Island of Fog now published and available to buy!

Posted on April 25, 2009 (Subscribe to Blog)

It's here at last! I received my third and final proof yesterday and was very happy with it, so I went ahead and pressed the "Approve" button. The book went on sale immediately at CreateSpace and will be available on Amazon within 15 days. But in the meantime I ordered 50 copies for my own stock, and these will be with me shortly (again, they typically state within 15 days for order deliveries).

It's all very exciting, for me anyway! On May 2nd there's a local annual shindig known as Down Home Days, a sort of craft fair street festival type thing. I got myself a "booth" (a 12 ft space) and am arranging a tent and all that good stuff to set up in. I've ordered a couple of large banners, one 6 x 4 ft and the other 5 x 1 ft, showing the book cover and some blurb. Of course, I doubt I'll actually have the books in time... so instead I'll hand out some specially-prepared pamphlets containing the entire first chapter and some ordering information. Since these will be free give-aways, this might actually be a better way to sell the book as those who are not sure can take it home and digest it before shelling out some money. Still, it would be nice to have the actual books as well. It's vaguely possible they'll be here on time, but I won't hold my breath.

In a recent post on my Secret Blog, Ilsa left a kind message saying, "Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could ship a box of them over in time for the Enid Blyton day on May 9th? I bet they'd go like hot cakes there!" Gosh, what a fantastic idea! But a) I doubt I could get a box over there in time; b) I don't think I'd want to send a box anyway in case they didn't sell; c) this is assuming someone would be willing to handle them for me; and d) even though it's a children's (9-12) book, it doesn't exactly relate to Enid Blyton! But some flyers... Hmm, I wonder if Tony Summerfield, the Enid Blyton Day organizer, would mind... :-)

Years ago I set myself up with two bookstore owners in the local area, so I have a couple of good starting points for "readings and signings" and so on. Also, my niece is the acting President of the Walker County Chamber of Commerce, so it's pretty cool having someone so close who knows just about everybody. She's given me a list of middle grade teachers in the area, and is hooking me up with the manager of the local library. When I'm comfortable that everything is going okay, she's also going to organize a press release. Ah, it's so nice knowing influential people! (She also knows a guy in Congress and, through him, is currently obtaining tickets for a tour of the White House for when we all go to stay in Washington and Virginia in July. Maybe I'll drop some books on Obama's desk...)

Comment by ANITA on Sunday, April 26, 2009...

Hurrah! I've just ordered a signed copy — looking forward to receiving it!

Comment by TOM B on Sunday, April 26, 2009...

***SPOILER ALERT***

Keith, having read half of a recent draft (as you said), may I agree with you in saying that yes, it doesn't exactly relate to Enid Blyton for the E.B. day. The Blyton I read would not think of writing apocalypse fantasy! :-) This genre has only just in the last decade became very popular, because of fears for our world. I doubt that Enid Blyton who was in the safe and sound 1940's and 1950's thought that our world was in the verge of destruction. Even if she did, because of the War, she would not include it on her books because, as she said herself, she wanted to write about the "jolly, happy thing in life." Two polar poles, eh!

I am very excited to buy a copy, but it is a little expensive, shipping added. I will think of it though, and of course, I DO want a signed copy! :-D Hurrah.

Comment by KEITH ROBINSON on Sunday, April 26, 2009...

Thank you, Anita! You're the first to buy the printed signed edition, so I'm sure it'll be worth millions when I'm old and famous. :-)

Tom, unfortunately the shipping cost is as low as I can get it. International shipping for a 13 oz book seems to be about $10.10 for most countries, so my rate of $9.95 is reasonable when you consider a) the PayPal fee of $1.15 for the online transaction, and b) the cost of the packaging (about 50 cents per TuffGard jiffy mailer) as well as the postage itself. My shipping rate is not actually enough to fully cover the international shipping cost, but I couldn't bear to allow the cost to creep above $10. In the U.S. there's a media rate... but it takes 7-10 days and is perhaps not as "safe" as priority mail, hence my $4.95 flat rate for the USA and Canada.

That said, if I happen to find a cheaper way to ship the book overseas, I'll certainly lower the shipping rate and will even refund the difference to those who have bought it already!

Comment by NIGEL ROWE on Wednesday, April 29, 2009...

Ordered my signed copy, too! Can't wait to see it!

Comment by JENNY on Sunday, May 24, 2009...

Hi Keith,

The Island of Fog sounds interesting. I'm considering getting a copy — but before submitting an order, I have a question. Are there any illustrations in the books, especially on the sea serpent that was mentioned in the summary?

I know this sounds stupid, but I'm worse than Dinah when it comes to things like snakes and reptiles. I have this phobia of snakes — whether it's real, or plastic, or rubber, or even pictures :( I'll never be able to handle a book with a picture of snake in one of its pages.. :(

(That said — I've never read Five have a Wonderful Time in a proper hardback. The first time I opened it in my school library, I freaked out and slammed the book shut...)

Comment by KEITH ROBINSON on Sunday, May 24, 2009...

Don't worry, Jenny, there are NO pictures of snakes at all, or anything else for that matter, except what you see on the front cover. I'm sorry you have a phobia of snakes — that can't be a pleasant thing to live with!

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