Join My ‘Street Team!’

Posted on May 22, 2017 by alex

Hey, everyone! How would you like to join my ‘Street Team?’

How is everyone this Monday?

I’m great thanks. We’ve had weeks of unprecedented good weather for the West Coast of Scotland and I have been relaxing with family and reflecting on the recent launch of my third Ridge Walker thriller, The Piper’s Promise.

Whilst it’s been the most successful book launch I’ve ever had, I’m still learning that I have a lot more to learn about marketing my books better.

There’s a whole marketing niche relating to book launches and I’m only now just realising why- with four books published already!

So with that in mind, I want to ask you if you’d like to be part of my Alex Breck’s Diamond Dogs Street Team?

If you’re anything like me, you’ll be asking, ‘What the hell is a ‘Street Team?’

I’m glad you asked.

Here’s what Google said:

A street team is a group of volunteers who band together to promote an author and his or her book. Members of a street team are motivated by their love of an author’s work to promote it to as many people as possible. Street teams originated on the music scene before the digital age.

So, you’ve got to like the books.

I’m not asking you to compare me to legends like Ian Rankin, Chris Brookmyre or anything like that, let’s be realistic! This isn’t about bullshitting. It’s just about helping an indie author get his books in front of more readers, that’s all.

Depending on the size of an author’s fan base, a successful Street Team should be able to do the following:

Recruit willing volunteers who are able to promote on social media
Have members post and encourage others to post reviews of the author’s books
Motivate and challenge members to engage in promotional activities and have fun
Provide feedback on new book ideas, sample chapters and cover art

Good authors should be happy to provide copies of the books for review. They’re called advanced review copies or ARC’s but in no way are people being rewarded for giving biased or overly favourable reviews as this is totally against Amazon’s terms and conditions and will only result in both the author and the reviewer getting closed down.

That said, I’ll be giving away signed paperbacks, autographed bookmarks and all sorts of author swag to my Street Team, depending on how much they get their sleeves rolled up.

You can find out a wee bit more about our Street Team over on a dedicated page on my blog.

>> If YOU want to be part of the ‘Diamond Dogs Street Team’ then click HERE <<

I’m really excited about my new Street Team and if you’re an aspiring or struggling author then I’d thoroughly encourage you to start your very own team! If you do, please let me know how you get on!

Catch up soon!

Alex x

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New Trailer For ‘The Devil You Know’

Posted on May 12, 2017 by alex

Have you seen this new trailer for ‘The Devil You Know?’

The video was made by a fellow Scots writer pal, Billy McLaughlin. Like me, he’s part of a group of gruesome Scottish writers called Write Scotland and we’re going to make some noise this year, just wait and see.

You can get a copy of my stand-alone thriller by clicking the image below!

All the best!

Alex x

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‘The Piper’s Promise’ Hits the Amazon Top 20

Posted on May 12, 2017 by alex

‘The Piper’s Promise’ hits the Amazon Top 20!

Huge thanks to everyone who grabbed a copy of my new thriller, The Piper’s Promise during the launch week.

You helped my book get into the Amazon Top 20!

If you missed all the excitement, here’s a little bit of info about The Piper’s Promise:

“When his best friend Thad is arrested for a series of murders he didn’t commit on the wrong side of the planet, the young Scottish adventurer, Ridge Walker, must find the real killer in order to prove his innocence. But as Ridge crosses swords with a merciless adversary and the savage ethos of centuries of warrior culture, the death toll speeds up and the seemingly random slayings take on a laser-sharp accuracy slicing ever closer to those he loves.

Two worlds collide in this race against time. As he sinks deeper into the macabre quagmire of a sick and vengeful mind he begins to realise the full horror that awaits him.

They say ‘the apple never falls far from the tree’ and it’s going to be a bitter harvest this season.”

————————————————————————————————-

WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID ABOUT ALEX BRECK:

THE DEVIL YOU KNOW

‘Highly recommend to pretty much anyone and everyone

who loves a good read!’

‘More than a story, I recommend this book to readers who appreciate good writing.

I am truly impressed and hope to see more books by Alex Breck.’

‘A moving, gripping and at times disturbing thriller with the rich

scene-setting we have come to expect from Alex Breck.’

