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Geek Culture / Depths Awakening, my first novel published on Amazon Kindle

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Daniel TGC
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Posted: 23rd Sep 2010 01:17 Edited at: 23rd Sep 2010 01:20
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Hi,

As you can imagine I'm a bit excited about this! But I'm sure the novelty (ahaha) will wear off soon. I'm now officially a self published author. Yes, yes, I know it's not likely to be the key to opening vast riches and fame! But it is the combination of almost ten years plotting, scheming and, of course writing!

Rather than going the traditional route in self publishing, of paying to get a short run done, then begging every person on the street to buy a copy for a fraction of it’s actual cost! I decided instead to give the whole e-Publishing thing a go! Thanks to Amazon Kindles dtp service, it’s now available for purchase on iPod, iPad, PC, Mac, Android and of course Amazon’s own e-reader device. Kindle! The artwork was produced in Vue Fantasy 8.1, the lettering was done in Gimp, the formatting was done in HTML (Zipped) using Google Docs, the proof reading was done by doing a cheap and dirty five book print, which I handed around the family complete with free highlighters, and the writing was done by years of never finding the right medication for whatever I’ve got.

So, if you have an iPod, PC, Mac, Android device, or a kindle head over to

Click HERE to visit Kindle Page

And download a free sample! You’ll get 10% free sample for nothing, so there’s no loss to you, and it’ll give me the warm and fizzies.

If you’re wondering to go about publishing your own little masterpiece, please feel free to ask!

In the mean time, here’s a picture of the completed work on my new Kindle 3 device (well, this was a great excuse to buy one!) and the cover artwork. I hope you enjoy!

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Posted: 23rd Sep 2010 01:30
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Great job! Definately something to be proud about.

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Daniel TGC
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Posted: 23rd Sep 2010 01:38
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Thank you!
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Nickydude
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Posted: 23rd Sep 2010 02:00
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Excellent! Well done on getting it published! I'm about to start writing a fantasy novel trilogy myself so I might be picking your brains somewhere along the line.



For KeithC
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Daniel TGC
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Posted: 23rd Sep 2010 02:02
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You're more than welcome to do so, you can ask questions at [email protected]
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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 23rd Sep 2010 02:43
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I'm still working on my novel - though I'm going to try and hit the publishing companies, rather than e-publishing or self publishing and find an agent. I know it's a harsh world for finding agents and publishing companies, but I'm a persistent bugger.


Bookmarked - I'll download a copy when I pick up my iPod Touch in 3 weeks time. I know writing is a hard business and a lack of readers is a demoralising thing - I think it's an amazing thing to accomplish, so it'd be bloody rude of me not to at least look at it.


Though, to the both of you, I've been meaning to get my writing site off the ground properly (with a couple of friends who also write) - I might invite you guys at some point - maybe for something on our blog or something else.



However, I do have a question, how popular is the Kindle site for readers? If there's a good market there, I might be tempted to write something to test the waters.

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Daniel TGC
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Posted: 23rd Sep 2010 03:19 Edited at: 23rd Sep 2010 03:21
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I'm no expert so I had a look at google, and found these reports.

http://mashable.com/2010/07/19/amazon-kindle-sales/

Kindle over the last 3 months, according to this report. Is currently outselling hardbacks, at a rate of 1.43, that's 143 books for every 100 hardbacks sold. I'd imagine they are basing this on Amazon's own sales rather than world sales.

I beleive that apple have claimed something simular. But that's going on my fuzzy memory.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kindles-digital-book-sales-overtake-hardcover-device-purchases/

This report claims something simular.

http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2010/07/amazon-more-e-books-than-hardcovers/

And this report says the same.

Of course the source of this information is Amazon themselves. But there's no doubt they've increased interest. My Kindle cost £109 which is much more reasonable, and I'll imagine they'll come down in price again for the next generation unless of course they start adding on more bells and whistles, kindle right now is "just and ebook reader" it does play audible files, read text to speech, play audio files and surf the net. But in comparison to the ipod this functionality is very limited.

I understand why you wish to hold out for a publisher. That was my intention as well. However while my chances are extremely limited, there is a small chance I might get picked up by a major publisher because of it. It's out there now, perhaps no one will buy it. Perhaps people will. I don't know, but the way I see it. Is that I enjoyed the process of creating it. I get some satisfaction knowing that it is out there, even if it's unlikely to make me rich and famous! It's quite nice to see my book sold along great authors like terry pratchett, even if it's not even remotely close to his sales figures, or popularity!

I'm not really intending to go for a publisher until I'm a little more seasoned. I'd like to finish the first three novels first, and then try and push them. Otherwise there's a risk the constant rejection's and failure to replies will just get me down. Right now, one or two sales is more likely to spur me on. Then the uncertainty of contacting litarty agency's.

In the words of the great man himself, Terry Pratchett. "Writing is much better than doing a real days work."

