave a reply

I have written previously regarding the pitfalls of self-publishing using the services of a self-publishing company (see https://newauthoronline.wordpress.com/2012/11/23/eureka/). I contrasted the eas with which I published my first collection of short stories, “The Girl At The Bus Stop And Other Erotic Short Stories”, without having to pay a penny using Amazon, with the difficulties I am experiencing in attempting to publish “The First Time” employing the facilities of a self-publishing company.

I feel like Alice In Wonderland. Yesterday I received an e-mail from the Submissions Manager of the company who are self-publishing “The First Time” asking that I return the signed contract. The lady in question had some 4 weeks prior to sending her e-mail confirmed receipt of the contract and taken my credit card payment. I didn’t know whether to laugh, cry or throw my toys out of the pram. I chose to do none of these things and responded politely reminding the company that I had returned the contract and made payment. I’ve received an apology and been informed that the proof of my book should be with me by the end of the week (I’ve heard that before unfortunately so I am to put it mildly a wee bit sceptical.

Prior to using the company in question I took the precaution of Googling them with the result that no negative feedback reared it’s ugly head. It just goes to show that one can research matters until you are blue in the face and still find that you have been sold a pup. I am now at the point of thinking that if I don’t receive the proof of my manuscript by Friday that I will request the return of my money and publish “The First Time” on Amazon.

 

(For details of my book “The Girl At The Bus Stop And Other Erotic Short Stories” please see https://newauthoronline.wordpress.com/my-books/).

Eureka!

4 Replies

On 19 November I wrote regarding the perils of self publishing (see https://newauthoronline.wordpress.com/2012/11/19/the-perils-of-self-publishing/). I bemoaned the fact that despite having paid nearly £400 to have my book published, over a month ago I am still waiting for the book cover image to be e-mailed to me for approval. I’m pleased to report that a bit of firm but exceedingly polite behaviour on my part has resulted in the publishing company promising to let me have the final proof next week so, with a bit of luck “The First Time” will be available for purchase at some point in December. I feel cautiously optimistic but I won’t believe it until I can click on links to “The First Time” and see my book available for purchase as an e-book.

Compared to the problems I’ve experienced in getting “The First Time” published, publishing “The Girl At The Bus Stop”, using Kindle Direct Publishing was as easy as falling off a log. I’ll see how “The First Time” looks once it goes live, however the ease with which self publishing on Amazon works inclines me towards using Kindle Direct Publishing for future books rather than shelling out money to companies offering self publishing packages.

Once “The First Time” is available for sale I will post links to it on this blog.