Aquarius Publications / Talisman Publishing

Hi, people.

I've already posted on this forum to promote my first novel, Double Jeopardy, but have now decided that I'd like to go a step further and 'join the community.'

Talisman Publishing is a new small publishers made up of three writers, Michael Morris, Rachel Fletcher and myself, Richard Egan. I use the POD (Print On Demand) service from Lulu.com to print the books, though I publish under my own name. So far we have published one full book, Michael's Double Jeopardy, and a free ebook preview of Double Jeopardy. I have just finished my own first book, a children's science-fiction entitled Hermione Applegate and the Secret Under the House and am currently reviewing the proof copy. Rachel is working on her own first novel, a crime drama with the working title of Danielle Dove. Michael has already started on his second book, a futuristic version of the classic Les Miserables, and I am working on a new series called Dark Master, based on the Master character from Doctor Who.

As you can see we are already quite busy, but Talisman Publishing is not not my primary occupation. I have just completed an NVQ 2 in Playwork, and up until the end of July I was working at an After School and Holiday Club looking after children between the ages of 4 and 14. Unfortunately the club closed at the end of last month, and I am now working at a Holiday Club closer to home.

That's all about me. I'll get the other two, Michael and Rachel, to post something about themselves too.

Richard

Michael Morris

Hi, Michael Morris here.

I'm a sci-fi writer, and have just finished my first novel, Double Jeopardy, which is available on the Lulu.com site in print and ebook format. Unfortunately, I don't seem to be getting many sales at the moment. I have a free downloadable preview that has so far been accessed twice, but no one seems to want to buy the full book.

As well as writing, I also work at a local supermarket, where I am working towards a vocational retail managment course and when I am not working, I play the Tenor Sax in a concert band.

Michael

Rachel Fletcher

Hi, I'm Rachel.

I'm currently at university studying for a degree in English Literature, so I don't get very much time to write. Even so, I'm still managing to get the occassional bit of work done on my first novel, which currently only has a working title of Danielle Dove.

The novel is the first in a series (looks like we're all starting a series ) about a young woman called Danielle, who is working as a solicitor at the start of the book. At the beginning of the story she is on her way home after a long day at work, finishing at around midnight on a Friday, when she gets a call to attend a local police station for legal aid. A man has been accused of murder but, after interviewing the suspects sister, Danielle feels sure that he is innocent.

As the story progresses, Danielle starts to consider the idea of offering a joint lawyer/private investigator service. Working on the case as a Private Detective until it comes to court, then representing the same client in court. (As either the defense: If her investigation has been supporting someone wrongly accused, or the prosecution: if her client had hired her to investigation someone else.)

I've noticed the comments people have made about the three of us creating seperate membership accounts for this forum. I don't know about Michael, but personally I don't intend to spend much time here. As I said, I'm at university at the moment, and most of my time is spent on work and writing. (And the compulsory student social life ) Apart from the odd mention in a chat room or with friends, I intend to leave most of my promotion to the publisher. I might drop by occassionaly, but most of the time I expect it will just be Richard.

Rachel Fletcher

PS
I've read a copy of Michael's first novel and, although I'm not a keen science-fiction fan, the ideas he has for the series seem rather interesting. I'd recommend the first book. If print version seems a bit pricy, the ebook is only £2.50. The link is: http://www.lulu.com/content/894985

I an not sure how joining a writers' forum constitutes 'promotion'. That is sometimes a side effect (if my sig line sells a book I'm all for it) but when it is the main goal, well...

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The promotion thread on this forum. That's what it's there for, isn't it?

First of all, welcome, and your novel sounds quite interesting. I'm curious about the above statement, however. Is Talisman a tradition self-publisher, or do they plan to expand in the future?

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I believe we are planning to expand in the future, but we want to get a few sales between ourselves to start with.

Rachel
Talisman Publishing

I'm just wondering about the viability of a publishing venture in which, out of three people, we already know one is a full-time student with no interest in marketing, and the other two have different day jobs which have nothing to do with the publishing industry. I don't mean to be rude, but there seems to be a problem with that plan.

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I, that is Richard, am doing all the publishing tasks. As I believe I have said, I am a Playworker, which means I look after children on an out of school basis, after school and during school holidays. Outside of this I have a lot of time on my hands and decided I'd like to fill it with a secondary career. I initially chose writing and, after seeing how easy it was to publish with Lulu.com, decided I'd try publishing too.

So you visit a community just to tell them you aren't interested in the community .. but please buy this book !!?

And how can you self publish through Lulu, but then leave most of your promotion to the publisher ?

Good luck,

Mac

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Michael and Rachel haven't joined the forum. I have. I just thought it would be nice to have the other writers I work with introduce themselves. Sorry if that was a bad idea.

I was under the impression that self publishing referred to writing a book then publishing it yourself. In this case yes, I am self-publishing. However Rachel, who made the post, is not. I am publishing her work. Therefore yes, she is leaving most of the promtion to the publisher (me.)

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I've written a few stories before, but this is the first time I've tried publishing. I'm new at it, and not too sure what to do. This is why I chose to start with just my own work and that of a couple of friends, rather than open the doors to a vast number of clients. That is also way I am making mistakes such as marking a Young Adults book as unsuitable for under 18's. In my view, Young Adults were just that. People at the younger end of the adult stage of life. That is 18 - 25/30 year olds. I don't expect the story to necessarily be of interested to those in their 30's and 40's, but it is unsuitable for a younger audience as it contains explicit scenes. How would you, the experts, market it?

I joined this forum because I thought I might be able to get help and advice from those already in the writing/publishing industry. I've heard from other sources that people in this area are usual happy to help newcomers. However, what I have read so far in the response to my and my friends comments seems to be verging on flaming. I do hope this changes, as this is one of my favourite writer's forums on the internet.

Richard Egan
Talisman Publishing