Hi,

The sun is burning in Ireland. Interspersed by days of deluge, it provides the perfect weather for creating potholes in the roads. The manic requirement to make hay means there are huge tractors dashing around the tiny roads, pulling even bigger trailers driven by teenage boys who think speed regulations are for woosies. Coming back from the market a few days ago we passed our local farmer's enormous tractor on its side in the ditch and a whole load of people all standing around scratching their heads. There were no guards in sight, which probably means no one was killed, which is amazing.

DAISY O'SHEA NEWS

THE IRISH KEY, my first book for Bookouture, under the pseudonym Daisy O'Shea, was published nearly three months ago. I don't think anyone could be more astonished than me at the outcome. Not only did the novel reach the top 50 overall in Amazon UK, and in the top 400 in Amazon US (out of an estimated 33 million), it came well into the top 20 in several categories: 5 in Romance Literary Fiction; 11 in Women's Literary Fiction; and 15 in contemporary Literary Fiction. It continues to perform, over and above the expectations of the publishers. THE IRISH KEY has, to date, has over 2,000,000 Kindle Unlimited page reads, and the ebook has sold over 6,000 copies. This is amazing. I get excited about a single sale of my self-published books.

I want to extend a huge thank you to all those readers who signed up for the pre-order, those who subsequently purchased the book, and most especially to those who took the time to post a review. I am sharing this one with you; thank you bookworm86.

‘OMG! OMG!!… Beautiful… Absolutely gorgeous!!!… Swept me away from the beginning to the end!!!… I devoured it in one sitting!!!… Gorgeous, heart-warming… Clear your schedules and grab the tissues… stunning' Bookworm86,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The second in series, THE IRISH CHILD (which my mum - ex librarian and teacher - thinks is better than the first) is on pre-order now for publication on 16th July, which is rapidly approaching. Click the image below to check it out.

This second book already has nearly 2,000 pre-orders, which is a stunning accolade not so much to my writing (though I like to think that's part of it), but to the whole Bookouture team who do all the things that get the work read: editing, cover design, blurbs and advertising.

The third book is now in final editing stage, and as usual the Bookouture editors have come up with some pertinent and helpful suggestions to tighten the storyline. This one will be published in August, and I will, of course, let you know the details as soon as I have them. I have just received the cover, which is stunning. I'm not allowed to show this at the moment, but you will be the first to see it when I am given the go ahead.

HER IRISH HOME, my FREE short story in this genre, is available from Bookfunnel. Collection will sign you up to Bookouture's mailing list, from which you can unsubscribe at any time.

And finally, an unexpected development. Initially I was informed that I might be offered a further contract if the three books were successful, but I have already been offered a two-book contract for 2025.

Additionally, the first two books have been subcontracted to a dedicated audio book producer. I will let you know more when I have the details. Next up, Netflix... well, one can dream!

CHRIS LEWANDO BOOKS

I have re-started the fourth in the suspense thriller series SUFFER THE LITTLE CHILDREN. This is now on Amazon for pre-order, with publication set for November. It went on hold while I was completing my three books for Bookouture, but I intend to complete this before starting the 2025 Bookouture commitment.

I had the covers re-designed a year or so back, but I really don't think they are doing anything for the series, so I have commissioned another company to redesign the series, and I would seriously love your feedback. I can't do clever things like tick box surveys, so a brief response to this email would be truly appreciated. Whether or not you have read the books, which of these following covers would make you take a second look?

Cover 1 - the present cover

Cover 2 - proposed for the genre of suspense thriller

Cover 3 - proposed for the genre of action thriller.

Thank you for being interested in my amazing publishing journey. All the best until next time. Happy reading, Chris Lewando

www.chrislewando.com

www.daisyoshea.com

I will no longer be searching for free book offers from book funnels, though I might do so from time to time, so if this doesn't suit, there's an unsubscribe button at the foot of this newsletter. I do hope you wish to continue to follow both my publishing journey, and my website storyboards of life here in Ireland.