You know how it is. You take a chance and try out a new author, drawn by the cover or the book title. Perhaps the reviews convince you to buy it.
But after a few pages, you’re starting to wonder if the reviewers were talking about a different book.
As an avid crime fiction reader, I feel your disappointment. The excitement and promise of a new adventure and characters soon fades. Whether it’s down to a slow pace, a plot filled with clichés, or a style you don’t enjoy, the result’s the same.
You wish you’d stuck to authors you know and trust.
You’re used to their style, the way they tell a story.
That said, you must have taken a chance the first time you read one of the many books and series in your bookcase or eReader.
Were you looking for something different?
Did a friend recommend the author?
Were they a bestselling author?
But what about us authors who’ve yet to make the Sunday Times List?
What if we don’t have thousands of reviews or celebrity endorsements?
How can we encourage you to take a chance on our books?
My first novel, No Accident, was released by an independent US publisher. I thought everyone would want to buy my book. After a couple of months, it became clear they didn’t.
The odds of finding new readers dropped further when I started to publish the books myself.
Some people don’t believe self-published books can be as good as those produced by publishers.
Sometimes they’re right.
Anyone can publish a book, long or short, on any subject today. That’s great for variety and choice. But it means people can publish books that haven’t been edited, proof read, checked for plot holes or quality.
That’s why I wanted to take the same steps as traditional publishers.
As a keen murder mystery reader, I had a good idea of how the stories worked.
My goal was to produce credible, authentic murder mystery novels that people would want to read.
While it’s not the most exciting process to talk about (but then neither is grammar) every novel I produce goes through it.
· The first draft is printed and read through to identify issues to address, like plot holes, characters issues, narrative that doesn’t excite.
· On the PC, the draft is updated and revised, as often as needed to polish it to a shine.
· A professional editor, who loves murder mysteries, gives an objective assessment of the story, identifying any flaws or weaknesses.
· Further updates and revisions follow until it’s ready to go to beta readers for another objective analysis.
· Meanwhile, a graphic designer produces a cover in keeping with the series and expectations of the genre.
· Finally, I load the novel onto my Kindle to spot anything previously missed. (There are always a few typos that snuck through.)
Only then, will I publish the book and send copies to bloggers and reviewers.
Even then, all this work and expense won’t guarantee that new readers will find my books or buy them.
My books will not appeal to everyone.
They’re not meant to.
They’re for murder mystery readers, who are looking to escape from the doom, gloom and negativity that fills our TV screens and newsfeeds.
If you want to escape into an exciting world of murder mystery with memorable characters and original, authentic plots, please take a look at my books.
If you’re searching for something fresh and contemporary, with a different kind of sleuth, who brings something authentic to the traditional murder mystery, take a closer look.
To make it easier – as you may still have a doubt or two - I’ve lowered the price of the Kindle version of No Accident, the first novel in the series, to less than you’d pay for a cup of tea. The story should stay hotter for longer too.
You can also read the opening chapter on my website.
If my books are not for you, thank you for taking a look.
But if you like what you read, there are 9 more murder mysteries in the series, all waiting for you.