UK Author recommends Allbooks Review to authors on both sides of the ocean
Shirley Roe
May 27, 2008
Please state your name and location. (city and State or Province, Country)
John von Kesmark. Richmond, Surrey, England
Tell us the title and publisher of your book:
KYTOS – THE DARK BEYOND. [The Rathing Chronicles Trilogy [Published by Troubador Publishing in UK
Tell us about yourself:
I am a retired Company Director who has worked in shipping, tourism, advertising, the wine trade and management and marketing consultancy in West Africa, the USA and the UK. With children having flown the nest, I now live with my wife Diane (a recently
Retired Principal of an inner London school] in our Surrey town house within 1 minute stroll from the scenically fascinating riverside of the River Thames. I have had non-fiction articles published and this is the second book in The Rathing Chronicles my third published novel.
I am very keen on sport (although now as a spectator), writing [of course] and music.
I am a Member of The Society of Authors.
When was the book released?
April 2 2008
Give us an overview of your book.
The action takes place in Britain in 2078 where the country is ruled by hybrid clones – partly human, partly rat – called the Rathings. The novel is a continuation of the first
book entitled The Kytos Project, where the action took place in the year 2070.
There are a number of threads to the story – we have a Rathing military rebellion leading to an epic battle between the mutant clones, a young human laying down his plans to return to the past through a Time Gate in order to destroy the clones at
their embryonic stage, a frightened Rathing High Priest who is desperate to return
to the past through a Time Gate portal but his return takes him further back than he had planned, possibly to a time before he was born, and there is the mystery surrounding a string of gruesome assassinations that suggests that the killer
may be an etheric being from another dimension.
What inspired you to write this book?
Arguments concerning the ethics of cloning and hybrid cloning continue to rage.
I did considerable research for my first book and was intrigued by the possibility of a rogue scientist creating cystoplasmic hybrids being part human and part rat and part human and part magpie. Whilst such cloning is not possible today, it is not beyond the bounds of probability that among the myriad experiments that take place every day throughout the world there might be one that produces an awesome chimera. Then my imagination took off and I began writing.
How is your book different from other books in this genre?
The original masterpiece if, of course, H G Wells´ ´The Island of Dr. Moreau´. No other
similar themed books about hybrid cloning immediately come to mind, although I don´t doubt that there are quite a few fiction novels about cloning lurking about out there.
Where can people buy your book?
KYTOS – THE DARK BEYOND can be purchased from all good bookshops, from Amazon.Co.UK, Online outlets, from the publishers, from London Connections for author-signed copies at a discounted price and by going to the book´s website – www.kytos-thedarkbeyond.com
Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published?
Kytos – The Dark Beyond is the second book in the Rathing Chronicles trilogy.
I am working on the third book but have no idea when it may be published. I would
hazard a guess and say in perhaps a year or two.
If you self published, what advice can you give to fellow writers?
I trawled traditional book publishers in the UK and USA in respect of publishing both my first books and this third book but, like many unknown writers, I drew a big blank.
I ignored the myriad vanity publishers and opted for a reputable firm (I chose Matador, an imprint of Troubador Publishing) which firm is recommended by the Writers and Artists 2008 Yearbook.
In many ways, I now prefer self publishing as it gives me total control of the process -
such as the typeface to be used, and by getting my own artist to professionally design the book cover, how I am going to market the book (if possible, this should be in conjunction with your publisher if he offers a marketing service] and other promotional
ideas,
Set your budget, but prepare to be flexible. Go with a self publishing firm that has a good reputation and offers support marketing and distribution services. [Many don´t].
Get a website – an author´s website is one of the most important marketing tools for any self publishing author. But make sure you get a good website designer, not a
cheap, quick-off-the-line bit of merchandise that use set templates. It pays to take time and investigate all of the website designers, see examples of their work and compare prices.
If you have no direct experience of marketing or selling, either engage a consultant
or recruit friends who have such experience.
