When I first started writing the job of an author was to write, period. Everything else was left up to the publisher.

Now, if you are lucky enough and luck has a massive amount to do with this side of the business, luck and already having a reputation or something to sell means more to a publisher today than having a compelling story to tell. That is another topic for discussion on another day though. If you are one of the lucky ones, the marketing budget for tory tellers has dropped significantly and they don’t wish to gamble money on marketing a book they aren’t sure will sell in large numbers. It’s sad but true.

Which means most publishers expect the author to carry some of this load themselves. Where the big publishers will organise some rounds of appearances on tv and radio and a book tour, if you have a small to medium sized publisher then you have to do all of this yourself. They will support you in any way they can but in this financial climate, their hands are tied to a certain degree. I can’t blame them, it is a business after all, and profit is the end result they are looking towards. Having said that, I am pleased to announce a new enterprise for my Col Sec book series published by Red Penguin Books, merchandise.

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would be published, it was a dream I had since my early teensnwhen I was in school and during the years that have followed I have seen the industry change. To stay relevant in the market you have to adapt and change along with it so when the opportunity arose to bring merchandise to the reader, I jumped at the chance.

The team working on this with me are all excellent in what they do and all credit has to go to them if I’m honest. All I did was approve of some of the designs, the rest of the work was done by them. So, for those of you who like to drink out of a themed mug while reading the latest book in your favourite series, or if you like to wear a tee shirt emblazoned with the logo and cover of one of those books and much more, then head over to the page where you can purchase them.

https://official-col-sec-merchandise.creator-spring.com/