So, where to now?

On Sunday the 14th of October, 2007, I wrote my first entry into this Blog.

The idea to start a Blog was Richard's, of Struggling Authors.
"It'll keep your hand in with writing and it's a point for people to go to, to learn about Division until we sort out a website" were his words.

Then it was called, "The Division of the Damned" and it dealt solely with the trials and tribulations I experienced trying to sell my manuscript to an interested party.
As the months went by, it slowly morphed into an open diary, making public my feelings about certain things or events in my life that had nothing to do with, "Division".

I chronicled my first rejections, my learning the unwritten laws of manuscript submission, my first published works, my near publications that were so often dashed to the rocks and a whole menagerie of useless junk that even I, the author, don't know why it's there.

However now, things have changed.
On Monday the 2nd of May I received a message from Tim Roux, the head honcho at Night Reading:

"Well, you did it, mate. Walkover. Many congrats!

A masterly performance.

Which e-mail should I use to send you the contract for you to decide whether you
are interested or not?
Tim."

And here endeth the first chapter, peeps.
My goal to attain publication, without resorting to putting my hand in my pocket, has been achieved.
The years of trial, disappointment and sheer bloody mindedness have actually paid off and at the moment, it's actually nice being Reggie Jones for a change.

The publication of "Division" also now gifts me a sense of closure on something that has become one of the book marks to my life.
Not only have I the chance to sell my book on the open market, I can now move onwards on the projects I started but never actually finished. After every rejection, "Division" afforded me, I would drop everything to tinker around with my vampires and Von Struck. Consequently any other project was left stranded on the wayside as it were...

Hopefully this is all now history.

So, to close, many thanks to all who helped me along the way, Tee, Richard, George, Adam, Vanessa, Dixie, Bob, Andy, Joey, Gar. When I needed you all, you were there for me.

To ALL who voted for me, posted my link on their wall or told their friends about it, I thank you.

A massive thank you with extras to my patient wife, who left me to my devices and never complained when I spent countless hours of "Our Time" wrapped in my own world of disillusioned SS, Sumerian Gods and Right Wing Vampires.

And to my family who didn't bat an eyelid when I told them I was going to write a book; and instead boasted to their friends of all my minor achievements. I love you all, wife, family and friends.
I appreciate everything you have ALL done for me and I hope you know that.

However, this is not the end my friends, it's not even the interlude; this is only the beginning.
Reg :-D

Vote for me!

I've just spent the last couple of days rustling up support for the monthly Night Reading Poll.

The idea is that you send in your first chapter to the website and once a month a selection of about 20 entries are put into a poll. The winner of the poll  is then given the chance to publish with Night Publishing.

Compare that to the way Authonomy picks out its authors... well, there is no comparison.

Authonomy goes on and on for months on end. There is no actual pro-active part to be taken by the author other than perhaps making deals with other authors to give each other good reviews. Then somewhere along the line, after months of time consuming wheeling and dealing, your manuscript MIGHT end up on the editor's desk. OK, that's a very unfair explanation but it's my Blog and I'm not feeling fair, to be honest.

With Night, if your chapter is put on the list, you have about a week or so to round up your friends and canvass votes for your work. Yes, OK the canvassing can take time. However, it definitely does not eat up all your  free time like the never ending haul of reading and endorsing Authonomy hopefuls have to go through, just to even reach the editor's in-tray!

Whatever, as you can see I'm very enamoured of the system Night Reading has set up, and of the people involved actually.

If you wish to vote for yours truly, then go to this link and make your cross on my name, (and any other name you fancy, I'll try not to be too jealous).
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GK57MS8

Right, that's it for now. I'll write a full rundown on how I went about my canvassing next week... if I win that is ^^
Hope springs eternal... how many times have I written that since I started this Blog?
I dread to think actually...
Take it easy.
Reg :-)

Interview with Authors on Show.

http://authorsonshow.com/tee-2/

Check out this nice interview with my friend Tee on Authors on Show.
Have fun.
Reg :-D

Ai Weiwei

From my other Blog, about the imprisonment of Ai Weiwei, the very outspoken Chinese artist who was imprisoned last Sunday.
http://boyfromthebay.wordpress.com/2011/04/07/ai-weiwei/

Lessons in life by... Bill Gates !!

Another Email that stands out.
The ultimate nerd, Bill Gates, talks about life and it kicks botty. I'm going to make sure my kids read this.

http://boyfromthebay.wordpress.com/2011/04/07/rules-for-life-by-bill-gates/

Reg.