If published traditionally, tell us how you benefited:
Can you share one of your marketing successes with us?
I took advantage of my publisher´s offer to have postcards printed featuring the book cover on one side and a brief outline of the story. I bought some small plastic holders and arranged with a number of local coffee shops to display these postcards in the holders on tables, counters, etc.
I mailed these postcards to as many friends and contacts as possible.
I had bookmarks printed – again with book cover on one side and story/plot on the other and I got the agreement of local bookshops to have these placed on their counters and besides books on display.
I contacted a local newspaper and arranged for them to carry a feature on me as a local author.
I took out advertising space in an established, specialist Sci-Fi magazine (that´s why I said you must have a flexible budget, as ideas and opportunities sometimes come suddenly). Immediately after my advert appeared, hits on my website jumped by 600%.
I contacted Allbooks Reviews with a request that they review my first book. Allbooks Reviews featured my first book for a year. This gave me additional coverage and my current book is also featured by Allbooks Reviews.
How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us?
Allbooks Reviews was recommended to me by another author who has used Allbooks Reviews services. She spoke very highly of Allbooks Reviews and I have not been disappointed in the level of service given – it is friendly, efficient and professional. I was so delighted with the pre publication review and editing that I wrote a letter of commendation, which letter I am pleased to see is still featured on the website. As a UK author, I feel that I have a friend and ally in the USA when I entrust Allbook Reviews to feature the book that I sweated over many, many months to create.
Was the low cost a surprise? What other things would you like Allbooks Reviews to offer writers?
Absolutely – I cannot believe how Allbooks Reviews can render such an efficient service at such a competitive price. Before I was introduced to Allbooks Reviews I had UK firms critique my manuscript/review the novel and not only were their charges astronomically higher but they were not as thorough. What Allbooks Reviews do, is done perfectly. As I wrote in my earlier letter, any author should consider including Allbooks Reviews in their marketing plans if they want to broaden their awareness base. Congratulations.
Thank you for this interview and best of luck with your book.
John von Kesmark. Richmond, Surrey, England
Tell us the title and publisher of your book:
KYTOS – THE DARK BEYOND. [The Rathing Chronicles Trilogy [Published by Troubador Publishing in UK
Tell us about yourself:
I am a retired Company Director who has worked in shipping, tourism, advertising, the wine trade and management and marketing consultancy in West Africa, the USA and the UK. With children having flown the nest, I now live with my wife Diane (a recently
Retired Principal of an inner London school] in our Surrey town house within 1 minute stroll from the scenically fascinating riverside of the River Thames. I have had non-fiction articles published and this is the second book in The Rathing Chronicles my third published novel.
I am very keen on sport (although now as a spectator), writing [of course] and music.
I am a Member of The Society of Authors.
When was the book released?
April 2 2008
Give us an overview of your book.
The action takes place in Britain in 2078 where the country is ruled by hybrid clones – partly human, partly rat – called the Rathings. The novel is a continuation of the first
book entitled The Kytos Project, where the action took place in the year 2070.
There are a number of threads to the story – we have a Rathing military rebellion leading to an epic battle between the mutant clones, a young human laying down his plans to return to the past through a Time Gate in order to destroy the clones at
their embryonic stage, a frightened Rathing High Priest who is desperate to return
to the past through a Time Gate portal but his return takes him further back than he had planned, possibly to a time before he was born, and there is the mystery surrounding a string of gruesome assassinations that suggests that the killer
may be an etheric being from another dimension.
What inspired you to write this book?
Arguments concerning the ethics of cloning and hybrid cloning continue to rage.
I did considerable research for my first book and was intrigued by the possibility of a rogue scientist creating cystoplasmic hybrids being part human and part rat and part human and part magpie. Whilst such cloning is not possible today, it is not beyond the bounds of probability that among the myriad experiments that take place every day throughout the world there might be one that produces an awesome chimera. Then my imagination took off and I began writing.
