UK Amazon Kindle Forum discussion
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Jamie Sinclair - writes crime books set by the sea, mostly.
Welcome to our group, Jamie!
Hi folks,further to other posts I've put in other discussion on this site, I recently did a KDP free promo on my Shortstory The Storyteller: A Ghostly Tale For Christmas. All of a sudden I was number 1 in my category on Amazon UK!
In other news, Bang Publishing have asked to see the completed manuscript of my latest book, The 24 Hour Jazz Cafe.
Thanks
Great news! I hope something good comes of it :o)
On the back of my success with my KDP promo of my short story, I've decided to do the same for my full length novel, Playground Cool. Today, the first day of the giveaway, more than 550 people have downloaded a copy of the book. Needless to say, it's shot up the charts which will hopefully help the exposure further still.Fingers crossed.
I downloaded that one earlier because it was highlighted on a couple of threads! I didn't realise that you were a goodreads author (I'm behind with the threads and only slowing catching up). I've started a list of books by "our" authors ("our" as in members of this group) that I want to make a point of reading - so I'd better go and add this to the list!
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Karen (Kew) wrote: "I downloaded that one earlier because it was highlighted on a couple of threads! I didn't realise that you were a goodreads author (I'm behind with the threads and only slowing catching up). I've s..."How exciting. You're the fist person who has been in touch that has a copy of one of my books. HELLO READER!!!! Now I feel like I should justify it, it's over ten years old, I was young when I wrote it, it's a bit Chicklit, it's nothing like the stuff I've written since etc. On the other hand, I hope you like it. If you don't, you'll probably love my new book due out soon as it's a crime thriller set at the seaside.
Thanks for the download, it's much appreciated.
Afternoon Folks,Still raining, still no sign of snow. In other news Lisa Graves put my book,playground cool, on her blog on the 23rd January. I totally missed this owing to an over zealous spam filter which meant Lisa's email was banished to the junk folder.
Still, I'm grateful to her for the support and would encourage anyone who wants a bit of free promo to mooch over to Indie Book Review and have a look.
Hi folks,My books
playground cool and
All the fun of the fair
are now available to buy or preview through Goodreads! Jackpot.
I'm also doing a giveaway. To try and generate reviews of All the fun of the fair I'll email a free ebook to the first hundred people who get in touch.
Thanks
Ok so the thread is for Playground Cool, and I read the other one - but here's what I thought of All the Fun of the Fair cos you wrote that too !This book is not my usual genre but I was looking for something a little different, bimbled across this and thought I'd give it a crack.
As the blurb says, this book revolves around Alfie, a man with a dark past, and how a chance meeting sends his life down a different route.
But it is so much more than just his story. It is also the stories of several other people connected to Alfie - be it by location, job or just friends/acquaintances. Minor characters in Alfie's story become major characters with their own tales, often told from several perspectives. In this way the book comes across sometimes as episodic. It takes you through highs and lows, love, heartbreak, quite a few tears and some pretty funny laugh out loud moments.
The characterisation is fantastically imaginative in parts and this works extremely well. Spelling, grammar (to the best of my knowledge) and formatting spot on. If I have any criticism, it would be the author's tendency to us obscure words that I had to keep looking up. Admittedly not too much of a chore with the Kindle's on-board dictionary, and certainly not enough to ruin the enjoyment of the story, but mildly irksome nonetheless.
As the book featured so many interesting characters - both major and minor - there is plenty of potential for future continuation and I, for one, would be up for reading more.
I may pop back and tell you what I thought about Playground Cool when I have finished that one :)
Hurrah, a review! Most welcome, especially since it's a good one. Take note everyone!
Playground Cool... Chick-Lit by a bloke... Surely can't be any good...? Hell yes it can. And then some...
Am afk (on phone atm) will review when I get home tomorrow.
What else you got for me to read next?
Ooh, pity you're not an agent! Any danger you might do a review of playground cool?
Popped over to Amazon to buy it only to find I already have it! Will seek and read.
Of course. That's what I meant. I am at my mum's tonight and have only internet by phone. Need a keyboard to do review. Home tomorrow. Will post review then :)
Philip (sarah) wrote: "Popped over to Amazon to buy it only to find I already have it! Will seek and read."Hurrah! I hope you like it, an oldie but a goodie etc. As ever, a review would be great.
Chick-Lit by a Bloke... Surely it can't be much good ???Heck yes it can... and then some :)
Chick lit is not my mainstay genre wise, but I am not adverse to it. So, after reading All the Fun of the Fair , I thought I'd give it a go.
The story mostly follows two couples who are having "relationship difficulties" and another woman who is having her "relationship ethos" challenged. Mr Sinclair has certainly mastered the art of writing credible fiction from both a woman's and a man's point of view. The story held my attention right the way through and had me laughing, crying, getting angry, rooting for the underdogs and screaming at the lying, cheating sc*mbags!
