The Guernsey Donkey

Guernsey, Rachel's Story is still doing well, as is The Causeway, but Rachel's Shoe continues to lead all the titles with the highest and most consistent sales every month.

My tongue in cheek short stories about The God Particle are also available now (see http://thebookawards.com/book/ )but the next big project is another occupation story, provisionally called The Guernsey Donkey.

The story, similar in style to the first part of Rachel's Shoe, will be released towards the end of this year or early in 2013.
Pete

Impact of Guernsey Sales

As Guernsey downloads in the USA topped 11,000 in February, over 6,000 in one day, Rachel's Shoe and The Causeway continue to attract their own customers.

Hundreds of copies have been selling every month for around a year and the sales have increased steadily, especially in recent weeks. The titles attract different customers, some of whom want to try Rachel's Shoe first and then go on to purchase The Causeway, others jump straight in with the slightly higher priced Guernsey.

Although paperbacks are still selling, Kindle sales now dwarf all other formats.

http://www.amazon.com/Guernsey-Rachels-Story-ebook/dp/B0074B5X32

Guernsey released in USA

A new volume has just been released in the USA that brings together Rachel's Shoe and The Causeway !

Guernsey - Rachel's Story is 434 pages and will also be available on Kindle very soon. The UK edition of the paperback will be published in 2012 but UK customers can still order it via Amazon for delivery here if they can't wait until next year! I hope you enjoy the complete story in one novel. 

Kindle Sales Outstrip Paperbacks!

In common with many other titles, sales of Rachel's Shoe and The Causeway on Kindle are now more than double those of traditional book versions.  Even the Harry Potter books are due to be released on Kindle, with J K Rowling set to benefit from the upsurge in Kindle sales - justifiably so, in my opinion.

A potential movie of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society should boost sales of Rachel's Shoe and The Causeway further, as interest is re-kindled (if you'll forgive the pun!) in the occupation of the Channel Islands.

The industry is going through some seismic shifts but it's still great to be writing and enjoying the fact that everyday people somewhere are buying or borrowing my books and hopefully enjoying them!

The collaborative novel Passage to Redemption is also now available and I'm working on a very different story that should be published by the end of this year or early next.

Thank you again for your support in buying and recommending my books!
Pete

The Causeway is now Available!

In both paperback and Kindle eBook formats, on both sides of the Atlantic, the sequel to Rachel's Shoe is finally available.

I very much hope you enjoy the story as it follows on from events at the shareholders' meeting in Munich, but soon returns to the Channel Islands.  This time, there is more of the story set in the islands of Alderney, Sark, Jersey, and of course my namesake; Lihou, as well as Guernsey and Herm.

Without wanting to give too much away, there is an unexpected twist which I hope will surprise and delight you!

You can follow the links on this page to find the paperback or Kindle versions at both Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. Other outlets around the world will be stocking in due course.

The worldwide collaboration project also concluded with the release earlier this month on Kindle of Passage to Redemption. Although the UK side of Amazon is not ready yet, the paperback or Kindle version can be purchased from Amazon.com. These, and other Acclaimed Books titles, can be found at www.acclaimedbooks.com/best. 

If you don't have a Kindle Reader, you can download some software to read Kindle books on your PC or Apple Mac. This should be on Amazon as well.

The next story now looms and I have already started working on it - watch this space for more details!

The sequel is now ready, just a few days to go!

All the files are edited and ready for publication so the book will be available on Amazon in just a few days.

The Causeway really is a family affair. Not only is part of the story set on Lihou Island, but the editing was done by my wife; who now runs a small business, editing books professionally. Gill has done a fantastic job and I'm very grateful to her, especially as she didn't charge me; although I suspect I'll pay in kind!

To top it all, my son is studying Graphic Design in preparation for University and he provided the cover photograph and design. You can see Sam's work for yourself above - pretty good eh?

As for the story, I really hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

I will, of course, let you know as soon as it is actually available on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk but as soon as it's listed, Amazon will be able to deliver. The other distribution channels around the world will follow shortly after.

I'm sixty this month so it's a great birthday treat to see the sequel to Rachel's Shoe finally released!

The Causeway nears release!

Several months after the release of Rachel's Shoe, the sequel has finally been written.

A novella, The Causeway takes an unexpected route from the conclusion in Rachel's Shoe but I won't spoil your enjoyment by saying any more about the story itself. Suffice to say it's set once more in the Channel Islands with more than a passing mention of the island that shares my name!

The first complete draft is now undergoing editing and the final product should be available during November from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. Traditional book shops will also be able to order from the release date and a Kindle version will follow soon after the paperback release.

I very much hope you enjoy the follow up to my original story which, I'm pleased to say, has sold well and received positive feedback from all over the world.

The next project is now under way and promises to be quite a surprise for those of you who have enjoyed my books so far. It is a comedy with some rather unusual characters but again, I'll keep my powder dry about the story for now!

You can also follow me on Twitter if you wish, the address is http://twitter.com/#!/GuernseyPete and please feel free to drop me a line if you would like to know more about any of my projects or that all important release date!

That's about it for now

Pete

Now available on Kobo!

Good news for fans of Kobo, the platform independent ebook seller. Rachel's Shoe is now available for download internationally at www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Rachels-Shoe .

The Causeway is progressing well and on target for release this autumn. The story is even taking me by surprise as it unfolds before me. I always work to a plan but sometimes the book takes a life of its own!

The writer's proof copy of Passage to Redemption will also be available imminently.  As the authors are all around the world, we thought this would be a great way for them to carry out a final proof reading and the many fans of the project to get a limited circulation copy in advance of the main release. It will be on sale before the end of this month on Amazon.com.

Back to the keyboard now to find out what happens next in The Causeway!

Pete

Busy days!

Thanks to launcestonparishwildlife.org.uk

July has been quite a month. Since my last post, we have sold our house in Guernsey and moved to the countryside in Cornwall, on the edge of Bodmin Moor.

Our house is in a very rural location just around the corner from the view on the left. Quite different from Guernsey but also close to the River Tamar where I plan to keep 'Sea Spray' and enjoy sailing on both the river and the sea beyond. 

It was quite a decision to leave the ancestral home but lately we've found the tranquility of old Guernsey more and more elusive.

The end of July also saw my beautiful daughter's wedding! (You can see the photos on the following link). http://timlanglois.e-printphoto.co.uk/search/scu/p/u/151735/4/andy%20_%20natalie%20richards

With the excitement over, I'm now back at the keyboard working on the sequel!

Pete

Latest news on the sequel and progress on TV series

Guernsey is once again the main setting for the sequel to Rachel's Shoe although the other Channel Islands also get a look in! Without giving too much away, I can also reveal that my namesake 'Lihou Island' will feature in the story which takes it's name, The Causeway from the 'sometimes' island.


I'm currently working on Chapter 7 and making good progress now that I've given up the day job to focus on writing. The cover picture is still being worked on but should turn out quite similar to the image on the shown above. I had hoped to complete the sequel this summer and that may still be possible but I have a house move to deal with in the meantime so please bear with me, I will do my best!

This week script writer Ron Blicq is in Guernsey and we hope to finalise the first part of the TV screenplay for Rachel's Shoe before he returns to Canada. He has done a splendid job in bringing the characters to life in his interpretation of the novel.

Last week I was very pleased to meet two of my customers from Hungary, two from the USA and one from Scotland along with her husband. It is always a great pleasure to meet, share a coffee and converse with people who have enjoyed my novel and I would like to pass on my best wishes to them and say a big 'thank you' for looking me up.

Acclaimed Books Publishing has now taken over all the printing and distribution of Rachel's Shoe from Libros International (the former publisher) and will also publish The Causeway which will ensure the minimum delay once the manuscript is completed, in making it available through the usual outlets. Initially, this will be Amazon and by direct order from any book shop.

That's all for now, I'll keep you posted with the progress.
Pete

Change afoot in the Channel Islands!

Yesterday was officially my last day in paid employment so now I can devote more time to finishing the sequel to Rachel's Shoe!

My plan is to release 'The Causeway' this summer through the new publishing imprint 'Acclaimed Books'. It will be available straight away internationally from Amazon and shorty after in Kindle version, although I have to say my paperback sales still out-sell the eBook version by a wide margin.

I will, of course, announce the release date here as soon as I can confirm it. So stay tuned!
Pete

Kindle version Available!

Latest News....

Amazon.com have now released the Kindle version of Rachel's Shoe which sells for just under $12! It can be downloaded from anywhere in the world at the following link;

Rachel's Shoe on Kindle

New Publisher!

Rachel's Shoe publishes on a brand new imprint!

The new publisher will not only provide extended distribution and availability across the world, but also a Kindle eBook version available by downloading from Amazon.com.

In addition, the sequel will be available earlier as it is already slated for publication as soon as it's completed.

This news coincides with the submission of Rachel's Shoe for the TV Book Club Summer Read list which should be broadcast on network TV in a few months time.

As ever, I'm grateful to those readers who have contacted me to say they've enjoyed reading my novel or written reviews on Amazon, they are greatly appreciated (even the one who didn't like it!).

Pete

Guernsey Sunshine!

It's a beautiful sunny day here in Guernsey, which for February is a welcome change!

The challenge will be to get as much writing done as possible before the summer months when 'Sea Spray' will be back in the water and competing for my attention.

Three chapters of the sequel to Rachel's Shoe are now complete and the story is developing as I would wish. I'm very conscious of the need to provide a story which strongly appeals to those who enjoyed Rachel's Shoe but at the same time to move on and introduce new characters. I also hope to strike the right balance between excitement and character depth in the story.

Without wishing to give too much away, there will be an intersting personal touch as I use Lihou island for part of my setting. Not too many authors have an island of the same name to include in their stories!

If you wish to keep track of the progress to find an agent or publisher for our collaborative novel 'Passage to Redemption', a website has been started but is still 'under construction'. Nevertheless you can see some of the deatils at http://www.passagetoredemption.com/ and don't forget to call in to http://www.rachelsshoe.com/ every so often will you?

Bye for now

Pete

Happy New Year from Guernsey!

2010 starts with a bang as the collaborative novel project concludes its creative phase and the sequel to Rachel's Shoe once more claims the lion's share of my writing time. I have been impatient to get back to the story and the many twists and turns I have in store.

However, there is still a great deal happening with the original as the award winning play writer Ron Blicq is working hard on the script at his home in Canada ready for submission as a TV serialisation. You can imagine, I'm sure, how I'm looking forward to reading the script.

I will, of course, keep you posted on the progress but in the meantime I thought you might like to know about one or two of the 'factional' threads in Rachel's Shoe. Did you know, for example, that the raid on the Casquets Lighthouse by British Commandos really did take place? Further, whilst authors often preface their story with a disclaimer about characters being fictional, Reiner was based upon a real person who worked in the kitchen of the Royal Hotel after the war and was believed to be ex-Gestapo.

Rachel's Shoe is full of accurate details but also includes a little artistic licence for the sake of the story - I'll leave you guessing what that might be!

Pete

Season's Greetings!

It's now just a few days over one year since Rachel's Shoe was published and copies have gone out over the months to the far corners of the World (not that the World has corners!).

It's been highly rewarding to receive the positive feedback I have been given and this has encouraged me to work on the sequel as well as investigate a screen version of the novel. I hope to bring you news on both of those initiatives in the New Year.

So to everyone who has read my debut novel, a huge thank you and may I wish you a very happy Christmas and New Year!

Pete

Surprise in Somerset!

Yesterday was an interesting one for me.

Firstly, I was approached by the organisers of Guernsey's Liberation Day celebrations for next year, the 65th anniversary, and asked if I would be a guest speaker at one of the events as well as do a reading from Rachel's Shoe in the marquee on the Albert Pier in St Peter Port.

I was, of course, delighted to accept the invitation and honoured to be asked.

Later in the day, I received an email from an old friend (and formally a boss of mine!) who suggested I make a surprise telephone call to his wife last night. Intrigued?

The reason was that her book club, based in the beautiful English County of Somerset, were all gathered at his home to discuss Rachel's Shoe having read it over the previous weeks. They hadn't anticipated a call from the author during their discussions and I'm both pleased and relieved to say it was a pleasant surprise!

But it is I who should be grateful as it was lovely to catch up with old friends and especially rewarding to know how much the club enjoyed my book.

Needless to say, the question of a sequel came up and I was happy to confirm that plans are in place!

Pete

Rachel's Shoe - USA!

It's now almost ten months since the release date of Rachel's Shoe. Amazing how the days go by!

The interest in Rachel's Shoe has been immense especially in the US and (of course) the local Channel Islands. Enquiries come in every day from all around the world and I've had the pleasure of posting hundreds of copies to many far away places - which is very satisfying.

Why so much interest ?

I guess an unknown author like me living on a small island in the English Channel would struggle to get noticed even if he possessed the literary skills of William Shakespeare! But fortunately the big guns of publishing were already telling the world about 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society' and that has sparked international interest in the period and location of my 'little old' local story.

Appetite duly whetted and perhaps seeking a non-epistolary drama in the same period, Rachel's Shoe seems to have provided the perfect 'next read' for those many people who enjoyed the setting described by so eloquently by Mary Ann. But alas, despite the interest, it hasn't been easy to obtain a copy on Amazon since the release date.

Not until now, however! This weekend, my publishers are putting in place the arrangement to print and supply direct from Amazon.com. With 'in stock' availability the delivery lead time will be slashed along with postal charges for US customers.

Last week, the supply side through Amazon.co.uk was addressed so that UK, Channel Islands and worldwide customers could also buy for immediate delivery.

This blog is now also being posted directly onto my author's page on Amazon.com, but for those who have seen the earlier posts, the movie discussions about Rachel's Shoe have not yet been concluded but I will let you know if or as soon as there is news.

eBook, Audio book, Worldwide sales & more!

It's been a little while since my last post but plenty has been happening.

First of all, you may have noticed that an eBook version of Rachel's Shoe is now available for downloading. It's in PDF format which means although it can be read on almost anything, the file size is quite large at roughly 7 Megabytes.

In production at the moment is an Audio Book which will also be downloadable! Watch this space for news on when it will be available and details of the professional team behind it.

At long last, it has become possible to purchase Rachel's Shoe on Amazon for delivery anywhere in the world. This is currently through Amazon.co.uk but Amazon.com should follow soon which will mean more choice for customers and with lower postage costs, a little more profit for me!

On the subject of Amazon, would you like to help me promote Rachel's Shoe? Positive reviews on Amazon make a lot of difference to a book's success and are greatly appreciated but if you are tight for time, it also helps to just tick the 'Tags' on Amazon which tell other customers what Rachel's Shoe is about. The most relevant tags are 'Guernsey', 'Fiction' and 'Novel' but you can vote for any or all just by clicking on what is already there or add your own. Many thanks if you are able to help.

Last but not least, 'Passage to Redemption' to now nearing completion with just one more chapter to write. This is the collaborative novel I have been writing with twelve others who have never met each other and come from all around the world. Very soon we will be searching for a publisher and with that project completed, I can return to the long awaited sequel to Rachel's Shoe!

I wish you all well!
Pete

Rachel's Shoe interview on Channel TV

The TV interview was screened tonight and a link is enclosed below so you can see it.

Channel Report at 6:00pm


I hope to get permission to include the clip here so it will be easier but in the meantime this link should stay live for a few weeks I believe.

Can you spot my 'deliberate' mistake!

Pete