What's the difference between being traditionally published and being self-published?

There's a world of difference between being traditionally published and being self-published but it's not what you might think...

People often associate books which are self-published with something that is poorly written, badly thought-out and possibly lacking in merit. And it's not always an incorrect assumption. There are indeed books which are out there and available to buy, which quite frankly, would be better used as fire kindling than entertainment. These are the books which were possibly rejected by every literary agent and publisher alike. 

But - and it's a big but - there are a growing army of authors who have chosen to self publish. Not because their work has no merit, but because they want the control over their stories, characters and book covers that self-publishing can give them. I'm one of them. 

In fact, I have recently taken the rights for two of my traditionally published books back from the publishers concerned, and plan to self-publish them instead. This might sound like an insane idea, but having spent a long time having to live with a book cover I really hated and being told that the publisher had decided on the image and that was that, I'm very glad to be going it alone. 

That's not to say there haven't been obstacles along the way. For there have been many. 

Deciding on fonts, on letter sizes and paper thickness...cream or white paper, drop caps at the start of a chapter or not? The decisions I've had to make and the things I've had to learn in order to make those decisions, have been almost endless. 

But I've already republished two books...and there's a whole lot more to come.  Check here for my most recent books and look out for the others coming soon. 

Special people and their winning ways.

I have spent the last two days in the company of some very special people and I have to say that I am humbled.

Whilst I can't tell you too much about any of them, as plans are afoot for me to work with each of them, in different ways, I will give you what I can.

Each of the three people has made their field their own, striven and fought to get to where they are - but none more than a lady I hope to call my newest friend.

Awarded an OBE for her services, she has possibly one of the finest brains I have ever met, wrapped up in a spirited, empathetic and warm personality. Between us, I hope we can tell her story to the world.

So please excuse me if I have been a little absent from this blog, but now you see part of the reason why, perhaps you'll excuse me.

I'll let you know more when I can. x

ELSA will not be challenged!

ELSA will not be challenged. Taken from Future Perfect.

I don’t give them a chance to answer. The guns are in position and ready.


There are seventeen people directly in the weapons’ lines of sight - eight women, three men and six children.


All guns fire simultaneously. Smoke billows into the air and bodies fall soundlessly to the ground, holes torn in their soft human flesh. One woman twists as she falls, probably dead before she hits the ground. But in perhaps that last moment of life, of awareness, she pulls a young child against her, shields his body with her own. She topples on top of him, saving his life with the sacrifice of her own. It’s to be in vain.

I roll the assignment vehicle over the dead and the dying, unable to hear the crush of bones, the wet squelching of ruptured organs, under its weight, but satisfied of the outcome nonetheless. This sector decided its fate the moment it did not comply with my demands. There will be no mercy. There cannot be.

Wait and see

I'm actually intrigued to see who will become the next American President. Will it be the misogynist with 'the hair', or the 'cool' cat with the tomcat husband?

I guess I'll just have to wait and see, although I know who my money would be on...

Last night I met with a group of Birmingham writers called New Street Authors. All independently published and publishing, they were astute, knowledgeable and witty. They were also so much better at the technical side of things than I am [formatting etc.].

We talked for a long time about my self-published series, which went to press before I was signed up by traditional publishers for other books, and whether in future I would again tread the self-pub route to fame and fortune, or remain on the traditional publishing path.

The answer is that right now, there is no answer. Both have their merits. And big money can be made in both camps if you go about it the right way.

I love the autonomy that self-publishing gives, but there is a lot to be said too for having someone else fighting your corner side-by-side with you, their interest in seeing you succeed, as vested as your own. That said, the group were a pretty tight bunch, and I could see how they genuinely worked hard to help one another... and I wanted to be a part of that.

So for now readers I am waiting and watching.

Happy Reading!

Announcement

Yes, I know how incredibly lucky I am. Every day I settle down to do a job I adore, one that makes my heart race and that gives me the utmost satisfaction.

So on top of that, it is my absolute delight to announce that I have just signed a deal with another publisher, Uncial Press, to bring you my latest fantasy, Ascension, which should be out early next year.

I am extremely fortunate in that I have been blessed with the best editors ever, both with my existing publishers P'Kaboo, and now with my new American publishers, Uncial.

In fact, I have found the editors from both of these publishers to be so light of touch and so exceptionally empathetic to both the storyline and my own individual style, that changes to the original manuscript have been kept to a minimum. I believe that's not true of all editors and publishers.

So my wholehearted thanks go to P'kaboo and to Uncial Press.

May our journey together be long and fruitful! xxx

Still editing!

I am still editing Invisible.

Here is the part I am currently on:-

In the hallway, the front door opened and then after a moment, closed again. Fran and Gary sat without speaking as if the moment was so sacred it required the silence of the sacristy. It took another few minutes for Alison to reappear and when she did, her eyes were red and puffy. “He’s gone,” she said, her voice breaking on the very first syllable.

 

How strange that it is me, comforting her, Fran thought as she rose from the chair with her arms wide, wrapping them tight around Jim’s twin. “At least his suffering is over,” she told herself and Ally. Whereas mine has only just begun. As painful and terrible as before, his death hasn’t brought an end to my anguish, just pushed it in a different direction, she realised.