I think it is a little grittier than the mainstream Chick-lit I have previously read and I personally think that actually makes it better. The author says himself in the blurb that it contains the obligatory "happy ending" but the stories are so well paced and structured that this feels neither fake nor forced in nature.
As with ATFOTF, the characters are so well formed and grabbed me enough for me to want to read more about them and that, for me, is a sign of a good book.
Just one last thing, the book contains a taster of ATFOTF at the end so this story actually finishes at about 87%.
Evening all,My book All the fun of the fair is free for 24 hours as of the moment Amazon update the page to reflect the fact that I've clicked the promotion button. It's had a couple of lovely reviews from Goodreads members too.
Here's some blurb to entice you: Meet the residents of number 73 Westminster Road. Alfie Gorman, the suicidal Park Keeper, transvestite landlord Gerald Grimman and former showgirl Edith Hird.
Alfie is at the centre of the story.His childhood was shattered by the death of his older brother and he has spent his entire adult life roaming the seaside resorts of Britain, trying to recapture the happiness he felt during the holidays he spent there with his family.
All the fun of the Fair is a novel which is broad in scope, encompassing several families and a host of characters, all linked via number 73, the park, Alfie, or the town itself. We follow them as they work through their various conflicts, each of them hoping for redemption and happiness.
In Happy Mount Park, where Alfie works, there is an ice cream van operated by Lee Etchman, a lothario with a beer belly and an obsession with his teenage assistant, Tania Streatham.
Lee's older wife, the rich and glamorous Loriana Cipriani, is sick of his affairs. One evening, while walking on the promenade, she meets Alfie. They learn that they share Italian roots and strike up a friendship which offers hope to both of them.
You will begin the novel pitying Alfie but his sheer determination and will to keep getting up when life knocks him down will have you rooting for him, urging him to succeed in his quest to leave his dark past behind.
I hope you get loads of downloads (and future sales) from this Jamie. It's a wonderful book. Very upbeat and hopeful although you don't expect this at the beginning.
Thanks for the support folks, much appreciated.
This might be cheating so if it is I expect Patti will let me know pretty quick!But my first book playground cool is now available in paperback here: https://www.createspace.com/3844865
It will be available via Amazon.com any day too. You'll have to be keen as it's expensive and takes time to come but it's a real book!
I haven't read Playground Cool. Must get me skates on!
Sorry it's taken me so long to see this Jamie.I've been playing catch-up since my 'net was so dismal for two days running.
Jamie, your author thread is your home in the group where you can feel free to post anything and everything, okay?
The more interesting bits you post, the more visitors you'll get, so go for it!
:)
Oh yeah, and a huge congratulations on releasing your paperback!Woot!
More excitement! My new book The 24 Hour Jazz Cafe is out now. It's a bit of a departure from my previous books but if you liked them you'll like this because my unique style shines through!Bit of blurb to give you an idea of what to expect before you dive in and get your copy:
The book begins with Mitch Johnson returning to his home town where he tells his lifelong friend, Rupert Watts, that a young woman is going to be murdered. Mitch thinks that the killing will mirror that of a schoolgirl fifteen years earlier, a crime Mitch himself was suspected of committing.
With no idea when the murder will take place, or who the victim is, the friends endeavour to find the girl before she comes to harm. But they must also contend with Don Hague, a senior councillor and central figure in the dark underbelly of the town who holds Mitch responsible for the ruin of his career and his reputation in the town. The police are watching Mitch, and they are also watching Don Hague.
Who is the girl Mitch is convinced will die? How is her death linked to the schoolgirl murder? Is Don Hague, or his associates, involved? Can Mitch and Rupert convince the police to take them seriously before it’s too late to save a girl’s life?
*runs off to buy new Jamie book*how did you know i was "between books" you clever thing you...
:)
Yay, a sale!! Hurrah. Tell your friends and spread the good word.
Evening all,My chums at Createspace have now added Amazon Europe to their distribution lists. What does this mean? It means my debut novel playground cool will be available to buy in paperback within the next few days.
It goes without saying that my mum is much more proud now that she can show a real book to her friends rather than pointing them to an Amazon link.
As mentioned previously, my debut novel is now available to buy as a paperback via amazon UK and Amazon Europe. The link is here:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Playground-Co...
Thanks
Hi folks,My book All the fun of the fair has just been released as a new edition. It features numerous revisions based on review feedback and also a couple of changes to the structure which I think sharpens up the ending. To mark it out as a new edition I have also changed the cover to something a bit more grown up. If you need further tempting, it's also reduced in price to £1.31. Hope you like it.
Hi folks.My book The 24 Hour Jazz Cafe is currently free on Smashwords.
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
Just use coupon code SW52C at the checkout.
Need a bit of blurb to lure you in? Okay.
Crime, corruption and murder! A nice gentle start lures the reader into an exciting and gripping action packed story with a dramatic and powerful finale! Twists and turns will keep you guessing right to the end. Who is guilty and who is innocent? Who will live and who deserves to die?
