Select Page

I was going to begin this blog post by saying, “I can’t believe this is the first blog post since May of this year!” But I won’t say that because I can believe it.

2018 has been one of the most intensively busy years I’ve ever lived through. It’s also been one of the strangest. It’s been strange because I achieved my dream of becoming an author published by a bona fide publishing company. And then I realised that the grass isn’t always greener.

Getting a publishing contract with Bloodhound Books still ranks as one of the highlights of my writing career, and that’s saying something when you consider I’ve been writing for twenty-odd years. Even though our partnership didn’t last very long, I have no regrets; they are a great bunch of people, and I’m sure we’ll remain close friends.

Our relationship didn’t last long because we both wanted different things, that’s all. Both parties burned the midnight oil for several months getting the Eddie Collins books out of my head and onto Bloodhound’s shelves, and when we got them there and opened them up for the world to see… it didn’t feel right to me.

I felt very uncomfortable seeing my books on Amazon and having absolutely no control over them. I confess too that the new Bloodhound titles didn’t sit well with me either. Black by Rose is a specific title that reflects a specific event in that book, and so substituting it for a generic name meant it lost a little bit of its individuality, lost a bit of its shine. Same goes for the other books too. I know Bloodhound had their reasons, and from a mainstream publisher’s point of view, their reasons were indeed valid.

So yes, this year has been very strange. My books are (for the time being) on Amazon with Bloodhound Books listed as the publisher; it’s always been my dream, and now I realise the dream is for someone else to enjoy. So now my books will be published by me, under my publishing name of The Ink Foundry. It’s like coming back home.

For me, for now at least, my dream is to get cracking on the next book, and get The Lock and Jessica Ripley selling well. But my ultimate dream is, as you know, to be a full-time writer. And I can do it, I know I can. I will do it.

Each time I finish a story, I always think I could have done it better. Well, 2019 is the year that I write the story that I cannot improve upon. Wish me luck…

8 Comments

  1. Barbara

    You always exceed expectations, Andy. I have watched your writing grow, develop and go from strength to strength and have felt priveliged to do so. Therefore, I know you can make a success of publishing your own books and become a full time Author/Publisher in no time. Whe you do, it will be a loss for the police force but a gain for fans of your work. I just hope I’m around to see it. Good luck, you deserve it.
    .

    Reply
    • Andy

      Hi Barbara, thank you for your very kind comments! It really has been a journey, hasn’t it? It would make a good book, ahaha. I hope that 2019 provides the good luck I need to make the switch from CSI to author – I already provide the hard work ingredient, so hopefully… And I’m pretty sure the police can manage without me; I’m one tiny cog…

      Reply
  2. Judith

    Hello Andrew. What an exciting year you have had. It was through Bloodhound that I found you and im glad I did.
    Very best wishes for 2019 and I’m looking forward to the next book.

    Reply
    • Andy

      Hi Judith! I’m so pleased that you did find me. Thanks for all your support this year, and here’s hoping 2019 will be even better.

      Reply
  3. Beverlee

    First, I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and only the best of the New Year!
    Having said that, I too, wasn’t impressed with the new covers. I liked the old ones much better. Can’t wait to read The Lock!

    Reply
    • Andy

      Hi Beverlee, great to hear from you. Hope you have a great Christmas too. Thanks for all your wonderful comments and support throughout the last year, it’s much appreciated. Yes, I think the old covers had a bit more character about them too. Don’t forge to let me know your thoughts on The Lock.

      Reply
  4. Mark Newman

    You go for it Andy, bein Control of your own deatiny and make the worl,d see what a talented Author you are. Keep positive and your talent will shine 🤓🤓

    Reply
    • Andy

      Hi Mark, good to see you on here! Thanks you, that’s very kind of you to say so. I can’t wait to get my teeth stuck into next year. I hope you have a great Christmas and a relaxing new Year!

      Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *