David Nicol's Blog, page 3

Lament for the Living – Now Available in Paperback

I’m pleased to announce that ‘Lament for the Living’ is now available in paperback.

Lament for the Living – Paperback edition

The print copy has some additional features that were omitted from the ebook version for formatting reasons.  Although there is no difference to the story, the paperback is my original vision for the book.

Changes in the paperback version:

Proper ‘verso’ page at the beginning of the book.
Names with special characters are included correctly.
Diary entry is handwritten.

There have been requests for a hardback version, but that will not be happening as I don’t feel the book is long enough to warrant it.  Although, once the series is complete, I will be releasing a hardback anthology that includes all the books.

All the best

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Lament for the Living is OUT NOW! And free scifi ebook

Tadadadaaaaaaa ‘Lament for the Living’ is out.  The first book in the Lament for the Living series that follows the Survivors of a zombie.  It’s also one of the few zombie books written by a British author, and set in the UK (Wales to be precise).

Here be the links to said tome:

Amazon US http://www.amazon.com/Lament-for-the-Living-ebook/dp/B00CNDEK6W
Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lament-Living-UK-ebook/dp/B00CNAPUAU
Smashwords (all formats) https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/313539

So far it’s been read in the UK, Ireland, USA and Canada and is even being perused by the Man in the Mun!

The release of ‘Lament for the Living’ coincided with the one year anniversary of ‘The Deluge of Elias’ which is FREEEEEEE this weekend as a double whammy celebration.

Amazon US http://www.amazon.com/The-Deluge-of-Elias-ebook/dp/B0082FRKNU


Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Deluge-of-Elias-ebook/dp/B0082FRKNU

Along with promoting these titles over social media, I’ve also starting writing the next release which is a prequel to ‘The Deluge of Elias’.  Set roughly now, the new (as yet untitled) book covers the cataclysm that leaves the inhabitants of The Dome as the only surviving humans.  This first book in the series covers the cataclysm, aftermath, and the survivors realisation they are the last humans, and everything else is gone.

It’s all very exciting.

Find my other work here: http://www.tbfmedia.com/bibliography/

Have a great weekend peeps.

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Free Sci-Fi Ebook This Weekend

This weekend ‘Lament for the Living’, the post-apocalyptic zombie survivor book is released.  It’s also the one year anniversary of the publication of ‘The Deluge of Elias’ the dystopian sci-fi short story.  To celebrate both events I’m making ‘The Deluge of Elias’ a Free Sci-Fi Ebook for the duration of the weekend.

That’s the 10th, 11th, and 12th of May 2013, The Deluge of Elias will be FREE!  To mark the anniversary it’s been extensively re-edited and contains the first three chapters of ‘Lament for the Living’.

If you didn’t get a chance to read it before, now’s your chance.  And if you did read it before, then give it another whirl.

The Deluge of Elias:

(UK) http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Deluge-of-Elias-ebook/dp/B0082FRKNU

(Rest of the World): http://www.amazon.com/The-Deluge-of-Elias-ebook/dp/B0082FRKNU

‘Lament for the Living’ is Now Available:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lament-Living-UK-Edition-ebook/dp/B00CNAPUAU

(UK)

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lament-for-the-Living-ebook/dp/B00CNDEK6W

(Rest of the World)

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/313539

Click here to visit the official page for Lament for the Living on facebook.

Add Lament for the Living to your Goodreads list: Lament for the Living on Goodreads.com

Like Lament for the Living on facebook for updates:  Lament for the Living on facebook

Visit David Nicol on Facebook: David Nicol – Author

Follow David Nicol on twitter: @davidxnicol

David Nicol on Amazon: David Nicol Author Page

Join David Nicol on GoodReads.com: David Nicol on GoodReads

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The Curse of Self-Promotion

Although I like the sound of my own voice, I don’t like to blow my own trumpet.  That has put me in conflict with my feelings about pimping out my work.  How much is too much?  Where is the line that differentiates between promotion, and feed swamping?

I’m a sensitive flower (no really) and I’ve dumped numerous indie authors on Twitter because they use their account as basically a one way pipe for their self-promotion. Hardly any interaction with anyone else, just constant “Hey look at my book” and “Another 5* review” and then the retweets of retweets… GAHHH!  Then they take to Facebook to crow about how they’re in “twitter jail” – oh what fun.  No, it’s not actually. Being in Twitter jail means that you’ve posted so much that even Twitter wants you to shut up and give someone else a chance.

Okay, this is where I don my cloak of hypocrisy. I’ve got a book coming out on May 10th. ‘Lament for the Living’ – a zombie book, but it’s not about the zombies. It’s about the societies that evolve and are destroyed after the zombie apocalypse. Now here’s the thing. If I don’t start pimping it out, especially on release, no one will know it exists.

