A Novel Approach

I did it! 50,046 words in a novel I decided to write for NaNoWriMo 2017. I started this adventure doubting I would achieve that goal and I was pleasantly surprised when I pulled it out of the bag on the final day, to limp across the finish line. Here's the synopsis I wrote back in October 2017 for the book and the cover that I had designed by a nice lady in Brazil. The Sirrupa family run it all. From High-quality imports to addictive “street” products. Nothing comes into the country without their knowledge, at least that had been the case until now. An underground movement rebelling against this monopoly will go to any lengths to undermine the Sirrupa domination of the market. The Sirrupa Family also influence power within the Police, Government and food retail, making any disruption to the market nigh impossible. One man is about to change all this. Known as the Lichfield Ice Cream King to his underground followers, Spencer to his friends, he has been planting the seed...

At the Birmingham NEC this year (2018) there will be an event called Makers Central, showcasing YouTubers from all over the world, with suppliers and vendors from the UK. The weekend event runs over the 5th and 6th of May 2018 and full details of the event can be found here: http://www.makerscentral.co.uk/ Nick Zammeti from NZ Woodturning has organised the event and it looks to be a good one! I'll be there on Saturday as a visitor, so if you spot me, say hello! Make sure you get your tickets in advance to be sure of getting in. There will be tickets available on the day for a little more (if there's any left!) but pre-book to guarantee you get in to see all the good stuff!

Well, I decided to do it this year! I'm joining ranks with thousands of other authors across the globe for the (inter)National Novel Writing Month competition. I have a plan ... well, an outline of a plan ... maybe just an outline of an outline, but it's STILL a plan! So, the big reveal of the novel I'll be writing: L.I.C.K - Lichfield Ice Cream King Now before you all jump on the Ice Cream/Ice-cream debate, it's my title alright?! Anyway, that's what you jumped on first?  I have no idea if I'll be able to make the 50,000 words in November stick, there are lots of things at play here. Well specifically, two little ones at play. My wife is onboard and will push me to stop procrastinating, but whether I'll get 1,613 words written a day in a couple of available hours is up in the air right now. If you want to know more, here's a brief synopsis of the novel I'm going to write: The Sirrupa family run it all. From High-quality imports to ad...

I had a little delivery issue last week with UKMail. Despite driving 20 miles home at lunch time for the allotted delivery slot, they didn't show. My email to them is below :) *** Hi, I am very disappointed in the driver who "attempted" to deliver my package today. I was at home before the allotted hour, and watched with baited breath as my new phone stopped at delivery addresses before me, one by one.  Then I was next!! Watching from my study window, I can see the entire length of our road and the main road at the end. I waited and watched, "you are the next drop" the website says, I'm drooling with anticipation. Five minutes pass, then ten ... still nothing.  I refresh your website, and boom ... "Delivery Attempted". What? No it wasn't, there was no sign of a delivery van at all. Had he come onto our road, I would have run like a screaming loon chasing him if he left with my phone. I am then told that package will be redelivered...

It looks like the distributors have got the cogs well and truly turning now. Amazon , Waterstones , BooksEtc and some others are now selling the paperback and eBook on their sites. I'm just waiting on my printed copies, so I can give them to friends and family, the competition winner ( enter now if you haven't ) and sell signed copies on my website (at some point in the near future). If you want to read the first chapter online now, you can have a look here: http://www.benjamin-sorrow.com/freechapter. Here's a bit of the first chapter: ‘Come on!’     ‘No.’     ‘Come on!’     ‘No!’     ‘You mis’rable bastard! I’ve got money; no good for you is it?’ slurred Borell.     ‘Look, you’ve had more drink than you can clearly handle. Folk are leaving ’cause of you,’ said the bartender, keeping a cool head.     ‘Kiss mine, there are other —’     Borell came to, lying face down on t...

I've now got the first print proof copy in my hands, and it's amazing! Feels very strange having a physical copy of my novel, apart from the ones I'd printed myself. There are a few little bits to change, such as the size of the blurb text on the back, so it doesn't overlap the page fold, but other than that it's almost ready to go to print! I've just got the press release from the publisher to agree and then it's the eBook version and physical print run to do. This should all be done by the end of the month, so it'll be available everywhere in May! You can also read the synopsis and pre-order the paperback on my website now at: http://www.benjamin-sorrow.com/buy if you want to get there first. When I get the box of advance copies, I'll post another picture (that's what we do these days isn't it?) of the unboxing :)

Well, I had some good news from my publisher last week. They have the printed proofs back from the printers, and have gone over them for any changes that are needed. I should get my copy today or tomorrow, so will post a suitably cheesy photo of it in my giddy-excited hands at some point. I also have the ISBNs for each version, paperback, eBook, ePub and PDF. Doesn't mean much at the moment, but does mean things are getting real!! More when I get the paperback proof!