​⚽ The Secret Star in the "Home End": A Chance Encounter at the Match

 ​I’m a very curious person by nature; I love finding out about people and their stories. A few months back, a friend of mine asked if I could get tickets to a local football game: Peterborough vs. Plymouth Argyle. Through a few contacts, I managed to secure four complimentary tickets. 🎟️​

My friend, Terry, mentioned he was bringing a mate and his son up from London. They were big Plymouth fans, but Terry assured me they wouldn't be vocal in the "home end," so I wasn't worried. We met them at a local pub just opposite the train station for a chat and a lemonade (I don’t drink, as many of you know). While they ordered some of the pub's lovely Thai food, the conversation was flowing.

​Terry’s eldest son is the ex-Premier League footballer Matt Oakley (who played for Southampton, Derby, and Leicester, to name a few), so Terry always has a few brilliant stories that everyone loves to listen to. 🏟️

​As we walked to the ground, I started chatting with Andy’s son, Ted. "So, what do you do in London?" I asked.

​"I’m a comedian," he replied.

"Really! And is that where you earn most of your money?"

"Actually, no," he told me. "I actually earn most of my money from a podcast I do—a football podcast—and I do a bit of work for Radio 4 as well." 🎙️

​Well, to me, that is a whole different world! I told him I had a book out, handed him one of my promotional bookmarks (obviously!), and we carried on talking football. Later that evening, after seeing them back to the train station, I thought I’d see if he was on Instagram—trying my best not to look like a "crazed stalker."

​Pinned to the top of his profile was a picture of glowing reviews from The Rolling Stone, The Fringe, and The Telegraph, calling him a star. I checked out his podcast and realized this wasn't some "tin pot" operation—it was a professional production with a huge following. 🌟

​Isn't it amazing who you might rub shoulders with? Ted Milligan is a comedy star in the making. If you’re a football fan, give his show a listen; it’s professional, funny, and well worth your time.

​Check out his podcast here: https://shows.acast.com/the-knock-about

​📉 Navigating the "Dead Zone"

​Before January arrived, I assumed it would be one of the worst months of the year for sales. However, it started off much better than expected! Perhaps it was the Christmas gift vouchers or people having a little "mad money" left over.

​I was told that the period between the 10th and the 21st is known as the "Dead Zone" because funds run low after the holidays. It turned out to be true—my last paperback sale was on the 11th, and I didn't see another sale until the 22nd. 💳

​Thankfully, the 22nd was payday for me (and many others!). That same day, I saw my first page reads on Kindle Unlimited (KU). I’m crossing my fingers that those who added the book to their baskets are hitting "buy" now that the January slump is ending. Overall, I’ve sold more than I expected, and the month isn't over yet! 🤞✨

​⭐ The Review Struggle

​If I’m honest, reviews are the most frustrating part of this journey. My Goodreads count has moved up to 6, but it’s a slow process. It’s a bit annoying when you know people have bought the book, told you they loved it, and asked for Book 2, yet the review never appears!

​I had nearly 200 books (digital and paperback) go out in December. I know people are busy and might not have finished reading yet, but I’m waiting for them to start filtering in. Reviews are the lifeblood of an indie author, and while I don't want to be pushy, they really do make a difference! 📈

​🚀 High Traffic & New Horizons

​Since switching back to Blogger and getting my dedicated domain, the views on this blog have skyrocketed! 🌏 Seeing that steady increase is incredibly promising.

​Eventually, I’d love to expand the site with guest blogs and different sections, but for now, once a week works perfectly. I’d rather provide high-quality content than over-commit. If you are enjoying these updates, please leave a comment—I love hearing from you! 💬

​🏬 From the "Cloud" to the High Street

​My daughter recently sent me an Instagram story from a local company called Alaina Creates, who was looking for independent authors to feature in a shop in our big shopping centre here in Peterborough. 🛍️

​After a bit of negotiating, I’m thrilled to announce that my books are now being sold in Unity!

​Located in Peterborough’s Queensgate, Unity is a brilliant not-for-profit shop run by Up The Garden Bath. They support over 50 local makers, artists, and crafters within a 50-mile radius. It’s a hub for community and creativity, and I’m proud to be a part of it. 🌿

​I delivered the stock this weekend, so I can officially say: My book is in a city center shop! 📖🏢

​📚 What I’m Reading...

​I’ve officially turned the final page on Stone of Fire by J.F. Penn, and it was quite the ride! 🎢

​I really enjoyed the story; it had great "Steve Berry vibes" from start to finish, with plenty of action and mystery to keep the pages turning. A nice bonus was the educational aspect—I personally didn't know much about the Apostles before this, so I learned a thing or two along the way!

​If I’m being completely honest, there were moments where the historical detail felt like a bit of an overkill—almost like "filler" to stretch the chapters—but it’s a simple, enjoyable read as long as you don't take it too seriously. It won't be everybody’s cup of tea, but then again, what book is? I gave it a solid 4 stars for a fun adventure. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

​Let’s Talk Books! 💬

I’ve just posted my full rating and review over on Goodreads and Fable. I’m always updating my "Read" shelf and looking for my next recommendation. If you’re on either platform, I’d love for you to follow me so we can share what’s on our nightstands!

​👉 Follow me on Goodreads

👉 Find me on Fable

​Drop me a friend request and let me know—what should I read next? 📖

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👉 Join here: The Newman Chronicle 

📖 Enjoyed this post?

An Irish Mystery is a fast-paced historical adventure about stolen treasures, hidden histories, and the cost of obsession.

Ebook, Kindle Unlimited, Paperback & hardcover

👉 Available on Amazon: An Irish Mystery

You can also find me on Instagram / Bluesky / X / Facbook, where I share writing updates and behind-the-scenes moments.

🌍 www.dcsalmonbooks.com