Tag Archives: self-publishing

Irrational typesetting hatreds

Posted on July 15, 2022 by Mark Hayes

Bad typesetting irritates me, though that is an understatement. I should make a point of saying typesetting is a subjective matter. There is no such things as the ‘right way’ to typeset a book, and just because I consider something … Continue reading →

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The Accidental Novel

Posted on October 5, 2020 by Mark Hayes

Its October, the leaves are falling, the witches are abroad, and I’ve opened the blog up to guest writers again. Yes its Indie October. Throughout October some old favorites among my guests will be returning along with some new voices. … Continue reading →

Posted in #amwriting, amediting, amreading, amwriting, fiction, indie, indie novels, indie writers, indieoctober, indiewriter, nanowrimo, novels, opinion, publication, reads, self-publishing, writes, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Crafting books…

Posted on August 10, 2020 by Mark Hayes

A wise man probably once said, It’s one thing to write a novel, and quite another to make a book. Which is true, as far as it goes. A novel is a long series of words placed one in front … Continue reading →

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Fiscal realities of publishing… and the pursuit of happiness… 1 year on.

Posted on August 5, 2020 by Mark Hayes

‘If everything you do and everything you are is in pursuit of money, then you are already bankrupt.’       ~ Cake, Ink, Collective. Last year, around this point in time, I published a blog post called Fiscal realities of … Continue reading →

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A look back at Indie April

Posted on May 11, 2020 by Mark Hayes

Last month as you may be aware I threw the doors of the passing place wide open to a series of guest posts from indie writers of all kith and kin. The brief i gave them all was simple, write … Continue reading →

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POV matters… it does

Posted on April 21, 2020 by Mark Hayes

One of the writing issues we encounter most in the manuscripts we receive here at Sixth Element is POV (point of view). Whether from new writers or some of the most experienced published authors, it doesn’t matter… POV is still … Continue reading →

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Maybe: A Victorian Steampunk Mystery

Posted on March 21, 2020 by Mark Hayes

Maybe, for anyone unaware, was released a week ago on the ides of march and despite all the current problems the world is facing, it’s done remarkably well. Sadly, however, several of the events I was due to attend with … Continue reading →

Posted in amreading, amwriting, book reviews, books, booksale, Canadian steampunk, dreamlands, dystopia, errol the bookcase dragon, fantasy, goodnews, goodreads, Goth, Hannibal Smyth, Harvey Duckman, horror, humour, indie, indie novels, indie writers, IndieApril, indiewriter, Passing Place, pointless things of wonderfulness, reads, sci-fi, self-publishing, steampunk, supernatural, world book day, writes, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Making it pretty, and other vanities…

Posted on February 18, 2020 by Mark Hayes

I really enjoy typesetting. There is something cathartic about it. For months I have been slaving away with first drafts, second drafts , third drafts , edits, redrafts, more edits, post editor editing, revisions… All fun stuff I assure you. … Continue reading →

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The great cover debate…

Posted on February 10, 2020 by Mark Hayes

One of the problems with self-publishing is that the writer exists in a microcosmic world. Unlike more traditional routes where many decisions are taken for you and to a degree a certain amount of the weight is taken form your … Continue reading →

Posted in amediting, amwriting, books, fiction, Hannibal Smyth, Harvey Duckman, indie, indie novels, indie writers, indiewriter, reads, self-publishing, steampunk, writes, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hannibalisums #3

Posted on January 29, 2020 by Mark Hayes

Old Hannibal says some strange things at times. As such this is an irregular series of quotes form the Hannibal Smyth novels, because occasionally one should probably remember to do some promotion work for ones own novels for a change… … Continue reading →

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