Pen To Paper.

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  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I've added it to my collection of A P Bateman Novels. -{
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,648MI6 Agent
    stag wrote:
    If anyone is interested I've just started a Facebook group for ebook authors. It's aim is to help promote existing & new works by its members. I have opened the account under my pen name Adam Chance.
    If you're interested please sign up:

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/1724096974542095/

    It is also open to readers in order that they can see works which they otherwise may miss.

    I've just asked to join the group and added you on Facebook as well. Good luck with all this, stag! :) -{
    "The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
  • stagstag Posts: 2,083MI6 Agent
    Thanks. As you know I've just added you. Too many good creative people here (I'm not including myself) who deserve a platform on which to advertise their works. Also I hope people who read ebooks will add themselves to the group & point out ebooks they have enjoyed reading so they in turn can be enjoyed by others.
  • CoolHandBondCoolHandBond Mactan IslandPosts: 6,033MI6 Agent
    I'm not on Facebook. In fact AJB is the only online site I am signed up to apart from banking etc. I am a terrible technophobe I can't even load an avatar to my details here it says my picture needs to be reduced but I have no idea how to do it :)) :#
    Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
  • stagstag Posts: 2,083MI6 Agent
    I'm not on Facebook. In fact AJB is the only online site I am signed up to apart from banking etc. I am a terrible technophobe I can't even load an avatar to my details here it says my picture needs to be reduced but I have no idea how to do it :)) :#

    I have got past the basics. I am not on FB personally just via my pen name. Re the avatar (presuming you use windows):

    Right click on the image & select 'open with' then from the menu select 'paint'

    That will take you into the paint programme.

    In the top corner towards the left you will see some tools - one of them says 'resize'. click on this & it will allow you to reduce your image. You have to be fairly ruthless though - I think I reduced mine to about 10% of it's original size - but I suppose it all depends on what size the image is to start off with. Save the image then try to upload it as you avatar. If you get the message that it is too big just repeat the steps & reduce it further. Keep trying until the AJB system accepts it.

    Hope this helps.
  • CoolHandBondCoolHandBond Mactan IslandPosts: 6,033MI6 Agent
    Thanks for the heads up, Stag, I will try this later.
    Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
  • thesecretagentthesecretagent CornwallPosts: 2,151MI6 Agent
    stag wrote:
    My new book is out as an ebook and paperback on Amazon. Here's the link if anyone fancies an action filled espionage based read!
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lies-Retribution-P-Bateman-ebook/dp/B01EGG4I4M/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

    It's just .99p on kindle - if anyone buys it, a review would make this author extremely happy
    :)

    Good luck with this.

    Thanks!
    Amazon #1 Bestselling Author. If you enjoy crime, espionage, action and fast-moving thrillers follow this link:

    http://apbateman.com
  • thesecretagentthesecretagent CornwallPosts: 2,151MI6 Agent
    I've added it to my collection of A P Bateman Novels. -{

    Thanks once again - always after an Amazon review if you've got time.

    Thanks for your support! -{
    Amazon #1 Bestselling Author. If you enjoy crime, espionage, action and fast-moving thrillers follow this link:

    http://apbateman.com
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    No problem, they usually get in touch a few days after purchase for a review.

    I don't know if they do that with everyone, or just Me because I'm so lovely. :)
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • stagstag Posts: 2,083MI6 Agent
    Well I'm on the last leg of what has been a long journey. My main enemy as always remains the lack of time I can devote to this project & I find myself even busier than usual of late.

    The one thing I have realised is that I'm not working to a deadline with my book so - despite my frustration at not having time to devote to it - I have concluded that it will be ready when it's ready. In the meantime here's a sneak preview of the final cover design.


    A8_THE_ONE.jpg
  • CoolHandBondCoolHandBond Mactan IslandPosts: 6,033MI6 Agent
    I googled the name Adam Chance and he was a character in Crossroads 8-)
    Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I like it -{ my pen name will be Jacob Rand. ;)
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • stagstag Posts: 2,083MI6 Agent
    I googled the name Adam Chance and he was a character in Crossroads 8-)

    Correct! My mum was an avid viewer. That is where I took the pen name from because I always thought it sounded a good combination of names. The Main Character is of course called Harry Flynn (one I managed to make up all by myself)
  • CoolHandBondCoolHandBond Mactan IslandPosts: 6,033MI6 Agent
    stag wrote:
    I googled the name Adam Chance and he was a character in Crossroads 8-)

    Correct! My mum was an avid viewer. That is where I took the pen name from because I always thought it sounded a good combination of names. The Main Character is of course called Harry Flynn (one I managed to make up all by myself)

    I've never watched soap opera's (unless Dallas counts :)) ) but it's a great name!
    Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
  • stagstag Posts: 2,083MI6 Agent
    This is the man himself!


    204x315.jpg

    I figured if IF could do it with JB...................
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    "With great moustache, comes great responsibility !" :)
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • stagstag Posts: 2,083MI6 Agent
    My first choice of course was Benny Hawkins (from the same soap) but I decided against it!!!!! ;)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xq8MsQ0AcLo
  • Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,648MI6 Agent
    Good luck to you, stag. I know how difficult writing non-fiction can be at times so I can't begin to imagine how hard it must be to write fiction! :)
    "The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
  • stagstag Posts: 2,083MI6 Agent
    Good luck to you, stag. I know how difficult writing non-fiction can be at times so I can't begin to imagine how hard it must be to write fiction! :)

    Thank you. As mentioned I am just working on it as & when but I can see the finish post now (The book is actually completed & I'm into the final part of the last re-read/write & hyperlinking etc). Once it gets published I will be offering it for free to AJB members & I hope everyone who reads the thing enjoys it.
  • stagstag Posts: 2,083MI6 Agent
    If anyone is interested I was thinking about posting a few short extracts to illustrate Harry Flynn's attitudes towards women (remember it's set in WW2).
  • LexiLexi LondonPosts: 3,000MI6 Agent
    What about non-fiction writing?

    Has anyone got any tips on that?

    Non-fiction is the only type of writing I attempt these days and since 2005 I have been writing articles of various aspects of Bondology that I collect together at my research project The Bondologist Blog.

    Any advise on styles of writing non-fiction articles would be most appreciated. :) -{

    Hey SM...I'm a writing coach and run and own my own publishing company.

    Check out my site The Book Refinery (www.thebookrefinery.com) for articles on how to write non fiction...

    I'm currently working with 2 clients (coaching) and publishing 3 titles this month. Feel free to drop me an email if you need some help!

    I also design and layout books, ready for print.

    :x my job! -{
    She's worth whatever chaos she brings to the table and you know it. ~ Mark Anthony
  • Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,648MI6 Agent
    Lexi wrote:
    What about non-fiction writing?

    Has anyone got any tips on that?

    Non-fiction is the only type of writing I attempt these days and since 2005 I have been writing articles of various aspects of Bondology that I collect together at my research project The Bondologist Blog.

    Any advise on styles of writing non-fiction articles would be most appreciated. :) -{

    Hey SM...I'm a writing coach and run and own my own publishing company.

    Check out my site The Book Refinery (www.thebookrefinery.com) for articles on how to write non fiction...

    I'm currently working with 2 clients (coaching) and publishing 3 titles this month. Feel free to drop me an email if you need some help!

    I also design and layout books, ready for print.

    :x my job! -{

    Wow, thank you Lexi. I'll mull that over for sure! :) -{
    "The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
  • stagstag Posts: 2,083MI6 Agent
    Not being 'technologically aware' I have been struggling for some time with the issue of creating a new set of hyperlinks for my book. With the help of a you tube 'how to' video narrated by a bloke who shares an accent with JW Pepper I have finally cracked the code!

    All that remains is for me to do is polish the blurb & do a few other little jobs then set up an amazon account...........
  • stagstag Posts: 2,083MI6 Agent
    Someone advised me to make preparations for the publication of my book in order that is appears on the radar of as many people as possible. One of the suggestions I am currently implementing is to set up a blog. Because my book is set in WW2 I thought it would be helpful to give readers the opportunity to see photographs of the weaponry, vehicles & fashions of the day as mentioned in my book. I've already created a hyperlink at the end of the book which should take readers straight to the blog. When the detail is complete then I'll be ready to pull the trigger on the project.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Good idea, it's always interesting to see the context of when and where the story takes place.
    As well as the cars/Transport of the time.
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,648MI6 Agent
    Blogs are a very good idea as is promotion via Facebook and especially Twitter.
    "The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
  • stagstag Posts: 2,083MI6 Agent
    For anyone who is interested here's an as yet unseen extract from chapter two 'A Red File For Flynn'. I post it in order to demonstrate that I have placed (hopefully) subtle explanations about certain matters for those who would otherwise not know what I'm speaking about. It also illustrates Harry Flynn's attitude to women (remember this is 1942 & BTW he is n army Captain not a naval one)....


    .........The door which was his destination had the same 'Knock Before Entering' sign as the others. Failing to comply Flynn had his hand on the brass knob & pushed it open.

    He expected Mrs Hamilton to be occupying her usual position behind her desk to the right hand side of the room but instead she was at the opposite wall, flicking through the contents of one of the bank of grey metal filing cabinets which lined that side of the room. Flynn stopped briefly on the threshold & regarded her.
    Mrs Hamilton was in her mid forties but, as Flynn would often remark of ladies of similar vintage, was ‘remarkably well preserved’. She was tall, perhaps five feet eight, with a well curved figure & ample breasts. Her blonde hair was etched with strands of silver, swept back from her face & contained by a snood so it lay in the nape of her neck.
    Looking every inch the efficient secretary she was wearing a nicely tailored biscuit brown twill suit, with a skirt that ended just below the knee. The two inch heels on the brown suede shoes shaped her bare ankles nicely, giving Flynn pause for thought as his eyes wondered from shoe to hemline & back again.
    “Hello Mrs Hamilton.” Flynn said. She looked away from her work & returned his gaze.
    “Hello Captain Flynn.” She replied, the vermilion lipstick accentuating the beginnings of a smile which Flynn interpreted as an invitation to further conversation.
    Their eyes remained fixed on one another as each attempted to read the others thoughts. Flynn was under no illusion that she knew he coveted her &, despite – or perhaps even because – of the fact she was married, he remained determined to achieve his objective. She was delicious & he wanted her & was sure, despite her hard to get act, that the feeling was mutual.
    “I have something for you.” Flynn broke the silence &, after hanging his coat & hat on the stand by the door, reached into his jacket pocket. He slowly pulled out the thin white paper bag & took the few strides to place it in her hand. It had been folded at the edges & Mrs Hamilton carefully unwrapped the package then, with the tips of the thumb & forefinger, removed its contents. He watched her expression of surprise as the tan silk stockings partially unfolded themselves after escaping the bag.
    “I thought you might like them.” He smiled. “Besides which I could think of no better place to show them off than your legs. You do have the most wonderful legs Mrs Hamilton.”
    “Where on earth did you get these?” She said in genuine surprise, seemingly ignoring his remark while running the stockings though her fingers.
    “Ah, that would be telling.” Replied Flynn tapping his nose. “There are three pairs, I shall get more whenever you need them, gratis of course. You only have to ask.”
    Mrs Hamilton carefully folded the stockings & slid them back into the bag. Such items were simply unattainable due to clothing restrictions & that Flynn had managed to source no less than three pairs was little short of miraculous.
    “Thank you.” She smiled as she crossed to her desk, Flynn watched her all the way & all the while was thinking deep carnal thoughts. She seated herself then returned his gaze.
    “Perhaps you would wear them should you allow me to take you to dinner?” Flynn said.
    “Perhaps.” Mrs Hamilton replied with a soft purr. She let the word hang in the air as if to tease Flynn before leaning toward the intercom. Flicking the switch she said.
    “Sir Claude, Captain Flynn is here.”
    Flynn heard the slightly distorted.
    “Send him in.” And at the prompt he headed for the oak panelled door.
    “Wish me luck.” He said quietly.......
  • LoeffelholzLoeffelholz The United States, With LovePosts: 8,988Quartermasters
    Sounds interesting! {[] I'll try to find something appropriate to post from my work-in-progress.
    Check out my Amazon author page! Mark Loeffelholz
    "I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
    "Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
  • LoeffelholzLoeffelholz The United States, With LovePosts: 8,988Quartermasters
    It's a pity that stag isn't here anymore to mind this thread, which IMO is a worthy one, and so I'll do my bit to keep it from slipping into the Marianas Trench of unseen, unread threads in the "Off Topic" section. I'm hoping my friend---both on AJB, and outside of it---thesecretagent, AKA novelist A.P. Bateman, will also look in on it from time to time and provide stuff for the working or aspiring writers who spend time on this site.

    Here's a snippet from Chapter 4 of the in-progress "Storm Maker," the follow-up to "Blood & Ashes," featuring private eye Oscar Jade in 1942 Miami Beach, Florida:



    When you spend any length of time on a boat, especially when tied up to a dock, you become accustomed to the rhythm and routine of the sounds and motion: the gentle nudging of the craft against the fenders, the creaking of the mooring lines as they pull against the cleats, the barely-there slapping of calm water on the hull whenever a wake finds its way into the marina, the occasional hum of the bilge pump. Any sound that interrupts this pattern brings a pause, especially if you aren’t expecting company. And then you tend to pay close attention.

    It was that kind of sound: a footstep on the deck, perhaps, accompanied by a subtle but unmistakable interruption in the rocking of the boat.

    Oscar Jade’s right hand darted toward the bunk, and slid beneath the pillow. Waiting there was a blued-steel snub-nosed Smith & Wesson ‘Military & Police’ .38 Special, a weighty and welcome presence in the palm of his hand. Jade smoothly drew back the hammer until it made a decisive click. Wearing only his boxer shorts, he readied the weapon and slowly nudged the stateroom door open and peered down the passageway toward the lounge. He waited for another sound. Nothing.

    Jade held his ground just inside the stateroom doorway, weapon ready, and tried to figure who it might be. Not Billings; the cop always announced himself before he stepped aboard—precisely because he didn’t want to be shot dead by surprise. He considered a list of possibilities. Some of them were overdue. It was about time. Then come on! Let’s see what you got.

    The boat rocked gently at its moorings. Seconds stretched into half a minute. A line of sweat trickled down Jade’s right temple, ran along his jawbone and formed a drop at the tip of his chin. He wiped it against his bare shoulder, and kept his piece aimed at the doorway that led out to the fantail.

    Finally, a pair of black trousers and spit-shined black leather wingtips came into view, then came a three-piece black suit, a blood-red necktie, starched white shirt collar and a glimpse of a hard face topped by a black fedora with a grey band. Jade waited until the man’s body filled the doorway to the lounge, presenting a big target with many options, before he barked—in a loud and deliberately harsh voice—“Right there, fella!”
    Check out my Amazon author page! Mark Loeffelholz
    "I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
    "Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
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