google my book

My marketing manager, Dr Mark Booth, has just informed me that my book is now featured on the Google books site. He's apparently allowed anyone to read 20% of the contents online. All you have to do is click on the following link

Preview the book

He also asked if I was ready to publish volume 2! What a cheek. I mean, it's not as if he's made much headway with volume 1. As if that wasn't enough, he suggested that I 'fill in some of the blanks' before submitting the manuscript. When I told him that my priority was to re-establish some kind of family life before I undertake any more writing, he simply sighed and said that it was up to me what I did, but that my readerhip might well expect something in the near future. Given that my readership is less than stable (numerically, not mentally), I'm not sure they are really expecting anything.

I turned the tables and asked what he was doing to market the book. Again he sighed, this time following up with a lamentable tale about being buy at work, finding it hard to get publicity, no-one willing to give a review etc. Given this, I said that I fail to see how going to the effort of producing another volume would be worth it. 'Aaah, but, Joseph', he replied. 'If you produce two books, that's more space on the bookshelves, more material to your name, and how many people do you know who have published 2 books for charity?'

'I'll think about it...', I said, solemnly. 'My level of enthusiasm is currently quite low.'

'Cheer up, old boy!', responded Dr Booth. 'I know you've had a hard time, but it could be a lot worse. Look on the bright side!'

At this point I looked out of the window in my temporary office. It was pelting with rain. So hard, in fact, that I couldn't see the other side of the yard. A sudden melancholy descended, and I wished Dr Booth farewell before stepping outside. Within moments I was soaked to the skin, but I remained for some minutes, reflecting on recent events as rivulets of rain water trickled over my face. The twins saw me from their room and banged on the window, telling me to get inside before I contracted pnuemonia. For a moment I was tempted to shout back and tell them that getting wet in summer rain does not, in itself, cause pneumonia, but then I remembered that a great-aunt had died under such circumstances some years ago (she had got lost during a rain storm and was found 2 days later. She died of pnuemonia shortly afterwards). Acknowledging the twins, I retreated indoors, where Dolores insisted that I remove all my clothing before stepping into a shower. What she forgot to tell me was that there was no hot water, on account of her having had a bath whilst I was on the phone.

Oh happy days, where have you gone?

J McC

The fat man runs

Hello all

My marketing manager, the slightly overweight Dr Booth, has told me that he intends to shed his beer/cake gut by undertaking a sponsored run around the sights of London. He is quick to point out that he is not doing this for fun, but as a way of raising money for Stand Up for Africa - the registered charity to which the Matangini Project belongs. The run is scheduled for the 1st July, under the banner of the ASICS 10k British London run. He also asked me to point out that he never normally runs anywhere, so although the 10k may not be in the same league as a marathon, it's still a mountain to climb...

Dr Booth has established a page at justgiving.com:

www.justgiving.com/marks10k

You can donate any amount from just £2, and if you are a UK taxpayer, the charity will claim 28% giftaid on your donation.

The money raised will be put towards a borehole in a rural Kenyan school. The borehole will provide approx 300 children with a sustainable source of clean water, and considerably reduce their exposure to a wide range of water-borne diseases.

best wishes

J McC

The McCrumble affiliate program

Hello all

Dr Mark Booth, my marketing manager, has informed me that the 'bookstore' known as Borders have stocked my book in their Cambridge branch. He sent the following picture as proof:

They have apparently sold one copy.

Become a McCrumble affiliate today!

Interested in contributing to a worthy cause at no expense to yourself?

Fond of the written word?

Keen to support self-publishing writers?

If so, then you might like to consider becoming a McCrumble affiliate.

Here's how it works...

Pop along to your nearest bookshop (preferably an independent) that you think might be interested in stocking McCrumble. Approach the manager/purchasing person and ask them if they would consider putting McCrumble on their shelves. Upon receiving an affirmative response, ask them to contact me at joseph.mccrumble@yahoo.co.uk with their details, and I will organise for my marketing manager to undertake negotiations. Should the negotiations work, you will automatically become an affiliate - a badge you can wear with pride!

cheers

J McC

Donatetion

Hello all

If, like me, you are fed up of the whole phone-vote scandal affecting the national television media, you may like to know of a new way of competing/voting/donating that doesn't require texting or phoning, and won't lead to a hefty fraction of your donation going to a multi-national communications company.

What can it be? I hear you cry.

I call it Donatetion (TM).

Simply pop along to www.justgiving.com/matangini and make a small donation (don't forget to tick the 'claim gift aid' box if you are a UK taxpayer). Mention the word 'McCrumble' in your message and you will be automatically entered into a competition to win a copy of my book. Once I get to £50 worth of 'McCrumble' donations, I'll pick a name at random and contact you with details of how to claim your prize. You can limit the number of entries, and thus improve your chances of winning, by making a larger donation.

Good luck!

J McC