Could Artificial Intelligence help You Get Away with Murder?

Whether we like it or not, AI is here to stay, and with it comes a chilling new realm of possibilities. It promises better production, unprecedented efficiency, and progress at a pace humanity has never witnessed. However, a dark subset of humanity is waiting in the shadows, ready to exploit these advancements for nefarious ends.

Deepfake Pornography

Not long ago, superstar Taylor Swift was the victim of a flood of pornographic videos and images, all crafted through deepfake technology. Her legal team fought back, but what happens if you lack the resources to combat such violations?

Revenge Porn, as it’s known in the UK, involves the malicious publication of intimate images without consent. Previously, the perpetrator needed access to the victim’s private images. But now, AI has changed the game.

While AI systems are supposedly programmed with ethical boundaries to prevent the creation of such images, there will inevitably be those that operate outside these moral confines. This technology poses a dire threat, especially to individuals after acrimonious breakups, where a vindictive partner could destroy a victim’s life. Victims not only face the herculean task of removing these images but also proving their AI origins.

The Menace of Synthetic Voices and Texts

In the UK, sending grossly offensive electronic communications is illegal. But what if someone could generate your voice with AI and use it to send vile messages? What if they could send a barrage of explicit AI-generated images and texts to someone else, demanding ransom to keep them from your spouse? Imagine a fabricated video of you performing degrading acts with another person. The events aren’t real, but the devastation is tangible.

As AI continues to evolve, and AI-generated content becomes indistinguishable from reality, how will we separate truth from illusion?

Law enforcement relies on concrete evidence to convict criminals—photographs, mapping data, CCTV footage. If accused of a crime, such as murder, and you claim the evidence is AI-generated, how will the police distinguish reality from fabrication? How can they convince a jury conditioned to seeing both AI and real images? Will it become nearly impossible not just to prove guilt, but also to establish innocence?

I shudder to think what the future holds in this impending dystopian nightmare. Will we be forced to document every second of our lives to protect ourselves? Will the state install cameras in every home, claiming it’s for our safety against false accusations?

Was George Orwell's vision in 1984 a grim prophecy?

Only time will tell.

Baby Reindeer – A Deep Dive into the Stalking Psychology and Behaviour of Martha.

Baby Reindeer as seen on Netflix

Baby Reindeer, the Netflix international breakthrough hit of struggling comedian Richard Gadd (played by himself) who befriends the lonely woman who he meets in a bar named ‘Martha,’ (played by Jessica Gunning) who then proceeds to relentlessly stalk him for over twelve months.

The show not only was a breakthrough due to the brilliant storytelling, the realness and utter unbelievability of what audiences were watching, but it also highlights something that isn’t often spoken about -

Women also stalk men.

Netflix has seen several hit TV shows where the male is the stalker, namely ‘YOU,’ but this show hits home on another terrifying level. There are some crazy, obsessed people out there, and some of them can appear sweet and innocent, just like Martha did.

Who is the real ‘Martha,’ in Baby Reindeer?

The Scottish national Fiona Harvey states that she is the real ‘Martha,’ however she denies the allegations that she has stalked Gadd as laid out in the Netflix series. Harvey appeared on Piers Morgan Uncensored to tell her side of the story, which is available on YouTube.

What mental illness does Martha have in Baby Reindeer?

It is likely that ‘Martha’ also had Borderline Personality Disorder, which is highlighted when Gadd tries to implement boundaries, pull away, or ‘Martha’ finds him with someone else. Although they were never in a relationship, ‘Martha’ perceived it at so. We see during the series that ‘Martha’ becomes increasingly obsessed with Gadd, and that the more he pulls away, the more outraged she becomes.

There is a strong link between stalking (particularly in females), and Borderline Personality Disorder. This is twofold –

1 - Women are more likely to be diagnosed with BPD.

2 - This is a logical link, as sufferers with BPD have a deep-seated fear of abandonment, which means that they can latch onto those around them in unhealthy ways, forming very fast bonds that are very intense very quickly. We see this in abusive relationships where women are the perpetrators. The woman becomes hyper-fixated on their partner, and when the partner tries to draw a boundary or the person with BPD perceives that their partner is pulling away, they can become hostile either to their partner or even to themselves. This is what we see frequently with ‘Martha’ in Baby Reindeer. She wants Gadd to herself and is willing to use violence and intimidation to stop her from being alone. We see that ‘Martha’s’ behaviour is in fact more about her own abandonment not being triggered, rather than her feelings for Gadd. To her, Gadd is the symbol of safety in her childhood, her ‘Baby Reindeer,’ a stuffed toy that she would cuddle when frightened as a child. He is a beacon of safety to her and something she doesn’t want to lose. To ‘Martha,’ losing Gadd is like becoming a terrified child again.

Read more about BPD here.

Stalking Behaviour

One of the reasons I believe Martha’s story is based on real events is the stalking behaviour that is exhibited.

Unlike the exaggerated portrayals often seen in Hollywood, 'Baby Reindeer' presents a chillingly realistic depiction of stalking behavior. This authenticity, far from being a deterrent, actually heightens the sense of terror, making the narrative all the more compelling.

We see that ‘Martha’ loiters around Gadd’s home. We see that she attends his place of work frequently. She makes excuses to see him, be in the area, and even checks his social media to find out information about him, such as past relationships. We see that ‘Martha’ calls Gadd hundreds of times, leaving hours and hours of voice messages. She attends where he is holding a gig. She uses pet names for him. Thousands of emails and social media messages. The list goes on. The more Gadd pulls away, the more intense these interactions become.

What kind of stalker is Martha?

‘Martha’ would be classed as the ‘incompetent suitor’ stalker. A lot of people may think that Martha is a rejected stalker (ex-partner), but I don’t believe this to be the case. The two have never been in an intimate relationship or ever formally been in a relationship that was more than platonic. Therefore, they haven’t met the definition of being in a relationship, so the rejected stalker definition wouldn’t apply.

Instead, we see that ‘Martha’ appears to be lower than Gadd on the socio-economic scale, and she doesn’t appear to be able to understand the signals and social cues that Gadd is giving off. For that reason, I believe ‘Martha’ to be portrayed as the ‘incompetent suitor’ type of stalker, of which we see with those that are stalking celebrities, wishing to be close to them and befriend them.

Does Martha know that she is A Stalker?

Unfortunately, stalkers are very good at rationalising their behaviour. If they knew what they were doing was wrong, then they wouldn’t do it. Interviewing a stalker and trying to get them to admit to what they have done, that they have exhibited signs of fixation, Obsessive, Unwanted contact and have done so repeatedly (FOUR), is very difficult.

Stalkers are often highly delusional in that they will still state that they are not a stalker, but they just ‘want to talk,’ or they ‘love them and want to get back with them.’ A stalker will rationalise their behaviour even in the face of compelling evidence. Often, with a rejected stalker, it is more about how the stalker feels than how the victim feels. This, again, means they are less likely to reflect on the harm they are causing to the victim because of their behaviour.

With ‘Martha,’ (as highlighted on the Piers Morgan Uncensored show), Harvey denies the allegations put forward to her and she states that she is the victim and Gadd is the abuser. Who is telling the truth? Only the two of them really know.

Left for Dead - The Best-Selling British Crime Novel

Want to know more? Click below.

AN EXPERT LOOK - WHAT DO STALKERS WANT FROM THEIR VICTIMS?

TOP CRIME NOVELS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN SPRING 2024

the best crime novels to read On Holiday IN Summer 2024

In the world of crime fiction, there is so much choice. But who stands out to give you a real thrill? Below are the top eight authors who really know how to create a breakneck twist.

1 - Tess Gerritsen

Tess Gerritsen is a renowned author celebrated for her gripping thrillers and captivating storytelling. With a background in medicine, Gerritsen infuses her narratives with a unique blend of medical expertise and suspense, captivating readers worldwide. Her notable works include the Rizzoli & Isles series, featuring the dynamic duo of detective Jane Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles, which has been adapted into a successful television series.

Tess Gerritsen - The Surgeon

Read Gerritsen’s acclaimed thriller ‘The Surgeon,’ here.

2 - Karin Slaughter

Karin Slaughter stands as a luminary in the realm of crime fiction, renowned for her unflinching exploration of human nature and the darkest corners of society. With a knack for crafting complex characters and intricately woven plots, Slaughter's novels resonate deeply with readers. From her breakthrough debut "Blindsighted" to her subsequent bestselling works like the Grant County and Will Trent series, Slaughter's writing exudes raw authenticity and relentless suspense.

Karin Slaughter - Blindsighted

Read Slaughter’s sensational thriller ‘Blindsighted,’ here.

3 - R.C. Bridgestock

R.C. Bridgestock, the pseudonym for the writing duo Bob and Carol Bridgestock, brings a wealth of real-life experience to their crime fiction. Drawing from Bob's extensive career as a detective and Carol's background in the police force, their novels offer a gripping and authentic portrayal of police procedurals. Their acclaimed DI Jack Dylan series follows the titular detective as he navigates the complexities of criminal investigations, showcasing the Bridgestocks' meticulous attention to detail and insider knowledge of police work.

RC Bridgestock - Deadly Focus

Read RC Bridgestock ‘Deadly Focus,’ here.

4 - Jay Darkmoore

Jay Darkmoore is a UK best-selling author with a background in crime and investigation. He uses his in-depth knowledge and experience to create dark and gritty tales of the criminal world. Readers have often described Darkmoore’s work as ‘Razor sharp,’ ‘Breakneck twists,’ and a ‘Breath of fresh air in a stagnated thriller genre.’

Jay Darkmoore - Left for Dead

Read Jay Darkmoore’s acclaimed ‘The Detective Laura Warburton Series,’ here.

