The Next Big Thing after The Next Big Thing
By Joe | December 19, 2012
I’ve been kindly asked to participate in a global writerly project called ‘The Next Big Thing. Naturally the next big thing is the End of the World, so this is really The Next Big Thing After The Next Big Thing. It’s where writers from different parts of the planet answer the same ten questions about a work in progress.
The writer who passed the baton on to me was the very talented (and equally amiable) Karin Bachmann. You can nosey into her background and writing here.
So here goes:
What is the working title of your book?
Even More Ketchup than Salsa. Took me ages to come up with that one. I mean, what else could you call a sequel to More Ketchup than Salsa? Answers on a postcard please.
Where did the idea come from for the book?
Surprisingly it came from the first one. More Ketchup than Salsa covered the first six months of our calamitous career in overseas catering. Even More… continues the story and guarantees more laughs and even more tears. Ok… maybe not guarantees… but certainly ‘tries very hard to provide…’
What genre does your book fall under?
Humour. And Travel. It’s a kind of humorous travel narrative. With romance.
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie?
Martin Freeman for me, and Joanna Page (Stacy in Gavin & Stacy) for Joy.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
A young, inexperienced couple borrow money to forsake a career in fish entrails on a cold British market for life as British bar owners abroad.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
Currently talking to agents so watch this space.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
First draft of More Ketchup took six months. First draft of Even More Ketchup is taking several lifetimes and is still not complete. Yet.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Driving Over Lemons, but for the everyday man.
Who or What inspired you to write this book?
Bill Bryson… author, wit and God-like genius with words.
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
It’s all true.
I now pass the baton to the marvelously talented and slightly deranged Tony James Slater, author of recommended funny read ‘That Bear Ate My Pants‘.
Topics: General musings | 2 Comments »
The Making of Even More Ketchup than Salsa
By Joe | October 25, 2012
Well who would have thought writing a sequel was so difficult… and wallet-draining!
Despite rash promises that the follow-up to More Ketchup than Salsa would be ready June, July, August, October and now Christmas… my little stubby fingers can’t work fast enough to finish other projects and put the finishing touches to the sequel. On top of that, the expense involved in launching a sequel properly is more than I anticipated… so, I had two choices; finish it in my spare time and launch it quietly, or block out some time by turning down other projects and launch it with enough of a bang that it can compete with the big boys of publishing on even ground.
Having decided on the big bang theory, I’ve launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise some funding for such things as professional editing, cover design, marketing and print costs. I have no idea how it will work, but basically anybody that can help either by supporting the cause with a pledge and/or by spreading the word will be richly rewarded with anything ranging from a personal and public social media thanks to having your name appear in the book to actually appearing as a character in the book. If you’re a business, you can even take out a full page ad at the back of both the print and Kindle book.
Anyways, if you’d like to learn more head on over to my Indiegogo campaign and join Team Author’ toute de suite… if not tooter.
And a mighty big thanks if you do decide to get involved. My love for you will grow immensely.
Topics: General musings, More Ketchup than Salsa | No Comments »
Doh! Giving it away!
By Joe | September 12, 2012
As much as it pains me, I’m giving away the Kindle version of my bestseller, More Ketchup than Salsa, today and tomorrow as a promo experiment through Amazon’s KDP Select programme. Time will tell if it was a master stroke of marketing or a complete dumb-ass way to bring attention to the book.
For those who do download it for free, don’t feel any pressure whatsoever to leave a review and click that little ‘Like’ button at Amazon.co.uk, .com, .es etc. It only took me six months of blood, sweat and toil to churn out 100,000 words (mostly in the right order), open my soul to the public humiliation of cocking up bar ownership and face the wrath of those numpties named and shamed in the book.
So no… don’t feel you have to give anything at all back, not even for the £1.99 I’ve saved you. £1.99 that would have gone to paying the bills, feeding my kids and that sort of thing. Today, when my kids sit at the table in front of an empty soup bowl, I’ll explain that I ‘gave away’ my book, and thus their food… just because I’m a nice guy… not at all because I want something back. I’m sure they’ll understand.
