🎨 The Treasure Hunt and the Redundancy Reality
This last week started brilliantly. I had an email from Peter at Bespokebookcovers.co.uk to say he had started work earlier than expected, meaning the cover was ready for viewing on the 7th. Once again, it looks amazing. Peter really knows how to turn the essence of a story into a piece of art, and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome.
🏖️ A Welcome Change (Mostly)
As I mentioned, the week started off on a high. Not only did I have the new cover in hand, but I’ve been using up my annual leave before the 1st of April. For the next three weeks (last week being the first), I have Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday off.
I haven't been able to use all that time for writing or reading—there have been plenty of "odd jobs" to do at my mum’s and at my own home—but only being at work for two days a week is a very welcome change of pace.
📉 The Thursday Shift
However, on Thursday, everything changed. My wife had a job in the morning, but by the afternoon, she was being made redundant. It’s a huge blow. While she received some redundancy pay, we are now facing the search for a new role in a climate that is getting harder and harder.
In this day and age, it’s near-impossible to survive on a single wage; with the way prices are increasing, I think most people are in the same boat. Luckily, the redundancy pay sorts us out for a few months, but it isn't a permanent fix. It certainly puts the "author life" into perspective when real-world challenges like this land on your doorstep.
🕵️♂️ The Reveal: An American Treasure
I had to sit on the design for a few days and gather some opinions. Everyone who saw it loved it—especially the colour and that misty, mysterious look. It really emphasises the hunt for treasure that lies at the heart of this book.
So, without further ado, here is the cover:
🤝 Joining the ARC Team
Despite the distractions, the work on An American Treasure continues. I am still looking for ARC readers to join the inner circle. Thank you so much to everyone who has applied so far!
The criteria I usually look for are simple:
- Have you read Book 1 (An Irish Mystery)?
- Have you left a review?
If you’ve done either of those and enjoyed the story, then I want you! However, if you haven’t done those yet but you’re a fan of the genre and really want to be part of the journey, I’m still listening.
Drop me an email and tell me why you’re keen to read the Newman Adventure series and join the team. I’m looking for readers who are passionate about the story and want to help me make it the best it can be.
Come and join the team via the link below, or get in touch!
Contact Email: hello@dcsalmonbooks.com
📚 The Sales Slump
As for book sales, it has been slow—really slow. I sold my first ebook of the month on Friday. While the Kindle Unlimited page reads are still ticking over, this is officially the toughest month I’ve seen for a while. I suppose with the weather and the general cost of living, people are tightening their belts.
📚 What I’m Reading...
Enjoyed the ride? 📖
I balance my writing life with a full-time day job, which means covers, research, and advertising all come out of my own pocket. If you’d like to see these books reach more readers—and help me stay caffeinated while I write them—you can support my work here. Your help keeps the "Stream" flowing and the books coming.
📬 Want to follow the journey?
I send occasional emails about writing, publishing, and the stories behind The Newman Adventures.
Newsletter subscribers also get an exclusive sneak peek of Book 2, An American Treasure.
👉 Join here: The Newman Chronicle
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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.
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