THE PIPER’S LAMENT

‘Another gripping adventure for Ridge Walker,

this book doesn’t disappoint!

Well-rounded characters, old and new, exciting storyline,

all told with a touch of grim humour. Buy it!’

HE WHO PAYS THE PIPER

‘A darkly comic romp from Scotland right through Central America.

Fast paced action and some great incidents along the way

to a surprise ending

– looking forward to seeing what Ridge gets up to next!’

‘Fast paced with good characterisation… I genuinely wanted to find out what

would happen next… happy to recommend’

– Wendy H. Jones author of the DI Shona McKenzie mysteries

If you like

Passenger 19 or Play Dead or The Missing Ones

then you’ll love Alex Breck!

Find out more about Alex Breck

and get a free short story at www.alexbreckbooks.com

Crime Thriller & Mystery/Crime Fiction/Serial Killers

Crime Thriller & Mystery/Crime Fiction/British & Irish/Scottish

Mystery Thriller & Suspense/Crime/Serial Killers/Vengeful

Mystery Thriller & Suspense/ Thrillers/ Action-packed

Catch up soon!

Alex x

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Have you listened to my new Podcast show Alex Breck’s Banter yet?

The Piper’s Promise is Live!

Posted on April 30, 2017 by alex

My new Ridge Walker Thriller, THE PIPER’S PROMISE is published this weekend!

‘A real page-turner, it keeps you guessing the outcome until the very end.’

Two worlds collide in this race against time. As he sinks deeper into the macabre quagmire of a sick and vengeful mind he begins to realise the full horror that awaits him.

They say ‘the apple never falls far from the tree’ and it’s going to be a bitter harvest this season.”

————————————————————–

WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID ABOUT ALEX BRECK:

THE DEVIL YOU KNOW

‘Highly recommend to pretty much anyone and everyone

who loves a good read!’

‘More than a story, I recommend this book to readers who appreciate good writing.

I am truly impressed and hope to see more books by Alex Breck.’

‘A moving, gripping and at times disturbing thriller with the rich

scene-setting we have come to expect from Alex Breck.’

THE PIPER’S LAMENT

‘Another gripping adventure for Ridge Walker,

this book doesn’t disappoint!

Well rounded characters, old and new, exciting storyline,

all told with a touch of grim humour. Buy it!’

HE WHO PAYS THE PIPER

‘A darkly comic romp from Scotland right through Central America.

Fast paced action and some great incidents along the way

to a surprise ending

– looking forward to seeing what Ridge gets up to next!’

‘Fast paced with good characterisation… I genuinely wanted to find out what

would happen next… happy to recommend’

Wendy H. Jones author of the DI Shona McKenzie mysteries

If you like

Passenger 19 or Play Dead or The Missing Ones

then you’ll love Alex Breck!

Find out more about Alex Breck

and get a free short story at www.alexbreckbooks.com

Crime Thriller & Mystery/Crime Fiction/Serial Killers

Crime Thriller & Mystery/Crime Fiction/British & Irish/Scottish

Mystery Thriller & Suspense/Crime/Serial Killers/Vengeful

Mystery Thriller & Suspense/ Thrillers/ Action-packed

Catch up soon!

Alex x

Find me on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

Have you listened to my new Podcast show Alex Breck’s Banter yet?

Alex Breck on the Radio

Posted on April 14, 2017 by alex

I had a total blast on Wednesday being interviewed live on Mearns FM which is a community radio station based over on the chilly East coast of Scotland.

Luckily I could do the interview by telephone from my wee island.

Wendy H Jones (pictured above) was at the helm and she piloted the show with all the skill and wit that she brings to her DI Shona McKenzie Dundee crime thrillers.

All was well until halfway through and I was wittering away about something and I noticed the lack of response from my DJ interviewer. That was when I realised I’d been cut off and was only talking to myself… Technology is great when it works, right?

Two frantic minutes of phone activity later and I was back on the radio again before the song finished.

I had to pick five tunes for Wendy to play on the radio throughout our interview which had some relevance to my writing. Not easy! Not all of my favourite choons are radio friendly if you get my meaning.

