Dear Abyss...

 September 2026

Dear Abyss,

The summer fair went very well, I even sold a Christmas book, which is always a bonus in the summer months. I have sold my Christmas book in every month of the year, so they’re always worth putting out throughout the year. I have also been invited back to the library’s Christmas fair, so that is booked in, and something to look forward to.

I am happy to see the end of the summer heat waves (at least I hope so), and now we head into autumn, the perfect time to snuggle up with a book. Or maybe the season to publish and launch a book…

Bye for now

AMS

Dear Abyss, there has been a hiccup...

 August 2026

Dear Abyss,

There has been a hiccup. The printer who has done such an excellent job printing my previous books is sadly no longer printing, leaving me looking for a new printer for my book. I want this book out in time for the Christmas markets, so hopefully I will find a printer soon.

In the meantime, I have a summer fair to attend at Clifton Library in York on Saturday 15^th August. I’ll be gathering my books together and taking them out to find new homes at a book signing. Please pop in if you are in the area!

 

Self Publishing To Do List

 July 2026

Dear Abyss, 

There has been progress! 

I made myself a to do list to try and order my thoughts and get this project over the finish line. Here is my to do list, and as you can see there are more ticked than tasks still to do:

To do list
• Write book  ✔
• Illustrate book ✔
• Edit book ✔
• Write blurb ✔
• Rewrite… ✔
• Make cover ✔
• Write dedication
• Purchase ISBN ✔
• Get print quote
• Set price
• Register book with Nielsen
• Take files to printer
• Breath

So at the moment I’m waiting for a print quote, and having a bit of downtime before the next step, because otherwise I would plod on without a break and become frazzled. And there’s plenty of time to get frazzled further down the line…

Bye for now
AMS

Self Publishing UK where to buy my books

 Self publishing

The hardest part is selling online

In my self publishing journey I’ve tackled many obstacles, most of them technical ones, and the one that still remains the hardest is selling online. Most of my books have been sold direct to customers at book signings and fairs.

Book signings at many different venues, from book shops and libraries, to swimming pools and at the dentist… so you’d think that sitting at a computer would be an easier option, and yet online sales remain my nemesis.

·        I’ve tried ebay, where I came up against repeat listing charges.

·         I’ve tried Etsy, where I sold a few, as well as a few sheep…  

·        I’ve had my own website, both with a shop and with links to mainstream book sellers, but again only sold a few.

 

So what next?

Let’s have a bash at linking to a well known book seller from my blog! So here goes, because if one thing doesn’t go quite to plan it’s just a sign to do a U-turn and try something else.   

Here are a couple of linked book covers to get the ball rolling: