Barcode Snafu

 So,

Another problem. There are always going to be problems. This is the fourth time I have gone to publish a book, and every single time, I have run into some type of issue I couldn't solve on my own. It's frustrating, even if it is somewhat expected. 

Anyway, the problem is that the barcode and ISBN (basically, the tracking number for my book) are not registered to my name. You might wonder how that is possible. I don't know! I have used the same service and account as the past to buy my ISBN and barcode, so I've got no idea why it went wrong this time.

My printer assures me that they have their support team working on it. However, it's been several days without an update. I hope to begin the cover reveal soon. 

Sorry this is taking so long!

Peace,

-Troy

Cover is in Revisions

Welcome everyone!

I have just a short update for you today. I’ve seen the first versions of the cover for my new book! They need some revisions, as always. Getting a cover done is a process. The cover artists are good, but they can never fully capture what I want on the first try. I’m sure that’s true for every self-published author.

The cover is the last piece to the puzzle before going to print. Once I have the final version, I can submit my book to the printer. Usually it takes a week or two to get the proofs back, but then, once the proofs are approved, I should be ready to fully publish. Expect to see the book in in stores in just a few weeks! Perhaps by mid-April!

Peace,

-Troy

 

Layout Done, Cover Next

Welcome everyone!

We are making great progress toward publishing my next book! I have received the layout files for it from the creator. They look great! I can’t wait for you to see them. To be clear, these are the interior pages of the book. As you know, I like to use some type of aesthetic to open my chapters. You can see an example below:

Just to be clear, the above image was from my second book, The Huntsman and the Vampire. That is NOT an image from my upcoming novel.

So now that the interior is done, I can make my cover request! You can’t really get a cover artist to do a good job until you now the page count for the book. And obviously, you won’t know the page count until the internal layout is done. I expect the cover will take another week or two. It’s hard to say. If you’re interested, I am having my cover done by a company called “GetCovers”. Below is an example of their work from another author:

Anyway, I don’t have too much to update you with today. This part of the production process is just slow. I have to wait on others to get their work done.

Be back soon!

Peace,

-Troy

 

A Happy Surprise - My Books in a Store!

Welcome everyone!

As an author, it’s never really been my goal to get my books into physical stores. Most book sales happen online anymore and my in-person events at libraries, schools, a local festivals have been incredibly successful. All that said, however, it would be hard to say just how it felt the other day when I walked into a bookstore, and I saw my series sitting on the shelf along side so many other books series out there. To have my name next to the names of other esteemed fantasy authors was both exciting and gratifying at the same time!

My next book should be out in just a few weeks, but regardless of what happens with it, I already feel like a success. And that’s not because I’ve had good sales, which I have, or because I’ve made a good profit, which I also have. The reason I feel successful is because real people have told me face-to-face that my books have meant something to them. Some have even told me my books have helped them through hard times. If I can write something that brings people happiness and comfort, I don’t think I need anything else. For me that is more than enough.

Peace,

-Troy

New Layout Has Been Commissioned

 Welcome everyone!

Today, I have a quick update on my upcoming book for you. I have officially hired a layout artist to begin putting together the interior of my book! Negotiating with the artist took longer than expected. I spent all of last week exchanging emails and sorting out the details. I didn’t think this would be very complicated (I have produced three other books, afterfall), but I guess it was! He need all sorts of details I hadn’t thought about. Ah well, my manuscript is submitted now, and I should have it back in about a week or so.

Submitting a manuscript to a layout artist still makes me nervous. I’m sure you would think that on the fourth book, I would be used to it by now. I’m not. When you submit a book like that, you are making the decision to forego any further changes to the text. It’s like crossing a threshold from which, there is no return.

Nevertheless, I will press on! After the layout is finished, I will be ablet to commission a cover. It is important to have the layout finished first since the cover artist needs to know how thick to make the spine. When it came to the Huntsman and the Heretic, I did the cover first and just estimated the pages. That decision caused a few problems with the dust jacket of the hardback on the first print run. I had to work closely with the printer to correct the problem. So this time, I learned my lesson.

I’ll be back soon with more updates and a surprise reveal concerning my new book. I’m not sure how everyone will react to it, but I am immensely excited to talk about it!

Peace,

-Troy

New Book is on the Way!

Welcome everyone!

I think I’ve kept you guys waiting long enough. I am pleased to announce that I have a new book coming out! A lot has changed for me since The Huntsman and the Heretic was released, and now that my next story is finished, I can finally talk to you about it.

Mid way through 2023 I decided that I needed to go back to college to pick up another degree. I have ambitions in my full time career (education) that could not be met with my current certifications. Going back to school so late in life is tough. People my age have a family, a home, and a career to manage. Fitting in full-time schooling is a challenge which basically requires you to sacrifice everything that isn’t truly necessary.

The problem is, though, I love writing books. I have never encountered anything more entertaining than creating my own fiction. Despite having to write research papers and complete case studies, I still wanted to create stories.

Somehow, someway, I was able to cobble together enough spare time to put words to page. Those around me who like to spend time with me basically had to say goodbye for most of 2024. I finished up my certification process last fall and finished my next book just this past January. 

Over the next few weeks I will be introducing it to you. I’m sure it will come as a surprise when I reveal all the details, and I can confidently say that this is the best thing I’ve written to date. If you’ve enjoyed anything in the Hunter’s Rose series so far, I think you’re going to love what I have in store for you!

Peace,

-Troy