M.A. McRae's Blog, page 2
June 6, 2013
Australian authors don't get paid.
Well, we do get paid our royalties - a portion of them - eventually. If we manage to jump through the hoops, we might even pay only 5% tax instead of 30%. But then if the purchase is through Amazon or Createspace, at some stage after we earn over $100, we could get paid a cheque, sent around the world in paper form. It will cost $15 to convert to Australian dollars, (ANZ) plus it will take an extra 6 weeks because it has to be sent all the way back to America for the signature to be verified! It's the same for when we get to over a hundred pounds, or over a hundred Euros, all calculated separately.
Is it any wonder I ask for people to buy my books from Smashwords rather than Amazon? They pay into Paypal, and there's minimal or no extra charge and no delay. I have sold far fewer books on Smashwords, but I do enjoy it that I get royalties for those books. I've yet to be paid by either Smashwords or Amazon, though there are sales made routinely.
Is it any wonder I ask for people to buy my books from Smashwords rather than Amazon? They pay into Paypal, and there's minimal or no extra charge and no delay. I have sold far fewer books on Smashwords, but I do enjoy it that I get royalties for those books. I've yet to be paid by either Smashwords or Amazon, though there are sales made routinely.
March 20, 2013
3rd in the Shuki Series
For anyone interested, the third book in my Shuki Series is now available. For those who don’t know, this is the series that started with ‘Not a Man.’ It is the story of Shuki Bolkiah – modern day eunuch. This one is called ‘To Love and To Protect’ – a story of life and of love. A heavy subtheme is the treatment of women in Arabic cultures.
To buy, look to Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...
or to Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Love-Protect-Sh...
To buy, look to Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...
or to Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Love-Protect-Sh...
February 7, 2013
Shuki 3
The third in the Shuki Series, after 'Not a Man' and 'The King's Favourite' is called 'To Love and To Protect.'
Release date for paperback and for ebook is 15th April, 2013.
Release date for paperback and for ebook is 15th April, 2013.
January 7, 2013
'Never a victim'
This is what a recent Amazon review says - that the hero of 'Not a Man' is never a victim. A thoroughly unpleasant thing happens to Shuki in the very first chapter, but Shuki is a tough little begger, a slum boy - cunning, clever, and with a will to not only survive, but to make a good life for himself.
There are 42 people on this site who have marked 'Not a Man' as 'to read.' Well, now's your chance. To get it free from Smashwords, use the coupon number SY77M. Valid up until 28th January. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...
But if you like it as much as some reviewers have done, you may prefer to buy the paperback. It's a big book, over 500 pages, but I have priced the paperback at the minimum - only $17.50. From Amazon or other online booksellers.
So for the 42, or for anyone else, if you like the book, reviews are always appreciated.
Marj.
There are 42 people on this site who have marked 'Not a Man' as 'to read.' Well, now's your chance. To get it free from Smashwords, use the coupon number SY77M. Valid up until 28th January. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...
But if you like it as much as some reviewers have done, you may prefer to buy the paperback. It's a big book, over 500 pages, but I have priced the paperback at the minimum - only $17.50. From Amazon or other online booksellers.
So for the 42, or for anyone else, if you like the book, reviews are always appreciated.
Marj.
November 4, 2012
My new books now published
Penwinnard is a Boys' Home for boys between 11 and 18 (or until they complete school.) These boys have often come from a background of abuse, but they are far from being victims - they are bright and lively, not saints by any means, and they are making their own futures as best they can.
'Angel No More' is the story of Bob, who refuses to tell anyone where exactly he came from, but he does tell the police what 'someone' had told him - a story of routine kidnaps, abuse and murder.
'You Gotta Have Manners' centres on young Sidney Sneddon, who has set his heart upon finding a new mum and dad.
Both of these books are available on Smashwords, and I expect they will be available on Amazon as paperbacks and ebooks in around a month.
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
'Angel No More' is the story of Bob, who refuses to tell anyone where exactly he came from, but he does tell the police what 'someone' had told him - a story of routine kidnaps, abuse and murder.
'You Gotta Have Manners' centres on young Sidney Sneddon, who has set his heart upon finding a new mum and dad.
Both of these books are available on Smashwords, and I expect they will be available on Amazon as paperbacks and ebooks in around a month.
