Having written books, short stories, scripts, storylines and god knows what else, and had most of them rejected, I know what its like to almost give up and head for the nearest river… But, we must not! Why? Because if the big boys don't want to know you… I do!

I started off my foray in writing with a children's fiction. That was in 2001, I finally got it into print in 2007 and only then after I decided to self publish. I had in between those dates written and self published a small local history book. ‘From a Saint to a King - The History of Park Hall' .

Having self published that one; it was no big deal to follow it up with my children's book two years later. ‘The Trogglybogs of Brinscall Moors' . This wonderful fantasy story has given me so much fun, and has created so much interest. All the places in the book are real, its just the characters that are fiction.

In between all this I had been writing short stories and sending them off to various magazines and also small articles to local newspapers, these small pieces all help to earn a crust, but as long as you don't expect to make a lot of money from this; you wont be disappointed. Payment can be small and slow at coming. My biggest ambition was to be a script writer for Emmerdale or Corrie. I sent off sample story lines to both only to have them sent back with a very nice letter attached saying…

“Dear Alec, Thank you for sending us your storyline, however, we can only use contracted writers. Please submit your storyline via your agent, and we will be please to look at it”. Could I get an agent? No! Finding an agent to take you on can be as hard as finding a publisher to publish your book.

So what has the past seven years taught me? It has taught me to enjoy my writing, not to take it too seriously and not to expect to make a fortune from it. But above all that it has taught me, how to get around all the trials and tribulations, and get my work into print by doing it myself at a sensible price. I now know my way around and will not let myself be ripped of by some of the so called vanity publishers. Doing it all by yourself is not that hard, and not that costly. The hard bit is selling your books once you have them.

Marketing and selling your writing can be very demanding, and it's worth while taking the time to plan how you're going to do this before you go to the printers. Organize a book launch, contact the local press and radio stations. Call at bookshops and ask if they will let you do a book signing.

If you're still having doubts, let me help you. I can advise you every step of the way, from the moment you write your first word, to the day you sell your first book.

• Laying out your story on your computer.
• Proof reading and editing.
• Advice on scripts for Radio or Television - Who to approach, and who not to.
• Laying out your work prior to approaching an editor or publisher
• I will advise you on the right publisher or literary agent for your work.
• I can advise you on the best way to approach publishers.
• I can help you to organize your book launch.
• I can advise you on how to market your writing.
• I can even help you to self-publish your books.