Sarah Barnard

Final Post.

2008-06-05T00:27:00.003+01:00

Well, we've fully arrived at the new hosts, all unpacked and in the process of putting things away - metaphorically speaking as it's all online....So please update your bookmarks, RSS feeds or whatever to: http://sarahbarnard.co.uk/blog/ and you might be interested in the rest of the site too, which can be found at http://sarahbarnard.co.uk I'll be playing around with it over the next few days,

My own domain

2008-06-02T17:19:00.003+01:00

Yesterday I bought myself sarahbarnard.co.uk and chose to host it with Eco Web Hosting. I'm playing about with site design, templates and other jiggery pokery and I hope to work out how to install a blog on there too. It'll be a self hosted wordpress thing when it's sorted. But for now the blog is here. I'll put up a big sign when it moves!

Formatting a manuscript for PDF conversion

2008-05-27T16:10:00.003+01:00

This is a steep learning curve. Although technically, as a self published author, I am free to produce my work in whatever format I want, there are certain conventions that are worth following to help make the whole thing look more professional! So far I have;* Indent on every paragraph apart from the first in each section/chapter - which should be fully left aligned with no indent - Exception to

Another new listing

2008-05-23T22:56:00.001+01:00

Or several.The Portal Between turned up on Barnes and Noble. Then a friend sent me this link to the Book Butler. I count 6 countries on there.....World domination anyone?

The blurb is up now

2008-05-22T17:04:00.005+01:00

I am getting a lot of satisfaction from every little stage of this.Today the book description turned up on Waterstones.The Portal Between on Waterstones.It's been up on Tesco for a while, and they've reduced it!

First sales figures

2008-05-19T23:15:00.003+01:00

The figures from any sales made during April are due to be reported in the next 10 days or so. This is the first time I've not known what's happening with book sales. Up til now I've had access to sales through Lulu and I've known when each sale has happened.This is a bit scary, but exciting scary if that makes sense.Considering the delay in the Portal Between coming through the retail

Waterstones.

2008-05-16T14:42:00.002+01:00

First The Portal Between turned up on Tesco.com and WHSmith's.Today it's popped up on Waterstones too.**happy dance**

Amazon Sales rank

2008-05-14T17:49:00.002+01:00

It's going up!Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 46,216 in Books Blimey. I'm assuming that means it might be selling a few then? Also there are now 14 new and used for sale on there, two are mine. The online profile is growing.It changes all the time and it's been as low as 350,000 or there abouts, but it does come up now and then, which is very exciting!

I wasn't expecting that!

2008-05-14T00:11:00.002+01:00

Sam's just done something unexpected, and so has Elder. But more importantly, where are the chickens?Not Lily's chickens, Kate's been looking after them, although she is confused by the lack of eggs from yesterday, and what is wrong with the greenhouse door?Yes, I know, lots of questions but I don't want to give it all away now do I? Suffice to say that the sequel is progressing well and is

Pondering the use and abuse of magic.

2008-05-10T13:34:00.002+01:00

It's a common theme in fantasy that magic is unique to an individual and that the abuse of magical power leads to your downfall.Lily's magic runs in her family, it's hereditary and tends to follow the matrilineal line - Mother to Daughter, but not always. Sometimes it skips across to a son, and sometimes it throws a wild card and turns up in an unexpected place - because that makes for great

It appeared!

2008-05-06T15:49:00.002+01:00

The Add to cart button on The Portal Between's Amazon.co.uk listing. It's taken 12 weeks rather than the projected 8 but it's there.It's starting to feel real now.The Portal Between (Paperback) by Sarah Barnard (Author) That makes me grin every time I see it, Sarah Barnard (Author), it's something I've wanted to be recognised for a long time, a dream come true.I've

Sales figures.

2008-05-05T13:00:00.002+01:00

I don't know any!Lulu act faster than most publishers in reporting sales back to the author, I'd like to say all publishers but I don't have the evidence. However, sales that I know have happened through retail channels during April won't be reported until the beginning of June.That's still remarkably fast but once the process has started then it should flow through every month, assuming there

Interesting.

2008-05-02T13:20:00.002+01:00

On Amazon.co.uk I have a sales rank. The Portal Between has obviously been bought to make this happen, and more than once by the look of it.A couple of days ago when I looked it was showing with a rank of 200,000 or something, but I was pleased, it's still a rank right? It's a debut novel with little marketing, little publicity and no big publishing house behind it. It's been hard work, but worth

I need your help.