5 - Martina Cole

Martina Cole reigns supreme as the queen of gritty crime fiction, renowned for her compelling narratives set amidst the underworld of London's criminal milieu. With a career spanning over three decades, Cole's novels delve fearlessly into the lives of gangsters, criminals, and those caught in the crossfire. Her raw and unflinching portrayal of urban life captivates readers, drawing them into a world of violence, betrayal, and redemption. From her groundbreaking debut "Dangerous Lady" to her subsequent bestsellers like "The Ladykiller" and "The Take,’ which was adapted for television starring Tom Hardy.

Martina Cole - The Take

Read Martina Cole ‘The Take,’ here.

6 - James Patterson

James Patterson stands as a titan in the world of popular fiction, with an unparalleled ability to captivate readers across genres. With a prolific output spanning crime thrillers, suspense, romance, and young adult fiction, Patterson's novels have dominated bestseller lists worldwide. Known for his fast-paced plots, short chapters, and gripping storytelling, Patterson keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. His iconic Alex Cross series, featuring the brilliant detective and psychologist, has become a staple of modern crime fiction, spawning numerous adaptations and captivating audiences globally.

James Patterson - Along Came a Spider

Read James Patterson’s ‘Along Came a Spider,’ here.

7 - Peter James

Peter James is a master of suspense and psychological thrillers, known for his gripping narratives and meticulous attention to detail. With his acclaimed Roy Grace series, James has carved out a niche in the crime fiction genre, captivating readers with his complex characters and intricately plotted mysteries. Set in the vibrant backdrop of Brighton, England, James' novels explore the darker side of human nature, delving into themes of obsession, revenge, and the supernatural. Through his vivid storytelling and meticulous research, James creates a sense of palpable tension that keeps readers guessing until the very end.

Peter James - Dead Simple

Read Peter James’ ‘Roy Grace,’ series, here.

8 - Alex Michaelides

Alex Michaelides burst onto the literary scene with his stunning debut novel, "The Silent Patient," captivating readers with its intricate plot and shocking twists. With a background in psychotherapy, Michaelides brings a unique perspective to his psychological thrillers, crafting narratives that delve deep into the complexities of the human mind. "The Silent Patient" follows the gripping tale of Alicia Berenson, a celebrated painter who inexplicably stops speaking after being accused of murdering her husband. Michaelides' skillful storytelling and expertly crafted characters keep readers guessing until the very end, as they unravel the dark secrets hidden within the walls of Alicia's mind.

Alex Michaelides - The Silent Patient

Read Alex Michaelides ‘The Silent Patient,’ here.

Stalkers. What do they want?

*This page may contain Amazon affiliate links. 

How to Pay Attention and Get Things Done

Jay Darkmoore

In my career, I have written and published over one million words, in the form of novels, short stories, flash fiction, novellas and collections. My writing has spanned the genres of horror, dystopia, dark fantasy and crime thriller. Needless to say, I have learned that being able to focus and to get into the flow state is extremely important so I can truly get lost in my work.  

Whether that’s writing 100,000 words for a novel, or a blog post, or even a script for a video, it is paramount that you can get in the zone and focus on a single task for extended periods of time. (Don’t give me the BS that you have ADHD and can’t focus. I bet you can spend hours playing on the Xbox and not think twice about it).  

Whether you’re a writer, like me, or you’re working on a painting, a sculpture, a computer program or even schoolwork, being able to focus your attention is a game changer, and will send not only the quality of your work through the roof, but also your productivity and output. Basically, if you are not focusing, then you are playing the game on hard mode and you keep pausing your progress.

Below are a few of my own methods and equipment that I use to get into flow, focus, and get things done:

Smart Phone Time Out.

The first is often the most difficult, and that is the simple task of putting your phone away and out of sight. I know right? Does that thought fill you with dread? Anxiety? That you’re going to miss out? Well, put it this way – If you are constantly on social media for fear of missing out,, and not working on your projects, then you are guaranteeing that you are going to miss out.

Currently, as I am writing this, I have my phone turned on DO NOT DISTURB (with only emergency contact able to get through to contact me), and I have it inside the drawer in my desk, to remove all temptation completely.

Give yourself permission to unplug for half an hour and get to work.

Noise Cancelling Headphones.

These have been an absolute game changer for me. Before, I was either using no headphones, and I was at the mercy of all the noises and sounds that may filter into my world, or I was using normal headphones, which meant I could basically still hear everything around me, be it the doorbell, traffic, or the dog whining because the neighbour’s cat has walked past the window.

Distractions were everywhere, but these amazing headphones have allowed me to shut the world out and be able to get lost in my own world for just a little while. The best part is that you can pick up a pair from Amazon for the price of a take-out.

Using the ‘Right’ Kind of Noise.

As well as the noise cancelling headphones, I have another step to shutting the world out, which sounds very counterproductive. Noise. But in particular, White Noise. Static. Emptiness, playing in your ears. A form of loud silence.

Now this is just me. Some people like music. Some like a melody of some kind, but I prefer white noise. After a while, you don’t hear it. There are no breaks. No change in tempo designed to get your heart rate going or to pull your attention towards it. White noise is simply that. Nothing. And when you’re trying to focus and remove distractions, then nothing is exactly what you want.

A To-Do List.

I love a To-Do list. I love a list that I write out before my writing or creation sitting, and I love crossing my tasks off one by one. That way, not only does it feel great to see how much you have gotten done, but you also have tangible evidence that your time focusing and working on the project is moving forward.

Regular Breaks.

Now I am not superhuman. I love scrolling through Instagram mindlessly as much as the next person, so when I am on a focus session, I set twenty minute timers, and I work through that timer and then give myself a five minute break where I get up from the desk, make a coffee, check my phone, and then when the next twenty minutes kicks in, I put the phone back into jail, and get back to it.

Now, some of you may want less than twenty minutes, some may want more. Sometimes the time goes off and I am in such a deep flow state that I want to stay there for as long as possible. It is a magical place that I feel so happy in, and I don’t want to pull myself away from. So, the timer is optional. I find it helps with focus, but each to their own. Just be careful that that five-minute break doesn’t become a ten or fifteen minutes, and you find yourself doom scrolling instead of doing the work.

Time Away from the Desk

Running

This is vitally important. What do you do to relax when you’re not at the desk and working? How do you unwind?

Time away from the desk is just as important as time at the desk. I like to go for a run, to the gym and go walking. It clears my mind, and then when I sit back down to my latest project, it means that I have a clear head and I am able to get cracking back on with it.

Habit Creation

The best way to get into flow and focus, is to do it often. Do you like working in the mornings or in the evenings? Just thirty minutes a day that are spent focusing and building and creating something that you love, rather than staring at the TV or at social media.

Focus is like a habit. The more you do it, the better you get at doing it. The better you get at doing it, the more productive and happy you will be that your project is moving along.

It’s that simple.

So, go. Focus, and craft your own heaven.

Jay Darkmoore is an independently published author of gritty crime fiction and horror. His ‘Detective Laura Warburton,’ crime series has hit the Amazon best seller list, and he has a background in crime and investigation to give his book a real and authentic feel.

He lives in the North-West of England with his partner Laura, his son Joe and his springer spaniel Miles, who is his biggest distraction.

You can follow Jay Darkmoore on social media @Jay_Darkmoore_Author, and can join his newsletter for free by clicking here.

Interview With Keith C Blackmore

Jay Darkmoore

Keith C Blackmore is a Canadian author with a wide range of titles, from horror and dark fantasy to heroic fiction and post-apocalyptic stories. His following has grown enormously over his career and has recently signed a deal with Podium Publishing to bring his incredible stories to live through audio, which is exactly how I found him.

His acclaimed zombie apocalyptical series ‘Mountain Man,’ has captured not only my heart, but readers around the world, and has been opted for film *fangirl scream*.

Keith is not only an incredibly talented writer, whose stories are not only both terrifying, thrilling and laced with hilarious dark humour and dialogue, but a brilliant and approachable guy, who stands above other authors with his personality, and his willingness to interact with those that follow him.

Although a prolific and very successful author, Kieth likes to keep to the shadows, and doesn’t like to be in the limelight.

As a testament to Keith’s willingness to engage with his readers, he has very kindly taken the time to complete a list of questions that I have been burning to ask him for longer than I would like to admit.

Mountain Man - Book One - By Keith C Blackmore

Keith C Blackmore is a Canadian author with a wide range of titles, from horror and dark fantasy to heroic fiction and post-apocalyptic stories. His following has grown enormously over his career and has recently signed a deal with Podium Publishing to bring his incredible stories to live through audio, which is exactly how I found him.

His acclaimed zombie apocalyptical series ‘Mountain Man,’ has captured not only my heart, but readers around the world, and has been opted for film *fangirl scream*.

Keith is not only a greatly talented writer, whose stories are not only both terrifying, thrilling and laced with hilarious dark humour and dialogue, but a brilliant and approachable guy, who stands above other authors with his personality, and his willingness to interact with those that follow him.

Although a prolific and very successful author, Kieth likes to keep to the shadows, and doesn’t like to be in the limelight.

As a testament to Keith’s willingness to engage with his readers, he has very kindly taken the time to complete a list of questions that I have been burning to ask him for longer than I would like to admit.

JD - Hi Keith, Thank you so much for agreeing to do this 😊 I have only a few questions and I would love to know your answers!

KCB - No sweat, but I hate it already :) (I hate interviews)

Questions -

JD - What did you want to be when you were growing up?

KCB - A movie director.

JD - How did you get into writing, and how did you decided that you wanted to do it as a career?

KCB - When my guidance counsellor tried to hide his smile when said I wanted to be a movie director, I thought “Maybe I should adjust my career goals accordingly…” so…. I thought about writing….

JD - Do you prefer reading a series, or stand-alone novels?

KCB - Both are fine, but I prefer series that are finished. I can binge that way.

JD – When it comes to writing, do you prefer a series or a stand alone?  

KCB - Both are fine, but I think lean towards short series and not long ones.

JD - Kindle, paperback, hardback or audio?

KCB - Kindle, then paperback, if it’s cheap. Hardback is optional. I’m not into audio at all, but I understand the appeal.

JD - How do you see the publishing world changing in the next few years?

