UK Amazon Kindle Forum discussion

Hi everyone,

I thought it was probably about time I introduced myself here. I'm Deb, and I'm a self-published (and previously published elsewhere) author in the UK.

I've written a few books, but my current, ongoing series is entitled Hiding Behind The Couch.

Book three of the series (The Harder They Fall) officially launched on Friday just past, and resulted in a fairly hefty bar tab and a 24 hour hangover, which I'm told is a sign of a successful launch party. It was certainly fun, I think...

Anyway, I do have a blog, which I sometimes find time to post to, and you can find my books on Amazon UK Kindle store.

Here is a link to the series:
Hiding Behind The Couch (series).

My blog is here: Goodreads Blog

I also have two websites, one of which is part of the Hiding Behind The Couch world:
DebbieMcGown.co.uk
HidingBehindTheCouch.com

That's it, really! Hope to 'meet' you all soon!

Deb :)

Debbie wrote: "Hi everyone,

I thought it was probably about time I introduced myself here. I'm Deb, and I'm a self-published (and previously published elsewhere) author in the UK.

I've written a few books, but..."

Hi, Deb! Saw you posted here and decided to join so I could say hello and add to anyone else reading this thread that they should definitely check out your books!

Thanks David! That's very kind of you. I was feeling a little lonely here too.

And for anyone reading, I can return the favour by honestly saying that the Richard Paladin series by David Manuel is also well worth a read!

But read mine first! ;)

Debbie wrote: "Thanks David! That's very kind of you. I was feeling a little lonely here too.

And for anyone reading, I can return the favour by honestly saying that the Richard Paladin series by David Manuel i..."

Absolutely read Debbie's first! This is her thread!

Hoping a few other people will find their way here at some point...

Welcome to your author thread Debbie!

I'm looking forward to seeing you all round the group.

Thanks Patti! It might take me a while to find my way around. It's very busy here!

Best place to start is the Morning thread. Everyone goes there whatever the time of day.

Cool. Thanks Ignite.

So, firstly sorry for not posting here since...July! Appalling!

Alas, as I edit and publish for other people I have little time to tout my own work, but I'm going to try and get right on with doing that now.

I'm currently running a giveaway of the first three books of my series, Hiding Behind The Couch, to pimp the launch of book four.

The giveaway for books one-three (paperbacks) ends on January 21st 2014, and can be entered here: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...

I have also made the ebooks for the first two instalments available for free on Goodreads and also on my website.

On Goodreads:
No Time Like The Present (Book One)


No Time Like The Present (Book Two)


On my website: http://www.debbiemcgowan.co.uk/?n1=hbtc

I don't want to make this post too long, so I'll just point you in the direction of the link above, where you can read a lot more about the series (see also www.hidingbehindthecouch.com) and post a little more later.

Link to series on Goodread: https://www.goodreads.com/series/9506...

Hiding Behind The Couch
The story of The Circle...
Nine friends from high school,
Nine friends for life.

Thanks for reading,
Debbie

Hi Debbie! Stop working so hard and start spending more time on social media! (Just kidding)

You are absolutely right though! I need to interact more on here, for sure!

Debbie wrote: "You are absolutely right though! I need to interact more on here, for sure!"

This group is a lot of fun, actually. You know, I followed you here!

And then I skipped away, in a metaphorical sense. Well, more like dragged my heavy satchel of books along the path and got lost in the woods!

I do 'lurk' - just need to try harder!

Lurk. Hmmm. I've been known to do that.

Although it's better if we call it 'observational research for characters and plotlines'.

Debbie wrote: "Although it's better if we call it 'observational research for characters and plotlines'."

Yes. Yes! That's what I've been doing! Honest!

See? It all makes perfect sense now.

If you entered my The Harder They Fall giveaway, you'll know that I was actually giving away paperback copies of books one, two and three (which is quite a substantial package to post, let me tell you).

Thanks so much if you entered - I know some of you enter everything, because you love a freebie, and you love books.

Sorry, also, if you didn't win, but never fear! The first two books are available as free ebooks here on Goodreads, and also to download in mobi / epub format on my website: www.debbiemcgowan.co.uk (go to the READ or HBTC page for links).

I would be happy to do a little discount deal on the ebook of The Harder They Fall - comment or drop me a line (message / email debbiebeatentrackpublishing.com) if you're interested and I'll get on it!

Once again thanks for your interest - any is better than none at all!

Deb

Those lucky winners are in for a real treat!

Thanks David. I appreciate the boost!

I've just got home from the get-together in Blggleswade - it was a wonderful afternoon and I really appreciated the opportunity to meet some of the other members of this group - it's always good to put faces to names!

I also want to say thank you! I feel very honoured that my book, The Harder They Fall, was voted for at the get-together. It's actually book 3 in a series (Hiding Behind The Couch), but will stand alone, although you can pick up the ebooks of the first two for free on my website (see message above this for link).

As I live (in my head) with 'The Circle' - the characters from the series - I would of course be more than happy to discuss the story, how it came about, where's it's going and so on at length, so please do feel free to ask me questions, give me feedback, etc. and of course leave me reviews if you do read (I should add 'and enjoy' there! ;)).