2008-04-29T14:52:00.002+01:00

When you're next in your local library, can you please ask them if they could order The Portal Between into stock?They should be able to and most libraries don't charge for this service, or don't charge much so it's not like going out to buy a book! Of course, I'd been even more pleased if you all went out to your local WHSmith, or other bookstore, and ordered it there instead.Details for

You may have noticed..

2008-04-27T10:59:00.002+01:00

Some of the more observant of you might have noticed that the Portal Sundered progress tracker has dropped about 6,000 words.I know, I know, I'm meant to be adding to it not using the delete button. But I'd written an ending and was working towards that, and it was starting to stifle me a bit. So I cut it into a separate document and I'm not sure if it'll be the end of this book or maybe the

Tesco.com

2008-04-25T15:47:00.002+01:00

Blimey, The Portal Between has appeared on Tesco.com.Oooh, and Books-a-Million, and WHSmith, and the Book Depository, and Blackwells.Not on Asda, Barnes & Noble or Waterstones yet and I haven't found it anywhere else, but I'll keep checking and seeing how far it's got.

Amazon.co.uk

2008-04-22T21:32:00.002+01:00

This afternoon The Portal Between popped up on Amazon.co.uk, which is the Big thing I've been waiting for. I'm all giddy and excited.It needs a couple of days to settle in the search doodads on there and then the buy it/add to cart buttons will appear too. Then I'll be able to put my name into the search box and it'll find me - it's that direct link only at the moment, but still very exciting.

Oh how exciting!

2008-04-22T00:15:00.003+01:00

Search inside has popped up on The Portal Between's listing on Amazon.com.I do hope that means it won't be long before I can tell you all about the book turning up on amazon.co.uk very very soon. No sign as of five minutes ago.

Amazon gets better!

2008-04-19T15:07:00.002+01:00

The Portal Between's listing on Amazon.com is getting better and better.Now it has a cover image that comes up in the main search, it's in the searches for Solstice, Equinox, Magic, and both title and author - which is so very exciting to see! It has the back cover blurb on there too.Sam has been missing for two long years. Kate struggles on with her own children and Sam's after Jack left her but

I love it when..

2008-04-19T00:02:00.002+01:00

I love this. The Portal Sundered has become organic, it's like it's writing itself, taking me on a journey and I'm not sure where I'm going!Lily is back and on top form, being mysterious. Kate is bemused and Sam, well, Sam's in trouble and she knows it. I have new characters emerging and doing the unexpected, things happening that are taking the plot on a side trip and I'm not sure if the ending

Amazing Amazon!

2008-04-14T10:43:00.002+01:00

The Portal Between has appeared on Amazon.com.Click here to be suitably impressed!It's not on Amazon.co.uk yet, that will take a few more days, and it hasn't appeared on any of the other notable book sellers sites either, but it's on the way now. I'll keep you posted on news as it develops.

Lily, why did you do that?

2008-04-06T11:56:00.002+01:00

I know the writing is going well when things I write make me sit back and ask, "Why did you do that?" and "What?" (think David Tennant at the beginning of last years Dr Who Christmas special, the one with Kylie and the Titanic.)Lily's got her magic back. You didn't know she lost it? Oh yes, it's a long story - book 2 in fact, well a large part of it anyway but it's back, in an unexpected way. So

There's something about Lily.

2008-04-02T23:50:00.004+01:00

I've had a bit of writers block. It's been there for ages, since Christmas really, probably before. It's now unblocked and book two (still the Portal Sundered) is flowing nicely again. Lily is back on form, Kate is moving on and Sam is still in trouble......But why was I blocked? I couldn't work it out until I came across a thread on the Book Club forums. Join up if you like books, it's a lovely

Keeping it local, please.

2008-03-30T11:25:00.003+01:00

Keep business local. I try to use local and small businesses as much as I can, as a matter of principle as well as for various other reasons. I believe that keeping things local reduces the (lorry/transportation) impact of global business, it makes for a stronger local community and quite simply the giants can cope by themselves. The House of Commons All-Party Small Shops Group

Google but no Amazon yet.

