On 27th September 2015, with very little splash, bunting and brouhaha, I self-published 'Random Bullets' on Amazon at the eye-watering price of £0.99. It is an erotic thriller with a fantasy twist. The low price of my latest eBook is in line with my policy to keep all of my books affordable for everyone. I mentioned the fact that I had published 'Random Bullets' on Twitter, Vine, on my Facebook author page and my website with very little effect because I have only sold three copies in three weeks or so. Luckily, I have now steeled myself for receiving very little response, so I expected as much to happen. I know that the biggest threat to my love of writing is a feeling of despondency due to realising that nobody gives a hoot whether I have published a new book or not. Only acclaimed, long-standing authors have readers panting for the release of their latest oeuvre. Realism has crept into my life over the three months since I published my first five books on Amazon following my initial unsustainable euphoria.

I am now working on a collection of short stories of mixed genres and thoroughly enjoying the experience. I am sticking to my timetable of writing from eleven in the morning until six in the evening. Decent book sales would be a very welcome cherry on the cake, but unless I throw time and money into promoting the books it is unlikely to happen. I am more interested in writing than in promoting the end result, but I probably will change the emphasis at some point over the next few years. There are apparently many con artists out there keen to profit from promoting an author's books, especially if the author is self-published. I do not want my enjoyment of writing tainted because of falling foul of this type of unscrupulous business. At this point, my books can take their chances with a minimum of publicity amidst the millions of others on offer.

Ironically, I have just listened to a televised discussion of the topic of authors buying reviews of their books. I wonder whether the public will suspect book reviews in future and not rely on them to make their book purchasing decisions. Until recently, I yearned for more starred book reviews, but only genuine ones. I would only be interested in receiving honest, above board reviews and would not dream of buying one to appear more established and venerated than I really am. Authors who buy their reviews have muddied the waters for everyone. What price literary fame based on dishonesty? I hope this shady practice of buying book reviews will be stamped out so that the true value of a book review can be restored.