P.S. Don't judge my writing by these quick posts. I've not proof read it 5 times, and bullied half my family into doing the same
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Eminent
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Posted: 23rd Sep 2010 03:38
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You middle name is Charles? Cool, never knew that. Nice job on getting it published. I'd write a book but it'd be too much of a rip off of Tolkien's Middle Earth series. Ill look at the sample on my Kindle( I bought the old one for 239 canadian ).


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dab
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Posted: 23rd Sep 2010 03:59
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pbou_r7ODs

That's all I want to say. (Oh and congrats)

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ionstream
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Posted: 23rd Sep 2010 04:33
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Felt like it would be worth a read. I never read anything, might as well start now.

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Daniel TGC
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Posted: 23rd Sep 2010 04:48 Edited at: 23rd Sep 2010 04:48
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@ionstream

Someones first book?? That really DOES scare me! I might put you off reading for life!

But there's blood if that helps?

@dab if that babies voice went any higher the voice actor would need a new throat!
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KeithC
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Posted: 23rd Sep 2010 08:24
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Congratulations on the release.

-Keith

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Darth Kiwi
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Posted: 23rd Sep 2010 14:15
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Well done on getting it out there, man. Actually motivating yourself to move the book off your harddrive and into the real world is one of the hardest (and most frustrating) parts of being a writer.

Ironically enough I just sent my novel off to three agencies. I think I'll focus on hitting the official industry with my submissions first, but if the Kindle marketplace has as much sales-traffic as Amazon then I could always try putting it out there. Thanks for letting us all know about this: it's something I'd heard of but not really thought about before.

Also, if your novel sells well on Kindle then you could always send it to a publisher or agency, really plugging the fact that it has already sold well. Since the book business is, first and foremost, a business, that could turn some heads. I think the guy who wrote Shadowmancer did a similar thing (although his self-publishing was of the more traditional, more life-consuming "Buy a 2000-book print run and flog them everyone you physically can" sort).

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lazerus
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Posted: 23rd Sep 2010 17:52
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Congratulations!

A small dresser has my writing in it and at the rate im going i think 10 years would be a minimum for me to finish my 'novel'

Good luck on forking in the cash


http://lazerus-reborn.deviantart.com/
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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 23rd Sep 2010 18:40 Edited at: 23rd Sep 2010 19:09
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Quote: "
P.S. Don't judge my writing by these quick posts. I've not proof read it 5 times, and bullied half my family into doing the same"


Don't worry, no doubt plenty of people have noticed typing errors in my posts. Sometimes I go back to edit to keep my dignity, but who cares if it's a forum and people can understand what you've written with little effort. Just as long as u dnt go typin lyk dis, den tis k.

But cheers for the info. I'll give your sample a read - if I like it, I'll buy it. If I do, I'll leave you feedback on Amazon, and if you'd like, I'll offer you more in depth feedback via email (if I remember to )

Quote: "Ironically enough I just sent my novel off to three agencies."



I think now that you too have beaten my to getting yours sent off, it means I need to get my butt into gear (and I think this apt inspiration to do so). Draft 1 was complete November 2008. Mind you it's not good to rush these things - Ed Hogan (a guy who went to my Uni) spent 7 years on his novel and it worked out - okay he's not rich and famous, but he got published and short listed for an award. I've still got his book on my shelf and have only read one chapter, I really ought to cut down on procrastination.



I am tempted to give Kindle a shot - as I know seeking a publisher will be heart-breaking, though for any writer, I think readers is the most important thing. I'll definitely consider trying Kindle as an option, even if it's not for my current novel - after all, this one will probably take me a while to finish, it's quite complex therefore I'm trying to be quite delicate with it.

I think Darth Kiwi makes a point - I'm assuming you don't give up your rights when you put it on Kindle, so you could seek a publisher as well.

Either way, the day I hold my novel in my hands and not in MS word will be a glorious day indeed.


[edit]

However, you guys might be interested in using this website:

http://www.myelibrary.org

You're able to build up your own writer's profile, put your work up to show off as a portfolio with your work being protected.

I've put 3 short stories up, which you're all welcome to read. 2 of them appear 'anti religious' if misread, just a heads up in case they are misread.

(If you're lazy - 'Teddy's Ear' is only ~200 words)

http://www.myelibrary.org/pub/BrynP

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Metal Devil123
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Posted: 23rd Sep 2010 21:19 Edited at: 23rd Sep 2010 21:20
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nvm...

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Daniel TGC
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Posted: 24th Sep 2010 04:25
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As there seems to be a few people interested in publishing. The other website I recommend is:

www.smashwords.com

They don't give you quite as much royalty as going to all the sites yourself and setting things up manually. But they do have a premium catalouge that will publicly list new titles on their site. So that' some extra exposire. In addition to this they seem to publish with everyone except for amazon.com, this includes apples ibooks (which apparently I can't get on because I don't own a mac?!?!) and Barns and Noble which dispite research hasn't yelded any way of easily publishing with them yourself.
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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 24th Sep 2010 05:51
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Cool cool.