So what did I pick? You’ll just have to listen to find out!

Catch up here on MixCloud.

Watch out for the imminent release of the third Ridge Walker adventure ‘The Piper’s Promise’ later this month.

Here is a short snippet about the new book:

When Thad is wrongly arrested for murder on the wrong side of the planet, Ridge Walker must find the real killer in order to prove his best pal’s innocence. But as he crosses swords with a merciless adversary and the savage ethos of centuries of warrior culture, the bloodshed takes on a laser-sharp accuracy slicing ever closer to those he loves. They say ‘the apple never falls far from the tree’ so it’s going to be a bitter harvest this season.

Have a great Easter!

Alex x

#thepiperspromise

PS: Here’s a very recent review for my latest thriller The Devil You Know from Amazon in the US:

What kept me reading was the quality of the writing, in a word: marvelous, an example of modern prose, impossibly long sentences that somehow work out, a sardonic sense of humor and a host of colorful characters that include the traditional tired detective, grumpy old boatman, a prominent local criminal and a beautiful female assassin. I am not a Scot, and I had some trouble following some of the colorful dialogue that illustrates the peculiarities of Scottish conversation. The effort was worth it. More than a story, I recommend this book to readers who appreciate good writing. I am truly impressed and hope to see more books by Alex Breck.

Find me on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

Have you listened to my new Podcast show Alex Breck’s Banter yet?

From Deep In The Forest – The Piper’s Promise

Posted on March 2, 2017 by alex

Yes, the third Ridge Walker instalment will be published very soon!

The title is ‘The Piper’s Promise’ and the book is set mostly in Japan.

In A Forest

One of the most important locations for the book is a mysterious and gruesome forest which looks quite like the one in the image above.

Since I was a wee boy I’ve always loved playing in the woods but I have to admit that writing this thriller has put me off just a little. I won’t be venturing out into any dark forest that’s for sure!

My little island doesn’t have any major woods to speak of but my son and I often travel over to the mainland to mountain bike down some epic Forestry Commission trails and particularly on a Sunday when there’s no tree-felling going on.

You’re not likely to meet many people in my story-forest however but without spoiling the plot I’d say that if you did you would be thankful…

I usually like to listen to music when I’m writing and I have an eclectic taste. The only common thread between the songs I listen to is that they have to be LOUD.

This tune below is called A Forest by The Cure who are an old favourite from my student days.

So pull down the blinds, switch off the lights and turn your volume UP…!

Into the trees

Into the trees…

Here is a short snippet about the new book:

Alex x

#thepiperspromise

PS: Here’s a very recent review for my latest thriller The Devil You Know from Amazon in the US:

What kept me reading was the quality of the writing, in a word: marvelous, an example of modern prose, impossibly long sentences that somehow work out, a sardonic sense of humor and a host of colorful characters that include the traditional tired detective, grumpy old boatman, a prominent local criminal and a beautiful female assassin. I am not a Scot, and I had some trouble following some of the colorful dialogue that illustrates the peculiarities of Scottish conversation. The effort was worth it. More than a story, I recommend this book to readers who appreciate good writing. I am truly impressed and hope to see more books by Alex Breck.

Find me on Facebook

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Have you listened to my new Podcast show Alex Breck’s Banter yet?

Make A Living Writing Fiction. Can It Be Done?

Posted on February 21, 2017 by alex

Can You Make A Living Writing Fiction?

I read somewhere recently that the average income of most fiction writers would fall below the minimum wage. While the famous authors continue to attract a disproportionate amount of the overall pot, most writers are not making an adequate living from their books and there are said to be many who make no money at all.

You can read about this in more detail in a Guardian newspaper article here. Apologies for my overseas readers as the figures quoted are all in UK pounds although there’s not a lot of difference between the pound and the dollar these days.

Now, I don’t make any claims to be among the highest paid authors in the land but I certainly don’t work for nothing. Much as I love writing, life is too short to be permanently broke. I confess to supplementing my writing income by using online marketing but for me there is no distinction between the two nowadays.

We ALL have to get used to the fact that unless we market our books and ourselves too, then no-one is going to get the opportunity to even see your next masterpiece.

