While writing books may be one of the great pleasures in life, marketing of same is the pits.
The Midnight Room has been on Lulu.com for many months now and I have not lifted a finger to promote this. Why?
After registering with Lulu I was informed by them that before they could pay me royalties I need to obtain a USA Tax Certificate!! Oh boy!! This project has been pursued for some time now with no luck. After completing all the relevant forms requested, I was told, sorry it has to be filed with the USA Gov dept. Not the easiest thing to do from my home outside Johannesburg.
But that has not stopped me writing new novels. Noway!!
I have 3 almost done novels. If I get moving I can finish them all before the end of this year. Another novel in Afrikaans - 6 chapters done. An idea for a Moroccan story with photographs is knocking on my creative office door. So much to do, I am excited.
And then what? Hmmm Let's worry about that when the time comes.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Spring is here!
This may seem as a late announcement to you folks living in the USA and Europe.
But 1 September is officially Spring Day in South Africa and I love it. I feel as
if I may finally come out of hibernation and face the world again.
Okay, I was not hibernating all of the time, a few weeks in Morocco broke the winter
blues. I went there with the idea of finding a little Riad or house that begged me to
buy it. I searched high and low but that little house escaped me.
I went to Oualidia, Essaouira, Agadir, Taroudant, and Marrakech.
All I found were expensive apartments or modern complexes. Morocco is booming and I am
a few years to late realize my dream of living in Morocco.
On my last day before returning to Johannesburg, a friend took me to see her house in Senlis, France. Guess what happened? I fell in love! Only 15 minutes from CDG airport, 45 min from Paris - the most charming village ever.
So, a slow waltz through Internet searches for something quaint and affordable in La Belle France. So far, found a few, but affordable? Not in terms of South African money. The exchange rate sucks! Something tells me to be patient.
But 1 September is officially Spring Day in South Africa and I love it. I feel as
if I may finally come out of hibernation and face the world again.
Okay, I was not hibernating all of the time, a few weeks in Morocco broke the winter
blues. I went there with the idea of finding a little Riad or house that begged me to
buy it. I searched high and low but that little house escaped me.
I went to Oualidia, Essaouira, Agadir, Taroudant, and Marrakech.
All I found were expensive apartments or modern complexes. Morocco is booming and I am
a few years to late realize my dream of living in Morocco.
On my last day before returning to Johannesburg, a friend took me to see her house in Senlis, France. Guess what happened? I fell in love! Only 15 minutes from CDG airport, 45 min from Paris - the most charming village ever.
So, a slow waltz through Internet searches for something quaint and affordable in La Belle France. So far, found a few, but affordable? Not in terms of South African money. The exchange rate sucks! Something tells me to be patient.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
La Dolce Vita in Italy
This really looks like the writing event of the year.
What could be more inspiring than writing while on an idyllic holiday?
Hope you will be able to join!
Ciao!
http://www.lifeinitaly.com/activities/writing-holidays.asp
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Some good ...
Tioni Seattle USA:
What a treasure! I love it. It was a bit hard in the beginning to remember all the characters but I was soon very intrigued by Mimi and her life. I had a hard time putting it down and I finished it the next day. That says alot!
What a treasure! I love it. It was a bit hard in the beginning to remember all the characters but I was soon very intrigued by Mimi and her life. I had a hard time putting it down and I finished it the next day. That says alot!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Another Critique!
Grace:(West Virginia USA)
Your book has arrived! I started reading the book immediately and it is a page turner! It's the type of novel that appeals to an international audience and it's filled with mystery and intrigue. Congratulations!!! This book is inspiring me to start a book club.
Your book has arrived! I started reading the book immediately and it is a page turner! It's the type of novel that appeals to an international audience and it's filled with mystery and intrigue. Congratulations!!! This book is inspiring me to start a book club.
I Just Love Critique!!!
Pauline:(SA) I've just read the first few pages of The Midnight Room and wonder how you manage to dream it all up??! I think it's a bit lost on me!... The book doesn't actually go to Morocco, does it?
Just goes to show you never know what's going on in other people's minds.
Felix:(SA) (Designer of the Book Cover!)
I enjoyed the read. One “helluva” surprising read, seeing a different side of you and I like it a lot. At times surprised at the depth of the story even though I did not always know the meaning of some words. Loved the book and passed it on to my mother who is a great reader, she loved the writing style and mad about the story, enjoyed it.
So! Yes, we read it and think it’s a winner!
Just goes to show you never know what's going on in other people's minds.
Felix:(SA) (Designer of the Book Cover!)
I enjoyed the read. One “helluva” surprising read, seeing a different side of you and I like it a lot. At times surprised at the depth of the story even though I did not always know the meaning of some words. Loved the book and passed it on to my mother who is a great reader, she loved the writing style and mad about the story, enjoyed it.
So! Yes, we read it and think it’s a winner!
More Critique!
Rachid: (NY) Too many characters who are not introduced smoothly so the reader can put together a mental image and a "name" with the character. We get to a point where we cannot figure out who is who and who is talking. The confusion won't let the reader get involved, pulled and carried away to want to know what will happen next. Therefore it's hard to read the book in one go.
