I should be shouting in the marketplace, with drums and megaphone, having just released my second novel, ‘Shapers.’ But shouting has never been my thing, call it false modesty … a few subtle hints must do. Presently, I’m reading ‘Shapers’ in my sunny garden, as if I’d just encountered the book, surprised how much I enjoy the read. Some authors may think me naïve – since books don’t normally sell without massive promotion, for which I’ve no agent or sponsor, nor the funds. Patience I have, otherwise I wouldn’t have finished two novels, considering I could only afford spending time on novel writing during the third part of my life.
So I belong to the writers lonely hearts club … where, unless you’re a celebrity, or achieve a short burst on a bestseller list, most writers will linger.
Not the Beatles though – whose brand of beats, lyrics and showmanship hit the mark.
I was par chance present when the Beatles’ Sgt Pepper’s lonely hearts club band album cover was arranged and photographed in London, by courtesy of a friend. I wasn’t allowed to take photos, especially since celebrities popped in and out of the shoot, but I helped by cutting out the image of Shirley Temple in the right hand corner of the cover, and I enjoyed a joint from the block of marihuana, freely available on a silver plate. Returning to my lodgings, I danced, swinging around lampposts. These were carefree times.
Creating poetry, songs, stories, any art inspired by the sphere of the imagination is a calling. There is plenty how-to-do tools for creators, which is useful, but only when the visions and ideas that propel expression emerge from inside, embodied by one’s senses and the experience of relationships, and, ideally, rearranged by symbolic understanding. It’s a fine balancing act, like carrying a cup filled to the brim with hot liquid and not spilling any.
This is my view on the subject, because writing for writings sake, like churning out generic plots, which I AI can do well, has no meaning for me.
Once I’ve processed my grief over releasing ‘Shapers’ into the web’s wilderness, I may attempt a few things to promote the novel – a local paper, bookshops & Twitter etc.
A lovely person, David Breitling, from New York, said about ‘Course of Mirrors’ at the time …‘This is candy for lovers of magic realism.’ … which could also apply to ‘Shapers.’ I’m into a third novel, about Mesa and her dystopian future, where time slows down through lack of conflict, though I may feel discouraged, if interest in my novels doesn’t pick up. Please buy, enjoy and review …
A link to the publisher: https://www.troubador.co.uk/bookshop/sci-fi/shapers/
Paperback and e-book are however available on many platforms and can also be ordered through bookshops.
Among ‘Course of Mirrors’ reviews, I was cheered by this one, in the way one looks for understanding of what one tries to do … https://cathum.wordpress.com/2020/01/13/course-of-mirrors-an-odyssey-by-ashen-venema/
Thank you Cath ♥
Course of Mirrors 
Oh, I’m very much looking forward to reading “Shapers” Ashen, as I’m 202 pages in with your first novel, “Course of Mirrors” and already wondering how things will turn out for Ana.
Can I ask, will there be another book in this series or will “Shapers” finish Ana’s adventures? Thanks for the link, Cath’s review was excellent! You must’ve been delighted to receive it.
Good luck with your new book! Love and light, Deborah.
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Oh I’m delighted you’re reading ‘Course of Mirrors.’
Could I ask how you got it, and from where … as ebook or paperback?
And yes, there’s a third book, a continuation the Ana – Cara and Mesa’s story, who are basically the same character, evolving over time. Presently the book I started some time ago, is called ‘Mesa.’
I must get back into the narrative.
Writing keeps me sane in this mad world 🙂
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I chose to purchase a new paperback a couple of months ago through Amazon UK (£7.71) as I don’t enjoy eBooks. Oh, that’s great news re Ana / Cara and Mesa’s trilogy! Yep, me too! 🙂
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I also like a real book … in my bed 🙂 as this is where I read books and have a stack on the go.
Do you live in the UK? Or the US? If the latter, what were the delivery costs? I need to find some clarity on these matters.
Must explore.
Also to find out what it takes to get hold of your books of poetry.
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I live in the UK too. To date, I’ve published all three of my books at Blurb Books. I did notice there is a button to press to release them into Amazon but I have yet to do so. I probably will once I’ve read through all the fine print and explored Amazon’s fees, etc. Re postage, Blurb charge about £10.00 P&P per book (less the more books you order) which is cheaper than normal postage. For example our friend Jean sent me two of her books a couple of months ago from the united states and the postage was just under £30.00. Me, I enjoy the look and feel of Blurb Books and prefer to keep all my books in one place (so to speak) but understand there are many self-publishing options and online platforms.
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I looked at Blurb. Thing is, I don’t want to sign up to anything, their emails etc, I just want to buy your poetry books.
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If I remember correctly Ashen, first of all you have to open an account (like Amazon) to be able to buy a book from Blurb, then if you’re not given a choice to unsubscribe (I think you will be), do so as soon as your order goes through. I unsubscribe from most websites unless it’s a blog I follow. I hope that helps.
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Thanks Deborah. I now ordered your two poetry books. Will let you know when they arrive.
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Wow! Thank you so much Ashen, you’ve literally made my day! My first poetry collection, “A Liberated Sheep in a Post Shepherd World” shares all my major poems written from age 15 to 50. My second poetry collection, “The Shepherd’s Daughter” continues my journey from age 52 to 57 and lastly, “Soror Mystica” started seven years ago back in 2016 when I first started exploring my rather overweight animus in my “Animus Diet” essays. My last book is a mix of memoir, essays and poems. Whichever books you’ve ordered I really hope you enjoy them and I hope the postage wasn’t too expensive. Love and light, Deborah.
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Two books arrived … The Liberated Sheep and Soror Mystica. They’re beautifully produced and feel good to touch. I’ll take my time to enjoy the soul food contained in the pages. ☼
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Great news Ashen! I hope you enjoy them. ☼
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Will it eventually appear on Amazon US?
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I admit I’m confused about the delivery of books – ebooks or otherwise, worldwide. Also, I thought there was a print-on-demand facility I signed up for, to ease the costs of ordering a book from abroad.
I’ll check with my publisher again next week. If nothing works I plan to post ‘Shapers’ as a paperback to you. Will be in touch ♥
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Dear Joe, I got this reply from my publisher …
… The overseas print on demand version is being set up this week meaning that the copies your friends are looking at will be the UK stock which will have heavy postage costs. The KDP version was set up this morning which we are waiting on Amazon to approved which will cover the global market and the Lightning Source version which will cover Europe is being set up this afternoon. These will likely both be live and available by Thursday/Friday. This is because our overseas distribution setups are done in line with the publication dates. I’ll let you know when both versions are live …
So, with patience, it will be sorted this week.
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Congratulations on the publication of “Shapers” Ashen.
Wishing you all success.
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Thanks Rob ♥
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Ashen, congratulations to ‘Shapers’ release! I love how you’re sitting in what seems a very tranquil garden, enjoying your book! Congratulations also on Cath’s superlative review of ‘Course of Mirrors’! Like you, I go for a quiet launch and later on organised book talks etc. Wow! How exciting that you worked on Beatles’ Sgt Pepper’s lonely hearts club album – and even treated to a joint on a silver plate! Carefree days indeed! 😀
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Thank you, Annika. That carefree outlook, not easy to regain these days. At least there are memories that still nourish ☼
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Congratulations, somewhat late! My WordPress notifications dropped out, not sure why. (head shake) Wishing you well with your book.
I can well relate to your ‘writer’s lonely hearts club’, Ashen.
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♥ thank you Luciana.
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