But if I find out that you have downloaded my book for free, depriving my kids of food for a day and NOT left a review and clicked the ‘Like’ button… well, let’s just say Sam and Molly Blue will have you in their Nerf gun sights. Just saying.
Topics: General musings, More Ketchup than Salsa | 9 Comments »
I need you!
By Joe | July 23, 2012
Would be mighty obliged if you could take a minute to head over to 50 Kisses, take a quick read of my 2-page screenplay then vote using the stars at the top… and even leave your thoughts in the comments bit if you’ve got a bit of spare time.
Not going to spoil it for you, but the plot involves murder, suicide and Valentine’s Day all in two pages!!
Click and vote here… this writer needs you!
Topics: General musings | No Comments »
Tenerife fires
By Joe | July 20, 2012
Normally nice and quiet up here in the Tenerife mountains, but not during the last few days. Due to the mountain fires behind us the skies have been awash with helicopters and hydro planes on constant rotation trying to quell the flames.
Every five minutes I get a nice refreshing shower courtesy of the spillage from the underhanging buckets. Not much chance to get any writing done with all the excitement, but hats off to Tenerife’s firemen (mostly volunteers) who have worked day and night to get the situation under control. Thankfully they now seem to be winning.
This is a little video taken from my garden showing the helicopters queueing up to dip in a water tank on the other side of the barranco.
Topics: General musings, Tenerife | 3 Comments »
Amazon Kindle Marketing Tips
By Joe | April 14, 2012
With More Ketchup than Salsa currently riding high in the Amazon UK Kindle charts…
Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #264 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
- #3 in Kindle Store > Books > Nonfiction > Travel
- #3 in Books > Travel & Holiday
- #10 in Kindle Store > Books > Humour
…I’ve been asked to post a few tips as to how to market your book for this medium.
But first, I think it’s worth mentioning just what a jolly good fellow Amazon Kindle is for authors.
Self-publishing has been around since the first slab of stone was etched and passed round grunting hunters. Thankfully, it’s evolved a little now.
Up till around two or three years ago, ‘proper’ authors viewed the DIY lot with about as much regard as something they found soiling their sandals. But many contracted authors are wishing they hadn’t signed their lunch vouchers over to publishing houses. And why? Because it’s so damn easy to self-publish… and perhaps more importantly, is potentially a lot more rewarding.
Compare the standard 10-12% royalty rates with a publishing house paperback with the 70% royalties you get from Amazon Kindle. Also bear in mind that you can have a whole library of your works for sale on the same electronic shelf, not be at the whim of a publishing house who like to do things one very small step at a time.
Naturally, as with any ‘business’, marketing is the key. Which brings me back to the point of this post… ‘finally’, I hear you sighing!
AMAZON MARKETING TIPS FOR KINDLE #1
Get some reviews on your book page. Ideally those that don’t say your a book is a load of crap. Badger friends, family, work colleagues and your pets. When you’ve amassed a few, make sure you put them above the production description blurb (see the link to my page on Amazon below). Unfortunately, even though you as the author might think your writing is the best thing since Mothers Pride, it’s what other’s think that holds most weight. So make sure your prospective buyer has the ‘others think it’s good box’ ticked straight away.
#2 coming soon.
You can buy More Ketchup than Salsa for your Kindle here, or for your ipad, iphone, pc/laptop and other reading device here.
Topics: General musings, Writing tips | 4 Comments »
Wordle for More Ketchup than Salsa
By Joe | April 3, 2012
I’ve just created a Wordle for my Kindle book More Ketchup than Salsa!
Why?
I have no idea. But it seemed like a good idea at the time. And it’s kind of pretty.
More Ketchup than Salsa: Confessions of a Tenerife Barman.
Topics: General musings | No Comments »
Bitter and Twisted
By Joe | February 23, 2012
Not a big fan of cabaret shows in Tenerife (or anywhere else for that matter), mainly because they’re usually hosted by some Willy Wonderthroat who thinks the sun shines out of his every orifice, and also because frankly, most of them here are crap.
