But if you're interested in some project news, or in what sort of thing fills the days of a man when his book is on the verge of people-powered publishing, here's the latest update. Probably the last major one before releae day. Includes video content. Gasp. Best read on.
I must admit, I've probably somewhat neglected the old Jukepop H&C serial while I focus on the big exciting world of self-publishing. But it is still going and does still need reads/votes/love, so do give it a look if it's been a while.
Although, yes, if you want another self-pub sales pitch, there is one there. A longer, more substantial update will likely follow on the blog tomorrow. Thank you and goodnight.
I am self-publishing a book soon, so will be talking about that quite a lot. You can see all the details of that venture here, but to mix things up, I thought I'd recommend someone else's books in this post.
To be specific: The Blade Itself, Before They Are Hanged and Last Argument of Kings, aka The First Law trilogy by Joe Abercrombie. It's a fantasy trilogy, revolving around the politics, prejudices and (eventually) magic in a world not quite our own and it's really good. I was recommended it whilst in the midst of Thrones-fever, fancying something else in the fantasy arena, and it really hit the spot - smart, character driven action with the fantastical elements playing around the edges, sometimes screaming into the forefront.
So since those who started reading the A Song Of Ice And Fire series with the TV show are probably finishing soon, I figured I'd point this out as a next step.
So. In the not-too-distant future, the first case of Hobson & Choi, my mismatched detective duo London crime series with a darkly comic tone, will be self-publishing. I have a nice cover, a sales blurb-type-thing, a new title, a release date, and I am about to declare all of those things.
Exciting stuff. Probably best to just get on with it. First up, then, is the real meat: cover and blurb time.
Want more Hobson & Choi? Fancy seeing the pair solve a whole unfaithful spouse case in a mere two thousand words?
Well, you're in luck, as I've just written Current Affair Commentary, a new short story in which that exact thing happens. And you can read it right now simply by subscribing to my mailing list and nowhere else. Just fill in the form below and you'll be sent the download link once you've confirmed your email.
If the form below isn't appearing for whatever technical reason, click on this link here to be taken to an unfailing full-page version.
Regardless, hope you enjoy the story. I think it's a nice little work, it's been a while since I did a short done-in-one and it was good to return.
I have been locked in my room at my tiny corner desk, working on the process of turning my upcoming self-published book into beautiful HTML. It has taken a long time. I can neither confirm nor deny that I was up at 4AM Thursday morning, listening to the birds tweeting outside (and, for once, not tweeting much myself) working on exciting tasks such as reinserting italics.
As you may gather from this nuts-and-bolts self-pub stuff, the day of the Hobson & Choi release is getting very close now. So close, in fact, that I may put the cover up next week, announce the title, blurb, maybe even a date. I'm 90% sure that will happen.
But for now, here's a blog post about the experience of processing a book into HTML. This is not a walkthrough, because there are plenty of those and I don't have sufficient advice to justify bringing another one into the world. The posts I used to guide me was this one by Guido Henkel, it's pretty comprehensive.
Hard to say for sure. But only a week until the extra-sized 75th chapter, and there's going to be some stuff going down there. Prepare yourselves.
Not to mention: Hobson & Choi Book One self-publication is getting achingly close now. I am just finishing some stuff up. There will hopefully be a blog post later today, and a proper here's-the-details announcement next week.
If all goes to plan. And I don't knacker all my limbs playing squash later today.