KCB - I think audio is booming, but other than that, I don’t see any new formats coming forth. There might be a model in there for writers to write on their sites, and have readers pay what they think is worth either before, during, or at the end. With a minimum dollar amount needed… but it would take a lot of effort on the writer’s part, as well as implementing a system—a third party pay site, I would suspect—to pay the writer for his/her efforts. Probably out there already…?

JD - Who is your inspiration for your work?

KCB - No one at the time of answering this question. I do it because I like it… and thankfully, people like to read/listen to my stories. For now. I figure I’m two bad books away from washing dishes at the local hotel.

JD - In the story ‘The missing Boatman,’ we see personifications of Death, Pain and other emotions and entities. It also raises the question of the importance of Death in the world. What make you come up with that idea? Are you religious?

KCB - Yep, I’m religious. Not overly so, but enough. As for the idea, it’s nothing new. I thought it was original  (ie what if people stopped dying, all at once. How long would it take for people to realize it? What would be the implications? ). However, since putting it out there (and even while it was being published ) I’ve seen four or five tv/movies with the same concept. There’s a back story there as well. I remember, back in the day when I was still submitting, I sent a copy of the manuscript to a literary agent in LA. Never hear a word back from the agent, but a year or so later, I see a tv show and a movie with the same premise. No doubt a coincidence… but still, disappointing.  Like thinking you’re the only kid on the street with a shiny new bike, and the day you roll it out to show the world, another kid rides by on the exact same bike….

JD - What do you think happens when we die?

KCB - I’m not exactly sure, but I know I’ll find out ….one day.

JD - Let’s talk about your career. You have a varied taste in books that you have created, from horror, to heroic fantasy. Why the expansive taste, and what is next for you?

KCB - Grew up reading Science fiction, fantasy, and heroic fantasy,  gradually went into horror, and later on crime fiction… Started reading westerns as my grandfather read them lots. A regular fiction story if something catches my eye. Had a military fiction kick when Tom Clancy was doing them. Later on got into Haruki Murakami (he’s very surreal). It’s good to take a look at different genres, just to see how folks do things. That’s pretty much it. I try and write stories I’d like to read. Sometimes it works, sometimes not….

And next story will be a return to heroic fantasy, or, as I’ve learned, my stuff is more grimdark…

JD - What do you enjoy about writing in specific genres?

KCB - Depends on the genre. Horror fiction I can play with the language a lot more than, say, fantasy.  Never really thought about why I like writing those genres. I’m sure there’s a reason in there somewhere….

JD - Your dialogue and descriptions are both chilling, hilarious and very tongue in cheek at times. How do you come up with them, and how do you choose the dialogue for your characters?

KCB - Everywhere and nowhere. Listening to people talk in the shops, at the bars, anywhere. Even just talking with a friend, some expressions might come up in the spur of the moment that are pure creative lightning…. And when that happens, be sure to have a pen and paper nearby, to write them down and save them for later. Always have a notepad with you….

And, regarding dialogue, this is weird, but I think if you allow your characters to live and breathe and interact,  if you give them something of a personality, and you do it right, they will provide the dialogue themselves. You’ll discover their voices. If that happens, let them talk….  the problem then becomes… knowing when to shut the conversation down.

JD - What do you do when you’re not writing?

KCB - Housework. Running errands. Cooking. Playing PC games. Watching TV or movies. Reading (which I need to be doing more of). Exercising. I like putting together 1000 piece jigsaw puzzles. Sleeping….

JD - What is your favourite line / quote from your books?

KCB - From one of mine? Oh, I don’t know. Can’t think of any….

JD - Do you have any odd writing habits / rituals? 

KCB - Don’t think so….but I’m not that self-aware of my own habits… when writing that is. I do use a timer, to keep track of 20 minute sprints… I write for 20 minutes and then, when the alarm goes off, I’ll get up and move around for about 5 minutes or so. Got that from Chris Fox’s “5000 Words Per Hour”. Great book if you’re looking on ways to increase your productivity.

JD - Do you plot? Pants? Or somewhere in the middle?

KCB - I do have a mental checklist of story points I want to get to, and work towards them, so that is, in essence, plotting, I guess. To a degree.  I do not do any extensive plotting. I usually know what direction I want the story to go, certain points/beats I want to reach, but if a character does something I don’t expect, I’ll let it flow. See where it ends up.

So, somewhere in the middle, I guess.

JD - What goes through your mind when you sit down to a blank page with a word count showing zero?

KCB - The opening scene, and how to best present it, along with any dialogue that might happen. There is no magic. Not really. You sit down and you work at it, and hopefully, it will be fun and flow.  And maybe even crackle a little. In the final stages, the polishing, I’ll go back and read, and if a line comes off blah, I’ll try and infuse some colour in there. Try and get creative. Try… sometimes, that is. Sometimes I’ll leave a plain line as it. There is a danger of becoming too colourful, so striking a balance is important, too.

JD - Do you struggle with writer’s block?

KCB - Yes, at times I do.  I’ll write myself into knots every now and again and it will take some time to get out of them. If that happens, it’s usually because I’ve lost the thread of the story, and a quick read through of everything that has happened before usually unblocks everything.

JD - You can only save one – Pizza or Alcohol. Which do you choose?

KCB - Rough one. They do go so well together. Pizza.

JD - What is your favourite scene that you have written?

KCB - Ah, can’t think of any right now. They are all my babies, but I think the writing is improving with each new book. Better wording, being less wordy, less repetition, etc.

JD - What is your writing process like? What challenges do you face when creating?

KCB - Pretty straightforward. Sit butt in chair and try for at least 2000 words a day. Between 2K and 3K is good. Anything about 4K is great. Some days it happens, and some days… it does not.  The biggest challenge is being just sitting down and consistent, which I have to improve upon. I want to produce more, however, in a day. Upwards of 5k. Even 6 or 7….

JD - What advice do you have writers that are either considering starting writing, or are at the start of their careers?

KCB - Do it, but don’t give up the day job. I will save you that bit of stress. Do not do as I did. Keep your day job and write in the evenings, on weekends, or whenever you can, but be consistent. Sit yourself down and write. Be consistent with your word counts, whatever they may be for the time you give yourself. Make no mistake, it’s work…. It’s a lot of fun, but, yeah, it’s still work. Especially when you get into the editing and polishing….and don’t skimp on that either. Hire a fresh set of eyes, preferably one with a proven track record, to look at your work when it’s time to edit.

And remember, it’s still a good time to be a writer.

There’s a lot more, so much more, but that might be the biggest, most important piece of advice. Nothing else matters if you don’t sit down and write.

JD - To you, what is more important – Plot or characters?

KCB - Characters.

JD - Anything else you would like to add for the reader to enjoy? A favourite quote? Something about yourself? Some words of wisdom?  

KCB - We’re all different, so don’t take everything I’ve said too seriously. If you write, the biggest challenge will be to sit down and actually write. If you can make that part of your day, consistently, you will do well.

If you want to check out some of Keith’s work, here is the link to his website.

Thanks for checking in!

Be sure to join out newsletter so you never miss out on author interviews, as well as getting a free sample of my own work!

Trigger Warnings Ruin Books, And This Is Why.

Jay Darkmoore

I’m browsing through the bookshelf. See a book I like the look of, flick through the first couple of pages and I am confronted with a page that says ‘Warning, this may contain content that is upsetting for some readers,’ followed by a long shopping list of things that may traumatise me.  

I immediately put that book down, and I don’t touch it again. I don’t being pandered to. I wouldn’t say I like that the writer thinks that I am so unable to handle my own emotions that they must warn me before I take a step into their world.

Dear writer – Do not pander to me. I am not a fucking child. I can handle my own emotions.

But there are more reasons why trigger warnings ruin books than simply the writer feeling that they need to hold my hand and carefully guide me through the pages, just in case I get a little bit sad at the squiggly lines –

1 – The Word ‘Triggered’ Is NOT The Same As Being Upset.

The word triggered comes from psychology. It means to be triggered into a PTSD emotional flashback, to the point where something – an event, like combat and war – happened, and you are transported back to that situation and how you felt at the time. It means that your body reacts and your hormones spike. It means that you begin to shake, to run, to fight. You lose control of yourself because the stimulus has ‘triggered’ significant trauma. It hasn’t just upset or offended you. Being offended is a choice. Remember that. You CHOOSE to be offended and you CHOOSE to be angry.

You do not choose to be triggered. Stop saying being angry is the same as being triggered. They are worlds apart, and it’s very, very disrespectful to actual sufferers of PTSD and trauma to say you got triggered because you read about a bad thing happening that made you feel sad.  

2 – Your Feelings Aren’t My Responsibility

When I write a book, I write the best thing for the story and the characters. Honestly? The reader comes second. The artwork comes first. I write stories that I want to read, and through that I attract likeminded readers. Readers who will then follow me and my work and become true lasting, loyal fans.

If someone reads my work and they do not like it, then fine. I’m not the writer for them. But I couldn’t possibly pander to every possible reader’s wants and needs. It would be impossible. Not to mention that I wouldn’t be being my authentic self. The self that has made my books be downloaded and purchased thousands and thousands of times.

I tell the story that best fits the narrative and the situation for the best book possible. If I started censoring myself, thinking how would this be viewed or perceived, then that wouldn’t be the best result for the book, would it? I would be cheating the art to appeal to a small minority of people, instead of writing the book I wanted to write and giving an authentic experience. If a reader needs a trigger warning, then they probably won’t enjoy my books anyway!

If you read something in a book that is upsetting, and then get angry at the writer for not warning you that such things were going to be in the book, then that sounds like your problem. If two people read the same text, and one gets upset by it, and the other doesn’t, isn’t it the reader that is to blame? Isn’t that the problem of the reader not being able to handle their emotions, rather than the writer for writing it? It’s like getting upset over a joke a comedian makes. We focus in on what upsets us, and then we blame the person that delivered it to us. As the saying goes ‘don’t shoot the messenger.’ Your feelings are no one else’s responsibility to manage other than your own. Get your shit together.

