So, An Irish Mystery is officially out in the world.
I’m actually writing the first part of this a week before its release, knowing that by the time you read it, everything will have already happened! 😁
Last week’s blog was about my hometown of Peterborough — and why I think it deserves more credit than it gets. Usually, I have a clear idea of what I’m going to write in these blogs. Much like my books, once I know what my characters are searching for, I can figure out the direction... even if it all evolves one chapter at a time.
Speaking of my writing process — I’m still terrible at taking notes! I constantly forget the names of minor characters. (What was that bloke’s secretary called again?) You’d think I’d have learned by now... but nope. That’s just the way I work.
The Surreal Highs of Being "Out There"
By the time this post goes live, "An Irish Mystery" will have been out for about two weeks. In that first week, I was genuinely overwhelmed by the number of people who bought my book. Okay, I can't pay off my mortgage or retire to a life of only writing, but to sell a single book to someone you don't know feels wonderfully strange.
Remember, I only started writing this because I was bored during the COVID lockdowns. I wrote a story for my own entertainment. Was it any good? Who knew? I suppose deep down I felt I had a good plot, but were my skills as a writer good enough? Probably not, right at the start. So to see it out there as a real thing people are buying is incredible.
The Unexpected Questions
Whenever people find out I have a book out, the first thing they ask is, "What's it about?" And believe it or not, I really struggle with that question. I usually end up just showing them the blurb on the back.
I think part of it is that it still feels surreal to accept that this is a real thing. But mainly, it's because I'd never really sat down and thought about it beyond the plot. Originally, it was just a search for a missing treasure. But the more I think about it, the more I realise it's about family, friendship, redemption, and characters finding their true selves. What I do know for sure is that I need to get a good answer ready for that question – after all, it is my book!
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A Dose of Reality (Written the Day Before This Goes Live)
It's now Thursday. As I said, initial sales were better than I ever expected, and then… it hit a brick wall. As I write this, I haven't sold a single copy since last Saturday morning.
If I said that doesn't get you down, I'd be lying. It does. It gets you down because you believe in your story and all you want is for people to give it a chance.
The problem with being an Indie author, especially with no marketing budget, is that you have to do everything yourself. You come up with ideas you think might work for free – reaching out to free advertising sites, book bloggers, the local paper, social media groups that promote the city. And guess what? I tried it all, and got nothing back, not even a single reply.
So, I watched some videos on YouTube about running Amazon ads. I set up a campaign. Three days in: 47 impressions (my book's ad has been shown 47 times) and not one single click. On the plus side, that means I haven't spent any money! But on the other hand, I really want to sell my book.
So....What now?
This post doesn’t have a big lesson or strategy. It’s just an honest snapshot of the rollercoaster that is self-publishing — especially when you’re new, unknown, and doing it all on your own.
But even when the momentum dips and the inbox stays quiet, I still believe in this book. And more importantly, I’m incredibly grateful to you, for being here, reading, and supporting this journey.
Thank you — it means more than you know.
📖 An Irish Mystery — Out Now
Historical intrigue, hidden secrets, and a gripping debut.
👉 Buy it now on Amazon Or read it FREE on Kindle Unlimited
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