Second Life For Bengali Wife

A Blonde Bengali Wife, the book and the blog, are now five years old (the story, of course, goes way back to 2002). This means that my initial contract with the publishers, LL-Publications is up, which coincides with their relocation to the USA, and my literary agent, Dinah Wiener, is now semi-retired (though remains as active as ever with Bhola's Children).  The book has, therefore, been out of print since June, but I've finished my PhD - yes, passed the viva and still haven't tired of the joke 'there's a doctor in the house' - so theoretically I have some free time.

Could there ever be a better time to step back, take stock, and decide the future of it all?  Does A Blonde Bengali Wife fade gracefully away, her job done? Or does she get a second lease of life? As the author, I don't want to see her go; I love her, warts (aka typos, unnecessary adverbs and adjectives, poor formatting and self-indulgent paragraphs) and all. But objectively, does she still have an audience beyond me?

Yes, she does. Over the past five years, sales have been more tortoise than hare; never going to break any records, but steady, with eBook sales slowly increasing over hard copy, and the royalties all go to Bhola's Children. And, hands up, this is with my non-existent promotional work  - I had a baby the week of publication and never got back on the book-tracks. Still, reviews have been 5 star, and I have had, and still receive, enthusiastic messages from unknown readers all over the world. Their comments, and my own ongoing relationship with Bangladesh - I've been back at least  a dozen times since that first visit - suggest that the book might be set in 2002 but the place I wrote about then remains very much in existence now.

So, the sensible decision, surely, is to e-publish a reprint (getting rid of the warts but not changing the character). The excellent local publisher, Pilrig Press, were willing to do it, and I, as author, was ready to grab the deal and run.  Until the writing professional in me realised that more and more of my consultancy and editing clients were intending to go the self-publishing route.  Wouldn't it be sensible to have the experience of e-publishing in the same way I have of the traditional search for an agent?  The problem is, that involves all the formatting, placement, marketing, promotional 'stuff' that I really don't understand - or much like.

Step in Claire Morley.  If you recognise the name, she's author of the Amazon Kindle bestseller, Tindog Tacloban, which I recommended in my September blog. Claire learned all that 'stuff', enjoyed it and found she is good at it.  She realised there are many writers, like me, who would pay her to help them; I knew she was on to something when she made me feel enthusiastic about tackling all the 'stuff'. The result is Claire's online company, My ePublish Book www.myepublishbook.com  (see the tab above, also).

We're going to be blogging about our joint experience of e-publishing A Blonde Bengali Wife, using it as a case study to demonstrate the process. And, together with professional proof-reader, Marie Campbell (more about Marie another time), we'll be able to offer three independent services 'under one umbrella' via the links on our individual websites.

It's new, it's exciting, and we're aiming for a re-publication date of early November.

Meantime, I'm editing, and I'm still working on building up the Facebook page (tab above) and my Twitter account @AnneHamilton7.  I'm looking for reviewers, and bloggers willing to offer me an interview/guest spot - and as you'll have gathered, I am very much playing with the aesthetics of this blog (See? This is why I need help with 'stuff').

I'm also selling the remaining hard copies of A Blonde Bengali Wife for http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/about-us/emergencies/child-refugee-crisis-appeal

I'd love to hear your thoughts... Please get in touch... And watch this space!

Anne x


 
Post-Highbrow Daze (PhD)
The Oscars: 'A Blonde Bengali Wife' Style

Comments 7

 
Guest - Anne on Thursday, 08 October 2015 22:18

Hi Margaret, glad you've enjoyed some of the story of A Blonde Bengali Wife! Anne

Hi Margaret, glad you've enjoyed some of the story of A Blonde Bengali Wife! Anne
Guest - Margaret Gallagher on Tuesday, 06 October 2015 18:54

Great way to read all about exciting new books and as well as to win -love this site

Great way to read all about exciting new books and as well as to win -love this site
Guest - Anne on Monday, 05 October 2015 23:55

Hi Wendy, thanks for your encouragement! I like seeing all the people who have done this e-publishing thing (and done it so well) and survived! Best of luck with that FINISHED novel... presume you've started number two...!!

Hi Wendy, thanks for your encouragement! I like seeing all the people who have done this e-publishing thing (and done it so well) and survived! Best of luck with that FINISHED novel... presume you've started number two...!!
Guest - Wendy's Writing on Monday, 05 October 2015 08:23

Thrilled that you are going to be self-publishing your novel. I loved it and it would be a shame to let it slip away (especially as the money is for such a good cause). Having self-published my short story collections using KDP and CreateSpace, I know that I wouldn't have been able to do it without the help of my techie husband. Getting outside help is a great idea. Looking forward to seeing you more on Twitter and FB now!

Thrilled that you are going to be self-publishing your novel. I loved it and it would be a shame to let it slip away (especially as the money is for such a good cause). Having self-published my short story collections using KDP and CreateSpace, I know that I wouldn't have been able to do it without the help of my techie husband. Getting outside help is a great idea. Looking forward to seeing you more on Twitter and FB now!
Guest - katie200 on Sunday, 04 October 2015 20:22

Hi Anne, I know the feeling whenever I play with my blog I get the pang of on my what if the blog page crumble. But your blog is looking amazing and the more you play around with it the more you'll find what you like and don't until you have your dream blog. :) I'm sure my Nan will love Blonde Bengali Wife as much as I did. I'm sure she'll give me her thought on it to relay to you as she is not computer wise at all bless her. I hope you're having a lovely weekend. Take care. Katie.

Hi Anne, I know the feeling whenever I play with my blog I get the pang of on my what if the blog page crumble. But your blog is looking amazing and the more you play around with it the more you'll find what you like and don't until you have your dream blog. :) I'm sure my Nan will love Blonde Bengali Wife as much as I did. I'm sure she'll give me her thought on it to relay to you as she is not computer wise at all bless her. I hope you're having a lovely weekend. Take care. Katie.
Guest - Anne on Friday, 02 October 2015 23:06

Hi Katie, many thanks! I'm still nervous of playing around with all of this - but I'm inspired by so many other blogs - including yours at https://katrinamarie25.wordpress.com. I hope your nana enjoys her copy of A Blonde Bengali Wife!

Hi Katie, many thanks! I'm still nervous of playing around with all of this - but I'm inspired by so many other blogs - including yours at https://katrinamarie25.wordpress.com. I hope your nana enjoys her copy of A Blonde Bengali Wife!
Guest - katie200 on Thursday, 01 October 2015 23:41

HI Anne,Great new look to your blog, best of luck with your self-publishing. I'm sure it will be a great experience. I think your book should get a second chance to be out there, even after your publishing deal is up, because you worked hard on it and it's a great read.. Take care.Katie,

HI Anne,Great new look to your blog, best of luck with your self-publishing. I'm sure it will be a great experience. I think your book should get a second chance to be out there, even after your publishing deal is up, because you worked hard on it and it's a great read.. Take care.Katie,
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