The Midnight Room

Writing Books

2008-08-29T05:38:00.000-07:00

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.

Spring is here!

2008-08-29T05:25:00.000-07:00

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.

La Dolce Vita in Italy

2008-04-26T05:44:00.001-07:00

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

Some good ...

2008-02-09T00:42:00.000-08:00

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!

Another Critique!

2008-02-07T06:45:00.000-08:00

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.

I Just Love Critique!!!

2008-02-07T06:41:00.000-08:00

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!

More Critique!

2008-02-07T06:35:00.000-08:00

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.

Lekker Critique!

2008-02-07T06:32:00.000-08:00

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!!!

More Critique

2008-02-07T06:27:00.000-08:00

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.

What People Are Saying

2008-02-07T06:19:00.000-08:00

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.

Fourth Time Lucky!

2008-02-07T05:27:00.000-08:00

Today, I finally received my books perfectly printed! Perfectly bound!
7 Months later!
If you want one - just let me know!

PRINTING AGAIN!

2008-01-20T06:21:00.000-08:00

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?

Things are happening!

2008-01-13T09:39:00.001-08:00

What has happened since my last post?
Emotional turmoil, yes!
Confusion? Definitely!

The Saga Continues

2007-11-21T03:24:00.000-08:00

This wil reflect so badly on printers in South Africa, but what the heck
this is the way it was.
The book arrives, but the printing is all skew. Without further ado the book
is rejected and my publisher approaches a different printer.
Weeks go by!
It is end of year and everybody frantically busy with diaries and such.
At last it is done, but oh dear me, the printing is running off the bottom
of the page!! ANOTHER rejections!!!
"Let's go LULU!" I tell my publisher, she agrees.
But for some reason the Lulu website cannot upload the PDF file. Oh no!!
The second printer insists on reprinting my book and we say, Go Ahead!
But will there be a binder to finish the job before Christmas?
Meantime she tries Lulu again and has an online meeting with a representative.
You are now chatting with 'Lulu'
Lulu: Please hold for a moment.
Lulu: Here is a quick overview of Google Book Search:
Lulu: http://www.lulu.com/help/index.php?fSymbol=google_booksearch_faq
Lulu: I'm sorry, hit the wrong button.
Lulu: I am sorry for the trouble, it is a site issue we are currently experiencing. We have a work around for this.
Lulu: You should try to publish any document so that you can see the different steps in the process. We do not charge for publishing and you will have the opportunity to delete the project after it is finished. This way you will know what to expect when you publish the real document
Publisher: Can I e-mail the pdf to you?
Lulu: Please disregard that.
Lulu: If you choose a book size that is not the size of the PDF and then upload the PDF you will be able to. You can then go back and change the book size and should be able to continue with the wizard. Or of course, if you want to wait, and try again later. We are aware of the problem and are working diligently to get it fixed.
Lulu: I'm sorry we would not be able to upload the pdf for you.
Publisher: I have already tried uploading to a different size.
Publisher: When do you think the problem will be fixed?
Lulu: To be honest you, I don't know the exact timeframe for this one. I am hoping it will be fixed the soonest possible time.
Publisher: I am paying from South Africa, and the exchange rate is becoming worse by the moment. I'd like to pay the Lulu publishing costs quickly. What do you recommend?
Lulu: I understand your concern but you would not be able to purchase your book until you finished publishing it since there are eligibility requirements for the book.
Lulu: You can try uploading your content and finish publishing your book just to purchase the distribution and get back to the content later.
Publisher: If I could do that I would have done it already :(
Publisher: Is there another way to upload the pdf without using the Wizard?
Lulu: No, I'm afraid not.
Lulu: Do you have a .doc file for your content?
Publisher: Yes.
Lulu: You can try uploading it so you will get through the conversion process and finish publishing the book.
Publisher: OK, will do - can I then later change it to the pdf? You know Word - it changes when ever it moves.
Publisher: Hello?
Lulu: I will verify that information for you just to be sure.
Publisher: Thank you :)
Lulu: I checked with my supervisor and yes you can still change it to pdf later.
Publisher: Great :)
Publisher: Thanks for your help.
Lulu: You're welcome
Lulu: Best of luck with your project!

