Time for a break, I think

I won't be around for a couple of weeks, so don't wonder where I've gone - I've had enough of this rain, I'm off chasing the sun.....

See ya!

Books arrived so back to work again!

Thankfully, the latest shipment arrived on Saturday morning, so I managed to post out my backlog - phew! Actually, I was a little surprised on opening the box because there were only 40 books inside, instead of 50. However, on contacting Lulu, they informed me that the shipment had been split because of the weight, so the second box is on its way to me.

I went over to Borders in Ellesmere Port with some books, and they are now selling it there. (Big thanks to Judy Huxley, a City fan herself, who has been great!) I hope to post out copies to both the Speke and Warrington branches tomorrow morning, so it should be available to buy from these stores too by the end of this week.

If you look at my book on the Lulu site now, you will see that I have received my first review! Thank you John!!! As I said, I decided to post a preview of The Downtown chapter so people could get a little idea of the style of the book. So if you are undecided whether to buy it, do take a look on there.

Have managed to get together a little band of Merseyside Lulu writers through the forums at Lulu, and we are currently discussing whether we can promote ourselves through the Merseyside press as a group. Lulu itself is an intersting topic, whose popularity is soaring. I know the national papers have featured it, but don't think the locals have, and if it hasn't been covered before, we want to be there in the first feature, so we are working on what could be a joint press release. Will keep you informed as to what happens here.

Have also listed the book on eBay again, so that is another place to buy. Am just waiting for the Global Distribution to fully kick in now, but I am informed it shouldn't be much longer.

Wow!

Can't believe this, but my first batch of books has already gone. I have had to remove it from eBay for the time being, but as soon as the next shipment arrives, I will look to putting it back on there.

Apologies to all those who are waiting for copies - they will be with you shortly, I promise! According to my calculations, the books should arrive any time between now and Monday. As soon as they do, I will post all the pre-ordered books out first class. Please bear with me. I am new to all this, and have been taken completely by surprise by the interest in the book already. I am, of course, over the moon about it! At the beginning, quite a few people tried to put me off writing this book, saying that it might be better to write a fictionalised version of City's story instead. It will never sell, they said. I'm so glad I stuck with my gut instinct.

Once the Global Distribution package is up and running (sometime within the next week or two I believe) you will be able to order it from any bookshop, anywhere in the world, as well as Amazon.co.uk. I will also keep you informed which bookshops in the area will be stocking it, for those of you who prefer to buy one straightaway.

Had a telling conversation with one of the Liverpool papers the other day, who said they weren't sure whether they can actually do a piece on my book because Radio City is seen as competition! Interesting that....

Big thanks to Dave Lincoln for mentioning the book on his show last week and giving out my details. I had no idea he was going to do that, but it has worked and I have had some contact from buyers already from that.

In the meantime, I have added a preview to my book (the Downtown chapter) on the Lulu site. I've done this after discussing the idea with other UK Lulu writers. I held off for a while because I wasn't sure whether it would be a good idea or not, as one small excerpt doesn't really give anyone a true picture of the book as a whole, but I'm giving it a go, and will see what happens.

Advertising Flyer

This is the advertising flyer/poster I mentioned yesterday. I hope to be able to distribute these very soon and help spread the word about the book.

You will see that it includes a quote from Mark Jones, and also details of the charity donation to 'Give A Child A Chance'. At some stage, I may be getting some transparent stickers which have these details on them, so I can provide these details on the book itself.

If anybody can help distribute these flyers, or put up a poster, especially in the Merseyside area, let me know by email and I will get back in touch with you.

To Buy The Book

I have provided details of how to buy '194 Radio City - The Heart of Liverpool' in my profile section of the blog, and at the top of this page. This way, it should be clearer. At the moment, details are in danger of getting lost in old diary entries. Hope it's clear enough.

Today I received my batch of flyers/posters with which to advertise the book. I will attach a copy shortly so you can see. (I tried earlier, but it didn't work for some reason.)

The book is selling steadily on eBay, and others have sent cheques or paid through Paypal, so a big thank you to all of you who have bought a copy already. Feedback so far is very positive. Borders have agreed to stock it at their Ellesmere Port and Speke branches, so as soon as the new box of books arrives, I will be distributing them. The first box is almost gone (only 5 left!) so I hope it comes soon!!

Radio City 96.7 have been really supportive, and have agreed to promote the book on their website, so look out for it on there in the near future. There may be other City-related things going on, of which I will tell you more when they are confirmed...