Poor Fran... Happy Reading!

Life versus Fiction

At the moment I am editing the book about the woman whose life falls apart when she hears some revelations. It was a hard book to write and it's equally hard to edit. The emotions which pour forth from the pages are raw and gripping. And each turn of the page takes me back to my past. For after all, who of us hasn't stood chalk faced and shaking when we are told about something so fundamentally wrong in our relationship that it rocks us to the core?

The other day I became embroiled in such a situation. For the sake of those similarly enmeshed, I shall keep the identities private, as indeed the minute details of the situation... but to see such a thing first-hand and in real life was heart-breaking. Trying to mediate as I was and failing dismally, it was all I could do in the end to offer support and a shoulder to cry on.

But it made me think. My own life [until this very moment in time] has been filled with emotional drama, heights of delirium and depths of despair that I guess in one shape or form, I must have invited in. Had my friend also invited it into her life? As an outsider in the private inner realms of her world, I could only surmise that it was a possibility that she had. We lead the lives we do because of the choices we make within them. That, after all, was how I came to write Split Decision, about the consequences of a choice.

My friend has recovered but will she ever be exactly the same person that she was before she found out the horrible truth? Probably not. Because I think that day, a little piece of her died. And I know exactly how that feels.

And me? Well as ever I will channel that raw emotion into my books as I always do. You see when people ask me if I write fiction, I nod. But I know it isn't really fiction - it is a written depiction of life, a tome which has recorded the vagaries of life, love and of humans themselves.

Am I a writer? Yes. Am I an imaginer of things? Perhaps. But mostly what I am is a chronicler. Like it or not, that's what I really am.

Happy Reading.

Thank you!

Yesterday I did a talk for Olton Creative Writers at Olton Library. What a wonderfully well-read and creative group of people!

Often those who have an interest in the arts can be a little imperious [stating the phrase with implied inverted commas and capital letters, or fingers held aloft in the air], so it was refreshing to meet such talented and down-to-earth people.

I hope they thoroughly enjoy my books.

Read all about it!

My newest book, is now out. Follow the link to take a look at it.

 http://www.pkaboo.net/splitdecision.html

Happy Reading!

Help!

Most people have tried to help with this but the site will often not let them, hence the low numbers.

You have to click on the link then press the share on Facebook or Twitter.

Then you can read all about my latest book.

To everyone who has helped, you have my warmest thanks!

https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/28256-launch-of-ya-split-decision

Carmen. x

I'm all aglow!

I have been working hard on Volume VII of The Owners today and am happy with my progress. 

Even more than that, I am ecstatic about a phone call I just received, which informed me that one of the readers I sold a book to at a recent event, has found the story to be totally engrossing, so much so that she 'can't put the book down'.

Now that's what I like to hear. And remember folks, Split Decision will be out soon. Keep your eyes peeled, you're going to love it.

Happy Reading! x

Just a little reminder.

If you would like to see snippets of ongoing or completed novels which are awaiting publication, you can use the search bar at the side to bring up past blog posts. Type in something you are interested in and it will hopefully come up. Or just scroll down the posts.

Happy Reading!

News Flash.

I have had a frantic March. I know it's not over yet but this week at least things are quieter.

As you may know I am now working on The Owners Volume VII and loving every moment of it.

Split Decision will be out soon. The Plan, The Boy Who Rescues Pigeons, Saving Grace, The Trouble With Mellillia and Ascension will all follow shortly after Split Decision. Bear with me, I really am going as fast as I can...

Oh and to the fan who came up to me on Friday at the event I attended- thank you so much for your kind comments. I am so glad you are enjoying the series.

Happy Reading!

Exciting news!

I am very pleased to be able to inform you that the Bromsgrove Standard will begin serialising one of my books at the end of March!


Being a local newspaper with its ear to the ground, the Standard works harder than most national newspapers to deliver what its readers want - pertinent information and articles with a local flavour.


Some of you may have read my short story which appeared ahead of  Valentine's day a few weeks ago, but the story which will now be printed bears no relation to the previous one.


Storm Clouds is about what might happen if our current global weather extremes continue. It is a story about ordinary people who suddenly find themselves in extraordinary situations and how they strive for survival against the odds.


You will meet Jack Ryan [named after the famous Tom Clancy character by his father] who suddenly finds himself in charge of his nephew Dan, in a perilous situation. And you will meet Doctor Georgia Wade, who shelters her best friend's three children from the encroaching storms.


I hope you will love my characters as much as I do.


If you would like to get your story hit all in one go then follow this link http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=carmen%20capuano&sprefix=carme%2Caps&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Acarmen%20capuano


In the meantime - everlasting thanks to the Bromsgrove Standard and Happy Reading! x

Saving Grace

Here is a little excerpt from Saving Grace that I have just written.

“But I want them to stay together!” Grace wailed, feeling herself start to tremble with fear.

“Sometimes we can’t always have what we want,” Benito said kindly. “And when people love us we have a responsibility to them.”