Read the best-selling crime novel ‘Left for Dead,’ by Jay Darkmoore

3 – You’re Confusing Writing About The Bad Thing As The Bad Thing.

If I write a scene about a bad thing happening, someone might think I am condoning it or that that writing about it is exactly the same thing as the bad thing happening. This, frankly, is just fucking ridiculous.

4 – Your Trauma. Your Problem.

If you have trauma, then join the club. Everyone has trauma. Everyone suffers from mental health issues from tome to time. Everyone has something bad that has happened to them in the past. You aren’t special. Your trauma doesn’t make you unique. It makes you just like everyone else.

Therefore, your trauma and your mental health is your responsibility to manage. Not anyone else’s. If you can’t handle reading something that upsets you, then you need to sort that shit out.

The Real Story Behind ‘Left For Dead.’

5 – Life Doesn’t Come With Trigger Warnings

No body is going to warn you before they insult you, attack you or hurt you. No one is going to warn you before a car pulls out in front of you on the motorway. The weather isn’t going to warn you a week before there is an earthquake that destroys your home. So why should a damn book? Its ink on a piece of paper. It isn’t that scary...

6 – You’re Waiting For The Bad Thing to Happen, And It Ruins The Flow and Authenticity Of The Book.

If I am writing a book and I want something a little shocking or uncomfortable to read to help a scene be more impactful, it kind of loses that when I have already warned you about it.

Imagine your partner is going to propose and they set all the flowers, the lights, the music and the most amazing ring, but they showed you the ring first before doing it, just so you weren’t caught off guard (which would be exactly the point in the scenario), then it wouldn’t feel as immersive, would it? If someone warns you about something that happens in the book, it takes away the strong emotion which the writer wants you to have when reading it. It’s basically a spoiler.

Not to mention, you then spend the whole time reading just waiting for the bad thing to happen, meaning that you can’t lose yourself in the book you’re reading.

Read ‘It Starts with Us,’ by Colleen Hoover

7 – You Don’t Know How Severe The Trigger Is Going to Be.

If I write a book and I tell you that it involved animal cruelty, then you might think of me gutting an animal and being cruel to it. I may just mean a character pushes a dog down a hill. Both mean things to do. One much more severe.

With a trigger warning, your mind goes to the worst-case scenario, meaning that your guard is then up.

8 – If The Genre Is Known For Upsetting Topics, And You Get Upset, Then You Were Already Warned.

I write thrillers and horror novels. My covers are dark and macabre. From the titles, the covers, and the genre alone, you should know that there is going to be some topics a little close to the bone. If you get blindsided and upset by something you read, then my friend, that’s on you.

8 – THEY DON’T WORK

Research suggests that trigger warning make anxiety to worse due to waiting for the bad thing to happen. You’re waiting to be upset, so you can’t get lost in the story.

So, in conclusion, I think we need to step away from this whole thing of books needing to be censored or the need to have sensitivity readers going over old books so they don’t offend someone. Do you want a safe space, or do you want to be transported to a new world and discover things you never knew possible? Do you want to live in a safe box filled with teddy bears and cotton wool, or do you to actually feel something when you read a book?

And remember. If you read something upsetting, you can always just skip that part, or hell, put the book down and get on with your life.

It’s been a pleasure. If you enjoyed this blog, then why not drop me an email.

jaydarkmoore@gmail.com

-          J

About the author -

Jay Darkmoore is a UK-based author with a background in crime and investigation. He is a huge fan of all things dark - exploring the macabre, demonic and darker aspects of the human psyche.

Jay likes putting his characters in terrible situations and then turning out all the lights. To date, he has self-published novels of horror, crime and dark fantasy dystopia. His inspirations are Stephen King, Keith C Blackmore and Nick Cutter.

When not at his desk, Jay spends his free time making YouTube videos to help writers in their craft, promoting other books he has enjoyed, as well as hitting the gym and taking wild cold plunges with ducks.

He is a single parent to his son Joe who is his biggest fan.

The Nine Traits Of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (and Why You Only Need To Know ONE).

Narcissism is on the rise. That much is clear. So, it’s important that we know how to identify someone quickly who is high in narcissistic traits. Below, I have outlined the nine traits of Narcissistic Personality Disorder, under the acronym SPECIAL ME. Plus, I have included the only reason you should ever truly need to know you’re dealing with a particularly toxic individual.

Remember, you only need to score highly in five of these traits to be classified as having NPD.

S – Sense of Importance.

Does the person you are dealing with believe that they should receive special treatment wherever they go? Do they fly into a rage or into a tantrum quickly when hearing the word ‘No’? If that is the case, you might be dealing with a toxic individual who believes that they are the centre of the universe.

Read ‘A Cult of One,’ by Narcissism expert Richard Grannon.

P – Preoccupation with power, beauty or success.

‘I deserve to be famous!’ ‘I deserve that promotion!’ ‘No, let me post our photos so I know they’re done right, and I look great.’ Sound familiar?

Narcissistic people believe that they are above other people, and that they should get the best in life, regardless of merit or if they have worked for it. It should be awarded to them because they are them. As for beauty, narcissists project the image of perfection to the world, so they must control what others see. An unflattering photograph is a smudge on their mirror, and that simply won’t do.

E – Entitled.

Narcissists believe that they are entitled to have whatever they want, whenever they want it. This means your attention, your money, your sex, and your energy. And when they have sucked you dry and you can no longer give them what they want, they will move onto the next. See also ‘Vampire.’

C – Can only be around people that are important or special.

You know that person who is always sucking up to the boss, or that person who has to be with the cool kids? Yup. It’s for their own self-worth. If they’re around successful people, it’s so that they can feel and appear successful to others.

I – Interpersonally exploitative for their own gain.

Anyone who has dated a narcissist will know exactly what is meant by this. Family. Friends. Co-workers and especially romantic partners will all know that the narcissist must be admired, and that they are highly manipulative for their own gain. They do not see you as another person. They see you as an extension of themselves. As someone who must serve them, or they are erased from their life, and if this supply of love and attention was to criticize the narcissists, then you better be ready or the rage that comes afterwards.

A - Arrogance.

Have you ever told a narcissist, no? Told them that they can’t have or do something that they want to do? Or have you ever shown them that what they are doing is wrong? They twist it so you’re in the wrong. It’s what they do. You cannot tell a narcissist ‘no.’ You cannot make them give a genuine apology, because to apologise or to accept wrongdoing or fault means that they are not perfect, and they cannot and will not admit this.

L - Lack of empathy.

A narcissist doesn’t care that you’re crying or your hurt. It doesn’t benefit them. They cannot feel bad for you. They don’t know what it is. A narcissists heart is a cold rock that barely beats. They show no emotion to others unless it benefits them in some way. They do not care that they cheated on you, lied or stole from you. In their minds, they were justified to do such things, and you are the problem for getting upset over it.

Read ‘Should I Stay or Should I Go,’ by Prof. Ramani Durvasula PhD.

M – Must be admired.

Rinse. Repeat. It’s exhausting.

E – Envious of others, or believes others are envious of them.

If someone has more than them, they want it, hence why they hang around with the high rollers. Or they believe people are envious of them, which is why they gloat and project their success so much.

But the biggest sign that you are dealing with a toxic person is this.

You are reading this article. You are looking online for answers. You are searching on YouTube for narcissism or toxic relationships or something along those lines. Put simply, if everything was okay, then you wouldn’t be so confused.

Listen to that voice in your mind telling you something isn’t right. It’s trying to help you.

Stalkers. Who they are, and what they want.

Jay Darkmoore is a crime and horror author with a background in crime and investigation, researching topics such as narcissism, coercive control and stalking behaviours.

You can read some of Jay’s work for free by joining his newsletter.

Interview with Detective Laura Warburton

Interview with Jay Darkmoore, and the infamous Detective Inspector Laura Warburton, of the Wigtown Major Investigation Team.

JD – Laura.

LW – Jay.

JD – How nice of you to join me tonight at such short notice.

LW – Thank you for having me. I’m sure the world won’t burn down in the time we’re talking.

JD – Let’s hope not. So, first question, how are you?

LW – Breathing.

JD – That’s good.

LW – Depends you look at it. Anymore?

JD – Plenty. A lot of people want to ask you questions. This one is asked by Stacy Night over on Instagram.

LW – You asked your followers for interview questions?

JD – You’re very popular.

LW – I would have done my makeup if I would have known. Or bring Bagpipe.

JD – How is he?

LW – Bagpipe? Just a cat. Does cat things. Sleeps. Eats. Shits. Sounds like a good life to me.

JD – Where did Bagpipe come from?

LW – I got him as a rescue shortly after I moved up North. I needed something to take my mind off the shit that had led to me moving up here in the first place. I was taking out the bins, and I found him in the back of a bush down the side of my house. Heard him meowing. He was so ill, the poor thing. A lot of his fur was missing. He hissed at me when I first picked him up. He was terrified. A little tuna however, he was happy to come inside. He didn’t have a chip, or a collar. I knocked on a few doors and put the word out, but no one came forward. He needed a name. Mittens or socks was too cliché. So, I thought of the most random thing I could think of, and Bagpipe came to mind.

JD – Why Bagpipe?

LW -  Because no matter what you call a cat, it won’t come to you. I found it funny, and the name stuck.

JD – I love that. You’re so kind.

LW – Kind. Desperate for attention. Needing some kind of purpose. Doesn’t matter really. The result is the same, regardless of motivation.

JD  - So back to the question.

LW – Of course. Sorry.

JD – Stacy Night from Instagram. She asked ‘why did you join the police force?’

LW – Fuck. You know, that’s a question I often think about myself!

JD – You’re laughing?

LW – Yeah. I think every cop starts for the same reason – because they want to help people. But we quickly find that when they step into the world of policing, that that quickly changes. You spend a lot of your time dealing with the shit the other agencies can’t be bothered with. Mental health? Call the police. Children that go missing from care? Call the police. My neighbour called me a slut on Facebook. Call the police.