How is your book different from other books in this genre?
The original masterpiece if, of course, H G Wells´ ´The Island of Dr. Moreau´. No other
similar themed books about hybrid cloning immediately come to mind, although I don´t doubt that there are quite a few fiction novels about cloning lurking about out there.
Where can people buy your book?
KYTOS – THE DARK BEYOND can be purchased from all good bookshops, from Amazon.Co.UK, Online outlets, from the publishers, from London Connections for author-signed copies at a discounted price and by going to the book´s website – www.kytos-thedarkbeyond.com
Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published?
Kytos – The Dark Beyond is the second book in the Rathing Chronicles trilogy.
I am working on the third book but have no idea when it may be published. I would
hazard a guess and say in perhaps a year or two.
If you self published, what advice can you give to fellow writers?
I trawled traditional book publishers in the UK and USA in respect of publishing both my first books and this third book but, like many unknown writers, I drew a big blank.
I ignored the myriad vanity publishers and opted for a reputable firm (I chose Matador, an imprint of Troubador Publishing) which firm is recommended by the Writers and Artists 2008 Yearbook.
In many ways, I now prefer self publishing as it gives me total control of the process -
such as the typeface to be used, and by getting my own artist to professionally design the book cover, how I am going to market the book (if possible, this should be in conjunction with your publisher if he offers a marketing service] and other promotional
ideas,
Set your budget, but prepare to be flexible. Go with a self publishing firm that has a good reputation and offers support marketing and distribution services. [Many don´t].
Get a website – an author´s website is one of the most important marketing tools for any self publishing author. But make sure you get a good website designer, not a
cheap, quick-off-the-line bit of merchandise that use set templates. It pays to take time and investigate all of the website designers, see examples of their work and compare prices.
If you have no direct experience of marketing or selling, either engage a consultant
or recruit friends who have such experience.
If published traditionally, tell us how you benefited:
Can you share one of your marketing successes with us?
I took advantage of my publisher´s offer to have postcards printed featuring the book cover on one side and a brief outline of the story. I bought some small plastic holders and arranged with a number of local coffee shops to display these postcards in the holders on tables, counters, etc.
I mailed these postcards to as many friends and contacts as possible.
I had bookmarks printed – again with book cover on one side and story/plot on the other and I got the agreement of local bookshops to have these placed on their counters and besides books on display.
I contacted a local newspaper and arranged for them to carry a feature on me as a local author.
I took out advertising space in an established, specialist Sci-Fi magazine (that´s why I said you must have a flexible budget, as ideas and opportunities sometimes come suddenly). Immediately after my advert appeared, hits on my website jumped by 600%.
I contacted Allbooks Reviews with a request that they review my first book. Allbooks Reviews featured my first book for a year. This gave me additional coverage and my current book is also featured by Allbooks Reviews.
How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us?
Allbooks Reviews was recommended to me by another author who has used Allbooks Reviews services. She spoke very highly of Allbooks Reviews and I have not been disappointed in the level of service given – it is friendly, efficient and professional. I was so delighted with the pre publication review and editing that I wrote a letter of commendation, which letter I am pleased to see is still featured on the website. As a UK author, I feel that I have a friend and ally in the USA when I entrust Allbook Reviews to feature the book that I sweated over many, many months to create.
Was the low cost a surprise? What other things would you like Allbooks Reviews to offer writers?
Absolutely – I cannot believe how Allbooks Reviews can render such an efficient service at such a competitive price. Before I was introduced to Allbooks Reviews I had UK firms critique my manuscript/review the novel and not only were their charges astronomically higher but they were not as thorough. What Allbooks Reviews do, is done perfectly. As I wrote in my earlier letter, any author should consider including Allbooks Reviews in their marketing plans if they want to broaden their awareness base. Congratulations.
Thank you for this interview and best of luck with your book.