Gutted …

[margaret thatcher]

i would much rather read your book than a times beest seller from a 24 year old about how she tried farming

[jameswilson]

For me your life seems anything but boring and there will be a hell of a lot of people who would identify with you and enjoy reading about your experiences.

Do I know what's actually going to make a great book? No. So my opinion against the opinion of this ghost writer means jack sh1t,

However you do have a hell of a lot of contacts within boxing who you might have good enough relationships with who will plug your book (if it were to be released.) You obviously worked with David Haye, Carl Froch, seem to remember you working with Dennis Hobson when he had Ricky Hatton. That's 3 f ucking big names who have big social media followings. An instagram post from him talking about a hard working former member of his team whos been through a lot and his new book about his life, that would sell a lot I reckon. Again I'm no on this situation expert so you might know better whether they would be willing to help you out but given your profits are going to charity I reckon that's a good start for some free advertising.

[Fray Bentos]

I have written two books and I self published them - they're the best things I have ever done - even now I get satisfaction out of them and I am writing a third and will self-publish that as well (and any others I plan to write...).

At first, I tried agents, publishers both big and small and nobody was interested in my first book until I read a bloke who became well known for his self-published comedy books and then I decided to try my hand at it and off we went with it - nowadays with everyone have a laptop and microsoft word - 500000 books a year are published online and in print - that's a lot of books and it seems publishing these days is not what you know but who you know... there's a lot of books about military service that are self-published because there are so many of them.

If you wrote that book and self-published it - I would buy it and many more would on here - I have known writers who have written books and attracted a publisher but got their books back after a few years so even if you did find a publisher - there's not guarantee it would stay 'published' and at least with going it alone - you get to decide how the book is written and how the narrative plays out.

I think you have the recipe for an excellent book worth reading with the content you have at hand - and remember Spud - the most famous book in history was first self-published! Good luck with it! I will definitely buy a copy and give you an excellent review on Goodreads!

[Fray Bentos]

Do I know what's actually going to make a great book? No. So my opinion against the opinion of this ghost writer means jack sh1t,

You'll know far more than him on what would make a great boxing/military book!

[Fray Bentos]

The great thing about self-publishing your book that what it requires that most writers are really crap at is self promotion and getting it out there - you're not shy about this factor of promotion where a lot of writers can't be arsed/too self-conscious about putting themselves and their book out there and as James has said - you know a lot of people who would be only too happy to help you - I think it could do as well as any boxing book out there with who you know - I am sure you would get some decent reviews from boxing magazines/websites and maybe an interview or two on some boxing youtube channels or podcasts - all these things would massively help you get yourself ahead of the normal self-published tome...

[giacomino]

I am gutted …

It seems the dream of writing a book is over before its even started…

I like speaking to people who are brutally honest and I spoke to a ghost writer today who I admire greatly and he says people would not be interested.

My story would have included :

Mum & dad barnodos kids
Dad died on fathers day 1973
Mum diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic
Brutally bullied at a military boarding school

My 24 years in the Army which included serving with the elite pathfinders platoon

My 20+ years in boxing which included working with Lennox Lewis, Frank Maloney, Ricky Hatton & David Haye having tales which would make your hair curl.

On leaving the army working as a Debt Collector in some of the most deprived areas of the North East

Working as a care officer for some of the most disadvantaged looked after children in the country

Having to keep quiet some high profile sportsmen were drug cheats.

Being diagnosed and coping with Parkinson’s

It seems a publicist would not be interested.

Oh well it seems i am a boring ****

I asked for honesty and got it straight between the eyes.

It depends on the reason for writing it. If you would be writing it because you want it to sell lots of copies and buy you a bigger house and car, don't do it.

On the other hand, if it's something that you just have to do. Something you'll regret not doing when you're on your deathbed...... write it. Forget what anyone else says, just write it. Even if no one else ever reads it, it'll give you an incredible sense of achievement just by finishing.

I'm rooting for you spud.

Also good advice. BTW, Spud, "The Time of the Hero" by Mario Vargas Llosa (hat tip to Carlos and his Peruvians) is one of my favorite novels and military stories are always among people's favorites, particularly in today's world where only a tiny part of the population actually serves

[Spud]

ty everyone

[SeanBrennan]

I have written two books and I self published them - they're the best things I have ever done - even now I get satisfaction out of them and I am writing a third and will self-publish that as well (and any others I plan to write...).

