Hallo Carmen
This is a note from England. I have read your item on self-publishing and it was interesting. In my case, I was bitten rather badly. As you know, a fool and his money are soon parted and I will never follow that route again. Fortunately, money is not a problem to me - I don't write for money. It is far more important to me that my story is read. But I am an old man now - 82 - and although I have lots of stories to... Show more
Hallo Carmen
This is a note from England. I have read your item on self-publishing and it was interesting. In my case, I was bitten rather badly. As you know, a fool and his money are soon parted and I will never follow that route again. Fortunately, money is not a problem to me - I don't write for money. It is far more important to me that my story is read. But I am an old man now - 82 - and although I have lots of stories to tell from my long and interesting life I really do not want to get involved in the sales and marketing aspects. So, at first sight it seemed to me that subsidy publishing was the way to go. I don't mind the money aspect - but I do hate to be rooked and the fact of the matter is that to get my money promises were made that didn't have snowflake's chance in Hell of being kept - sorry, not promises, because these people are very clever. But strong implications which are just a step away from promises. I have written a short story about it plus a warning to others and I'll gladly send it to you if you will let me have your email address. You can send it privately if you wish to:
davidmitchell@talktalk.net and I will respond. Meanwhile, take a look at my website on https://www.davidjmitchell.co.uk - you can send me a message from my website.
I too write short stories as well as books. But although my list of stories is very interesting (if you contact me I will send it to you if you wish) - but I cannot get a peep of interest over here. They say that there is no popular market for short stories these days. Funny, I used to love them.
Also - although I am no poet I felt a little unwell a while ago and went to sit in my garden for some peace and quiet and relaxation. Whilst sitting there and looking at my flowers some nice words came into my head. Here they are:
A little piece of Heaven fell from out the sky one day
And it fell into my garden – down Cheriton Bishop way
So I bought a lot of flowers for I knew they would grow so well
But it was quite a lot of work for an old boy so later, my poor back ached like Hell.
But the effort was well worth it and now, as I see, there is an explosion and glow
Of colour that will even delight the angels themselves.
They will be pleased with me – that I know.
Next year I shall try to do it even better (and cheaper) by actually buying seeds to sow.
For this year, I formed a square of pots and troughs where the holy plot fell
And there I sit each morning surrounded by flowers with my newspaper and morning tea
Happy to relax in a small part of Heaven that only I can see
But return in half an hour and you’ll find me – paper on lap and snoozing like I do - Thats me !
And then I awake from my nap, refreshed, and ready for the chores of the day
I take a last look at my ‘square’ and hope that tomorrow it will be exactly like today !
But perhaps one day I’ll come there and perchance my beautiful plot will be barren
Maybe the angels will have grown a little envious of my beautiful display and have taken it back to Heaven
For the other angels to see
But I’ll keep hoping and hoping that whatever else may be
They will take pity on an old man and return it some day to me.
Many greetings
David (Mitchell) from lovely Devon, England.