What do you think team?

Hi All,

I wanted to run an idea by you to see if you felt it something worth pursuing.

I have been considering approaching publishers about two books. Quite different in their respective focuses, one is a selection of poetry/lyrics, the other a practical handbook for actors I've been working on for some time. This would almost certainly require me to approach two separate publishing houses that specialise in these very different genres, or finding an amenable publisher big enough to have a dedicated department for each. I am aware that I may have some leverage with prospective publishers on the basis of my family reputation in the entertainment industry, but in a way I want the work to stand on its own merit, and perhaps even carry an element of pleasant surprise.

I've therefore also explored the possibility of self-publishing and have been really encouraged to find real possibilities now available in comparison with a few years ago. It's fair to say that self-publishing has moved-on enormously since the first Amazon Self-Publishing offerings. For example, there are companies like TAUK (Team Author UK) for instance, who assist with all design, print, illustration and placement who produce fantastic books, some of which are then picked up by major publishers. Essentially TAUK assist the writer in producing their own book for an agreed initial price, then all sales are retained by the author, a very different proposition to the publishing advance paid to writers that must then be recouped from sales.

The two would cost £5000 to produce in total with TAUK.

Then I thought about you. I have received incredible feedback from so many of you for my poetry recently with some of you even encouraging me to publish a collection, which in part is what spurred me to look into it more meaningfully. I wondered therefore whether this might be something that you may want to put your name to too, to get involved personally as another little collaborative adventure between us? I am planning a big second album project for later this year or early 2023, but in the meantime what do you think about a small Kickstarter campaign to get these two books published which offer you various rewards like personal dedications; personally signed copies; an official private launch; even an opportunity to write the foreword or introduction? I'm open to all suggestions. What d'you think? If enough of you are amenable, it would certainly get these books into the public domain quickly and give us another new creative adventure in the process that will be shared with you at every stage of development as with our past projects to inform, inspire and involve. We have a film, we have an album, do we fancy a book or two?

Let me know your thoughts and whatever the consensus I'll let that be my guide.

Thank you all as ever. I trust you are happy and well in your respective realities!

Love and light.

Mark xxx