“Don’t you mean that the other way around? That if they love us they have a responsibility to us?” Grace queried.

Benito shook his head. “Being loved is the greatest honour anyone can bestow upon you. So you have to measure up to it. You have to put aside your own fears and desires and think about what is best for them.”

 

Saving Grace is a book for children which blends reality and fiction in a way that helps them come to terms  with the concepts of divorce and separation.  Darkly humorous, it is insightful and thought provoking.

 

You can hear me talk about Saving Grace, Split Decision, The Owners and all of my soon-to-be-released books at one of my forthcoming talks. Details to follow shortly.

 

Happy Reading. 

Thank you!

Many thanks to the Stroke Association who hosted one of my talks today. Talking about my books never fails to excite me and it is always lovely to have such an appreciative audience.   


Writing stories is both the hardest and the easiest thing I have ever done. It is hard because it requires you to bare your soul and to commit yourself entirely to the story, but it is also the easiest, because for me writing is not a choice, it is a compulsion.


The one question I am always asked at any of these events is how do I find the time to do everything. The truth is that I don't. Like all of us, there are times when I am forced to make a choice between what I want to do and what I have to do. Mostly I am sensible with my time - but not always!


My point here is that I will notice if I haven't written a chapter that day, but the kids will never notice if I failed to vacuum. Life is short. And sometimes it's hard. Live it how your heart dictates.


Carmen x.

News flash!

Just a quick post to say a big thank you to my publisher. Split Decision will be out next year, hopefully early in the year. Details to follow.
 
Oh and I have thoroughly gotten into my latest book, The Ascension of Sarah Mallory - watch this space for updates and snippets.

Here is a little bit:-

I steeled myself for a bout of reminiscing. Normally I was more than happy to talk about my gran or my dad with him, but right then I had more pressing things on my mind.

“She told me a story once. I didn’t really believe it at the time – your Gran was prone to a little embellishment if she thought it livened up a dull tale – but later, much later, I saw that it was true. Well most of it anyway.”

Despite my urgency to help Sarah my interest was piqued. “What was it about?” I asked.

“Well you see that’s the funny thing. Because it was about your Great-Grandma, Emily’s mother, but it was also about you.”

“Me?”

“Yes Jess, you.” There was a note of such sadness in his voice that I almost wished he would come out with something ludicrous, something that would mark one of his rapid slides into dementia and I would be able to dismiss everything.

My poor character Lucas has a dilemma.

He took a long time folding his own clothes and putting the new ones on. Normally he would have just abandoned his clothes to the changing room floor but today was different. Today everything was different and he needed the time and solitude to try to work out in his head what he should do.

I know exactly how he feels! There are only a few weeks until the summer hols and I have so much to think about and do. Well to be perfectly honest if I spent less time thinking about it I would probably have more time to actually do it!

Anyway look out for the list of my book signings/author talks which I will be posting soon and also for my list of personal recommendations which I am currently working on.

I hope to also have some interviews to post soon - busy, busy, busy!

Until then - Happy reading! :)

I conducted a second book signing and book talk/reading last night at Bleakhouse Library and had a wonderful time yet again.


It's always lovely to speak to a receptive audience and the folk who turned out to see me last night were both welcoming and interesting. I talked about my series of books The Owners and also about my novel Split Decisions, which is just starting on the editing process. In return I was asked lots of questions about the development of the plot within The Owners and my writing in general.


But what struck me most was how enthusiastic the audience were. As a writer it is easy to get caught up with the characters and plots of your own fabrication but it is quite another to see it in a reader.


I hope that the audience enjoyed it as much as I did!


I am returning to Bleakhouse on the 4th of April as I have been invited to deliver a prize to a winner of a school/library literacy competition. Again I will be talking about writing and available for book signings.


How I love my job! :)

Update as promised!


The Owners
The Owners Volume IV should be appearing on Amazon at any moment and I thank you for your patience. It has been a long haul and although the writing of this particular volume progressed very nicely, there has been one hitch after another in getting it to press.


The Decision.
As you may remember, this was a story I began long, long ago [probably about 6 or seven years ago] and had to abandon for various reasons.


I came back to it recently with the intention of finishing it off and giving myself a break from The Owners series.


It wasn't hard to get back into the characters or to visualise where they were going and how they felt about it but what was almost impossible to do, was recreate the way in which I told the story.


You see I have changed! Yes this has become a big revelation to me. The chapters I wrote all those years ago have had to be changed, moulded to fit my newly emerged style.


It wasn't that they were badly written to begin with - indeed far from it but my writing is now stronger, more gritty with a hardened edge and I can only credit this to the success of The Owners.


Where once before I looked in from outside at the characters in The Decision, now I am submerged in the very core of them. Consequently they have more depth, feeling and colour than ever before.


At first I thought that I was imagining this, however even my proof readers have remarked upon it, so I realise that it must be true. I wonder if this means I have finally grown up. I suspect not. I think it merely means that I have achieved a level of introspection that I could or would not attain before...


I hope The Decision will be out in the summer. Until then I will keep you informed of developments.