2008-03-27T23:47:00.002Z

I you put The Portal Between in the new Google book search, it's listed and looking lovely. It's another step along the distribution trail.But, it's not on Amazon yet. I know, it could be another week, but I'm impatient, I want it there NOW.I did have a bit of a revelation over the second book last week and I did write a good chunk, but in a notebook, with a pen, on paper! I prefer to type it

Pruning the Portal

2008-03-13T16:10:00.003Z

The plan for the Portal Sundered is for it to be in two parts. The bulk of the book is the main story and then there is an epilogue that is separate and in a different voice and style.The epilogue is giving me some trouble! It started out life as a Nano winner and stood at a very long and overly wordy 50,000 words. So I'm pruning it. I'm taking the core of it and paring it severely. I've just got

From the British Library.

2008-03-09T11:33:00.002Z

Just to let you know your book has arrived 7/3/08 it will be processedin due course and a receipt will be sent in about 10 weeks owing to theamount of books awaiting processing Another step taken and we're now two weeks away from Amazon, so there should be more news on that very soon. As soon as The Portal Between hits Amazon I can start a marketing campaign and start getting it into libraries

And to celebrate...

2008-03-04T16:21:00.002Z

It's my birthday today, I'm 39! So a quiet day at home was called for, with cake baking, gardening and other domestic type activities.I also sent the legally required copy of The Portal Between off to the British Library so it can be added to their catalogue. It's one of the last steps in the journey now, the next one is to see the book on Amazon, which proves that the book has made it through

It's through!

2008-03-01T12:13:00.002Z

The Portal Between has cleared Bowkers approval process. I knew it would, honest, but it still feels so very good to know it's taken another step towards Amazon and from there into book shops and libraries.I am using the Amazon listing as a marker really, as once the book appears on there it means the distribution process is complete and working properly. This journey is a series of steps and as

A week to go.

2008-02-22T10:06:00.003Z

This is week two of a possible three, at the end of which I will either have an email telling me to change something or the book will be approved by Bowkers. I can't see anything that would cause it to fail but you never know.In the meantime The Portal Between is on my Lulu store and it won't be long before it will be will be appearing on Amazon. It's only the paperback that I've put through this

My First Review.

2008-02-17T10:08:00.002Z

It's on Janey Lee Grace's Imperfectly Natural site, in the Reviews section here. You'll have to go down to the bottom of the page to find it.I'm pretty pleased, dead chuffed actually!

I am Twilight

2008-02-16T18:05:00.000Z

Found it on a blog somewhere.....

The next step.

2008-02-12T22:45:00.000Z

Thank you for approving The Portal BetweenYou have completed your portion of the Published By You process.Your book information will be sent to Bowker's Books In Print and once approved by Bowker, Lulu will upload your title to our distribution network. Should there be any problems with your title in Books In Print, we will contact you. This process is generally completed within 2-3 weeks. You

ISBN Update.

2008-02-07T14:57:00.000Z

The number is attached, I can see a panel with a barcode on. Now I need a proof copy to check over before I release it.It's likely to be a couple of weeks before it's released and that is assuming nothing needs changing when I get the proof copy. It's a steep learning curve this, but lots of fun and very exciting.So, if anyone who's already read it has spotted any typo's or problems than please

Numbers.

2008-02-05T21:53:00.000Z

I have the ISBN! Just waiting for Lulu to action it and add it onto the cover and then I can take the next step.

New Cover.

2008-02-03T20:48:00.000Z

The new cover for The Portal Between.Isn't it stunning? It was uploaded to Lulu a couple of days ago and is now in the process of being prepared for the addition of the ISBN number and barcode. So the old cover is the one available to buy now, but this fabulous new cover is coming soon.Huge thanks are due to Jeff Madden who did all the design work and to Claire and Dave who sorted out the

Step two.

2008-02-01T23:34:00.000Z

I have a cover, I have the ISBN numbers and the powers that be at Lulu will be matching the two together over the next few days. There was a short delay in cover production due to the designer getting flu and through my being very very picky.This is just so exciting!

Answers, maybe....

2008-01-31T13:50:00.000Z

Hiya Indiebird,Thanks for your comments and questions.Why did Lily come to our world?Who is Andrew's father?Who or what came back through from the other realm when lily and sam went the other way the final time?Why did Sam get taken in the 1st place?How did they all meet?Is Nutters a real place and can I visit it?how long was Sam 'there' for the 1st time?What happened the 1st time she was there?

Feedback

2008-01-29T11:28:00.000Z

I love getting email like this, makes a change from spam, soap nut orders and it makes me smile too.Sarah - Hi - it's fantastic!!!!! The book... I've just about managed to break away from it coz I just had to send this email to you. I'm a fussy bugger when it comes to books. I give'em a chapter and if I'm not hooked by then I abandon them. I was straight into your book though - had me by the

Drafting and editing.

2008-01-25T18:06:00.000Z

I'm sure I'm driving my cover designer nuts! He sent over the first draft of the cover, rather than the works in progress and it is truly stunning. I love it.But.We need to tone down one of the colours a touch, brighten and enhance an area, change the font, colour and position of the title, same with my name. All fairly minor alterations I think, considering the huge amount of work that's gone

ISBN Numbers, feedback and questions

2008-01-19T14:06:00.000Z

Did you know they come in blocks of ten? I didn't but I do now, and I now own a block of ten. I bought them last night and am waiting on the paperwork to come through so I can register them with my business name - Ethics Trading.This is the first step in a lengthy process to get The Portal Between onto Amazon and into regular bookshop and library distribution channels.So, I'm also tweaking the

We have a tree!

2008-01-14T12:11:00.000Z

Partly courtesy of some friends of mine who took the pictures (yes I'll credit you both in the new edition) and partly thanks to an American photographer friend who is having fun tone mapping the images to create a composite without barbed wire, fence posts etc. Jeff, you'll be credited too.So now we have a tree - all detailed and looking lovely. This is real progress but it needs a nice spooky

Moving forward

2008-01-08T20:22:00.000Z

The new cover for The Portal Between is being designed as I type and I am hopeful that we can agree the final draft by the end of January. Then I can assign the ISBN number and begin to push it down the various distribution channels.It could hit Amazon by Easter if it all goes according to schedule and should then be available to order through a bookshop near you. In fact, if anyone feels like

Happy New Year!

2008-01-02T11:22:00.000Z

It's January 2nd and the New Year is here. A warm welcome to 2008, may you bring prosperity to us all.I'm starting work on the next Portal book today. The main writing is done and the story is essentially there, but I'm editing and rewriting now. The working title is "The Portal Sundered" and it picks up a short time after The Portal Between ended. It's going to take a while so don't go champing

Taking a break

2007-12-21T22:00:00.000Z

I hope everyone has the most wonderfully peaceful holiday.See you all in the New Year!

Characters are real people too.

2007-12-11T17:33:00.000Z

I mentioned Lily taking over the Portal stories, in this post.I started that story with a rough idea of genre and two main characters - Kate and Sam. I had no plot and no real idea of where the story was going. I was writing out my own personal demons and pouring heart and soul into the whole thing as a form of therapy. Oh and it was a dare that I couldn't resist...Anyway, I got to the point

I love this.

2007-12-04T12:14:00.000Z

OK, I've finished it - it was a real page-turner! what an achievement!Comments from people who read The Portal Between.I've finished it!! Hooray! Well not so hooray actually I'd like to read the sequel now please...Really good Sarah, I thank you!I suppose I'd better start pulling the sequel together now then? Right after I sign and send out the latest batch, make lunch, feed the kids, do the

Lulu.

2007-12-03T09:32:00.000Z

Ah yes, now where was I?So, you've got your manuscript ready, all formatted and looking great in a word document. You have your cover art sorted, or you think you'll be ok with a Lulu template. They have lots but bear in mind that anyone can use them, there will be other books with the same cover. You've also thought about and decided what kind of book you want.Now go and find the Lulu forums and

Yesssss!

2007-11-30T19:19:00.001Z

I did it again!That's the first 50,000 words of a sci fi story done, and in 30 days. I'm shattered but it's so worth it!

How Lulu works.

2007-11-25T21:17:00.000Z

My first book, The Portal Between, is self published through Lulu.This is how it works.You, the writer/creator/author create your work. You put all the graft in, you commit your words to the screen and save it carefully in several different places. You work on it, rewrite and edit it. You nurture this glorious creation of yours and a friend tells you that it really should be published. So you get

Writing Methods.

2007-11-21T14:03:00.000Z

I'm doing an OU course - Start Writing Fiction. I signed up because I thought my writing could use a bit of polish and maybe there were some techniques and tips that would work for me and help me improve. I'm always up for looking at new ways of doing things.So, the course started and the writing exercises are forced, stilted. I can do them and I'm getting good feedback for each piece. There's a

I'm a writer!

2007-11-20T22:31:00.000Z

A proper published writer!Just making and adding buttons so you can buy my book from here.

New blog

2007-11-20T14:00:00.000Z

Will play with layout and stuff later - This is a public one for MY BOOKS!!!