Identity X - Sign up for Advanced Release Copies

There has been talk, and the initial announcement has been made.  Identity X is going live this September.  It's all systems go here ,whilst rigorously preparing to get this novel ready for publication.  

The manuscript itself is pretty much there.  The design work is well underway and will without any doubt end up being my favourite cover so far.  But, it seems that the really hard work has only just begun, because between now and release day there are some major obstacles to hurdle over and one of those is getting reviews.

Now I will of course be submitting the book to all manner of people and blogs and getting reviews in the usual way.  There will also be a Librarything and Goodreads giveaway.  But this is not enough.  I want to try and build up a team of people who are interested in getting their hands on an early copy, who would in return be happy to consider publishing their opinions in the form of a review.  You might be an avid reader, a blogger, another writer.  Whoever you are, I want to hear from you!

So I am asking here for you to stand up, raise your hand, nudge me in the ribs and say, 'me!  I do!  I want one!'  Some people have already done so and for that I thank you.  There is no limitation in numbers for eBooks, so spread the word to anybody you know who likes a free book.  To get involved all you have to do is sign up here.

I am so tempted to add in a quick snapshot of the design concept, but I think I'll keep it under wraps a little longer.  So instead, to wet your appetites, here is the blurb for my new conspiracy thriller that you can get your hands on free of charge before general release.

Ben Stone has one aim; discover the cure for genetic disease. He watched his father die and promised himself that it would never happen again, especially to his own son. After his appointment as lead researcher in Bionics Laboratories he begins his desperate research. It takes four years, but he succeeds. He discovers NEMREC, a serum able to reconstruct DNA and cure the diseases that have driven him. It should be the beginning of a new future, but by changing the face of the world, he has unwittingly destroyed his own.

After arriving at his laboratory to find that it has disappeared, he is sucked into a world of conspiracy and betrayal. The Agency wants NEMREC and will do anything to get it, believing it to be the most powerful scientific discovery in decades. But it wasn't just NEMREC that they wanted. The Agency wanted Ben dead, but somehow he survived. His best friend, his wife, and Ami, the beautiful scientist who he has fallen for at work all offer to help him, but each has a different version of the truth. They all have their own agenda, only one of them wants what he wants, and in a world where you are already dead, how is it that you are supposed to survive?

ESCAPING LIFE

Escaping Life has been doing really well of late and I have been really excited by the progress made.  So far, I have decided to keep my books exclusively available on Amazon. You might wonder why when there are

quite a few other outlets and many people who are using other e-Readers, downloading from places like Barnes and Noble or Smashwords.  Well, it is only for one reason, and that is the use of their Select program. 

For any of you who don’t know what this is, it is an agreement made between Amazon and author whereby the book can be given away free as part of a promotional event for up to five days.  These giveaway days not

only allow me to get my book into the hands of many new readers and generate reviews during the giveaway, following the event the book is considerably greater visibility on Amazon which helps further with promotion. 

What do you think of this exclusivity?  Is that how you got your copy?  Is it worth it or does it alienate other readers?

FORTHCOMING RELEASE: 24th SEPTEMBER 2013

It is time to stop calling the file on my computer book three.  It is time to give it a name.  There is no better place than to announce that than here.

On 24th September 2013, ‘Identity X’ will be released to the public and will be available in eBook and paperback format and will be exclusively available for purchase from Amazon.  The artwork is pending, and a press release in late July will provide you with more information.

Before general release there will be several advanced release copies available, and if you want to get your hands on one, make sure you keep up to date with the Facebook notifications so that as soon as they become available you can get yours.  There will also be a Goodreads and Librarything giveaway, so if you are not on Facebook keep checking the website for the latest news and updates!  For now, just a little taster in the form of a quote;

“Don’t think that you are the first.  You are just the first to survive.”

It started with a ............

I'm not sure if two months count as complete abandonment of my blog, but it certainly feels that way.  It  is a grand total of sixty two days since I typed anything for publication here.  I have abandoned my blog, and my readers.  I announce a blog tour and then...............silence.  I'm sorry.  But, in my defence, I have excuses.

Let's make a list.

1. I have finished editing my third manuscript to the point that I need a proof reader.
2. I have been working with a designer for the cover of said manuscript
3. I went to England for ten days
4. I went to Paris for three days whilst en route to England (that's me in Paris looking writerly)
5. I had a seizure and spent a week in hospital.

I have purposefully written you the list of excuses in reverse order of occurrance, just so number five creeps up on you unexpectedly.  Like it did me.  You think it's just a normal I'm such a busy writer list, swanning about on holiday scenario, and then whoops, you were wrong.    Up until a couple of months ago, the words 'It started with a.....,' for me always ended with 'Kiss', the smooth vocals of the 1970's pop band Hot Chocolate playing out in my dad's bright red Ford Cortina (just hoovered) on our annual pilgrimage to Weymouth (because Great Yarmouth was sooooo 1983).  But now it ends in seizure.  It started with a Seizure.  And yes, it deserves that captical letter.

So that was the beginning of my abandonment.  After taking what seemed like such innocent little steroid tablets to open up my blocked and apparently broken nose (no, real side effects apparently, I just might not sleep very well) my brain decided they wern't for me and took action against them.  According to the doctors everybody is allowed one Seizure.  I guess at least I can tick it off the bucket list.  Great.

But, back to the present day and having said goodbye to the hospital, neurologists, and watching an innordinate amount of useless television because my concentration was inconsistent with editing, I got way behind.  Way way behind.  My poor little manuscript was left languishing in my office wondering what it had done wrong.  OK, so I had a little holiday too, and yes Paris and the UK were lovely but I worked on the plane and whilst I was in England.  Honestly.  Promise.

So I have caught up with all that got forgotten.  Goodreads giveaway sent.  Late, but sent.  Editing finished.  Late, but done.  Blog tour giveaway organised and will be sent tomorrow morning with my new newsletter.  Blog post written.  Almost.  And that, my friends just about sum up two months.  Except to say that the nose remains broken.  I guess one working nostril is enough at any given time, right?

So I am back with my blog.   We have made friends and all is forgiven.  I am back to wondering what is best to write about, fretting about the next book, not having enought time to fit everything all in, and I have absolutely no doubts that I wouldn't have it any other way.

PS: got the first cover designs for the next book.  Oh, I am excited!  Cannot wait to share them soon!