JD – Does that actually happen? The Facebook thing?

LW – More than you know. It’s worrying. I got into trouble once because I had someone call us to report that someone had called them a ‘cunt’ on Facebook, and my response was, ‘are you?’ I was taken off the case at that point.

JD – It boggles the mind.

LW – It does. So, in answer to your question, I joined the job to help people, but with the abundance of terrible managers who get promoted because of how good they are at licking the arse of their superiors, rather than being a good leader, is scarily prevalent. I joined the job, do what I can, and continue to do what I can. Contrary to belief, I am a good supervisor. Much better than the others I have had working over me.

JD – Will you get into trouble for saying things like that?

LW – I couldn’t care less. The more I do this job, the more I see the flaws in the running of it. The core beliefs of the police these days is statistics and pleasing the Home Office. We have forgotten what we are here to do. Help the vulnerable. Put those who commit crimes in prison. Rinse. Repeat. Further to that… stop me if I’m rambling…

JD – No, this is great.

LW – We still do have those core beliefs. Mostly in the cops on the ground who go to the end of the world to help those in desperate need. I admire that. But the fact that bureaucracy gets in the way. It’s upsetting.

JD – This one is closer to the bone. I hope you don’t mind.

LW – Give it to me. I’m not scared.

JD – What was your original job ambition before you entered into a relationship with Ron?

LW - …

JD – Are you okay?

LW – Yeah, sorry. I just... I knew he would come up. I always wanted to lead. To be a detective. I let things get in the way. I always said, ‘don’t shit where you eat,’ and Ron was a prime example of that. He, for want of a better phrase, fucked me up beyond believe. My position in the Met was already eroding.

JD – How so?

LW – Have you spent more than twenty minutes with me?

JD – Seems your heart is in the right place.

LW – It is. But the bosses don’t like it when you tell them to fuck off, you’re busy helping someone and can’t get to the next call that has come through. Anyway. Ron helped my career, that’s true. He was influential. Popular, and vouched for me to get the inspector position. He helped me a lot in that regard. In some fucked up way, I should thank him. Because otherwise I wouldn’t have gotten the position at the MIU. However, him going overboard was one of the reasons I had to leave. Everyone believed I was somehow responsible. That I was the reason he died. I gave up trying to clear my name. Friends and colleagues all trapped under his spell. It was extremely toxic. I heard about what was happening up here, in Wigtown, and I jumped at the opportunity.

JD – And what is happening up here?

LW – No comment.

JD – One last question from Stacy.

LW – I’m going to punch her if it’s about Ron again.

JD – You’ll have to find her first.

LW – That won’t be hard.

JD – Why are you laughing?

LW – Because everyone thinks they can evade the police until we’re breaking down their door at five in the morning. Anyway. Go with the question.

JD – She asked what do you enjoy about your job? That the police see the darkest aspects of humanity and carry on like its nothing. So, what do you enjoy, and what do you hate?

LW – That’s actually a very good question. But first, I would like to clear a misconception. Firstly, the police aren’t machines. We deal with horrific shit all the time, but that doesn’t mean we are immune to it. Drunks fighting in the street. Dead bodies. Burglaries. It’s all in the day to day. We deal with that all the time. Me, anyway. What affects me though, is when we can clearly see that someone is being abused, and they won’t leave the perpetrator. It’s not all black and white, that someone can be abusive, and the other party will up and leave. It’s much more complicated than that. So, when I get repeat calls to an address of a women being abused by their partner, or a man being abused by their girlfriend or wife, then I feel like grabbing them by the shoulders and screaming at them ‘let me help you!’ But it’s so difficult. Which is why when they do finally decide to have faith in us, we have to act on it and give them the best service as possible. So, my answer to that question is the same to each of them. I love helping people, and I love when I can really make a difference in someone’s life. When I can lock that abuser away. Get the victim on courses and therapy to stop them going through it repeatedly. When I manage to really turn someone’s life around. But you must take care of yourself. Police officers can soak up so much hate, so much sadness in a single shift. The adrenaline spikes are insane, and you can be left mentally, physically, and emotionally bereft after a long shift. You must take time to care for yourself. Some go the gym. Get outdoors. Have a bath so hot your skin is peeling off.  Whatever it is. Make sure you take care of yourself. You can’t help the broken if you’re broken too.

JD – And the part you hate?

LW – The part I hate is when you try everything you can, and they still end up dead.

JD – Do you need a minute?

LW – No. Keep going.

JD – Favourite type of alcohol?

LW – The wet kind that comes out of a bottle. But, if I had to choose, it would be red wine. The darker the better. I don’t like how it stains your teeth though.

JD – What would your death row meal be?

LW – I have actually put a lot of thought into this. When your job is to put terrible people in prison, it crosses your mind what would happen if you were in that position. I would have to say a nice steak, medium rare, with thick cut chips, and some steamed asparagus on the side, and a very nice helping of peppercorn sauce.

JD – My mouth is watering. We should grab some of that after this.

LW – I appreciate the offer, but like I said, I don’t shit where I eat.

JD – Noted. Favourite song?

LW – I have a varied taste in music. I like classical. Claud Debussy’s Clair De Lune, or Chopin’s Nocturne number two in Eb Major are favourites of mine. However, I really like metal: Slipknot. Mudvayne. Sleep Token. All that stuff. But my number one song, has to be Perfect by Fairground Attraction.

JD – What is a happy memory of yours?

LW – When I was a girl, around ten, I went to Finland with my mother. We went sledding down a huge snowy hill. About a third down, we came off the sled and rolled in the snow. We laughed the rest of the walk down. It was magic.

JD – Did you meet Father Christmas?

LW – I met someone who was dressed like him. But I when I figured it out, I was told that the real one was busy. Which made sense. He has a lot to do.

JD – What do you want for Christmas?

LW – A good night’s sleep!

JD – You’re laughing again.

LW – The joys of being a cop. The price we pay. We pour more than just our hearts and emotions into our work. We pour our time and energy too. We sacrifice meals, sleep, comfort, birthdays, family events, Christmas’s, New Year. You name it. Halloween is the worst. Somehow someone somewhere thought it was a good idea to arm everyone in the country with explosives and let them all wear masks and set fires, and we wonder why its utter chaos that time of year.

JD – This one is from KBMillion on TikTok.

LW – That’s just for kids dancing, isn’t it?

JD – BookTok is great. Good place to find books. KBMillion has asked ‘do you think serial killers are born, or made that way?’

LW – I don’t think anyone is inherently born evil. Yes, people can be more wicked than others, but I believe it starts in the home. Every killer I have spoken too have all said that it started when they were younger. Yes, some are quicker to falling into darkness than others, but it starts in childhood. Abuse. Poverty. Adverse Childhood Experiences. Even children that have a great life but are spoiled by their parents and get everything they want can become killers. They become entitled. So, no. I don’t believe killers are born. But then again, remove the laws of society, and our true nature comes out. Maybe killers are just living more authentic to our true selves? Maybe their just animals. Maybe their lost souls.

JD – Do you have children?

LW – No. Nor do I want them. As a woman, I have had a lot of shit for that. That I put myself and my career first. Firstly, I need a partner, and being bisexual, I can only procreate with only a select half of who I like to fuck. But my track record with men hasn’t been great. Ron wanted us to have a child. He told me once when we were having a meal. I can’t remember where it was. Italian, I think, but he told me he wanted me to come off my birth control. I said no, which is like throwing petrol on a fire to an abusive person. You’re taking the control from them. He screamed at me, threw my wine over me, and stormed out the restaurant.

JD – That sounds awful.

LW – You say that, and it was. But by that point it had become normal. I was just upset that he picked the wine. It was £15.00 a glass.

JD – You shrug off such things so easily. How?

LW – One thing about domestic abuse is that it becomes part of your every day. It isn’t always like that - violence. Sometimes, if not most of the time, it’s subtle. A comment. A lie. A little gaslighting. Eventually, you just want the argument to happen, because it gets it out the way, and then there’s the happy time after it. So no, I don’t want children, because I don’t ever want to be tied to another person for life. People can change, and it’s good to have an exit strategy. That’s much harder with a child in the middle. A child won’t fix a broken or abusive relationship. It just makes it much, much harder to leave it.

JD – Another TikTok question.

LW – Fuck sake.

JD – This is from Lain Benson. Oh…

LW – Go on.

JD – They have asked ‘what would you do to me, Jay Darkmoore, in a purge scenario.’

LW – Well that depends how fast you can run.

JD – Moving on quickly… Last one  - Terry H TT&B. ‘Where do you see yourself in ten years?’

LW – Alive, if I can help it. Everything else is a bonus.

JD – So we’re nearing the end of this part of the interview. The next part will be for our direct supporters on Patreon, so I have one last question for you, which is, what are we not talking about that we really should be?

LW – The mental health of our emergency workers. And I don’t mean mental health awareness. We’re all aware of it. I mean how shit the mental health of our emergency personnel is, and how the government , for all they say, do not give a fuck. Think about it – if we didn’t have the ambulance, police and the fire service, the fabric that holds society together would rip and tear overnight.

One in three people of the general public in the UK will experience one traumatic event in their lives. A first responder will be exposed to almost four hundred traumatic events in their career. Approximately twenty percent of police officers in the UK exhibit symptoms of PTSD or CPTSD, and a lot of them are unaware of it. Twelve percent of ambulance personnel, and eighteen percent of fire fighters. Just yesterday I had to sign off a detective on sick leave because they had to go through someone’s phone that had committed suicide. The guy hung himself from a tree, and there were messages from his children, six and five, begging him to come home. The detective analysing the phone put on a brave face, but I knew it had shaken him, so I sent him home and put him in touch with occupational health. My superior was only interested in who would take on the cases he had ongoing, which meant I had to put additional strain on the other staff on the team. I am not saying we need to moddy coddle officers. They know the job they signed up for, but the culture of ‘just get on with it,’ is frankly, absurd. Pair that with bosses that wear crowns on their shoulders who are stat hungry to get more Home Office funding, their next promotion regardless of the efficacy or morality of what they’re doing to the officers and the public, all because the government have frankly fucked the system up so badly, meaning public service is impacted, that compounds the distain people have for the police, and the nature of what police officers do, I suspect that statistic is just scraping the barrel. Never had we have more officers leaving the job that was once a career for life. Never have we seen such low morale. Imagine if the police stopped policing. The effects of that would be unthinkable.

