ANTHONY James Barnett worked in various industries before having a string of magazine stories accepted 14 years ago. He says he's been been "lucky enough" to be published ever since.
Anthony's stories have been recorded by Talking Newspapers, have featured in anthologies, summer specials and international newspapers and have been broadcast on radio, as well as being published in writing competitions.
His first novel, Without Reproach, is out now.
He says: "My novel is available throughout the world in Internet bookstores, on dozens of sites including the big ones such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Seekbooks, and WHSmiths. I’ve seen it on sale in sites as far apart as India, South Africa, Australia, China, Japan, Sweden, Germany, Italy and of course the USA and the UK.
"For a few hours of one day, it even made the best selling list of Amazon, Canada. I shall hold that close to my heart, forever. Thank you Canada."
I asked Anthony a few questions about his book - and how it's doing. I hope you enjoy his answers which give a realistic insight into the preoccupations of a first time novelist - however big their publisher!
Why did you write the book and an where did the ideas for plot and characters come from?
Hi Linda. Thank you for inviting me here.
The idea for the book came to me after someone I knew received a small but unexpected inheritance. It set me wondering what would happen if it were taken to an extreme level.
What if a young woman was left a fortune from someone from a different country, someone she’d never met, wasn’t related to and had never even heard of…. and what if a close relative of that person objected very strongly.
The protagonists gradually developed as I drew up a wish-list of characteristics. Jenny and Eduardo progressively became real to me. I completed a dossier on each of the main characters, including mental and physical attributes, friends, family members, likes and dislikes, music tastes, eating preferences, and even pinned up pictures from magazines that I thought would suit.
Please tell us about the reaction to your book so far - what feedback have you had and how are sales progressing?
Well, I know it’s rather soon yet, but reactions seem quite positive. I’ve had emails from as far apart as South Africa, Australia, and Canada. One person said she’d have preferred a different end, but someone else said they loved it, whilst one very kind person called the book ‘awesome’. I don’t suppose it can possibly suit everyone. If most people like it, then I shall be happy. I was amazed when ‘Google’ threw up a Website where a complete stranger placed my book amongst her top six books.
Sales are slow. Although I’ve been writing short stories for magazines since 1994, as far as novels are concerned, I’m an unknown. I have to carve a niche somehow and let people know I exist. The Great Reading Public, have no idea who I am.
How did you make time to write the book?
I rise early and do my creating writing whilst the house is silent. I check over the work at lunchtime.
How have you been able to promote it?
Wow! I don’t know about you, Linda, but promotion is a dirty word to me. I naively thought the publishing house would see to it, but few writers have a publicity budget assigned to them. You have to do your own.
I hate promotion. I’m rather shy, and detest being the centre of attention. I’ve done book signings of course. I took part in a radio interview a few months ago but it was nerve wracking. Another radio station called over the telephone for an on-the-spot interview which was even worse.
I suppose the Internet is my biggest ally. I write a couple of blogs, Bedlam and Tell Me a Story, I have a Website, I take part in forums, answer queries on Yahoo Answers, anything to spread my name around. I work on the assumption that a TV celebrity sells books because the public knows their name. My only access to the public is the Internet, so I'm trying to work at it
I also hand out bookmarks, wherever I can. They seem to go down quite well and should be a constant reminder to users. I’m hoping one day they’ll buy my book if they see it in front of them enough.
What are your future writing plans?
I’m partway through the sequel to Without Reproach, a stand-alone novel, but retains a few of the same characters. I also have another novel on backburner that I started a while ago.
What top tips do you have for anyone wishing to follow in your footsteps?
I think it’s probably to take time to study a creative writing course or textbook. I believe writing to be an art-form, a craft that needs to be honed if you wish to become proficient. Artists, dancers, actors, all study hard to achieve their goals. Why should writers be different?
What lessons have you learned in connection with the publication of your book?
I’ve learned to be patient. I’m certainly learning promotion techniques. Most of all though, I’ve discovered that very few writers get rich; 5% of writers cream off 95% of all earnings, hardly fair, but no different to the music industry.
* Anthony recently interviewed me about my writing career. You can read the piece here if you would like.
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