I have always been a ferocious reader and during my long commutes into London over a period of ten years a story began to formulate in my mind. A mix of funny coming-of-age stories, early years drug experimentation, developing into organised crime with the inevitable ups and downs set against the acid-house and rave scene in the UK during the late 80’s and 90’s.
Around 2008 I put pen to paper and started where I finished a first draft in 2015. A lengthy process of review and tweaks followed before I finally self published in 2020 on Amazon. I ended up carving the novel in half as it was too big and lengthy and then released my third novel which was a sequel/prequel.
The books are called All Back To Mine – All Back To Yours – Tanit’s Revenge by Robert Hellier
The great stuff:
I found the writing very therapeutic in many ways, there are many music references so hunting down those old tunes was a joy.
Some of the escapades in the books are very funny many of which happened to by rag-tag bunch of friends or acquaintances so would be pissibg myself laughing as I wrote.
I had a good friend who was an editor who ripped it apart and gave me plenty of pointers. It originally included a very very graphic sex scene and he called me up and said “it’s like a Readers Wives mag” (those old enough in the UK will understand the reference). We ended up toning it down with a distinct lack of throbbing XXXX!
Had a good friend who was in marketing so did me three great covers and look amazing unlike some self published books that look amateur.
The joy of getting the proof copy through the door after all those years was some indescribable. What a feeling of accomplishment mixed with a certain amount of dread that I was actually going to press ‘Publish’. The apprehension about feedback was nervy as hell.
Taking of which, getting good feedback from readers usually via socials is another thing that makes me feel it was all worth it. This plus Amazon reviews are great, pump that algorithm!
Amazon KDP and Amazon Create (book designer app) is actually really good and easy to use.
I end up doing great promotional stuff at festivals, record fairs and independent book fairs. End up costing money but great to be out and about talking to people and giving them the hard sell ha ha.
The bad stuff:
Hours and hours writing.
Hours and hours of reviewing, editing and rewriting.
Getting the motivation for the above.
Balancing the above with family, work, friends and hobbies.
Self promotion is a nightmare. Social media posts, getting followers. Sending freebies to celebs/influencers who then don’t even say thanks yet alone a post (never ask them to do it but you always hope!)
Stagnant sales for no reason. One month I will sell 50, the next 2. No idea why.
Changing computer and losing the files!!
Anyway would love to hear from fellow Redditors who have been on a similar journey and if you have any questions please do shout.
by RobertHellier