JD – Laura, you have given us a lot to think about. If you’re happy, we can have a minute, and then ask you some questions from our supporters?

LW – Can I get a glass of wine?

Patreon only content -

JD – What do you think about prominent celebrities in the world – Andrew Tate, for example…

To read the exclusive answers to the toughest questions, click here.

How to make a living writing: The advice you don’t want to hear

Image from Google

If you’re a writer or another creator, you aren’t going to like reading this. This post will piss you off, but I hope it will make you think a little about your direction and goals.

A fellow writer friend emailed me and asked how I manage to stay motivated when writing. How day by day, I write and make progress in my work. How I manage to post consistently. Juggle family life, creativity, health, and business. How I manage to wake up at 5am on days off and get to work day by day.

What It’s Really Like Being an Indie Author

As if by magic, I heard this saying, to ‘outwork your self-doubt,’ and it hugely resonated with me.
I’m not going to go into imposter syndrome or feeling out of your depth. Those things go without saying.

No. I make a habit of writing. I make it part of my day. My writing is a non-negotiable activity. I must do it, and I have a list of promises I make to myself. A task list to complete that never ends.

Write X amount today. Read this marketing book. Post this content. This call to action. Create this advert. Hit this word count deadline. Complete this edit. I do not break those promises. Because when you can’t trust yourself to get your shit done, then you can’t trust anyone.

Use self-doubt as fuel. It’s the enemy, and you must crush it every time it rears its head. Be hungry for the self-doubt, and then devour it with your successes at the end of the day. Every time I hit the keys on the keyboard. Each time I cross something off my list. Every new email subscriber. Every new story. Every new fan email. It’s all one more millimetre up the mountain.

Keep the promises you make to yourself. No one cares if you fail. Only you.

Writer’s Block Isn’t Real

And only you hold the key to your own success.

-      J

About Jay Darkmoore -

Jay Darkmoore is a UK horror and Dark Fantasy writer. He enjoys the darker and more Macabre sides to story telling, and has a great time doing it.

Starting with his debut Novel in 2020 ‘The Space Between Heaven and Hell,’ a multiple POV thriller mystery novel which delves into the deepest depravities and secrets of the human mind, he has gone on to self publish anthologies and a fantasy sage.

His Podcast ‘The Darkmoore Diaries,’ tackles issues such as mental health, relationships and more ‘human’ elements of life, where as his YouTube channel supports writers in honing their craft.

He has a distinct eye for the unusual, and often can be seen enjoying cold weather in frozen lakes, and is a wellbeing and fitness enthusiast. He is two opposing sides of the same coin. The yin and the yang, the dark and the light, and he has a great time bringing both terror, and comfort into peoples lives.

How to Write a Psychopath

American Psycho

Psychopaths are incredibly fun to read in books and watch on the big screen and have been popularised by some very infamous and somewhat controversial films and books, from American Psycho written by Bret Easton Ellis, Hannibal Lecter by Thomas Harris and even James Bond by Ian Fleming.

                But why is it that these characters have captured both love and fear in our hearts? What is it about them that makes us want to know more? Is it their propensity to violence? Their ability to be cunning and manipulative without feeling any remorse? Is it their self-confidence and being able to think under pressure? Whatever the reason, our hearts have a soft place in them for psychopaths in literature.

                In this blog, I am going to tell you how to create your very own in your fiction, and it will maybe help you spot these same traits in other characters you enjoy.

Hannibal Lecter

 Traits of a psychopath –

                Most Psychopaths are male, with them making up approx. 1% of the population, and are estimated to make up 50 – 80% of the prison population. Women that show high traits of Psychopathy are more likely to be diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, which along with Psychopathy, is a ‘Cluster B’ personality disorder along with Narcissism and Histrionic Personality Disorder as outlined in the Diagnostical and Statistical Manual Version 5 (DSM – 5 for short) of the American Psychiatric Association.  

                Psychopathy lends itself to having many different traits, all of which are useful in certain situations, and can even benefit those in certain careers (below). Most people can dial these traits down as and when they need them, but a psychopath can’t and would always have these traits on the high setting in their brains.

                These are low empathy, impulsivity, calm under pressure, manipulative, charming, ruthlessness and emotionally detached and show a lack of remorse for their actions.

James Bond

This list can make for some fantastic characters and even make for some fantastic story arcs. Maybe a character is charming and loving, and then later down the line, we see that it was all manipulation to convince someone to give up their life savings, and then abandon them. Tinder Swindler, anyone?

                Or maybe we have a character that is a military soldier, a warrior, who is ruthless and can cut through the enemy without a shred of remorse? A police officer who will do anything to crack the case, or a surgeon who has the steadiest hand to make that vital, life-saving cut with everything on the line?

                Psychopaths make for excellent characters. They make incredibly fun heroes to write about, and add a lot more depth to the ‘bad guy.’ We can look into their childhood, in that a psychopathic person would have normally come from some kind of abusive childhood, and uses psychopathy as a way to navigate the world based off of that. It gives the character more back story. More depth.

Professor Kevin Dutton

According to psychologist Professor Kevin Dutton, most psychopaths are split into two categories. Those with high traits and a low propensity to commit violence, and those with high psychopathic traits and a higher propensity to violence.

                Those that are of lower violent tendencies are more likely to be characterised by high-pressure positions, such as politicians, CEOs, police officers, lawyers and high-end athletes. These could make for some great characters and some side characters, and maybe even a villain or two in there? Maybe the villain is a top businessman of a rival company that is trying to sabotage the hero’s chances at getting their foot on the corporate ladder? Or even a detective that drinks too much and is emotionally vacant when around other people, but is ruthless and driven to catch the bad guy?

Jack Torrance - The Shining

The psychopaths that are high in psychopathic traits with a higher level of predisposition to violence would be our classical villains such as serial killers, a criminal mob boss and even a soldier that has gone rogue.

                Psychopaths make for great foreshadowing opportunities too, as they can be very manipulative. In your story, you can have the psychopath dropping hints and leaving clues for the rest of the characters to find, and then when the big reveal comes later in the book, the reader can connect the dots and have the ‘Oh my god!’ moment that we all love to create when they figure it all out.

Lorna - By Jay Darkmoore

In my dark romance ‘Lorna,’ the main character in the story ‘Christian’ is a psychopath, and he will stop at nothing to not only win the heart of Lorna, his new infatuation but also kill and destroy the lives of anyone that dares stand in his way.

Order it here on kindle unlimited today.

                Psychopaths are so much fun to write and can offer a lot of depth to your characters and the story. Even just highlighting certain traits outlined above and giving them to your characters can make a lot of difference to your writing.

                Have fun with it and thank you for reading.

                But what about other writing ideas? What about being able to break through writer’s block?

Click here to read on.

Interview with FELIX BLACKWELL, author of Stolen Tongues

Stolen Tongues

In 2022, I stumbled upon the book Stolen Tongues by the independent author Felix Blackwell.

With a love of horror, and a flare for the craft myself, I downloaded the book and set dove head first into this tortured tale. I finished the book within a few short days, unable to put it down and unable to sleep as a result.

The book is phenomenal: drawing on the fear of the unknown, the dark and that someone (something) may be feeding off the unconscious mind of a loved one and you can do nothing but watch them dissolve into insanity. It reminded me of two tales I am fond of -

The Babadook - A movie in which an entity is personified as grief and slowly eats away at the protagonist that is gripped in an unconscious battle with unresolved trauma, like a rotten tooth that is left to fester.

It Follows - A brilliant tale of something unknown is following you. Its origin and motivations are unknown, other than it is unseen other than those afflicted by its curse, and it will stop at nothing until it has devoured you.

The book draws you in from the beginning, and the vice grip of terror doesn’t relent until the final page. Felix creates a terrifying tale laced with love, loathing, mystery and desperation. Not to mention the psychological and mental illness themes that run through the narrative, all to concoct a wicked tale of hellish brilliance.

As I enjoyed this book so much, I decided to reach out to the master of horror himself, and he kindly allowed me to pick his hellish mind.

Felix Blackwell - Facebook

The Interview

Firstly Felix, I would like to begin by saying I am thrilled that you have agreed to do this. I really enjoyed your work, and I reached out on a whim. It shows how much you care for those that take the time to read your work in that you are happy to speak to them and answer a few questions they might have.

JD – So, when did you begin writing?

F.B – I started writing poetry and flash fiction around age seven. My mom has been a writer her entire life, so I used to watch her do it as a kid, and I began imitating her as I got older. A pivotal moment in my early writing life was a two-page fantasy story I was assigned to write in fifth grade; I had so much fun with it that I turned in something like 25 pages. It did not go over well with the teacher.

Jay Darkmoore books and socials

JD – When did you start taking things seriously?

F.B – An unpublished video game I wrote between 2006-09 was the first thing I put professional-grade effort into. I built the world, developed the characters and history, wrote all the quests, etc. It was the first major project I had ever brought to completion. My intention was to sell the intellectual property to a video game company because I had friends in the industry. In the end, nobody wanted it, and I realized I was just a starry-eyed nobody who wanted to live the dream of writing game lore. Since then, I’ve converted the game into a universe in which I’m writing two fantasy novels. I have yet to publish one of those, but I plan to within the next few years, after a few more urgent horror novels.

JD – Where did the idea of Stolen Tongues come from?