Hey Jamie,Obviously I already have the book, but I took the liberty of getting it again from Smashwords with your coupon so that I could copy my review over there for you...
It's live on my SW profile but I cant see it on the book yet... hopefully soon...
Good luck with the promo :)
its live now and annoying states that i reviewed it on the day of purchase... hmmmmmm
Spotted it. Thanks and good thinking! It all helps.
Afternoon folks,The 24 Hour Jazz Cafe will be free via Amazon in the next 24 hours for 24 hours. This wasn't an intentional ploy to allow me to keep writing 24 hours, I just thought of that bit now.
Anyway, if you were thinking of buying a copy, and I'm sure you were, then now you can get it for nothing. Other Goodreaders have ejoyed and left marvellous reviews. Since it's free, a review would be nice just so I know you're out there.
By the way, it's a crime thriller, set in Morecambe, in the north of England. It features corrupt local officials, an old unsolved murder and two friends trying to rebuild their relationship in the wake of the death of the woman they both loved, all the while attempting to stop another murder they are certain is about to happen.
It's top notch. And you can read it for free!
Evening folks,While I've been enjoying the closing ceremony I have also finally done something with my Wattpad account. The opening scenes of All the fun of the fair are now available to read for free on Wattpad. I imagine searching for me will get you there.
Hope you like it (the closing ceremony and my book).
in case you don't pop back into the good morning threadnew book........ tell. me. more.
Kath wrote: "in case you don't pop back into the good morning threadnew book........ tell. me. more."
Hi,
it's the follow up to The 24 Hour Jazz cafe. Set in Morecambe and featuring Mitch and Rupert.
It starts about 18 months after the end of the first book. The jazz cafe is open, Mitch has gone missing and the newly promoted DS Harper has a grisly murder on her hands.
Hopefully it'll be ready for Christmas along with another from the back catalogue.
Great blog by the way.
great news about the book - look forward to that i don't have a blog though
Sorry, got all overexcited. Ignite has a new blog. Either way, when the book is ready expect plenty of announcements on here.
i'd pretend i wasn't bothered you got me mixed up, but i really am feeling quite hurt...guess ignite will also be getting the freebie of your next book that you promised me for all my help i did promoting your stuff too...
Never! Free copy will definitely be coming your way (if you still want one). Then you can do the first review.
of course i want to read your stuff... i love your books :)
Morning folks,I was just writing a new blog post about the distractions that get in the way of writing and I stumbled upon some reviews at Amazon UK.
I was grabbing links to reference my books and noticed that The 24 Hour Jazz Cafe has 9 reviews. For me this is a big deal. Anyway all but one are 5* but the one which jumped out was a particularly nice one from 25th October which mentioned Goodreads.
So it seems this is the place to be! Many thanks to whoever it was that posted the review, and to everyone else who has made the effort to leave a review also. It's much appreciated!
Evening all,My new book The Trust is out now, literally within the last hour or so.
Hidden bodies, an old asylum, allegations of patient abuse, a serial killer and even a secret society who might be playing God with the lives of their patients.
There's plenty going on and the Trust is at the centre of it all.
UK Amazon Kindle Forum
Books mentioned in this topic
Fear (other topics)Ballroom, Bars and Seawater Baths (other topics)
The 24 Hour Jazz Cafe (other topics)
All the fun of the fair (other topics)
Playground Cool (other topics)
More...
As will doubtless become apparent I'm new to the idea of promoting my work but it's something I need to do so here goes.
My debut novel - Playground Cool - was released on Kindle in early December. I also registered with Smashwords and they have distributed the book to the Apple Bookstore, Diesel's bookstore, Kobo, Sony E-reader and goodness knows where else.
The book was actually written ten years ago as part of the coursework for my MA in Creative Writing which I did at Manchester Metropolitan University. As such the book is set in Manchester and is very much 'of the time' in that it's essentially a chicklit novel, although on Kindle it's described as 'a contemporary romance'.
At the time I found an agent at the first attempt, Vivian Green at the Sheil Land Agency. It was all very exciting although they were unable to place the book with a publisher.
Since then work, life etc has got in the way although I have written several novels but made no effort to get them published.
Several friends have Kindles so I thought I'd dip my toe in the water and Playground Cool seemed the logical place to start.
As part of the process I started a blog - which I've listed on the appropriate discussion board - to document the journey of my writing, from Playground Cool to my latest book, The 24 Hour Jazz Cafe.
Through sites like this one, and Amazon, I feel like I've regained some momentum and, on the 29th December, Bang Publishing asked to see the complete manuscript of my latest book so fingers crossed!
Anyway, if you want to know more about me and the books, try the blog, failing that there's an author page on Amazon along with a festive short story called The Storyteller. I'll also be contributing on here as part of the prootional learning curve.