CM Simpson: Writer & Gamer

This is the oldest of my novels and, since self-publishing should happen as a progressive activity, I thought it would be most appropriate to post this book first. It is, after all, my first completed book, and I’ve come a long way since I completed it, but it forms the basis of the series. Never fear; I will be revising it first, and I will be acting on my beta-reader’s comments before I do. A taster? Sure.  Gilzereet caught the carriage just after it left the Graglecrock city mansion. He tipped the driver, paying him for his silence and the risk he took, easing the man’s terror with a single golden coin. Skill and secrecy was what he paid for, loyalty was what he inadvertently bought. The coachman gave him all three. This one will take a couple of months to revamp. I’ll let youall know when it goes live.

I have completed revising a children’s picture book I wrote almost twenty years ago. This triggers the next part of my learning curve: Where do I find artists/illustrators willing to illustrate a children’s picture book that’s going to be independently published? How much do they charge? Do I break up the text, or does the artist decide what selection of words suits their pictures best? Would it be better to co-create and split the royalties 50/50 with the artist? Would it be better if I waited before launching this side of my author name until I had developed my artistic skills to the standard require? (I do have the time.) How does this side of independent publishing work? Anyone know? Anyone have an idea or opinion? Will I give a taster? Not yet. Not until I decide if the book is going up somewhere in the next three months. The only thing I will say, is that this is the story of a little-girl’s first day at school and how she finds the courage to face it and make friends....

I know it’s hard for people to develop a connection to a work titled as generically as CrimeNovel1, but bear with me, it’ll get better. CrimeNovel1 is an old project; I shudder to think of how many years ago I started it. To say this was a new genre for me and that I struggled with it is an understatement, but I think I’ve got my head around it, or my version of it, at least. I’m going to go over each chapter again, proofing and editing. At this time, it is currently 48,889 words long. I probably won’t start adding words to it until I’ve finished doing the chapter-by-chapter revision, and *then* we’ll be cooking with gas. A taster? Here’s the first paragraph. Feel free to let me know if you’d read on. The girl’s mouth was open, screaming. Her lips were stretched around the gag blocking her cries. Mascara tears formed thick rivulets that disappeared into the band of cloth pulled tight across her face. She seemed to be leaning forward, straining against something as thoug...