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
October 10, 2012
To Love and To Protect
The date tentatively set for the release of the third book in the Shuki series is June, 2013.
Two Penwinnard Stories are to be released by the end of October 2012, initially only as ebooks and on Smashwords. These are called 'Angel No More' and 'You Gotta Have Manners.'
'Angel No More' will enjoy some days free before I put a price of 99c on. These are shorter books than any of the Shuki series, only around 70,000 words, and not as challenging for the reader. The second could even be classed as YA.
They will be available on Amazon as ebooks and as paperback by the end of November, in time for Christmas.
Two Penwinnard Stories are to be released by the end of October 2012, initially only as ebooks and on Smashwords. These are called 'Angel No More' and 'You Gotta Have Manners.'
'Angel No More' will enjoy some days free before I put a price of 99c on. These are shorter books than any of the Shuki series, only around 70,000 words, and not as challenging for the reader. The second could even be classed as YA.
They will be available on Amazon as ebooks and as paperback by the end of November, in time for Christmas.
August 30, 2012
ebooks.
I picked up an old hardcover book from an Op Shop the other day for 20c.
The dustcover was ragged, needing patching with sticky tape, and the pages were yellowed and brittle. It was 40 years old.
Great book and good for many reads yet.
Question: what will happen to our ebooks in 40 years time after multiple changes of technology?
I wager no-one will be able to access them so conveniently. And they don't look nearly as good in a bookshelf.
The dustcover was ragged, needing patching with sticky tape, and the pages were yellowed and brittle. It was 40 years old.
Great book and good for many reads yet.
Question: what will happen to our ebooks in 40 years time after multiple changes of technology?
I wager no-one will be able to access them so conveniently. And they don't look nearly as good in a bookshelf.
July 11, 2012
Paperbacks available
Both my books, 'Not a Man' and 'The King's Favourite' are now available as paperbacks as well as ebooks.
'Angel No More' is to be released in October, and the third book of the Shuki Series probably in December in time for Christmas.
'Angel No More' is to be released in October, and the third book of the Shuki Series probably in December in time for Christmas.
June 24, 2012
'The King's Favourite'
'The King's Favourite' is the second book of the Shuki Series, sequel to 'Not a Man.' It is, however, a completely different story, and can be read as a standalone. The ebook has been out for a couple of weeks, and I expect that the paperback will be available within the week. There has been some delay with that, as I rejected the first proof, though the imperfections were minor. I am somewhat of a perfectionist when it comes to my published books.
What's on the agenda?
The first book of a new series is due to be released in October. It is called 'Angel No More' and is the first of what I've called the 'Penwinnard Series.' It is set in 'Penwinnard' or 'place of the falcons,' a Boys' Home situated in Cornwall.
Meantime, the third book of the Shuki Series is waiting for attention. It needs a new title, as well as some rewriting. It is currently called 'To Love and To Protect' but that is a little cumbersome as well as a little mawkish, even if appropriate. I expect this one will be released late this year.
And then the beginning of the second Penwinnard story is fully formed in my mind, not to mention a few more ideas floating around...
I do enjoy making new and interesting worlds, and I do enjoy when other people like them as much as I do.
What's on the agenda?
The first book of a new series is due to be released in October. It is called 'Angel No More' and is the first of what I've called the 'Penwinnard Series.' It is set in 'Penwinnard' or 'place of the falcons,' a Boys' Home situated in Cornwall.
Meantime, the third book of the Shuki Series is waiting for attention. It needs a new title, as well as some rewriting. It is currently called 'To Love and To Protect' but that is a little cumbersome as well as a little mawkish, even if appropriate. I expect this one will be released late this year.
And then the beginning of the second Penwinnard story is fully formed in my mind, not to mention a few more ideas floating around...
I do enjoy making new and interesting worlds, and I do enjoy when other people like them as much as I do.
June 3, 2012
Change of publisher
'Not a Man' was originally published by Night Publishing. Its sequel, 'The King's Favourite,'was published by Samray Books. The paperback will probably be available by the end of June. Samray Books will also be handling all future books, such as 'Penwinnard' that I expect to release in October, and the third in the Shuki Series, that could be available around March 2013.