And once you embrace that mindset shift, it’s amazing how quickly you get into branding yourself as an author and how simple it can often be to make additional income doing stuff connected to your writing.

I’ve talked about Anne R Allen’s wonderful blog before and today I just wanted to share a piece written by my new friend Elizabeth S Craig called ‘Yes, You Can Make A Living Writing Fiction.’

It’s not a fluff article and you’ll pick up solid practical steps that anyone can do to help boost their book sales and bottom line.

That’s all for today and I hope you find these two articles useful.

If you want some direct help in marketing your books or any other simple ways to supplement your income online, so giving you more time to write, then message me on my Facebook Page and I’ll get back to you.

Alex x

Coming soon – #thepiperspromise

PS: Here’s a very recent review for my latest thriller The Devil You Know from Amazon in the US:

What kept me reading was the quality of the writing, in a word: marvelous, an example of modern prose, impossibly long sentences that somehow work out, a sardonic sense of humor and a host of colorful characters that include the traditional tired detective, grumpy old boatman, a prominent local criminal and a beautiful female assassin. I am not a Scot, and I had some trouble following some of the colorful dialogue that illustrates the peculiarities of Scottish conversation. The effort was worth it. More than a story, I recommend this book to readers who appreciate good writing. I am truly impressed and hope to see more books by Alex Breck.

Find me on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

Have you listened to my new Podcast show Alex Breck’s Banter yet?

Strange Fascination – David Bowie Biography

Posted on February 5, 2017 by alex

To anyone who’s read my Ridge Walker thriller series, it’s quickly obvious that I am a huge David Bowie fan.

Therefore I was sad beyond belief when he died last winter and initially I found it difficult to open this wonderful birthday present from my wife. Like many people around the globe, his passing seemed to mean more than just the loss of another ageing pop star. Of course we couldn’t have known in January 2016 that this was just an appetiser for a cruel and seemingly endless banquet of high profile deaths that were to come.

But I eventually got round to reading the book and I thoroughly recommend it to any Bowie fans.

My favourite Bowie album?

Ha! It changes all the time like my favourite books but if I had to choose just the one then I guess it would have to be DIAMOND DOGS of course!

Here is my Goodreads review:

Strange Fascination: David Bowie: The Definitive Story by David Buckley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

For an absolutely fanatical Bowie fan like me, this book was a treasure trove of valuable nuggets which continually impressed me by virtue of the breadth and depth of the research. Buckley has spoken to so many of the important people in the life of David Bowie from the very early days up to the last days. This not only gives the reader an intimate understanding of the man but also helps us to understand the pressures he lived under and the reasons for some of his more unusual artistic adventures.
I loved the way the book provides almost a line-by-line analysis of many of his best loved songs and the social, psychological and geographical context behind them. I couldn’t get enough of the first half of the book but, as Bowie had only recently died when I received the book as a birthday present, I found the latter half of the book a little depressing and less enjoyable but that’s probably more to do with my grief at his loss and my preference for his earlier works than a lack of quality from the writer.
Perhaps not ideal for the general music fan because of the intense level of detail, the book is bound to delight anyone who loved his music and theatricality. A book I shall return to many times.

View all my reviews

Alex x

Coming soon – #thepiperspromise

PS: Here’s a very recent review for my latest thriller The Devil You Know from Amazon in the US:

What kept me reading was the quality of the writing, in a word: marvelous, an example of modern prose, impossibly long sentences that somehow work out, a sardonic sense of humor and a host of colorful characters that include the traditional tired detective, grumpy old boatman, a prominent local criminal and a beautiful female assassin. I am not a Scot, and I had some trouble following some of the colorful dialogue that illustrates the peculiarities of Scottish conversation. The effort was worth it. More than a story, I recommend this book to readers who appreciate good writing. I am truly impressed and hope to see more books by Alex Breck.

Find me on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

Have you listened to my new Podcast show Alex Breck’s Banter yet?

Six Four Scores A So-So

Posted on January 17, 2017 by alex

Hey Guys!

You might remember I’m due to be publishing my third Ridge Walker ‘The Piper’s Promise‘ pretty soon and most of the book is set in Japan, so over the holidays I thought I’d catch up on some contemporary Japanese novels.

