The African king Cetshwayo in London

In August 1882, the Zulu king Cetshwayo came to London. The British had deposed him from his rightful status as Zulu king and forced him into exile. He came to London hoping to petition the British government against his continued exile and the threatened incorporation of KwaZulu territory into the white settler colony of Natal.   

This report (in 'Black Victorians - Black Victoriana', edited by Gretchen Holbrook Gerzina) fascinated me. I knew there was a story in there. But did I have the skill to write about the Zulu king? I eventually decided that I did not, and instead devised a story about a visit by a young prince from a fictional West African country. That resulted in a novella. But the situation, a royal visitor from a port country exploring London, had great potential. I am presently writing a sequel, and am drafting notes for a third story set in the Great War.  

Novella - African Ambassador

 I have just published my new steampunk novella 'African Ambassador'. It is set in London and West Africa at the end of Queen Victoria's reign. The first draft was a straight historical fiction story, but I rewrote it as fantasy because I realised that a historical novel would not sell.

I added another storyline about the goddess of the River Thames, poisoned by industrial pollution.  

i am still struggling with the advertising campaign. I cannot think of the appropriate tagwords to use. 

Legal Deposit Libraries

 I have received an email from the Legal Deposit Libraries. They are exercising their legal right to request 5 copies of my novel, 'The Russian Conspiracy'. This is in addition to the copy that I have to send to the British Library. It is a sort of tax, but one that every author has to pay. 

It is also recognition that I am a published author.

Book title problem

 One of my novels is titled 'Greeks bearing gifts' This is a quotation: the 'gift' in question was the Trojan horse, and brought disaster to the Trojans who accepted it.

Amazon has now told me that the title is not acceptable to them. It contains the word 'gifts'. Apparently, Amazon is worried that potential buyers will assume that I am trying to give the book away free, which is against Amazon's rules. They seem unaware that this quotation is world-famous. 

I have removed the book's subtitle. Hopefully, this will appease Amazon's automated editors.  

Addition to 'Telepaths' series: The Arab Grimoire

 The latest novel in my 'Royal Telepaths' series, 'The Arab Grimoire', has been published on Kindle. A paperback version will be available shortly.

The Guild of Magicians in London wants to learn about the Arab tradition of magic. And they know you can find anything in Baghdad’s weekly book market. Constance, fluent in Arabic, is studying the science of the caliphate, and owes the Guild a favour. 

In Baghdad, the police barricades have been removed, the nightclubs have reopened. But there are still kidnappings. The militias are still active. There are violent protests outside the American embassy. The local magicians are secretive – and resent foreign intruders.

But, for Constance, the worst hazard is the anarchy of the annual fashion show.

New novel: The Strategist

 The fourth novel in my 'Empire of Gaul' series has been published on Kindle. It is set in Europe, in the Middle Ages, just as the empire of Charlemagne is collapsing. A British general, Kay, is hired by the new emperor to defend the frontiers against Viking and Arab pirates.

Kay is married to a German princess. He painfully aware that a fine mind is just as important on a campaign as courage and a strong sword arm. He has doubts about his own abilities. 

A key element of the story is that Kay's wife, Bridget, accompanies him on his campaigns  gives him advice on tactics and strategy.

Poor sales - how should I respond?

 I have put a new title on Amazon, the third in a series. I have started a new advertising campaign, to publicise that series. But sales have been low.  

All of these are fantasy titles. Is that why they have failed? Should I adopt a new strategy? 

One option would be to start a new series, one that is straightforward adventure rather than fantasy.

But that is a huge commitment. The first book would take months. And all the expert advice says an individual book will not sell - you need a series. So I would be committing myself to at least a year's writing output. 

But it could be the best option.