Thursday, December 01, 2005
December's GDR - The Final One
It's the Christmas month already. Me and Laura were up before dawn opening our calendars; hers a Bratz Dolls one, mine a Darth Vader one. I've still to get most of my presents.
I remember one Christmas Eve I was in the pub after work and sunk quite a few jars. I got a train home from Edinburgh (I was still single at the time) and bought all my presents that afternoon at about closing time. I drunkenly wrapped them in my flat and fell asleep.
Next day I couldn't remember a thing that I had bought anyone, so imagine my surprise when it turned out I had bought my mother one of the best presents she ever had off me; a painting of the Langside Tramstop, an area of Glasgow she used to muck around in when she was a girl. So that's the secret folks; buy your Chrimbo presents when your pissed - it cannae fail!
I heard back from the publisher about the books. There's been a total eff up for which they have apologised. I explained I had mounted a campaign on a national level - or as near as you can get for a self-publisher. A new batch is being rushed under express delivery, which means I'll have some books to use as promotion by the end of next week until the main batch arrive.
I can't say I'm totally happy, but at least they didn't shun responsibility and have made other arrangements. It'll work out fine in the end, I'm sure. *gulp*
My evening was spent on nothing else except marketing the book. I knew I wouldn't have time tomorrow morning, so I waited as late as possible before releasing the link to order the book, updating the websites and sending out all the email press releases. The Scots Magazine, published by DC Thomson, have requested a book for review as well in response to my posted PR. They are one of Scotland's largest publishing houses so I really need those books fast to get them out.
Tomorrow is almost upon me and I'm as much knackered as I am excited.
Here is December's GDR Plan
Fiction
* Query What a Waste to more target markets (BBC R4, paying mags)
* Work on Stella
* Complete first refradft of Hunting Jack - 51/81 already done
* Keep on top of submissions list
* Start conversion of What a Waste into a play - not definite, depends on other work
* Submit first couple of chapters and synopsis of HJ to Undiscovered Authors competition, deadline 31/12
Poetry
* Launch Fringe Fantastic on 2/12
* Write poems as the moment takes
Non-Fiction
* Complete Ian Rankin feature for Scruffy Dog Review - still only got the transcript. Article only a rough draft. Deadline 15/12
* Write story/article for Being Dad Anthology - pending
* Complete first issue of Scotland's Treasure for TSDR. Deadline 15/12
* Write four weekly blog entries for TSDR
* Write Robert Burns article for Circadian Poems. Deadline 15/11
Marketing and Promotion
* Market and promote Fringe Fantastic (see spreadsheet for full details)
* Print bookmarks (need card)
* Keep website up to date
Reading and Research
* Release Tall Tales and Short Stories Vol.2 into the wild
* Read from my 'waiting to be read' pile
* Buy book on The Cold War
* Research The Cold War on the web
Other Projects
* Stay on top of editorial work for TSDR
* Put together a GDR for 2006
ORDER a copy of my latest book, FRINGE FANTASTIC! Click here to order securely using your credit/debit card.
For more information about Fringe Fantastic, please see the website at: http://fringefantastic.colingalbraith.co.uk
I'm giving away FIVE free copies of Fringe Fantastic, signed and with their own special bookmark. All you have to do to enter, is answer one simple question (the answer is IN the website!!) before Friday 9th December:
In what month of the year does the Edinburgh Fringe Festival take place?
To submit your entry, click here: Enter the Fringe Fantastic Competition.
Alternatively, email your answer, along with your name and address to fringe_competition@colingalbraith.co.uk
I remember one Christmas Eve I was in the pub after work and sunk quite a few jars. I got a train home from Edinburgh (I was still single at the time) and bought all my presents that afternoon at about closing time. I drunkenly wrapped them in my flat and fell asleep.
Next day I couldn't remember a thing that I had bought anyone, so imagine my surprise when it turned out I had bought my mother one of the best presents she ever had off me; a painting of the Langside Tramstop, an area of Glasgow she used to muck around in when she was a girl. So that's the secret folks; buy your Chrimbo presents when your pissed - it cannae fail!
I heard back from the publisher about the books. There's been a total eff up for which they have apologised. I explained I had mounted a campaign on a national level - or as near as you can get for a self-publisher. A new batch is being rushed under express delivery, which means I'll have some books to use as promotion by the end of next week until the main batch arrive.
I can't say I'm totally happy, but at least they didn't shun responsibility and have made other arrangements. It'll work out fine in the end, I'm sure. *gulp*
My evening was spent on nothing else except marketing the book. I knew I wouldn't have time tomorrow morning, so I waited as late as possible before releasing the link to order the book, updating the websites and sending out all the email press releases. The Scots Magazine, published by DC Thomson, have requested a book for review as well in response to my posted PR. They are one of Scotland's largest publishing houses so I really need those books fast to get them out.
Tomorrow is almost upon me and I'm as much knackered as I am excited.
Here is December's GDR Plan
Fiction
* Query What a Waste to more target markets (BBC R4, paying mags)
* Work on Stella
* Complete first refradft of Hunting Jack - 51/81 already done
* Keep on top of submissions list
* Start conversion of What a Waste into a play - not definite, depends on other work
* Submit first couple of chapters and synopsis of HJ to Undiscovered Authors competition, deadline 31/12
Poetry
* Launch Fringe Fantastic on 2/12
* Write poems as the moment takes
Non-Fiction
* Complete Ian Rankin feature for Scruffy Dog Review - still only got the transcript. Article only a rough draft. Deadline 15/12
* Write story/article for Being Dad Anthology - pending
* Complete first issue of Scotland's Treasure for TSDR. Deadline 15/12
* Write four weekly blog entries for TSDR
* Write Robert Burns article for Circadian Poems. Deadline 15/11
Marketing and Promotion
* Market and promote Fringe Fantastic (see spreadsheet for full details)
* Print bookmarks (need card)
* Keep website up to date
Reading and Research
* Release Tall Tales and Short Stories Vol.2 into the wild
* Read from my 'waiting to be read' pile
* Buy book on The Cold War
* Research The Cold War on the web
Other Projects
* Stay on top of editorial work for TSDR
* Put together a GDR for 2006
ORDER a copy of my latest book, FRINGE FANTASTIC! Click here to order securely using your credit/debit card.
For more information about Fringe Fantastic, please see the website at: http://fringefantastic.colingalbraith.co.uk
I'm giving away FIVE free copies of Fringe Fantastic, signed and with their own special bookmark. All you have to do to enter, is answer one simple question (the answer is IN the website!!) before Friday 9th December:
In what month of the year does the Edinburgh Fringe Festival take place?
To submit your entry, click here: Enter the Fringe Fantastic Competition.
Alternatively, email your answer, along with your name and address to fringe_competition@colingalbraith.co.uk
Colin 11:07 am