That thing authors hate
Marketing and promotion
As you know, most authors prefer to hide behind their screens. We hate having to dangle our wares in front of people, much preferring to sit alone in our made-up worlds.
But needs must, and as I’m an indie author and I have hostels full of Kalahari kids looking to me for a meal, I have thrown myself under a marketing bus. I’ve arranged a small ad campaign, an audiobook blog tour (more on that later) and had the trailer below made for book 2. (Thanks to student, Grace Garlick, for her diligent work, freely given, and to Bruce Parcher for use of his Kalahari images. )
Here’s the blurb for Kalahari Passage:
Koba and Mannie have been in jail. Their crime, loving each other across the Apartheid colour bar in southern Africa. Koba escapes her captors and using her bush skills, finds her way across the semi-desert to her former tribal home. But adapting to a hunter-gatherer lifestyle after a decade away, has challenges. And her mortal enemy is on her trail.
Meanwhile Mannie absconds during his parole and sets off on a sub-continental road trip to find his beloved Koba. But will his new comrades persuade him to join them across the border for training in deadly guerrilla warfare? And what will that mean for his future with Koba?
Under tragic circumstances the lovers meet, but the danger they are in means they face heart-breaking choices.
Kalahari Passage is an action-packed story with surprising twists and turns. Readers will be spellbound by the harshly beautiful world where an ancient culture still lives in harmony with the land.
‘This is a moving exploration of identity, resilience and forbidden love,that resonates long after the final page. It’s perfect for readers drawn to historical fiction with emotional depth and cultural insight.’
Paul McQueen
Now there are two in the series
Koba books 1 & 2, published by Mongongo Books, are now available to buy.
My Mongongo Books editions include new material based upon the additional knowledge I’ve gleaned from my now much longer association with the Ju|’hoan community. And they are the only versions of these titles that produce any income for the Village school feeding scheme.
COMING SOON
I have it in mind to make a series of videos showing aspects of the current lifeway of the people (Bushmen is the preferred exonym of many nowadays) of Nyae Nyae. e.g. making a hunting bow, building a grass hut, going to school, dancing and trancing. But first I need to acquire some expertise. If you know anyone who can give me a tutorial in making Instagram or TikTok-type reels, please refer me.
I recently met another writer of historical fiction that is set in Africa. I’ll be collaborating soon with her on a mutual Q & A about our research and publishing experiences. Watch this space.
Meanwhile, I’m itching to get back to what I like best, i.e. writing novels. I’m about halfway through the first draft of Koba book 3, to be called Daughter of the Kalahari.
Yeah, I know, I should be making more of a song and dance about having self-published the second book in my series. There have been heartening moments, like finding among my new neighbours, two who were willing to help with proof-reading, gratis. Bless ‘em. And again, thanks to my friend Dianne Hambrook for the cover design of Kalahari Passage. I love how she has captured both Koba’s vulnerability and her quiet strength in the image.
So, Koba books 1 & 2 are out there waiting to be read.
If you can help to spread the word, please do so.
Consider helping a Ju|’hoan child to stay in school and become what his/her parents call ‘a paper person’. (i.e. reading-writing literate, ) via a small, monthly subscription to this newsletter. You’ll also be helping me to get back to my writing desk.
Mi ui a. (Thank you in Ju|’hoansi.)