So it was with much dubious trepidation that I accepted an invitation to The Decades Show at Vivo Treasure Island, slap bang in the middle of Las Americas. Now the problem with being invited and hosted is that the organiser usually expects some glowing report that will cajole a few other punters to mosy along and part with hard cash. But as with any ‘free lunch’, what do you do if the show was diabolical?
Thankfully, this show wasn’t. In fact, it was pretty darned good… in most places.
You can always judge a venue by its toilets and on this score Vivo gets top marks for definitely the classiest bathrooms in Playa de las Americas (5* hotels excepted). The pre-show drink on the terrace is also a nice touch, though being served a meal before the show drags the evening on a little bit, despite the good quality food and service. With pre-show photos, pre-show aperatif and pre-show meal, the actual show seems a long time coming. However, when it does come it’s hilarious.
I’ve never seen the stars of the show, Bitter and Twisted (aka John Sharples and Barry Pugh) before even though they’ve been on the island for years. Combining classic clown timing and outrageous panto these are two of the funniest people you’re ever likely to watch in Tenerife. I’m not normally a laugher, more of a titterer, but B&T had me crying, particularly with the ‘Should Have Been Me’ sketch. I don’t know if that was an original skit, but it was worth the entrance price just for that alone.
A dance trio perform in-between each routine which didn’t quite work for me. Yes, the theme is Decades, and yes they danced admirably through the various years, but it makes the show feel like a series of high quality routines stitched together with a mismatching thread. The lulls in the show were when John and Barry left the stage and the dancers twirled on. Judging from the amount of lighting production spared on the dancers, it would seem that the producers of this show also just see them as space fillers, which is a shame.
Having said all that, the actual venue, the organisation and indeed Bitter and Twisted are exceptionally good and I would have no hesitation in recommending it as one helluva funny night.
Topics: Reviews, Tenerife | No Comments »
El Hierro volcano
By Joe | November 6, 2011
Image courtesy Jose Bordon Tejera, a resident of El Pinar, El Hierro
Well, things are hotting up in El Hierro… if you’ll excuse the pun. From my perch on the western hills of Tenerife, I can see nothing but a dim outline of the island 60 miles away. No sign of any volcanic activity, no impressive funnel of steam and cloud reaching skywards, and no post-bonfire night sparks lighting up the November nights.
All that might be about to change though.
As is usual in this neck of the woods, forthcoming information has been ‘mixed’ to say the least. Naturally, those charged with the responsibility of juggling minimal panic and personal safety while ensuring economic stability while for the island and islanders have been a little reticent to say a fully fledged volcanic eruption is about to take place.
Others take a more prophetic view, some going as far to say that 11/11/11 is the day New Yorkers and their eastern seaboard bretheren should take a step or two away from the coast as a mighty tsunami is America-bound courtesy of a substantial chunk of El Hierro plopping into the sea.
Truth is, nobody’s really sure what is going to happen, although I believe El Hierro resident Raymond Matabosch might have it just about right on his blog post over at earthquake report.
Either way, the next few days should be very interesting and I’ll report back if our tiniest island starts throwing out the big stuff.
Topics: General musings | No Comments »
If Carlsberg operated airlines…
By Joe | June 29, 2011
Binter - a proper airline
Just had the fortune to take to the skies with one airline that I actually enjoy flying with – Binter Canarias. This little island-hopper takes me back to the days when passengers weren’t considered to be a disturbance in the routines of cabin crew, a thorn in the arse of check-in staff and generally herded around like particularly dumb cattle. So why do I like them?
- They make an effort to make the (short) flight an enjoyable experience
- The cabin crew don’t treat the passengers like unwelcome gatecrashers at some insider party
- Although you’re only in the air for a short while, they still have time to hand out chocolate wafers, sweets and water
- Call me sexist but all the crew are attractive and make an effort with their appearance (unlike some other airline crews who could do with more than a bucketful of slappy
Shame they don’t do UK flights as I’m pretty darned sick of being treated with disdain by the likes of the infamous no-frills airlines. If they carry on the way they are doing, and keep winning the award… who knows, perhaps they will expand their routes and more people can see how airlines should treat their passengers… and get free chocolate wafers.
Well done Binter.
Topics: General musings, Tenerife, Travel | No Comments »