This writing lark...

[Ladypunk]

Hello All,

I'm pretty new to this Blogging network, although not new to mumsnet.

It's nice to meet you all. I was just wondering, out of interest, what other writing anyone does other than blogging?

I've completed one novel, serveral short stories, and have been writing in my spare time for yonks. I'm keen to meet other like-minded crazies who spend a lot of their spare time imagining stuff!

Anyway,

:)

I write historical novels, which I self publish via Kindle because I am terrified of agents and am also a bit of a control freak who doesn't want to sign my stuff away. My third novel came out a couple of weeks ago and I've just gone over three thousand sales of my books on Kindle, which I am very pleased about. :)

My blog started off as a 'writing blog' but is now about all sorts of things mostly history related.

However, despite all of the above, an agent based in the US found my blog and is now mentoring me through the process of writing my fourth and fifth novels with a view to representing me when they are finished, so I may well be leaving self publishing behind at some point.

My blog is here, with stuff about my books - madameguillotine.org.uk. :)

What is your blog called?

Hello Madame!

Love your blog, and followed :)

Mine is: millyangel5.blogspot.com/

I haven't been at it too long; I started, fell preggers, felt sick, had my infant, then started up again :)

Your stuff looks great. I love history myself. Why are you terrified of agents? There are some scammers out there mind... but most seem ok. I guess it's getting the best fit for you isn't it?

I'm self-published too. I'm working on another novel as well. I've also worked in publishing for over five years, but in the educational sector.

I put my book on Kindle, but same thing, I fell preggers etc. I wasn't too well during pregnancy, and as I worked too, I just wanted to sleep in my spare time. How do you find Kindle?

Dear both,

An interesting question - my blog is 'Those Who Can't' by Crapteacher ( www.crapteacher.wordpress.com/ ) and I think Madame and I have crossed paths on Twitter a few times!

Despite some recent hostility on Mumsnet(!) I've had an overwhelmingly positive response to my blog and would love to take the writing further - I've contacted a few publishers recently about putting some of the material together into book form, and would certainly consider the Kindle route if I felt demand would be sufficient.

I also know there will come a point in the near future when I want to move beyond teaching /education - would love to give a comic novel a bash at some point too.

crapteacher.

I've just had a book about toddlers published, which includes a lot of input from bloggers. Also currently writing a book about fear of driving which has been taking aaages but am nearly finished (well, I say that, it's been nearly finished for quite some time).

As well as my main blog I also write a blog with my 12 year old daughter for fun.

Wow 3000 copies for kindle is impressive and more than many conventionally published books. Are publishers knocking at your door as a consequence?

Ladypunk, an agent once informed me that I am barely literate and not very articulate. I've avoided them ever since! The one I am working with right now seems nice though so clearly they aren't all awful people. ;)

I love publishing to Kindle - it's so easy to do and it's very satisfying to have such absolute control over my work. I was signed to a small publisher last year and they made me change the ending of my second novel so that it was 'happier'. I was really annoyed about this to be honest and as soon as I could get out of the contract, I claimed back my rights, changed the ending back to the way I wanted it and published it myself.

Yellowflowers, thank you! According to an editor at a very respected publisher that I met with, 10,000 books is considered a pretty good run but most books sell far FAR less so now that I am selling around 1,000 a month, I'm feeling pretty good about myself! I haven't been approached by any publishers, but I'm not really expecting them to either as my blog, despite being quite popular, isn't really focussed enough to appeal to them, I think. I've been approached by an agent though and she's helping me to write my next novel. :)

Goodness - Mme, are you kidding me?! I hate rudeness! I guess you showed them, yes; you're doing so well, and good for you :)

It's great to meet other people who are trying to develop writing careers (I'm assuming this is what we all dream of...?).

I wonder if there's anyway we could help each other? Recommend each other's blogs or summat? I'd be happy to swap ideas and help anyone.... I must go for now tho, I'm watching Dr Who! Is it wrong that I think John Simm is deeply attractive as The Master...?

Alas no, I was torn between amusement and feeling really quite offended as I may be a lot of things, but illiterate isn't one of them! I don't remember which agent it was but haven't bothered much with them since then - generally THEY approach ME but I'm so happy self publishing that I can't really see what they can offer me tbh.

I'm always happy to help out other writers. :)