My problem is doing this without pissing off the people who follow me on Twitter and facebook. So what I am going to do is let people know in advance, that at certain times I am going to be posting ONLY about ‘Lament for the Living’, but they won’t be scheduled, or automatic posts – it’ll still be me, I’ll still be there posting/writing/chatting.

So here it is: I am going to be a complete self-promoting whore in the run up, and after the launch of ‘Lament for the Living’. I apologise for the spam, but it’s a necessary evil.

However, to make up for it, I’ll also be giving away copies of ‘Lament for the Living.  All you have to do to enter my super duper ebook draw is like the official ‘Lament for the Living’ facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/lamentfortheliving

Get a sneak peek at the first chapter for FREE!

Currently it’s .prc (DRM free for Kindle) or .pdf only.

Kindle/.prc - Download Here

PDF - Download Here

Download, read, enjoy. Let me know what you think.

While you’re waiting for ‘Lament for the Living’ to be released the following titles are also available:

   

For more information and purchasing links please visit:

www.tbfmedia.com/bibliography

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Why the Resale of ebooks Isn’t Evil

Recently there have been a number of alarmist posts made on the interwebs about companies (Amazon being one of the them, but Amazon is ALWAYS one of them…) planning to allow users to sell their second-hand ebooks.

People have been really throwing their toys out of their prams over the issue. Or non-issue as I like to think of it. I know that some of you are you wondering what I’m on about here so I’ll do a quick recap on the issue:

All creators have the right of first sale, it’s part of copyright in that when their product is sold (for the first time) they get their cut.
Until recently there wasn’t the technology to allow the resale, or second hand market, for electronic goods.
It’s apparently a back-door for pirated copies (and we all know that piracy funds terrorism (!)).
The main argument, especially where DRM is used, is that the first purchaser is an “end-user” and so they are only licensing the product for their personal use, so resale is VERBOTTEN!!!!!! (yes I went over the top with the exclamation marks there, but it was for comedic effect).

Now I’m not going to go into any of those points because frankly, each of them is a choice for the individual copyright holder/publisher to decide on. Personally, I’m not going to put DRM on my future works (unless required by certain outlets…. Amazon) because I think it’s limiting and frustrating for the reader. “Surely you’re worried about piracy?” I hear you gasp. Well…. no. Not as much as I am about alienating readers in the first place.

So why am I not bothered about the re-sale of ebooks? Or more specifically, why am I not worried about the re-sale of MY ebooks? There are two reasons:

I’ll have earned what I consider to be my entitlement via the ‘right of first sale’. I think it’s fairly obnoxious to expect to be paid when someone sells that book on. 
I actually see the option to re-sell e-books as another revenue opportunity.

Wait! What? You heard me! Now put your brain in gear. As an reader, how many copies of an ebook do you legally own? That’s right, as many as you legally paid for. Now, as an author, how many copies of your ebook do you legally own?……. Okay, let me help you with that one. It’s somewhere between infinity and whatever comes after that.

See where I’m going with this yet?  These re-selling services operate by allowing you to sell any copies you legally own. With ebooks (as long as you haven’t stupidly sold your publishing rights), as an author you own an infinite amount of them. You can create them at will, which means that you can also sell them at will. So why should a canny author be bothered about these services when he/she can use them as another revenue stream.  Log on, see how much your book is going for in the second-hand market, put a load of copies up for sale at a competitive price. A percentage of something is better than a percentage of nothing. Simples.

I’d love to read your thoughts on the issue.

Don’t forget, ‘Lament for the Living’ is out on May 10th – get a sneak peek at the first chapter for FREE!

Currently it’s .prc (DRM free for Kindle) or .pdf only.

Kindle/.prc - Download Here

PDF - Download Here

Download, read, enjoy. Let me know what you think.

While you’re waiting for ‘Lament for the Living’ to be released the following titles are also available:

   

For more information and purchasing links please visit:

www.tbfmedia.com/bibliography

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'Lament for the Living' is coming!

May 10 2013 is the day when 'Lament for the Living' shakes off the stench and decay of the undead and infects your e-reader.



[GAH! there's supposed to be a picture here, but for some reason it won't show! Here's a link to it instead: http://soto.deviantart.com/art/Lament... ]

That's right, 24 days.

I've also uploaded a tasty bite of the story in pdf format so look out for that in the ebook section of my profile.

Oh, and there's also an event for the launch and if you'd like to be entered into a draw for a chance to win a copy of 'Lament for the Living' then head over and 'like' the 'Lament for the Living' facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LamentForThe...

Cheers peeps

Hannibal House – Free for February

To celebrate the end of KDP exclusivity, ‘Hannibal House’, my short horror story (I say short, but it’s ‘War and Peace’ compared to some titles available on Smashwords) is free with a coupon throughout February.  It even has a different cover to the original Amazon version:

Anyhoo – between now and the end of February 2013 you can get Hannibal House for free on Smashwords at http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/283929 using coupon code ‘GU95J’.