Also - I had a read through the sample, it has caught my attention, it appears to be one of the things I like to read. Although we just have the 2 prologues to read - I can already see where the two stories are going - it's quite possible I'm wrong, but naturally, it hooks me in because I want to know.

It already appears as though there might be dark undertones, particularly with the child's life. I'm often cruel to my own characters, friends actually pushed me into writing something happy...first attempt, it became a story about dealing with child abuse, second attempt mocked Twilight, the third was boring. For some reason, I am always sympathetic towards social issues and the darker sides of society in my writing. So, as you can see, your story has already got me interested as it seems it could be doing that. This means I might buy it.


Though, I did have trouble turning off my internal editor...nothing was wrong, it's just my internal editor when reading something these days just rephrases everything in the way I'd phrase it...I really ought to shoot it or put it to use.

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Daniel TGC
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Posted: 24th Sep 2010 16:40
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Yes, sorry Amazon only give you the option of 10% that's about 6000 words in this case. Yes there's two storylines going on. I dislike the "he's evil because I said so" approch. I'd rather reader's understand both sides, and both sides reasons for doing what it is they do. The world tends to produce more victims, then heros' and villans. Often even the villans are victims themselves.

I'm glad you read and enjoyed the sample!
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Posted: 24th Sep 2010 17:45
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Quote: "I think now that you too have beaten my to getting yours sent off, it means I need to get my butt into gear (and I think this apt inspiration to do so)."


That's good to know: I know how difficult self-motivation can be. But, heck, it took me two years to write a first draft of my novel. Even after I'd "finished" it, I let it languish unread for another year. Of course, when I went back to it I saw so many things that needed brutal editing

I'll try to read some of the samples by David and Seppuku but I'm kind of busy at the moment Sorry about that.

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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 24th Sep 2010 18:40 Edited at: 24th Sep 2010 18:44
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Yeah, I agree with your opinion, so I think it's a cool idea that you've taken it from two sides. I suppose this kind of reminds me of a Thomas Hardy poem:




Just a question - what rate does Amazon offer you? What percentage are you getting per e-book sold? I know authors often get a very low amount - I mean, my lecturer from University just told us to get his book out of the library, because although his book costs £20, he only gets a few pence per copy sold. I think maybe I'll work on something specifically for Kindle just as a project - something to add to my CV and build up a few readers.


[edit]

Purchased. Not bought a book for a little while, so why not buy one to support a fellow budding writer?

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Eminent
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Posted: 24th Sep 2010 19:21
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I liked the Ishmeal part. Didnt like the second part that much.


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Daniel TGC
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Posted: 24th Sep 2010 19:39
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American sales give me 70% of the overall title, less delivery costs. They work it out at 0.15 cents a megabyte.

So it's, (book price * 0.7) - (megabyte * 0.15) = total.

In my case it's (8.49 * 0.7) - (0.275 * 0.15) = (5.94 - 0.04) = $5.90

For all other sales you must select the 35% option so for UK and other international sales, it's.

5.49 * 0.35 = £1.92

-----------

@Eminent - Yes! The problem is the second prologue ends too soon! It's redeemed by the last thousand words or so.

Smashwords give you a bigger 25% sample. I urge you to read through to the end of that prologue at least, and then pass judgement.

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/25075
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Jeku
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Posted: 24th Sep 2010 21:07
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I think this is pretty cool, although I must say I wouldn't ever pick your book up off the shelf with such a generic sounding name. While you can't judge a book by its cover, if you're in a bookstore with 10,000 titles you don't usually have a lot of time to read the backs of each of them. I tend to grab books with hook titles... "Room 1408" comes to mind as a quick example.


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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 24th Sep 2010 21:41
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Those are good rates (considering how little writers are paid ) especially if you can pick up a readership.

However, I'm not going to immediately jump on the bandwagon, but I'll do my research - like finding out how many of the kind of people who'd read my writing use Kindle, the chances of publishers investing in my book after it appears on Kindle and seeing what options gets me the most readers. There's several options for getting published, so I'm just going to make sure I make the right ones. I'd fall under Science Fiction for 'The Delusion Wing', so it might be worth me talking to Sci-Fi agents.

Firstly, I need to focus on finishing the damn thing.


Also - the Kindle store seems pretty handy, never thought I'd say that as I prefer holding a book in my hands - but there's a lot of free titles that are handy for my work as amateur storyteller, got loads of tales for free, I only had to pay for the Mabignogion and that was only 97p. Once I get my iPod Touch next month - I can see myself finding the Kindle App extremely useful for getting and practicing new material.


Cheers

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