R. Jackson-Lawrence's Blog, page 9
May 13, 2013
Knightfall free days
Today is the first of three consecutive days where Knightfall is free for Kindle - click on the links below if you haven't already got it, trust me, it's awesome!!!
UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Knightfall-Chronicle-Benjamin-Knight-ebook/dp/B00C5RWRDE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368471137&sr=8-1&keywords=knightfall+benjamin+knight
US http://www.amazon.com/Knightfall-Chronicle-Benjamin-Knight-ebook/dp/B00C5RWRDE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368471219&sr=8-1&keywords=knightfall+benjamin+knight
As of about 4 seconds ago, it has been downloaded 81 times, including by customers in Japan and Germany, which I think is pretty cool. Not quite the thousands that I was hoping for, but it's a start. I only hope that
a) some of them read it; and
b)some of them enjoy it and/or review it (even if they don't like it, all feedback is useful).
On another plus, I somehow managed to write 5050 words today, which is the most I have ever written in one day. I'm putting it down to the position of my chair (I finally managed to get the lever to raise the chair up so I'm not straining my neck to see the monitor!), so if anyone moves my chair from its current position there'll be hell to pay!!!
And finally, if you are due a phone upgrade, check out the Galaxy S4 - it really is awesome (as is the book, honestly). Got mine yesterday and it does everything my S2 did, only faster and prettier somehow. Well worth the price (which was free, but that's beside the point).
Follow me on twitter if you are interested in how many copies get downloaded (and really, who wouldn't be?), I am sure I will be tweeting about it over the next few days. I'm sure that I sometimes say funny or interesting things on twitter too, but that isn't guaranteed, disclaimer or whatever, does not guarantee to entertain or inform through twitter!
@RJLbooks
UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Knightfall-Chronicle-Benjamin-Knight-ebook/dp/B00C5RWRDE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368471137&sr=8-1&keywords=knightfall+benjamin+knight
US http://www.amazon.com/Knightfall-Chronicle-Benjamin-Knight-ebook/dp/B00C5RWRDE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368471219&sr=8-1&keywords=knightfall+benjamin+knight
As of about 4 seconds ago, it has been downloaded 81 times, including by customers in Japan and Germany, which I think is pretty cool. Not quite the thousands that I was hoping for, but it's a start. I only hope that
a) some of them read it; and
b)some of them enjoy it and/or review it (even if they don't like it, all feedback is useful).
On another plus, I somehow managed to write 5050 words today, which is the most I have ever written in one day. I'm putting it down to the position of my chair (I finally managed to get the lever to raise the chair up so I'm not straining my neck to see the monitor!), so if anyone moves my chair from its current position there'll be hell to pay!!!
And finally, if you are due a phone upgrade, check out the Galaxy S4 - it really is awesome (as is the book, honestly). Got mine yesterday and it does everything my S2 did, only faster and prettier somehow. Well worth the price (which was free, but that's beside the point).
Follow me on twitter if you are interested in how many copies get downloaded (and really, who wouldn't be?), I am sure I will be tweeting about it over the next few days. I'm sure that I sometimes say funny or interesting things on twitter too, but that isn't guaranteed, disclaimer or whatever, does not guarantee to entertain or inform through twitter!
@RJLbooks
May 10, 2013
Star Trek vs Iron Man
I have just returned from seeing Star Trek - Into Darkness, an excellent movie which I thoroughly enjoyed, but in my opinion was not better than Iron Man 3. On the way back from the cinema, my good lady and I discussed this, as she felt that Star Trek was infinitely better than Iron Man 3. We eventually agreed to disagree.
My reasons for enjoying Iron Man more are numerous, but to discuss them would result in spoilers for both films. So please, if you want to get into a debate about this, message me or comment or something as I was really enjoying the discussion before it edged towards argument territory....
With regards to actual writing things (which is what this blog is sort of supposed to be about!), I gave five of my local libraries copies of the paperback today, which was more difficult than I expected. I thought that they may have to vet them in some way to make sure that I wasn't trying to give them something pornographic or offensive or whatever, but one library in particular was very obstructive. Has anyone else had any experiences?
Anyway, going to watch the last (possibly forever!) episode of community now, will let you know my thoughts on that another day (or not, I might just forget or not be bothered....).
