For much of June, as in previous months, I’ve been concentrating on one writing project, so I haven’t posted anything here since June’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group post, Story Ideas.

However, over the last few days of June, family members and carers were packing up our belongings in our trailer home with some guidance from my wife and me. The last Saturday in June, we were moved by Viking Medical Transportation to our new home in Nampa. We have downsized from a two-bedroom home to a bedroom and bathroom in my wife’s second son’s new home, bought with some of the money from our house sale.

We are now working out which belongings we can keep and where to put them. Some crucial items still need to appear, but they will eventually.

On the writing side, I’m slowly revising my North Wales police procedural, Fates Maelstrom. Having finished writing a chapter-by-chapter outline with improved plot lines, I can now return to editing, or rather revising, my 2018 draft.

My regular carer is a bit of a history buff and expressed interest in my Alternative History novel, Eagle Passage, so I’ve been revisiting that. Whenever I need the distraction of another project. I’m seriously considering revising my continuation of the Viking Age.

However, I can’t abandon my Ukraine saga, Freedom Flights, which remains on hold, probably until there is peace and an end to the horrendous war.

Slava Ukraini

Heroiam slava!

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Every month, IWSG announces a question that members can answer in their IWSG posts. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or a story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.

July 1 question – Is there anything you’d like to see changed, added, and/or rearranged about the book publishing industry?

As I’m finishing this on the morning of July 1st, my answer will have to be extremely rushed. Can self-publishing be improved as an option?

Having only self-published the second edition of Spiral of Hooves, I know little about this publishing avenue. Rather than struggle to convince a publisher that I’m a valuable investment, I’m considering self-publishing, as many authors are taking that route. I know some of you are doing this successfully.

At the moment, there seem to be a lot of poorly written self-published books out there. So, the market is flooded, and it’s hard to stand out. The answers seem to be better self-editing and revision, plus a greater commitment to marketing one’s own books. Due to my health and declining time, I’m beginning to realise that writing, editing, and marketing will take up more time than I have remaining.

Strangely, one of my carers is a self-published writer of fantasy and erotica, using the pen name Kataya Moon. Her solution is to sell her books on multiple sites, offer editing services, and ‘moonlight’ as a carer. To me, that is not a viable career path in my twilight years.

Can the industry develop better self-publishing avenues, or is there already a sensible, viable, and inexpensive route available?

As one IWSG co-host has suggested elsewhere, it all comes down to marketability.

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The awesome co-hosts for the July 1 posting of the IWSG are Rebecca Douglass, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Cathrina Constantine, and Jacqui Murray!

Finally, don’t forget to visit other writers via the IWSG site for their invaluable insights on writing:

Insecure Writer’s Support Group

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG, and our hashtag is #IWSG.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group Day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time – and return comments. This group is all about connecting!