Troy is an American, lost. Lost in many ways and so, after the death of his father, embarks on a voyage of discovery to the land of his ancestors: Wales.

His travels around the country finally lead him to a small village on the West Wales coast. Here he sees a house that enamours him and he endeavours to purchase it.

Although Troy is keen to settle down in the village, the locals are not keen on the idea and try to warn him off. But he has made his choice. Or did the house choose him?

Visit me on Facebook: David Nicol – Author

Follow me on twitter: @davidxnicol

What about on Amazon: David Nicol Author Page

And ofcourse, GoodReads.com: David Nicol on GoodReads

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Lament for the Living Final Cover

It is with great pleasure that I release today two exciting pieces of news.  The first is that a benefactor, who wishes to remain anonymous, has been solely responsible for securing a block of ISBNs for the upcoming ‘Lament for the Living’ and future titles.  I cannot thank that person enough and will ensure that a similar kindness is contributed in the same vein.

The ISBN for ‘Lament for the Living’ is 978-0-9575452-0-5.

To coincide with this amazing turn of events I wanted to create new cover art that was more eye-catching and announce them both at the same time.  So here it is:

Lament for the Living ISBN 978-0-9575452-0-5

Lament for the Living will be released in May 2013.  I’m still looking for review readers who will receive advance copies in February.  If you would like to participate, please get in touch.

Visit me on Facebook: David Nicol – Author

Follow me on twitter: @davidxnicol

What about on Amazon: David Nicol Author Page

And ofcourse, GoodReads.com: David Nicol on GoodReads

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ISBN Benevolence Fund

What the heck?!  What’s this thing for?    Well, being an indie author doesn’t mean that I’m beyond asking for help.  Being independent is about not going the traditional route.  There are costs associated with writing that as much as I disagree with are required even for those operating outside of the ‘Big 6′.

 

For me, the biggest obstacle is the ISBN debacle.  In the UK we can only buy ISBNs as a block of ten and that costs £126.  Before I can launch ‘Lament for the Living‘ I’m going to need ISBNs for each format – ebook (x2) and physical.  The remainder will be used for future titles (of which there are many in the pipes).  And that is where the donate button comes in.  I’m asking you to help me.  And for whatever help you can give I will be grateful.  On top of that:

Every donor will, if they want to, be included in a special mention in the dedication of the book.
Donors of £5 or more will receive a personalised ebook version in either .pdf, .mobi, or .pdf format.
Those who donate £10 or more will also receive a signed physical copy of the book, as well as the ebook version.

All you have to do is click on the PayPal donation link, choose how much you’d like to donate and that’s it.  Once you’ve donated just let me know if you’d like to be included in the dedication.

*Please note that donating is an act of goodwill and does not represent the transfer of any rights to you for the related work(s).

Visit me on Facebook: David Nicol – Author

Follow me on twitter: @davidxnicol

What about on Amazon: David Nicol Author Page

And ofcourse, GoodReads.com: David Nicol on GoodReads

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Publishing in 2013

If you’re an author, or writer (horses for courses, titles are vitals) and you put your work out there for the public to buy then you need to accept the reality that you’re not writing for YOU any more.  It may be a hobby for you, and a hobby it may stay, but even the most vehement hobbyist secretly wishes to be discovered.  Look at EL James.  She wrote arguably the worst book ever written and has become immensely successful off the back of it.  Well done love, you give us all hope.

And that brings us to the reality of publishing – traditional publishing:

“Publishers are in the business of selling books, not publishing books.

The dirty business of publishing is simply the means to the bookselling ends. The publishing industry has always been built around a model of scarcity and exclusivity. Publishers want to acquire and publish only those titles they think have the greatest commercial potential. They reject all the rest as riff raff, and then they carefully meter out their chosen books in seasonal catalogs.”

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-coker/2013-book-publishing-indu_b_2352895.html

The publishers saw the buzz around Fiddy Shaves and that was enough.  They saw the Golden Goose and worked out it was ready to lay.  And boy did it lay!

So for those of you who are considering prostrating yourselves at the feet of the traditional publishing gods, I suggest you read the whole of Mark Coker’s 21 Publishing Predictions for 2013.  It’s informative and validates many of my preconceptions about publishing which I’ve previously written about (but obviously – what the hell do I know?).

2013 looks to be the real coming of age of ebooks, but it will also be a difficult time with many more established and new authors producing works, as well as out of print books getting a new lease of life via digital publication.  How the traditional publishers attempt to maintain their stranglehold on the business, or evolve to embrace it remains to be seen.

Whatever happens, 2013 will definitely be interesting times.  A year that I look forward to with the launch of my first book ‘Lament for the Living‘.

What about you?  How do you see the writing/publishing scene in 2013?

Visit me on Facebook: David Nicol – Author

Follow me on twitter: @davidxnicol

What about on Amazon: David Nicol Author Page

And ofcourse, GoodReads.com: David Nicol on GoodReads

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