A New Journey For Me!

Good morning! Recently I did something I was very afraid to do but at the urging from my close friends, fellow authors, as well as one of my publishers, I decided to self publish my own book.

Not because I have a problem with any of my publishers, all of them have been fantastic but it’s something I wanted to try on my own to see how I'd fare.

So far so good. Nah, it’s not a best seller but in two weeks, my little book has done pretty well in sales. Better on Amazon than any of my other books, except one, A Second Chance by Michael Mandrake but otherwise, its performing about where I expected it to.

You may ask why I did it if I am totally happy with my pubs. Well it’s a journey, a test if you will to see how a work I put together myself could be successful as my other books. Sure my pseudonym Rawiya has done the best but Michael and BL aren’t too far behind. I want them all to have self published works in the near future. Besides that, I hope to get these stories I’ve been wanting to get out of my head published for sometime. 

With self pub, you only wait for the edits back from your editor and or beta. The cover you pay for, in my case especially since I’m not skilled in that department. I learned how to upload with the help of my editor and beta as well as Smashwords and got helpful advice from fellow authors.

The do it yourself is definitely an avenue so that the books and or stories you’re itching to get out can be released in a fraction of the time as opposed to waiting sometimes 8-10 weeks on a submission. Then a rejection. Gah! Haven’t had a load of them but I've had my share.

Of course, with a self pub comes more work besides the book itself. Your own promo which I’m pretty used to doing anyway. Sending out the book for reviews, maybe doing a book trailer. Buying ads if you can or organizing blogtours. This you do all yourself unless you hire a promo person. I’d rather do it myself.

You tweet, Facebook about the book, go on the Yahoo Loops, make announcements, etc and whew I'm beat just thinking about it but I think It’s also good to pace your promo regardless of whether it’s your self pub or a book through a publishing company. Too much promo is overkill in my opinion. Maybe tweet once a day, FB it 3 times a week instead of every single day. Do a giveaway or two.  I plan on doing a free day for the book on Amazon in a couple of weeks. Anything to get people interested in reading. Then you hope they recommend it so the book can be a success.

No, I’m not trying to be EL James, even though I’d like to be. *laughs* Still I try to keep my expectations at a moderate level which is why the book is doing just as I suspected. I’ve only been writing about two years so I’m still fairly new to readers which is fine. Hopefully they’ll know me a little better if they read my romances.

That's what you strive for in self pub as well as books through your publishers. To gain readers and fans in hopes they’ll appreciate your efforts.

So, I can say the journey has been a success so far. I look forward to doing more books and or stories. Some will be freebies, 99 cents and so forth. In my mind, this all helps to build a better body of work. And as all my editors have said, the more you practice your craft the better you'll be!

Amazon

Smashwords

All Romance

Blurb: Over fifty doesn’t mean too old to find love

London Davies desires a man to take care of and despite the advances of his former lover and partner James, he pushes on to search for another to make him turn in his bachelor badge.

Brandon McFerry has been abused and scarred for the duration of his life. His only saving grace is his talent with the paintbrush. Although he hasn’t made his big break in the industry, he pushes on in hopes that one of his paintings will capture the attention of his obsession: London Davies

This is a romance. The kind that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside with some hot smexy sex thrown in. An emotional story between two men of different backgrounds searching for the same happy ever after ending!

Here is an Excerpt!

Brandon and London sat on the couch together as the artist spoke at length about the methods he’d used during the creation of the painting. To Brandon, the object of his desire seemed very interested in everything he’d said. He hoped he didn’t bore him with his babbling. The last thing he wanted to do was make the man tire of him too quickly.

London poured some more of the Cristal into both glasses. He handed the flute back to Brandon. They’d finished half the bottle but for whatever reason, Brandon still felt nervous. He took it and tried his best not to spill it, his hand trembling slightly. “Um thank you.” He sipped a little from the glass.

“You’re welcome.” London lightly smacked Brandon on his kneecap. “Love, chill out, yeah? We’re here just having drinks. Relax.”

Brandon nodded and lay back against the cushions. How could he relax knowing he sat beside the man of his dreams? He took a whiff of London’s manly scent. A mixture of cologne and after-shave, as strong as he’d expected. When it infiltrated his nostrils, he felt himself hardening under the slacks. The goose bumps became rocks on his flesh. He was perspiring a little; he hoped his desired one wouldn’t notice. “I’m tryin’, it’s just...” Brandon bit his lip and set the glass on the coffee table in front of him. “Well, I’ve admired you for such a long time, London, and I... This is really a thrill for me.”

London chuckled and moved closer to Brandon. He took the artist’s palm into his. “I get that, but I’m just a man, like any other. I don’t walk on water. No second coming here, love.”

To Brandon McFerry, he did. London had captivated him for years and now his dreams about being on this sofa with him in private had come true. Deep down he wished he could take London into his arms and kiss him feverishly. He’d envisioned a moment like that too, but he refrained. They had just met. “I know,” he sighed and placed a hand on top of London’s. “Tell me. You really like the painting?”

“I do.” London placed an arm around the younger man’s shoulder. “In fact, it resembles a work of art I have at home. I’d love to take you there to see it tonight.”

Brandon looked at the owner with widened eyes.

Did he just say...?

Brandon thought he just heard London say he wanted him to see a painting he had back at his house.

Could it be? Could the man he’d seemingly desired forever be in possession of a work of art that belonged to him? “I… um.” He swallowed hard. “You want me to accompany you home, tonight?”

London held onto him a little tighter. “Yes, I, I hope that isn’t too forward, it’s just... I really do like you and I’d love to see if that painting is yours. Forgive me for moving too quickly but...”

“No, no, not at all I’m just a bit taken aback by this. I’d love to go, though.”

“Good. Then, if you don’t mind, I’d like you to be my date for the rest of the evening. If it weren’t opening night, I’d certainly just ask James to take over but, since it’s a big event…”

“Yes, yes, I understand. I have no issue with staying here late with you.”

He really didn’t. There was nowhere he’d rather be than here with London and to him, the owner wasn’t moving too fast at all. Just right in his eyes.

“Great, now.” London poured the last two glasses of the expensive beverage. “Let’s finish this off, shall we? Then we’ll go out amongst the people.”

Damn.

Seeing London pour yet another glass of the champagne made Brandon wince. Truthfully, he’d already felt the effects after two glasses coming on quickly and he wished he didn’t have to drink anymore. However, he wondered if he refused London would that upset him. He took the glass. “Thank you very much.”

“And thank you again for the painting as well as your presence this night.” London toasted with Brandon, clinking their glasses together, before he drank the contents.

The painter nodded and did the same, hoping he’d be able to stay up for the duration of this evening.

I have to make a good impression on him if I want a chance at being part of his life.

Once they’d finished drinking the expensive bubbly, London led Brandon by the hand, back out to the main area. The hold London had on Brandon made his head swim, along with the wine.

He just couldn’t believe this. Him, Brandon McFerry, on the arm of London Davies, powerful businessman and owner of the new club, Fantasia. Many of his friends, especially Tyler, had told him to not get so wrapped up in this man, but how could he not? Even though he didn’t know much about the man, he’d long ago fallen in love with him from afar, and the fact that London expressed some interest in him made him happier that he’d never given up his dream of meeting him.