More publicity

I've had a nice review from Nan Hawthorne, who writes historical novels herself. The review itself has made me feel good but what is really astonishing (to me at least) is that the review is one of the top ten hits if you search Google for 'Cawnpore'. A friend picked this up and got someone else to search in case Google recognised his interest in the book. And it was still in the Top Ten. I have no idea how long this will last but it has to be a good thing, doesn't it? Google throws up 807,000 results for 'Cawnpore' so Top Ten is quite impressive.

Do check out Nan Hawthorne's review and add one of your own. As you can see, reviews really do make a difference. Thanks!

No such thing as bad publicity

My local free paper (the Metro) had a letter in it yesterday from someone who is unhappy with their life and says that being taxed on all the money they earn is unfair, given how utterly miserable their lifestyle is making them. It seemed a really sad story, but (being desperate to publicise Cawnpore) I decided to tell them how happy I am being an impoverished author. And Metro published my letter!!!

 

OK, the meanies spoiled the effect by taking out the name of the book, but surely thousands of people will now Google my name and buy it. Won't they?

(If you can't read the letter, click on it to enlarge.)

A friend took this photo, so I thought I'd share it.

While I'm away...

I'm taking a week or so off from the blog. While I'm away, can you do something for me? Think of one or two sentences (20 words or more) that sum up what you thought of 'The White Rajah' or 'Cawnpore' and then please post them on Amazon. It's really easy to do and it makes a huge difference to sales of the books.

Thank you.

Meanwhile, back in Sarawak . . .

With all the excitement about Cawnpore coming out, I've not been thinking much about James Brooke, the eponymous hero of The White Rajah. I've been reminded of him just now, though, because the BBC has just broadcast a programme about the assassination of the first British Governor of Sarawak in 1949. I mentioned this incident in my blog about Anthony Brooke, who would have become the fourth White Rajah had the country not been ceded to Britain. Anyone interested in learning more about the politics of the region at the time and who killed the Governor and why, should catch the Radio 4 programme on iPlayer. If you miss the programme (or don't have half an hour to spare) there's an article about it on the BBC News website.

It's perhaps worth mentioning that The White Rajah is still available on Amazon.

Link to Amazon

Here's a widget that takes you straight to Amazon to buy my book. It takes you to Amazon.com, so UK buyers might prefer to click this link to Amazon.co.uk