At first, I tried agents, publishers both big and small and nobody was interested in my first book until I read a bloke who became well known for his self-published comedy books and then I decided to try my hand at it and off we went with it - nowadays with everyone have a laptop and microsoft word - 500000 books a year are published online and in print - that's a lot of books and it seems publishing these days is not what you know but who you know... there's a lot of books about military service that are self-published because there are so many of them.

If you wrote that book and self-published it - I would buy it and many more would on here - I have known writers who have written books and attracted a publisher but got their books back after a few years so even if you did find a publisher - there's not guarantee it would stay 'published' and at least with going it alone - you get to decide how the book is written and how the narrative plays out.

I think you have the recipe for an excellent book worth reading with the content you have at hand - and remember Spud - the most famous book in history was first self-published! Good luck with it! I will definitely buy a copy and give you an excellent review on Goodreads!

well done fantastic achievement to publish 2 books Fray.

[SeanBrennan]

Do I know what's actually going to make a great book? No. So my opinion against the opinion of this ghost writer means jack sh1t,

You'll know far more than him on what would make a great boxing/military book!

x2

[SeanBrennan]

I think Spud's book would get some traction as he knows so many people and has genuinely unique insight, as well as loving the sport. He's also done over 20 yrs in the forces, is positively battling the cruelest illness yet remains a good guy. Who could fail to get behind that. I really hope we see the book.

[giacomino]

I have written two books and I self published them - they're the best things I have ever done - even now I get satisfaction out of them and I am writing a third and will self-publish that as well (and any others I plan to write...).

At first, I tried agents, publishers both big and small and nobody was interested in my first book until I read a bloke who became well known for his self-published comedy books and then I decided to try my hand at it and off we went with it - nowadays with everyone have a laptop and microsoft word - 500000 books a year are published online and in print - that's a lot of books and it seems publishing these days is not what you know but who you know... there's a lot of books about military service that are self-published because there are so many of them.

If you wrote that book and self-published it - I would buy it and many more would on here - I have known writers who have written books and attracted a publisher but got their books back after a few years so even if you did find a publisher - there's not guarantee it would stay 'published' and at least with going it alone - you get to decide how the book is written and how the narrative plays out.

I think you have the recipe for an excellent book worth reading with the content you have at hand - and remember Spud - the most famous book in history was first self-published! Good luck with it! I will definitely buy a copy and give you an excellent review on Goodreads!

What was the name of your second book? I bought the first

[Fray Bentos]

I have written two books and I self published them - they're the best things I have ever done - even now I get satisfaction out of them and I am writing a third and will self-publish that as well (and any others I plan to write...).

At first, I tried agents, publishers both big and small and nobody was interested in my first book until I read a bloke who became well known for his self-published comedy books and then I decided to try my hand at it and off we went with it - nowadays with everyone have a laptop and microsoft word - 500000 books a year are published online and in print - that's a lot of books and it seems publishing these days is not what you know but who you know... there's a lot of books about military service that are self-published because there are so many of them.

If you wrote that book and self-published it - I would buy it and many more would on here - I have known writers who have written books and attracted a publisher but got their books back after a few years so even if you did find a publisher - there's not guarantee it would stay 'published' and at least with going it alone - you get to decide how the book is written and how the narrative plays out.

I think you have the recipe for an excellent book worth reading with the content you have at hand - and remember Spud - the most famous book in history was first self-published! Good luck with it! I will definitely buy a copy and give you an excellent review on Goodreads!

well done fantastic achievement to publish 2 books Fray.

Thanks!

Spud needs to get it written down, even if he has to do it himself. He can write! He writes on here all the time, it might be hard with his condition but you have these apps where you can speak into a microphone and it writes it down! I think he is going about it the wrong way by contacting agents, publishers etc before having it written down - Robbie Williams can do that - 99.9% of the rest simply cannot!

I see it like entering the London Marathon - very few people enter it because they are going to win it or come in the top ten, they do it because completing it is an achievement and it is such a massive thing for your self-esteem! I wrote it because I had something to write and if one person who I didn't know read it and liked what I wrote then it was it worth it and more than one person has read my stuff and liked it (loved it even...) of course, not everyone will like what you have written but that's life. You gotta roll with the punches with it - you will face rejection, criticism and people telling you that you are shit, your book is garbage and you have no chance but you just have to shrug it off because it is part of it all. Just don't be like John Kennedy Toole and kill yourself about it!

[SeanBrennan]

I have written two books and I self published them - they're the best things I have ever done - even now I get satisfaction out of them and I am writing a third and will self-publish that as well (and any others I plan to write...).

At first, I tried agents, publishers both big and small and nobody was interested in my first book until I read a bloke who became well known for his self-published comedy books and then I decided to try my hand at it and off we went with it - nowadays with everyone have a laptop and microsoft word - 500000 books a year are published online and in print - that's a lot of books and it seems publishing these days is not what you know but who you know... there's a lot of books about military service that are self-published because there are so many of them.

If you wrote that book and self-published it - I would buy it and many more would on here - I have known writers who have written books and attracted a publisher but got their books back after a few years so even if you did find a publisher - there's not guarantee it would stay 'published' and at least with going it alone - you get to decide how the book is written and how the narrative plays out.

I think you have the recipe for an excellent book worth reading with the content you have at hand - and remember Spud - the most famous book in history was first self-published! Good luck with it! I will definitely buy a copy and give you an excellent review on Goodreads!

well done fantastic achievement to publish 2 books Fray.

Thanks!

Spud needs to get it written down, even if he has to do it himself. He can write! He writes on here all the time, it might be hard with his condition but you have these apps where you can speak into a microphone and it writes it down! I think he is going about it the wrong way by contacting agents, publishers etc before having it written down - Robbie Williams can do that - 99.9% of the rest simply cannot!

I see it like entering the London Marathon - very few people enter it because they are going to win it or come in the top ten, they do it because completing it is an achievement and it is such a massive thing for your self-esteem! I wrote it because I had something to write and if one person who I didn't know read it and liked what I wrote then it was it worth it and more than one person has read my stuff and liked it (loved it even...) of course, not everyone will like what you have written but that's life. You gotta roll with the punches with it - you will face rejection, criticism and people telling you that you are shit, your book is garbage and you have no chance but you just have to shrug it off because it is part of it all. Just don't be like John Kennedy Toole and kill yourself about it!

I love this post. And he has friends on here who will help where we can. You've got this Spud!!!

[jamesmcdonnell]

I think Spud's book would get some traction as he knows so many people and has genuinely unique insight, as well as loving the sport. He's also done over 20 yrs in the forces, is positively battling the cruelest illness yet remains a good guy. Who could fail to get behind that. I really hope we see the book.

I agree, there's a fantastic story in there, but it is important to work out what it is you want to document.

Set out a vague framework - work out the story you're trying to tell.

[SeanBrennan]

I think Spud's book would get some traction as he knows so many people and has genuinely unique insight, as well as loving the sport. He's also done over 20 yrs in the forces, is positively battling the cruelest illness yet remains a good guy. Who could fail to get behind that. I really hope we see the book.

I agree, there's a fantastic story in there, but it is important to work out what it is you want to document.

Set out a vague framework - work out the story you're trying to tell.

Indeed. My limited experience is writing a few articles for The Guardian on the public sector, and comedy sketches for comedians. I could not imagine the undertaking of a full book but Spud has experiences that can fill more than a book. You're so right re the establishment of a framework for the narrative, a skeletal structure for it and then anchor the stories and arc from there.

[coneye]

Just be honest with yourself , and ask WHY is it for money , Then give it some real thought , and the answer will probably be Naaw will not make enugh money .

If its for personal acheivment , well don't ponder just do it what do you care if it sells , give them out to your mates for xmas and birthdays .

[veriton]

It does sound a bit depressing. Can't you change a few bits, maybe set it in Spain and instead of all the care/beatings/peds make yourself the owner of a small hotel with lots of hilarious guests and japes to talk about? Call it Carry On Spud or something.

[Muttley]

I am gutted …

It seems the dream of writing a book is over before its even started…

I like speaking to people who are brutally honest and I spoke to a ghost writer today who I admire greatly and he says people would not be interested.

My story would have included :

Mum & dad barnodos kids
Dad died on fathers day 1973
Mum diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic
Brutally bullied at a military boarding school

My 24 years in the Army which included serving with the elite pathfinders platoon

My 20+ years in boxing which included working with Lennox Lewis, Frank Maloney, Ricky Hatton & David Haye having tales which would make your hair curl.

On leaving the army working as a Debt Collector in some of the most deprived areas of the North East

Working as a care officer for some of the most disadvantaged looked after children in the country

Having to keep quiet some high profile sportsmen were drug cheats.

Being diagnosed and coping with Parkinson’s

It seems a publicist would not be interested.

Oh well it seems i am a boring ****

I asked for honesty and got it straight between the eyes.

Unfortunately Spud this very true. But you can self publish. It just depends what you want to achieve by writing it. If you are looking to make a few quid,then it is unlikely. But if you want to write just to get your story out there,then why not go fit it?

Thank you for your extremely valid points.

I dont give a toss about making money.

Any profit will go to Parkinson’s UK

I'd be happy to help,Spud. I was around at the coal face in those Hennessy/Haye days. Even if you don't need any help. Be great to have catch up about the old days. Feel free to DM me and I will send my number?

[Counter-puncher]

I know (vauguely) a lass who has done a tiny bit of niche presenting. A very niche memoir at age 24 about going into farming from a city life.. it made a times best seller list, but she is photogenic and has 150k followers…

ffs

[Giancarlo]

You could treat us to Chapter 1 of The Life of A Spud in here.

[Spud]

Just be honest with yourself , and ask WHY is it for money , Then give it some real thought , and the answer will probably be Naaw will not make enugh money .

If its for personal acheivment , well don't ponder just do it what do you care if it sells , give them to your mates for xmas and birthdays .

Itsl definitely NOT for money … if a book is published
I obviously don’t want to to spend loads and I also to
Make a financial gesture to those who help.

In otherwords cover costs.

I am absolutely determined that if any profit is achieved that 100% will go Parkinson’s UK.

[Spud]

Giancarlo

If you would like to help your advice will be greatly received.

But i have a feeling you want to mock and take the p*ss

[Controversial]

I am gutted …

It seems the dream of writing a book is over before its even started…

I like speaking to people who are brutally honest and I spoke to a ghost writer today who I admire greatly and he says people would not be interested.

My story would have included :

Mum & dad barnodos kids
Dad died on fathers day 1973
Mum diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic
Brutally bullied at a military boarding school

My 24 years in the Army which included serving with the elite pathfinders platoon

My 20+ years in boxing which included working with Lennox Lewis, Frank Maloney, Ricky Hatton & David Haye having tales which would make your hair curl.

On leaving the army working as a Debt Collector in some of the most deprived areas of the North East

Working as a care officer for some of the most disadvantaged looked after children in the country

Having to keep quiet some high profile sportsmen were drug cheats.

Being diagnosed and coping with Parkinson’s

It seems a publicist would not be interested.

Oh well it seems i am a boring ****

I asked for honesty and got it straight between the eyes.

Don't give up Spud, I was listening to Donald McRae being interviewed a while ago (author of Dark Trade) and he said the first publicist he went to told him no one is interested in boxing. You will find someone who will take it on

[Spud]

I am gutted …

It seems the dream of writing a book is over before its even started…

I like speaking to people who are brutally honest and I spoke to a ghost writer today who I admire greatly and he says people would not be interested.

My story would have included :

Mum & dad barnodos kids
Dad died on fathers day 1973
Mum diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic
Brutally bullied at a military boarding school

My 24 years in the Army which included serving with the elite pathfinders platoon

My 20+ years in boxing which included working with Lennox Lewis, Frank Maloney, Ricky Hatton & David Haye having tales which would make your hair curl.

On leaving the army working as a Debt Collector in some of the most deprived areas of the North East

Working as a care officer for some of the most disadvantaged looked after children in the country

Having to keep quiet some high profile sportsmen were drug cheats.

Being diagnosed and coping with Parkinson’s

It seems a publicist would not be interested.

Oh well it seems i am a boring ****

I asked for honesty and got it straight between the eyes.

Don't give up Spud, I was listening to Donald McRae being interviewed a while ago (author of Dark Trade) and he said the first publicist he went to told him no one is interested in boxing. You will find someone who will take it on

Ty taking the time to reply.

I am extremely humbled people have gone
Out of their way to reply

[Fray Bentos]

I don't know if you expected the ghost writer to write it for charity? I don't know - maybe that's why he slagged it off rather than the story being crap (which it isn't....)

I have read somewhere the average published book sells not even a thousand copies, I don't think even if you found a publisher that much money would be going to charity once everyone took their cut - could you write the book yourself? I think you are capable of putting it down on paper even if it meant talking into an app and it puts it down on a Microsoft Word app.