My reasons for enjoying Iron Man more are numerous, but to discuss them would result in spoilers for both films. So please, if you want to get into a debate about this, message me or comment or something as I was really enjoying the discussion before it edged towards argument territory....
With regards to actual writing things (which is what this blog is sort of supposed to be about!), I gave five of my local libraries copies of the paperback today, which was more difficult than I expected. I thought that they may have to vet them in some way to make sure that I wasn't trying to give them something pornographic or offensive or whatever, but one library in particular was very obstructive. Has anyone else had any experiences?
Anyway, going to watch the last (possibly forever!) episode of community now, will let you know my thoughts on that another day (or not, I might just forget or not be bothered....).
May 8, 2013
The moment of truth...
So today I have posted paperback copies of my book to newspapers, local news, SFX magazine and some other review outlets that I discovered on the internet. I have no idea if any of them will go ahead and read and/or review the book, but it seemed like a good idea at the time.
I suppose.
Sort of.
Now I just have to sit and wait and see if anything comes of it.
I have also listed a 10 copy giveaway with Goodreads so that may promote some interest too, hopefully there will be a link below this if I can get it to work (something about HTML something something!).
.goodreadsGiveawayWidget { color: #555; font-family: georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; background: white; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget img { padding: 0 !important; margin: 0 !important; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget a { padding: 0 !important; margin: 0; color: #660; text-decoration: none; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget a:visted { color: #660; text-decoration: none; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget a:hover { color: #660; text-decoration: underline !important; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget p { margin: 0 0 .5em !important; padding: 0; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink { display: block; width: 150px; margin: 10px auto 0 !important; padding: 0px 5px !important; text-align: center; line-height: 1.8em; color: #222; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; border: 1px solid #6A6454; border-radius: 5px; font-family:arial,verdana,helvetica,sans-serif; background-image:url(http://www.goodreads.com/images/layou... background-repeat: repeat-x; background-color:#BBB596; outline: 0; white-space: nowrap; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink:hover { background-image:url(http://www.goodreads.com/images/layou... color: black; text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer; }
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Knightfall by R. Jackson-Lawrence Giveaway ends May 24, 2013.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads. Enter to win
Anyway, more writing tomorrow and I have tickets for Star Trek for Friday so all must with the world!
I suppose.
Sort of.
Now I just have to sit and wait and see if anything comes of it.
I have also listed a 10 copy giveaway with Goodreads so that may promote some interest too, hopefully there will be a link below this if I can get it to work (something about HTML something something!).
.goodreadsGiveawayWidget { color: #555; font-family: georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; background: white; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget img { padding: 0 !important; margin: 0 !important; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget a { padding: 0 !important; margin: 0; color: #660; text-decoration: none; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget a:visted { color: #660; text-decoration: none; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget a:hover { color: #660; text-decoration: underline !important; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget p { margin: 0 0 .5em !important; padding: 0; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink { display: block; width: 150px; margin: 10px auto 0 !important; padding: 0px 5px !important; text-align: center; line-height: 1.8em; color: #222; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; border: 1px solid #6A6454; border-radius: 5px; font-family:arial,verdana,helvetica,sans-serif; background-image:url(http://www.goodreads.com/images/layou... background-repeat: repeat-x; background-color:#BBB596; outline: 0; white-space: nowrap; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink:hover { background-image:url(http://www.goodreads.com/images/layou... color: black; text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer; }
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Knightfall by R. Jackson-Lawrence Giveaway ends May 24, 2013. See the giveaway details at Goodreads. Enter to win
Anyway, more writing tomorrow and I have tickets for Star Trek for Friday so all must with the world!
May 6, 2013
Bank Holiday Monday
Really good day at the computer today, despite outside being the hottest day of the year so far. It comes down to whether I would prefer skin cancer or obesity related diabetes I guess.
I wrote another pivotal scene today, the one I have jokingly been referring to as 'the shot heard around the world' (but only to myself, obviously, or people really would start to look at me funny...). Remember when I said it was all going to get worse for my characters (I'm talking to you, single reader who stumbled across here by accident!), well this is when it starts to get REALLY bad for them.
On a nicer note, Tina Pollick has posted an author interview of yours truly on her blog, please go and check it out at
http://tinapollick.com/r-jackson-lawrence-knigtfall-book-1-of-the-chronicle-of-benjamin-knight/
She also has an on going promotion to support breast cancer research so please support her however you can.