This one, Six Four, has had rave reviews and so here is mine from Goodreads for what it’s worth. An interesting book but you’d not want to sell yer granny for one, I don’t think.

Six Four by Hideo Yokoyama
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Let me start by saying this book was unlike any I have read before which is something in itself.
The hype in the bookshop and on the cover is perhaps a tad overblown and I’d imagine many readers will give up Six Four before it really gets going.
The ‘office politics’ don’t grab you by the throat but it does ramp up in tension as you plod onwards and after a while it suddenly feels like the author has inserted a razor-sharp knife into you almost without you knowing it. Then he slowly and inexorably begins to twist it and at that point you just have to keep reading until the end.
Overall I would say it is worth reading and I continued to think about it for days afterwards. If you’re looking for a taste of modern Japan on an epic scale without stereotypes, violence or gore then I’d give it a go. Top tip: write down the names of the key players early on – you’ll thank me, I promise!
PS: Why the pink page edges?

View all my reviews

Alex x

Coming soon – #thepiperspromise

PS: Here’s a very recent review for my latest thriller The Devil You Know from Amazon in the US:

What kept me reading was the quality of the writing, in a word: marvelous, an example of modern prose, impossibly long sentences that somehow work out, a sardonic sense of humor and a host of colorful characters that include the traditional tired detective, grumpy old boatman, a prominent local criminal and a beautiful female assassin. I am not a Scot, and I had some trouble following some of the colorful dialogue that illustrates the peculiarities of Scottish conversation. The effort was worth it. More than a story, I recommend this book to readers who appreciate good writing. I am truly impressed and hope to see more books by Alex Breck.

Find me on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

Have you listened to my new Podcast show Alex Breck’s Banter yet?

alexbreckbooks

the alex breck author site

Tag Archives: japanese novels

Join My ‘Street Team!’

Hey, everyone! How would you like to join my ‘Street Team?’

If you’re anything like me, you’ll be asking, ‘What the hell is a ‘Street Team?’

Depending on the size of an author’s fan base, a successful Street Team should be able to do the following:

New Trailer For ‘The Devil You Know’

Have you seen this new trailer for ‘The Devil You Know?’

‘The Piper’s Promise’ Hits the Amazon Top 20

‘The Piper’s Promise’ hits the Amazon Top 20!

You helped my book get into the Amazon Top 20!

The Piper’s Promise is Live!

My new Ridge Walker Thriller, THE PIPER’S PROMISE is published this weekend!

Alex Breck on the Radio

From Deep In The Forest – The Piper’s Promise

Yes, the third Ridge Walker instalment will be published very soon!

The title is ‘The Piper’s Promise’ and the book is set mostly in Japan.

In A Forest

Into the trees

Into the trees

Into the trees…

Make A Living Writing Fiction. Can It Be Done?

Can You Make A Living Writing Fiction?

Strange Fascination – David Bowie Biography

To anyone who’s read my Ridge Walker thriller series, it’s quickly obvious that I am a huge David Bowie fan.

Here is my Goodreads review:

Strange Fascination: David Bowie: The Definitive Story by David Buckley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Six Four Scores A So-So

Hey, everyone! How would you like to join my ‘Street Team?’

If you’re anything like me, you’ll be asking, ‘What the hell is a ‘Street Team?’

Depending on the size of an author’s fan base, a successful Street Team should be able to do the following:

Have you seen this new trailer for ‘The Devil You Know?’

‘The Piper’s Promise’ hits the Amazon Top 20!

You helped my book get into the Amazon Top 20!

My new Ridge Walker Thriller, THE PIPER’S PROMISE is published this weekend!

Yes, the third Ridge Walker instalment will be published very soon!

The title is ‘The Piper’s Promise’ and the book is set mostly in Japan.

In A Forest

Into the trees

Into the trees

Into the trees…

Can You Make A Living Writing Fiction?

To anyone who’s read my Ridge Walker thriller series, it’s quickly obvious that I am a huge David Bowie fan.

Here is my Goodreads review:

Strange Fascination: David Bowie: The Definitive Story by David Buckley My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Strange Fascination: David Bowie: The Definitive Story by David Buckley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars