By this blog title I am nor referring to its size but its outcome.
I have mentioned here before that my carefully laid plans for my most successful book launch to date have been laid bare and hopelessly exposed. And yet I could not be prepared for the ice berg that awaited me on 29th July…
On the way to Heathrow with Tom, I receive an email from Amazon – along the lines… “…the paperback of I’Gabriel has been rejected. Your cover size is incorrect. Please add .0123″…”
In a mild/full-blown panic made worse by trying to get on-line at the airport – Tom introduces me to a ‘hotspot’ for the first time – and in doing so genuinely in my eyes becomes a superhero. I have Raef (my go to man for all things tech) on the phone – who in turn is on to Lion Logos – who might/will be able to make the necessary moderations to the jacket – as I wait helpless and completely impotent with my laptop precariously balanced on my raised knee. And it is not lost on me that I am standing outside a WH Smith book shop – full of authors who have no such drama in their lives. How boring and blinking wonderful.
Just ahead of boarding, the new file is received from raef (Via Lion – huge thanks to them) which I upload to the site – maybe in time to catch the US book buyers I hope.
When I land, I receive an email from a young man called Jack Williams – “your book can’t be paid for…”
From a mate – “Your book is saying a delivery of three weeks.”
From another mate – “I can’t get the kindle to download – just the sample…”
It is a disaster. The ice berg is fully struck – and I am taking on water – and yet I decide that being sanguine is the only way forward. It is funny, I say to myself. And typical and appropriate that I should cock things up so royally. After all, I’m a comedian – not an author.
And even though I keep checking the various websites for news of progress and something to cling on to…
I can’t help thinking to myself that from this most notorious maritime disaster came an epic movie with epic success and the same fate might await I’,Gabriel and although I will be long gone by this time – that the future Hollands will herald me and all will be well…
My thanks (again) to Raef and to Lion Logos – and all the people who have managed to get hold of a copy to date… I believe all issues have now been resolved but I am ready and fully expecting more glitches to come.
I,Gabriel by Dominic Holland – available now(ish) in paperback and ebook at amazon.co.uk – and amazon.com
I’m from the US and I got your book yesterday with zero issue. I can’t wait to start reading.
okay – this is good news – now just for the reading it part. Gulp
I’d like to let you know that I am from the US and I just received your copy moments ago with no issues. I am beyond excited to begin reading!
I can understand how stressed you must be, but keep up the amazing work! I hope all goes smoothly from here on out.
good to hear, thanks.
onwards
Hi there,
I would just like to let you know that l, although there is obstacles in your path, you are doing great!! “The struggles, challenges, and obstacles that it takes to succeed in life is what makes success more valuable. Nothing great comes easy, and nothing easy can ever equate to greatness.”
I hope this helps and that you don’t give up. I believe in you, your family is right behind you and so is the rest of your supporters.
Have a lovely day/evening (I’m in Australia. Not sure what time it is over there haha).
Kindest regards,
Emily Kate Corry.
and tomorrow we are enemies for the duration of The Ashes. Hi to down under.
While it must be so so stressful for you to go through, it does make for good comedy and is alleviating some of my stress as the summer winds down and the life of a teacher is just around the corner. I hope, however, there are no more glitches and all goes well from here on out!!
Glad you were able to fix it! I made an animation for your book release for your social media that I’d love to send to you, but your contact form isn’t working unfortunately. Any other way I could get in contact with you?
Keep up the great work!
Let’s hope everything is smooth sailing from here! Hoping to get my hands on a copy now that it’s payday
Hi Dominic,
So sorry to hear about your troubles with publishing I, Do
I, Gabriel**** so sorry my phone autocorrected my bad
I had no problems, downloaded it, read it, loved it, fed back to Amazon. I hope it’s all plain sailing from here on in.
hey, that’s great, thanks
Hi Dom
All downloaded no problem. I read it in two sittings- loved the way you talk about the many taboo subjects of today . Chuckled all the way through and can’t wait Mark to read it I think he’ll find it very amusing!!
Was a page turner for me and I didn’t see that ending coming at all
X