Spiderwize's Self Publishing Blog

It’s nearly July, so I thought I’d take a look at a couple of the new books that are due for release next month as the latest literary endeavours should be of interest to all writers, whether they are in the self publishing game or otherwise.

One such new book out in July is “Twisted” by Sara Shepherd. That name may not immediately ring a bell, but if you’ve heard of the teen mystery soap TV series “Pretty Little Liars”, then you should know that that show was originally a book series, and “Twisted” is the ninth in what is a hugely popular line. This time out the plotline involving “A” has apparently been solved at last, but it doesn’t take the girls long to get themselves in more trouble.

Also out next month is a new book from a writer just about everyone will have heard of, whether they’ve actually read any of her books or not, Danielle Steel. Steel’s newest page turner is entitled “Happy Birthday”, which deals with three very different people all reaching a turning point on, you guessed it, the day of their birthday. If you’re into Steel (and plenty of people are), you’ll be sure to like this.

The geeks will be celebrating in July too, as there’s a new “Star Wars” novel out. This one, entitled “Choices of One”, is written by regular “Wars” novel scribe Timothy Zahn and will be sure to have all the Jedi’s running out to the nearest bookstore.

p.s. There’s plenty to enjoy on the shelves in July.

In addition to those already covered in this blog last week, there are a couple of other fairly high profile book releases set to hit the shelves of book stores this month. Perhaps the most high profile release is that of “Smokin’ Seventeen” by Janet Evanovich. The title alludes to the impressive fact that this is no less than the seventeenth novel (a remarkable tally and an inspiration to writers, in the self publishing field or otherwise, everywhere) to feature as lead character Evanovich’s heroine, bounty hunter Stephanie Plum. Fans of the series will surely be lining up for the latest instalment, and the series might be about to get even more popular, since the Hollywood movie version of an earlier novel in the series, “One For the Money”, is set to be released on cinema screens all over the world as of next year.

Another new release for June from a big name author is “Now You See Her” by celebrated thriller writer James Patterson. Patterson is a smart guy, using co-writers to help him churn out several bestsellers each and every year, and for “Now You See Her” he’s teamed up with co-writer Michael Ledwidge to tell the story of a successful female lawyer who is forced to face up to dark secrets from her past when an innocent man is framed for a murder he didn’t commit. Patterson fans and mystery devotees should love it.

p.s. There’s plenty of good reading to be had in June.

Those interested in self publishing are normally avid readers themselves (or if they’re not, they jolly well should be) so are no doubt waiting in anticipation for the next crop of new book releases for the month of June – and there’s some pretty interesting ones about to hit the stores too, it must be said.

Anyone who’s ever taken a gander at celebrity blog GoFugYourself.com will want to seek out new released “Spoiled”, as it’s written by the same people who do the blog, Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan. Their debut novel, “Spoiled” tells the story of an ordinary teenage girl who finds out her real dad is actually a major Hollywood exec and gets a taste of the high life when she moves to Hollywood to live with him and her ‘new’ half-sister. The book will no doubt be written with the same wit and keen insight as the blog, so that should certainly be one worth checking out.

Another new release for next month is “State of Wonder” by Ann Patchett. The critics are already raving over this one, which is about a research pharmacist who toddles off to the jungle in South America and gets mixed up with shady types and even cannibals. Certainly sounds like something to get your teeth into, doesn’t it?

Then there’s “Sisterhood Everlasting”, which is a follow up to the books that launched those “Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants” movies (ooh, Amber Tamblyn), this one with the four main female characters now as grown-ups. If you followed the others, you’re sure to like this.

p.s. There’s lots to catch up on in June with numerous new releases available.

I don’t know if there are any rockers who are into self publishing and read this blog (I guess it’s possible) but if there are I’m sure they’ll be into the new book “TEN: A Decade in Images”.

“TEN: A Decade in Images” is a limited edition photographic book dealing with the last ten years of the Cambridge Rock Festival, and is the creation of internationally recognised rock photographer Nick Elliott (no, I’ve never heard of him, but I’m sure you have ‘cause you’re all cooler than me, right?). Anyway, the Cambridge Rock Festival is widely regarded as one of the world’s most famous rock festivals, and one of the longest running such events too, and with a large multitude of the images that will appear in the book never having been seen in any publication before. If you’re into this sort of thing, I dare say “TEN: A Decade in Images” will be an absolute essential purchase.

It’s published by Rufus Stone Limited Editions and comes in two editions, one that runs to just 80 pages, and the extended version that runs to a 144 pages, has more photographs and is signed by Elliott himself. It would seem a no brainer to get that version, one would think, but apparently, there’s only about 200 of those being printed, so if you want one, you’d best get a move on when it’s released in July.

p.s. If you’re into rock, you’ll want to rock on with this one.

More information can be found here.