A New Revised and Updated Version of
An Unassuming County ~ The Making of the Bedfordshire Countryside by Brian Kerr
will be published shortly.
Watch this Space!
All posts by eventispress
Eventispress Authors are on the road again!
Author Diana Jackson has been out and about this morning in Fife. She describes the event but also passes on some pertinent advice. She writes:
‘I enjoyed a warm reception at the Cupar Probus group this morning. There was an appreciative buzz in the audience as I gave my talk on
‘Early Women Aviators ~ Before and During WW1’
At the end I shared a video of some of the earliest planes of the Shuttleworth Collection, Bedfordshire, to give flavour to my talk and bring to life the daring feats achieved by these women in such fragile planes.
Although I sold a few books a remark made was that folks don’t take so much cash about with them these days, which is certainly something to think about if you are giving talks. Maybe us authors need to look into card readers.
In my less than organised state after lock down I also forgot to take my business cards ~ vital for leaving details for folks to look you up after the talk or get in touch with you.’
Author Diana Jackson
If you would like any Eventispress authors to give a talk locally, then you can contact us: enquiries@eventispress or get in touch with the author directly, which you can do on their websites. Click on the tabs above for the link.
To Publish or not to Publish ~ by author Roderick Hart
Margaret, a friend of my wife, used to write quite a bit. She told us once that I figured in one of her stories but despite that fact – or perhaps because of it – she wouldn’t let us read it. In fact, she wouldn’t let us or anyone else, read anything she’d written. Which gave rise to the question, why had she written her stories in the first place? We both asked her this but got no clear answer. So we have to assume that she wrote for her own satisfaction because, when you come to think of it, she did have one reader. Herself.
I am not suggesting that Margaret is typical in this respect. Or in many others. For example, she disputed that there was such a thing as poetry. When I wasted a couple of hours drafting a response to her view, she replied along these lines: I take these points but I still think . . . Putting it another way, she didn’t take these points at all. Her view was that poetry was an invention of people in the upper classes who were pulling a fast one on their social inferiors. You could call this approach Marxist insofar as it rested on class distinctions. And this was odd in itself, because she was very well off.
With the exception of the Margarets of this world, most people would assume that writing is a form of communication with the greater world, though there are a few exceptions. Those who keep diaries might well prefer that others don’t read them, allowing them to communicate their thoughts and feelings to the page, paper or electronic, without fear of contradiction or exposure. Some are so apprehensive about it that they resort to code (for example, Samuel Pepys and Anne Lister). Then there are those who write memoirs of their lives for which the only intended audience is their children and grandchildren, and who would have a problem with that?
But Margaret was not writing a diary or a memoir. She could have chosen to publish her stories but had no intention of doing so. But at least she had the choice. There have been some who have been obliged to have their writing circulate in manuscript, passed from hand to hand. An obvious case of this was samizdat in the Soviet Union – which might well make a return under the oppressive regime of Vlad the Vicious. This approach was forced on writers such as Mihail Bulgakov who were frowned on by the authorities. Of course, those same writers would probably have chosen to publish in the traditional way had they been able to do so.
Moving to the realm of music, it is interesting to compare the reputations of Joseph and Michael Haydn. It is almost always the case that mention is made of ‘Haydn’ as if only Joseph wrote music.
In fact, his brother Michael wrote music of great quality and a lot of it. But where Joseph made sure his music was published, Michael made no attempt to publish his.
This did not prevent his reputation reaching far and wide during his lifetime. His work was commissioned by the Spanish court (Missa Hispanica) and he was honoured in Sweden. Mozart, who had some trouble with sacred music when it came to style, wrote to his sister asking for copies of Michael’s work. And Leopold Mozart, while doing his best to undermine him in favour of his son in public, privately expressed a true appreciation of Michael Haydn’s talent.
When Michael died his achievements gradually faded from view. There are probably two reasons for this. As was recognized during his lifetime, he excelled in sacred music, and some people prefer symphonies and concertos, though he wrote quite a few of them as well. But a major factor will have been that his works, never published, were not easily available. It was necessary to search them out.
