S.W. Lothian – Author

Subway Palliatopia is arriving soon

Writing a book is a long commitment. It’s been over two years since I started writing my newest book and I can finally see some light at the end of the tunnel. Writers will understand that it’s a long road to release. A winding, bumpy, foggy, pot-holed road. It’s been so long that Subway Palliatopia seems as real to me as the daily news that there are strange things going on in the White House. For hundreds of hours, I’ve stooped over my keyboard like a man possessed by the voices in his head, crafting the characters, setting the scenes, and steering through the peaks and troughs and twists of the plot.

Finally, the time is approaching when I’ll launch my latest work into the ocean of books, hoping that what I’ve created resonates enough with readers to become a favorite that they recommend to others.

DISCOVERABILITY
– the quality of being able to be discovered or found –

Discoverability is the most difficult challenge for every new book (unless you’re already a bestselling author). If a sandy white beach represents the books of the world, then each new book is just one of the grains. How does one get that grain to stick onto a passing reader?

VULNERABILITY
– open to moral attack, criticism, etc –

Launching a new book is like standing on a stage in the middle of a stadium. It’s the most vulnerable step of the process, and it doesn’t get any easier. It’s the part where you’re literally putting yourself in a position to be judged by strangers who want to be engaged and entertained. It’s the time that you find out if the years of work were worth the effort.

A writer writes to share their stories. Stories that are created as a collection of words painstakingly sorted into an order that aims to trigger emotions that connect readers to characters. Books are an escape from the stress of day to day life. They are windows to adventures and events that help us learn and grow. And they allow us to live lives that we may not normally encounter. They’re all about connecting and imagining and believing.

Subway Palliatopia is a dystopian thriller set in New York, laced with twists to keep readers guessing to the end. Its underlying themes are based on cultures that are already ingrained into the society of today. It’s this familiarity that I hope will be the key to readers becoming engaged and immersed into the story and enable them to easily relate to the challenges faced by the characters.

Cover Reveal

Regular visitors will have seen my progress updates during the past two years and noticed the ‘working’ cover for Subway Palliatopia that I created last year. Now it’s time for me to show you how the cover has progressed. It’s evolved a little but retains the core look and edgy feel that I was hoping to achieve.

Designing the cover is one of my favorite parts of the writing process. It’s where I get the chance to show a visual glimpse of what is in my head. The cover provides a brief window of opportunity to catch a reader’s eye as they sift through dozens of books. It’s in those few seconds that I need to trigger an instant reaction strong enough to inspire them to take the next step and read the blurb.

Fingers crossed this cover does the job. Please let me know what do you think in the comments below.

One of the most difficult factors in launching a new book is gaining early reviews that will be available at launch. They are necessary to provide potential readers with something tangible on which to base their decision to take the plunge, invest the price of a coffee and buy a book.

Advance Review Copy Anyone?

Prior to launch (which will be within the next couple of months), I will be distributing some Advance Review Copies (ARC) in exchange for honest reviews. For those of you visiting who are keen to get an early copy and help me with a review timed with my launch, please complete the form below to be added to my ARC list.

Also, if there is anyone who would like to host a post on their site or blog at launch, please leave your details as well. Your support is welcomed and appreciated.

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD