DIY publishing in Vietnam

I have just discovered that I can get print-ready PDF files published in book form on single-book digital file basis here in Vietnam!

I researched self-publishing for the children's book I finished, and the lowest quotes came in at almost $2000. I can do the same job here for a fraction of that - the only difference being the lack of an ISBN number. How important is that? Well, for my purposes (a few sales to people I know and then review copies and carrots for a real publishing contract) this will do more than adequately. I'm quite excited - not least because I have three other children's book ready to go once I have sorted out illustrations.

Let's not get too carried away - this is Vietnam and I've only had email contact so far. Samples and definitive quotes to come next week...

Coming soon...

A children's full-colour picture book with a surprising twist. If getting a publisheer for an adult novel is hard, then finding one for a children's illustrated book is nigh on impossible. But I am hopeful, even so. The illustrator is a friend and parent of an ex-pupil. Out in time for Christmas 2007 is the aim... Watch, as they say, this space!

Moving On

We are leaving Vietnam. I’ll have to write that again. We are leaving Vietnam. I hear an ominous silence in my head. We arrived 6 years ago, engaged, with two suitcases. We shall leave married with two children, a cat, a stroller, 4 guitars, 2 computers, a 30 foot container of books and furniture and a house in France. And an attachment to this beautiful country which cannot be qualified or quantified. Fleur-Aimée still isn’t sure where she’s from (is it any wonder?) and will sometimes tell people she’s from Vietnam. Well, she is, bless her. She did answer ‘England’ yesterday, much to her mum’s Gallic disgust! But they were born and raised here – though it is odd to think that Calidore will almost definitely have no memories of the place.

Where next? We are waiting on responses from Chaing Mai in Thailand, Bonn in Germany and Zhuhai in China. Where would you go?

eBay

After a couple of disappointing 'no-takers', I've now sold a couple of copies of my book on eBay! OK, they sold at an appreciable loss - but it's all about exposure. Better being read at a loss to me than being sat in a dusty old box somewhere...

It's also helping me to build an email list for when Alpha to Omega comes out...

Enough. I am going to relax with couple of episodes of the original Star Trek series, a new DVD investment!

Chuc Mung Nam Moi

Happy New Year - Tet commences as The Year of the Dog wags its tail goodbye and The Year of the Pig promises prosperity and, hmm, not sure, truffles?

I sold 6 copies of 'IS' at a very low key singing, but it's a start. Getting closer to having 'Alpha to Omega' published too.

Where to next? Who knows....China? Thailand? Watch this space.

Stocked and Listed

'Is' is now listed on eBay.

It's being stocked in a bookshop called Buy The Book in Nottingham, courtesy of my brother's efforts. And the Oxfam shop there too! Humble beginnings...

I think I have now sold in excess of 200 copies. There have been Amazon orders as far afield as Melbourne, Dallas and London.

Book signings and reviews

It seems to have taken forever, but there is now a book signing lined up for next week and a review appearing in local press in March. Three bookshops in Saigon have agreed to 'stock' a few copies of the book on sale or return basis.

Nothing happening as yet in Cornwall. I wanted to arrange similar events for June whilst I could be there, but not being there now in person is a problem. So that's what agents are for!