F.B – Stolen Tongues came from my partner’s sleep disorder, and a very talkative parrot I used to know. I thought up the idea of a creepy entity trying to interrogate her as she talked in her sleep, and later I decided it should imitate humans through observation and interaction, much like the parrot. I grew up in Colorado, so that felt like a natural setting for the story.

JD – How did you feel having both yourself and your partner as the characters of the story? Is there any truth to the character’s personalities compared to yourselves in real life?

F.B – The characters are mostly based on our real personalities, with a few details changed. She is tough, fiery, and loves taking naps; I am much more of a reader than a fighter, so I’d be as ineffective as Felix in a confrontation with an interdimensional parrot-monster.

Download Jay Darkmoore’s Dark Fantasy novel for free on his reading list

JD – Stolen Tongues has had a lot of success. Tell me how that happened?

F.B – It was dumb luck. I posted a story to NoSleep and it went to the front page of Reddit within a few hours. From there, I converted it into a full novel, and people have been sharing it all over social media ever since. I did zero marketing and frankly did not expect the story to get virtually any attention. It was written stream-of-consciousness style and did not have the proper planning of my other works. I’m still shocked it’s more popular than In the Devil’s Dreams, which I consider to be a superior example of my writing style.

JD – The story reminded me of The Babadook, in which you deal with trauma and grief in a manifestation which follows a person around and breaks them down. Was that intentional? What was the inspiration for that?

F.B – I personally don’t think of the Impostor as a metaphorical manifestation of negative emotions (but if you like those types of monsters, In the Devil’s Dreams is chock-full of them). But I do see the similarities. The Impostor, to me, is a very real entity whose origins are unknown, and who is especially drawn to people with hidden trauma – for reasons that will be explored to a deeper level in the upcoming prequel novel. The inspiration for the metaphorical creatures I do write, however, probably comes from my boundless love of the Silent Hill franchise.

JD – Have you had any formal training of writing?

F.B – I sometimes argue that the great lesson of college and graduate school, for me, was not the body of knowledge associated with the degrees I earned, but rather the study of writing itself. I didn’t teach for many years before switching careers, but I certainly gained most of what I know about writing – fiction and academic – from my years at study. And I still use that training every day.

JD – You have released further books. Tell me about those?

F.B – In the Devil’s Dreams is a densely metaphorical, unreliably narrated psychological thriller told out of chronological order. It will be an ordeal for some readers, but for me, it was an act of self-help after exiting an unhealthy relationship. It is about pain, loss, and the wounds we all conceal from each other. The Cold People is an anthology comprised of short horror stories written by me and my close friend, Colin J. Northwood. It contains early sketches of the ideas that later became Stolen Tongues.

JD – Plotter, panzer, or something in between?

F.B – I’m the most devout plotter I know. I worldbuild and plot so much that by the time I start writing the manuscript, 90% of the work is already done. Structure and scaffolding hold up a good story, and I think it’s the most important skill a writer can develop. I’m still working on it…

Why Choose Independent publishing

JD – Whose writing are you influenced by?

F.B – Mary Shelley and Dan Simmons were my favorite horror authors when I was younger, and a few years ago I finally sat down and actually read much of Lovecraft’s bibliography. I would say his work, and the other titans of weird fiction after him, have had a greater influence on my recent writing than anyone else I’ve ever read. Lovecraft truly disturbs me to my core.

JD – What got you into writing?

F.B – I always had a lot of big feelings when I was younger. I realized in my teens that the only way I could accurately express them was through an instrument, or through a pen. So I do both now. I wanted to make other people feel the way my favorite music and books made me feel.

JD – Stolen Tongues has opted for a film. Can you share anything about that?

F.B – It’s been optioned several times and passed around Hollywood a bit. A few scripts have been written for it. So far, the next major step, which is securing a partnership between the screenplay writers and the production company, has not yet come to pass. I wish I could say more but I’ve signed a lot of contracts. When there is real news to share, I’ll be screaming it from the top of Pale Peak.

JD – Do you write in other genres or just horror?

F.B – I’ve got a fantasy and a psychological thriller in development, but they’re sort of on hold while I work on the Stolen Tongues prequel.

JD – Any marketing tips? How do you promote yourself?

F.B – I have never really marketed myself. I just got lucky and had people review my work a lot on social media. I do sometimes interact with readers in the online book clubs, but I have never paid a service to increase my SEO or stick my book on the front page of an ebook newsletter or anything like that. I feel a lot of those services are scammy and should probably be avoided. Success is fickle in this industry, and I have to say, I read more talented and more creative writers than me every single day… fate could have chosen any one of them instead. It’s all so random.

JD – What challenges did you face when writing Stolen Tongues?

F.B – Stolen Tongues was originally a one-off short story that I submitted to NoSleep, just to see if maybe ten people liked my writing style enough to upvote it. When I saw that it had gone viral, I hurriedly wrote a second entry, and then a third… I think I ended up at like nineteen entries, and all of these were written without much of a plan. I remember standing at a bus stop at the base of campus, wondering alongside all the other readers just how the hell I was going to end the story – on the night before the final entry was set to come out. NEVER AGAIN.

JD – You dip into Native American lore and culture in the book. How did you find doing this?

F.B – I was in graduate school working on my Master’s thesis in American History at the time I started writing Stolen Tongues. I was doing a few major projects on Indigenous histories, and was particularly moved by an ethnography I’d read about the Western Apache. Then I read a book about the Comanche empire, and then I got into Ned Blackhawk’s Violence over the Land. All of that material, and the seminars it was assigned in, caused a huge shift in consciousness for me. I wanted to include Indigenous characters and their personal histories and complicated encounters with Western conceptions of them into my writing. I think ultimately I just wanted to start a conversation about Indigenous people in the horror genre.

JD – What does your writing process look like?

F.B – I write a book in three stages: the first is catching all of the associated characters, plots, settings, and ideas into a physical journal. That’s my favorite part, and I do that for several months. Then I start organizing and refining all of that raw material into a more honed project. That’s the hardest part. And when that’s done, the easiest part is just taking that project apart, piece by piece, and converting each piece into a chapter. None of this happened with Stolen Tongues by the way. I completely winged that shit due to time constraints, and it shows. I only had seven months to convert that story series into a novel because of a poorly selected Kickstarter due date.

JD – You rose to infamy with the story on Reddit. Tell me how that happened? Describe to me the process and any issues/highs/lows you felt?

F.B – I talked a bit about this earlier, but the whole thing felt totally surreal. Never before had anyone appreciated my writing, and suddenly I had tens of thousands of people reading my story all over the world. Every single email and personal message I got blew my mind. The thing that I still can’t believe, even to this day, is stumbling upon conversations online where people are debating the symbolism and characters. Totally unreal.

JD – I have a tonne of other questions to ask, but I think this might be the biggest one. What advice would you give to someone that is thinking of starting their own writing career?

F.B – Write because you feel compelled to do so at the level of your soul. If you write with the intention of “making it” financially, you will very likely be disappointed. Let any financial success be an unexpected bonus. Write a few times a week, and make sure all of your content is high-quality – it represents you.

JD – Closing thoughts. Is there anything you would like to say about yourself, or your work? Leave the readers with something to think about?

F.B – Many of your lingering questions about Stolen Tongues will be addressed in the prequel novel. And that novel will be a surprise, for a lot of reasons.

Felix Blackwell was summoned from the bowels of reddit after a botched summoning ritual. He writes in the horror, thriller, and fantasy genres.

10 Ways to Market as a Self-Published Author

Increase KDP Sales

Hello everyone! Jay Darkmoore here - Self-published author of the dark fantasy series ‘Everlife Chronicles,’ and horror series’ such as The Space Between Heaven and Hell, and Tales from the Inferno.

Being an indie writer is tough, yet very rewarding. The progress is stagnant and slow, to begin with, and it can often be overwhelming when you have to think of all the work you have to put in be it from writing, building an audience, or content marketing to Vlogging, marketing, keywords, etc.

Your mind can easily become overwhelmed to the point where you sit there in a dark corner rocking away, wondering why you ever thought trying to do this task yourself would be a good thing. Luckily, I have compiled a list of tools and tips that can help you in your writing journey, putting them in a nice list that is easy to follow.

I have done a lot of research on this topic so that you don’t have to. If you wish to find more tips and tricks from me, then I ask you to sign up for my mailing list on this website. You can find it by clicking here.

1 – Write more books.

Have you ever wondered the reason why people follow you and read your books? It’s for that exact reason – You have written something that the reader had devoured and loved so much that they want more from you. Like after a great first date, you want to see them again. This is why writing more books and more material is so important.

10 Horror Tropes That Have Been Done to Death

At the time of writing, I have five books out of over three different series in two genres. My readers love that I write in a series, and through doing this I am able to give first-time readers a back catalogue to purchase and devour, as well as pointing existing readers to my mailing list and websites for the exclusive content I offer, while I am busy creating my next installment for them.

Writing more books allows you to expand on your skills as a writer and delve into different genres too. It allows you to hone your craft more easily, and listen to what your readers want next whilst still being true to yourself.

2 – Write in a series and bundle your books together.

When you have someone that has enjoyed your work and they are hungry for the next book in the series, it is great if you have a few more books for them to enjoy. Plus, if they liked the first one (maybe they got it at a reduced price or a free promotion), then they have already said YES to one of your products. If they then see another book in the series at a slighter higher price, then they are much more likely to say YES to that too. If they buy the next one and see the whole six or seven book collection for a much-reduced price than buying them individually, then you have a new and true fan that will read anything you put out because you have given them so much enjoyment. Write more books, write a series, and put them together.

3 – Paid advertising.

Advertising is going to be the backbone of your marketing. You can spend as little or as much as you like, with Amazon offering pay-per-click advertising, which varies depending on the niche and keywords. Genres like ‘Horror,’ would cost more per click, whereas niches like ‘Big Foot Monster Porn’ (Trust me, it’s a thing), would be much less. There are also Google and social media ads like Facebook and Instagram, as well as traditional media like newspapers and radio. However, the traditional media is more of the shotgun method of advertising and less about the targeted ads that will put your book in front of your target audience which social media and Amazon can offer.