I hope you are all enjoying your BBQ's
I wrote another pivotal scene today, the one I have jokingly been referring to as 'the shot heard around the world' (but only to myself, obviously, or people really would start to look at me funny...). Remember when I said it was all going to get worse for my characters (I'm talking to you, single reader who stumbled across here by accident!), well this is when it starts to get REALLY bad for them.
On a nicer note, Tina Pollick has posted an author interview of yours truly on her blog, please go and check it out at
http://tinapollick.com/r-jackson-lawrence-knigtfall-book-1-of-the-chronicle-of-benjamin-knight/
She also has an on going promotion to support breast cancer research so please support her however you can.
I hope you are all enjoying your BBQ's
May 3, 2013
Happy Star Wars Day for tomorrow - May the 4th be with you!
Finally finished chapter 5 of my second book (Darkest Before Dawn), seems like I have been at it forever and I don't know why. It's one of my longer chapters, true, at 39 pages, but I think it's been more of a psychological barrier to complete. In some respects it's a bridging chapter, making way for the second half of the book to be much more involved and exciting, so maybe that's it. I'm just printing it out now so I can read it and scribble all over it and hopefully make it make sense.
Anyway, another fun weekend planned with my daughter, and surprisingly it's set to be sunny - almost unheard of on May Bank Holiday weekend! Hopefully she is all feeling better and we can get outdoors and celebrate Star Wars Day in style.
Make sure to check out the YouTube link below (Star Wars: The Empire's May the 4th Response), it made me chuckle but it won't stop me enjoying the day. Down with the Empire!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spMYHuyL3_E
Anyway, another fun weekend planned with my daughter, and surprisingly it's set to be sunny - almost unheard of on May Bank Holiday weekend! Hopefully she is all feeling better and we can get outdoors and celebrate Star Wars Day in style.
Make sure to check out the YouTube link below (Star Wars: The Empire's May the 4th Response), it made me chuckle but it won't stop me enjoying the day. Down with the Empire!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spMYHuyL3_E
May 1, 2013
The Hangover
Hi all, apologies for not writing for a few days but I have been busy - honest! After an awesome night out on Saturday, and the inevitable hangover on Sunday (but totally worth it!), I have been trying to get back into writing book two. Managed to get a few hundred words done today and I hope to do more tomorrow. I have also been making more maps (se below), there are more journeys ahead for my merry band of misfits and I wanted them to have somewhere interesting to go.
Need to say two things first though, to get them off my chest as it were:-
1. Iron Man 3 is amazing. Really. Believe the reviews, it is another fantastic Marvel movie, everyone should see it, NOW!!! I really hope that they continue to pull it all together with the Star Wars universe. The trailer for Thor 2 looks great too. And Kick Ass 2.
2. What's up with Dr Who this series? We had some pretty poor episodes, then the reasonable one with the ghost that wasn't, and then this last weekend it was poor again. I was so desperate to watch it when I got home on Sunday, and yet again I was disappointed. I know they are building up for something with Clara and who/what she really is, and the 50th special in November will be amazing (Rose at the cinema in 3D - yes please!), but they seem to have messed up a bit since Christmas. Just one guy's opinion.
Anyway, rant over, on to the badly drawn maps!
Need to say two things first though, to get them off my chest as it were:-
1. Iron Man 3 is amazing. Really. Believe the reviews, it is another fantastic Marvel movie, everyone should see it, NOW!!! I really hope that they continue to pull it all together with the Star Wars universe. The trailer for Thor 2 looks great too. And Kick Ass 2.
2. What's up with Dr Who this series? We had some pretty poor episodes, then the reasonable one with the ghost that wasn't, and then this last weekend it was poor again. I was so desperate to watch it when I got home on Sunday, and yet again I was disappointed. I know they are building up for something with Clara and who/what she really is, and the 50th special in November will be amazing (Rose at the cinema in 3D - yes please!), but they seem to have messed up a bit since Christmas. Just one guy's opinion.
Anyway, rant over, on to the badly drawn maps!
April 26, 2013
The City of Maleton
Taking a break from slaying zombies to update my blog - if you like gaming and like killing zombies, the new Dead Island is a lot of fun (as was the first one, and you can pick it up for £10-15 if you haven't played it). I managed to get a bit of writing done this morning but I will get back to it properly next week.