We are fortunate now that they are being sought after and performed, often to a very high standard. Discographies may not reflect this much, but there have been many live performances in recent years, some of them exceptionally good. Which is where Youtube comes into its own and where you can find them if you look.
The following performance is outstanding.
(The wonderful Hanover Girls Choir on this recording should not be confused with the Hanover Choir based in London, which is named after Hanover Square and includes male voices.)
Thank you so much Rod for sharing this wonderful post with us; so interesting and the music is uplifting.
Post re-blogged with permission from Roderick Hart’s website:
Twitter News Unwrapped
What’s the latest news?
Here’s another recent article from the BBC: “Ten Days of Twitter Chaos” to give you more background info.
Getting Twitter Verification
The main thrust of the article above by the BBC is getting Twitter Verification:
“The platform will charge users who want a blue tick verified account $8 (£7) a month, after initial reports of a $20 monthly fee were met with complaints by some celebrities, including author Stephen King.” BBC article on the link above.
Eventispress’s view is that ‘For most of us ordinary mortals, we will not need verification or a blue tick; unless you are famous, make loads of money, have loads of money, wish to stroke your own ego, or you have problems with anyone impersonating yourself on social media.’
If you would like to look into it or apply, here’s the link:
How to Get Verified on Twitter
Why do authors use Twitter?
- To reach and engage with readers
- Because (and is it a myth?) that publishers see the number of followers as a gauge to popularity and marketability. Read Ol Adams great article on this: “How Many Followers do you Need to get a Book Deal?”
- To publicize news and events in your writing life
- To share tips, useful links and news with other authors.
- To relax, unwind and just have fun tweeting!
Why are some users are leaving Twitter?
The Guardian says the following:
“Left-leaning users leave Twitter in protest at Musk takeover”
This makes an interesting read as to who has gained momentum and who has lost out in the take over.
We’ll give Eventispress the final say here,
‘For most everyday authors on Twitter our advice is take no notice. If you find Twitter a good way of reaching out to folks, readers, friends and other authors and more than that if you enjoy being on Twitter, then we suggest you carry on regardless, but of course it is your choice.’
New Cover Release!
Search for the Pearl Inside Yourself
by Diana Jackson
… has a new cover, initially only available from Waterstones and on the Great British Bookshop site.
Soon on Amazon too.
A great little book of encouragement for a young adult, college or school leaver.
The Benefits of Eventispress Team Meetings
An Author’s Bubble
Be honest. Most authors start in their own little bubble. Hopefully they soon link up with other authors for:
- mutual support,
- sharing ideas,
- promoting each other’s work,
- generally spreading the word.
After all, other authors sharing the news of a fellow author’s book adds a whole new audience into the mix. If we don’t open ourselves up for this opportunity we miss a whole exciting dimension of being an author but also, don’t forget:
‘Authors are readers too!’
So on to Eventispress Team Meetings
When we meet, usually on Zoom, we can share:
- our joys and successes
- our frustrations
- our ideas
- arrange to meet up to plan promotional activities
- any business news and updates too, to ensure Eventispress runs as we would all like it to, for the benefit of all.
Going forward and summary
The day after our authors are already getting together locally, taking forward ideas and planning their next events.
The most important outcome of these meetings, though, is the BUZZ!
They leave us feeling optimistic, a feel good factor and above all no-one feels alone.
Thanks Team!
A Successful Weekend Event
Here’s a great picture of two of out authors, Ian K Pulham and Brian Kerr, plus Peter who will be bringing his debut novel out early next year at their bookstall last weekend.
Feedback:
‘The weekend was great. ‘
‘It was good to network and speak to potential readers.’
‘The venue at St Andrew’s Art Exhibition in Ampthill and the location beside the coffee and cakes was perfect.’
‘we all sold some books.’
Sounds like a good weekend was enjoyed by all.
Just shows it doesn’t have to be a book fair or bookshop.
Well done chaps!
Eventispress authors are out and about this weekend.
