U&F Pay to Download Story

I imagine you've been wondering WTF is going on with my output of late, am I right? Not only is there no new U&F episode, but neither is there any word on any of my sites as to what's going on. Forgive me, I've been working, and I've been in a constant hope of finishing the object of my work and getting it out to you, but due to sh*t happening, the finish line keeps getting put back. Let me explain.

The reason my work is slow in coming - as you may be aware - is because I have to work a day job. However, if I could make my writing and audio output my sole means of earning a living, a day job wouldn't be necessary; I'd be a self-employed writer and audio book producer.

So I decided to put out a pay-to-download story that would never be available as a free podcast. This story would need to become available before the end of Blood and Smoke, because from past experience I know that when a podcast is over, 80% of my listeners drift away. Therefore, to reach that 80% before they go, I need to get the story out before B&S ends.

I'd hoped to get it online in June, but it didn't happen; I wrote a full version, but had to start over because there were too many things I wanted to change. I then wrote a second version, which I much prefer, and it is this that I'm currently in the process of editing. Of course, this is taking time as it's a big story (I feel it'd have to be to justify putting a price on it) and a lot happens in it. There are also the historical details to get right, so there's been a lot of book-reading and swotting up to make sure everything has the stamp of authenticity. However, for all this sound reasoning, I know that you must be getting slightly peeved (to put it mildly) wondering where Episode 7 is. And so, I'm bringing you into the loop. I'd hoped to be able to surprise you with the new story, but at the rate I'm going, it's more likely that I'd just lose you before I get it finished.

So, here's my pledge to you. I'm going to get this story written and in its final version by the weekend. I'm then going to record it, edit the recording, and - assuming I can get all the pay-to-download cashcart stuff set up on my site, I'll get the story online before the end of July.

After that, I'll get to work on Episode 7.

Who knows, if the p-t-d story makes enough money, I may just be able to go pro next month! Then the combination of having the time to do the work, and the need to put food on the table, will mean that U&F production will go into overdrive. A novel every year for the next three years will be guaranteed, plus p-t-d short stories every now and again will appear in order to keep my head above water.

It's an exciting plan, and I hope you'll help me make it become a reality when the p-t-d story goes live. If it does, everybody wins! HUZZAH!!
 

Trolls and Other Stories - Another 48 Hour Freebie at Amazon Worldwide.

As announced on Episode 6, Trolls and Other Stories is free from Amazon worldwide for 48 hours from today.

Links:

Amazon USA: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A9Z3OB8

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00A9Z3OB8

Amazon DE: http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00A9Z3OB8

Amazon CA: http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00A9Z3OB8

Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00A9Z3OB8

Blood and Smoke: Episode 6 is Live.

The waiting is over!

Bon apetit.

Direct download: http://traffic.libsyn.com/mikebennett/UFBS_06.mp3

QR Code. But Does it Work?

I don't have a smartphone, so I don't know if this works. It should take you to a free documentary movie that I want to promote.

From Rough to Finished.

Hear me shed my mystique on this recording that reveals I'm far from a one-take-perfection kind of guy. Quite the opposite, in fact...

Fracking is Coming to You

63% of the UK is now in danger of being fracked. This is no longer something people can say they don't mind as long as it's not near them: it will be near all of us. Even if you're not geographically affected by the resultant pollution, our water and farming - and so the food you eat - will be. Watch this and learn what the government and the BBC don't want you to know. No, seriously, do watch it.

A Weekend of Birthday-ness

Yesterday was my birthday, so it's been a weekend of small but enjoyable celebrations. On Saturday, my wife and I went up to visit the London Transport Museum. I've been meaning to visit it for ages, partly for U&F research, partly because I like museums and I've never been to this one. We (or I at least) had a fabulous time looking at old trains, buses and trams. Look, here's a Routemaster ...

We then went on to meet some chums for a meal and a few beers, which was equally fab.

Then on Sunday - having been sung "Happy Birthday" and 'liked' the many kind birthday wishes I received on Facebook (for which - if you left one, I thank you), I sat down to tackle the recording of Episode 6. After about 90 minutes, it was done. Phew! Of course, this isn't the end of the process, it's only the beginning. And talking of the beginning, here it is - the first minute, just so you know I'm not lying.