Changes are afoot in the village of Blessham. Well, not the village itself per Se but to the novel Ah Boy itself. So what are these changes, when will they happen and why? I’ll tell you.

Basically the changes are as follows. The size format will change from 9×6 to 8 x 5 so that it mirrors the size of my other novels which I published in that size. I think it looks better on the old bookshelf. Also, the inside format and page layout will be slightly different to the current one. And most importantly of all (drum roll please) the cover art will be changing.

Ah Boy! came out in the October of 2019 and therefore will be two years old in a couple of months. I can’t believe it, my first baby is nearly two. Where has the time gone? It’s had two baby brothers since then as well with another on the way.

So why the change? Well, a number of reasons actually. As I mentioned the size format is changing as it’s something I’ve never really been happy with. It was KDP that suggested that size because, as they said at the time, it’s the most popular. I’ve since found out it’s the most popular size in the US of A, not dear old Blighty. Ergo, I’m changing it.

Secondly, I’m a grown up and I can accept when I make mistakes and I can learn from them. And boy did I make some howlers when I published Ah Boy! You see, as an independent author I didn’t really have anyone to hold my hand and walk me through it. Oh sure, I watched a couple of YouTube videos on the subject and did some reading which just confused me even further but basically I tried to follow KDP’s instructions and as a consequence ballsed it up in places. For example: the first dozen or so books that were printed to order didn’t have page numbers on them (They are going to be valuable one day) and I didn’t even realise until a buyer pointed it out. Thankfully I hastily fixed the issue.

Then there’s the cover art. Now, I really like it and it was done by my step-daughter Becky so I’m obviously defensive over it. But some people have said it’s the one thing they don’t like about the book. Apparently you can judge a book by it’s cover after all and this one doesn’t shout ‘Ribald Comedy’ like it should. So with that in mind I’ve had a chat with Becky and a new cover will be done.

And then of course there’s the issue of typos. I’m a writer, not an editor. I’m also a struggling writer trying to get my foot firmly on the ladder and as such I have to do tasks like proofing and editing myself as opposed to hiring someone. And as an enthusiastic amateur I don’t think I do too badly really. However, as anyone who has read Ah Boy! will testify there are still a few blips and typos in there that got under the radar, e.g. the word ‘pun’ instead of ‘pub’ at one point and several others besides. So a re-release will give me time to iron those niggly little wrinkles out.

I’m excited about all this but of course, as always, I have to listen to my body and October is just an ideal date. It may be November or even December depending on how my FMS behaves between now and then but it is generally worse in the colder months. What is important to remember though is that if you want a first edition of Ah Boy! before these necessary changes come into play then you need to act soon.

I do believe in my books. Of course I do, I’m the author/father and I believe that one day they are all going to be big sellers and that the Joe Wilkie ones in particular will be made into either movies or TV series on Netflix or Amazon Prime (Hey! You’ve got to dream big) and those first editions are going to be worth a few bob. Know what I mean? Nudge nudge, wink wink!