At St Andrew’s Art Festival ~ Ampthill
Eventispress Authors Brian Kerr and Ian K Pulham will have their books for sale at St Andrew’s Church Art Festival in Ampthill, Bedfordshire, this weekend. They will each be making an appearance through the couple of days.
Ian’s gripping novel is set in Bedfordshire, especially the Dunstable Downs:
All of Brian’s interesting non fiction books explore environmental issues, two are based in Bedfordshire:
A Certain Degree of Magnificence
and his latest How to Value a Skylark looks at UK wide issues.
Also present is our website designer and writer Peter, who will be releasing his debut novel with us early in 2023.
Many thanks to the folks at St Andrew’s for allowing us to join them.
How to Avoid Social Media Overload?
Hide your head in the sand and hope it all goes away?
As an author you sometimes feel like that, don’t you! You try and reach out on Twitter, your blog, Facebook and the list goes on, but time is short and there’s no real time for the positive meaningful interaction you need, for it to be worthwhile and enjoyable.
Flit from one platform to the other as the new fashion come along?
‘You must try Tick Tock,’ a fellow author cries, ‘It’s great!’
… or whatever the trending platform is at the moment. You spread your precious time more thinly than ever and take hours getting it all set up. It’s called familiarisation! Then you launch it in a big funfair, mentioning it on your other platforms. Your enthusiasm keeps the adrenalin going for a few weeks as you juggle all you were doing, with your new ‘social media pal’ and then what? Burn out!
‘I’m a writer’ I hear you cry, ‘and not a marketeer!’
I’m afraid all authors have to market their own books, unless they sell squillions and can pay for a publicist; even those debut writers with the big publishing houses. Finding a balance between writing, marketing and, well, life too, is tough at the best of times.
So, have we a magic bullet here at Eventispress?
Sadly no, but we do offer some sound advice:
- Once you’ve chosen a platform, take time to establish yourself before moving on.
- Post regularly, especially if it is your blog and connect with other bloggers by reading and commenting on their posts. That’s essential.
- Be part of the community. Don’t just dip into it.
- Make contacts and build relationships with other authors and readers.
- Share areas of your own personal interest to show yourself as a ‘whole person’ who is engaged in life; interesting to know beyond books.
- Ask other authors you have got to know as to what worked for them. Remember though, one authors plan to success may not work for you. You need to furrow your own path.
- Make a marketing plan and try to keep to a loose schedule.
- Allow a budget per year for paid marketing, for example Amazon ads (and Bryan Cohen gives wonderful free courses on this), blog tours, twitter tours and other marketing platforms.
- This way you are not alone ~ your reach is far greater, as is your presence on the internet. You cannot do it all yourself.
The list goes on and I’m sure you could add to it.
Good luck!
Celebrating Blogging Bookshops!
We love real bookshops here at Eventispress. In fact all authors should make friends with their local bookshops and be a customer. The mutual support is great karma!
It is also a delight to see bookshops blogging about books, giving us updates of releases, events and news. We like the small independent blogs best; those that give an individual and local flavour.
Here are a few independent bookshop blogs we’ve discovered around the UK:
Portobello Bookshop blog in Edinburgh
Book a Blog in Oswestry
The Mad Hatter Bookshop Blog in Burford
The Riverside Bookshop Blog in London
The large chain bookstore blogs
…also give you a fantastic flavour of trends, best sellers and new releases:
Waterstones Book Blog (who have always been supportive of us at Eventispress)
Foyles Book Blog (who have several of our books on their on line site)
Blackwell’s Bookshop Blog (who have certainly been supportive of us in the past, especially up in Edinburgh and down in Cambridge)
How to support your favourite Bookshop from your own armchair:
Just before lock-down we highlighted online bookshops which gave you the opportunity to send a percentage to your favourite local bookshop. Now a few more sites like this have set up, for those still in the ‘buy everything on line’ mode. Here are the ones we know about:
Hive supports indie bookshops
also Bookshop.org
Where are the best bookshops in the UK?
says the Guardian
says Skinny! ~ the best bookshops in Scotland
says Books and Bao
Do you have a favourite bookshop, or are you a bookshop owner who blogs? Do let us know and we’ll mention you too.
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