The good thing is: Beautiful fiction, poetical text and language,
- And the best of it is that you unconsciously wrote a VERY VERY GOOD movie because of your love of cinema. I LOVED IT.
The good thing is: Beautiful fiction, poetical text and language,
- And the best of it is that you unconsciously wrote a VERY VERY GOOD movie because of your love of cinema. I LOVED IT.
Lekker Critique!
Coba: (SA) My interpretation thus far is that it has taken me on a personal journey of discovery and I wish to invite you to join
Dear Midnight Room Creator……
1. I am not prepared to rush through the “Midnight Room.” I am truly nurturing, reading and re-reading, underling and using some of the quotes.
2. It is beyond doubt challenging and I have had to exit from my comfort zone and re visit some of my own opinions on certain matters – (Christianity. Abuse. Female circumcision. Conflict. Verbalizing of opinions.).
3. In addition you have increased my vocabulary and opened curtains on cuisine, culture, the need to escape, and the need to be academically stimulated by a man. (Hee hee physically as well – I love the tension and lust in the romantic scenes.)
It has also awakened a deep desire in me to get to know the Moroccan people
Oh, what an enjoyable read!!!
Dear Midnight Room Creator……
1. I am not prepared to rush through the “Midnight Room.” I am truly nurturing, reading and re-reading, underling and using some of the quotes.
2. It is beyond doubt challenging and I have had to exit from my comfort zone and re visit some of my own opinions on certain matters – (Christianity. Abuse. Female circumcision. Conflict. Verbalizing of opinions.).
3. In addition you have increased my vocabulary and opened curtains on cuisine, culture, the need to escape, and the need to be academically stimulated by a man. (Hee hee physically as well – I love the tension and lust in the romantic scenes.)
It has also awakened a deep desire in me to get to know the Moroccan people
Oh, what an enjoyable read!!!
More Critique
Roux: (SA) I enjoyed the discussions between the different people and I especially liked the quotes you had with every chapter.
Naomi: (SA)
No, I don’t think there is too much sex in your book (in fact there is nothing)
I think the reference to sex … when she thinks about it, and the brutality
of it was too much for me personally, and the last scenario revolted me – suggestion would have done it for me.
I loved the story of Poet and Luna, wish there was more about them.
The ending was a real ‘page-turner” – I could not put the book down waiting to see what happens next. An enjoyable story.
Naomi: (SA)
No, I don’t think there is too much sex in your book (in fact there is nothing)
I think the reference to sex … when she thinks about it, and the brutality
of it was too much for me personally, and the last scenario revolted me – suggestion would have done it for me.
I loved the story of Poet and Luna, wish there was more about them.
The ending was a real ‘page-turner” – I could not put the book down waiting to see what happens next. An enjoyable story.
What People Are Saying
Saïd: (Ohio USA) (Moroccan writer)
I ferociously read it in 4:30minutes. Usually it takes me about 6 to 8 hours to read a book.
Your characters were not well defined but 85% of the book is good.
Overall the story is good, but it sometimes runs into dead ends.
The quotes you had on each chapter did not correspond with the chapters.
Poet and Luna's relationship was not well described in examples of courtship.
Examples of the contrast between moderate liberal Moroccans and other extremist religious people was not all accentuated to show the two polarizing issues within the Moroccan culture.
Believe me, I thought about your book for the longest time, even at work the last few days, maybe I am too picky. Again it is always easier to critique than to create.
I ferociously read it in 4:30minutes. Usually it takes me about 6 to 8 hours to read a book.
Your characters were not well defined but 85% of the book is good.
Overall the story is good, but it sometimes runs into dead ends.
The quotes you had on each chapter did not correspond with the chapters.
Poet and Luna's relationship was not well described in examples of courtship.
Examples of the contrast between moderate liberal Moroccans and other extremist religious people was not all accentuated to show the two polarizing issues within the Moroccan culture.
Believe me, I thought about your book for the longest time, even at work the last few days, maybe I am too picky. Again it is always easier to critique than to create.
Fourth Time Lucky!
Today, I finally received my books perfectly printed! Perfectly bound!
7 Months later!
If you want one - just let me know!
7 Months later!
If you want one - just let me know!
Sunday, January 20, 2008
PRINTING AGAIN!
I really do not want to say our printers suck!
But did I tell you that we are now printing for the
4th time?
I hope to receive freshly bound books this coming week.
Will it surprise you if I say I am NOT holding my breath
anymore?
I thought Lulu was going to be well, just OK.
So far Lulu is fantastic! I cannot fault the quality
of the copy I received from them.
Is there a lesson to learn here?
But did I tell you that we are now printing for the
4th time?
I hope to receive freshly bound books this coming week.
Will it surprise you if I say I am NOT holding my breath
anymore?
I thought Lulu was going to be well, just OK.
So far Lulu is fantastic! I cannot fault the quality
of the copy I received from them.
Is there a lesson to learn here?
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Things are happening!
What has happened since my last post?
Emotional turmoil, yes!
Confusion? Definitely!
Emotional turmoil, yes!
Confusion? Definitely!
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