Tell me about it!! Boy do I need some luck!!

The Final Proof

2007-10-04T07:28:00.000-07:00

I open the plastic wrapper and suddenly - there in my hands I hold a copy of my book! What an awesome feeling. The weirdest thing was going over it for errors, formatting, etc, I got totally immersed in the content and read it as if it was all
new to me. I know this is how a mother feels after giving birth to a baby she has
carried around for months. How do you explain this emotion to anybody who has
not done this before?
The moment of truth is knocking at my door!!

Book Cover

2007-09-24T06:10:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time there was my book and I thought the cover would be like
wrapping a gift in pretty paper and ribbon.
Right!
Then the trip began that started as run down the street - to a voyage around
the world in less than 80 days if possible.
The title of my book never changed. It was and still is: The Midnight Room.
So where do I start?
The book starts in Manhattan - at midnight.
My cover was Manhattan and I was contented.
I went on a trip to Morocco and came back with so many photos that I was convinced
I had the right cover now. After all - it was not only about Manhattan.
It was about Moroccan culture, people and all sorts of interesting things.
Suddenly the book is at the publisher and guess what --- the cover is not right.
Talk about stress!
A bright young designer takes on the commission of doing the cover - masks it will be,
because the people in the book all wear masks. Makes sense.
Another month goes by - so much work later - and we are nowhere close.
I feel terrible and the designer throws his arms up in total despair.
I don't sleep and would have started biting my nails had they been edible.
Out of the blue I receive a call from a friend from my advertising days. I tell him my dilemma, and he said leave it to him.
The next morning - multiple covers arrive on my PC. (No pun intended!) :-)
They knock me out. Exotic! Mysterious! Fantastic.
Which one to go with!! So many choices!
The final decision is made and the final material is at the printer.
I am excited and cannot wait for the day that I will hold this baby in my arms.
I will add some of these covers on my website if you are interested to take a peep.
Talk to you soon.
www.midnightroom.com

My Midnight Room

2007-09-02T08:19:00.000-07:00

At last I see the end in the publishing tunnel.
Whoever said it was difficult to write a book need to think again.
Writing a book merely takes focus and discipline and that is
something we can all apply - and a little imagination of course.
What is painful – is what to do when you have written the last page.
The joy and feeling of achievement is short-lived as soon as you endeavor
to get your work published.
It took me many, many years to get my manuscript to a point where I knew
it was ready and wanted nothing more than to see it in book form.
But even then, I realized that without professional editing, I was taking a big
chance.
I knew my writing had limitations – after all – I am Afrikaans, and live in South Africa. My novel concerns Moroccans, living in Manhattan under strange circumstances.
Along comes an author of some 18 books, novels as well as poetry, and holding my breath I timidly asked him if he would mind editing my book.
This happened in a Writer’s Association group on the Internet. He wrote back that he would look at my manuscript, if he thought it worthwhile – he would edit for a fee. I grabbed the chance and sent him the first chapter. Next day he asked to see the following chapter. I sent it and by this time I could hardly breathe with anticipation.
Day after, I received an invoice for the editing, he said: “Let’s get to work. I love it!”

My Midnight Room

2007-08-29T08:43:00.000-07:00

I am finally - in the final stages of publishing my novel.
It has been a long and tedious journey, filled with rejections
and disappointments.

Earlier this year I attended two different writer's conferences regarding
the publishing of books in the USA.

The first, in Arizona , was by far the more impressive and believable.They
truthfully told the attendees what the difficulties were about getting published
today. It all made good sense.

The second one in New York - well, we were honored to have some real live agents
telling us they hardly ever have time to read our queries, let alone our manuscripts.
If the do, you better hook them in the first sentence or you are gone!

Thinking about all of this - the time it took to write that novel, the editing, the re-editing,
the finding a real editor who will edit your manuscript for a fee, then throwing your ms away
after the first sentence! Well, that really did not impress me much. I felt like running away as
far as possible from any lit agents.

But I still had my novel, and two others waiting to be passed through the mill.

Self publishing! Voilà!

I found a writer who has been through the motions and she is now helping new authors to
get their work into a nicely packaged book.

To be continued ...