Myths of Traditional and Indie Publishing

Also, market yourself through your content whenever you produce a Vlog or an email campaign. Do this sparingly, however. People don’t want to see you screaming at them ‘BUY MY BOOK!’. Instead, target the right audience and engage with them with your content, and maybe when they have learned about you a little, throw a book or a pitch in there. It’s a tightrope, and not always guaranteed to succeed just because you throw money at it, but it can yield great results if you play around with it a little.

Also, a bonus tip – Do keyword research and try to find your niche. It is better to be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a big pond.

4 – Utilize different platforms.

I touched on this one above – Build an audience on different platforms. I currently use Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, YouTube, and TikTok. I use some more than others, but I post regularly on each one, utilizing hashtags and keywords that keep the algorithm happy.

Each comes with its benefits. Facebook for articles, links and videos, as well as to speak to your fans through the direct message and comment action. Instagram is brilliant for those that are visually-minded. YouTube and Spotify are great for people on the go, as they can let the audio play whilst doing other things like cooking or relaxing.

Media is there to be taken advantage of, and if people like what you’re putting out, then the platform will show more of it to more people. Throw in some advertising in there too, and whoa, you just went global.

5 – Build a brand email list –

This one is a tried and tested way to make some guaranteed sales, and fans and to shine a light on your reader’s day. You can build anticipation for an up-and-coming new book, and you can entice those on the platforms above to sign up to your email marketing list by promising them a free giveaway opportunity, or exclusive sneak peeks at new releases. This is your way of collecting your own group of fans and followers.

Be consistent with your email campaigns. I have tried sending daily emails and weekly emails. I found that every day was too spammy for my followers, and it made me become a little too much. But then when I dropped to weekly, I found the open rate massively increased. But the key is to be consistent. That way, your readers will look forward to getting that new email from you every week and hearing about your new video, new blog post, and new content. Throw an email address in there and connect, or maybe a social media page too. Your email list is your own private flock of readers that will follow you wherever you go.

6 – Free promotions.

Free promotions are a great way to attract new readers into your world and by putting links to your mailing list and website at the back of your free books, you’re likely to attract a lot of new people to your material.

I find that with Amazon KDP enrolment, I am able to cycle my books through a 3-month period of free download and every month my social media and mailing list grow. It’s good to have a ‘dead book,’ in which I mean this is the book you sacrifice in the series and make it free whenever you can, in order to draw those readers to your content in exchange for them signing up to your channels and offering them the next book in the series at a reduced rate to really get them hooked.

7 – Upsell new titles.

As mentioned above, when you have someone download and love the free instalment in the series, offer the next title in the series for a reduced rate. They have already invested their time in reading your story and have signed up to your emails, so the next book for a smaller price is much more tantalising. Follow that up with a bundle, and boom – You have a reader for life.

How to Write a Dystopia

 8 – Free copies and ARC copies.

To capitalize on your mailing list, offer your readers and followers free copies of your book for an honest review in an Advance Review Copy. Set your new book for pre-sale and order some books to send out to those on your mailing list for a review and a promotional post online, or send them an eBook copy for free through email. It will get your ratings right up there and will make it more likely new readers will download the story when it gets put for free (thus repeating the cycle above) or they are more likely to buy when they see it already has a tonne of good reviews.

9 – Collab with other writers and readers.

I really enjoy doing this because not only do I get to speak to other people that are crazy like me, but it also allows us to share audiences. We are not in competition with each other, dear writer. We should work together. This is because we cannot possibly fulfill the appetite of those voracious readers all by ourselves, so therefore we collab together and make the reading world a better place.

I enjoy doing this through Instagram Live each week. It’s great fun and a great way to hear what other people are doing and pass on your wisdom and knowledge and talk to each other about your projects that are coming up.

10 – Be consistent

This is the biggest one of all my friends. Be consistent with your work. Produce books regularly and engage with fans. Be consistent, as people love patterns and predictability. Make them look forward to Sunday, Wednesday, the first of the month when they know that you will be releasing something to them or posting something else online or sending out that email.

This is a long slog of a career, and they say it takes ten years to become an overnight success. We compare ourselves to those that we see have made it straight away, but we don’t see the hours and hours of content creation they did before making their first sale or book signing. Be consistent. Dreams don’t happen overnight.

If you would like some further reading, then please check out my other blogs, and look at my own books, and YouTube channel and podcast. The links are all here.

Books I have found useful on this topic –

Write, publish, repeat – Johnny B Truant

Self-Publishing – Joanna Penn

On Writing – Stephen King

Thanks for your time.

-          J

5 Myths about Traditional Publishing VS Indie Publishing.

Traditional VS Indie Publishing

Being an indie writer is tough. I have found it to be slow, arduous and difficult for pretty much the entire time I have been doing it. I have often wondered if I should just try to get an agent and get my work published traditionally. I mean, that’s how real writers get their name out there, right?

Being an indie writer is essentially being a business person too. It’s finding the current trends, how the algorithm works on the platform you publish on, and also finding alternative places to put you work, and lets face it, people will always take things form you for free rather than spend their money.

Places like ‘Royal Road,’ or ‘Wattpad,’ are great for getting your work out there for nothing, but ultimately (and sadly) free doesn’t put food on the table or pay the bills. So I can see the appeal as to why this sort of business venture would put someone off who essentially just wants to ‘write the book and be done with it.’ However, I would like to share my thoughts below –

Reasons why being an indie is better than being a traditionally published author –

Myth 1 –

Traditional published authors get more royalties –

How to Write a Book

This is very subjective. We only hear about those that end up on the New York Times best sellers list, or those that make the front of Forbes. These are anomalies, and authors like JK Rowling and George RR Martin aren’t your everyday writers, and you also don’t see that they spent the last thirty years trying to get somewhere in their craft before they made it to the top of their game.

For most other writers, the literary world is a struggle. They don’t make much of a living, and they are tied to contract that can be very difficult to try and get out of.

Through traditional publishing, when you are signed you will earn an advance of maybe a few thousand, but then you earn nothing until that advance is paid back by way of book sales. Then when you eventually do earn that back, you are likely to get between 5 and 0% of the price the book is sold for.

Where as if you make it as an indie, that amount massively ramps up to 35 – 70% if you sell on Amazon or through other mediums. In a nutshell, you earn as much as you work, research and market yourself.

Myth 2 –

Traditional publishers don’t have to market their own work.

10 Ways to Market a Book

Wrong. In this day and age, as well as the publishing company owning their authors work, they still have to do a lot of self-promotion and marketing themselves. Granted, probably not as much as indie authors, but they still have to do a good chunk. So, traditional authors get their books published, earn a fraction of the list price AND still have to market their own work? Hmm.

Myth 3 –

Indie Authors don’t get into book stores.

Wrong. Sorry to break this to you guys, but book stores are sadly on their way out. Unless it’s a huge store like Barnes and Noble or Waterstones, then your local indie book stores are really struggling to survive with the introduction of Amazon and other online book retailers. That said, when you walk into a book store, you are met with thousands of books at your fingertips. Do you really think that every one of those books is traditionally published? Plenty of indie authors state that they have managed to get their books into brick-and-mortar stores.

Fifty Shades of Grey anyone? Exactly. One of the biggest books of the 21st century was an indie published book and it was everywhere. So, that my friends, is a myth completely busted.

Myth 4 –

The indie publishing market is saturated.

No, no, no!

I don’t believe this. I believe that the indie publishing world is filled with writers that think they will become an overnight success, or, they publish the book with the intention of being an indie, and don’t realise that it’s is mostly about the business of writing as much (or if not more so) the actual writing of the books.

How to Improve Your Writing

With being an indie writer, you are not just an author. You are a business too. You are the owner of your craft, and you are trying to sell products to customers. It’s that simple. You create a product and you’re trying to sell it to customers. Now, is there a lot of competition? Fuck yes. But those people that want to write a book probably never do, and those that write one book will not write a second. So, if you manage to get a few titles under your belt and build a small following, then my friend, you are ahead of 95% of the rest of the kerb. So, you’ve gone from having 100% of the market against you, to only 5% in competition, and that’s not to mention the markets and the niches out there available. So, when you think about it, not much competition and saturation there if you keep working and keep producing. But that’s the thing with this game – You CANNOT expect to be an overnight success, and you must know that this takes a lot of hard work and graft before you see any kind of results. But, stick with it. You will get there, you just have to want it enough.

Myth 5 –

Traditional published authors have the freedom over their work

Wrong.

If you are a big name like Stephen King or Michelle Paver, then yes you can pretty much go wherever you like in the publishing world. For us first time authors though with little or no following, we must take what we are given. Essentially, you become a product to a company. Your book is now an asset to be sold and marketed. How many times have you had a publisher or an agent turn around to you and say something like ‘we loved the book, but its not the market right now.’ That’s because these agencies are companies are businesses. They are in to make money and to survive.

If you go against what the publisher says, you can be dropped and they will own your book. If you write something that they don’t want you to write, then they can drop you. If you don’t want to write crime or sci fi anymore but the publisher wants you too, then you better look for a new publisher.

You have much more freedom as an indie. You can literally write and sell whatever you like and however you like. You can dance around the living room on ticktock if you desire. You can go start a channel on YouTube, you can secrete your bookmarks and stickers in the backs of other books in bookstores if you wanted too. It’s down to you to establish what will benefit or harm your brand, and you have only yourself to answer too if it all goes wrong. Freeing, isn’t it?

So that’s it everyone. I hope that was useful to you and hopefully busted some of those myths that you have heard floating around the writing world.

If you want to check out some of my work, then head over to Amazon and search Jay Darkmoore. Alternately, click the link here.

https://linktr.ee/Jaydarkmoore

Get in touch!

jaydarkmoore@gmail.com

Thank you for your time –

Jay Darkmoore.