This post has got nothing to do with the ‘B’ word but something quite significant happened on Friday, 31 January 2020.
My publishing contract for The Theatre of Dreams was up, and I took the hugely momentous step (well it felt hugely momentous for a complete techno-phobe like me) of putting the ebook back up on Amazon all by myself. I’m now a self-published as well as a traditionally published author.
My original publishing contract was short – just two years when I think the average in the industry is five, so I always knew this day would come round pretty quick. I didn’t realise just how quick – or how long it takes to become established in this business. 2019 flew by in a flash, life got in the way, and I didn’t have the time, or enthusiasm if I’m honest, to dedicate to writing or marketing my existing novels as effectively as I’d have liked. I don’t feel I’ve done either of my books justice, and I couldn’t let The Theatre of Dreams disappear into oblivion so soon – especially as I was booked to do on author talk in Fareham, a town which features in the book, just a week after the publisher removed it from Amazon….
I did spend most of Thursday tearing my hair-out, despite the fact that my publisher had very kindly given me back an already formatted Word Document which was a great help, and generously donated the existing cover. However, once I’d realised I’d missed out a vital step in the whole uploading process, well there it was, my ebook was back up and running, just in the nick of time. I could give my talk with a clear conscience without feeling like a complete fraud.
So my talk. That was another quite significant moment because I am not a natural public speaker. I’d committed to give this talk way back in the summer after being approached by someone who’d got my name from the local WI – where I’ve already promised to speak later this year.
I didn’t really know what I was letting myself in for, but it transpired I was to be the special guest at a ‘literary lunch’ for 50, organised by a group of ladies who raise funds for cancer research. It felt like quite an honour, and I was a little over-awed. It’s that imposter syndrome again (do they know I’ve only written two books?).
Anyway, after numerous rehearsals in front of a my very unappreciative cat, my thirty minute spiel on my ‘path to publication aka my rocky road’ (which provides the opportunity for a biscuit analogy – hard bits, the crunch, the soft-squishy marshmallow bits and the delicious chocolate moments, etc etc) went without a hitch. I threw in a couple of little quizzes to encourage audience participation, everyone laughed in all the right places, there was a good question and answer session at the end, and I sold more than enough paperbacks in the process to make the afternoon worthwhile.
I felt quite chuffed. My donated raffle prize of two paperbacks was the first picked off the table, several people remarked my talk was far more interesting and entertaining than the one given by the eight book thriller writer the previous year, and in a moment straight out of Calendar Girls, my WI stalwart confided I was a breath of fresh air compared to their last speaker who’d spent an hour detailing his orchid collection.
High praise indeed! Anyway, hopefully this accolade will give me more confidence to go out in the big wide world and shout a bit louder about my writing in 2020. Ultimately I’d like to give the Theatre of Dreams a bit of a re-launch later this year with a new cover (and hopefully there will be a sequel) but I’ve got a bit more detailed techy stuff to work through first. One step at a time. However, I have entered a new era. I want my writing journey to continue, and it really does feel like (yes, I’m going to say it) I’ve taken back control.
Dave Moyes says:
Excellent Rosie, good for you on all counts. A self publisher sounds like quite a challenge but I am sure you’re up to it. I’m glad the talk went well, I did see it advertised locally, I had considered going until I realised it was all ladies (close call!) Also I have been labouring under a massive attack of sloth which accompanies me now!
Always good to hear your news, speak to soon Dave
Rosie Travers says:
Thank you Dave. You should have come along. It wasn’t all ladies – I think I counted four men!
Paula Williams says:
Well done Rosie. I loved Theatre of Dreams. I really hope it does really well. And keep up the public speaking. Sounds like you’re in a roll
Rosie Travers says:
Thank you Paula.
Eve Horan says:
Hi Rosie
Congrats on mastering the e-book technology. Is there any chance you could come and give a talk at my Townswoman’s Guild – all of the reading group have read Theatre of Dreams and I think at least two have read Your Secret’s Safe With Me. Good luck with the third book – don’t let the decorating distract you.
Rosie Travers says:
Thank you Eve. Happy to talk to anybody and everybody about my writing!