Anyway, I'm off to read and write, and maybe sleep - bring on the next get-together!

Absolutely!

Released Episode 3 (Pisces) of In The Stars early, as I'm off to The Big Smoke tomorrow for the London Author Fair on Friday - going to head over and meet Hans M Hirschi at his book signing tomorrow night too, and I'm rather excited about this, although starting to doubt the validity of my claim to be a recluse.

So, if you're at the London Author Fair, come and say hi! If you're not, then I'll settle for a virtual 'hi'.

Also, if you fancy reading In The Stars and don't want to fork out for it, you can download each episode for free on Smashwords (reader sets price). Or you can buy them via Amazon.

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Debbie-McGowa...

And here is a blog post about what I'm doing with In The Stars: http://deb248211.blogspot.co.uk/2014/...

How was the author fair? Hope you had fun!

Stuart wrote: "How was the author fair? Hope you had fun!"

It was great, thanks, Stu - been home about an hour and I am knackered! Met some interesting people, heard some interesting views on traditional vs indie publishing. Remembered why I don't live in London anymore! ;)

Ah I love London! I guess living there is a different story though. Glad you had fun - sounds worthwhile!

Yeah, definitely - basically the Goodreads guy said do what you're doing! :)

don't do what I'm doing! You'll be dead in a year!

Stuart wrote: "don't do what I'm doing! You'll be dead in a year!"

LOL - it ain't killed ya yet, Stu!

There was a goodreads guy there?

Patti (baconater) wrote: "There was a goodreads guy there?"

Maybe it was a guy that was good at reading!

Patti (baconater) wrote: "There was a goodreads guy there?"

Yep - Patrick Brown - the director of Author Marketing. He was really good and down-to-earth. His main advice was about us authors using Goodreads as readers, blogging, interacting, etc.

There were also a couple of literary agents there, as well as Adele Parks and Matt Cain, both of whom have gone down the traditional publishing route, plus some indie authors - Bella Andre via Skype and Polly Courtney.

David wrote: "Patti (baconater) wrote: "There was a goodreads guy there?"

Maybe it was a guy that was good at reading!"

LOL - I reckon he'd have to be to do his job. He'd do a mean audio book too - really clear voice and cool US accent (no idea on state/city).

Debbie, that is sooooo cool!

Patti (baconater) wrote: "Debbie, that is sooooo cool!"

It really was, Patti! I'm glad I went - got a lot out of it, plus got to meet Hans M. Hirschi - an author who lives in Sweden whom I'd been 'chatting' to via Twitter and email for a while.

It was a much more business-like occasion than the meet-up in Biggleswade, so not as much fun as Biggleswade (I had an awesome time), but definitely useful!

more business-like than Biggleswade? Impossible! ;-)

Stuart wrote: "more business-like than Biggleswade? Impossible! ;-)"

:)

So, as per other advice from the London Author Fair, I've tried my hand at writing a 'the inspiration for...' in the review spot us authors get for our own books. I've just written this one: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Thoughts and feedback very much welcome.

I've just read an awesome blog post about why us authors suck at self marketing - not sure how much stock to put in it, but I'll try anything! Here's the link for anyone who's interested: http://t.co/IGtgFsB0kO

The premise is establishing the 'why' and selling that, rather than the books. Cryptic, I know - if you read the post it'll make sense.

Also, I'm taking part in the Love's Landscapes event run by the M/M Romance group. I'm 23K in and I can't even talk about it! Great!

Debbie wrote: "I've just read an awesome blog post about why us authors suck at self marketing - not sure how much stock to put in it, but I'll try anything! Here's the link for anyone who's interested: http://t...."

That is a very good blog article. Something to think about.

After a little thought, I think I know what my why is, but still think it would be as hard to sell as the books.

The problem for me isn't the why, it's the where and the who! :~)

David wrote: "The problem for me isn't the why, it's the where and the who! :~)"

If we're talking Paladin, then yeah! I like that he has a hidden depth, a part of him that remains mysterious, and in fact Sudden Addiction guy is the same. We know very little about him outside of what happens to him within that story.

My why needs some refining, but I'm going to perhaps garner some reader opinion, go through the reviews. The thing that stands out is the friendship element - 'The Circle' came only from the throwaway line in Hiding Behind The Couch #1.

Debbie wrote: "David wrote: "The problem for me isn't the why, it's the where and the who! :~)"

If we're talking Paladin, then yeah! I like that he has a hidden depth, a part of him that remains mysterious, and ..."

I agree, but the David you're replying to is a different David! There are a lot of Davids in this forum! ;-)

Oh yes, so it is! Doh!

It doesn't show up as different on my phone. Sorry 'other' David. :)

No, problem. One David's just as good as any other :~/

David wrote: "No, problem. One David's just as good as any other :~/"

I'll remember that! ;)

Just what I've been told.

David wrote: "No, problem. One David's just as good as any other :~/"

Except, of course the David mark V, which kept running out of battery power and had to keep recharging itself by lying on the sofa.

It also had a bug in its navigation software which made it incapable of walking past a pub without first going inside.