Well, here we are in December – how did that happen? ((Well, Peachy it’s this thing called months of the year and…)) alright, your New Year Resolution will be to work on your sarcastic attitude! ((Roger that, more sarcasm required. Check))
I normally do my yearly review in January. ((About as exciting as taking down the xmas decorations and realising you’ve eaten all the chocolates)) and this year has been a bit of a year so I’m planning to break it down, as there has been some amazing news and some really awful times and I find to deal with life it’s a gift if you’re able to departmentalise, otherwise it’s easy to focus on the sad times.
First, things first, an update on my agent 1-1 which was organised by the lovely Sarah and Elane from Iamprint – well worth checking these out. What I will say is don’t go into this thinking you have sneaky access to securing a book agent so you don’t have to wait months to hear if they want your book. Obviously this could happen ((you authors are such dreamers)) but think of it more as receiving some very useful feedback from a person who reads submission letters day in and day out. Iaminprint link – www.iaminprint.co.uk/
To clarify, to reach any of the big publishers you need a book agent. To secure a book agent you need to send them a covering letter, synopsis for your book and the manuscript. Based on this, they might decide to sign you to their agency. This is something which is becoming harder and harder.
Anyway, it was a 15 minute feedback session on my covering letter, synopsis and 5,000 words of my book, Killer’s List. It was very useful. Overall, the feedback was very positive and I’m very pleased that many of the changes I’ve made to the novel over the years have been worth it. Mainly the changes I need to make are very minor but will hopefully make my submission stand out and I’m glad I decided to pause submitting my book until I’d had the 1-1.
((Okay, Peachy. But what’s the plan now.)) I’m glad you asked… ((well i didn’t really want to ask but you made me)) Make the amendments and then submit it to the people I have on my list! Generally, it means waiting three months to hear back and if I haven’t heard back by then, then they are not interested. I have a plan though ((Oh, great. Please, tell us your exciting plan. We just cannot wait to hear it)) I have learnt so much over the last 7 years so if no-one wants to take on my book then I will self-publish, armed with all the knowledge to hopefully make it a success.
I am learning so much in my fabulous new freelance job which is adding to my future book and publishing plans so it really is the perfect job and they compliment each other so well. The fact that the freelance work is mainly non-fiction, means there is a good distinction between them and they don’t crossover in any detrimental way and my new boss is fab which makes a big difference. Next year is going to be very busy!
That is the plan. Come what may, Killer’s List will be out in the world at some point next year. I might possibly change the title but I need to think about that. I’m very excited to bring this book out into the world. Everyone who has read it has loved the story and characters. As you know from previous posts this will be a series and I’m excited I will be working on this for a good few years to come.
((OI. What about the biographical witch story?)) Again, another good question, apart from the biographical part. ((Again, you made me ask)) I am enjoying writing it. I could do with coming up with a title so for those you wonderful readers who have read it so far, if you have an idea for a title then let me know. I’ve been adding it to my website as I’ve written a chapter but I need to work out how to make it more accessible. If you started reading this on my last blog then pop over to my Storytime page to read more.
I finally managed to speak to someone from Paypal who was very helpful after I’d been told my account had been permanently deleted and they were holding my money for six month, well my account is now working as normal. If you don’t follow me on socials ((Do not drain your life by following Peachy on Instagram or Facebook.)) where I shared this, they basically said because I receive payments erratically it made my account look dodgy ((saying nothing!)). I explained it’s because I only take payments at book events etc and finally they re-instated it – what a faff and stress when they could have just put my account into review rather than pretend deleting forever! I just need to test my buy a coffee link to see if it works again.
My YouTube channel has gained around 160 new subscribers after another Youtuber mentioned us on their channel. We met them last year when they were trying to moor at Berkhamsted and we moved our boat so they could fit in. At the time we didn’t think anything of it because that’s just what you do but that day they bought us some beers to say thank you which was very kind. Lots of people commented on the vlog to say they had joined because we were such nice people. ((erm…)) quiet, Brackets.
To the books… Lost the Plot is doing so well. I’m so chuffed after all the hard work that sales are consistent and I’m also clocking up between 6-10k pages read per month on Kindle Unlimited. It would be nice if this translated to that kind of money but hopefully that’s to come. I think sending the book to Waterways World for a review in their July edition was the catalyst to my good sales figures and I’ve had readers contact me through reading my review. I have another canal paper sharing the book in their February edition and have other plans to promote. Exciting times!
In other news… my other half is back at work as we build up the bank balance to go cruising next year so that’s been a new routine to get used to. It wasn’t helped when we woke up one morning to find that the master control panel had shorted out. A puff of smoke and electrical smell is really not what you want, but luckily for us, no boat fire or anything worse so we are grateful for that. Just another thing to fix and basically working to earn money to fix the boat wasn’t the plan but that’s life.
I visited Newark earlier this week and spent a couple of hours in Newark Bookshop signing books ((Actually your friends just turned up and you chatted!)) I must admit there was some networking but also people bought books and some actual customers. I sold out of 187 Kilometres, turn left, Lost the Plot and One Step Ahead so I’ve had to order more copies. I didn’t feel nervous at all. A few years ago, I would have had not slept the night before. It was a good event and a few people now know where the independent bookshop is so that’s nice.
So, to sum up, ((Wow you have waffled this month Peachy)) well, a lot is happening! By the end of the year, I will have submitted Killer’s List as it starts its final journey to publication. Carried on writing some more chapters of my witch story. I still need to finish my website update and create some more social media promotions for my other books. I break up for Christmas on my freelance job on 19th December so will have plenty time to write and faff with my other projects over Christmas.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and New Year. Remember to keep your eye on my Storytime page and if anyone would like to test my buy me a coffee page then I promise it will be spent on coffee!
Right, time to get some work done. I have a long, long list today! Take care everyone and thank you for joining us on this journey. I couldn’t do it without you. xx
C.L. Peache 