Down And Out In The Semi.When I first entered the Kindle Book...

Down And Out In The Semi.

When I first entered the Kindle Book Awards, the idea was pretty much - ‘Don’t come last bro’.

After all, the judging process was a biatch. The pre-screening process alone took 90% your score from the “Look Inside” sample of your book on Amazon. NINETY PERCENT!!! I mean coming on guys. GTFOH

For a start, I knew the opening was undoubtedly the weakest section of the novel. That’s not to say it’s bad by any means, but rather that in comparison with the rest of the book, it’s probably the least memorable.

PULSE: The Trial is an action-packed adventure, there’s no doubt about that. The foreboding start, however, just isn’t for everyone. In fact, a dozen times during the books inception, I contemplated the phrase ‘Just hurry up and kung-fu someone in the face.’ But I didn’t. Mostly because the goal was always to build and build and build the pace and the energy and the stakes until it boiled over. For better or worse, I stuck to my guns.

The other 10% of the score comes from the description of your book. Here’s what you get with The Trial:

“It’s been 100 years since the inter-galactic organisation known as PULSE intervened to liberate the women of Earth. Now purged of its male population, the women have embarked on a journey to take their place in the all-female cosmic society.

In order to enlist in PULSE’s renowned military, earthlings Stella, Faye and the rest of their class must face the Trial. Only a few human women have ever conquered the perils of this three day expedition across one of the most dangerous planets in the galaxy.

The girls must learn to work together in order to survive the threat of vicious alien beasts, scorching desert sands and icy mountain peaks, all while being hunted by an unstoppable and deadly foe.”

Have you ever tried writing 65,000 words - then writing a summary of what those 65,000 words are about?

I’m pretty sure most writers think they’ve penned the world’s most intricate and thought-provoking masterpiece when they finally close the lid on their laptop.

Having to condense it is like eating a New York Cheesecake, then explaining to someone why it was delicious. Or getting back from holiday and telling your mate how hot the weather was. Or that video where the dude tries to catch the spider in the nowhere-fu**ing-near big enough container.

But here I am. A Semi-Finalist. 1 of just 20 books to make the Sci-Fi/Fantasy shortlist. Sure, I didn’t make the 5 finalists, but for my first ever book - I think I’m inclined to feel a little chuffed.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s how good a job the scrutinous review process is at mimicking the job that I, as an author, have to do on the consumer to make a sale. A book with a fantastic ending can easily go unread if the first page, or first paragraph, or even the first line just doesn’t hit the spot.

It’s something I’ve taken into account with the imminent Book 2: Moonlighter. This time, the books opening is designed to punch you in the face, give you a wedgie then shake you upside down until all your lunch money falls out.

Put down your cup of tea before you read it. And maybe don’t wear pants. Or do. Whatever. The choice is yours.

But next time, I’m going all the way.