Hi guys! Exciting things are happening on the blog today, I've got Caroline Batten here today talking about her book Nearly Almost Somebody talking about 14 things that she's discovered on the road to being a self-published author. I'm happy to lend my support to some amazing and wonderfully talented Indie/Self-Published authors, which is part of the reason why I wanted to participate in this Book Blitz. I think it's important that as readers, we embrace them and show them our love just as much as we would show support to the traditionally published authors like John Green, Gayle Forman, J.K. Rowling, etc.
Nearly Almost Somebody is a quirky, scandalously paranormal murder mystery that is charming and oodles of fun to read. Full of unexpected twists and turns, this will be a book that you won't want to put down until you've finished it. So, if you want to know more about this awesome fun read and be entered in the giveaway just fill out the Rafflecopter below. Please comment below and leave some love and support for Caroline Batten.
A little bit of hubble bubble, toil and trouble mischief and magic coming your way...
Nearly Almost Somebody
by Caroline Batten
Published: March 26, 2015
Self-Published
Age Demographic: Adult
Pages: 486
She’s nearly perfect – He’s almost the one..
Hubble Bubble, the Vet’s in Trouble
When Patrick’s caught in flagrante with a local beauty queen, his father delivers an ultimatum: one more newspaper scandal and Patrick will be out on his ear. Desperate not to lose his job at the family veterinary practice, Patrick needs to avoid trouble – and girls like Libby.
The Ballerina’s Broken
She’s a headline waiting to happen and mourning her short-lived career as a dancer, Libby casts a wiccan spell to summon a new love: Good-looking, honest, non-brown eyes, English, good with animals… in a nutshell, she summons Patrick.
And the Old Witch is Dead
But fighting Libby’s love spell will be the least of Patrick’s problems when a woman dies from a ketamine overdose – Ketamine stolen from his surgery.
Witchcraft, Scandal, Murder...
Will anyone find their perfect Somebody?
To purchase a copy of Nearly Almost Somebody
by Caroline Batten, please visit Amazon.
14 Things I’ve discovered on the road to becoming a self-published author
© Caroline Batten 2015
I’ve been writing since I first read a Sweet Valley High book and thought I could do better myself. Of course I couldn’t at the time, I was nine but over the years the years, I’ve also learned a few things.
Please note, these are my experiences and may not be typical – in fact, they may be as far from typical as appears feasible whilst still sitting somewhere within the realm of possible...
1. If you look at self-publishing as a hobby, it’s cheaper than horse-riding, diamond mining or going to the movies once a month.
2. A brilliant book does not mean you’ll bag an agent/six-figure publishing deal. A brilliant book, kick-ass cover, slick editing, and selling a hundred thousand Kindle editions might.
3. Submitting to agents is a form of self-flagellation. Horsehair shirts cost less and are emotionally less devastating. (Plus you can write about the experience later, publish that book on Kindle, give it BDSM tags and sell more copies than you would the dystopian YA thriller you were originally touting to agents.)
4. Having a blog is great - random strangers DO read your witterings. Some of them even buy your book.
5. Signing up for authonomy.com does not guarantee you’ll be noticed by an agent the next day. It’s a website where you can learn key marketing skills such as, I’ll read your book if you read mine. Promise this one million times and you might hit the Editors Desk - this never leads to publication. Ever.
6. Signing up for animoto.com does mean you can make your very own book trailer.
7. Getting your first book professionally edited is a really good idea even if you’re not looking to self-publish. An editor will focus your style on the market/genre you’re really writing for, point out where your writing skills need work and you could end up with a manuscript an agent does want to read.
8. Grammar and punctuation are not dark arts – they’re a skill every author can and ought to learn;
9. Signing up for youwriteon.com does not guarantee you’ll be noticed by an agent the next day. It’s a website where you’ll receive reviews such as , ‘I hate chick lit and this shoe-based romance...’ and ‘I normally prefer steampunk erotica so this western romance...’
10. Some people do make it big - with very little effort it can seem.
11. Some people plug away for years and make pocket money.
12. That book you finished - it isn’t finished. Typing ‘The End’ simply means the editing can start.
13. Right now, on Amazon you can buy a book called Mail Order Tiger Bride Wars – it does what it says on the tin. That BBW shape-shifter piece of romance is currently ranked higher than #FORFEIT. Yet that doesn’t sting nearly as much an agent rejection letter because....
14. Three million reads on wattpad.com say people really like my books.
And that’ll do, pig.
GIVEAWAY DETAILS...
A Signed Paperback of Nearly Almost Somebody + Some super cool book Swag
Giveaway ends May 7th.
Open to US/Canada Residents.
About the Author
Caroline Batten lives in the Lake District with her husband, small child and two Kune Kune pigs.
She daydreams of one day owning a pair of Louboutin’s and having somewhere fabulous to wear them. Until then, she’ll be found plodding up a mountain in her trusty hiking boots.
#forfeit is Caroline’s debut novel. Her second novel, Distraction, is due for publication in February 2015.
