I’ve just received the proof copies of my book of short stories called Slightly Twisted. I had these copies produced by Lulu, and intend the final to be produced by IngramSpark, and I’ll therefore be able to compare them for speed of publication, cost, convenience, and so on. I learned about IngramSpark from the crime writers, as they seem to use either Ingram or Smashwords, which is another option. I just used AI to produce a cover image, but will replace it for the final copy. I’ve given one copy to a friend from the critique group, and will proof the other myself before handing it to someone else.

Update June 2025: The book is now finished and available as an ebook. It will soon be available globally as a print-on-demand paperback as well.

I’ve done nothing on the novel or the screenplay as things at home have been too difficult for the last several months. Dad deteriorated and was in and out of hospitals, and we couldn’t get a nursing home place for him, so he came to live with me. Then he wanted to go home, so I went to live with him. His final trip to hospital ended with his death on 13th September. Since then, two friends of mine have also died. So I have not been in a good headspace for serious editing of the novel. I did nothing at all until this month, but decided to put my efforts into selecting some of my existing short stories and making a book of them, even if it ends up only being for me, friends and family. Most of the stories have been published already in online magazines or anthologies. Receiving the proof copies of the book this morning has given me a well-needed lift.

I’ve decided against even trying to get a traditional publisher for the short story book this time, but I’m assured by my crime writer friends and others that having a book self-published won’t prevent me from getting a traditional publisher later. I know some agents won’t look at your work if you’ve had anything self-published, but I’m cooling on the idea of looking for an agent yet anyway, and I already have a self-published book, so one more makes no difference. I just need to get more words down and on the page, and when I have a decent backlist, publishers and agents may be more interested. Anyway, that’s the plan at the moment.

I’ve also joined Jericho Writers to try to get back in the groove, do some of their video courses, and perhaps do some networking, but I’ve done very little with it yet. I’m getting there.