So where will you be at the weekend you cry? I'm glad you asked! I will be in Nottingham with my two good friends, watching Iron Man 3, going to a comedy club, drinking too much beer, maybe going to a casino if we can still stand, and generally having a fantastic time. I am really looking forward to it (in case you hadn't already guessed!).
Anyway, to go with the title, here is my crudely drawn map of Maleton, the city that most of the first half of Darkest Before Dawn takes place, as well as a sizeable chunk of the second half. As always, let me know what you think.
So where will you be at the weekend you cry? I'm glad you asked! I will be in Nottingham with my two good friends, watching Iron Man 3, going to a comedy club, drinking too much beer, maybe going to a casino if we can still stand, and generally having a fantastic time. I am really looking forward to it (in case you hadn't already guessed!).
Anyway, to go with the title, here is my crudely drawn map of Maleton, the city that most of the first half of Darkest Before Dawn takes place, as well as a sizeable chunk of the second half. As always, let me know what you think.
April 24, 2013
New book trailer
Just a short post tonight, I can smell my dinner cooking and I am ravenous! Made a new book trailer today with animoto - free video with music and text up to 30 seconds. Check it out on YouTube and below, I am really pleased with it.
I have also ordered the proofs of the final final copies of Knightfall and they should come start of next week hopefully, then I can finally offer it for sale in paperback. I think I have managed to get it down to £6.99, a fairly standard price for paperback on amazon in seems. I don't really make any money, and the size is unusual for the UK market (6x9 inches) but Createspace suggested that it offered maximum distribution channels in that size. I guess I will wait and see. I intend to buy some copies anyway and send them to various outlets for review, as well as offering a promotion on Goodreads.
I got some more writing done today and I need to get a lot done tomorrow and Friday morning if I can, before Dead Island - Riptide takes over my life, assuming it comes from amazon in time. If not, there's always next week!
I have also ordered the proofs of the final final copies of Knightfall and they should come start of next week hopefully, then I can finally offer it for sale in paperback. I think I have managed to get it down to £6.99, a fairly standard price for paperback on amazon in seems. I don't really make any money, and the size is unusual for the UK market (6x9 inches) but Createspace suggested that it offered maximum distribution channels in that size. I guess I will wait and see. I intend to buy some copies anyway and send them to various outlets for review, as well as offering a promotion on Goodreads.
I got some more writing done today and I need to get a lot done tomorrow and Friday morning if I can, before Dead Island - Riptide takes over my life, assuming it comes from amazon in time. If not, there's always next week!
April 23, 2013
Final final edition
Got the updated internal files today and I am really pleased with them, can't wait to see what they look like in print. I have submitted by final final file to KDP and Createspace so hopefully it won't be too long - checkout a couple of images below!
Other than that, managed a little writing today but I have mainly been trying to sort this out for actual printing and distribution - I did get excited yesterday when my print review copy came. It looks great, and with the improved internal graphics it should look even better.
Also, went to dinner with my mother-in-law today, it was her birthday, so happy birthday Sheila. I remembered to post my mum's birthday card too, just in case she reads....
Other than that, managed a little writing today but I have mainly been trying to sort this out for actual printing and distribution - I did get excited yesterday when my print review copy came. It looks great, and with the improved internal graphics it should look even better.
Also, went to dinner with my mother-in-law today, it was her birthday, so happy birthday Sheila. I remembered to post my mum's birthday card too, just in case she reads....
April 21, 2013
Great weekend
Took a hint from my characters and pretty much avoided the computer this weekend. Had a wonderful time with my daughter - went to the park and played on the swings and she rode her scooter, made a fairy with hamma beads (so much better than aqua beads if anyone is interested!) and today spent most of the day at an adventure playground and had a picnic! We really had a wonderful time, and if you ever wonder if all the hard work and sacrifice in life is worth it, just spend a day having fun with your family.
Nothing beats it, honestly.
Well, I can smell the curry cooking downstairs and there's more Justified to watch, so that's me done. Be back tomorrow, bright and early at the computer, most likely putting Ben and his friends through all 9 levels of Hell!
After I've been to the gym of course....
Nothing beats it, honestly.
Well, I can smell the curry cooking downstairs and there's more Justified to watch, so that's me done. Be back tomorrow, bright and early at the computer, most likely putting Ben and his friends through all 9 levels of Hell!
After I've been to the gym of course....
